After reading A Study in Drowning, I was curious as to what this book would include, as its predecessor left off on a great, tidy endnote. However, I was disappointed and ultimately confused at the decisions made in this book. There were a few outstanding plot points in the previous book, such as the issues with Preston being Argantian and Effy being a woman, and although those were continuous issues in this book, those important issues were never really addressed. The plot was extremely flimsy and difficult to understand, and the prose was so purple that it took the reader out of the storyline and needed to be cut way down. Instead of creating a solid plot and using the book to dive into these issues, it seems like everything was neatly wrapped up in the last chapter without an explanation. The war magically resolved, the authorship claims were proven (after barely being acknowledged throughout the book), there were no consequences for any of the characters’ actions, and Effy’s thesis, depression, and status as the first woman in the literature college were left as big question marks. It seemed like this book was only created because of the reception of the first book, but it had so much potential and failed to address lingering questions. Overall, it was a difficult and disappointing read, Especially with the way that it handled depression and a suicide attempt by the main female character.

Overall Score: 5/5⭐️
Plot: 5/5
Character Development: 5/5
Ease of Reading: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5

Ava Reid has done it again, and is that really a surprise? I simply was unable to put this book down. As a new mom, I thought it would be hard to find time to read but having the kindle app made it so I could devour this book during her feeding times. I am just so obsessed with this world and the characters within it.
A Theory in Dreaming starts off shortly after the events of A Study in Drowning with Effy and Preston having returned to university. Facing the fallout of their actions, we are blessed with third person dual POV so we are able to see the inner workings of not just Effy’s mind, but Preston’s as well. While I will say I was a bit frustrated with the secrets Effy and Preston keep from one another (although done in good faith), I was enraptured by Reid’s ability to demonstrates how easily anxiety and depression can come about. Mental health plays such a large role in this book and it was both devastating and refreshing to read.
Just as A Study in Drowning blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, A Theory in Dreaming makes you wonder at what is the truth and what is imagination. This beautiful second installment had me captivated from page one and I loved delving deeper into the histories of both Llyr and Argant and discovering the hidden truths in them. This was a beautiful end to Effy and Preston’s story and I know this a duology I will read time and time again.

I loved the first book in this duology because I recognized myself in Effy, in her story. But this book took it further, Ava Reid took the crumbling bits of our reality, the way capitalism faith and power have converged into this seemingly inevitable force and rewrote our history, and she built a fairytale. A fairytale that is the very reason I love fairytales, it is far easier for us to admit the fault when we see it in fantasy rather than when we find it in reality. While this book is fantasy, I could write an entire paper on how it is also a beautiful observation of a place most people find themselves in life, facing the crumbling bits of reality that surround us and having to decide how to make our dent.

As soon as I got this ARC I ran to read it! I loved the first book so I was so excited to see how the story continued in this book!
I loved the storyline and how we got to see more of the world!
I also loved getting more of Effy and Preston! I love their relationship!
I wish we got to see a bit more of the strength we saw in Effy in the first book but I still loved her character!
Overall I think this was a great sequel to a study in drowning!

I loved A Study in Drowning, I honestly will read anything Ava Reid writes and I have. I would love to sit with her one day and pick her brain on how it works and how she comes up with such compelling stories. As always her writing never misses, it as atmospheric as always and the prose is so beautiful. A Theory of Dreaming is a continuation of the aftermath of what happens in the end of A Study in Drowning. We get more Preston in this! which was my only complaint from ASID because I absolutely loved his character and I fell in love with him all over again. Effy as always is wonderful and we get to see more of both of them together and their love grow for each other as they are also struggling with their individual issues. So good!

A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid is the kind of sequel that not only lives up to its predecessor but deepens and expands everything that made A Study in Drowning so unforgettable. This book is pure magic—lush, eerie, and unsettling in all the ways that make you wonder whether you’re still awake. And yes, the cover and sprayed edges are chef’s kiss. I’d frame it if I could. But even beyond the aesthetics, this story is something special.

Effy and Preston’s journey picks up with the weight of history pressing down on them—both personal and cultural. Effy has finally clawed her way into the literature college, becoming the first woman to do so, but of course, instead of respect, she’s met with thinly veiled condescension and a crowd of people just waiting for her to fall apart. Effy is no longer haunted by the Fairy King, but Reid is too smart to make that a happy ending. Instead, she asks the tougher question: who is Effy when she can no longer lose herself in stories? Watching Effy navigate the "real" world is painful in the best, most cathartic way—it’s a reminder that surviving your trauma doesn’t mean you stop carrying its weight.

Then there’s Preston. If the first book was Effy’s reckoning, this one belongs to Preston. His arc takes a sharp, fascinating turn as his dreams begin to unravel into something darker, calling him toward the impossible and seductive idea of power. The palace under the sea is one of the most haunting settings Reid has conjured—it practically drips off the page with its eerie beauty and creeping dread. Watching Preston lose his steady, logical grip on reality was both heartbreaking and thrilling. It’s rare to see a character so thoroughly destabilized by his own emotions, especially when they’re tangled up in protection and love.

The pacing is dreamlike—fluid and immersive, occasionally fragmented like a half-remembered vision. The romance between Effy and Preston feels more fragile here, like something precious and human in the middle of a storm they can’t control. There’s no grand melodrama between them, just quiet moments of trust and tenderness that make the looming tragedy hit even harder.

And then there’s the war between Llyr and Argant, threading through everything like a ticking clock. Reid doesn’t just use it as background noise—it’s a visceral reminder that personal stories don’t exist in a vacuum. Effy and Preston are caught in the middle of something bigger than themselves, and that push and pull between personal dreams and national nightmares adds so much depth to the story’s stakes.

If I had one minor gripe, it’s that a few of the supporting characters felt more like symbols than fully realized people—but honestly, this story is so much about the blurring of dreams and reality that it almost felt intentional. Reid's writing is as lyrical and devastating as ever, painting a world that feels both ancient and heartbreakingly immediate.

4.5 stars because it’s not just a sequel—it’s a reckoning. The ending isn’t neat or easy, but it’s the right kind of haunting, the kind that stays with you long after you’ve closed the book. I’ll definitely be buying a physical copy to keep next to the first one—if only to remind myself that some stories deserve to be told and retold, even if they hurt.

Ava Reid continues to vex me. I lauded A Study in Drowning to any and all who would hear me. I just came off of thoroughly enjoying her upcoming Fable for the End of the World. I was so eager to read the continuing story of Effy and Preston.

I was very much disappointed.

This novel felt meandering for the first 70% of the book with both the POV seemingly doing nothing of action besides trying to handle their trauma and angst of life and events from the first book. The self flagellation of Effy was non stop and quite grating. Preston's Adventures in Dreamland was exciting when introduced but fell into the same tedious beats.

I adored Reid's prose. She is lyrical and it is one of her biggest wins of setting the atmosphere of this dreamy/magical world. I just wish...that something were to happen! As the blurb states, Preston's anger begins to boil and it was only at this point (more than halfway through the book) that I could say "finally!" And hope for some exciting culmination. The following 30% of the book brings the duology to it's conclusion with a sluggish plomp.

Reids commentary about women's work being stolen and used to further mens agendas is still here but I don't really know if anything of value was added by continuing this morose journey of inner turmoil for the many, many pages that she does. The war and Preston's bequethed prejudice due to his heritage was an interesting peak throughout the story.

Was it beautifully written? Yes. Will I continue to read each of Ava Reid's works? Yes. Did this story need to be told? 🤷‍♀️


Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

This was honestly SO good! It wasn't as intense as I wanted it to be but I still enjoyed it very much. I love the author's writing and how both Effy and Preston got time to heal from everything that happened in the first book. All in all, this was a fun and intriguing sequel to A Study of Drowning!!

Your honor I love them <3

Anyways review time.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC !
( I would have sold my soul for this ARC)

A Study in Downing was my favorite read of last year, so I was beyond excited when I learned Ava Reid was writing a sequel.

A Theory in Dreaming was very enjoyable. I love Effy and Preston so much! However, I have seen a lack in warnings when it comes to the marketing of this book. This book NEEDS TRIGGER WARNINGS. Lots of dark and depressing ideas in this sequel.

I also have to say the first book felt a lot more whimsical with that dark academic touch that I really loved. The second one didn't have that much of a mystical feeling for me. Still really enjoyed it and recommend it. The plot was a little lackluster in my opinion, but I really didn't care. I just loved being with these characters.

Personally ranking -
The first one is better, but I still liked A Theory of Dreaming.

Can't wait to see what Ava Reid writes next.

"I am seized by such love, I vow / that I must come to ruin now"

ARC provided by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!

I honestly wasn't expecting A Study in Drowning to have a sequel but Ava Reid absolutely knocked it out of the park with A Theory of Dreaming. This successor resolved all the issues I had from the previous book like pacing and character development — a very worthy sequel. It was nice to be revisit this world with Preston and Effy once more as they face the aftermath of the events that happened in book one.

I will say; however, that this book didn't feel necessary for me personally to close out this story. This was more of a fan service. Additionally, it felt like the plot at times didn't exactly have much direction but I didn't mind much considering I took this to be more of a character study between Preston and Effy as they took care of their internal conflicts and trauma.

Despite my critiques, I do believe this was a major improvement from her first book. Reid's strength lies in her atmospheric writing and story-telling and I look forward to reading more of her in the future.

I .... I just .... wow!

Heartbreaking, Magical, and gorgeous world descriptions.

I loved getting to see more of Preston's point of view.

Also Lotto, I love Lotto and would love to see more of him!

While I hated to see Effy like this, the aftermath of ASID is written really well and in a way that felt so relatable.

Picking up where A Study in Drowning leaves off, we follow Effy and Preston after their return to university from Hiraeth manor.

Where ASiD was enchanting and ethereal, this sequel is darker and heavier. Both Effy and Preston are dealing with their own struggles. Effy as the only woman at the literature college and Preston as an Argantian in Llyr on the cusp of war. Mental health and inner turmoil are prevalent throughout the story. I loved getting more of Preston and the shared moments between him and Effy are so tender and achingly beautiful. Their growth both together and individually is truly lovely to watch unfold.

“I am seized by such love, I vow / that I must come to ruin now.”

This is a more character driven novel and the pacing is slower at times but I definitely recommend picking it up if you enjoyed ASiD.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!

This was such a good read! I saw this book on a couple of sites with their "sister books" and it looked intriguing. I liked the premise of the book and the fact that the author put events that actually contribute to the story.

What a stunning continuation of A Study in Drowning! I absolutely loved the first book and didn't think that A Theory of Dreaming would be able to top it. Man were all my expectations blown away! I loved every single second of this book and could not put it down!

ava reid making me believe in love and magic yet again? fork found in kitchen

you know at the end of the story when the heroes go off into the sunset and love conquers everything, well a theory of dreaming proves there’s more to surmount but that love IS the reason we can continue to navigate this waking world and that sometimes we must save ourselves. for preston and effy that is acknowledging just how much they need each other all over again.

this was the sequel we needed: what happens to effy and preston when they return to university from hiraeth manor with their controversial thesis? they must face their colleagues, superiors, and the whole of llyr; effy, as the only woman in the literature college, preston as an argantian on the precipice of a full-out argantian-llyrian war.

preston fans rejoice, bc we get a whole lot more of him in this one! dual (3rd person) POV yayayayay!

while i missed some of ASID's etherealness, this one felt more raw and real. there is still much room for magic, but it deals it more as a method of escapism. we also learn more about llyr and argantia both and the fables of the sleepers. nationalism/xenophobia is a large theme in this one and feels quite on par w current times.

there were a few things that i wanted more precisely wrapped up, but overall this felt like the right conclusion to effy and preston's story 💙

Overall: This sequel is even darker than the first book, delving into Effy and Preston’s struggles against the injustices of academia, unethical school politics, and harsh societal prejudices. These challenges make you squirm in your seat and ignite a fierce desire to shield this beloved duo from the wolves in sheep’s clothing surrounding them. I adored the dream world and the breathtaking twist revealed in the diary. Spending more time with my favorite characters from A Study in Drowning was an absolute pleasure, and I loved the book’s dark, mystical tone, its rich mythology, and its critique of falsified legends and myths turned into unquestioned beliefs.

This book was one of my most highly anticipated reads so very honored I got to read it early! I loved A Study in Drowning and Ava Reid has the most stunning prose and books that transport you and also make you think. I had no idea we were getting a sequel but I always wondered what happened with Effy and Preston so this delivered on that perfectly. I absolutely loved getting more of Preston in this story! Plus the romance was just beautiful and the characters really went through so much. Ava Reid beautifully weaves in different topics with such ease and I highly recommend reading this duology.

I expected nothing less after reading a study in drowning and now that I got to read this I’m struggling to know what to do since I can’t go and talk with anyone about it😭 like are you kidding me this was PHENOMENAL. The romance? Give me 15 more of this right now. Like the way the second book had my gripping my chest? Effy and Preston were going through it yall especially Preston. Geezus that man could not get a break. It’s so sad that I have to wait until this book is out. Can we also talk about how stunning this book cover is? Gonna need this in the exclusive edition right now

Once again Ava Reid delivers an atmospheric and immersive story. This book is a perfect winter read! It has such great winter imagery that I could almost feel the snow crunching under my feet. Her poetic writing is just as beautiful as in A Study in Drowning. I love the world and lore that she has created. The epigraphs are so well done and intriguing. I almost wished we had full length works of what the characters studied because it was so well written. In this sequel we are immersed even more into the academic setting we got a peak at in the first book. The book primarily takes place at the university our two main characters attend. I loved diving deeper into the university and attending classes along with the characters. The addition of a second point of view to was done very well. It was nice to read from both Effy & Preston’s perspective, even if at times Effy annoyed me. There are some difficult topics that are dealt with in the story, but Ava Reid wrote them with grace. The love story between Effy and Preston is very sweet. For me, it was in the same realm as Divine Rivals. I think fans of that duology will also enjoy this one. My only issue was that this book felt like a fever dream at times, which given the nature of the book is appropriate. I struggled at times to make connections and understand the significance of the “dreams” that plagued Preston. However, I could argue that that is a sign that Ava Reid wrote Preston’s perspective well. He seemed just as confused about the dreams. Overall, I’m so glad we got to return to this world. One of my favorite duologies of all time!

I will start this off by saying I am very biased when it comes to this duology. A Study in Drowning was my favorite read of last year, finished it in two days in July, the 29th book out of the 75 I had read. I have no doubt it will remain high on my most favorites list. I am an English and history college student at a very male dominated school. My favorite classic growing up, the Great Gatsby (on theme given the discussions of literary plagiarism in the story) lay in taters from annotations and rereads galore. I have seen how men abuse their power over women in academic spaces, and my heart ached as I saw both myself and my female colleagues in Effy.

All this to say that I had extremely high expectations for this sequel and I must say that it was delivered. This sequel was immaculate. The duology is clearly by and for those who love literature, are passionate about the study. The many discourses in the story cement the belief in me that this is the perfect love letter to literary scholars. One I most enjoyed was authorial identity and its impacts on reader interpretation (something that, as someone studying medieval literature and the fundamental texts that shaped English literature as we know it today, is a topic I have written and discussed many times with the amount of author anonymity in some of our most formative and beloved works, Reid does an incredible job with these discussions).

That all belong said, I don’t believe that you need an educational background or a pre established love of literary studies to enjoy this book. Reid is able to incorporate and present these discourses through fictionalized characters and stories, making it far more accessible for the everyday reader to learn about these things. Fiction is a wonderful tool for learning.

Preston got his time to shine in this sequel. I hadn’t believed he had needed it after the first book, with Effy taking center stage (understandably so). But it was a delightful surprise to see just how much the story revolved around him and his inner thoughts and feelings. The fear of a lack of control and the possessiveness that comes from love but sometimes stems into far darker places, were parallels between the first and second book that I really really loved seeing explored slightly differently through Héloury.

If it isn’t obvious enough, I truly can’t sing enough praises about this duology, and look forward to more of Reid’s work in the future!

I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of this book. I am a huge fan of Ava Reid’s work and Study in Drowning was truly transformative for me. With that said, I had a hard time getting into this book.
I really wish I had reread A Study in Drowning before starting A Theory of Dreaming. I had forgotten a lot of the details of the world building and mythology - and quite honestly found it difficult to keep up with in this book. There is a lot of exposition needed to appreciate the plot and I was sad to miss the finer points of that. While dark academia was still a big focus, the gothic tone and ethereal atmosphere that I loved so much in the last book was lacking in the sequel. This book is much darker than its predecessor (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).
As always, I was astounded by the beauty of Reid’s prose and absolutely in love with her main characters. I’m glad we got to explore this world a little more. I will continue to be an avid fan and can’t wait for Fable for the End of the World.