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A review by brookeslots
A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ava Reid continues to stun. She always perfectly balances politics with magical realism with folklore with romance. Her dark academia setting is the cherry on top.
The entire time reading this book I was torn between wanting to take breaks as it mostly a tale of misery but being unable to think about anything else when I was not reading. Poor sweet baby Preston is not having a good time learning what is means to love and losing the foundation of his belief. And my heart broke for lovely Effie who essentially falls into a deep depression after losing her ability to dissociate and is faced with harsh reality.
While it wasn’t ~fun~ to read about Effie’s depression and Preston’s anxiety, it felt incredible relatable to my time as a young adult. I, too, was overwhelmed with feeling as loving me was a burden and in constant state of panic I would lose the one I loved. I could relate to both of them.
I loved the messages that being brave is being able to feel all your feelings and that love is what matters most in the end. Preston’s love for Effie is so pure and so deep and captured the exact feeling of love being bigger than ourselves that I crave in a romance.
My only critique is that a lot of the book felt like a big miscommunication trope, or just lack of any communication in the first place. I wish Effie and Preston had more scenes together and wish they discussed Preston’s dreams and came to their conclusions together. They were on different sides of the same coin the whole time and I wanted that satisfaction of coming together at the end. Obviously, them not communicating is what heightens their issues, but I did miss the camaraderie of the first book between them.
Did Ava Reid need to write a sequel? No, but I’m so glad she did. I love Effie and Preston so much that if she ever decides to continue their story I will be waiting with open arms.
The entire time reading this book I was torn between wanting to take breaks as it mostly a tale of misery but being unable to think about anything else when I was not reading. Poor sweet baby Preston is not having a good time learning what is means to love and losing the foundation of his belief. And my heart broke for lovely Effie who essentially falls into a deep depression after losing her ability to dissociate and is faced with harsh reality.
While it wasn’t ~fun~ to read about Effie’s depression and Preston’s anxiety, it felt incredible relatable to my time as a young adult. I, too, was overwhelmed with feeling as loving me was a burden and in constant state of panic I would lose the one I loved. I could relate to both of them.
I loved the messages that being brave is being able to feel all your feelings and that love is what matters most in the end. Preston’s love for Effie is so pure and so deep and captured the exact feeling of love being bigger than ourselves that I crave in a romance.
My only critique is that a lot of the book felt like a big miscommunication trope, or just lack of any communication in the first place. I wish Effie and Preston had more scenes together and wish they discussed Preston’s dreams and came to their conclusions together. They were on different sides of the same coin the whole time and I wanted that satisfaction of coming together at the end. Obviously, them not communicating is what heightens their issues, but I did miss the camaraderie of the first book between them.
Did Ava Reid need to write a sequel? No, but I’m so glad she did. I love Effie and Preston so much that if she ever decides to continue their story I will be waiting with open arms.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Misogyny, War