This is just as strong as A Study of Drowning, its predecessor. Ava Reid’s prose remains as beautiful as ever.

Be forewarned that it does delve heavily into depression.

The book can sway toward being heavy-handed with it themes, and the indistinct time period can rankle (there are fighter jets and hospital machines, but only landlines and no computers?), but that’s not new to this duology. Fans of Rebecca Ross’s Letters of Enchantment, or A Study of Drowning, will enjoy this.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

After being disappointed by Lady Macbeth last year I was a bit nervous to reenter the world of ASID, but luckily my fears were misplaced. 
Overall this was a wonderful addition to the story, especially getting so much from Preston’s POV. I am always struck by how well Ava Reid handles mental illness and its effects on romantic relationships. It feels very true to life, and is very important and refreshing to see represented. The tone was also enthralling, and kept me turning the pages. 

My one critique is that since the Sleepers lore still feels a little undefined, the ending was slightly confusing. The line between so much information that you ruin the mysticism and so little information that you don’t know what’s happening is a really hard one to toe, but it was just missed by a bit here. Not so bad that it ruined the whole experience, just enough to pull me out slightly.

But once again, this was a great conclusion! ASID and ATOD are definitely in line to be one of my favorite series.

 I hate it here so I will go to secret gardens in my mind...

This was a sequel that I didn't think we'd get, nor did I originally think was necessary but I am so thrilled we have. If A Study in Drowning spoke to something in your soul, if Effy in some parts feels like looking in a mirror, and you know that wounds don't just disappear because the big battle is won, I think you should continue this story with some caution that it is heavy. Put down your bows and sheath your swords because there's still strength in your softness.

Effy & Preston return to the University with the secrets they have uncovered and questions about the legitimacy of everything they've been taught but neither comes back from Hiraeth Manor without ghosts. While both characters get POVs, this is definitely Preston's story and somewhere about halfway in Effy does start to kind of fade into the background. Even so, Effy continued to have a profound hold on me. The very accurate depiction of self-loathing, depression, of feeling like a burden and failure, and eventually...the wish to simply exist in dreams to escape reality until the call of not wanting to be anywhere at all becomes too loud to ignore...
Who do you blame for your demons when the monster lurking in the dark has been defeated? How do you keep your head up and fight for your place to belong when you are so very tired.

Preston struggles with identity, especially as the war ramps up. This time, he's the one who thinks he's losing his marbles and doesn't want to burden Effy with more worries. If you're expecting people with cracks in their foundation to come together as their best selves, you won't find that in AToD but maybe it's more realistic this way. Neither of them handles things in their relationship or in their academic life well. They keep things from each other. Neither feels worthy of the other...This book is full of heavy sorrow.

Back in the city as the war is unfolding, you find people clinging desperately to tales of magic and lore. Nationalism built on Fairy tales and tradition and looking to the past instead of progress ahead. How does the story get to benefit the narrative of the one that tells it? Who gets to separate fact from fiction?

I found it interesting that in this world it was the school of arts that held such esteem, the ministry of culture that had such power. What are the arts and humanities without science and what are the sciences without arts and humanities? What do you have faith in when the curtain is pulled to reveal the false magician?

This felt like a story that while not completely necessary to conclude ASiD, it was something Ava needed to tell, especially in the current state of our world. Some things could have been fleshed out more, especially at the university, the war, and sometimes with Effy. Our characters while together, felt so far apart but that seemed intentional. There were some new characters (Lotto! 💜) and we got to see more of some we had already met. Some parts might feel repetitive but is it so hard to believe that history hasn't repeated itself?

The writing was as beautiful as I would expect from Reid and the atmosphere was lush and immersive. There were so many quotes I just needed to screenshot and highlight to keep with me. Effy and Preston forever!

If you're currently lost in escaping to your dreams and struggling with the call of the void, I would go into this with some caution, okay? Take care of yourself! You are worthy and loved!

Big thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC. A Theory of Dreaming is out August 5th, 2025! 

4⭐️

Firstly, the you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this early. Secondly, opinions on this book are my own. 

I will try and keep this as spoiler free as possible, but there are a few things that I feel could potentially spoil a few plot points, as there are several trigger warnings and moments that I feel are important to know before going into this. AToD is a LARGE fraction darker than ASiD. I know this is dark academia, but I cannot stress this, enough: it’s pretty dark. It took me a few days to get through the book as it was heavy. TW for suicide attempts, racism, sexism/misogyny (these are the main stand out TW’s). With this all being said, Ava Reid delivers a compelling story with vivid descriptions and several beautifully written passages/quotes. I have so many highlighted, she really has a way with prose. I think these two books would make really good movies if they were ever adapted! 

Overall, I liked this and I probably would’ve liked it more if I was in a better head space/wasn’t currently in a  depressive episode. I definitely recommend this book, however, I’m not sure I would recommend to read it right away for someone who is not in the best headspace to read something pretty  heavy.