A Study in Drowning: Haunted by the Fairy King, Effy Sayre uncovers dark magic and forbidden love with a rival scholar at crumbling Hiraeth Manor.

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.
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Readers say *A Study in Drowning* offers beautiful, immersive writing with rich world-building and a haunting atmosphere. The anime-inspired romantasy...
A nice romantasy, not especially spicy though it does include intimations of sexual assault. It was fun to read and stuck with me, though the plot is convoluted and long to play out. Recommended if you enjoy the genre (and especially if you prefer a PG-13 rating).
The book had a lot of potential and it could’ve been a lot more. The world the characters live in was so believable that it comes off as realistic; however, the characters themselves need to be fleshed out more. The main character, Effy, went through a very traumatic experience as well as physical and emotional abuse, so it is understandable how this would affect her behavior or interaction with other people. I was disappointed about the way Effy was written. Her trauma seemed to define her. I would have loved to see her grow beyond her trauma or be someone who can stand up for herself and not just let things happen to her. Overall, I didn’t it hate but I don’t think I would pick it up any time soon to read it again.
DNF at 20% I disliked the main character’s voice and didn’t enjoy being in her head. Usually I’m all for stories where a protagonist overcomes barriers, or is an underdog, even if they are a bit rude and snappy, like the Scholomance universe. But Effy just comes off as whiny and immature. Her one-sided hate red of Preston because he’s from another country and because she made up a bunch of stories in her mind before ever meeting him is just so cringe. I find myself not really caring about what happens next.
Loved it can't use words rn but loved it and cried <3
A dark haunting tale full of the reality of being powerless.
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