What's Popular in YA Today: A Review
I took a trip to my local library (not an uncommon occurrence), but instead of going to my usual haunts, I asked the librarian what books are flying off the shelves in their Young Adult section. She excitedly wrote me a list and I scampered off. The books she listed are certainly popular as I could only—and luckily—find a single book from the entire list available!
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
"I will love you to ruination."
Synopsis
Effy Sayre attends the prestigious Llyrian architecture college as it will not accept women into their literature program. Finding and applying to an unbelievable architecture contest hosted by her all-time favorite author's estate, Effy wastes no time in applying. Winning the contest brings her to Hiraeth manor where Effy questions the visions she sees and leaves the reader wondering if the dark fairy tales about the Fairy King are real.
Awards
- Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2023)
Spice
🌶️🌶️🌶️: Rated PG–13, some references to sexual content and contains one intimate scene from pages 298 – 301.
Review
Cover Design
Let's begin with the cover design. The cover is absolutely gorgeous. It holds so much of the story within its illustration (you'll have to read the book to see the connections) and presents the eerie gothic atmosphere that is present throughout the majority of the book. The title design is also beautiful. Nothing was left unnoticed.
Layout Design
The chapter pages all start on a new page and have plenty of white space to give them breathing room. The introductory paragraphs / poems are a little light to read and it makes me wish the designer had implemented a different typographical treatment. The main paragraph typography is easy to read and has easily readable line lengths and line spacing.
Atmosphere
I also imagine the costumes, were this a movie, to be based on 1950s clothing along with 1950s design of buildings and machinery mixed with a touch of fantasy. Although I could have done without the use of cigarettes by Preston, along with Effy deciding to try a few for herself. I think the author did this to create "smoke" and make the scenes seem mysterious but in reality, it was completely unnecessary.
Story & Plot
The story reminded me of a Guillermo del Toro fairy tale. It was full of dark mysteries, fantastical beings, isolated characters, and a romance that was all encapsulated within a decrepit, remote, and unstable environment.
The plot is slow burning with a burgeoning mystery that is hidden behind a strong yet unreliable main character. Effy makes you question her sanity and what is really going on at Hiraeth manor.
I do not feel that Ava Reid created an in depth world. I feel like she touched upon the surface with Llyrian and Argantian mythology and societal views with the college not accepting women into the literature program. But I do believe she set up The Sleepers mythology for a sequel. She mentioned them numerous times, but it never really became part of the plot. (I did look it up, a sequel is set for 2025, but no details about the story are available ... yet.)
Themes
The novel contains numerous themes. I was impressed with how much the author was able to fit in a 376 page novel without it feeling overwhelming or shoved in (to be eloquent, haha). It covers:
- sexism within institutions
- college
- publishing
- relationships
- between professor and student
- between mother and daughter, father and daughter
- between husbands and wives
- between Llyrian and Argantian societies
- finding and fighting to keep your voice
- female autonomy
- education
- mental health (and being listened to)
- body
- loss
- of family
- of autonomy
- of home
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
I won't lie, I would have picked any book that was available on the list the librarian gave me, but I was extremely happy that a gothic fantasy was the book I found. In all, between the themes, the atmosphere, Effy and Preston's relationship, and the story I would give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars. Don't get me wrong, I've been told I'm a harsh star-er. There were only a few things within the novel that I thought could either be slightly expanded upon or the story didn't need, and I thought the solution to the climax was a smidge easy. Also I totally called the mystery, buuuuut it was still satisfying to know I was right. I'm usually wrong when it comes to mysteries.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next book, and I have a few ideas where the story could possibly go next.
I would recommend A Study in Drowning to anyone who loves a good slow burn romance and mystery in a gothic setting.
Additional Information
More Popular YA Books
According to the librarian, these books are always flying off the shelves along with A Study in Drowning. Is it any coincidence that they are all apart of a series? I should mention, A Study in Drowning will officially become a series in 2025, although it can be read as a standalone. There is no cliffhanger, which is ironic since the book basically takes place on the side of a cliff.
- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (series)
- Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (series)
- Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (series)
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (series)
- A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole (series)
Happy Reading!
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