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A review by bamamelereads
A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Many thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.
Once again, Reid has blessed us with an achingly beautiful book. A Theory of Dreaming is rawer and more heartbreaking than A Study in Drowning though. Effy and Preston have to deal with so much prejudice and abuse once they return to university. Their love still shines through at the end, and it was so so emotional.
The treatment the two face is infuriating, frustrating, and disheartening. And it eats at them; Preston retreats into his underwater dreamworld, and Effy retreats into sleep. But in her waking hours, she once again discovers another author who has been hidden and abused by her father. And Preston discovers more secrets about the myths underpinning the very country of Llyr. Watching them both drown in the real world and having to fight their way to the surface was heart-wrenching.
This is not an easy book. It's hard, it's emotional, it's almost suffocating. I urge you, the reader, to be kind and careful with yourself, especially if you are struggling. But the end is very healing. And as always, Reid's prose is just so beautiful and evocative. I think if you loved Study, you'll love Theory. Especially since we get so much more Preston!
Once again, Reid has blessed us with an achingly beautiful book. A Theory of Dreaming is rawer and more heartbreaking than A Study in Drowning though. Effy and Preston have to deal with so much prejudice and abuse once they return to university. Their love still shines through at the end, and it was so so emotional.
The treatment the two face is infuriating, frustrating, and disheartening. And it eats at them; Preston retreats into his underwater dreamworld, and Effy retreats into sleep. But in her waking hours, she once again discovers another author who has been hidden and abused by her father. And Preston discovers more secrets about the myths underpinning the very country of Llyr. Watching them both drown in the real world and having to fight their way to the surface was heart-wrenching.
This is not an easy book. It's hard, it's emotional, it's almost suffocating. I urge you, the reader, to be kind and careful with yourself, especially if you are struggling. But the end is very healing. And as always, Reid's prose is just so beautiful and evocative. I think if you loved Study, you'll love Theory. Especially since we get so much more Preston!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Incest, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt