Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC. 

I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about Theory of Dreaming. I thought that Study in Drowning was a great standalone book and wasn’t sure how Ava Reid would expand upon the world she had created. I was nervous that this book would not live up to my love of the first book. Honestly, I feel like I loved Theory of Dreaming even more than Study in Drowning. I loved how the second book focuses more on the college itself and delves into more of the countries lore and the Sleepers. It gives a more conclusive look at what happens to Preston and Effy after they write their Thesis and the effects that the thesis has not only on them but on their countries as a whole. Overall great book highly recommend. Can’t wait for all to read when it’s released in August. ♥️

Thanks to HarperTeen for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

DNF’d at 52%! I was trying to give this book the benefit of the doubt, but I just couldn’t keep reading and hope for better. I was surprised by this book’s existence. A Study in Drowning was supposed to be a standalone, but I guess there was enough demand and content to write more. 

In order for me to best explain why I did not finished reading, I will talk spoilers on A Study in Drowning, so please do not read this review any further if you have not read the first book yet. If you don’t care, then read on. 

This book starts off right from where we left off in book 1 with Effy being a student at the literature college instead of architecture and going through college life with her boyfriend, Preston. Now that Effy has defeated the Fairy King and co-authored a thesis with Preston on Myrddin’s legacy, she has struggled with imposter syndrome at the literature college, putting a Llyrian icon into questionable integrity, and having no alternative to escape. Not gonna lie, I could not fully care about her struggles since I was more worried and interested in the war between Llyr and Argant. A Theory of Dreaming is more Preston’s story than Effy’s, which was what intrigued me the most about this sequel. Preston is dealing with xenophobia due to being Argantian and entering an underwater palace through his dreams as he becomes a believer in magic. 

I wanted an explanation since A Study in Drowning on the reason for this war between Llyr and Argant and never received an answer. I should not have to hope for such an explanation when this war is clearly influencing Effy and Preston’s decisions on their coping mechanisms and the university’s attacks on anyone not following Llyr traditions. I cannot care about these emotional journeys when the source of their strife does not give me any context. Also, Effy and Preston refused to talk to each other about what they are going through. I could understand some forms of miscommunication between young couples, but I cannot get past not talking to your partner about how you are feeling. This type of miscommunication just adds to the page length at this point. 

Overall, I was curious to see if this sequel was even necessary in the first place. My verdict at around halfway through: not really. 

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Altogether, A Theory of Dreaming is an enjoyable read! It picks up at the end of A Study in Drowning. Preston and Effy are now back at school and Effy is starting at the literature college. They are both having their own struggles: Effy, in a university that doesn't value her and Preston, in a country that doesn't value him.

A Theory of Dreaming has that same witchy-briny aura of the first and feels like an organic continuation of the original storyline. This book has interesting atmosphere and politics and theming, however, some parts didn't feel fully realized. Both this book and the first revolve around some great work of Llyrian literature. However, in this one, I found that aspect to be less impactful. In A Study in Drowning, the reveal of the true authorship of Angharad is so important because of what it means to Effy. This version felt a little more disconnected. I also found parts of Preston's storyline, especially his "dreaming," to feel a bit disconnected from the rest of the story. What happened in his dreamscape, or even its very existence, didn't feel overly important.

However, this is still a good sequel with some great characters and a great setting. It continues some important plot lines from the first. One, being Effy and Preston's relationship. It continues the Llyrian-Argantian conflict and what that means to Preston, being Argantian. It shows the realities of Effy's acceptance into the literature college and the difficulties she faces being the only woman. It also continues the narrative about female authorship of literature. The addition of this book lends these storylines a more complete, well-rounded conclusion.

For anyone who enjoyed A Study in Drowning, I would definitely recommend that you continue the series!

I think people who are die hard A Study in Drowning fans will appreciate and love this sequel. I liked ASID, but I didn’t love it. And so when I started A Theory in Dreaming, I found myself just not totally caring about the continuation of Effy and Preston’s story. Where we wrapped up in book one is good enough for me.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the eARC! 

The magical sequel to ‘A Study in Drowning’!Im not going to go into more details, cause spoilers ✨

For a book that wasn’t going to exist at first, I found that Reid did such a good job with her characters and the story. The book was just as magical as the first, and brought the same energy. I absolutely loved reading Effy and Preston’s adventure continue and their love story flourish. I’m so happy that Reid decided to write the last book in this duology, it was amazing and I know people are going to love it!

Thank you Harper Collin’s and NetGalley for an eARC of this book!

A hauntingly tragic descent into the comfort of dreams offers opportunity beyond compare but is it peace or madness that will find you if you overstay your welcome? 

Returning to the world of looming war and acedemia Preston and Eddy return to school with hungry eyes eager to disprove their thesis when a new study threatens to unlock the secret of the bells ringing in Preston’s ears but it may cost him all that he loves most. 

While the first book felt like stepping into the decaying remnants of a once-beautiful fairytale, ‘Theory’ delves deeper into the psychological erosion that occurs when self-doubt and depression root themselves too deeply in the mind. Both Preston and Effy struggle with their own internal battles—he with his identity and purpose, she with the weight of her quiet fears. Together, they are stronger, but their growing distance is palpable, underscoring the way even the closest bonds can fray under the pressure of their individual doubts. 

This novel felt like Preston’s journey, his struggle to understand who he truly is when faced with overwhelming opposition. The temptation to simply disappear into nothingness is a powerful force, even for those with the best of intentions. Effy, in all her softness and tenderness, is a character you can’t help but root for—and while I adore her, I can’t help but wish she would channel some of that strength into a few well-deserved acts of defiance. Unfortunately however, she does not.

One of my few disappointments lies in the unresolved literary mystery that was teased so enticingly throughout the novel. Effy’s growing obsession with an academic puzzle piqued my curiosity, but the mystery ultimately fizzles out just as I expected a devastating secret to be revealed. It felt anticlimactic, leaving me wishing for a stronger payoff in that particular aspect of the plot.

Despite this, ‘Theory’ casts a spell over its readers. The eerie, unsettling atmosphere reminds me of the best qualities of Erin A. Craig’s work—a sense of ghostly allure that beckons you to follow even when you know you should not. This is a book that will stay with you, lingering long after you’ve turned the last page, as you consider the fine line between peace and madness—and just how easily it can be crossed.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review** 

I did not think I would be left loving these characters even more than when I turned the last page in A Study in Drowning, but Ava Reid did it, she broke my heart and mended it all over again with her ethereal and emotionally charged writing yet again.

In a Theory of Dreaming we follow Preston and Effy back to their academy to continue their studies; where they must deal with the publics reactions to their controversial article; Effy’s new standing as a the only female in the literary college; and the growing tensions of a country on a brink of war. And even though we get more of Effy, this was very much Preston’s book.

As a fan of Preston, I must admit, I was losing my marbles at the way we get dive deeper into his character. We get to read more about his feelings and mental well-being, but also, about the way this man loves Effy; that alone was a real treat.

I really loved Ava Reid’s descriptive and ethereal writing and how it felt like an exhalation on a cold winter day. Ava dives deeper into the feelings of her characters in a such a raw and vulnerable way that had me wanting to protect Effy and Preston against the cruelty and unjustness of their world— So be ready to go through all the emotions.

Would HIGHLY recommend to anyone who read and enjoyed A Study in Drowning.

When the world feels like too much. Sink beneath the sea. You will find darkness and beautiful sleep. 

ATID was magic. Once again Ava wrote beautifully and painfully as the feeling were all to real. 

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.