Modern Divination

5/5 stars. I found this book through a suggestion on another app, as soon as they said it's dark academia with witches I immediately wanted to give it a go. Her dedication page is *chef's kiss* and I'm so glad she wrote her own, this book is a treasure. As you can see, the condition of the book became "well loved" because I HAD TO TAKE IT EVERYWHERE WITH ME. I'm a fairly slow reader so it took a while but that made it all the better because I loved Schwartz and Ingram. Their dynamic, the slow burn, the academic rivalry? YES PLEASE. Original storyline where I didn't forsee anything. Aurelia Schwartz's constant need to pull away sometimes felt a little excessive but not enough for me to lessen the rating. Agajanian's writing is beautiful, some of the scenes were so lovely and heart breaking. I'm pretty sure I went through every emotion reading this book. I cannot wait for the sequel. Also any book by Isabel Agajanian is now an instant buy!

Synopsis: Magic has always been something that Aurelia controlled. So when her control starts to slip, it is hard to believe there is nothing more sinister roiling within. Her unease only increases when he is involved. Theodore Ingram is arrogant, spoiled and his snide pretention cuts deeply. He is the last person she would run to for help, the last she would trust with her secrets and her magic. But when a greater threat looms, Aurelias thorns are met with unexpected new ground.Rating: 5/5Review:This book is intoxicating. Agajanian has written a classic.I was completely lost between the pages of this story. The rivals to lovers plot is so meticulously written, and their love comes through in small details and moments of intimacy that are genuinely breathtaking. The characters bitterness, hurt and hope are so well written and the way they change and grow is stunning.I loved the imagery, color and symbolism throughout the book. There was so much meaning in every word, and every metaphor. It’s the kind of book that you could read over and over, and find a new gem each time. It feels like a modern classic, and there are moments in the book that reminded me of Pride and Prejudice, but with magic, mystery and medievalism. It is beautiful and haunting, I cant recommend it highly enough.

I startet out having a hard time with this one. For a long time I didn’t particularly like Aurelia and I had absolutely no idea about what was going on. But about half way through things started to make sense, and I understood that this book is more about the relationship between Aurelia and Theo, than it is about evil shapeshifters and magic.And once that clicked and I started focusing on that, on Aurelia's way of loving, of trusting, of communicating I could see the beauty of this story. I understood how fragile and lonely she is, and even more how lost Theo is, how he loved Aurelia.The writing is extremely beautiful, filled with references and poesi. I found it very beautiful and could have highligted whole pages for it's beauty.It is a slow burn, with a lot of tension. Enemies to lovers, with a lot of relationship angst.

Such a cozy book to curl up with. It's beautifully written and the yearning between the two MCs is palpable 😍

I loved the slow burn story and the authors writing is beautiful!