“Whatever faults I might have—and I have plenty—just know that I think of you, always. My mind is never empty of you. Not in waking; not even in dreaming.”

Wow, what a lovely conclusion to this duology! This book focuses more on Preston but we still get Effy’s POV which was a treat. I think Ava did really well tackling some of the issues left open ended in ASID and I believe these were handled with care. Preston and Effy both struggle with belonging and allowing themselves to be a burden rather than trudging through alone but it was also an important way for them to grow and find themselves. ATOD beautifully weaved fantasy and reality and I loved that dreams were a realm between the two. Water still plays a large part in this book and I appreciated all the vivid imagery. I’ll leave you with this:

“So runs this tale, like a stream into the sea…not to fade, but to change and to be free.”

A Theory in Dreaming is the amazing sequel to The Art of Drowning and I just want to live in these stories forever. The world is so beautifully built, and I just want to hop right in.

I really wanted to like this one. I hated to love A Study in Drowning because Ava has a way to get me completely obsessed with a the dark and gorgeous atmosphere but then I struggle to appreciate, personally, the character development. I was not fond of the repetitive low regard that Effy had to go through yet again with her peers. I think ASID should have been left as a standalone. Sadly this was not as enjoyable but I would still recommend the first on its own because the ambiance alone is one to experience.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own!

I had a really difficult time trying to rate this book but ultimately decided between 3.75-4 stars.

As always, Ava Reid's writing was so beautiful. I had a harder time getting through this book, but that was simply because of the difficult themes being addressed. This book continues shortly after A Study in Drowning and shows the aftermath and repercussions of Effy and Preston's experiences and findings in that book. I really enjoyed that A Theory of Dreaming added the dual POV, giving the reader most insight into Preston. In both books I found myself really connected to the characters, so it was genuinely sad to read about the struggles they both faced. It felt like two people drowning next to each other unable to hold on or pull each other up, and while it was upsetting, it was so well written, and I felt accurately portrayed mental health struggles.

This was not what I was expecting in the sequel, but not in a bad way. I would definitely recommend both A Study in Drowning as well as A Theory of Dreaming!

4.5 beautifully written stars!

Thank you to Ava Reid, NetGalley, and Harper Collins for the ARC in exchange for review.

As a follow up to a Study in Drowning, this absolutely cured my book hangover with sweet Preston and Effy!

A Theory in Dreaming picks up where ASID leaves off. Effy and Preston are back at university and dealing with the fallout over their massive discovery about Angharad and Myrddin. They're both having to deal with the fury of the non-believers of their discovery. Effy has been let into the literature college as the first female and the deep-seated misogyny is difficult to combat. She's handling learning that all her childhood fears were actually true and everything she'd been told was her imagination, was in face true. She flounders somewhat, not knowing what way is up and grapples with mental health struggles that have been brushed under the rug by her family.

Preston is back at university as the newly appointed Legate of the Literature College. He's a teaching aide to his mentor, he just made one of the biggest discoveries in literature in years, but can't stop hearing church bells. He's also dealing with the residual grief from his Father's death, discrimination and xenophobism for being the only Argantian student at the Llyr University. His mentor partially guides/partially manipulates Preston into a magical dream world where Preston can keep Effy safe and speak with his Father again. But when the dream world starts leeching into reality, everything breaks down. And it's up to our 2 leads to conquer their inner demons and save themselves and Llyr.

I absolutely adored this book and how it navigated complex topics such as grief, PTSD, depression, misogyny and xenophobism. Loved the dual POV and getting inside Preston's head. My one wish is that we could have seen more of Preston and Effy working together, they shine when working together. However, they were both on their own journeys and wanted to keep their love safe and protect them from any additional stress. Overall, I am so glad there was a sequel to ASID as this tied up so many lingering questions and I'm so glad that Effy and Preston get their Happily Ever After.

Hmmm - this one is though. It’s a 3.5 rounded to 4.
Here’s the thing. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Did it feel… needed? Not really. As someone who’s perhaps used to series that have their own storyline each book this one felt more like a drag. Idk if that makes sense.
It wasn’t u til later on that I found out previous book was supposed to be solo! Lol kinda makes sense.

It’s not bad by any means but it def didn’t keep me as enamored as first one. Should you read? Yes, especially if you read book one

**Thank you to Harper Collins for giving me an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts!**

Before you read my review, keep in mind that it's been awhile since I read A Study in Drowning... and I didn't have time to reread it before reading this.

Even though I didn't have time to reread A Study in Drowning to remember everything, I still really enjoyed this book! It was pretty clean and tugged at my heartstrings. I couldn't really remember the magic or school systems and how they worked, but I mostly understood everything going on. The magic system seemed weirdly disconnected from the plot and also weirdly inconsequential. I didn't feel any urgency to resolve those issues, and I don't know if it was the writing or the plot or both.

I really enjoyed the romance, though, and the school stuff! The writing was pretty good as well. I would recommend this book!

A Theory of Dreaming picks up pretty soon after the events in A Study in Drowning, where we find Effy and Preston dealing with both the external and internal repercussions of the events in the first book. It's a little dark like its predecessor, and just as emotionally exhausting and fulfilling in the exploration and excavation of its themes. Unlike the first book, it is dual POV and I loved the addition of Preston's POV. The pacing felt slow at times in the middle of the beginning, but I stayed intrigued.

Initially, I struggled with bits of the story itself until I realized I was struggling with how personally familiar much of it felt and how much I needed this book. It was uncomfortable at times, but the good kind. The kind where you can see how far you've come, but can also see where there's still much work to be done.

A Theory of Dreaming is for the dreamers who love to get lost in the safety of stories and struggle in reality. For those who know all too well that it is a bravery to choose to live and to love, and a bravery to keep choosing them over and over. Effy and Preston will stay with me for a long, long time.

Thank you so much NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC.

2023 (the vibes were immaculate!), but I will admit that I was a little bit skeptical when I found out that a sequel was coming out.

Why, you ask? (You didn’t—but I’m going to answer anyway). Because if you’ve read the first installment of this now-duology, you can probably tell from how it ended that it was originally meant to be a one-and-done. There’s nothing more disappointing than a fantastic book with a sequel that’s…well, disappointing, so I picked up A Theory of Dreaming with not a small amount of trepidation mingling with my excitement.

TL;DR—I loved reading it. I also hated reading it.

Let me explain.

Do I think this sequel was warranted? Yes, actually. Even though it wasn’t originally in the cards—as Ava Reid says outright in the foreword—it still manages to continue the storyline of the original in an interesting way. Our protagonists, Effy and Preston, must deal with the aftermath of what happened to them in the first book while continuing to be smothered by the misogynist and nationalist ideals of their university and country.

In A Study in Drowning, Effy was plagued by magic while Preston was a staunch nonbeliever. Now, Effy is plagued by the absence of magic while Preston has reframe everything he believes in to make room for the fact that magic might be real. Although the story is told through their alternating points of view, I would say it’s more so about Preston than it is about Effy.

That said, I think it’s completely valid to finish the first book and not actually want to know where the characters’ lives go from there. Especially because, I will be honest, this book was depressing and difficult for me to read.

Not because it was bad—I think this is one of the most creative fantasy series in recent years—but because the extent to which Effy struggles with her mental health makes me sad. I have to commend Ava Reid for writing about depression in a way that makes me feel similar to how I might feel if I was watching someone in my own life experience it. Sometimes I felt bad for her, sometimes I felt outright mad at her for not asking for any help. It might be a fantasy novel, but in this way A Theory of Dreaming mimics real life in a very poignant way. If I’m remembering right, I think I experienced some of these feelings while reading the first one as well, but frankly I must have blocked it out.

This book felt like a gut punch, hence why it took me over a month to get through it. But if you couldn’t get enough of A Study in Drowning, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed to see how it evolves in this compelling sequel.

The sequel was truly stunning. It felt extremely raw and emotional. We got more story development that tied in to book one in the perfect way. This was the perfect wrap up to Preston and Effy.

This novel picks up right where Effy and Preston’s story left off in “A Study in Drowning,” seamlessly continuing their journey. “A Theory of Dreaming” beautifully weaves together fantasy, romance, and dark academia elements, maintaining the lyrical prose that made the first book so captivating. This book is more focused on personal development and discovery than magic/adventure. I found the pacing to be slow at the beginning, while the ending felt somewhat rushed. This cover is just STUNNING! I want a physical copy for my self because it’s so lovely. Fans of “Divine Rivals” will likely enjoy this book and should definitely add it to their TBR!
Thanks to NetGallery and HarperCollins Children's Books for an advanced copy of this eBook in exchange for my honest review.

Chaotic but perfect

Effy and Preston return to their daily lives and try to figure out how to exist in a world that is determined to cut them down. The only woman in the literary college constantly belittled and kept from belonging, Effy struggles with being in the spotlight for all of the wrong reasons while battling her own inner demons and the pieces that the fairy king left behind. Preston faces bigotry, hatred, and being coerced by his mentor into exploring the dreams that keep calling him out of reality. Through the constant daily prejudices that Effy and Preston face and their own misunderstandings and miscommunications, they have to come back together to make a better life for the people that they love.

There was a lot going on in this book, multiple storylines that were fused together finally in the last 30% of the book which made the ending feel a bit chaotic and confusing at times. I still felt emotionally invested in the characters and felt the shame, hurt, anger, and love that they experienced along with them. Ava Reid writes in a way that effortlessly brings the reader into the world she’s creating. A great ending for the story of Preston and Effy.

This author has a beautiful writing style however i felt this book had a disconnect of the characters from the first book into this book. While it discussed real themes, it felt like the resolutions werenr clear. The world didnt feel as magical or exciting as the firsr one. I wanted to love it more then i did

For fans of:
- Divine Rivals

"A Theory of Dreaming" is a beautiful return to the world of "A Study in Drowning." Focusing more on Preston and his emotional journey, this book dives deeper into themes of nationalism, propaganda, xenophobia, and academic bias. The entire atmosphere of the book is moody and reflective, so readers beware, this is definitively a more somber read.

I have come to expect poignant political commentary and beautiful prose from , Reid, and this book does not disappoint in that regard. Her skills in wordcraft continue to be hypnotic. However, the pacing of this book was a bit slow, and I felt as if it didn't engage me as much as the first book. Preston's battles are very much so internal, so it sometimes felt like there wasn't much going on. I am interested to know if this series will continue and readers will get more resolution on some of the more open ended questions we were let with. (also it was so funny to me that we were repeatedly reminded that Preston could not carry Effy even tho she was emaciated lol).

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Jenny Williamson, and Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted across my socials under the username @tinynightingales, check out my GoodReads profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863
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. A Theory of Dreaming holds onto the eerie charm of its predecessor, with Reid’s poetic style making the narrative feel almost otherworldly. Moments like, “Whatever faults I might have — and I have plenty — just know that I think of you, always. My mind is never empty of you. Not in waking; not even in dreaming,” linger long after the pages are closed, showcasing the depth of emotion she effortlessly infuses into her writing.

I absolutely loved diving back into this world! Effy and Preston truly have my heart in book two — they’re so wonderfully fleshed out, and this was definitely Preston’s book. His POV was everything I wanted; he’s the perfect swoon-worthy lover boy. The story beautifully explores Effy’s mental health and the journey of healing, balancing realistic, deeply emotional issues with the magical, atmospheric world, creating an immersive experience.

That said, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as A Study in Drowning. The plot felt inconsistent, with several scenes reading more like filler than forward momentum. Still, these moments offered a tender exploration of the characters’ healing process after the events of the first book, adding emotional weight even when the storyline faltered.

For those who loved A Study in Drowning, this is a beautiful, if somewhat fragile, encore. While the plot may not hold strong enough to carry the weight of its atmosphere, Reid’s signature lyricism and character depth make it worth the journey. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

First of all, let me just say that Ava Reid is an incredibly talented author. I admire her determination to explore themes that need to be addressed but that some people find uncomfortable. That being said, her exploration of both suicide and prescription drug abuse were quite problematic---not because of the topic, but because of the conclusions the author wants/leads the readers to draw.

For example, we know that drug abuse can worsen emotional instability, impair judgment, and increase impulsivity, all of which contribute to suicidal behavior. Indeed, this is displayed very effectively throughout this book. And yet, Effy's abuse of her medication is never addressed. Not when she completely melts down when she realizes she's almost out of sleeping pills (a red flag if ever there was one), or after her attempted suicide. In fact, no one even seems to be aware of her drug abuse other than herself, and her attempted suicide is chalked up to the fact that "it's all too much" and she fears being labeled mad and being "locked away and forgotten." And while those are both heavily-contributing factors, her drug abuse was never credited as being part of the problem (which it was). Nor is removing means of self-harm or seeking professional help part of the on-page solution. Instead, Reid offers these solutions. 1) Preston will help "shoulder her pain." 2) She's ready to try again, and 3)She knows there will be dark days/medication/etc. in her future, but for right now, she's happy and that has to be enough.

I'm sorry, but that is NOT enough. Not when someone has a history of abusing their medication. Not when suicide is a leading cause of death for teens and young adults, and this book is YA an thus geared towards them. In order to explore these topics responsibly, one ought to offer solutions in line with our modern-day best practices.

Were it not for this glaring issue, I would have likely rated this book 4 or 5 stars. But I can't in good conscience recommend this to anyone unless some of the above is addressed.

After reading the first book of this story, my interest was piqued by the premise of this story. I was curious to see where their next story would take me. I absolutely loved the setting and vibes this book brought. It gave a (darkish) academia feeling like the first book did. Throughout the story, I felt very lost. There didn’t really seem to be a main storyline. Both MCs were doing their own thing, but somehow those things were tied together. This might have been a me problem. I found there were times it was hard to keep my interest. All in all, I’m glad to have been given the opportunity to read this novel.

Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley HarperCollins Children’s Books, and most importantly the author Ava Reid for allowing me to read the E-Arc of this story 💜.

Rating 4.50

I enjoyed this sequel! It kept my focus for the most part, it has its slow moment but still a good read.

It's more of Preston's book then Effy which is still fine. The story is less action and more emotional "attack" on our main characters. These two have such an innocent and realistic love story that I adore it. Still has some elements of magic but the main focus is how the characters are navigating life after defeating the Fairy King. The gothic, whimsical, dark academia vibe continues into this story as well but they hold a darker atmosphere. I think if your looking for a story that's less on action and more on brain theory (hence the title 😆) then you'll like the continuation of this story.


"I love you, he thought as he looked at her sleeping form. I love you. For some it had become difficult to speak aloud. Perhaps because his next thought, always, was I might lose you."

Thank you to Net Galley and HarperCollins for the ARC. I was a huge fan of A Study in Drowning and was super eager for a sequel but alas, I was disappointed with A Theory of Dreaming. The good was that I still think Ava Reid has a beautiful writing style, and I am glad that was also present in A Theory of Dreaming. Her writing style truly suits this kind of setting, and I really enjoyed revisiting this world, at least at the beginning of my read. Alas, the world building was not as great as the first novel. A Study in Drowning truly had that fairytale vibe and such a beautiful presence of literature throughout the story. Effy has finally gotten into the literature college, but things were more interesting outside this setting, when we were near the water in book 1. Here, the literature and world lack the feeling of book 1. Magic is present but magic is so boring. I also really enjoyed the romance in book 1, but here it was just so frustrating, especially the lack of communication. Also, it was a bit of a letdown that both characters were so distant from each other in terms of plot, as in their journeys were super disconnected.

Let me just begin by saying that my jaw dropped to the floor when I was approved for this arc! I read A Study in Drowning after receiving it for my birthday this past year and it was totally purchased based on the beautiful cover and sprayed edges!

I was thrilled to find out that this sequel was coming out! The first book is amazing! Fell in love with Preston and Effy and was so excited to read more about their relationship. Totally recommend starting with A Study in Drowning first, but this story just keeps getting better!

Ava Reid is now one of my top authors, I’ll read anything she writes!