Spoiler-Free Review

If you’re looking for a young adult fantasy that tackles big themes while still being easy to read and digest, you might like A Study in Drowning.

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What’s A Study in Drowning about?

Effy, a freshman and the only girl in her college, is accepted to take on the daunting task of redesigning a mansion that pays homage to her favorite author – but things at Hiraeth Manor are stranger than she realized.

It’s an easy read, if a little on the nose.

This was an entertaining story. While it wasn’t a favorite, I still found myself intrigued by the various mysteries and fairy tale aspects.

I appreciated what this book set out to accomplish thematically. There was an emphasis on national identity here, and the divisiveness that can come with that. This aimed to deconstruct the classism, xenophobia, and misogyny that thrives in that environment. Whether this book accomplished its goals in that area is really up to the reader to decide.

I struggled to connect with and understand the main character, Effy. At the beginning, we know one important thing about her: she’s the only woman in her college. This implies a degree of ambition that I just never saw in her, which was a little confusing. Effy often struck me as weak-willed and easily cowed at first, which made it hard to believe that she was the one to break the academic glass ceiling. Though, these flaws were the basis of her character arc, and I appreciated how she grew by the end.

That being said, I didn’t really connect with Preston, the love interest, either. There was just something missing from all of the characters in my opinion. I never felt compelled by any of them.

On the writing style, it did feel very YA to me. It often just felt too explanatory, as much of Effy’s internal world and feelings were explained directly rather than implied or shown. I also guessed every twist very early on, and the ending was very anticlimactic with its pacing.

Also, this is a nitpicky thing, but I swear at least once every other chapter Effy would “swallow a pill dry.” I felt like I read a variation of that phrase at least ten times.

Should you read A Study in Drowning?

I think teen readers would connect with this book, as well as anyone who would appreciate a story centered on a young woman who must battle misogyny while also defeating personal demons. Effy has a neglectful (perhaps also vain and manipulative) mother, can’t sleep without the aid of pills, takes medication for her mental health, and has been abused. If you would find her relatable, you’ll probably love this story. That kind of representation is important, too.

It may not be for you if you don’t like occasional exposition or if you prefer stronger characters. You may also not like it if you’re often able to predict where a story is going or see twists coming.

Aspects of this story reminded me of Divine Rivals. If you liked that one, you might like A Study in Drowning, as well (but I did like Divine Rivals more).