*screams into megaphone* This book was IT, y'all. I desperately needed a fantasy romance (but heavy on the fantasy) to reignite that spark for me. Not so say I fell out of love with the genre, but after reading quite a few within the past year or 2 every story every other story started to feel... meh. 😕 I enjoy popular tropes just as much as the book girlie, but I really felt like Elise Kova really knocked this one out of the park. The core elements of the book may have not been original (magic school, FMC imprisoned at the start of the series, etc) but what she was able to do with those elements were what really solidified this as one of the top books to read this year, so far.

I think my favorite part(s) may have been the intricate magic system and the school "house" system/curriculum. Above even the romance sub-plot which is a surprise to even myself. It felt reminiscent to HP/Hogwarts and Fourth Wing, but possibly better?? I was/am utterly fascinated by the tarot card magic and spells.

My only real "critique" was that sometimes the pacing of the book felt off. There would be random time jumps that would intend to move the story along to important events (trials and tests during the school year) spanning odd intervals of time (from days to 4-6+ weeks), and the main characters wouldn't interact at all during these gaps. It almost made it hard to a believe any genuine connection besides surface level physical attraction was possible, HOWEVER, I'm not quite sure how long this series intends to be so I personally don't mind a slow burn. The cliffhanger ending should also be criminal.

Thank you so much to Del Rey for the opportunity to read this one early. I genuinely can't wait for my fellow fantasy lovers to meet their newest obsession in Prince Kaelis and Clara. 🖤

I like this book! I love the magic and someone supernatural themes that we’re going on in this book. It was entertaining and the book had some really interesting characters, and really good pacing of the story. I liked it, and it was different from what I typically would read.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

What a great book. The build up of the magical world was exceptional, it was the best aspect of the book. It did have a YA feel to it, but it was well written so that wasn’t an issue at all. I would highly recommend this book to any fan of the fantasy genre. Character development was great, and a world was created which I want to spend more time in.

I have read Elisa Kova before, and this one was hard for me. I felt that it had lots of potential with the world magic of tarot cards. If the reader has never been exposed to the world of tarot…. This story will probably end up on the dnf for them. I would have included tarot illustrations to help them imagine the FMC when she inks them for aid.
The romance was on par as always, but because the world building was a bit much…. It created frustration. Hopefully book 2 will flow smoother.

This was really fun! It did lean a bit YA, which isn’t my favorite but otherwise, I had a really great time reading this. The world building and magic was easy to understand and I can’t wait to see where book two leads.

I have had a long and tumultuous history with the romantasy genre and while I do enjoy these kinds of books, most releases now are a bit derivative and thoughtless. Publishing has become nearly formulaic in its approach to works that fall into this category; they require a dark, brooding MMC, a badass MFC with an untapped reservoir of power, and of course, enemies to lovers.

Unfortunately, Arcana Academy falls victim to these requirements.

Clara Greysword, a convict in the infamous Halazar prison, is the main character in Arcana Academy. After an unsuccessful escape attempt, she is apprehended by Kaelis, the royal family's second child and the headmaster of Arcanan Academy. He challenges her to uncover the alleged 21st card of the Tarot, or he will return her to Halazar. Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy under the guise of being his betrothed and enrolls her as a student.

One aspect of the book that I love is the magic system. The magic in the book relies solely on tarot cards and depending on what card is pulled, the character will be able to use a special ability. Also, the four different suits of cards are aligned with a different element. I thought this system was creative and unique.

Aside from the magic, I thought the plot was a little too predictable. I understand that some people are unfamiliar with the romantasy genre or prefer to read the same type of story over and over; if you are one of those people, I highly recommend checking out this book! However, everything was so banal that I was uninterested in what was happening.

P.S. This has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the book but I hate the name Eclipse City. And the love interest has purple hair and I can’t take him seriously.

As always, a special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

THANK YOU Elise Kova, Random House and NetGalley for this early view of Arcana Academy.

You are going to want to put this on your shelves immediately!

Arcana Academy follows Clara, an incarcerated young woman who was arrested for illegally practicing magic with tarot cards. Her story begins when unexpectedly Kaelis, the second born prince to the kingdom and headmaster of the elite Arcana Academy, instigates her release from the prison. He enrolls her at the Academy and tells everyone she's his fiancee.

There are twists and turns, political intrigue, rivals, friends that become family, very slow burn romance and of course, magic! It checks every box for a romantasy fan.

My overall rating is 4.5 stars because 1) the world building is incredibly detailed however, it does cause the beginning to lag quite a bit. However, once the story line starts picking up, you are hooked! 2) HOLY CLIFFHANGER! Like, what?! I have to wait for this book to release and then wait for the next book? Sweet agony!!

Elise Kova has outdone herself with the Arcana Academy!! Despite the complex nature of the world building magic, I found the use of tarot fascinating. And what really hooked me were the dynamics between Clara and Kaelis … those two were just *chef kiss* Then throw in the ever evolving list of who Clara can actually trust … SOLD!! A fantastic read, can’t wait for book two!

4 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley & Random House / Del Rey Publishing for the copy of the eARC!

What a stunning book! I was hooked from the start! The world building was so interesting, I loved the magic system and I thought it was so captivating and unique!

I'm so in love with the world that the author created, the dark academia vibes were magnificent!! I loved learning about the academy & the tarot card magic. I also loved the tension & chemistry between Clara & Kaelis! I adore the fake dating/engagement trope, especially in a fantasy book, and I feel like the author did an amazing job writing their relationship! The ending of this book was absolutely jaw dropping and I can't wait to see what happens next!

This is definitely the perfect book for lovers of dark academia, slow burn and enemies to lovers fantasy romance!

Wow! I was hooked from the moment I started reading this book. It checks all my boxes: 1. a very unique magic system; I loved how the power comes from inking the cards + the knowledge of what they can do, versus just using the cards themselves, 2. a badass, determined and powerful FMC (that sometimes is too headstrong for her own good) 3. a dark and brooding enemy prince, 4. an academy setting and lastly, chosen family! I cannot wait for the rest of this series to come out. I will be (not so) patiently waiting. In the meantime, this has inspired me to check out the rest of Elise Kova's book series, especially Air Awakens and A Trial of Sorcerers. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

Woof! That was the most fun and the most anxiety-riddled ride I’ve taken since tucking into a romantasy this year! Thank you Kova! My first read by this author and she’s ensured misery in my existence until book 2 releases.... 😩

Mysterious, magical, clever and unique, delectable, devious & absolutely brutal, Arcana Academy will require your focus and time, but it is well mf'n worthy. It will grip you, then leave you dangling on an evil, maddening precipice. Choooweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

*Book One of The Arcana Academy Series* - Oh gimme more, gimme more!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for this arc in exchange for review. My opinions, albeit maniacal, are all my own.

Pub date: 7.22.2025.

Arcana Academy is going to be the next major Romantasy trilogy, and it absolutely deserves that title. The magic system is based on tarot cards, but in a very unique way. It's refreshing to read a fantasy that felt both familiar and fresh.

Is there a shadow daddy? Yes, but don't fix what isn't broken. The enemies-to-lovers-to-? is well done and doesn't feel forced. The main characters are well-developed- if I have any criticism for the book, it's that the side characters could be slightly more memorable/diverse. Pacing is very good, there isn't a lull in the action but I didn't feel like I was struggling to keep up, either.

I can see this being a massive hit with fans of Fourth Wing and One Dark Window and am looking forward to books two and three.

Elise Kova delivers a spellbinding start to a new series with Arcana Academy, blending intricate world-building, a unique tarot-based magic system, and compelling romance. Clara Graysword is a flawed yet relatable protagonist whose impulsive nature can frustrate but adds depth to her character. The enemies-to-lovers romance is slow-burning and filled with tension, while Prince Kaelis is the perfect mix of charm and danger. Although the side characters and found family relationships lack emotional depth, the vibrant magic system and suspenseful plot more than make up for it. Some overly detailed descriptions feel unnecessary, but they don’t detract from the book’s fast-paced and gripping narrative. The final chapters are packed with heart-pounding twists that leave you desperate for the next installment. If you’re a fan of magical academies, romance, and mysteries, Arcana Academy is a must-read that showcases Kova at her best.

I meant to read something simple before diving into a new world, but I read the first couple of sentences and I was instantly hooked. I couldn't put this down. The magic system is entirely unique and a lot of fun. I enjoyed the world building but there is a lot of it. I was impressed at how well the author built the world without dragging the book down. Even with so much information I never felt confused. The storytelling and writing is incredible. I loved the plot, but I'm also a sucker for darker academy books. The academy is for magic so the characters are early 20s and the main character acts mature which is a huge plus. I really loved her. Her intentions and stakes were well driven into the plot. You also get forced engagement/bonds with the enemy. Twists. Some you see coming and some you don't. I want book two!!!!

Loved the hook and premise. The book was a bit slow to start but picked up after that! Would read whatever’s next.

I have seen this book floating around everywhere and on everyone’s TBR. So I just had to dive into it immediately and it was everything I could hope for. I can see this becoming the next big thing!

I’ve enjoyed some of Elise Kova’s books in the past but holy crap is this one GOOD! The magic system was so well thought out and easy to follow (thank you for a glossary of the tarot cards). I’m a huge fan when magic systems come at a cost, and this is one of them. The world building was easy to follow and creates such an air of mystery even up to the end of the book. With such a large cast of characters, it can sometimes be difficult to follow and keep track of who is who, but that wasn’t the case for Arcana Academy. Each character had their own traits and quirks that set them apart from others, as well as their own importance to play. The tension between Cara and Kaelis was beautifully written as well. I’m curious to find out if they’re endgame or not, and how this relationship evolves in the next book. Overall, this was an intense dark magical academia read and I will be eagerly anticipating the next book! A nail bitter all the way to the end and I’m sure it’ll continue until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

I've read most of Elise Kova's work and this one by far was her best work in my opinion for fantasy, the world building was unique and the plot twists were ones that if you managed to figure them out then you paid close attention plus a bit of guesswork. The whole time I was reading, I was trying to figure out how each part of the puzzle works into each other and for myself that makes an enjoyable read. The complex magic system was genuinely new and unlike most other ones by use of the tarot card deck being imbued with magic for the arcanist's use. The scenes between Elisa and Kaelis always had you on the edge of your seat to see if they'd give in, however I just wish we had a bit more time with the two of them given the story though it was a bit understandable.

Overall this was a fantastic read and I'll be eagerly awaiting the second book whenever it gets published.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙛 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
🃏🗡️🖤⛓️‍💥✨🃏🗡️🖤⛓️‍💥✨🃏🗡️🖤⛓️‍💥✨🃏🗡️

The way I’m still waiting for that physical galley to be in my hands as promised😭✋ but alas I’ve only gotten the e-arc which I’m still so incredibly thankful for because I got to read one of my most anticipated reads by one of my favorite authors!

This is the first time I’ve seen Elise Kova branch out to something very different in her world of writing and boy was it a ride! I enjoyed it so much that I’m just waiting for book 2 to be in my hands but I actually have to WAIT?? Now I regret reading it early because it means I have to wait LONGER *sigh*.

~This is Elise Kovas first fantasy romance with graphic adult content about a girl named Clara who was released from rotting in prison by a charismatic prince, Kaellis who strikes a deal with her. Become his bride and pretend she’s absolutely in love with him to help him reach his goal- and then she would never have to go back to the prison. She ends up becoming a student at a school called Arcana Academy in which the prince owns and wants her to participate in the trials (for his gain) as she is one of the best tarot card users he’s ever come across. She agrees to all this to avenge her mother that she believes he killed, and find her sister that went missing.~

This book wonderfully crafted the use of tarot card magic system. I was so astound with the way Kova created this use of magical abilities that it was mostly my focus on the book in navigating and understanding that system. Although she claims it’s a romantasy, I myself would argue that it leans more on just fantasy then considerably a “romantasy”. Although there is romance that I absolutely adored, it didn’t really seem like main focus as I could tell the author had more intrest in just building this world.

*might have slight spoilers here*
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
In terms of charcaters I loved Kaellis and Clara both individually. There’s no denying that Kaellis is that typical big bad and brooding mmc, however, there was a touch to him I found to be completely Elise Kova style. In fact there’s a good chunk of the time he reminded me of Alarik from ‘Air Awakens’ and that just made me reminisce on why I love her work so much. There were also many other characters I enjoyed that I found to be fascinating that you’ll meet such as Alora, Silas, and Myrion and whom charcater that peaked my intrest.

As for romance, it was SLOW burn for sure. I personally felt there was a lot of yearning from the MMCs side, but you can also say twords the end of the book it lead to “we’re just doing this to let it out of our system” so I feel like we didn’t very get much one on one moments between the two lovers. Every chapter I read I was waiting for Kaellis to come back because he made the story intresting 😭. But given this is a trilogy- I’m hoping and praying there won’t be another male love intrest- but I’m guessing it was done on purpose since there two more books left and we will see a better romance development later on! Also I’ve never seen Elise Kova step up her game in steamy content- there was only two small scenes but DAMN I almost questioned if I was reading a Elise Kova book🔥

That being said this is book 1 from a trilogy, I’m so beyond excited to see where this goes next because this book did not disappoint!! Lowkey feel like Vahlla and Alarik in another universe.

Tropes🃏:
-enemies to allies/sorta lovers
-marriage of convenience
-tarot cards magic
-close proximity
-betrayal
-found family

If you like:
-one dark window
-arcane
-sorta critical role vibes

I absolutely devoured this! I went in with virtually no understanding of Tarot, but I'm a big Elise Kova fan, so of course I was excited. This novel does a great job of introducing the reader to the concepts of Tarot through an incredibly unique magic system. And, of course, there's a prince with questionable morals, a jaded young woman who just wants her freedom.... This is a great pickup for any romantasy lover!