A review by lena_kellogg
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

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

5.0

I cannot think of a better read to get your hands on this fall! 

Effy Sayre is an avid fan of the haunting fantasy works of the late great Emyrs Myrddin. When she is denied entry into the all-male literature college to study Myddin’s works, she grudgingly settles on architecture. After winning a design contest, Effy is invited to Myrddin’s estate to redesign his now crumbling, waterlogged manor. While redesigning the manor, Effy becomes acquainted with Preston, a smug literature student studying Myrddin’s old letters. As Myrddin’s son and other unknown magical forces try to keep Effy and Preston from working together, they clandestinely operate to uncover the secrets held within the slowly sinking manor - secrets that could topple everything that Effy has ever held dear. 

Effy is one of my favorite female main characters I’ve read. She reminds me so much of myself as a first year college student: determined, but timid and shy in a place she feels she just doesn’t belong. She’s strong without having to dominate every interaction, battle with swords, or make amusing quips. Effy is a wonderful example of quiet bravery, fighting against her past and clamoring to create her future. 

The setting and world are haunting and eerie. I pictured everything in a washed-out sepia tone. Mythology and inspiration is drawn heavily from England and Wales. We also have some early 20th century technology, adding an unexpected element to the world. It’s a perfect ethereal dark-academia fall read! 

The romance in this book is so tender, so real, and so beautiful. It was touching to see a relationship built upon trust, shared intellectual pursuits, and honest respect for each other. Our love interest shows such a realistic sweetness and gentleness that is (I believe) lacking in a lot of upper YA romantic interests.

There are a couple minor instances of swearing and one closed-door romantic scene. I’d recommend it for the older YA age group (16-19) as Effy is in her first year of college and this book is focused around themes of sexism in academia and grooming/sexual harassment. 

If you want an atmospheric, dark academia, rivals-to-lovers, mysterious story, A Study in Drowning is the book for you. 

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for providing me with a digital advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
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