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A review by ithianna
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
☆ Fun Factor 4/5 (I'm not sure I'd call this book "fun" it's very gut punching, but I breezed through it)
☆ Writing Style 5/5
☆ Characters 5/5 (A small cast that we spend a lot of time with)
☆ Plot 3/5 (predictable but hits HARD, and I mean hard.)
☆ Setting 5/5 (Gothic spooky vibes)
☆ Feels 5/5 (made me tear up)
☆ Spiciness 2/5 (sex scenes mostly relegated to fade to black but some of the foreplay and kissing happens on page)
☆ Gore 3/5
If this were a movie it'd be rated: R for mild sexual situations, violence, body horror, frequent mentions of sexual assault, PTSD/panic attack depictions, disturbing imagery, misogynistic language
☆FOR FANS OF: Dark fairy tales with feminist motifs
Ultimate verdict: ☆☆☆☆☆/5
☆☆☆Best Character Award goes to:☆☆☆ Effy
Review: This is for all the girls that no one believed
It's a book that means so much to me. It's about a young woman named Effy who's told to shut up and keep her head down and just be a good girl by everyone in her life, even her own mother. Nobody believes her story or what happened to her, so she just censors herself and makes herself small. It can get intensely uncomfortable because it's ultimately a story told through rather heavy handed allegory about women who are the victims of men. Sexual assault, lecherous comments, slut shaming, misogyny, and abuse. As such, this isn't exactly what I'd call a "lighthearted" read, nor do I really understand why this is marketed as YA. It was gut wrenching for me at times. There's so many women in our world who have their own Fairy King haunting their steps who are told to just ignore it, it's not real, he's not so bad. All these little comments are like bricks in the wall that women often hide themselves behind to stay safe and sane.
As such this story is going to hit HARD for survivors of abuse, assault, and misogyny. I saw myself in Effy as a survivor myself. This is an important book because in the end, she defeats her abuser and that's a message that anyone suffering through abuse needs to hear: You can make it through.
A phenomenal modern fairy tale that feels timeless at the same time. Absolutely adored and I will definitely pick up the sequel later this year.
☆ Writing Style 5/5
☆ Characters 5/5 (A small cast that we spend a lot of time with)
☆ Plot 3/5 (predictable but hits HARD, and I mean hard.)
☆ Setting 5/5 (Gothic spooky vibes)
☆ Feels 5/5 (made me tear up)
☆ Spiciness 2/5 (sex scenes mostly relegated to fade to black but some of the foreplay and kissing happens on page)
☆ Gore 3/5
If this were a movie it'd be rated: R for mild sexual situations, violence, body horror, frequent mentions of sexual assault, PTSD/panic attack depictions, disturbing imagery, misogynistic language
☆FOR FANS OF: Dark fairy tales with feminist motifs
Ultimate verdict: ☆☆☆☆☆/5
☆☆☆Best Character Award goes to:☆☆☆ Effy
Review: This is for all the girls that no one believed
It's a book that means so much to me. It's about a young woman named Effy who's told to shut up and keep her head down and just be a good girl by everyone in her life, even her own mother. Nobody believes her story or what happened to her, so she just censors herself and makes herself small. It can get intensely uncomfortable because it's ultimately a story told through rather heavy handed allegory about women who are the victims of men. Sexual assault, lecherous comments, slut shaming, misogyny, and abuse. As such, this isn't exactly what I'd call a "lighthearted" read, nor do I really understand why this is marketed as YA. It was gut wrenching for me at times. There's so many women in our world who have their own Fairy King haunting their steps who are told to just ignore it, it's not real, he's not so bad. All these little comments are like bricks in the wall that women often hide themselves behind to stay safe and sane.
As such this story is going to hit HARD for survivors of abuse, assault, and misogyny. I saw myself in Effy as a survivor myself. This is an important book because in the end, she defeats her abuser and that's a message that anyone suffering through abuse needs to hear: You can make it through.
A phenomenal modern fairy tale that feels timeless at the same time. Absolutely adored and I will definitely pick up the sequel later this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Medical content, Stalking, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism