This was so well done! I tend to prefer my romantasy to lean more towards the fantasy than the romance - this book delivered on both fronts. I loved the Tarot-based worldbuilding and the headstrong main character, and I enjoyed watching the romantic subplot develop. The central mystery was gripping and the pay off was worth it. Elise Kova has a new fan in me.

I really wanted to love this book—Elise Kova + dark academia + magic + fake engagement? Sign me up. And to be fair, the tarot-based magic system was super cool and definitely the highlight for me. It felt original and had real stakes, which I always appreciate in fantasy.

But... the pacing. Oof. It dragged so much that I kept checking how much I had left to go. I’m all for a slow burn, but this felt more like a slow crawl. I also struggled to connect with Clara or feel any real chemistry between her and Kaelis. The banter? Kinda awkward. Like, trying-to-be-spicy-but-ended-up-cringe awkward.

There is a lot of mystery and political intrigue under the surface, and I can see why some readers would be hooked by that. It just didn’t fully land for me—maybe because I never quite clicked with the characters emotionally.

Still, I love Elise Kova’s writing in general, and the concept is solid. This one just wasn’t my fave. I’ll be sticking with her other series for now.

This addictive book is what reading is all about. Pulling you in. Consuming your mind. Leaving everything behind except the words on the pages.
This is the first book I've read by Elisa Kova. So I've gone in blind except for the blurb. I was hooked from the beginning. This twisted tale of magic, love, power and everything else, will keep you on your toes.
Clara has been imprisoned and forced to make cards for the warden. While others have been making plans for many months to have her escape.
This story brings Kaelis, the second born prince, into the mix as her husband to be.
When he has her enrolled into his academy for tarot and magic, things unfold into this incredibly messy tale. Friendship, family, love. Nothing and nobody is safe. Trust nobody. Never tell your name. All in fair warning. This story will keep your heart pounding.
It's truly remarkable how the author sets the scenes, characters and powers. One book to not be missed. I'm so excited for what happens next. I'll be impatiently awaiting book two.
5 phenomenal stars and a top 5 read of the year from me. Incredible.

This fast paced spicy romatasy takes place in a world where magic is real, tarot cards aren’t just for telling the future and everyone’s lives revolve around magic dust.
Clara has been captured and imprisoned for a whole year. A second born prince manufactures her escape in exchange for her admittance to a magical academy, her talents inking tarot cards and her hand in marriage.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this book which I am giving 4⭐️.
I thought this book was a lot of fun with a very interesting magic system and I loved the chemistry between Clara and her love interest. I will absolutely recommend this book on my social media (TikTok and YouTube) and will definitely be reading the next book when it comes out.

**4.5/5⭐️**

This was a fantastic *romantasy*! I loved the uniqueness of the world-building and lore. The FMC wields tarot card magic and finds herself engaged to the headmaster of a tarot magic academy. The magic system and world were well-developed, and I always knew what was going on and why. The concept of attending a school to learn and improve your skills with tarot magic is so intriguing!

The romance is an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and it’s extra complicated because he’s also the second prince. The tension between them is palpable—it's a "will they or won't they" situation. They do eventually get together, but there are plenty of secrets, plots, and political drama that complicate their relationship. I also loved the drama between families, the hidden identities, and the found family element.

Overall, it’s an interesting fantasy that’s a bit long, but it kept me hooked! It reads somewhat like a YA/NA book, though it does have a couple of steamy scenes.

Arcana Academy has its own unique magic system that is built around Tarot cards, such a unique and refreshing take on romantasy which I really enjoy!
One of the things I loved most about this book was the world building... it was brought to life so wonderfully by the author, which really allowed me to fully immerse myself in this story.

The characters are brilliant and each have their own depths and struggles to overcome throughout this book, something which I really enjoyed following too. And the romance.... it was perfectly paced and had me grinning to myself. Fantastic!!

*Thank you to NetGalley and The Publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

'Arcana Academy' by Elise Kova was haunting, magical and gave me the slowest of slow burns. I thought it was a very similar magic system and premise to 'One Dark Window' meeting with the magical intrigue and academics of 'A Deadly Education' by Naomi Novik.

The magic system was easy to understand, which, in a book of this size, is refreshing since we can easily become immersed before diving head first into the immersive characters and atmosphere. The thing that became overwhelming for me was the number of side characters - there were so many names I was taking mental note of that it became a tad overwhelming at times to keep up with who-was-who. The number of side characters in the story also made it difficult to connect with Clara in the first 50% of the story. Which also meant that the first 50% felt like the stakes were low for me. This 100% changed towards the end, and I was very eager to see how the story continued, but the first half was definitely slow to get through.

Kaelis was a very interesting love interest, even though intially seen as evil, I found the reveal that he was in, in fact, not as evil as we thought a little bit of a let down. In a book where we have a complicated main character at the heart, I wish that Kaelis was also rewarded some more morally-gray-ness throughout the novel to match.

Overall, this book will be incredibly fun to talk about after release and I am eager to hear updates on how the story will continue!

From the very first page, Arcana Academy swept me away into a vibrant world of magic, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. As my introduction to Elise Kova's writing, I found myself utterly captivated by her masterful storytelling and the intricate world she has crafted.

What stands out most is Kova's ability to seamlessly weave magic into the fabric of her tale. The world-building is nothing short of stunning, with a depth and richness that makes the story leap off the page. Every corner of the Arcana Academy feels alive, buzzing with secrets and possibilities. It's a place you can imagine yourself exploring, and yet, you know there’s so much more to uncover.

The characters are another triumph. They are real, relatable, and far from one-dimensional. Each has their own motivations, flaws, and secrets, making them feel like living, breathing people. As I followed their journey, I couldn't help but root for them, worry for them, and celebrate their victories as though they were my own.

The plot, with its unexpected twists and breathtaking turns, is a work of art. Kova keeps you on your toes, never quite revealing her hand until the perfect moment. It's reminiscent of the beloved Harry Potter series, with its enchanting school setting and the air of mystery that keeps you hooked. And yet, Arcana Academy stands entirely on its own, a fresh and enthralling tale that promises to be a classic in its own right.

If there's one thing that left me desperate for more, it's the cliffhanger ending. Knowing that the next book isn't yet released makes the anticipation all the more excruciating. Arcana Academy is a story that lingers in your mind, refusing to let go long after the final page is turned.

For fans of magical academies, gripping plots, and deeply human characters, Arcana Academy is an absolute must-read. Elise Kova has delivered a tale to remember, and I cannot wait to see where this series takes us next.

Tarot Card magic, dark acadamia, and romance. Can you ask for more? I think I found my newest obsession.

Clara is imprisoned because she illegally prints and weilds tarot cards. Normally this power is only allowed to be practiced by Arcanists trained at Arcana Academy. Kaelis, the prince and academy headmaster, helps Clara break out of prison, and hides her at the Academy so she can help him defeat his father the king. As Clara learns more about her magic, she has to decide whether she trusts the prince.

I devoured this book. The magic system is super cool and complex without being confusing. The academy was an interesting setting that I loved. The romance kept me engaged. And there was just enough mystery and twists. I am super excited for the rest of this series!

Tropes:
* Tarot Card Magic
* Dark Academia
* Fake Dating
* Hidden Identities
* Deadly Trials
* Court Politics
* Found Family
* Slow Burn

Easily 5 stars!

4.5⭐️

When I finished this book, I could not stop thinking about it - it was honestly so so interesting and I couldn’t put it down. Major creative points for the unique magic system, the closest thing i’ve read to it would be one dark window, but even then they are very very different. It is refreshing to read something with new mechanics. A few parts came across as a little cheesy, and I think I could have done without the spice, as I don’t feel like it added much to the story and was thrown in to appease a specific audience. I am also still a bit unsure about the MMC.. but hopefully we will get more information in a book 2! That being said, I can’t wait for the second book, I *need* to know what happens next! if you like romantasy, definitely add this one to your tbr!

- unique magic system/tarot
- dark academia setting
- slow burn & enemies to “lovers”
- trials
- secrets, hidden identity
- spice

One more thought: this book is long - but i love it. while some parts seem to drag on, I much prefer this over the book being rushed and ending too soon.

Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to get my hands on an early copy and provide my honest review!

Welcome to Arcana Academy!

Here you will learn how to ink, read and duel the minor arcana tarot cards. Just have to give up a future and pass some tests…if not, then off to the mills for you! Please do be careful of the hidden passageways and corridors, which change on a whim. Traps, puzzles and obstacles are part of the secret curriculum 🤫 Secrets everywhere. Who do you trust? Trust no one. What would you do to hold the power of the world in your hand?

Obsessed with the type of magic in the book. Tarot cards holding many abilities. ⚠️The lengths one must go through to just get the ink needed for the different cards. This is definitely one of my new favorite dark academia books! Priss, the black cat 🐈‍⬛ is my favorite character. You will find out why once you have read this glorious book.

Jaw dropping cliffhanger and secrets revealed. Can’t wait for book 2!!

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Slow burn
Forbidden Magic
Forced Proximity
Grumpy Headmaster

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore and the author for this ARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Elise Kova introduced me to new magic styles with a fresh take on the romantasy genre. Arcana Academy has unique world-building interwoven with tarot magic, and which millennial doesn't love to read about zodiac signs and tarot cards? Not this one! Fake engagement is a step up from a pretend relationship trope and I'm sucker for such upgrades. AND THE MYSTERY! I was stuck to my Kindle app screen like a cockroach you can't get rid of. Indeed, a magnificent experience!

Arcana Academy is a delightful blend of magic, mystery, and drama!

Over the course of my 30 years on this planet, I've had the pleasure of reading hundreds of fantasy novels, and Kova knew exactly how to draw me in to this one. The world-building was stunning and the magic system?! Are you kidding me? Color me intrigued! The protagonist, a relatable and determined young woman, kept me hooked as she navigated the challenges of fitting into a world of powerful magical beings. The romance is !SLOW-BURN! (ugh!) and adds just the right amount of tension without overshadowing the story. If you're looking for a fun, immersive read with strong character arcs and plenty of twists, this one’s a winner!

This book was an interesting mix of slow/fast-paced, loved tropes and new ideas.

Arcana Academy is set in a world where magic is channeled through tarot cards. This was an entirely new thing for me and required some getting used to (it seemed more restrictive than other magic systems), but it turned out to be quite versatile and fun. We get to follow 1 year of the school life, the FMC being a new student and the MMC the headmaster.

It's quite obvious from the start that the FMC, Clara is some kind of genius in tarot cards, she can ink and use them in unique ways. But there're so many things even she doesn't know about her abilities (and the world in general), it made the story interesting and I had many 'Oh!' and 'Wow!' moments reading it. I really liked that Clara was a bit damaged and had her own emotional baggage to deal with, and LOVED that Elise Kova is not shy about scarring her characters a bit. Another plus is that she had huge support from other characters, it made the story and the connections more realistic for me (compared to all the one-man shows where a 20-something girl saves the world on her own... ).
Kaelis, our MMC starts out as your average morally gray character and honestly, it was a bit difficult to switch my brain when it was time to soften for him. But then turns out that so many things are not as they seem and there are some hints about his past, and I was like 'ehh f* it, he is damaged too and I like him'.

It was a plot heavy story with many mysteries and unanswered questions, the romance was a bit secondary, but don't get me wrong, it was good and served its purpose beautifully. It was a mix of insta-lust and slow-burn, but maybe this was inevitable with the whole fake-engagement starting point. One thing that grated on my nerves was Clara's continuous denial and uncertainty and I really hope she'll make her mind up in book 2 :)

All in all, if you want to read a book with a fresh take on magic, good banter and nerve grating scheming, pick this one up :) but be prepared for the cliffhanger at the end...

Thank you for the ARC opportunity for the publisher and author!

I loved the overall concept of the tarot based magic- that was a really neat twist on a magical universe that I wasn’t expecting! I felt the characters and overall plot could have used some more dedication to make them characters that I would really adore and connect to. Overall it was a fun read.

4.5 stars!

I love the world building and the magic system, which is based on tarot cards. I'm curious to see how the world expands in the next book. Clara is fierce, independent, confident, and a bit reckless. She doesn't trust easily for many reasons. I adore Kaelis. He has a lot of different layers to him, and I enjoyed seeing the different sides to his character. Clara and Kaelis's romance definitely fits the definition of enemies to lovers and slow burn. But I do love how Clara has other people she also learns to let in, such as Luren and Alor. The Academy and its challenges, and celebrations were interesting. I would love to be a part of it. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, but for me, it was done well (main story line of this novel wrapped up but enough to keep the story going).

This book was so freaking frustrating.

It dragged so much in the first half, and then it finally started to get interesting, but then the major plot points at the end all revolved around someone having mysterious information about the main character's background and all of the events of the entire book that they waited until just then to tell her. And the MC even asks, "Why did you wait until now to tell me?" and the dumb explanation is that it's a tradition to wait until someone is a certain age, and she wasn't old enough yet. Even though <it's clearly a special situation and no one with brains would have still waiting until she was "of age."

And to finish it off, the book ends with a "plot twist" that would surprise no one, ever.

I will not be awaiting the sequel.

Clara's magic to wield the tarot is strong, especially since she learned at her mother's knee without the interference of the academy. When her home is raided and she is sent to prison, she never expected that the headmaster of Arcana Academy would be wily enough to "stage" an escape and secret her into the school. Now Clara's pretending to be a long-lost noble, engaged to the second prince and trying to figure out how to match the teachings of the academy so that she doesn't blow her cover.

Interesting characters who make hard choices. The world-building is excellent. Secrets, danger, enemies-to-lovers, lots of good things here. Excited for the second book.

This was t a book I originally had slotted on my TBR. I had read Elise’s books before and I highly enjoyed them, but they felt a little tame. Maybe a little too YA style. Not sure what it was, but I couldn’t be happier that I was wrong. I am so grateful that I was invited to review this book because it got me reading it and once I started, I couldn’t stop. This book easily made my top read for the year. I adored every second of it. The unique magic system, the cruel world, the tension and push/pull of the main characters. The raw emotions of the characters. This book hit all the right marks and is worth hyping up to the level of some of the most popular books right now. I loved it!

Miss Elise, excuse me, what have you done to me? I underestimated this book. And I mean, unfathomably and unequivocally underestimated this book.

If you want a true fantasy romance, this is it. If you're looking for mostly a romance with sprinkles of magic, look the other way. This has a good balance of both with quite a bit of action, adventure and mystery thrown in the mix. Shocking twists, high stakes that will keep you on edge and tension that could cut you just as easily as a chef's knife.

Clara is a complex character whom is no stranger to tragedy nor betrayal, tossed into a dystopian world where a tarot magic system is used by the nobility and the gifted. Her history defines her future in her quest for both survival and triumph and her drive for justice pushes her through, riding the coattails of her own luck.

And as for the love interest? Ohhhh he had me from his introduction. Take a drink mixer and toss in a bit of the Darkling in there, maybe a bit of Rhysand and pepper it up with Ravyn Yew from One Dark Window. And some of his lines had me swooning when I least expected it.

It's not instalove between them, there is a bit of a slow burning romance kindling throughout the story but don't expect a typical love story with these two.

Other than Clara and her love interest, I do think I would have enjoyed just a bit more from all of them just to share a deeper connection. I felt like there were times when I felt like I was on the cusp with empathizing with some of them but I would have liked the full spectrum of emotion when experiencing their specific plights or happiness.

The magic system here is completely different from anything else I have read so far as well as incredibly intricate and thorough. The detail put into how magic works, how various cards are created and used, etc. could very well be their own separate book. If you're familiar with the various major and minor arcana from tarot and divination, this may make the story an even more enjoyable experience. There are a LOT of references used for it.

As for the plot itself, I really had no idea what was going to come. I had my suspicions for certain turns of events but I would always end up bamboozled by the end of it. Incredible. This was set up very well and I feel like the pacing benefited from it as well.

As a whole, wow. When I finished this I had to spend about 15 minutes staring at my ceiling, just absorbing everything while, trying to remember the Earth still tilts on the same axis. This is by no means a perfect story but it's perfect for me and readers like me.