Thank you to Netgalley and Tor for the arc. I really enjoyed this, and recommend the audiobook, the narrator was great. I went into this thinking it was going to be dark academia and discovered a delightful cozy fantasy, with an intriguing mystery element. At the beginning it felt very Atlas Six in that it was all academic characters and dark vibes. I did come to understand the magical system as the book went on, but the world building was a bit weak in the beginning.

Off the top I loved the diversity, though we didn't see them much, it was nice to have the NB rep. The characters are where this really shined. I loved Aurelia and Theo and getting to learn their backstories. Gemma was also fascinating and I'm hoping we learn more about her and also where the hell she's been in the next book.

I enjoyed the romance, but I wasn't feeling their connection for most of the book. I wanted more yearning and to really feel it. Instead, I was being told they felt it, without also feeling it myself.

Overall, this is a solid cozy fantasy and I am excited to see where the author takes it.

Unfortunately I have had to DNF this book at this time and it’s very much giving “it’s not you, it’s me” reasoning. I got to chapter five and I was definitely feeling all kinds of intrigue as to where the story is going. I love a dark academic setting paired with paranormal/mystical elements and a murder mystery so my love for this title really should be resolute. The writing style is compelling and is definitely what left me wanting to continue, but for some reason this book is just not resonating with me right now and it’s tainting my overall experience with the story being laid out.

It feels wrong to rate book I haven’t completed as 1 star, so I’ve given it a 2 for now and I hope that my mood reading issues can resolve themselves to enable me to give this book the chance that it deserves when the time is right.

#IndigoEmployee

My Rating: 4.25 stars!

Witchy magic and rivals to lovers, you had me intrigued from the beginning! I really enjoyed reading this, learning about the magic system used along with the history of the characters and the greater connection to magic around the world. I enjoyed reading all the characters and found a lot of fun with Aurelia trying to convince herself that she’s not catching feelings for Teddy.

Spoilers ahead:

There were some things that I found unnecessary/ or done strangely. Specifically, I had a lot of confusion around Leona and her abilities to syphon magic. She clearly held multiple abilities, and yet Aurelia made it clear that magical gifts couldn’t be stolen. I felt it would have made more sense if Leona’s gift was some sort of siphon of other gifts, and shapeshifting as well as magic discovering and others were gifts she had taken. Also, with how Gemma talks about her son and how she loves her daughter, just abandoning her seemed out of character, as well as something we still don’t seem to have any reason for.

2 or 2.5, i can't make up my mind.
(and i HATE giving less then 3...)

Modern Divination takes us in the UK, in a little town called Townsend, where we follow Aurelia Schwartz and Theodore Ingram as they attempt to take out the enemy who murdered their friends. Both are medialists, academic rivals, cruel toward each other and.. oh yes, witches. Aurelia's green magic has started to fail her and she doesnt know what to do or how to fix it. When met with another fiery discussion with her archnemesis Ingram at a Uni dinner, her magic bursts out of her, in front of Ingram, who also seems to be under some kind of magic induced panic. Enter the murdered friend, the enemy, and the race to find the witch hunting witches before they get got in the cross fire.

Now if i only had read that first paragraph of this review, i would have expected lots of magic, some kind of dark academia vibe, and a enemies to lovers - we got to team up to survive type of deal. But sadly, this was not what i got. After only a few chapters in Cambridge, both characters leave the city to go to small village Townsend, hiding at Ingram's close friend Gemma and her daughter Louisa. And from then on, i feel like i was on a perpetual loop of the same few moments.

Now there were some really beautiful things in there, that kept me from reading and made me wanna make sure everyone was safe in the end. Lou, for one, precocious little one, and her relationship with Teddy, Teddy's existence overall, and the magic system.

Unfortunately, the entire story is revolving about the same circular conversation about how Teddy and Aurelia do not like each other, which could potentially move the plot forward, but doesnt really. We are told over and over again about how they were both cruel t each other, and they are rivals, and Aurelia resents Teddy for dissing her work years ago and he has money and he just... seems to want to be undermining her all the time. I feel if at one point, we could have seen an actual conversation where Rory shows more her emotions (Teddy does try to "evolve" from the initial relationship) instead of having all of her conflicting emotions delivered through introspection.

Past the 50% mark, we were still at the cottage with no indication things were going anywhere. There was nothing moving the story forward, no plot, no dark academia. And then Boom. we hit the 70% mark and in a matter of a couple chapters, everything is resolved. The villain barely was able to make her point, and the fact that Oh she must have been working with others kinda comes from nowhere.

The ending of the book might have been my favorite part but also the part that annoyed me the most. I really wish we could have seen more of Teddy and Aurelia blossoming relationship, or how their magic would actually wortk together but sadly, we did not get there in book 1. Overall, I think the story would have benefited from more from Teddy, more about the different kind of witches. More world bhuilding (cant believe im saying that) but more importantly MORE SHOWING. This read way more like a description of EVERYTHING that was doing instead of letting the reader see tings by themselves.

Modern Divination was one of my most anticipated releases. It has so many elements I usually love: a rich atmosphere, intriguing magic, and characters that should have drawn me in. The worldbuilding and vibes are genuinely great, and I can absolutely see how this could become a favorite for the right reader.

That said, something about the writing style just didn’t click for me. Despite all the potential, I struggled to stay engaged and found myself reluctant to pick it back up after breaks. It felt like the kind of book I wanted to love, but reading it ended up being more of a chore than a joy.

This ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me. I think others might truly love it, and I hope they do.

Unfortunately this was not the book for me, the prose was completely overwritten and I felt extremely bored by the plot. Perhaps fans of the Atlas Six would enjoy this but it seems that booktok has once again overhyped a book.

I feel like this book has so many elements that are very interesting and a lot of potential but it is failing to keep my attention. A lot of the long dialogue felt over explained, some more mystique could be beneficial. I am putting this book down at the moment I hope that I will be drawn back in because the imagery was amazing, and the characters were fun. But getting as far into the book as I am and still not having a good grasp of the plot and magic system has me losing interest.

I'm not generally a slow burn fan, but give it to me in a witchy romance and I am in! The magic system here is so well developed and easy to follow for a baby - novice fantasy reader like myself. Rory and Teddy's story arc was so so satisfying. I need more!!

Aurelia Schwartz has a secret. She is a witch but her magic is fading. Aurelia must work together with her academic rival to save their magic from the power hungry witch that threatens to steal their power.
Modern Divination is a dark academia, fantasy romance that will appeal to readers of Divine Rivals.

Modern Divination by Isabel Agajanian centers on Aurelia Schwartz, a witch who has kept her magical identity a secret for twenty-three years, carefully balancing her life between the normal and the supernatural. Her hidden life is thrown into turmoil after a fellow witch is murdered at a campus event, and Aurelia unexpectedly becomes involved in the investigation alongside her academic rival, Theodore “Teddy” Ingram. Teddy, who has always looked down on Aurelia, reveals that he too has magic and insists that they team up to solve the murder. As they retreat to his family’s magical home, their rivalry slowly gives way to a deeper connection.

The novel delves into themes of isolation, loss, and the walls people build to avoid emotional connection. As Aurelia and Teddy work together, their relationship shifts from hostile competition to a slow-burn romance, forcing them to confront their pasts and their vulnerabilities. The revised edition of the book has been praised for enhancing the emotional tension between the two leads and intensifying the atmosphere, especially in the romantic dynamic. It blends an academic rivalry with magical intrigue, illustrating how love and vulnerability can transform people, even when they try to resist.

At its core, Modern Divination is a compelling mix of mystery, magic, and an evolving romance, driven by the push and pull between two characters who must confront their flaws and fears. The emotional payoff of their journey makes the story all the more addictive, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

I hate to DNF any book... I'd rather leave it for a bit and try again from a different headspace. Unfortunately, I just don't think this book will be one I return too. These are purely my opinions, no hate to the author, they just may not be for me. 🙃
I found that the writing often felt over written with a lot of circular conversations and confusing/repetitive dialogue (because of the editing/formatting or maybe just my inability to comprehend it)? I felt like it was trying to be poetic but it often felt jarring or staccato.

The story wasn't really the "dark academia" it was described as... really only the first 15 ish % qualified for that description.
I also thought the main characters felt a bit flat. Their interactions were primarily about their intense dislike for one another. I never really understood what the big bad was or why they felt the need to flee the school setting and there was never a sense of urgency about it anyways. And the fact that the FMC was so blase about being left in the dark by the MMC... I just got tired of it.

Again... just my opinions (I read to 35%)... 🤷🏻‍♀️. I hope others have a wonderful time with this story. 🙂

Thank you to Net Galley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.

Isabel Agajanian, you have a fan for life. Teddy Ingram might be one of THE most pathetic and devoted book boyfriends to ever book boyfriend, and Aurelia Schwartz deserves it all.

Modern Divination follows Aurelia Schwartz, a witch with a green thumb completing a PhD in medieval history at Cambridge University. She spends her days warring for the favour of her professor with a tall, dark-haired boy named Theodore Ingram - her rival, her nemesis, the centre of her resentment. When she's not working on her research, exchanging biting remarks with Teddy, or hanging with her roommate and best friend Ryan, Aurelia is using her magic to grow plants and make tea, and she's safe - as long as no one else finds out about her powers. When one of Aurelia's colleagues - and unbeknownst to her, a fellow witch - is murdered at a faculty event, Aurelia and Teddy are thrown together, and forced to fight for their families and their lives.

Modern Divination was one of my most anticipated new releases this year. I read the indie published edition years ago, and fell in love with the atmosphere, the yearning, and Isabel Agajanian's beautiful prose. There were so many lines that truly took my breath away without ever feeling forced or purple-prose-y. If I were rating this book on vibes, on romance, and on writing alone - immediate 5 stars.

Unfrotunately, I think this needed a few more rounds of developmental editing before it was ready for traditional publication. I read it because I know these characters and love them, and I was looking forward to seeing what changes (if any) were made, but like....nothing really happens that would convince any of my fantasy reader friends to keep going after the first few chapters. It is so, so, so slow, and pretty uneventful. The plot is pretty basic, and is only partially resolved, and that partial resolution happens quietly, only 70-80% of the way in. There were so many really interesting threads introduced - Teddy's parents, the bookshop, the crows - that just sort of fizzled away into the background. Meanwhile, we spend scene after scene after scene watching Rory and Teddy have the same circular arguments about their hatred of one another. It was fun at first, but got tired very quickly. I love them - I'd listen to them sing terribly in the shower or discuss their grocery lists - but even i was getting bored of them after a while.

Still, despite my issues, I still think Modern Divination is a solid book, and I'm looking forward to picking up a physical copy to shelve next to my indie edition. Isabel Agajanian has so much talent, and I'm really looking forward to reading the sequel, and any future projects.

2.5 stars

Modern Divination turned out to be quite different from what I expected, both in good and not-so-good ways unfortunately.

The story follows Aurelia Schwartz, a witch and student struggling to balance her magical and human life. However, everything shifts when her magic begins to fade, and a series of witch murders threatens her community. With the help of a classmate, she retreats to a small town, where they uncover hidden secrets, and where their lingering rivalry takes an intriguing turn.

I saw so many people raving about this book, and the solid reviews had me really excited to finally read it. I never got around to it when the self-published version was out, but luckily, I received an ARC and couldn’t wait to dive into this story filled with witches, dark academia vibes, and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic that everyone was talking about. While the beginning was a bit slow, the author immediately transported us to Cambridge with vivid descriptions, making the atmosphere feel rich and immersive. Then, as the setting shifted to a small cottage town, the colder, darker vibes really set in. I loved the prose, but with all the different themes the book promised along with some elements that didn’t quite work for me it started to feel a bit unfocused, which made it drag at times.

There were moments when I really enjoyed the characters and their interactions, but just as often, they frustrated me. The FMC, for one, seemed unable to let go of a childish grudge, and when she finally did, the dialogue felt awkward only for another unnecessary, mean-spirited grudge to take place. On the other hand, the MMC didn’t have much of a standout personality, which made their chemistry and relationship feel forced rather than natural, and me not connecting with them. On top of that, the worldbuilding lacked development, which was disappointing because it had so much potential. The plot and its twists started off strong, but as the story progressed, the sense of urgency and solid explanations were missing. The book also felt overly long, so many pages and chapters didn’t feel necessary for the plot, worldbuilding, or character relationships, making it drag when it could’ve been much tighter.

Overall, the book had a lot of promise, the themes, the atmosphere, and the “what could have been” of the plot and romance were intriguing, but the execution didn’t fully land for me. Nothing stood out enough to leave a lasting impression, and I’m not sure I’m invested enough to continue with the sequel. It’s disappointing because I really wanted to love the book that so many people raved about, but in the end, it just wasn’t for me.

Academic rivals, witchy magic, and romance. What isn’t there to love? I originally read the indie version of this, before it was picked up by the traditional publisher. I loved it then, and I still enjoy it now just as much if not more! I loved the characters and the world the author created. 4.5 stars due to the slow pacing at the start of the story

3.5⭐️

This book had all the witchy, moody, rain and tea drenched vibes. I liked reading about Teddy, Aurelia, and the additional cast, oh and especially the yearning these to had.
I wanted to enjoy this book more thoroughly as it took me awhile to get into and sometimes I wasn’t sure what was really happening. That’s on my end since I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this book, and I plan on revisiting this story when the sequel releases!

This was a surprisingly cozy read. I really enjoyed the atmosphere the author created, combined with the academic rivals trope. The writing style reminded me a lot of Divine Rivals, which I loved. Definitely recommend this to those who enjoyed reading that duology and love a nice slow burn. The story is definitely more character-driven and not as high-stakes as I thought, but I have a feeling that we will get much more action in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Slow moving, going to pause at 15% and will try again with the audiobook as I was highly anticipating this one. Though I didn't know this was marketed as a "cozy fantasy" before going in... I have not enjoyed that genre previously.
I'm hoping for Aurelia and Theodore to give NicoLibby vibes from The Atlas Six, so far they are a little bit and the story is giving a similiar vibe to Rachel Griffin's The Nature of Witches.

DNF @ 16% (four chapters, approx. 80 pages)

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book has been on my radar since it's self-published days. When I saw this new Tor edition available on Netgalley I was happy to get my hands on the arc.

Unfortunately, I highly doubt this book received any vigorous editing between its self-published version and this one. The document I received from Netgalley didn't have any disclaimer about it being an unedited proof, so I have to believe oversights like forgetting to start and end paragraphs for new dialogue, not making any indication or formatting difference (like italics) for internal first person thought instead of the third person POV, and just the generally very bloated prose, are all going to make it into the copy of this book that will hit the shelves.

I have little to say about the story or characters themselves, because I could not deal with the prose. In an attempt at flowery, lush writing, the prose in this book is bloated, overwritten, confusing, and to put it more plainly- feels like a thesaurus threw up. There is little variation in sentence length, they are all inordinately long, and there were multiple passages that were so nonsensical and disorienting I found myself saying "what?!" out loud, at least four times. So, about once per chapter that I managed to read.

What i will say about the characters is that the rivalry seems rooted in the MC sniping at the MMC because he is sort of rude and has a very pompous air about him. We don't actually see him do anything egregious. She just thinks he is the worrsssttt, and is antagonistic in response. Every time they interact; she is mean first. In chapter three they have a spat, in which MMC points out that she is just taking out all of her bitterness and obvious insecurity on him, which we clearly see happen on page. While her fury with him just seems rooted in the fact that he exists, and said something kind of rude behind her back once. If anything, he should hate her. This type of "rivalry" which is rooted in the MC being aggravated by the MMC's mere existence and vibe, resulting in her being mean to him, does nothing for me. Baseless. Nonsense. Boring.

Back to what I was saying, I can't stress enough how difficult i found the prose. It's not that the style isn't for me. I think it's objectively poorly crafted. Also, here is an example of a passage that i have a very petty grievance with. The prose here is not actually the problem.

"It was always ingram to her, and rarely Theodore, because nicknames were reserved for the people she liked, and he was assuredly not one of them."

So, MC is talking about how she only refers to MMC as his surname, and not first name. So what the hell are nicknames being brought up for? What nickname? There was no mention anywhere of a nickname. Theodore is not a nickname. That's his god given first name. If anything, calling someone by their surname is a nickname in modern society (which is where this takes place, it's urban fantasy btw).

Between the bloated prose, passages that don't make sense, and a rivalry that clearly only exists in the MC's head due to her own personal crap. No. This is not for me.

" She craved it. Not like a leap towards danger, but a slow tantalizing seduction towards some other monster she wasn't ready to face."
-------
Modern Divination follows two academic rivals who find themselves in the center of a mysterious murder and must band together in a reluctant alliance to save themselves from becoming the next victims...

This story gave me all the soft, cozy, witchy winter vibes I was craving with the most satisfying of slow burns I've read in a while.

It was everything I hoped and wanted. Moody winter vibes, complex and interesting characters, beautiful writing, an interesting magic system. I couldn't get enough of. I loved it and am looking forward to book 2.

I recommend this one for anyone who likes...
✨️Academic Rivals
✨️Tea sharing
✨️SLOW burn
✨️Secret Witches
✨️A little mystery

Thank you to Pan Macmillan | Tor and Netgalley for sending me an eARC. All opinions are my own.

Excellent story idea in theory but the execution was lacking for me.

We have to very childish characters that seem to loathe one another for absolutely adolescent reasons and yet can’t reconcile it with even after several conversations, grow up, your Cambridge students I’d expect a higher level of maturity.

There is also far too much telling and very little showing, half way through this book I had no sense is what it was even about it was all just explained via dialogue and didn’t enrich the reading experience.

The villain was unoriginal and felt like a caricature.

The writing is lovely but it all needed a heavy edit.

Thank you for the review copy all opinions are my own.