A Study in Drowning
Written by Ava Reid
Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
4/5
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About this audiobook
An instant Indie and #1 New York Times bestseller!
“Achingly atmospheric and beautifully sharp, A Study in Drowning will draw you in from the first page.” —Rory Power, New York Times bestselling author of Wilder Girls
Bestselling author Ava Reid makes her YA debut in this dark academic fantasy perfect for fans of Melissa Albert and Elana K. Arnold.
Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny.
But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together clues about Myrddin’s legacy, dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspire against them—and the truth may bring them both to ruin.
Part historical fantasy, part rivals-to-lovers romance, part Gothic mystery, and all haunting, dreamlike atmosphere, Ava Reid's powerful YA debut will lure in readers who loved The Atlas Six, House of Salt and Sorrows, or Girl, Serpent, Thorn.
Ava Reid
Ava Reid is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning, Lady Macbeth, Juniper & Thorn, and The Wolf and the Woodsman. Her books have been published in over fourteen territories. She lives in the New York area. Follow her on Instagram at @avasreid and find her online at tumblr.com/avasreid.
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Reviews for A Study in Drowning
354 ratings10 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a compelling and excellent story with strong character development. The main characters, Effy and Preston, have a rocky relationship that ultimately ends favorably. The book explores themes of girlhood, trauma, and finding one's voice. It offers interesting twists and combines horror with real-world horrors. Overall, readers adore this story and its talented writer, Ava Reid."
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I was shocked how much I liked this book. First time reading Ava Reid. No expectations going in, no prior knowledge or recommendations.
And yet this might be my top book of 2024. I think without spoiling too much, the book itself is such an apt metaphor even accurate to a young woman’s story in 2024.
I highly recommend for those who love fantasy, a bit of mystery, and a satisfying ending. - Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Good gothic elements, but overall a lot of untapped potential. Little world building on what could have been a great read. And in the end a bit triggering. Then again at this point I think Ava Reid is just a big trigger warning ⚠️
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved the story and the narrator is great! If you like literature and especially dark academia and of course romance, this is for you.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Some pretty trite troping for most of the story. There were no surprises at the end for me. Characters did develop by halfway through. A few questions remained somewhat unanswered. Reasonably good tie ups by the end.
Good enough for a YA audience, but probably not for more discerning minds.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Ava Reid is a ridiculously talented writer. I adored this story, its themes and especially its main character Effy.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fantastic tale of Fairy Kings and storytelling. Love the main characters Effy and Preston, who have a rather rocky relationship in the beginning but ultimately all ends in a favorable manner. There are some great moments that offer interesting twists and make this book quite compelling.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Narrator was fantastic. Also a great story. Will be buying the physical copy
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved it, strong characters and development, excellent story, read it
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The audio was for stars, but I believe the story itself is about 3 1/2. I liked it, but I didn’t love it.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a story that a lot of women are unfortunately going to find themselves very able to relate to. It's a tale about girlhood and how it can be used as a weapon against us when it is convenient for our male counterparts. A book about trauma and finding your voice again after it has been silenced for so long. In one of the characters I found the type of woman that I want to be for all those young girls that come after me. A lighthouse. I very much loved every aspect of this story; both the real and the fantastical. Horror is taken to the next level when it's combined with the real horrors of this world.
2 people found this helpful