Synopsis: The premise for Of Modern Magic and the First Dragon involves ancient magic changing the outcome of World War II on a planet identical to Earth until an anomaly in 1940. The novel comprises four apparently unconnected stories which later merge. Three of the stories are set in World War II, and the fourth takes place in the book's version of modern-day London, focusing on a group of MMO gamers thrust into a real-life version of their swords and sorcery hobby. The novel, which can be categorised as dark fantasy verging on horror, includes political and religious comment in addition to the traditional themes from those genres. The ending offers little in the way of closure, leaving many unanswered questions, which are addressed in the sequel, Forbidden Strands and Forgotten Arts.