The sequel I didn't know I needed!

This book picks up immediately after the events of A Study in Drowning. With their findings published, Effy and Preston have to deal with the fallout of accusing one of Llyr's beloved sleepers of being a fraud at a time when the war between Llyr and Argant is reaching a boiling point. While Effy grapples with her new course load and being the only woman in the literature college, Preston is dragged into a dangerous research project by his advisor, Master Goose, and targeted by his peers for being Argantian. As Preston's dreams slowly overtake his reality, Effy seeks the comfort of dreamless sleep. In order to overcome their personal demons they'll have to learn how to exist in a world that isn't always welcoming.   

I was so curious what this world was going to look like without the chilling backdrop of Hiraeth, but I am happy to report that I loved being back on campus just as much as the sinking manor. This story was slower paced than I typically go for, but I love Effy and Preston, as well as Reid's beautifully lyrical writing, so much that I was content to follow their personal journeys in this book. I did throughly enjoy learning more lore about their world though. I was fascinated by the sleepers in the first book and I was so glad that the author expanded on them in this one. I also appreciated that we delved deeper into the exploration of women's rights, xenophobia, and, of course, what it means to love someone. The love between Effy and Preston is so poetic it makes my heart ache. 

I will say that I wasn't prepared for how sad and dark this book was compared to A Study in Drowning. If we were going to liken them to Taylor Swift albums I would say A Study in Drowning is more Folklore- Illicit Affair, Mad Woman, "stolen lullabies"- and A Theory of Dreaming is more The Tortured Poet's Department- I Hate it Here, Down Bad, "how much tragedy"- which isn't a bad thing, I was just expecting something gothic and suspenseful and instead got something with more dark academia, introspective vibes. 

Overall, I think this is a beautiful companion to A Study in Drowning. Reid has created such a unique world, abundant with rich detail and history, it was truly a joy to revisit it. At it's core, A Theory of Dreaming is an exploration into magic, escapism, and what we're willing to give up to save the people we love. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Harper Collins, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.