A Theory of Dreaming: The new dark academia masterpiece and sequel to the Sunday Times bestselling A Study in Drowning

· Random House
Ebook
416
Pages
Eligible
This book will become available on August 5, 2025. You will not be charged until it is released.

About this ebook

As the aftermath of their first discovery pulls Effy and Preston on a final adventure and brings their haunting love story to its end in this stunning sequel and final book in the duology.RETURN TO THE DREAMLIKE WORLD OF THE INSTANTLY BESTSELLING DARK ACADEMIA FANTASY A STUDY IN DROWNING


_________

All stories come to an end.


Effy learned that when she defeated the Fairy King. Even though she may never know exactly what happened at Hiraeth, she is free of her nightmares and is able to pen a thesis with Preston on the beloved national fairytale Angharad. She has finally earned a spot at the literature college, making her the first woman in history to enroll.

But some dreams are dangerous, especially when they come true. The entire university - and soon the entire nation - is waiting for her to fail. With the Fairy King defeated and Myrddin's legacy exposed, Effy can no longer escape into fantasy. Who is she without her stories?

With Effy under threat, Preston is surprised to discover a rage simmering inside him, ringing in his ears like bells. He begins to dream of a palace under the sea, a world where he is king - visions that start to follow him even in waking.

As the war between Llyr and Argant explodes, Effy and Preston find themselves caught in the crossfire: Effy losing her dreams and Preston losing himself in his.

Are dreams ever truly just dreams?

__________


PRAISE FOR A STUDY IN DROWNING


'A love letter to stories - and to everyone silenced of forgotten in their retelling.' ALLISON SAFT

'As merciless as a rising tide and as beguiling as a fairy's bargain.' MELISSA ALBERT

'A spell-binding mix of magic, myth and mystery.' RORY POWER

'Darkly romantic and unsettlingly eerie' ERIN. A CRAIG

'Lyrical, incisive, and tragically beautiful, this book will haunt your dreams.' VAISHNAVI PATEL

'Reid is a singular, extraordinary talent.' SASHA PEYTON-SMITH

'I could read this book again and again - absolute perfection.' COURTNEY GOULD

'Incandescent, tender, and fierce. This is a story that lingers, long after the last word.' REBECCA ROSS


READERS ABSOLUTELY ADORE A STUDY IN DROWNING...


***** ‘I was enraptured from the first few chapters’
***** ‘haunting and atmospheric’
***** ‘Ava Reid has a magical way with words’
***** ‘There is something about the way Reid creates an atmosphere that I find completely immersive
***** ‘This book is truly mesmerising
***** ‘Beautifully written
***** ‘I will read ANYTHING that Ava Reid writes’
***** ‘Ava Reid’s writing is extraordinary and beautiful’ 5*
***** ‘Prepare to be drawn into the most thrilling, dark, subversive world imaginable.’
***** ‘My mind is blown away and my heart is full to the brim’

About the author

Ava Reid is the Sunday Times and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning, Juniper & Thorn, The Wolf and the Woodsman and Lady Macbeth. She has a degree in political science from Barnard College and lives in New Jersey.

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