Hauntingly Beautiful: A Review of Modern Divination by Agajanian
When I first stumbled upon Modern Divination, I was immediately drawn in by the promise of a dark academia setting, a magical bookstore, and the tantalizing hint of a rivals-to-lovers romance. Agajanian’s debut novel had all the ingredients for a captivating read, and it did not disappoint. Upon receiving an ARC, I could hardly contain my excitement to surrender myself to its pages.
Atmosphere and Prose
From the first line, I was enveloped in a lush, atmospheric tapestry that made every scene feel like a vivid painting brought to life. The prose has a way of lifting itself off the page, much like mist curling around a moonlit courtyard. It felt as if I was living inside the story, with details that begged to be savored: the sound of rain pattering against cobblestones, the aroma of lavender mingling with petrichor, and the warmth of tea cradled in my hands. I found myself creating the perfect scenarios for reading—candles lit, a curated playlist on loop, and, of course, a cozy drink in hand. Honestly, if you love curling up with a book that transports you, I cannot recommend Modern Divination enough.
Characters That Resonate
At its heart, this is a character-driven narrative, and Oh, how I connected with Aurelia! A wonderfully stubborn and emotionally complex 23-year-old, her struggles and hopes felt closely mirrored to my own. She’s deeply flawed yet incredibly relatable, dealing with the consequences of her past and finding her way through the complexities of love and rivalry. Teddy, her brooding love interest, captured my heart. He’s the tantalizing mix of whimsy and darkness, making it hard to believe I’m not even the intended audience for his charm—yet, there he was, vying for my affection on every page.
Brownies? Check. A bit of brooding romance? Absolutely. Their relationship develops in beautifully poetic ways, echoing Icarus’ tragic flight. Lines like, “To love something was to deface it—to give it a mark and change its identity forever,” resonate in your soul long after you set the book down. The tension between their bond and their individual walls is palpable, making their chemistry unmissable.
Pacing and Narrative Technique
That said, the book does have a slow burn. For the first half, there were moments where I found the prose a bit too tangled in its own beauty, losing clarity. Yet around the midpoint, it found its rhythm, pulling me deeper into the narrative. I thought I’d escape early for bed, but there I was, wide-eyed and enthralled until 2:30 AM, consumed by the intricate layers of Agajanian’s storytelling.
Final Thoughts
Modern Divination isn’t just for dedicated fantasy lovers or dark academia enthusiasts; it’s for anyone who has ever felt lost in their own journey of love, loss, and self-discovery. If you whisper echoes of “Howl’s Moving Castle” into your pillow at night or if “annotation” is your middle name, then this book is calling your name.
In conclusion, Agajanian has crafted a hauntingly beautiful story that resonates on many levels—perfect for those cozy winter nights when you need a little magic to warm your soul. I’m counting down the days until the next installment drops, and I urge you to dive into Modern Divination. You won’t just read it; you’ll live it.
Discover more about Modern Divination (Spells for Life and Death, #1) on GoodReads >>