A Study in Drowning: A YA dark academic fantasy: Effy Sayre and rival scholar Preston unravel a dead author's deadly secrets at haunted Hiraeth Manor.

"A Study in Drowning" by Ava Reid is a book that elicits mixed reactions from readers. While some aspects of the book, such as the interesting story and well-written poems and fake article excerpts, are praised, there are also elements that are criticized. One of the main criticisms is regarding the protagonist. Readers found it challenging to root for the main girl protagonist as she embodies many of the insecurities she is supposed to overcome. She is portrayed as both brave and intelligent, but her Constant crying, freezing up, and weakness make it difficult to see her as such. Readers felt that there needed to be a better balance between her being a hero, a damsel, and a victim. Another issue raised by readers is the author's writing style. While there are great lines throughout the book, some readers felt that the author was trying too hard with the use of similes and metaphors. These repetitive literary devices made the reading experience tedious. On the positive side, the book is praised for its depth of characters, interesting lore, and potentially unreliable narrator. The slow-burn romance is also mentioned as a positive aspect that kept readers invested in the relationship. While the unique plot and writing style of "A Study in Drowning" are appreciated by some readers, others found the story predictable and the combination of fantasy and a vaguely real-world setting confusing. Overall, "A Study in Drowning" receives mixed reviews with some readers enjoying the book and others finding it lacking in certain aspects.