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**