A Study in Drowning
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.
- Pages
- 378
- First published
- September 19, 2023
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ebook
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Reviews
Finished January 10, 2024
Finished March 14, 2026
This book started off a little slow but in fairness that could be because I started with the audio and then switched over to reading my physical copy. The physical read was much better for me, I really needed to read it to take in the beauty of her writing. I found myself marking so many quotes in this I almost want to do a full annotation. Definitely look up TWs for this one, I didn’t see any mentioned but there were a lot of heavy themes throughout. As a woman there were a lot of instances in this that had me relating to Effy, and even when I couldn’t relate to her I truly felt for her this entire book. All the men were truly awful with the exception of Preston who was an angel. The book in general was a slower burn for me by I really enjoyed it and will be both finishing the series and reading more by Ava Reid.
- cozydarkMedium-paced
Started June 24, 2026 · Finished June 26, 2026
This was good, kept me reading, enjoyed the characters and narration and wrapped up very nicely. The writing was also well done and while parts were pretty predictable ahem men I enjoyed this one and will be continuing. 🌶️0.5/5
Started April 27, 2026 · Finished April 30, 2026
Started March 12, 2026 · Finished March 14, 2026
Finished March 24, 2026
Started March 1, 2026 · Finished March 1, 2026
Started May 17, 2025 · Finished May 22, 2025
Finished April 24, 2025
I enjoyed this more than I expected in a sort of haunting way.
Started December 20, 2024 · Finished December 20, 2024
Finished October 9, 2023
