Reviews with content warning for Grief - A Study in Drowning

This book felt written for me and for anyone who has found themselves beyond even hoping to be seen, heard, or believed.

The prose is gorgeous, the characters so real and endearing, and the story woven with just enough magic to elevate the whole thing to a completely different level. I can’t wait to continue reading Ava Reid.

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akevaa's review

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dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

5.0

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missgnomers's review

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dark emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

I really enjoyed this! Some reviews say the themes are heavy handed and that the setting feels awkwardly placed in time. While I believe it to be a thematic choice, it didn’t feel cohesive.

I think the themes are well handled in this lite thriller

I just adored the romance in this book. Also, I liked that the writer had only Effy and Anghadad see the Fairy King. Allies like Preston can hear and know, but they can’t experience it for themselves. The mystery itself was an easy guess but felt earned.

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maregred's review

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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ramenfuneral's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

First absolute BANGER of the year. Who says you need a whole series. This book proves you can do it in a stand alone. First off, the writing with the spooky, gothic coastal town was just perfect. It was incredibly easy to put yourself there and get immersed in it.

The FMC was also written perfectly. Her trauma and struggles with mental illness were done so well. She’s vulnerable and soft also smart and courageous at times.
There is a romance subplot and it is perfectly fine. It’s nothing mind blowing. I had a good time reading their story but the chemistry was just fine but that’s okay cause the mystery and the main plot was what I was HERE FOR so I’m okay with the just fine subplot.

Definitely a feminist novel with lots of rage inducing misogynistic men, but that’s the goal so it works. Except for sweet, angel Preston. Whose name I don’t care for either but I won’t dock points for it. This book was advertised to me as dark academia, and while it’s dark and academics are definitely a point of this book, it didn’t feel like a dark academia book to me. Idk, maybe that’s just me.

Despite it being an early read, I anticipate this being in the top books of the year. Loved It.

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angelinanajel's review

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dark inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

This book encompassed all the elements that truly resonate with my literary preferences: the engaging transformation from academic rivals to lovers, the allure of gothic mysteries, the enchanting fairytale ambience, the immersive experience of dark academia, and the eerie seclusion of a haunting manor setting.

I found the fusion of the magical and mundane within the narrative to be particularly enthralling. It left me in a constant state of intrigue, questioning whether the supernatural occurrences were genuine or merely figments of Effy's vivid imagination.

In my opinion, Reid exhibits a masterful touch in crafting a dark, haunting, and whimsical atmosphere. I formed deep connections with the characters, and the development of Preston and Effy's relationship was a highlight for me. Their journey from adversaries to inquisitive acquaintances, and ultimately to a full-fledged romance, was portrayed with finesse.

One noteworthy aspect is the book's unflinching exploration of profound and challenging themes such as institutional sexism, the abuse of power by men, and the pervasive ways in which women are marginalised and silenced by these 'powerful' figures.

it's important to note that the story may take a while to gain momentum, and there are instances where the plot's revelations can be somewhat predictable. However, "A Study in Drowning" successfully navigates a range of themes, seamlessly weaving them into a hauntingly beautiful narrative. What truly shines in this novel is the synergy among its various elements. From the narrative craftsmanship and the intricately developed characters to the rich world mythology, as well as the exploration of academic institutions and the complex issues of institutional sexism, everything converges harmoniously. The result is a deeply thought-provoking and immersive reading experience that is impossible to put down.

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leonormsousa's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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? No

3.5

Interesting concept but I thought the execution was a bit meh.
Quite an atmospheric book with a nice setting but the plot was very very predictable.
Totally my fault on this one, but read way too much YA for me.
Thought the main character was a bit insufferable some times.
The topics of sexual assault and feminism were well woven and explored in the story, especially considering the target audience. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the romance, which I felt had a very weird progression and didn't feel natural.
Finally, would have loved if we had left the fantasy part more as an open ending, where we got to doubt the MC pov and make thr story more universal in a way.
Just a fun thing: some others can't stop mentioning blue eyes, apparently Ava Reid has an obsession with crown bones.

Rant with minor spoilers regarding something I didn't enjoy:

I specifically thought that the scene where the MC and LI kiss for the first time and then immediately move on to having sex felt very out of character for the MC (and not because she is a SA victim). also why do they never kiss again in the entire book?! Also, can we have better sex representation in books?! I think the fade to black was a good decision for this book, but then did we have to mention how they only just had penetrative sex and it hurt a bit and then it was pleasurable?! Can we start showing young adults good examples, that focus on other types of stimulation as well, especially for women?!

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