**Thank you for the ARC**

A Theory of Dreaming is such a tragically beautiful continuation of A Study in Drowning. it is a very heavy book but necessary. Ava uses fantastical elements and prose to convey the struggles of mental illness and the impacts of it on oneself and those closest unable to ease your suffering.

This book made me feel seen and pulled at my heartstribgs for the person I was when my life felt like Effy's. It did take me a while to get through because that heaviness but it was a weight I wanted to carry and a story I wanted to be a part of.

This will definitely be on my bookshelf and be my go-to recommendation for those who need a peek into the beauty and terror of mental illness. So appreciative this book is in the world.

When A Study in Drowning came out I was so excited! I ordered the beautiful special edition from Waterstones and read it immediately. I loved the eerie setting of the book, the focus on mental health, and the style of Ava’s writing. A Theory in Dreaming is no different. I really enjoyed getting to dive more into Preston’s story/background and again I liked that there was a big focus on Effy’s mental health. The writing was beautiful as always. The only thing that didn’t make this a five star read for me was the ending felt rushed. All in all a great follow up!

5/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this ARC! This review is totally my own opinion, and all quotes are subject to change in the final release🫰

“The truth was such a fragile thing, slender protection against malicious scrutiny.”

“She was afraid of wanting becoming needing. And she was afraid, so terribly afraid, that if she needed him, it would be the moment that he slipped away, like twilight dying into total dark.”

“Does grief alter one’s spirit, or does it merely reveal one’s fundamental nature?”

“It was her own heart, her own mind, all of it going to ruin now, because there was nothing left that she could love without a footnote or asterisk.”

“Before the ocean is friend or foe, it simply is. And so are you.”


I love a silly fun read, and I love a good thinker book. This was somehow the absolute perfect combination.

Yet again Ava Reid has found a way to take very serious and hard to explain subjects and turn them into stunning poetry. While I enjoyed the first book a lot, this one struck such a harder chord with me. Effys struggles with coming to terms with her world view and how she coped with her trauma changing, and Preston’s whole ideation and world view changing, was so incredibly relatable.

This book being published in Americas current political climate, felt so very validating and representative of what’s happening. Without giving any spoilers, I truly think I’ll be screaming from the rooftops that every citizen, not just American, needs to read this and reflect. Especially because it not only applies politically, but religiously, and in so many other ways it’s crazy.

I don’t want to spoil Effy and Preston’s relationship path in this book because I think it is one of the most powerful story lines in this- but I will say, to be loved is to be known.

LET ME ALSO JUST SAYYYYYYYY- it is so deeply unfair that Ava has such an abundance of talent that the fake quotes of fake books that are the headers to each chapter are some of the most deeply profound quotes and pieces of poetry I’ve ever read??

In the authors note, Ava talks about how she wasn’t sure she wanted to write a sequel and all I can say is thank you. Genuinely thank you for giving us this masterpiece.

Overall, read the trigger warnings for both books for SURE, and be cautious of your own mental health, but if you feel you can read this series i can not recommend it enough.

Unfortunately this sequel did not do it for me. I love Ava Reid’s writing, she builds a beautiful picture and is so poetic. I could see what she was trying to do and where she was trying to go with this book but at the end of the day, it just didn’t work for me.

The plot felt discombobulating, and I don’t think I cared enough for the characters to keep me intrigued. I felt that more questions just kept arising and everything was solved in the last 10% of the book in what felt like a rush. It made sense, and there was nothing confusing about the plot, but some of it didn’t make sense to me. Does that make sense? 😅

What I did like was the mirroring of the last book into this one. Preston slipping from reality instead of Effy, especially as a realist, it was interesting to watch the battles he had with himself. Also Effy’s decent into depression was heartbreaking and realistic.

I would still recommend it if you read and liked A Study in Drowning. I could tell this is a book with good bones, it was just not my cup of tea.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Oh my god. This was the perfect match to a Study in Drowning. This book is heavy and depressing at points, but I am obsessed with how these characters fight for each other and come together. The emotional roller coaster she puts us through. Please I beg you, never stop.

4.5
A fabulous continuation on A Study in Drowning. I had thought the story over having finished ASID and was hesitant to pick un a new installment, but as usual for Ava Reid, it was beautifully written, atmospheric, and emotional. Really grateful to have received this ARC - recommend! I'd say you really must read ASID before tucking in for the full effect.

4.5
I'm going to be totally honest, I was not happy when this book was announced. I was convinced that the way A Study in Drowning ended was more than perfect, and I thought the announcement of a sequel was just an attempt to keep exploiting the hype around the book. But I was proven wrong. Very wrong.

This book is so necessary for Preston and Effy’s story that I’m stunned it was ever sold as a standalone. Now I can't even conceive of A Study in Drowning without A Theory of Dreaming.

Why?
ATOD picks up at the exact moment where ASID ends. The central idea of this book is "What happens to our heroes once the adventure is over?"

We find Effy feeling adrift after defeating her demons, unsure of how to hold on to life without the fables, fantastical creatures, and stories that have always been her refuge. Meanwhile, Preston struggles with his identity and his need to protect Effy, even though he can’t bring himself to open up to her about what he’s going through.

This book was so painful yet so beautiful to read. Seeing this perspective of the story—this often untold part of “what happens after”—adds incredible depth to Effy and Preston’s journey while also giving us a much-needed ending.

If, like me, you were hesitant to read this book despite loving the first one, trust me, you NEED to read it.

If you enjoyed the adventure and mystery of book 1 you will do the same for this book. It still follows Effy and Preston as the uncover more information and reform what scholars learned along the way.

I loved this newest installment by Ava Reid. In the novel, Effy and Preston struggle with the many politics of their school and governments. Effy struggles to understand her life without the help of the Fairy King. Though she is happy that the Fairy King is gone, she feels the loss of him in her mind. Meanwhile, Preston deals with his own demons - he fights for his right to love and protect Effy whilst physically fighting against the ingrained racism of Lyr. This novel is dark - almost gothic in its representation of dreams, sadness, depression, and in the tale of a new sleeper and his daughter. I loved it and absolutely suggest this for readers of gothic fantasy.

Thank you for the ARC!! ASID was an immediate 5 stars for me. I love Ava Reid’s prose. As always, it was beautiful and captivating in every way. However, I truly don’t think this sequel was necessary. There was a lot added to the overall storyline, which was fine. But there was a lot missing from Effy and Preston’s relationship, as well as their individual characters. I didn’t hate this book by any means, but I truly did not love it. I’m disappointed that I didn’t love it.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review*

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fluff: 3 ☁️☁️☁️
Tissue Moments: 3 🤧🤧🤧

After the events of the first book, we pick up on a darker Preston heavy multi-POV book. As Effy & Preston struggle with the realities of their world, they find that dreams become a dangerous form of escapism. Effy is struggling to rediscover who she is as she navigates life without the magic she once knew & thrusted into a new role in college. As Effy flounders, we see a contrast in our main protagonist of the novel Preston who finds lots of character growth desperate to protect the love he’s formed for Effy. As they fight for life and love, war wages around them adding elements of strife and difficulty to their college experiences. The largest question remains, will their relationship swim or sink?

Thoughts: This novel was a lot slower than the first, but just as equally emotional. There were multiple scenes that left me in tears, & by the end I just had to hold my phone close as the tears fell. I adored the first book & I never expected it to have a sequel. But I’m truly glad it did.

A Theory of Dreaming is a darker, more intense sequel that deepens the themes of the first book while raising the stakes for its protagonists. Effy and Preston return to a world that is even more hostile than they expected after the fallout from their published article. What awaits them is not just cold indifference but outright antagonism, exposing the injustices of academia, the weight of societal prejudices, and the underhanded politics of their school.

This time, the story leans more into Preston’s belief in magic, adding an ethereal layer to the narrative, while Effy continues to struggle with her mental health in a way that feels raw and real. Despite the harsh environment, their friendships are stronger than ever, offering moments of warmth and support amidst the darkness.

With lyrical prose and a sharp critique of power structures, A Theory of Dreaming is an enthralling continuation that lingers long after the final page.

📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖
Title: A Theory of Dreaming
Author: Ava Reid
Page Count: 416
Format: E-book ARC
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Number: 38
Dates Read: 3/5-12
Review:
I received this free advanced copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Effy, who has seen and faced the power of magic. Preston, the non-believer, who dives into a world unknown. I loved this story from page 1. My love for the characters only grew, and damn, Effy never felt more real. The pacing stayed medium, but the plot was well done. I simply can't get enough of this world and characters. I would 100% recommend it to everyone, especially if you like magical realism.

This book was not totally needed. I feel like if you were in love with the first book, this was fun. But I was hoping to get more out of it with it being the second book. Like where was the plot? I think the first book was good and to not waste time on this one.

Thanks for netgalley for this arc.

Thank you so much for the arc copy of this book - I enjoyed it and was so excited to see that I received an arc copy. To experience more of Preston and Effy's story was a dream. I cant wait to do a reread.

3.5 ⭐️ 0 🌶️

Review:

I really like Ava Reid’s style in writing, it’s so beautiful! But unfortunately this fell flat for me. Much like the first, where I forgot everything after finishing it. There’s not enough of a plot to keep me intrigued all the way through. And once I got to the end I felt like there was almost no point to the story to end up exactly where we started at the beginning. It was interesting to read it more so from Preston’s POV than Effy’s. I just wish there was more reason.

Summary:

After destroying the Fairy King, Effy is struggling with how to be “normal.” While her relationship with Preston and being able to attend the literature college are areas of progression, she still finds herself haunted by the past. Which puts Preston in a difficult situation as well in trying to aid Effy while also navigating his own newfound problems; where fairytales and reality are blending together. Could their history books truly have got everything wrong? And will they both be able to find each other before everything comes crashing down?

Favorite Quote:

“Whatever faults I might have-and I have plenty-just know that I think of you, always. My mind is never empty of you. Not in waking: not even in dreaming.”

Tropes:
•trauma
•academia
•alternate realms
•exploration of truth

I was beyond excited when I found out Ava Reid wrote a sequel to *A Study in Drowning*—and it did not disappoint! Returning to the academy, Effy and Preston face new dangers as their discoveries about the Sleepers spark controversy. Effy struggles with her past and dependence on dreams, while Preston’s logical world crumbles as he gets pulled into an eerie secret project.

This sequel is darker, richer, and more intense, tackling academic corruption, societal prejudice, and the blurry line between dreams and reality. The mythology is stunning, the twists are breathtaking, and the emotional stakes are higher than ever. A must-read for fans—but definitely start with book one!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ ‘If only it were possible to shelter in dreams forever. But we have to live.’

Thank you and NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! I will yap at anyone about how much I love Ava Reid. She is MASTERFUL at atmospheric writing and A Theory of Dreaming was no exception. I will say—this book is DARK. Much darker (in my opinion) than its predecessor. At its core, our main characters are exploring how to live with trauma. Effy is lost after the events at Hiraeth and is still carrying so much pain regarding her sexual assault and the misogyny she experiences at her university. I did before and continue to feel so seen by how Reid writes Effy. Her discomfort with the attention and staring from men, the desire to make herself small when she feels uncomfortable—it’s haunting and so well written (also makes you feel ragey but I will get off my soap box). Preston is worried about Effy while also coping with rampant xenophobia as the only Argantian student as the conflict between Llyr and Argant intensifies. I will say that I loved protective Preston 😊 but overall—they are both in a dark headspace.

With both characters so lost, the story largely explores the idea of escapism due to the disappointments of the real world. This is what I mean about the book being dark. There are depictions of depression, drug abuse, and suicidal ideation. Everyone is just so sad. It is pretty dreary to read about. Reid is able to take this dark subject matter and really make you think about realities versus dreams and what it means to ‘love….until ruination’. But it is a pretty bleak slog for a pretty large chunk of the book, quite frankly.

Even though the subject matter was grim, I still (mostly) enjoyed myself. There are some really deep and thought provoking concepts explored. I think fans of A Study in Drowning will be satisfied with the second book in the duology and how the story of Effy and Preston comes to a close.

This was a great sequel to A Study In Drowning. I enjoyed following Effy and Preston again and loved the author’s writing style. I found the overall storyline to be intriguing and I loved the dark academia setting in this story. This book was almost as good as book one and I found it to be a great continuation. If you loved A Study In Drowning you’ll definitely want to pick this one up.

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the gifted arc.

Ava Reid somehow creates this dream world that feels so rooted in reality it feels tangible. The way she explores heavy themes of grief, depression and ptsd in such a poetic way should be studied. She has once again transported us to this fantastical world where even the characters living it question its existence. I did not want it to end. I was very curious what there was to explore in this world post A Study In Drowning, because I truly loved the ending of that book and how it felt when it was finished. I was happily surprised by A Study in Dreaming. Visiting Effy and Preston again and seeing them deal with the fallout of their discovery from the last book was enthralling. I felt so deeply for both of them and enjoyed this story so much.