Thank you to the Del Rey team for the ARC. I was immediately hooked by Kova’s new series. The magic system with the tarot cards was so well done! Kova is the best with writing slow burns and the ending has me reeling. I need the next book by tomorrow but this one hasn’t even released yet so I’ll just have to cry in the meantime.

This was a really interesting read that was very much outside my comfort zone. I’m looking forward to sharing her work with my friends and family and I hope that there are more books coming by this author.

Unfortunately not for me as a reader. I struggled to connect with the writing style and story. I would still recommend if you enjoy romantasy. I did however really like the magic system. It felt unique using different tarrot cards

Ah I enjoyed this book way more than I expected! I've read a lot of fantasy I can confidently say, and also quite a bit in the dark academia subgenre. I can confidently say this one was pretty unique, especially regarding the magic system!

It's so rare these days to get new, imaginative magic systems and the tarot card system in this book was exactly that. If you find that you're reading a lot of the same book over and over, I highly recommend this one. I wish the romance was a little more prevalent at times, but the slow burn is definitely worth it. The MMC in this book is yearning and pining non stop. I also love how this book very clearly does not answer all the questions! There's still so much about the MMC, the other characters, and the worlds before this one that we don't know. They gave us a few answers but left us with good questions too and I can't wait for the next installment!

Clara has been illegally creating magical tarot cards since she was little. After being in prison for a year for this, she finally "escapes." I say it in quotes because she is assisted by the 2nd in line to the throne, Kaelis. Clara must navigate being enrolled in the Arcana Academy with Kaelis as the headmaster, trying to solve what happened to her mother and sister, and her growing attraction to the headmaster. Will she help Kaelis with his plan and will she fall for him after all.

I loved the story and cannot wait for the next in the series.

well, that was intense.

The story follows Clara, who is imprisoned due to illegally inking tarot cards, a product that holds magic in this world. Clara assumes the second prince, who she believes also killed her mother, is behind her imprisonment until he offers her a chance to get out if she agrees to do his biddings at the arcana academy, an academy for tarot card mages, and which is also under the jurisdiction of the second prince. He introduces her as his bride-to-be in hopes no one discovers her real identity while her time at academy.

The magic system in this book was pretty unique and kind of intriguing, if i must say. The first 300 pages into the book, i was fairly convinced this was going to be my first 5 star read of the year but somethings just fell flat after those 300 pages. It's a very good book and i actually enjoyed it alot but some aspects it felt flat at certain times.

I loved Clara's character initially but as the story progressed, she started seeming more unreasonable at times but i do get why she was like that considering how she was being lied to by every single character. The revelation of Arina at the end, kind of surprised me a little but i felt it a little unnecessary, i guess but I'll wait for the next book before making that conclusion. As for Kaelis. I still dont know how to think about him. Am i supposed to trust him or not? i actually kind of liked how we still dont know about it. it keeps the mystery alive and makes me want to pick up the next book.

I actually had hoped that Kaelis and Clara did not give in to their attraction and just kept that tension going. It kind of added to the fun of reading because why is she in bed with a guy she cant even trust? She isn't even sure of his involvement with her mother case or the fact if he will betray her or not but she gives in, which didnt look very smart on her part. It just felt unnvessary. it felt like they had to add the "spice" just for there to be some "spice" which i felt like ruined the flow of the book (for me, atleast)

Would you give up your future to wield magic?

Arcana Academy is a mix Kova's previous series: the dark prince x commoner aspect of Air Awakens, an unique and intricate magic system like Loom Saga and the spice of Married to Magic.

The plot is keeping me on my toes! Each development surprised me because the card / tarot based magic is unlike anything I've read before. I couldn’t guess a single thing in this book. My brain isn’t creative enough.

I appreciate how Clara genuinely hated Kaelis and did not give a description of his appearance until she was comparing him and his brother. Kaelis seems to be attracted to her but hates it so very Jude and Cardan. They have a similar push and pull too.

I immensely enjoyed reading this. I loved the magic system and romance. I think the characters took a back seat to the plot and world building. Next book I’d like for the side characters to be more fleshed out and more character development from Clara and Kaelis.

"Love me, hate me, but only look at me like my existence sets you on fire."

Are you kidding me? I just finished, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This was amazing, and now what do I do!? NOW WHAT DO I DO? Arcana Academy was SO FUN. THIS is enemies to lovers. THIS is slow burn. THIS is fantasy romance. THIS is marriage of convenience. I've read a few of Elise Kova's books, and this is my favorite by far. I'm obsessed with Kaelis and Clara. Clara is such a badass and Kaelis is still so unknowable to me. I loved this plot. I loved the magic system. I loved the battle scenes. I love a dark academy. Honestly, I loved it all.

I'm so glad I picked this up. Thank you Elise Kova, DelRay and NetGalley for this eARC. I really feel like this could be one of the next big fantasy romance series.

"There is no world in which you do not consume my very being."

You already know this book ATE when I highlight half the dang thing, ok?! RUN DONT WALK TO ADD THIS BOOK TO YOUR TBR!!!

💫TROPES & THEMES 💫
✔️ NA romantasy
✔️ forced/fake engagement
✔️ slow burn romance
✔️ dark academia vibes
✔️ a heist
✔️ tarot card magic system
✔️ BA FMC

This story right here will live rent free in my head for the next decade, maybe longer I can promise you that. Elise Kova has created the most incredibly rich and magically fascinating world in this new series. From the very first page I was completely enraptured by the story. Clara is one tough cookie FMC, and being in her head while learning this new world helped me understand and follow along so easily!

I always struggle to learn very diverse and deep world building/magic systems/lore. Not here! Not only is Elise a mastermind at creating top notch unique worlds, but she writes it clearly and interestingly that you don’t struggle to understand. And not only that, but the ROMANCE?! *chef kiss*

The romance is one for the ages and the lines that were falling out of the MMC’s mouth had me screeching into my pillow because SIR. 🙈 it was adorable and so very romance and then we even had a little spice sprinkled into it are you kidding me?!?

This was a big book - but never once did it get boring. NEVER. I was hooked the entire time. Waking up at 4 am diving back in because I couldn’t stop reading. The last chunk was so wild and drama filled, and the twists and turns snatched my ponytail into orbit. I still can’t get over that ENDING!!!!

Gosh, do I feel alive after reading that. This book, hands down, will go down as one of my top favorite books I’ve ever read. I am so exciting to read what happens next!! Thank you so much Elise and Kay from Delreybooks for sending me an e-arc. I truly can’t say thank you enough for picking me. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy and reread it all over again. I’m OBSESSED!!!

I have no words for how good this book is. It is like a fantastic combination of Harry Potter, One Dark Window, and Once Upon A Broken Heart with some spice thrown in. This world is built in the magic of tarot cards, and it was a world that wasn’t too complicated to understand, but the magical elements flowed and made sense unlike about 3/4 of the fantasy books I have read this year. The FMC was relatable and strong without making my eyes roll. The enemies to lovers romance was palpable and chefs kiss. The best book I have read in 2025 so far!

Immediately after finishing this book I was convinced that this was very close to a highlight for me. Because the magic system ... just wow.
Now, a couple days later, I find myself not remembering too much beside the magic system, which ultimately made me knock it down to 4 stars with potential for more in the next books.

What did not work for me enough were the characters. The main protagonists were fine, though not too much more. The side characters were underdeveloped - but I'm hoping for much more there in the books to come.

But now I'll tell you why you should read the book regardless: the magic system! Tarot magic! Wielding tarot cards as weapons! A secret card of all cards!

Yep, I was utterly blown away by this and couldn't get enough. So now I can't wait for book 2.

4/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @delreybooks for the eARC!

#ArcanaAcademy #Netgalley #Bookstagram

Holy moly!! In my opinion, this is the romantasy book of 2025.

I normally love to paraphrase the books in my own words and give a quick synopsis of what it is about, but in all honesty, there is no way to summarize this book beside just calling it what it is, incredible.

The magic in this world is unlike anything else I have read and gives such a fresh take on magical worlds. Elise Kova does such an incredible job setting a baseline into the magic and lore of the world and expanding on it as she writes in a way that blends so well into the story without feeling bulky and cumbersome. Honestly, this may be one of my favorite type of magic casting because it is so multilayered.

I love a good he falls first romance and the way it was added with the enemies to lovers and that slow burn, it was sheer perfection. I love Clara and Kaelis and their inability to get their life together simultaneously. But when they get together? Whew, we loved that.

And they how DARE they leave on that ending?! I need the next book like yesterday! I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

My only con to the book is that it got a bit wordy at times and even as enthralled with the book as I was, I felt my attention sway sometimes. And I still find it hard to picture the Academy. Other than that, it was beautifully written and a captivating story.

Arcana Academy drew me in immediately. I was intrigued with the tarot magic system. The book has a dark academia setting but also feels mysterious as the FMC Clara must essentially go undercover to fulfill a bargain with the second born prince Kaelis. They are enemies forced to work together under the ruse of her being his betrothed. The banter between the two was good along with angst and a slow burn. Trust was difficult for them and the romance was affected. There were also elements of found family, hidden identity, morally grey characters, and a thrilling heist. There was definitely a sense of foreboding towards the latter part that kept me glued to the pages. I wasn't sure whom to trust or what to believe. I enjoyed the book and will definitely plan to read the subsequent books in the series. I think Elise Kova has something special here. I thank Del Rey and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5⭐️
Grateful to Del Ray for sending me an ARC to read of this book!

Clara, prisoner in the worst cells possible, is an Archanist who has been practicing tarot illegally. The crown controls who can use magic (along with other resources) and Clara has been doing everything in her power to help those less fortunate. When taken in front of the price that sent her to prison, she is left alone- giving her the chance to escape. But not is all as it seems with the void-born second price, the king, the city, arcana academy or even Clara’s memories.

I forget what a great world-builder Elise is, and this book reaffirmed my love of her writing. It had also been some time since I read one of her adult books and forgot that she does write spicy scenes. I really enjoyed this first book in the series, I truly wasn’t sure what type of world/relationships/strife was being created.

The magic system created with the tarot is interesting- with knowing a bit about the deck myself I loved that each card had powers both separate and similar to their meanings. I did have the thought that while characters only use magic in regard to the cards, can they not use it in other ways?

I can’t wait to see what the second book will bring as this left it on a rather good revelation I somewhat suspected, but was surprised at the timing of.

Arcana Academy takes place in a world where the magic system is dependent on tarot. While the initial description was really interesting the book was just okay. You meet the main character when she is a prisoner for illegally using tarot cards. The male main character is the same character that you see in every romantasy these days. Dark, brooding and misunderstood. But he is only misunderstood because our fmc never bothers to ask him any questions and spends the majority of the time operating on her incorrect assumptions. This book relied too heavily on miscommunication/ just purposeful ignorance by all characters. It drives me crazy when the plot largely hinges on the main characters inability to ask questions to the people around them. The romance was fine, but still the relationship fell to the same miscommunication trope that plagues the rest of the book. Overall, kind of a bummer because I was hoping for something more original, especially from a seasoned author like Kova.

4.5 stars

The world of tarot is getting its fantasy due, not just with Agatha all Along but definitely with Arcana Academy. It's extremely complicated - so you may have to re-read things a few times - but it is worth it. For a long book, packed with plot and teased out story lines there is still A LOT that is not resolved. This sets the stage, now the pieces are placed and let's see where book two goes.

I know there's spice and a love(ish) story but I generally skip all that. It didnt draw me in as much as the mystery at the heart of the saga that still isn't even revealed.

Easily my fastest 5 star I’ve ever given. This book sucked me in from the very start. The world building, the slow burn romance, the characters. All phenomenal. The spice is pretty minimal, it’s open door but not explicit. If you want less violent fourth wing but swap dragons for tarot and more grown up Harry Potter than this is for you. The romance is giving Hozier because Kaelis would crawl home to Clara if it would please her, he burns and pines for her and doesn’t keep it a secret. The author truly understands relationships and connection as every relationship between Clara the FMC is believable and well thought out. I cannot say enough good things about Arcana Academy. I want more already. I will definitely be re-reading again.

thank you netgalley and hodderscape for a review copy!

I was hooked from the first page of this book and could not put it down!! i think the magic system in this book is definitely a reason to pick it up, it is based of tarot and i found it really well explained because it seems like so much to remember in the beginning but the fights are described really well. The tension and slow burn + forced proximity was immaculate and accompanied the plot so well! Speaking of the plot, there were so many twists and turns some I predicted but others (especially the ending) were so unexpected!! THE ENDING!!!! it was such a shock and now i am DESPERATE for sequel!! Also the setting of a the academy is perfect and i love books set in any sort of school and it adds to the amazing story. The writing was amazing and you know I love Elise Kova and this may be one of my favourite books by her! I could yap about this book for days but i 100% recommend EVERYONE to preorder it…

Anything witchy,magical I am here for and this book didn’t disappoint

The tension between the two MCs was everything and the magic system is very unique I loved it

This was a very unique medium paced fantasy book. The romance aspect definitely takes the back burner but when you get the two MCs together the tension is everything! There are a LOT of unanswered questions in this book and I’m definitely looking forward to book two to see if my suspicious are correct. And the ending? Complete twist that I didn’t see coming. My only issue with this book is the first 20-30% felt a little long and some parts were unnecessary. But once you get 40ish percent in it’s chaos and I loved it! I’d definitely recommend and will be reading book 2.
Thank you so much Del Rey for the arc!