A Study in Drowning was not what I expected, it was so much more. The marketing around this book isn't doing it justice, it's not truly a rivals to lovers romance, the rivals part isn't that prominent, but it's a beautiful love story in every other aspects. I don't want to spoil the magic of it but it's an eerie atmosphere with beautifully complex characters, especially Effy, and very well-written dives into dark themes. It's more of a Gothic fantasy than dark academia in my eyes, which doesn't make it any less good. Overall, Ava Reid waves such a magnificent world, especially "world-building" (in the cultural aspect I guess). The quotes from fictional academic papers / other novels that introduce each chapter are such a well-thought-out idea, it's truly impressive. Would honestly be a 6 star read if I was inclined to break the scale.