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.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the e-ARC of A Theory of Dreaming!
5 / 5 ⭐
Effy and Preston’s tales continue, the dangers of the academic world no less of a threat than those of Hiraeth Manor from A Study in Drowning. Their experiences are called into question, their motives doubted, their characters slandered, and the machine of the college churns forward, fueled by xenophobia and sexism pretending to be traditional values. Their latest quest for magic falls heavily on Preston’s shoulders as Effy struggles to settle into her hard won place as a literature student.

A Theory of Dreaming is just as character-centric as A Study in Drowning and I can understand why some people might find that less inspired or interesting in a less magical setting, but I think the writing of these two books is wonderfully evocative and immensely enjoyable. I would happily read Ava Reid’s grocery list if it felt like this.

CWs: xenophobia and war, CSA and incest (secondary character, past), misuse of a medicine, suicide attempt

Ava Reid honed her skills to another level! Whata sensational work.

Thankyou netgalley for the arc. All opinions are my own.

#ATheoryOfDreaming #Netgalley

I read this first one when I got it in my illumicrate and I have been looking forward to this one since it was announced. While it was not my favorite thing I’ve ever read, it was still rather enjoyable and has cemented Ava Reid as an author that I will continue to buy from!

This sequel is definitely fan service! You'll find more of Ava Reid's stunning prose, as expected, and atmospheric world. This is well-executed with strong dark academia vibes!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Actual rating 4.25/5 stars.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I would like to give a big notice for a couple trigger warnings in this book, because I don't see them being mentioned at all (which was the same story for the first book in terms of sexual assault).

TW: depression, trauma, suicide

This is not a happy book, in terms of the overall tone. It has such a spiraling depiction of grief and depression that could definitely be difficult - and even harmful - for some, and people deserve to be rightfully warned of that for their own protection.

That being said, while it was really difficult to read at times, certain aspects of this book were absolutely incredible. I wanted to be devoured by the prose in this book. The writing was so stunning, I fell head over heels for the imagery and lyrical tones alone. It all set such an immaculate stage and vibes for the story, that you were constantly aware of "where" and "when" you were while reading. And the Lore?? Immaculate. The depth to the lore Reid invented for this world is a feat in itself. I honestly just wanted more and more of it.

Also, the themes?? I love. Exploring the exploits of male authors stealing the works of women and penning them under their own names. Xenophobia and misogyny in both academics, as well as just in general society. Falsifying a people as an enemy to justify war and to make a hero out of your own countryman. I live for this kind of stuff being called out.

Preston was another highlight to this story for me. I adore that boy with my whole being, and loved how much more we got to get to know him through his perspective in this book. Dude deserves the world. I also loved getting to meet his friend, Lotto, and wish we got to spend more time and see more depth into that friendship.

What kept this from being a 5 star read for me was that the story seemed to be lacking in terms of a plot goal. The whole thing felt more like a subplot in a grander story. It didn't feel like much happened, despite such incredible themes ready to be explored.

This was absolutely perfect. 10/10, no notes. The perfect sequel. I love Preston and Effy's story so much. Ava Reid can do no wrong in my eyes. Can't wait for all of her other releases this year and beyond.

A Theory of Dreaming conquered the all too familiar sequel slump. Ava Reid writes books you can’t help but to get lost in.

(Booktok review coming)

wow wow wow! what a great sequel to the first book. I was completely enthralled into this story and absolutely loved seeing more of these characters!

This was a strong sequel to A Study in Drowning, it had that element that I enjoyed from the previous book and had that charm that I was looking for. I was engaged with the characters and continuing their story. Ava Reid does a fantastic job in writing this and had that charm that I wanted from the writing.

The first note I made for this review was something along the lines of, “I’m so excited for this.” A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid was so enjoyable and compelling, that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on A Theory of Dreaming.
Something that I really enjoyed in A Study in Drowning was the romance. Slow but steady, Effy and Preston come together. First as allies, then friends, and the something more entirely. Their relationship just feels right. But as beautiful and palpable as the love is, so are the fears and anxieties of both Preston and Effy in this story. Their relationship is new enough that these two don’t know how to communicate properly, and this comes majorly into play when things begin going South. They can’t exactly see what’s going on with each other, even though it’s quite obvious. Their paths in this book, Effy’s loss of dreams as well as Preston’s loss of reality, are expected, but painful nonetheless.
Preston’s decent into, for lack of better words, other worldliness is heartbreaking. Seeing him start to lose parts of himself to the bells that haunt him, giving it all up to the sea, it’s hard to watch. Preston is losing himself just like his father once did and the irony is not lost on us here. The loss of his father has given him such a fear of losing his loved ones. He’s so worried about saving Effy from any danger that can befall her, but can he save himself? If it’s too late for Preston, then how can he even try to save Effy?
The fantasy elements and the mystery that’s unfolding are enthralling and satisfying. The addition of Lotto, as well as the return of Rhia and Maisie, keeps things interesting as well. Reid gives us so many characters to love here. With a worsening war as a backdrop and new antagonists on the horizon, we truly wonder: Can both Effy and Preston make it out alive this time? A Theory of Dreaming releases on August 5, 2025. Thank you to Netgalley for access to this title!

Love love love the continued story of Effy and Preston. The politics and war was woven so nicely beside the magic and literature to explain how power and money and influence bleed down into everything. I only wish there was more from Effy in this book!

I was thrilled and surprised to discover that Ava Reid decided to write a sequel to A Study in Drowning, gifting fans like me a perfect fantasy treasure that made me scream with delight and dance on my couch! This continuation of Preston and Effy’s story is a joy to read, especially as it explores how their lives unfold after publishing their groundbreaking article exposing Angharad Myrddin as the true author of the celebrated novel Angharad, reclaiming her legacy from her husband who falsely claimed her work.

Returning to the academy to complete their education, Effy and Preston face fresh challenges, particularly when their findings about the infamous Sleepers spark conflicts. Effy, one of the first female students, has already stirred controversy by tarnishing a respected professor’s reputation with assault accusations, while Preston, an Argentinian student, faces suspicion and hostility from the Lyrans, who label him a saboteur, spy, and traitor.

Neither of them expects a warm welcome, but the hostility is overwhelming. Gossip columnists circle the school, eager for interviews, and while Preston is rewarded with an assistantship under Professor Gosse, aristocratic students constantly remind him of his humble origins, making his academic experience a battleground.

Effy, struggling to adjust after years under the control of the fairy king, finds herself increasingly reliant on sleeping pills, seeking solace in her dreams as her literature program challenges her stability. Meanwhile, Preston becomes entangled in a secret project with Professor Gosse that blurs the boundaries between reality and dreams, leading him to reconnect with a lost loved one. This transformation turns his rational, stoic nature into that of a romantic dreamer, forcing him to question his grasp on reality while grappling with his growing fear of losing Effy forever.

As war erupts between the Argants and Llyr, Preston must find a way to survive the harsh realities of the world and resist the pull of his dreamscapes. Simultaneously, he faces a race against time to save Effy from surrendering herself entirely to her dream world as a means of escaping her suffering.

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 is a phenomenal sequel and a must-read! However, I strongly recommend reading the first book to fully appreciate the intricate complexities of the characters and their world.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for providing me with a digital review copy of one of my most anticipated fantasy reads in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was written beautifully. I loved reading this every second I was engulfed in the book. The character development and the involvement of other characters in this book was just done amazingly. I love Ava Reid's work and this was no exception, it was beautiful and written well. The descriptions of dreams was also done greatly, and I'm glad it was! I enjoyed the concept of viewing into Preston's way of grasping at these events in life and it was executed extremely well in my opinion!

Thank you so much HarperCollins, Netgalley, and everyone involved for the arc!

something that's not mentioned in either the description or anywhere in the arc (there's no TW page) is that there should be a TW for attempted suicide

i plan to reread this via audiobook when it comes out, as that was how i reread ASID and greatly preferred it that way. but this felt aimless at times, and effy felt like a sad ghost of herself. which, like, yeah she is, but she was a sad ghost of herself AND so strong in ASID and it just felt like she couldn't find any strength outside of what preston gave her in this one. i didn't dislike it, but it felt very long and like it would've been better as a novella. honestly i would have loved just reading a whole set of stories from the chapter headers.