I am simply OBSESSED with this book and Ava Reid in general. This is my first book of hers but I will now be DEVOURING all of her other books cause her writing and storytelling is actually addictive.

My thoughts on this book:
-Effy is my absolute angel child and I'm ready to fight anyone for her. At first, I didn't connect with her but as the story went on, she became probably the most real, genuine, relatable character that I've ever read in all of literature. In the year of the Barbie movie, Effy is a heroine in her own right and she doesn't hide or take away any of her femininity to accommodate anyone in her life. She cries, is anxious, and rightfully scared of all the people, especially men in her life who have done nothing but abuse her simply because they think they can. Her arc from beginning to end and friendship with the women in her life honestly had my chest tightening. Effy is for the people who get it.

-If you like Divine Rivals and Emily Wilde, GO. READ. THIS. BOOK. The combo of the faerie mythology and Preston and Effy's relationship is the perfect blend of the vibes you get from those two books and I will be shouting about this book from the rooftops.

-If I can't have someone who loves me, cares for me, protects me, is in awe of me like Preston is of Effy then I. DON'T. WANT. IT.

-The final chapters of this book are absolutely heartbreaking but also way too relatable, especially for women who have been talked down to, patronized, ignored by the men in the room simply because they are not seen as equal. But it also made me feel so utterly alive in ways that no other book has ever come close to. I don't know how to explain it but I will be thinking about this book for months. I will be searching for signs of life, everywhere.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the ARC!

A Study in Drowning is a stunning book in every way.

From one phenomenal book to another, Ava Reid is an author I am obsessed with. Their work has this dreamlike quality to it, yet is still so impactful and remains with me long after the final page. A Study in Drowning continues this trend, with a searing examination of the corruption and predatory behaviour sometimes enshrined in the heart of academia. This is a deeply Gothic and atmospheric novel with flourishes of magic, mayhem and murder but it is also one deeply rooted in reality.
Reid’s writing is like watching a moment become crystallised in time. It has a keen sense of preservation and a depth of detail that is so immersive and enrapturing. For me, it has this softly lyrical quality to it that likens it to a fairy tale narrative. It is like sitting at the feet of a great storyteller. However, there is an undercurrent of steel and strength that weaves its way through. These are stories with bite and backbone, unafraid to go into the darkest depths of humanity. A Study in Drowning contains the best aspects of all of this. It is a thorn amongst roses and a rose amongst thorns at the same time. There is a beautiful and poignant romance at its heart, where Reid pulls all of the best romantic tropes and gleefully combines them into a heart-warming narrative. You have enemies to lovers, one bed, hate to love and academic rivals just to start with.

However, this is also very much a romance of Effy’s own. It is a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, where she begins to love herself once more. A key thread of this book is a beautiful love letter to taking back control of one’s narrative. Effy epitomises that in her grappling with her own trauma and the way that intersects with the wider narrative. The book meditates a lot on authorship, bringing to mind some of the most infamous debates in this sector, and Effy is learning to craft her own story. Along with this comes challenges to her own beliefs, many of which have been carefully crafted over time. Effy was a character that stole my heart instantaneously. She had a verve and wit to her dialogue that endeared me to her, as well as her clear passion for the things she loved. In a world that wants to stifle her, she persists in wanting to thrive. That tenacity and intelligence, combined with an unrepentant femininity at times, makes for an incredible role model. She defies the Dark Academia pigeonholing often applied to female characters and breaks the mould. Alongside and often against her is Preston, who also embarks on his own journey of discovery. He equally captured my heart, albeit a little slower. Beneath the wall of stark intellect is a deeply caring and soft person that just wants to know the truth. Their ideological clashes made for incredibly entertaining reading, especially with an undercurrent of romantic tension creeping in.

This book is also an ode to the beauty of writing. It is a love letter to the very act of storytelling. Stories are modes of escape, flights of fantasy that transport us out of our lives and into those of someone else. They create their own form of faith, a belief in the power of imagination. That core idea of belief and faith is one that truly struck a chord with me throughout this book. Reid examines changing faiths as the story progresses, developing the ideas associated with it. Within that, this is a book steeped in the Dark Academia and Gothic genres. Reid plays with the associated tropes of both perfectly. There is a clear reverence and respect, drawing on past influences, but also a subtle reshaping into something entirely bold and new. The atmosphere and setting of this book is chilling. That inevitability of destruction and the unsteady swaying above the sea adds that clairvoyant chiming of death on the horizon. Nothing can or will end well in this place.

A Study in Drowning is a masterclass in pacing, characterisation and tension, with a beautiful meditation on stories and who gets to have an authorial voice.

How beautiful that we get two stories in one in this gorgeously written book. I loved the duality of such a beautifully written poetic story about a subject that cuts deep and leaves scars. At it's heart this is a story that will resonate with so many because it's a tale as old as time - women being used and discarded by men as they see fit.

The vibes couldn't be more perfect - gothic and creepy with dark corners in a decrepit manor hiding secrets. Ava's prose is lyrical and poetic weaving two powerful stories that pull you in deeper and deeper.

I adore Effy and Preston. Both characters are wonderfully written with depth and multitudes. While they balance each other they are both whole and independent characters.

While technically YA, this story deals with some heavy and potentially triggering subject (PTSD and lack of consent - off page) matter so please be careful with that.

2/5 STARS. I wanted to love this book, I really did. When I began reading I felt excited by the premise and also by the atmosphere of the book. I did like the dark academia and fall vibes, along with the mysterious author and house on a cliff hooked me and I enjoyed the first seventy pages or so. The plot itself was interesting. I think that the mystery of Myrrdin being a fraud or not kept me reading for longer than I might have otherwise.

However, I began to feel frustrated with the direction of the book after that. I felt that while Effy is clearly experiencing some sort of mental illness that her decisions had no rhyme or reason. If her impulsive decisions are the product of her illness, I wish that that was presented better (even if that were shown in other character's reactions to her). One second she is touring the author's home and the next she is running off. Her mother says something along the lines of "it's just bad decision after bad decision with you" which makes for a great opportunity for character growth and connection for the reader to our MC. But the author didn't use that. Effy is misunderstood... But as the reader I wanted everyone around her to misunderstand her and to, in turn, feel empathy and compassion and connection to her. I felt none of this. Instead, the further I read the more confused and frustrated I became.

Again in the character development department I felt that Effy and Preston should have connected over their combined minority status. Preston is allowed to be in the literature department and she is not. His reasoning for teaming up with her is not that he feels for her because he has also experienced discrimination, it's just that he happens to be the only good man in the book, on principal apparently.

Thank you to Ava Reid and Harper Collins for allowing me to read the ARC of this book. All of these are my opinions and I am thankful for the opportunity to review.

Kind of torn on this one. I love a relatable FMC that isn’t overly brave and does reckless things. She was fighting the patriarchy and proving herself a lot. Which I can respect. I think my biggest problem with it was that it took so long to get into. It’s a complex world that felt rushed, and to me it was confusing as heck. Intricate world and not enough back story. It truly just throws you in and you’re expected to catch on quick.

But it was super unique and I loved the academic setting!

I have a feeling this book will sit with me for a while, for a few different reasons.

This book has a lot going on. It's gothic fairytale with dark acadamia and mystery and academic rivals to lovers. The premise is Effy (who I'll talk about more later) being chosen to redesign her recently deceased favorite author's house which is in ruins and is rumored to be the only thing keeping the area from going into a second flood. There is a lot of layers in this book that work together to tell us Effy's story.

The author also has a way with words - characters have discussions about autonomy, human will, the human mind, emotions, death and ghosts in a way that gives you pause. There were several times where I marked sentences because they were so profound.

And the last being Effy.

Effy is stuck in a major that she is ambivalent to, dreaming of the literature college that she loves. She's pretty in a way that gets her attention in an unwanted way but she is already aware of how society treats women and finds refuge in her favorite fairytale of the Fairy King. She is anxious, doesn't trust her own mind half of the time and knows how the world works and hates it at the same time. Her strength is not physical but is mental and the way she questions reality as hers falls apart.

A Study in Drowning is a dark fairytale set at a university and an eerie cliffside estate. Effy, an architecture student and lover of literature, has just begun university and quickly realized that being in a rigorous academic setting as the only woman is more traumatizing than she could have ever imagined. Desperately burnt out and seeking escape, Effy earns a unique opportunity to design a new manor in honor of her favorite author who recently passed. As Effy tries to adapt to the mysterious nature of this deteriorating home and the people living there, she learns that Preston, another student studying at the house, has shocking theories about the widely beloved author. Effy and Preston reluctantly have to work together and put aside their differences to uncover the deeply hidden aspects of the author's past and the strange darkness surrounded the manor.

This story is a masterful mix of horror, academia, romance, and inspiration from folklore. It is so atmospheric and gripping and the writing style is the perfect amount of descriptive and lyrical - I felt transported to Hiraeth Manor because of how vivid the imagery was.

My absolute favorite part is Effy's intricate characterization. I immediately empathized with Effy as a woman trying to break into a male dominated field, as a woman who's been taken advantage of, and as a woman who has been called crazy for believing in things that others cannot see. Effy has been through so much emotional turmoil from such a young age and still has the ability to find beauty in life and feel deeply. She is a new comfort character and I wish I could jump into the pages to give her a hug.

Even though this book is unsettling at times, it is also filled with romantic moments. Effy and Preston start out as "rivals" by being from different countries and having opposing opinions. As they grow more accustomed to one another, they discover that their interests and motivations are quite similar. I really enjoyed witnessing the progression of their relationship and the way they find solidarity in being outcasts and find comfort with each other in this uncomfortable place. I love that they become friends before lovers, so they have that solid foundation that makes their relationship seem so believable. Effy struggles with believing in herself after being belittled her whole life, but she is able to open up to Preston because he respects her, while still challenging her.

I am absolutely in awe of this novel. Perfect for lovers of stories, dark academia, and gothic-like magic and mystery. Thank you HarperTeen and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

From the publisher, “ Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny.

But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together clues about Myrddin’s legacy, dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspire against them—and the truth may bring them both to ruin.”

This is one of the most anticipated books for the Fall! I loved the gothic atmosphere and slow burn romance. A dark academia YA just in time for cozy weather and rainy days. I highly recommend grabbing a copy and getting comfy! You won’t want to put this down!

I am OBSESSED with this book. As soon as I started I was sucked in. I could not stop thinking about it, could not stop wanting to read it. Reid writes trauma so well you cannot help but feel every uncomfortable moment that her characters do as well.

After this book I am a solid fan of Ava Reid. I feel like her writing gets better and better with each book. I love how immersive her worlds feel and how flawed all of her characters are. They're the kind of characters you're not sure you would like in person, but in a book you are on their side. You root for them, you cherish them, you weep for them. Effy is all of this. She is extremely flawed. She's nervous. Self-doubting. Her strength is not something give but grown throughout the book and it is beautiful.

4.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Colllins for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was nothing like I expected. There is SO MUCH going on here. It’s a romance but also not. It’s a spooky gothic fantasy fairytale but also not. The themes it explores has me absolutely floored.

Here’s what to expect:
🖤 rivals to lovers
🖤 forced proximity
🖤 reluctant allies
🖤 dark academia
🖤 gothic fairytale
🖤 a creepy old house
🖤 ghosts + faeries
🖤 history mystery solving
🖤 women empowerment
🖤 trigger warning: assault

I won’t go further into detail here, because spoilers, but I think this story is SO empowering and beautiful. Unlike anything I’ve ever read and out of my comfort zone for sure, it’s still so brilliant. It’s darker than I saw coming. I think anyone who reads it will learn something from it, feel something from it, and those who don’t like it probably didn’t understand it. Just my two cents.

(Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!)

Well damn.

A Study in Drowning exceeded my expectations, that's for sure. I don't read a lot of YA anymore, but this book may've convinced me to open myself back up to it.

Effy is my favorite protagonist I've read in a while. She's flawed in several ways, but this made her that much more realistic. There are qualities to her that at times make her unlikeable, but it's these same qualities that open her up to some great character development. Effy's mental health plays a big part in the story as well, and I really appreciated how it was approached with so much care. Overall, I adore her and she's going down as one of my favorite heroines.

As for the atmosphere, I was LIVING for it. I don't typically enjoy a lot of description, but Reid's descriptions of Hireath and the cliffside were so well done I can't help but gush about them. Truly 10/10 in this regard.

I also enjoyed the plot and romance immensely, but these are two areas I will critique a bit. I wish the ending had a bit more oomph to it; I felt like the climax lasted all of 30 seconds and things were wrapped up a little too nicely. That being said, I still found the explanations for what was going on satisfying and a unique take on stories that include the fair folk. While I enjoyed the romance, I got the impression that it would be enemies-to-lovers, given the synopsis, but that isn't the case. We see some minor squabbling in the beginning, but by a third of the way through the book it's pretty clear they're into each other. So, I'd characterize it as more of a slow burn than anything.

Overall I enjoyed this a lot and it truly delivered in terms of those nice dark academia vibes. While Angharad may be a book within a book, I was itching to get my hands on a copy of it by the time this story was over.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Fresh gothic undertones + Welsh mythology = cozy autumn read 🍂🍁

A Study in Drowning is a beautiful example of YA fiction. The description somewhat intrigued me. But the haunting title is what ultimately pulled me in. So happy I gave it a chance! Great for fans of Sisters of the Salt.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The ending… total dream come true. Detailed and complete! The majority of fantasy books tend to buildup slow and run long with rushed endings. (I hate it. Never satisfied.) This book was the opposite. The ending was genuinely thorough! The story actually continued beyond the climax rather than simply wrapping up. There were parts throughout the story where I felt like I was missing something but everything was clarified in the end. 100% satisfied.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

Surprisingly, I liked this one!

I was not a fan of Reid’s The Wolf and the Woodsman, so I was nervous when I started A Study in Drowning. However, this ended up being an enjoyable dark academia read!

I really enjoyed Effy and Preston’s characterizations, and the fae took on an interesting concept. I thought the plot moved at a good clip. My biggest complaints are that I feel that Reid tried to handle too many big issues at one time that they all drowned each other out, and some of the worldbuilding felt half-baked.

Overall, a great read for dark academia fans. Mind the Trigger Warnings if you decide to pick this up!

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Wow. This book is slow-paced, but needed to be. It’s achingly beautiful and tragic and empowering and just all of the things. This is my second novel by Ava Reid and has cemented her status as an autobuy author for me. I just love the way she writes.

A study in drowning is dark fantasy/dark academia and gothic and atmospheric, and really settles into you while reading. I love thought it brought a women’s empowerment and finding your own voice take to the genres. This was the perfect choice for me in a very slumpy month, and really made me excited to read again.

I do think certain things could have been developed more, but it didn’t matter to me because again, I just love the way Reid writes. I would buy a collection restaurant menus written by her.

Thank you so much to Reid and the Publisher for gifting me a e-arc via netgalley.

I have officially found my favorite book of 2023. I definitely didn't expect it to be a young adult book, but I'm certainly glad that it is Ava Reid's newest release.

Along with not expecting a YA book to become my favorite this year, I did not expect Effy to become the protagonist I connect to the most of Ava Reid's characters. I've always felt a particular bond to Marlinchen, so when I had to marathon A Study in Drowning because I could not get enough of this world or Effy, I was pleasantly surprised. Effy actually ended up comforting me in the most surprising circumstance. I had a triggering experience at my jury duty, and it was A Study in Drowning and notably Effy's constant push through her own anxieties that got me through that day. Her thought process (ex: her anxiety in thinking about the perceptions of her trauma from loved ones or strangers) particularly about Ianto and Corbenic were helpful for my own digestion of my youth and triggers. Effy's still coming to terms with her trauma and experiences—much like myself—and it was a balm on my heart to have her going through it alongside me. I think this book, much like Ava's other books, is going to comfort a ton of readers like myself and even help people start their journey to healing. I never thought Effy would bring so many emotions and tears out of me, but she is wringing me out to dry in the best way possible for my mental health. Effy and even Angharad's journeys will stay with me for as long as I'm able to hold them close.

Now getting beyond my own emotional attachment to this book—A Study in Drowning is the type of gothic, dark academia literature that I YEARN for and rarely ever find. It has the perfect blend of those genres with its own unique magic. It strays from more traditional/popular dark academia in that the white elitism and racism are not included, which was perfectly fine by me. I want dark academia in particular to branch out away from books like The Secret History because the genre has more to it than focusing solely on those narratives. Now Ava does add in some wonderful commentary and criticism between the North and South stereotypes and biases within A Study in Drowning's world. This tension between these two regions only intensified the mystery and world building of this world. Moreover, I'm actually from the south, and while I don't believe Ava was basing this part of their world off of the US. north and south regions, I felt very vindicated in Effy and Preston's understanding and respect of the region. It made their search for Myrddin's truth more genuine.

Furthermore, if you are a big fan of traditional faerie/fae lore, look no further than this book! While it does not taste immediate center stage, the faeries are an underlying current throughout the entirety of this book. A Study in Drowning is also one of the only examples I can give nowadays that actually leans into true faerie lore and not the ones dominating the romantasy genre. The Fairy King is terrifying and creepy. He feels like a culmination of so many nightmares and toxic men that thrive off of abusing their power. His deep, unsettling connection to Effy also made so much sense. Her being left by her neglectful mother in a clearing because she was believed to be a changeling just... it blew my mind to learn of that in the reveal. It also brought so much of her personality and relationships into better perspective. I wanted to squeeze Effy so tight and never let her go in those moments. Lastly, in terms of the Fairy King, his final scene with Effy is one that still hasn't left me. It was electrically charged and horrifying. Again, Ava's callback to mirrors and faerie lore made this entire end to the antagonist so much sweeter. A lore-obsessed child using her own wits and intuition was a perfect conclusion to her big bad.

Books overall play such a tumultuous relationship in A Study in Drowning. Honestly, it is very meta from Myrddin's role as a Sleeper all the way to Effy actually meeting Angharad. ASID talks about authors, readers, the influence of books and literature on society, and I find that incredibly fascinating. I could write a whole entire thesis about the ins and outs of books' effects on society at large. Even Effy's own unique relationship to Angharad as a strong, independent female lead is a stepping stone on how ASID's world negatively depicts women besides this singular book. Without Effy's deep connection to Angharad, we would not have a plot. A Study in Drowning goes to show that books are not what they seem, same with authors, and while we may create our own assumptions about authors or books based off of the material, we do not know the reality behind the written word—or very few actually do. Readers abilities to revere authors and public figures is not a healthy lifestyle and usually will only lead to disappointment, Power almost always taints the wielder, maybe already has, and Effy's journey to understanding this was a long and hard one to read. But it was also beautiful in this coming of age story.

Finally, I couldn't write this review without commenting on Effy and Preston's relationship. I am a slow build romance junkie. It will always be the best trope when don correctly, and obviously, A Study in Drowning did it perfectly. Preston reminded me a ton of my own partner in many of the scenes where he gives Effy the space or time to understand her own anxiety or feelings. He's the type of love interest, especially in young adult books, that makes me excited for young readers. He teaches respect and gentle love in the best manner possible. In the climax, I was shaking with horror as he was chained near the drowning basement steps. I was so stressed that not only something would happen to Effy (fuck the Fairy King), but that Preston would die immobile, knowing he could not do everything in his power to help her fight off the Fairy King. It was something that brought on his own trauma, and it empowered him and Effy's bond, their complementing of one another's strengths and weaknesses, when she came back for him. It's leads like Preston that make me excited for this age range/genre of books.

Also, Ava Reid's acknowledgment to Zelda brought my tears back on full blast. I thought of Zelda many times throughout the course of this novel, and I even theorized Myrddin's wife was the actual writer of Angharad. It felt full circle to see Zelda referenced and remembered—believed in—in the acknowledgements.

Thank you to Harper's Children's team and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eARC. It was so special to read it early, and I'm eternally thankful. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

<b>3.5💫</b> This is my second Ava Reid novel and while I agree with a lot of the criticism for this book, I did enjoy it more than my first, <i>Juniper & Thorn.</i>
Gothic and Dark Fantasy to a T, the Dark Academia label doesn’t really fit since not much really takes place at the university. The mirror of Effy’s and Angharad’s lives and stories was well done and not heavy handed which I appreciated. The world and settings were also a plus, lovely and haunting in their descriptions, though the world building felt a bit incomplete at times with certain beliefs or ongoing historical circumstances mentioned but not followed up/through on. I liked that the long chapters (compared to most YA) really let you settle into the story and supported the pacing in the main part of the book, but the beginning and ending felt oddly rushed. The two events that needed to transpire for the downfall of the villain seemed too easy and quickly accomplished, and the reveal / download to flesh out what’s left of the mystery should have at least partially happened before the villain’s demise, imo. As a reader much of it was so clear to me and leaving it so late felt like I was being told much of what I already knew. Strong themes of identity and owning your own voice, but needed more focus and polish throughout.
<b>CW:</b> sexual assault, misogyny, sexism, child abandonment, strained parent relationship

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an eARC of this book!</i>

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Wow.

I absolutely loved this book. Honestly, was not expecting to love it this much. It was so beautiful.

The setting has some fantasy elements with a 1950s vibe, which was so fun. Effy is a young student in the architecture program at her college, though literature is where her heart lies. She has used books as a coping mechanism and escape route for a life that has been cruel to her. She has struggled her whole life with blurred lines between fantasy and reality, and has never trusted herself to know what’s real and what’s imagined. She’s been haunted by the Fairy King for as long as she can remember, and finds comfort in a book called Angharad. A story of a young girl who gets taken by the Fairy King, but ends up falling in love with him before eventually destroying him.

When the son of the author of this book is looking for an architecture student to help renovate his father’s home, Effy seizes the opportunity and leaves her college town behind to enter on a mission that ends up being more like something from her nightmares.

Preston is a student in the literature program at the same college, who finds himself working along side Effy on a mission of his own. Together they go through a wild journey of uncovering hidden truths and mysteries that change Effy’s entire reality.

It is a beautiful, whimsical, dark, tragic and heartwarming tale highlighting mental illness and the mistreatment of women. It is wrapped up in a story of mysteries, lies, hidden secrets, an evil Fairy King, love, acceptance, growth and justice. I loved every minute of it. I felt so connected to Effy and her inner turmoil. I loved her and Preston, and their own journey together. It was so tender and sweet. 🥹

Overall it was so well written, and I really enjoyed it. I think anyone who loves YA fantasy will really like this book.

I have read one another book by this author and although it ended up being not for me I wanted to try her YA. I am a sucker for the cover.

The book is told from one point-of-view and it comes from Effy Sayre. She definitely has a rough life when it comes to schooling, the relationship with her mother, and just the overall way society treats women. I did like that even through the downs she still manages to find her strength at the end. It was a very impactful moment.

Although I felt for her situations they also felt surface level. There was more telling than showing. A lot of what happened to her was talked about very vaguely. Even though I felt for Effy’s situation I feel like they could have been more impactful.

There is some romance between Effy and another character but it felt underdeveloped to me. I never found myself rooting for them even though it did start off as enemies. It kind of just felt forced.

The writing style was very descriptive and gave that gothic classic feel. There were times that the story felt like it dragged and I would find something else to do than read.

Overall, this was okay but I just didn’t connect with the story even if I felt for Effy. There are some good topics talked about that I think a lot of young teens will relate to.

"Mist rolled down from Argant's green hills and hung about Caer-Isel like a horde of ghosts. The university's bell tower wore its fog as if it were a widow's mourning veil. Students stopped smoking underneath the library portico because they were afraid of getting impaled by hanging icicles. Every morning the statue of the university's founder, Sion Billows, was caulked in a layer of new frost." ~ A Study in Drowning

I now understand what all the BookTok buzz is about! This has been one of my favorite reads of the year. I stayed up late to finish "A Study in Drowning" (and I finished it in a day, which is almost unheard for me!) This novel is perfect for fans of "Mexican Gothic" and "The Cruel Prince." It has the perfect amount of autumnal dark academia vibes too! This book is marketed as YA, which it mostly is, but it's one of those novels that easily falls into the new adult category as well. The main characters are in college, and there are references to assault and harassment. One of the themes of the book is women's bodies and minds being taken advantage of, and I think that's something worth knowing before reading this book.

Effy is everything I could ever want in a female lead - relatable, imaginative, and resourceful. The reader will sympathize with her plights, everything from not getting into the college of her dreams to facing down an evil fairy king. Effy's internal dialogue is filled with self-doubt, but that's what makes her such a believable heroine. As someone who is also furiously devoted to her studies and is an avid bookworm, Effy's character made me feel so seen! She is so Rory Gilmore, "this is me trying" (folklore)-coded and I am here for it! It's been a long time since I've related this much to a heroine and I just really appreciate that Effy exists; a character who isn't made broken by her experiences, but instead learns to trust herself and others (specifically Preston).

What a stunning first foray into Young Adult fiction for this author! I very much enjoyed this charming book. Reid manages to perfectly combine fantasy with dark academia in this captivating tale of trauma, overcoming prejudice, and finding one's inner strength. Effy was a delightful and relatable protagonist that I was cheering for all throughout the story. I think this story contains an important message for all young women and is perfect for YA readers 14+. I would happily recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantasy romance with a dark-academia twist.