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.

An incredible follow up to A Study in Drowning. Ava Reid's a master at rich prose, and their ability to use description to evoke character emotion is a delight to read. This sequel stays true to the heart of ASID, while also expanding the world and perspective (I especially loved the inclusion of Preston's POV and the frustration/vulnerability that comes with others feeling like they can claim and label your identity). The book's exploration of grief and mental health really resonated with me, and I devoured this in a couple sittings.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this lovely book for my honest review.

This is the second book in the series and I am not sure if it is suffering from being book two or if book one was just that much better.

We are still in the academy and dealing with similar issues but with the knowledge we gained from book one.

The plot was compelling at times but not as gripping as book one.

The atmosphere and vibes from book one are still here which was wonderful.

If you loved book one as I did then I would definitely recommend this book. If you were on the fence with book one and hoping book two is better I would give this a pass.

I really, REALLY wanted to like this book. I felt very meh about book 1 but this one sounded so interesting I had to try it, and unfortunately I didn’t like it. I don’t think this authors writing is my cup of tea, which is fine. I understand why others enjoy these books, but they aren’t for me. Gorgeous covers though and all the best to the author! 💛

The story A Study in Drowning is one of a kind. I don't think I can tell you a book that has similar qualities like this one. It's that original. Ava Reid truly outdoes herself with every book she writes. I loved her book: A Study in Drowning, so I was super excited to learn that there was going to be a sequel. A Theory of Dreaming picks up right where A Study in Drowning ends. The writing in both books is phenomenal, and I was blown away with how beautiful the stories are. Effy and Preston's relationship is so pure and it was fascinating to see what would happen after the events of the last book. I am so glad I could get a second chance with these characters. It truly is so hard to dislike this book. The way Ava writes her stories is amazing. She makes everything sound so gorgeous and I'm so thankful I got to read this book early.

Ava Reid continues to excel at creating gorgeous moods and tender, damaged characters. I was glad to spend more time with Effy and Preston, even if this book felt more shapeless than I'd hoped. Reid addresses the underdeveloped racial prejudices from the first book, but never goes deeper than "a story told us we have always been at war and so we are." For a world where so much is built around fiction, that makes sense in theory, but everything about their country still felt slippery to me beyond the immediate interpersonal dynamics. Things like the journalists invading the campus were set up to build and ended up staying more or less at the same threat level throughout, and the pressures of the war itself all felt more surface than real. I think this duology works best on its atmosphere, and I'm more than happy to recommend it for that!

Effy did it! She is now the first female student in the literature college… but joining the all male school mid semester won’t be without its own challenges.

Can you hear the bells? Preston can. Preston has his own challenges to face and mystery to solve.

While this book is beautifully written & magical, it does deal with topics of depression and addiction.

A Theory in Dreaming was a great sequel to A Study in Drowning. This book will be published on August 5, 2025. Thank you Net Galley & Harper Collin’s publishing for letting me read this ARC ❤️

A Theory of Dreaming is a heart-wrenchingly beautiful sequel handcrafted to grab your soul and wring it dry for all its worth. Ava Reid creates something new out of something familiar as we delve into Preston's view of the aftermath of the first book. At times, this book is a hard pill to swallow. The themes and trials Effy and Preston go through are hard-hitting mental illnesses wrapped in a security blanket of unexplainable magic.
Overall, I loved it and can't wait to read what Reid creates for us next!

Thank you NetGalley, Ava Reid, and HarperCollins.

This book was amazing!!!!!!

And this was possibly the best book quote I have ever read,

"f you can learn to love that which despises you, that which terrifies you, you can dance on the shore and play in the waves again, like you did when you were young.
Before the ocean is friend or foe, it simply is. And so are you".