A Study in Drowning

Written by Ava Reid

Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld

An instant Indie and #1 New York Times bestseller!

“Achingly atmospheric and beautifully sharp, A Study in Drowning will draw you in from the first page.” —Rory Power, New York Times bestselling author of Wilder Girls

Bestselling author Ava Reid makes her YA debut in this dark academic fantasy perfect for fans of Melissa Albert and Elana K. Arnold.

Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny.

But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together clues about Myrddin’s legacy, dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspire against them—and the truth may bring them both to ruin.

Part historical fantasy, part rivals-to-lovers romance, part Gothic mystery, and all haunting, dreamlike atmosphere, Ava Reid's powerful YA debut will lure in readers who loved The Atlas Six, House of Salt and Sorrows, or Girl, Serpent, Thorn.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9780063211537

Ava Reid

Ava Reid was born in Manhattan and raised right across the Hudson River in Hoboken but currently lives in Palo Alto. She has a degree in political science from Barnard College, focusing on religion and ethnonationalism. 

Reviews for A Study in Drowning

[Sara Cervantes · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Good gothic elements, but overall a lot of untapped potential. Little world building on what could have been a great read. And in the end a bit triggering. Then again at this point I think Ava Reid is just a big trigger warning ⚠️

[Eda Savaseri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the story and the narrator is great! If you like literature and especially dark academia and of course romance, this is for you.

[Robin Norris · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Some pretty trite troping for most of the story. There were no surprises at the end for me. Characters did develop by halfway through. A few questions remained somewhat unanswered. Reasonably good tie ups by the end.

Good enough for a YA audience, but probably not for more discerning minds.

[Laura Neubert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ava Reid is a ridiculously talented writer. I adored this story, its themes and especially its main character Effy.

[Lori Ford · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic tale of Fairy Kings and storytelling. Love the main characters Effy and Preston, who have a rather rocky relationship in the beginning but ultimately all ends in a favorable manner. There are some great moments that offer interesting twists and make this book quite compelling.

[Sarah Montgomery · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Narrator was fantastic. Also a great story. Will be buying the physical copy

[Iva Pešut · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it, strong characters and development, excellent story, read it

[Renee Smith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The audio was for stars, but I believe the story itself is about 3 1/2. I liked it, but I didn’t love it.

[Latasha Renay · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story that a lot of women are unfortunately going to find themselves very able to relate to. It's a tale about girlhood and how it can be used as a weapon against us when it is convenient for our male counterparts. A book about trauma and finding your voice again after it has been silenced for so long. In one of the characters I found the type of woman that I want to be for all those young girls that come after me. A lighthouse. I very much loved every aspect of this story; both the real and the fantastical. Horror is taken to the next level when it's combined with the real horrors of this world.