A review by thecaffeinatedlibrary
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
challenging
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
A Study in Drowning is cottagecore whimsy filtered through a much darker lense.
I loved Effy's journey throughout this book. The softspoken, slightly naive girl we meet in chapter 1 is a totally different creature to the Effy we see in the latter half of the book. She is brave and imaginative, but the ways in which she doubts herself are rooted so deep, they never quite leave her. Preston is honestly a delight, he reminded me a little of Palamedes Sextus from The Locked Tomb series. He's always thinking, theorising, but he is also such a kind-hearted soul that cares deeply, and will fight for those he cares about. I really loved these two together, their romance was touching and tender but never overshadowed the overarching plot of Effy's journey.
I loved the backdrop of the rotting, dilapidated house and how it became a character in and of itself. Reid's writing is full of lilting prose that is so atmospheric that I felt genuinely scared for Effy and Preston at times. The gently woven themes of misogyny, the deeply ingrained act of women doubting themselves when it comes to academia and literature, were slow and mournful before they turning vengeful, it was easy to empathise Effy here. I loved Reid's thought-provoking commentary on gender, and classism.
The magic system was less fantasy to me, and more magical realism. We're running on vibes and fairytale dreams, and you're never really sure if what's happening, IS happening. I would have loved to know about it all, the Sleepers and the Drowning, Reid has created an intriguing world. To me it felt as though there was a lot left unanswered in the end, not so much for our MC's, but for the world itself — which could be purposeful on the author's part.
If you like lush prose, haunting landscapes and dreamlike magic, give ASID a try 😊
I loved Effy's journey throughout this book. The softspoken, slightly naive girl we meet in chapter 1 is a totally different creature to the Effy we see in the latter half of the book. She is brave and imaginative, but the ways in which she doubts herself are rooted so deep, they never quite leave her. Preston is honestly a delight, he reminded me a little of Palamedes Sextus from The Locked Tomb series. He's always thinking, theorising, but he is also such a kind-hearted soul that cares deeply, and will fight for those he cares about. I really loved these two together, their romance was touching and tender but never overshadowed the overarching plot of Effy's journey.
I loved the backdrop of the rotting, dilapidated house and how it became a character in and of itself. Reid's writing is full of lilting prose that is so atmospheric that I felt genuinely scared for Effy and Preston at times. The gently woven themes of misogyny, the deeply ingrained act of women doubting themselves when it comes to academia and literature, were slow and mournful before they turning vengeful, it was easy to empathise Effy here. I loved Reid's thought-provoking commentary on gender, and classism.
The magic system was less fantasy to me, and more magical realism. We're running on vibes and fairytale dreams, and you're never really sure if what's happening, IS happening. I would have loved to know about it all, the Sleepers and the Drowning, Reid has created an intriguing world. To me it felt as though there was a lot left unanswered in the end, not so much for our MC's, but for the world itself — which could be purposeful on the author's part.
If you like lush prose, haunting landscapes and dreamlike magic, give ASID a try 😊
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault