A Study in Drowning Collector's Deluxe Limited Edition Hardcover – November 5, 2024

"A Study in Drowning" by Ava Reid is the kind of book that can be put there with the classics. It's a read where every page has a subliminal message that you have to take a moment to think to understand what the author and her character are trying to convey.and for that, I do not think some people would appreciate it.This is not a true fantasy despite the made-up worldThis is not a romance despite having a romantic relationship in itThis is a woman's journey towards regaining her power and control over her life when her choices were taken from her in so many different ways.The book is a captivating gothic fantasy that weaves a dark and intricate tale of mystery with elements of romance and the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of a Welsh-inspired cliffside estate, the novel follows Effy Sayre, a young architecture student, as she embarks on a journey to redesign the dilapidated Hiraeth Manor.The manor, with its decaying grandeur, and the water surrounding it become characters in themselves, mirroring the tumultuous emotions and hidden depths of the story's protagonists. Reid's narrative is a masterful blend of folklore and academia, challenging the reader's perceptions of reality through its atmospheric descriptions and hauntingly beautiful prose.We can argue that the book delves into themes of institutional sexism, the power dynamics within academia, and the struggle for one's voice against the silencing forces of society, however, it is Effy's personal struggle and Reid's exploration of the relationship between author and reader that picked my interest.⚜Genre: Urban Fantasy???⚜Theme: Gothic with romance⚜Targeted audience: 16+ (although this is stated as YA, it is not suitable for younger audiance)⚜Characters: Effy, Preston, Ianto, Angharand, the water⚜Representation: mental/emotional disorder⚜Pace: medium⚜TW: child abandonment/neglect - s€xual @ssault - attempted m¥rder - forced imprisonment⚜ tropes: medium-burn, one bed⚜ POV: one-sided third person⚜ spice 🌶⚜ rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟⚜standalone: yes⚜Ending: resolved

I absolutely adored this book. It masterfully wove subtle clues throughout its narrative, captivating me with its poetic language. Often, I found myself setting the book aside to ponder the beauty and depth of certain sentences. The plot gradually builds momentum, culminating in a satisfying climax about three-quarters of the way through. This payoff beautifully ties together all the subtle hints and questions that had been lingering in my mind. I've already ordered the next installment and eagerly hope there are more to come. The hints for the next book were tantalizing, not a cliffhanger, but rather a seductive invitation to continue the journey. Thank you for such an engaging read.

This was a sweet story. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it since I haven’t read this style before. But I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed it. It is a beautiful book with the printed edges.

Haven't read yet but the book is well made and super pretty

Wow this is SO PRETTY!Would you like a book to tell you exactly what it would feel like for a woman in the institutional world of dark academia?The true under belly of just how unfortunate she’d be treated and viewed. Of the world we’re perceived in and how the world perceives us in return. A Study in Drowning does just this. The sharp parchment and rolled scrolls of this is no where near as pertinent as the house on a cliff with a girl just trying to survive vibes. Showing us bravery is more than picking up your armor and marching to battle.Our main character Effy is a uniquely serene and soft girl who is just trying to get by as best she can. That there’s a certain beauty to that way of survival. Sometimes it’s better to remain. Remain still. Remain running. Or remain hidden. I think the author did a spectacular job of giving us a book that shows such beauty in an antiqued world. Our flawed mc comes out endearing through the twists and turns you see throughout this book!

This book is a much slower pacing than I expected, but still very good. It's sold as a Dark Academia book, and I wouldn't necessarily call it dark, but it's definitely a grey academia :)The main character is a woman who loves an author and his works and wins a competition to redesign his family home six months after his death. While she's there, she runs into another student in the Literary Department who is trying to do research on the author she loved. She's already annoyed with him, because she wasn't allowed into the Literary Department because she's a woman, but also because he happened to check out all the books she wanted as she was trying to do the architecture competition. When she finds out that he's trying to figure out if the author is really the author of her favorite works, she is determined to prove him wrong.The book sped up at the very end, but it was a very slow book and very plodding, which is not what I expected with the title, but I very much enjoyed it after I got used to the slower pacing.

The pages are beautiful!! Such a stunning design! I haven't read the book but it so beautiful!

Bought for a friend because she likes this genre and the book was so pretty. She liked the gift