I adored Study in Drowning and while I was okay with the ending I’m excited that we got a sequel. Ava Reid’s prose always drags me in no matter how dark the topic. Much of what I enjoyed about the first book carried into A Theory of Dreaming. The excerpts from fictional texts that give hints and foreshadowing for each chapter, the overall gloomy and gothic feel, and the slightly magical things that occur.

I also think so much of this is politically timely. Let us not forget reading is political and we see this from the way that strings are pulled in the press, and universities of Caer-Isel. Where Effy and Preston were largely removed from this in ASID, we see it up close as they both deal with the ramifications of their discovery over Angharad’s authorship in the views of their peers and their city. There is focus on the role of nationalism and isolation practices on the cusp of war that seem like a direct parallel to US politics right now. I found myself thinking several times how art mimics life.

Though we know that Effy and Preston are together, their chemistry seems off and there was so much going on the romance aspect moves to the back burner. This is not a bad thing! We see who they are as people outside of their relationship with each other. We meet a few fun side characters who provide some comic relief and support in what is otherwise a heavy story focused on the mental states of Effy and Preston.

Sometimes though it felt as if the book was going in too many directions at once and I feel like Reid could have chosen fewer things to focus on because by the end of the book I had questions that were still unresolved.

(I still very much want Reid to write Angharad in its entirety because I would devour that story).

Ava Reid has truly cemented her place as one of my favorite authors over the past year. Her writing is visceral, lyrical, and utterly enchanting—I feel completely spellbound every time I step into one of her beautifully crafted worlds, and A Theory of Dreaming was no exception. Picking up where A Study in Drowning left off, this sequel follows Effy and Preston as they navigate the emotional aftermath of the first book’s chaos. Set against the haunting backdrop of the University, the novel masterfully blurs the line between dreams and waking life, unraveling layers of longing, trauma, and transformation. This a story that doesn’t sugarcoat reality. Academia isn’t just about chasing knowledge—it’s a messy game of thrones, packed with politics, manipulation, and behind-the-scenes power struggles. Governments are quick to weaponize belief, using it to fan the flames of patriotism and justify conflict. And if you dare to expose the truth, don’t be surprised when people turn on you. Most would rather dig in their heels than face the fact that everything they’ve believed in might’ve been a lie.

By the time I reached the end of this book, I was in tears—something I absolutely didn’t see coming. I had enjoyed A Study in Drowning for its beautifully eerie atmosphere, but it was A Theory of Dreaming that truly resonated with me, thanks to Preston and Effy’s emotional journey. One of the highlights for me was the dual POV. Giving Preston his own voice and history made all the difference. His character gained so much depth, and watching him finally step into focus brought me so much joy. Effy’s battle in this book is a completely different kind of war. This time, she’s not up against a mythical king or a manipulative mentor—her greatest challenge is her own mind. I care for her so deeply, and watching her try to piece herself back together was genuinely heartbreaking. The portrayal of depression and trauma here was so raw and real—I could feel every bit of it echoing inside me. There was also something hauntingly beautiful about how water and waves ebbed and flowed through the novel’s imagery. The thread of literature stitched the world together with elegance. What stayed with me most, though, was the commentary on women being silenced and written out of history by the men who controlled their fates. The final act of reclaiming a woman’s lost voice felt like a healing echo across both stories. Ava Reid doesn’t just tell a story—she breathes life into it, and this one left a lasting mark.

The worldbuilding and backstory in this novel were incredibly compelling. I especially appreciated how Reid expanded on the lore of the sleepers—it added an extra layer of depth that made the story even more engaging. One of my favorite aspects of her writing is how she seamlessly weaves literature into the narrative. It’s clear that Reid has a profound love for words and storytelling, and that passion shines through in both Effy and Preston. While I thoroughly enjoyed following their emotional journey, the ending did feel a bit rushed, possibly because so much time was devoted to developing their characters and struggles. The pacing felt a bit slower in certain parts, but the tension was more palpable this time around compared to the first book. Instead of the eerie, haunting vibes we got in A Study in Drowning, this installment leans more into academic and historical aesthetics, creating a noticeable tonal shift. The core themes—female authorship, elitism in academia, and the dismissal of survivors—remain present, echoing the concerns of the first novel. However, what stood out this time was how the narrative didn’t shy away from tackling racism and nationalism. These issues were finally brought to the forefront, and they were explored in a way that felt timely, relevant, and deeply woven into the story. The conflict between Llyr and Argant felt slightly disconnected from the rest of the plot—more like a backdrop created to support Preston’s storyline than a central thread. That said, it didn’t take away from my overall experience. Despite those moments, I still found this book deeply moving and beautifully written.

In the end, I’m giving this book a solid 4 stars. I genuinely enjoyed the reading experience and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loved the first book and is curious to follow the story further. That said, A Study in Drowning stands strong on its own—so if you felt content with how things wrapped up there, you could skip this one without missing out too much. While A Theory of Dreaming adds emotional depth and expands the world, it doesn’t feel absolutely essential to the overall narrative.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eARC.

It’s no secret A Study in Drowning is one of my soul books. So, attempting to follow that is hard. That being said I think the sequel delivers. Ava Reid shines in this world and with these characters in a way that just fits their prose, themes, and character. If you loved ASID being back with these characters feels like home.

A Theory of Dreaming explores what it means to go inside yourself and conquer that which you were born to do. Are you the stories and circumstances that came before you or are you on your own path?

I almost wish this was just Preston’s story because having just Effy in the first book and with the ending of ASID I thought that might be where we go. I wanted a little more punch from a few spots. But am overall thrilled with Reid’s continuation of the world and themes in ATOD that perfectly build on the previous work.

A Theory of Dreaming drew me back into Ava Reid’s lush, haunting world and didn’t disappoint—it's eerie, immersive, and beautifully written. We follow Effy as she settles into college only to find the real world just as unsettling as her fairy‑tale past, while Preston slips deeper into his dream‑land kingdom with ominous consequences. Readers love the romance and atmosphere, though some find the pacing slower and the emotional stakes heavier than expected. If you’re into dark academia, magical realism, and a love story that feels both fragile and fierce, this sequel is a gripping ride.

It was really nice to see the two main characters again, but I wouldn't have minded if it A Study In Drowning was just a standalone. Doesn't feel like it needed this sequel. Even if it did not resonate with me much, I do appreciate the ambience and the tone. You really do feel like you are experiencing what the characters are experiencing.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

Great sequel to the first book! I love Ava’s books though this series is maybe not as gripping as the others she has written in my opinion. However, really appreciate the chance to continue these two characters stories further. I don’t know that it super needed a sequel but was enjoyable nonetheless. As always, great job to Ava! 4/5 since it was enjoyable but didn’t hold my attention as much as others have.

I fell in love with Preston and Effy in A Study in Drowning and I was ecstatic to read about their lives upon returning to university. Truly my only issue was the book felt a hair overlong. There was just a sense of beating around the bush on some plot points that I thought were otherwise very well spelled out. The ending made me cry and I loved the addition of Lotto, he was a great foil to Preston. I will be recommending to everyone who loved A Study in Drowning just like I did.

Ava Reid is so talented at weaving a dreamy, gothic world with creepy vibes and tragic characters. Her prose is very lyrical and flowery so reading A Theory of Dreaming is definitely an experience. I feel like the focus is so heavy on the writing style that the plot falls a bit flat for me here, but I'm also not the biggest fan of Reid's writing styles sometimes, especially when she leans so heavily into it. I overall enjoyed the events of this book and loved that it mostly focused on Preston's POV and his experiences this time. I've enjoyed Reid's other works much more, but I think this series just isn't for me. Essentially, I had a pleasant enough time with A Theory of Dreaming, but I never really breached the threshold into true enjoyment/escapism - which is 1000% a me problem. I think if you enjoyed A Study in Drowning or find yourself reaching for fever-dream fantasies with dark themes, definitely pick this one up!

Thank you to HarperCollins, NetGalley, and the author for sending me an early copy!

In this sequel to A Study in Drowning, Effy and Preston return to their university after publishing a paper that discredits one of their country's most revered authors and exposes him as a fraud. With their controversial discovery, Effy gains entrance to the literature college but discovers challenges as the only woman in a male-dominated space. On top of that, Preston also struggles with being the son of an enemy nation and the prejudices from his peers over his nationality.

Like everything Ava Reid does, this book was written beautifully. The depth of the story and the history of this world are so intricate and well done that you cannot help but be immersed in the narrative. I loved the magical realism elements mixed with dark academia and the overall atmosphere of the book. For me, what fell short was how much Reid was trying to fit into the book without any of it feeling fully realized. Mixing politics, prejudices, and magical literature is a lot to fit in one sequel book, especially when it is the end of that series. In the first book, we focused on one piece of literature, but I think having us follow many different works in this book made the overall story seem muddled. Additionally, while I loved seeing more of Preston's POV, his dream sequences felt out of place to me personally.

That being said, this is still a beautiful book, and one thing I adored was the accurate representation of depression and other mental illness struggles. As someone who also suffers from similar diagnosis, it rang very true. Overall if you are looking for an atmospheric and witchy/magical book and you enjoyed A Study in Drowning, I'd still give this one a read.

It’s okay. It really felt like reading ASID again, which is wonderful, but also made ATOD drag at many points in the story. Effie had such wonderful character development in the first book, and I would have liked to see her show more agency in this one, but she felt rather flat. I think this would have worked better as a novella.

First, thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ava Reid writes beautifully every time, almost with a poetical nature to it. It's something I adore about each of her books. It's not all at face value (though it can be read as that for those that don't want to read too far into things) and I love that I get to analyze her wording and discover the deeper meanings to the book.

I felt that this book started less slow than A Study in Drowning did for me but I was still expecting a bit more speed to the start as it is a sequel. But Reid has a way of writing that keeps you intrigued no matter the speed. It's moving and beautiful.

I love that we got to see the aftermath of book 1. I feel like with a lot of books, once the monster is slain we don't get to see a lot of what would happen next. With a lot of sequels and series, I feel that they jump right into a new problem to solve. While there was definitely another problem in this book, we also got to see the effects of book 1 on the characters. My heart ached for Effy and Preston.

I loved the academic elements (just as I did for book 1). There's something to soothing to me about the act of studying and as we follow Effy trying to unravel this story she is reading for class, it feels as though I was there with her, analyzing the same data she is taking in and trying to uncover the truth.

There are some good themes here and some good triumphs from our characters. I love the theme of reality/dreams/magic throughout it. It was nice to get some more of Preston's side of things here and seeing him work through his problems.

I feel like this is the type of book you could reread and reread and every time you would still pick up something new and beautiful to gleam from it. I'm really content with the ending of this book. I'm excited for the novella but I am very happy with this series and would recommend you check it out.

Review to be posted 7/6 on instagram (@seas.library)

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if you loved the "divine rivals" duology, this book is for you. the sequel adds preston's point of view with effy's, giving a new view point. "a theory of dreaming" flawless adds to "a study in drowning" without feeling like they are repeating or giving unnecessary information. it's common sense, but make sure you read "a study in drowning" first as it the sequel takes place right where the first book ends.

A Theory of Dreaming picked up soon after the conclusion of A Study in Drowning. Adding Preston's point of view, A Theory of Dreaming explores Preston and Effy's reliance on dreams to deal with the harsh realities of the real world. Effy is now in the literature college but also coming to terms with the events that have taken the comfort of her favorite book Angharad away from her and is chasing the peace of sleep over being awake. Preston has found a way to slip into a dream world where he realizes his greatest fear of losing Effy, he finds a way to escape living in Llyr as an Argantian citizen, and he can communicate with his late father. A Theory of Dreaming mixes the setting of dark academia with magic and the study of literature to explore issues of gender, culture and nationalism.

I would recommend this sequel to the readers who enjoyed A Study in Drowning and want to catch up with Preston and Effy. However, if they are content with the ending of A Study in Drowning they could just stop there. I, personally, did enjoy this book. I like Reid's writing and the addition of the literature the characters study in the book. I also enjoy the magical/fantasy elements and the dark academia setting without a lot of high stakes. It was an easy atmospheric and emotionally charged read.

I often feel as if duologies can be simplified into one book, and often have a lot of repetition in them. But, Ava Reid is simply the exception! This book was spectacular.


A Study in Drowning is a book I loved and think about regularly, and I think this novel does an excellent job of extending the story and themes from A Study of Drowning while being able to stand on its own. While this novel had points of view from both Effy and Preston, I feel as if this novel is mostly centered around Preston and being able to learn his backstory. Preston is a character who wants to be able to control all the variables in his life to be able to protect those he loves, especially Effy. But living as an outsider Argantian in Ilyr, he found this to be continuously more difficult. Through this, he is transferred to a dream world where he is able to protect those that he loves and be able to be the ruler of his life. Ava Reid's exploration of this was truly beautiful.

But, in the end, Preston concludes that the only way to continue in the mortal world is by loving. Which is a theme that I feel can be done in a cheesy way, but Ava Reid presented it in such a tender and romantic way.

I also enjoy reading from Effy’s POV and her struggling with her mental health, and her feeling like a burden on everyone around her. It was so beautiful to see her be validated for her strength.

I also found the exploration of xenophobia and the politics within academia to be very relevant to our current state of the world and very well-rounded.

While I feel as if this book doesn’t follow a typical plot structure, it is more vibe-based. I truly enjoyed the gothic dark academia vibes and the immaculate character study.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

First of all, if you haven't read A Study in Drowning, pick that up first. This sequel starts a few weeks later.

In the first book, we explore Effy's trauma and her relation to the supernatural, while Preston remains a staunch unbeliever. Now it's Preston's turn for a trip to the unreal and flights of magic, while Effy struggles with the more mundane horrors of surviving trauma. A Theory of Dreaming has a two person perspective, with alternating chapters, giving us a good look at the challenges Effy and Preston face.

Discrimination is still a strong theme of these books, along with nationalism, and of women's working being discounted and exploited. Be prepared for more themes of sexual assault and explotiation.

Keeping in line with A Study in Drowning, there are more mysteries to Llyr's esteemed authors and an exploration of what happens when myth becomes reality.

I strongly recommend this book for readers who enjoy themes of justice and overcoming prejudice, as well as those who like the intersection between fantasy and reality. I wouldn't recommend this book or the previous one to those looking for dark academia, as the school portions of both books are mostly minimal. The characters barely attend classes or do school related work.

Ava Reid continues to be one of my favorite authors of all time. She brings the vibes every single time, but I struggled through A Theory of Dreaming more than I expected I would. Once again, this is likely due to a 36 year old woman reading YA books, so take this review with a grain of salt. I love the setting and the spooky / gothic nature of these stories, but honestly!? They aren’t weird enough for me. Ava’s adult stories are so dark and weird and creepy and I just eat them up. I will say the romantic relationship is totally adorable though, but I struggled to care about the plot.

I do believe if you like stories like Divine Rivals, you will love this duology.

Ava Reid continues to write lovely, poignant, heart-wrenching prose with A Theory of Dreaming.

All is not settled after the events of A Study in Drowning--Effy struggles with the harsh realities of what comes after her acceptance to the literature college, and Preston faces prejudice for his Argantian blood. Both of them are unwanted in the real world, seeking escape in sleep and dreams.

This book carries on the themes of ASID, with a beautiful message about those who are broken by the world, how they can still heal, and what it really means to be strong. After revealing the true authorship of Angharad, this story delivers further mysteries regarding other Sleepers.

ATOD was hard for me to get through, to face the hard truths of the real world through Preston and Effy's perspectives, but on the whole the narrative is an uplifting message to all those who have ever felt hopeless. I look forward to hearing the author speak about her inspirations.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing an advanced copy of A Theory of Dreaming in exchange for an honest review.

Content warnings include: abuse, bigotry, death, grief, misogyny, self-harm, substance abuse, violence, and war violence.

This sequel builds on the first book, using established world details that help the story move quickly. The magical atmosphere remains beautiful, providing the same enchanting backdrop that made the first book special. The book's main strengths are its character development and social issues. Giving Preston a broader viewpoint adds a deepness, while the author addresses themes of misogyny in academia, showing how female voices have been silenced to uplift their male counterparts. The exploration of mental health, including both healthy and unhealthy coping methods, felt real and important. The message about growing up, accepting help from others, and making sacrifices for love is clear throughout the story. However, the relationship between Effy and Preston could be frustrating. Effy's ongoing struggles for independence and Preston's savior complex became tiresome. The couple often hid concerns from their personal lives from each other, which, while realistic, created unnecessary drama that slowed the plot. Additionally, the lack of diversity in the characters feels like a missed opportunity. Despite these issues, *A Theory of Dreaming* is a thoughtful continuation that addresses serious themes while keeping its magical charm. Readers who enjoyed the first book will likely appreciate this deeper look into the characters and their world in this sequel.

Altogether, an unnecessary, boring, and depressing sequel that meandered and didn’t seem to have a point.

I thought the writing was beautiful, and the themes were really well developed with good commentary, but I just wish it had made more sense plot wise.

Thank you for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

i was nervous to pick this up because a study in drowning is such a perfect standalone to me, but i’m glad to say this sequel is just as good and maybe even better. a beautiful and poignant expansion of the world we saw in the first book, focused more on the academia aspects that i felt could have been stronger in the first book. also, more women!