A Study in Drowning
Reading Order.
Start A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid with "A STUDY IN DROWNING", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
The complete reading order for the A Study in Drowning series by Ava Reid. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.
Short Answer:
Start with "A STUDY IN DROWNING"
To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.
Community Consensus
"There is a strong consensus that the latest trilogy (The Book of the Ice, culminating with TGaTMoon/TGaTMountain) serves as the definitive connective tissue and 'ending' for the entire shared universe, often referred to as the 'Taprootiverse.' To fully understand the revelations—such as the identity of Theus/Prometheus (Jorg), the function of Hayes Gates, and the nature of the Ancestor/Missing—readers must first complete the foundational trilogies. Reading the final trilogy without this context results in a greatly diminished experience, as all fan discussion revolves around interpreting these deep connections."
Read all foundational trilogies before starting The Book of the Ice. The recommended prerequisite trilogies that must be completed are: The Broken Empire (Jorg's story), The Book of the Ancestor (Nona's story), and Impossible Times (Nick Hayes' story). The Book of the Ice (Yaz's story) should be read last, as it functions as the series finale that connects all narrative threads.
At a Glance
- First Book:A STUDY IN DROWNING
- Latest Book:A STUDY IN DROWNING
- Timeline:2024 - 2024
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for A Study in Drowning conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.
Can I skip the short stories?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for A Study in Drowning. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.
I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?
Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "A STUDY IN DROWNING" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.
Why do people disagree on the order?
Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.
Recommended Reading Order Strategy
The authoritative way to read the "A Study in Drowning" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Complete Series Reading Order
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Is it okay to skip books in the A Study in Drowning series?
We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.
What is the best order to read A Study in Drowning?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "A STUDY IN DROWNING" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Ava Reid intended.
Can I read A Study in Drowning books in any order?
No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.
Are there spin-offs or companion books?
Yes, the A Study in Drowning universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.