I really enjoyed this book. It was highly atmospheric and expanded upon the university setting introduced in A Study in Drowning as well as the literary history of the world. As with A Study in Drowning, the characters were interesting to experience and we got to see more of their motivations throughout the book.

***Spoilers Below***

My one gripe is that, while I enjoyed seeing more of Preston's thoughts and motivations, I wish it didn't come at the expense of Effy's mental health. Due to her current state of mind and health, Effy spent the majority of this book sidelined which made it harder for her to really push for the type of change it felt like she was driving coming off of book one.

A big thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to continue with these characters coming off of A Study in Drowning.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Woo boy this book hurt my feelings a bunch.

I will start off by saying I appreciate the formatting change from book one by having more/shorter chapters.

It picks right up where book one left off, and the character development is off the charts. They're flawed and unreliable and we're still not quite sure what's real and what isn't, but they grow up the best way they can given their circumstances in the most heartbreaking ways. I really enjoyed reading their story (and seeing them continue to fight the patriarchy, as always

It is interesting that A Study in Drowning was not originally supposed to have a sequel, yet we got this gem of a sequel. I think the first book left just enough questions to warrant A Theory of Dreaming, and all of my questions were answered in this book (most of which were political).

I was hoping for more of Preston in this book- not only was there more of Preston, he had his own chapters! I need someone to love me the way Preston loves Effy.

It was an interesting contrast between Preston and Effy’s POVs. While Preston’s chapters were him in love with Effy, Effy’s chapters were a cry for help.

A very solid YA fantasy duology.

I think this book is for the die hard fans of A Study in Drowning. Which I’m not. I liked it! But I wasn’t obsessed. There was just…. No need for this book. It felt completely pointless the whole time and there is quite literally nothing happening in the plot until.. 75% percent and by then I just didn’t care. AR writing is beautiful and poetic and all of that but this just felt like a disservice to book one and the characters…

This might be an unpopular opinion but unless you were in LOVE with ASID.. I think you can skip this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

A Theory of Dreaming is a succulent and luscious novel that returns to the dark academia world surrounding Effy and Preston. Be prepared, because Reid absolutely brings on the darker elements - much darker than the first. However, Reid does an excellent job and 100% delivers (as usual!) with vivid descriptions and fantastical prose. While the darker elements are there, they're there for a reason and aid the progression of the plot. Watching them grow from their previous trauma really healed me, and it was a lovely ode to the first book as well.

Some parts did make me confused, (some from my forgetfulness) and others that I genuinely didn't understand. But that's ok! I feel that different people will interpret it in varying ways.

Unfortunately, my review for this book is much shorter than I'd like, but I don't want to include spoilers! What a lovely book - Ava Reid is without a doubt, an insta-read author for me!

*I was offered an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.*

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Firstly, I want to preface this by saying A Study in Drowning changed my whole brain chemistry. I believe some books finds us exactly when we need them, and that's exactly what Effy and Preston were for me. When I was approved for A Theory of Dreaming, I knew it was going to become my entire personality for the next month. I aim to keep my review spoiler free, but there will be lots of gushing! If I'd had this book when I was Effy's age, I think things would have been a lot better for me when I was in school!

"He could not make the world see him as he wished. Instead the world pressed in around him, molding, crushing, until he was the shape they made him."

While reading the first novel, I was constantly drawn to Effy's introspection and the raw, haunting emotion that came along with it, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself more connected to Preston this time around. His desire to both mold himself to fit in and stand out really resonated with me, as well as his anxiety to protect the things he loves and the people he cares about. I love how utterly human he is in this book, and how love has continued to mold and shape and develop him overtime. I also really resonated with the themes of fantasy versus reality. It's so easy to lean into escapism, but we have to face our fears head on.

While part of me missed the spookier/mystery undertones that came with the first book, I found the academic setting really played well with the emotions of the book overall, and I loved learning more about the world and the school itself. Effy and Preston are doing their best to grow out of the trauma and the tragedies they've faced, and continue, in every human way possible, to falter and fail and pick themselves back up again. The themes of prejudice were really cleverly woven into the narrative, and I appreciated the many layers Reid added into the work. We see Effy constantly pigeonholed as female archetypes, stereotyped by her peers, ostracized and objectified, but still she continues to rise and fall and never shields her emotions. Strength isn't just wielding a sword. It's holding your head high even while the tears are falling.

Ava Reid has a way with words that is both mesmerizing and addictive. Their prose is the perfect balance of lyrical and sharp, bleeding me out and then stitching me back together. There isn't a single book by Reid that I won't be purchasing.

If you're looking for characters that will haunt you after the final page, you've found them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of A Theory of Dreaming!

I love Ava's writing style, it works for me - however, the pacing of this book was a little slow compared to the first book. That being said, I still enjoyed it!

The ensemble adds some depth, however, the writing lends to a beautiful telling of Preston and Effy's story. I loved ASiD and AToD had some elements of heaviness that I had to prep myself for.

Overall, I'm glad I read this, I had just finished ASiD, so I had the luxury of a back to back read, and that honestly helped with the dark elements and how academia focused this read is. Would definitely recommend picking this up!

4⭐️

Firstly, the you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this early. Secondly, opinions on this book are my own.

I will try and keep this as spoiler free as possible, but there are a few things that I feel could potentially spoil a few plot points, as there are several trigger warnings and moments that I feel are important to know before going into this. AToD is a LARGE fraction darker than ASiD. I know this is dark academia, but I cannot stress this, enough: it’s pretty dark. It took me a few days to get through the book as it was heavy. TW for suicide attempts, racism, sexism/misogyny (these are the main stand out TW’s). With this all being said, Ava Reid delivers a compelling story with vivid descriptions and several beautifully written passages/quotes. I have so many highlighted, she really has a way with prose. I think these two books would make really good movies if they were ever adapted!

Overall, I liked this and I probably would’ve liked it more if I was in a better head space/wasn’t currently in a depressive episode. I definitely recommend this book, however, I’m not sure I would recommend to read it right away for someone who is not in the best headspace to read something pretty heavy.

I did not know what to expect going into this sequel, but wow it delivered!!! The dark academia elements came back in full blast, almost more so as we get to experience more of the College of Llyr. Reid has such an atmospheric voice in her writing, and it creates an incredibly unique style in her story telling. Preston and Effy have carved a special place in my heart (and dreams) as they each faced incredible challenges in A Theory of Dreaming. Man, it got rough in there, but Reid approached the darker themes with elegance and highlighted the importance of the topics. I loved getting to hear more of Preston’s experience, and like Effy’s story last book— we get to see him have quite a few breakthroughs. I think this sequel is a stand-out, and I am so glad Effy and Preston’s story was expanded upon!! This book will sit perfectly with fans of A Study in Drowning, and those who adore a rich, dark tale.

Thank you netgalley and Harper Collins for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

This was more than I had hoped for after I read Study in Drowning. After publishing a paper that was meant to properly credit the original author, Euphemia "Effy' Sayre and Preston Heloury are now back in the university. However, the general public were not happy about these changes, assuming that a woman and an Argantian are out to destroy Llyr. Regardless, they both received the positions that they were expecting, and more. Effy no longer dreams of a Fairy King, but is consumed by the cruelty of the university in her day-to-day, from a gossip rag, to her peers in Prof.Timmew's class. Preston receives an award, but in turn is consumed by his own dreams.

I love it! Always praising the way that Ava Reid manages to transport the reader, and that infuriating smell of the sea continues to haunt you. I don't really prefer to spoil it, but it has a lot of serious tones, such as propaganda. The presence of the book focuses on how dragging daily life's challenges are. I am married, and I highly empathize with what Preston and Effy are going through, not wanting to burden the other, and yet simultaneously drowning within ourselves. Romantic, real, and corporeal!

4.5 ⭐

Beautiful and painful. If you were not a fan of ASID this book won't be for you. Ridding herself of the Fairy King is not a cure for Effy and she continues to struggle with her mental health throughout the story. Preston is working through his own internal struggles of belonging as his watery dreams begin to wade into his waking life.

The prejudices built by Lyr's carefully curated history and the attempt to erase women hits hard in the day and age we live in.

This book will leave you raw and still begging the question: was it real?

If there was any weakness in the book it's that though it really is Preston's story, it jumps between Effy and Preston limited POV which at points made it difficult to separate what each was going through when it came to emotions and mental state.

Though the previous book didn’t wow me like I’d hoped, I feel like Ava Reid really hit her stride in A Theory of Dreaming. Where in the first novel, I felt as if I’d been dropped into a strange land without a map, this one felt like returning home to old friends. A Theory of Dreaming is a masterful blend of fantasy and psychological depth, showcasing Reid’s growth as a storyteller. The world-building is immersive, with a dreamlike quality that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. Reid’s prose has a lyrical quality that enhances the surreal, dream-infused atmosphere of the book. By the end, I found myself completely captivated, and I can confidently say that this is her strongest work yet. If you’re a fan of intricate, thought-provoking fantasy, this one is absolutely worth your time.

Diving back into this enchanting universe after book one was like meeting old friends in a cozy, magical setting. Once again, the world is as magical and atmospheric as I remember, with every page dripping with charm and wonder.

Effy and Preston, our dynamic duo, find themselves ensnared in chaos once more, and oh, what a thrilling ride it is! Their chemistry and interactions are a joy to behold, making every twist and turn of their adventure all the more captivating.

The conclusion to their story? Pure perfection. It wraps up their journey in a way that feels satisfying and heartwarming, leaving me with a smile on my face and a longing for more adventures in this spellbinding universe.

This book was so unique, and so not what I was expecting.

I loved the fact that it was a continuation of the first book, and that it showed Preston and Effy not only at the hilltop, but the valleys of life as well. I really appreciate Ava's raw look into the depths of mental health, and offers her perspective on how/why we should survive.

This book is a lifeline to girls and women like me who did not grow up with a good support system. This book can be the guide that some people never had. And for that reason, this book is very important to me. These books feel like the home in books that I've never quite been able to find up until now.

Additionally, Ava's genuine writing style makes this extremely relatable from both POVs.

I have already pre-ordered the physical copy of this book!

This book was so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. It was a bit of a slow start for me up until about 40% through and then I just flew through the rest of it. I couldn't put it down. I was feeling so many emotions one after another until the very end. I feel like this book was such a great example of different types of depression that can happen to different people. I've had depression since I was about 10-11 years old, but it was undiagnosed until my final semester of college, and I found this story to be a little bit triggering, but so compelling. I would recommend this book to people I know, but definitely keep in mind how real this feels.

What can I say... First off, Ava Reid is a love it or hate it kind of author for me. There are just some books that work so well and others where I cannot get behind it. A Study in Downing was first read in Dec 2023 for me. I was very underwhelmed. The characters felt flat and for a book to have almost no plot and more vibes, I needed truly interesting characters. Preston felt cookie cutter and 2D and Effy was definitely complex enough for me to keep reading, but ultimately, it fell flat and was a 3 star read.

With this in mind, I was surprised when a sequel was announced and grew curious. I thought, what more could there be? And would it be good? This story, these characters, surprised me so much.

Everything that I felt was missing in book 1, this one fixed for me. However, I do not think this will be palatable to the majority of readers who loved ASID. The perfect character image some people created in their minds will be shattered. For me, that made me grow to love them more than I could ever have thought. This book felt like it had the heart and emotion I was missing in the first. There is so much happening just as the first, and do I think it was all executed perfectly, no, but did I still feel this book impacted me on such a deep level, yes!

This story mostly revolves around opening up Preston's character and the aftermath of what he and Effy went through. The trauma they experienced and how each dealt with it in different ways. I was so concerned with how they kept lying to each other and placing so much pressure on themselves to be what the other person needed to badly, that they were losing themselves. This is not a perfect relationship sequel most were hoping for. And I love this!!! Yes, we want to escape, and yes, this felt sooooo real, and it felt like how real people reacted and how people deal with their pain, but it still felt like an escape. I was transported to this world and could not stop reading about these characters, which I was increasingly growing attached to.

There was so much pain and beauty in the prose and in the characters and in the plot. FYI, if you don't love dark academia and academia settings and the pursuit of knowledge, especially through literary means, this might not impact you as much, but you can still learn and take something away.

In the end did I understand everything, no. But this is most likely my favorite Ava Reid book along with Juniper and Thorn. I have so much more to say, so much more I will be lingering on and that is why it makes it a 5 star read for me. I can definitely understand why it might not be for others, but I do not care. I bawled at the end and my one last thing I will mention is to please put trigger warnings in the book and to please check reviews. Fortunately I read a review which prepared me for some events but readers be warned for topics like attempted suicide, drug abuse, sexual assault and much more.

Thank you netgalley for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First ARC of 2025 done! It’s been a while since I read A Study in Drowning, and I think that hampered some of my ability to truly enjoy this. I’d forgotten some pretty key plot points/characters, but I was able to muddle through and was happy with the ending.

The reason I didn’t give it five stars, however, has more to do with believability/plot holes. I’m not gonna lie, parts of it really confused me (and it had nothing to do with my forgetfulness). I don’t want to say too much because A) spoilers and B) I think other readers will have a different take on things.

For one, did no one question when Preston stops needing glasses? He went around for days/weeks and none of his peers thought it odd? Also, I personally didn’t believe that an entire army’s ability to fight is hinged on one figure of nationalism. Maybe if the setting had been more medieval and less modern, I would have understood.

All of that aside, it’s a well-written book! The language is beautiful and descriptive, the pacing is steady, and while I never really felt the stakes, there is a good dose of tension. The characters are where Ava Reid really shines as a writer. Preston and Effy are an absolutely gems. I love how stodgy Preston can be, and his interactions with Lancelot always made me smile. I preferred the Effy of book one, but I think her development works in the case because this is really Preston’s book.

The themes are powerful, too. We see the sexism and misogyny within academia as a mirror to how it can be in our own world. It’s frustrating seeing Effy’s mistreatment, and all of the stories within the story examine how women are so often overlooked, their voices stolen, simply because they are female.

Overall, I enjoyed it! And I think fans of the first book will be pleased with this as well.

3-Star Review for A Theory of Dreaming

Alright, so here’s the thing: this book didn’t quite sweep me off my feet, but I’ll admit I was already lying down thanks to a massive reading slump. Is it the book’s fault I’m currently the literary equivalent of a soggy waffle? Probably not.

This sequel delivers everything you’d expect from a return to Effy and Preston’s world: atmospheric writing, high-stakes academia, and a love story that’s somehow both haunting and endearing. But if you’re here for light reading, let me stop you right there. The vibes are heavy. There’s existentialism. There’s danger. There’s Preston having a full-on “king of the sea” complex that felt a little like Ariel’s edgier cousin went to therapy and decided, “Nah, I’m staying messy.”

Effy? A total badass, but she’s got her work cut out for her. First woman in literature college? Check. The entire country waiting for her to fail? Double check. Dreams becoming literal nightmares? You get the point.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I enjoyed the writing and the rich world-building, but something about this book felt like it needed my full, caffeinated brain. And well, this brain has been running on decaf lately. I’ll definitely revisit it when I’m out of the slump because I know I missed some brilliance here.

If you’re into dark academia with a side of “what is reality anyway,” give it a go. And if you’re in a slump like me, maybe wait until your brain feels like less of a soggy waffle.

Final verdict: It’s not you, A Theory of Dreaming. It’s me.

I loved diving back into this universe after book one. It is just as magical and atmospheric as I remember. Effy and Preston are caught up in mayhem again but I loved their dynamic and the conclusion to their story.

PLEASE, this was a fantastic sequel, I'm SO SO happy I got to read it! PRESTONNNNNN, YES, sir! This book was real, raw and broke me and I absolutely loved it. This was such a good sequel to the first book and I loved every moment of it. Ava, you are amazing.