emarvin 's review for:

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

4.5

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Dark academia meets gothic folklore in the best way

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars

Loved this book! I read it in just two sittings—it pulled me in from the very start. The middle dragged a little, which is why it’s not a full 5 stars, but everything else worked so well for me.

The dark academia, gothic vibes were everything. Effy was such a compelling protagonist; I felt so much compassion for her struggles and how the patriarchy stood in her way—especially in the university setting. Preston was such a breath of fresh air compared to the other men in Effy’s life, and I loved watching their relationship slowly grow.

The Welsh-inspired folklore was incredible, and the way the myths Effy believed in turned out to be true was deeply satisfying. I can’t wait to see more of Effy and Preston in the second book, and I’ll definitely be picking up more from Ava Reid in the future!