A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

Title: A Study in Drowning

Author: Ava Reid

Release Date: September 19, 2023

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Source: hardcover, OwlCrate

TW: parental abuse and neglect, psychological abuse; gaslighting, domestic and intimate partner violence (off-page; non-graphic), grief, death of a parent (off-page), sexual abuse (off-page; non-graphic); grooming and manipulation; sexual harassment, mental illness including hallucinations and delusions, suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviors; post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety

Synopsis

Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. She’s had no choice. Since childhood, she’s been haunted by visions of the Fairy King. She’s found solace only in the pages of Angharad - author Emrys Myrddin’s beloved epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, and then destroys him.

Effy’s tattered, dog-eared copy is all that’s keeping her afloat through her stifling first term at Llyr’s prestigious architecture college. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to design the late author’s house, Effy feels certain this is her destiny.

But Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task: a musty, decrepit estate on the brink of crumbling into a hungry sea. And when Effy arrives, she finds she isn’t the only one who’s made a temporary home there. Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar, is studying Myrddin’s papers and is determined to prove her favorite author is a fraud.

As the two rival students investigate the reclusive author’s legacy, piecing together clues through his letters, books, and diaries, they discover that the house’s foundation isn’t the only thing that can’t be trusted. There are dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspiring against them - and the truth may bring them both to ruin.

Thoughts

This was an interesting read for me. At the beginning, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, and by the end, it felt like a completely different book.

I definitely ended up greatly enjoying it, even though I had my doubts at the start—I was worried the hype had negatively affected my expectations—but the hype doesn’t even match the reality of this book. It is not what you think it’s going to be. Though I will say that fans of Crimson Peak will greatly enjoy this story.

There were so many times when I worried for Effy; I didn’t know what her truth was going to be. Her journey is filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Effy is a complex character, and her development throughout the book is both believable and deeply engaging. I also didn’t know how I felt about Preston at the start, but he turned out to be the Prince Charming that all women deserve. Preston's character arc is equally compelling, transforming from a seemingly stodgy scholar to someone who is essential to the unraveling mystery.

I'm sad this story took me a little bit to get into, but I think it's because I wasn’t entirely sure where it was going—it encompasses a lot of different genres, and it’s mildly confusing at the start. The blend of romance, mystery, and fantasy is ambitious, and it took some time for me to adjust to the shifting tones and themes. However, the ending was worth it. The resolution of the plot threads was satisfying, and the climactic moments were both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

Looking back at the story as a whole, it was an intriguing, captivating read. The world-building is rich and immersive, and the writing is elegant and evocative. I found myself thinking about the themes and characters long after I had finished the book. Despite its slow start, it turned out to be a rewarding experience, and I really did enjoy it.