A review by booketofbooks
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

1 heard a lot of hype about this book and for me, it did not disappoint. As a fan of faerie- lore retellings, I should mention that I am the target demographic for this book. Ava Reid's writing style also happened to work for me, and I really appreciated her commitment to certain thematic elements and the inclusion of literary devices throughout the book. 
Our FMC, Effie, is a young college student who's feeling unmoored. 
Although this is a magical alternate universe, men are still men-ning, and she has to settle for a position in Architecture since Literature is off limits to women. After her (male) supervisor assaults her, she feels even more dejected as she becomes the subject of gossip and rumors. A glimmer of hope arrives in the form of a competition. The winner will develop the blueprints to rebuild the home of the nation's beloved author, who is recently deceased and also happens to be Effie's favorite. The fictional author's work is an epic poem about a mortal woman who loves the Fairy King but ultimately must save herself from him. Effie has a personal connection to the Fairy King, but she doesn't trust her own memory after years of being gaslit by the adults around her, and she self-medicates to deal with the lasting effects. After arriving to the grounds of the home, she meets the volatile son of the author, as well as Preston, a student who is a rival of sorts. He has a suspicion that Effie's beloved author is actually a fraud. They team up to find out the real origins of the story and discover the secrets of the mysterious home and its owner. 
From the outset, I was really captured by Ava Reid's word choice. Her description of the surroundings may be tedious to some, but to me, her writing is so specific and masterfully deliberate. I was reminded of Spinning Silver, and the love story paralleled that of Divine Rivals, so if you're a fan of those, add this to your TBR. Although there were a few explanations at the end that seemed a tad convenient, overall I enjoyed the book. Do check trigger warnings, as the book discusses SA, mental health, and trauma.
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