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A review by nadiajohnsonbooks
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book would have meant the world to me in high school and college, and I suspect that a lot of women (or nonbinary folks or queer folks or anyone who has ever been on the weaker side of a power imbalance) will relate
Effy is the only woman in her university's architecture program and the subject of cruel rumors that she might be sleeping her way to the top
She gets the chance to prove herself, winning the opportunity to redesign the manor of her literary hero. When she gets there, she meets Preston, a literature student who believes her hero was a fraud
Preston is a grump and a pedant who reminds me very much of a younger version of my husband, so naturally I loved him and the rivals-to-lovers romance that builds between him and Effy as they investigate the author's legacy
Some dark secrets are unearthed in the process
The story draws on the deep mythology of fairies as tricksters and child thieves, both in the "book within a book" and in the world as Effy knows it
This novel deals with some dark themes: exploitation, abuse, prejudice, neglect, trauma. But it does so thoughtfully, with beautiful imagery and impeccable gothic/dark academic atmosphere
If you have ever been told that you should be grateful for unwanted attention, this book is for you
If you've ever had someone take credit for or belittle your achievement, this book is for you
If you've ever been taken advantage of, this book is for you
This book was definitely for me
Effy is the only woman in her university's architecture program and the subject of cruel rumors that she might be sleeping her way to the top
She gets the chance to prove herself, winning the opportunity to redesign the manor of her literary hero. When she gets there, she meets Preston, a literature student who believes her hero was a fraud
Preston is a grump and a pedant who reminds me very much of a younger version of my husband, so naturally I loved him and the rivals-to-lovers romance that builds between him and Effy as they investigate the author's legacy
Some dark secrets are unearthed in the process
The story draws on the deep mythology of fairies as tricksters and child thieves, both in the "book within a book" and in the world as Effy knows it
This novel deals with some dark themes: exploitation, abuse, prejudice, neglect, trauma. But it does so thoughtfully, with beautiful imagery and impeccable gothic/dark academic atmosphere
If you have ever been told that you should be grateful for unwanted attention, this book is for you
If you've ever had someone take credit for or belittle your achievement, this book is for you
If you've ever been taken advantage of, this book is for you
This book was definitely for me
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death