A Study in Drowning Audiobook By Ava Reid cover art

A Study in Drowning

Preview
Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

A Study in Drowning

By: Ava Reid
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.19

Buy for $25.19

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

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 listeners who loved The Atlas Six, House of Salt and Sorrows, or Girl, Serpent, Thorn.

©2023 Ava Reid (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers
Dark Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Historical Science Fiction & Fantasy Young Adult Emotionally Gripping Royalty
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_T1_webcro805_stickypopup

Critic reviews

"Saskia Maarleveld's brisk narration sweeps listeners into an atmospheric setting that blends fantasy and reality. Maarleveld portrays the dissatisfaction and resentment of literature-loving Effy Sayre, whose gender is holding her back at architecture school.... Maarleveld animates all the characters, whether human or fairy. Most notable is her portrayal of Effy's caring fellow student, Preston, who partners with her in a literature project involving mysteries about the past. Maarleveld builds their attraction as it blossoms into romance." (AudioFIle)

Intriguing Mystery • Captivating Storyline • Beautiful Narration • Atmospheric Writing • Unique Premise
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
I couldn’t vibe with this one yall. I tried but there was hardly a plot, the characters were flat and although I loved the message it was boring.

Not what I expected

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I originally had trouble getting into the story, mostly because I get distracted so easily, but also because the narrator’s accent was soothing to me. I made myself stick with it and pay attention tho, and I’m so very glad I did. I loved the way she gradually unpacked Effy’s (sp?) trauma and background in an entirely unforced way. There was intrigue, there was drama. The expression and effects of her past were so impactful and relevant to the present part of the story. The way that Reid uses her words were very impactful to me from a literary and from an emotional standpoint. Overall, a very well written and interesting story with multifaceted characters (literally lol). Great if you want something with a slightly slower pacing/feel, if you like dark academia, and an impactful story with meaningful expression around it.

Loved it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The narrator hooked me into the story right away. I enjoyed the mystery unfolding and I couldn't wait to see if my guesses were correct when the story concluded.

I enjoyed the read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Wicked, wonderful, dark, and healing.
This one brought me into its world and resonated on a deep level like few can. I'm going to buy a paper copy for my bookshelf so I can re-read and let others borrow and reliah as needed. Thank you!

ripples in a tar puddle

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I loved how the author didn’t conform to the standards that the main character had to be swept up by a strong handsome prince of sorts and instead showed how stereotypical it is

The writing style

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I loved this book. I want to thank the author for her gorgeous writing. She is a talented storyteller, conjuring vivid images of beauty, dizzying landscapes, terrible and beautiful characters. Thank you.

gripping, dark, mysterious and riveting

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Narrator had a beautiful accent and voice, and it was enjoyable to listen to, the book was fantastic also. One of my more favorites from this year. I read half and listened to half

Great! Narrated beautifully, love her accent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Strong ptsd from SA warning. Very emotionally heavy. The fae aspect is fun to fritter out, but there not enough lightness in the story to not have you feeling hallow once it’s over.

*Could* be useful if you’ve experienced SA and need a story to latch onto about overcoming your fear and frustration.

SA!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Great book, beginning to end. It was a different and unexpected book, like Ava Reid’s other works. It’s a dark fairytale. An atmospheric mystery in dark academia full of forbidden knowledge and poetic metaphors. Definitely not for a person who’s bored by inner dialog and internal struggles or doesn’t find beauty in poetry. I don’t think this book needs any trigger warnings. But the book takes place in a universe similar to ours. Maybe in their own version of our 1950’s - 60’s? Women have to fight to get into certain colleges that previously only admitted men. And sexism is everywhere. Our main character spends a lot of her time in fear. In being told she’s crazy. In being snickered at by boys who also desire her. She isn’t taken seriously by anyone. Not by herself, family, other students, and faculty. So when she stumbles into a mystery while on school time, she struggles to believe the evidence. And moreover, that she might have a part to play in the mystery. And being the uncertain person she is, she is not sure if she wants to run for her life or if this is what she’s been waiting her whole life for.

Riveting

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I went into this book completely blind and it was not what I was expecting but really enjoyed it anyway. I loved the audiobook. The narrator really brought the story to life. It had the perfect ending and now I need a physical copy 😍

Now I need the physical copy 📚

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews