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A review by halogirl350
Modern Divination by Isabel Agajanian
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was very beautifully written - the prose transported me into one of the many ASMR ambience youtube videos I love to have on in the background. The characters felt very real and their development as individuals and as a couple kept me reading.
However, as the book was very character-driven, the actual plot of the book felt very much like a subplot in its own story. At times I felt like this would’ve been better off as a slice of life without the mystery/villain as it just wasn’t explored or explained enough. I understand wanting to show and not tell but the climax left me with a “that’s it?” feeling. I would have really enjoyed more exploration into who this villain was, what she wanted, and why she felt like this was the way to accomplish her goals.
The romance was intriguing for me. Fantasy, or at least the fantasy I usually read, favors HEA endings and that is not what happened here. Aurelia and Teddy’s love blossoms slowly but deeply and left me hurting at the end when it seems to become a Right-Person-Wrong-Time sort of thing. I think there may be a second book coming out so it might alleviate some of this (Gemma’s storyline is certainly left wide open as well).
Overall, I feel this was a very strong debut. The author certainly has her voice and prose down but could benefit from a little more direction/editing plot wise.
However, as the book was very character-driven, the actual plot of the book felt very much like a subplot in its own story. At times I felt like this would’ve been better off as a slice of life without the mystery/villain as it just wasn’t explored or explained enough. I understand wanting to show and not tell but the climax left me with a “that’s it?” feeling. I would have really enjoyed more exploration into who this villain was, what she wanted, and why she felt like this was the way to accomplish her goals.
The romance was intriguing for me. Fantasy, or at least the fantasy I usually read, favors HEA endings and that is not what happened here. Aurelia and Teddy’s love blossoms slowly but deeply and left me hurting at the end when it seems to become a Right-Person-Wrong-Time sort of thing. I think there may be a second book coming out so it might alleviate some of this (Gemma’s storyline is certainly left wide open as well).
Overall, I feel this was a very strong debut. The author certainly has her voice and prose down but could benefit from a little more direction/editing plot wise.