Modern Divination

A Discovery of Witches meets The Atlas Six in Modern Divination by Isabel Agajanian, a dark contemporary fantasy from a brilliant new talent. Modern Divination is the first book in the Spells for Life and Death duology.

The colour of magic was gold . . .

Twenty-three-year-old witch Aurelia Schwartz has always had to carefully balance her human life with her secret magical one. With a place at an elite Cambridge University college, she almost has everything she could possibly want within her grasp. Just so long as she follows the rules: make no promises. Tell no one what you are. And never stay the night.

Except Aurelia’s gift of green magic has begun to fade. Worse still, someone is hunting witches – and stealing their powers. Reluctantly, Aurelia needs the help of fellow witch – and dreadfully arrogant classmate – Theodore Ingram. Together, they seek refuge among his family in the remote corners of an already-desolate town. But as she grows closer to Teddy, the power-hungry witch-killer, too, draws nearer. And they threaten to destroy everything Aurelia holds dear . . .

Modern Divination by Isabel Agajanian is a magical cosy fantasy with witches, featuring an academic rivals-to-lovers romance, found family and yearning.

Review

Lush and atmospheric, full of magic and yearning -- Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six

Stylish, moody, with an atmosphere thick enough to drown in, Modern Divination is the cosy contemporary fantasy of my dreams. I promise you, too, will be drawn in by its gorgeous and aching warmth -- Ava Reid, New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning

With high stakes, deft romance and intriguing magic, Modern Divination is a gem of a book -- Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of The Foxglove King

Cosy like a favourite sweater and thick with atmosphere like fog on a winter night, Modern Divination beautifully captures the romance of small intimacies, hard-won vulnerability and, of course, academic rivalry, Agajanian's debut had me under its spell from start to finish. Utterly magical -- Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic

As suspenseful, magical, and dangerous as it is tender, indulgent and deeply romantic. A skillful, soaring debut -- Sarah Underwood, New York Times bestselling author of Lies We Sing to the Sea

In Modern Divination, Isabel Agajanian crafts a vivid, delightful world of academic rivalry, hidden secrets and reluctant alliances - all with a delicious undercurrent of magic. Readers will be drawn through the pages like a spell, immersed in a cosy atmosphere of slow-burn romance, endless cups of tea and the sound of rain over cobblestones -- Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge

Exquisite, lovely and vicious in equal measure. Modern Divination is a hot cup of tea on a stormy night -- Sophia Slade, author of Nightstrider

Enchanting. Modern Divination casts its spell from the very first page, inviting the reader to dive deep into its academic heart. The characters are breathtakingly tender, their romance stitched tight with lingering glances, guarded hearts and a love that’s slow to simmer, but quick to ignite. Set against rain-slick streets, Agajanian crafts a gorgeous world where even the magic itself glitters gold. An absolutely stellar debut -- Skyla Arndt, author of Together We Rot

This dark contemporary fantasy has a mesmerising blend of high stakes drama, magic and rivals-to-lovers romance -- Cosmopolitan

About the Author

Isabel Agajanian (they/them) is a writer and illustrator living in the United States. Raised in California and spirited away to Florida, then Oregon, Isabel is never writing in one place for too long. They are joined in their pursuit of good stories by a hefty grey cat named Mosse and at least one roommate at a time. Modern Divination is their first published novel at the crux of a hundred unpublished stories.