‘A Theory of Drowning’ is a haunting and beautifully written conclusion to the dark academia duology that began with ‘A Study in Drowning’. The first book of this duo was easily a 4 star read for me. But the second book takes the cake and actually easily became a 5 star read. This sequel will truly sweep you off your feet.

The story takes Effy and Preston on a perilous final adventure, as the consequences of their earlier actions plunge them into a world of shifting dreams and dark forces, forcing them to confront the truths of their own selves.

The lush, dreamlike prose that defined the first book continues here and better than ever as the characters grapple with fate, legacy, theirselves and their love. With its exploration of identity, self-worth, and the danger of chasing one's dreams too fervently. This book was truly phenomenal and well worth the read. And epic and bittersweet conclusion to a love story marked by both beauty and tragedy that will leave you thinking about it long after the book is finished.

Welllllll that was disappointing. I struggled with reading A Theory of Dreaming. I’d read a couple of pages and get frustrated with the characters and have to put it down. It seemed like all the character growth from Effy went out the window. Ultimately I had to DNF.

DNF @ 66%. If I don't like it by now, it won't be for me.

This is sad to report given that I did really enjoy 'A Study in Drowning'. However, this sequel was a slog and was borderline painful to pick up each time. Both characters transformed from likeable to borderline unbearable. All of the progress and growth made in book one was seemingly erased. I hate miscommunication tropes and that seems to be the core "plot" here. That being said, I do still think 'A Study in Drowning' is a strong book, albeit as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eARC!

I really enjoyed A Study in Drowning so I was excited to read A Theory of Dreaming!

As with all of the Ava Reid books I have read, this one is well written with well done continued character development. A look into their internal struggles during turbulent times. This book seems to continue where A Study in Drowning left off for Effie. I will admit this one started a little slow for me but then about 30% in it picked up. This book is way more political then the first so if that is not your thing then this book may not be what you thought it would be. As for me the politics are what helped pick this story up for me. Politics was definitely touched upon in the first book but in this one it stands front and center. In todays political climate that may make or break it for some. For me it was a plus!

As in A Study in Drowning, Ava Reid's writing is beautiful and lyrical as she creates a world that blends reality and fantasy. I enjoyed learning more about these characters and getting more insight into Preston's character. While I felt A Study in Drowning was the stronger book and had more of an impact, this was still a beautiful second book to continue Effy and Preston's story.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

4.5

Ava Reid delivers a sequel that is just as haunting and poetic as A Study in Drowning, but for me, A Theory of Dreaming was even more powerful. I found it easier to understand, yet its impact lingered long after I turned the final page. This story explores the thin veil between reality and the unknown, questioning who gets to define truth and whose voices are erased in the process.

Reid’s prose is stunning, filled with lines that feel like quiet revelations:

"I had not known that the seam of the world was not between the living and the dead, but rather between the real and the unknown."

The novel grapples with power, how it endures, who it protects, and what illusions it relies on. The idea that “A king can reign a thousand years from a castle built on clouds” is both a reflection on the fragility of authority and a critique of systems upheld by belief rather than truth. But unlike kings, girlhood is not afforded such stability. “If only girlhood were such a kingdom. Nothing would ever change.” The novel doesn’t just explore this imbalance, it forces the reader to sit with it.

Beyond gender and power, Reid also weaves in a sharp critique of nationalism, particularly in the idea that “If the soul of a nation requires an enemy, then it has no right to exist at all.” The book questions whether identity, whether personal, political, or historical, should be built on opposition rather than truth.

While A Study in Drowning was deeply atmospheric, A Theory of Dreaming felt clearer, sharper, and more profound. It left me thinking long after I finished, and for that, I can’t help but love it.

“I would love you even if it was killing me slowly. Even if it ruined me.”
This sequel did in fact ruin me in the best way!!! 4.5

Ava Reid is back again with another hauntingly beautiful gothic story “A Theory of Dreaming.” Continuing with the dark academia setting, “A Theory of Dreaming” follows Effy and Preston as they return to their academic pursuits, with Effy enrolling in the literature college as the first woman to do so. In this sequel, they face new challenges: Effy faces societal expectations and the pressure to succeed, while Preston experiences vivid dreams of a submerged palace, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

I don’t know what it is, but I love learning about dreams so I found the setting of this novel really interesting. Ava Reid has a lyrical writing style that is both poetic and thought-provoking. Her stories typically have an eerie and mysterious vibe that adds to the reading experience. The world-building is unique, dreamlike, and atmospheric. As we witness Preston experience a world between dreaming and waking, we see how dreams can almost shape reality.

I love Effy and Preston so much!! The characters are multi-dimensional as we witness them struggle with identity and self-perception. I found this sequel a lot deeper than “A Study in Drowning” as it contains heavier topics: trauma, healing, and mental health, but Ava Reid handles each topic beautifully. Throughout the book, Reid challenges the reader to question the nature of reality and how our minds shape our perceptions of the world. We learn a lot more about Preston’s character which I really enjoyed because we get to witness his struggles that help to identify who he really is.

I sometimes get nervous with sequels, but I found that I enjoyed this as much as the first book. I did find the pacing slow at times, but I think this sequel was a great end to Effy & Preston’s story, although I am selfish and just want more of them!!

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for this arc <3

Thank you to the publisher for an arc of this book.

This was my last shot at Ava Reid books. I thought a study in drowning was ok and unlike anything I had read before. I arc read a fable for the end of the world and liked it a lot more but it didn’t sink its claws into me. So I thought I’d try one last time with an arc of this book. While I enjoy the plot and the characters, there’s just something about her books that I can’t force myself to fully care about what happens and I grow bored. The writing is beautiful and the themes are deep, but I just can’t immerse myself. I think that this is just not the author for me, but I can see why readers love her books.

what a perfect, emotional, and devastating squeal. The romance in this book was literally everything it was absolutely perfect! They cared about one another so much they would literally do anything to make sure the other one was safe. A theory of dreaming really dives into the issues of the media and its power. It shows the beliefs people hold onto to push aside the harsh and real reality. Overall the story was beautifully written and I’m saddened to have to say goodbye to these wonderful characters and their beautiful story,

This was one of my anticipated reads and I always wondered more about Effy and Preston after everything so was so thrilled when a sequel was announced! I love Ava Reid’s prose and the way she creates so eerie and beautiful settings and this was no different! Loved the kind of mystery aspect and loved seeing more of Preston! Will add to our library anything Ava Reid writes!

A Theory in Dreaming dives even deeper into its world of eerie magic and mystery. Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting into the first book. While the premise and themes were interesting, the writing felt slow and hard to engage with. This time around, since I was already used to the writing style, it was easier to settle into the story and appreciate the details.

While this book didn’t feel as suspenseful as the first, the magic was still front and center, and there were plenty of mysteries for Preston to unravel. Even when the pacing was a little slow, the story had enough appeal to keep me going.

One of the things I really enjoyed was learning more about Preston. Getting inside his head, understanding his family, and seeing how someone so logical handles being surrounded by magic—while still refusing to believe in it—was fascinating. His relationship with Effy also grew in a way that felt natural, and I liked seeing her character develop even more. Effy’s battles with mental health and feelings of unworthiness were really relatable and handled in such a gentle and caring manner. The author's ability to blend these real-world struggles into a world filled with magic so seamlessly was seriously impressive.

Overall, I enjoyed A Theory in Dreaming and would recommend the duology to readers who appreciate rich, old-world-style writing, unique and lovable characters, and stories where logic and magic collide in thoughtful ways.

Really cozy read and follow up for A Study in Drowning. I loved Preston and Effy together, as well as the introduction of new characters. I did feel like there were some aspects of the story that were unexplored, such as Effy's relationship with her mother and grandparents. I thought the magic system was a little confusing in this book and I did not really understand how it worked in this world. Definitely thought it was emotional toward the end. Thank you for allowing me to review this ARC!

A Study in Drowning was a book I loved and I think this built off of it perfectly. Ava Reid has such a way with storytelling and I great enjoyed this book. I think it reminds the reader of why we love these characters while at the same time making us learn more about them and the world around them. I love seeing their relationship and companionship grow more and also learning more about the world, school, and history of the story and society they are in.

“What a ruthless privilege it was, he thought, to love.”

First off, I’m so happy and honored to have received an ARC so thank you so much to HarperCollins and NetGalley!!

Ava Reid touches again on such important topics- grief, trauma, and prejudice. This book explored how two broken people can overcome, or cope, with their own issues and struggles while trying to learn to share your life and yourself with someone else.

She immerses you into the storyline and keeps you wondering where the mystery is leading. This book had similar elements to A Study In Drowning but was more focused on Preston, and his own inner warfare.

I enjoyed getting to see these characters’ stories wrap up after the events that have shaped them (for better or for worse).

If you enjoyed A Study In Drowning, I think you will like this book. It IS heavier than Drowning (make sure to review the trigger warnings). Dreaming didn’t elicit quite the level of feminine rage that Drowning did. There was still plenty, but this book deals with Xenophobia, war, the way that people in power use fear to control the populace etc. as well as similar examples of sexism that we saw in drowning, so there was plenty of outrage. It was difficult to read at times given the current climate of the world and it wasn’t as straightforward as Drowning. There was a lot going on with 2 POVs and both MC struggling with depression and/or anxiety. The subject matter is definitely deep, and relevant and challenging, but it was a relatable story about two characters I love, things were a bit bittersweet but I was happy by the end. We also got to spend more time with and meet some new side characters that offered needed comic relief and comfort for our characters. If Drowning was a creepy mystery, Dreaming is more of an “us against the world”. Again, make sure to review the trigger warnings as there are a number of difficult topics.

This sequel is even darker than the first, delving deeply into Effy and Preston’s fight against the corruption in academia, the unethical politics at play, and the societal prejudices they face. The challenges they encounter are intense and uncomfortable, sparking a strong desire to protect them from the people around them who wear a mask of kindness but are anything but. The dream world, which adds an extra layer of intrigue, was a highlight for me, especially with the stunning twist uncovered in the diary. It was such a treat to spend more time with Effy and Preston, two characters I’ve grown fond of from A Study in Drowning. I was captivated by the book’s dark, mystical atmosphere, as well as its rich mythology, which critiques how myths and legends are often distorted into unquestioned truths.

This is an outstanding sequel, rich in complexity and tension, and it’s an absolute must-read. However, I highly recommend reading the first book first to fully appreciate the characters’ development and the intricacies of their world. Without that context, some of the emotional weight and deeper themes may be lost.

A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid is an absolute dream of a book—lush, haunting, and beautifully written. Reid’s metaphorical prose is pure magic, wrapping you in a world where myth and reality blur in the most stunning way. The world-building is even richer this time around, pulling you deeper into the eerie, poetic lore of the Sleepers and the histories of Caer-Isel and Argant.

But the heart of it all? Effy and Preston. Their romance is tender, messy, and full of tension, making every moment between them feel raw and real. It’s the kind of love story that lingers, just like the book itself. Dark, dreamy, and utterly mesmerizing—this one’s a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and HarperCollins Children's Books for this advanced copy.! You can pick up A Theory of Dreaming on July 29, 2025.

Ava Reid once again sweeps us away to a magical, war-torn land where truth and myth intertwine. After rereading A Study in Drowning, I found myself excited to return to Llyr and learn what our two protagonists encounter as they try to prove Angharad wrote her book.

This story definitely started a bit slower for me, as Effy and Preston navigate troubles within the University and public backlash against their project, For me, the middle is when things picked up and we saw the consequences of Effy and Preston's actions hit even harder. Effy, the first woman to be accepted to the literature college, faces rampant sexism and misogyny in her classes, and yet still seeks to tell the buried stories of young women and, specifically, female authors.

Preston, meanwhile, is having a literal magical episode that transports him to an underwater palace in his dreams. But when his dreams begin to conflate with the real world, it could have a devastating effect on the ones he loves.

I loved the ending of this story and the overall growth we see from Effy and Preston throughout the two books. If you're looking for a lush, gothic world full of academics and dreamers who fight for a better life, this is your book!

DNF - 19%

I found A Study in Drowning to be rather disappointing, but I had hopes that getting more of Preston's side of things in A Theory of Dreaming would make this more interesting. Ava Reid is a good writer in her prose, but the plot and characters are lacking in this world. I was extremely bored. I may try again at a later date, but at the moment, this just isn't for me.

I am still going to try her other book, Fable for the End of the World because that premise seems interesting. If that doesn't go well, then I'll know Reid just isn't the author for me.