I am basically becoming an Ava Reid fan account at this point! At the end of 2023, I read my first Ava Reid book: A Study in Drowning. Since then, I have picked up almost all of her books (my last one is Juniper & Thorn). Ava Reid’s writing is phenomenal; it’s rich, immersive, and deeply emotional. She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite writers in fantasy.
When I initially read A Study in Drowning, a sequel didn’t even seem like something that was on the table. It wrapped up well, and I honestly didn’t think it needed a continuation. So when A Theory of Dreaming was announced in May 2024, I was surprised. Still, because it was Ava Reid, I pre-ordered it the moment it became available.
While my copy came in the mail on the release date, I was lucky enough to also get this one early! A huge thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with a digital ARC. There will be some spoilers for book one (since this is a sequel), so just be aware of this.
A Theory of Dreaming is available TODAY at all major bookstores and retailers.
A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid Published on August 6, 2026
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
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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?
Let me start my review with this: A Theory of Dreaming is not a feel-good sequel. If you’re going into this expecting a soft, romantic continuation of Effy and Preston’s story, brace yourself. This book is darker, grittier, and emotionally heavy. It deals with mental health, trauma, and the effects of war. There are some moments of beauty and connection (and there are positive messages of love throughout), but this is not a light read. I think it’s important to establish that right at the beginning.
Also, please check the trigger warnings for this one (I have linked a list HERE)!!
Reid herself has recently shared that the book was partially written in frustration with the ongoing crisis in Palestine, specifically how academic institutions treat students who speak up, and the influence is apparent. The political and emotional weight of the story is heavy, especially in the way it explores how institutions and media manipulate truth and isolate people who are already vulnerable.
One of the criticisms I’ve seen from other readers is that Effy seems to take a step backward from where she ended up in A Study in Drowning. I get that take, but I don’t agree with it entirely. For me, this felt honest. While I loved book one, I had a harder time with how neatly things wrapped up. A Theory of Dreaming unpacks that. It reminds us that healing isn’t a linear process.
Effy is dealing with the “after” of her victories. She shows that even when life should seem objectively better, we can feel worse. That’s a truth that hits close to home. I’ve had some of my worst depressive episodes right after positive life milestones—acceptance into a new college program, a new job, even meeting my (now) husband. Effy’s internal battle—“Do I deserve this?”—mirrors so many of my own thoughts. This book made me feel seen in ways I didn’t expect.
Not only that, but she is also still dealing with a lot of external forces going against her. Her classmates don’t believe that a woman should be allowed in the literature program, and they constantly belittle her and treat her as if she doesn’t belong. On top of that, she is targeted by the University as well, causing added pressure from local newspapers and media. Yes, she has defeated her “life-long enemy,” but there’s no way to “defeat” real life.
“She was afraid of wanting becoming needing. And she was afraid, so terribly afraid, that if she needed him, it would be the moment that he slipped away, like twilight dying into total dark.”
There were many lines like this that hit hard and forced me to pause. I probably could’ve finished this book faster, but I found myself needing to step away at times. It’s not an easy read, emotionally speaking, but it’s worthwhile.
One of my favorite parts of A Theory of Dreaming was how much more we got from Preston’s point of view. It was great to see more about what he was struggling with, especially with the growing tensions on campus being caused by the war and the pressures he’s under at the university. Through Preston, Reid builds a dream world that feels both surreal and painfully real. The atmosphere in this book is incredible. Reid is a master of creating mood and setting.
“The seam of the world is where the sleepers dream.”
It is obvious that I enjoyed this book, but I did still have a couple of complaints. My biggest issues involve the pacing of the plot. The middle section started to drag a bit. There were moments that felt repetitive, especially in terms of Effy and Preston’s inner monologue.
Not only that, but there are placements of diary entries that Effy is reading throughout the book, and most of the time, they felt incredibly out of place. I could see what Reid was trying to do with them, thematically, but the connection to Effy and the plot wasn’t always clear. Part of this is because we got so much more Preston, so Effy’s plotline got pushed to the side.
Overall feels
Did A Study in Drowning need a sequel? No. But even so, A Theory of Dreaming has some important things to say, and I’m glad it exists.
Ava Reid isn’t afraid to write about hard things. She’s not afraid to let her characters be messy and raw. And she’s not afraid to bring her own grief and frustration into her stories. I will definitely continue to read more of her books in the future.
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Until next time, xx