Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy. First I want to say that I have only read Elise Kova’s Air Awakens series. I enjoyed it but I must say I think I loved Arcana Academy even more.

We start the book out with Clara imprisoned in Halazar Prison. Clara illegally inked tarot cards and was thrown in prison. The warden had Clara continue to ink illegal cards while in prison. Prince Kaelis comes to the prison and Clara tries to escape.

The prince tells Clara that he needs her to help him make forged tarot cards to fool his father the king to be able to create the world card that is rumored to be a myth. He tells Clara that she will need to enroll in Arcana academy that he is the headmaster of and tells his brother that she is his betrothed.

This book had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the tarot card magic system and how Clara interacted with friends and Prince Kaelis. I may have saw one twist coming at the end, but there were so many twists that surprised me. I was at the edge of my seat wondering whom Clara could trust. I have already preordered this book after reading this arc and I can not wait for the following 2 books. Elise Kova’s books keep getting better and better!

The world building and magic system in this book is so unique! I was so taken by the magic system and the plot, I had a hard time putting it down. My biggest struggle was definitely the characters. I didn't really care for any of them. That said, I highly recommend this book and I hate that I have to wait so long for the next one.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fantasy
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: July 22, 2025
📖 576 pages

⭐️ 5/5
🌶 2/5

✨️ Forbidden Magic
⚡️ Unique Magic System
❤️ Super Slow Burn
⌛️ Dark Academia
🗡 Epic Heist + Trials
📚 Fake Engagement
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to Lovers

Arcana Academy is perfect for lovers of The Shepherd King duology and Harry Potter! From unique tarot magic, a fake engagement with a super slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and a heist to end all heists, you won't be able to put it down!

The beginning feels very Dramoine-coded, and I love it. Our prince is grumpy and gorgeous, and our FMC is a sassy spitfire with a penchant for violence.

If you love Harry Potter, there are a lot of parallels in the beginning (ie, magic academy, trials w/ magic cup like the goblet of fire and the way each house has very specific criteria for their initiates.) These parallels are probably what hooked me, but the story is so fast-paced, I love the slow burn between Kaelis and Clara, and the tension built by the events leading up to the heist are perfection! I adored how strong Clara is and how head over heels Kaelis is for her.

Thank you so much, Del Rey and NetGalley, for the digital review copy!

⚠️ grief, some foul language, explicit sexual content around 80%

As a fan of Elise Kova's work, this did not disappoint. An exciting, thrilling new series. Her writing is enchanting and this may be a bit darker than her usual work but that's why I adored it.

I received an eARC copy through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher, Del Rey, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own. Thank you!

If you grew up reading about a certain scarred boy wizard, like I did, and are looking for something to scratch that itch as an adult without the bigot baggage, then this is the book for you!
A magical boarding school full of hidden passages and rooms? Check!
A gifted/special orphan against some powerful evil forces? Check!
While she fights to stay alive at school and solve the mysteries surrounding her family? Check!
A nice, balanced blend of world building, magic, action, and romance? Check!

Overall, I loved it and had a hard time putting the book down, especially for the last quarter. The way it ended has me wishing book 2 was out already. I don't know how I'm going to wait!

My favorite part was the magic system. I have been a professional tarot reader for almost a decade now and having a magic system based on tarot was very intriguing to me. I loved just how much tarot is incorporated into, not just the magic, but the world building as well.
I could also tell Kova either did a lot of research on tarot meanings and symbolism or even reads the cards herself. As a reader and fan of tarot, I really appreciated that extra attention to detail.

For the romance, it's billed as an enemies to lovers trope. Too often, I feel like authors forget the enemies part of that and go straight to the lovers part. I don't feel that way and issue with Arcana Academy, though. The FMC and the MMC definitely had both delightful and frustrating tension, which I expect from enemies to lovers, throughout the entire book. You can tell that it will be an ongoing thing through the next book at least.

I do want to mention there are a couple sex scenes towards the end of the book. Nothing too racy, imo, and they can be skipped without taking away from the book for readers who may be averse.

I discovered Elise Kova a few years ago by chance when one of her Married to Magic books was on sale and I am so glad I gave her a chance! She never disappoints and Arcana Academy is no exception. I anticipate this will be one of my top reads for 2025.

I would rate this book 3 1/2 stars. What I enjoyed most about this book is how unique the plot line was. It kept me intrigued with the story. I also enjoyed how it was a fast paced story and it didn’t feel like the plot dragged on. The romance was the aspect I didn’t enjoy as much just because it wasn’t my cup of tea. I didn’t feel a connection between the two characters, but with that being said I think this is a unique fantasy book and I am intrigued to see how the story develops in book two!

I am a big fan of Elise Kova, so I was very much looking forward to this new series. I was not disappointed at all. The magic system in this book is so cool, on a couple different levels. It was really interesting to see how it all worked. I also liked the romance, eventually. I could see the MMC was more than meets the eye, and I ended up really liking him. Also, there is A LOT going on in this book. So many mysteries, and questions that I need answered. The end was a great set up for the next book which will be a long wait for me. Definitely going to continue this series.

Tarot cards, enemies to lovers, slooooow burn. This book was so unique and fun (but also serious haha). It was a breath of fresh air as a fantasy reader. I will be looking forward to continuing this series. Thank you NetGalley and Del Ray for sending me an eARC for review!

Exactly what I'm looking for when I pick up a romantasy. So glad I was able to read this early. Incorporating tarot was interesting and fresh. I couldn't stop reading until i finished. Will definitely be recommending

This book was pleasantly surprising. I didn't have a whole lot of expectations going in, since creating new, original magic systems is a rare occurrence these days. The way the magic of the tarot cards was turned into a weapon was really neat, and the plotline was solid. The tension was tensioning, and the enemies to lovers was sooooooo good.

Already excited for book two!

Arcana Academy was a really fresh and fun book in the midst of so many books that feel like other books. The magic system felt very unique and different. It still had plenty of tropes/items people love: enemies-to-lover main couple, found family, magic school (far closer to A Deadly Education than Harry Potter) and trials. But overall, the magic system really stood out. I did enjoy the main characters and each had their own driving motives that really didn't falter. I enjoyed the twists and turns, even though I can't say they were too surprising. I'm very much looking forward to seeing where it goes next, especially after the cliffhanger ending!

Where to start with this! Elise Kova ate!! I can see why this is going to be a very popular release. The world building is incredible, the magic system I was worried it would be too similar to other tarot card books like ‘One Dark Window’ but it’s so so different. I was vibing with the enemies to lovers and the ending gave me goosebumps! I cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copy when it comes out. July 22nd can’t come soon enough!!

First off let me say my rating should NOT influence whether you try this book out. Read it because it sounds up your alley then decide for yourself!!

The thing that hooked me was the Tarot Card magic. However the book did expect you to have some prior knowledge (at least without referencing the glossary). As someone who can read Tarot, if not great but passing, I didn’t have any difficult tracking what was what. The entire magic system was very intriguing, even if it was very complex.

The romance was a back seat to the entire story, and by back seat I mean the last row. I enjoyed the parts there were but would have loved more.

Overall - really cool high fantasy magical story. Very on brand from the other books I’ve read from this author.


Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

All of the Elise Kova’s books are excellent. She has a very engrossing and detailed writing.style. This book stood out from the rest, though it was even better than I expected it to be. The only negative thing I have to say is that I’m super sad that I have to wait for the next installment.!

I really enjoyed this book! The magic system was unique and the world building peaked my interest. Not to mention the tension between our two love interests? I loved the vibes of this book, and I can’t wait to read on in this series!

I honestly don’t think I will have sufficient words to express how much I loved this book. I delayed reading the last 20 min because I didn’t want it to end. The world building was great and the development of the characters gave me people to root for. A cause to root for.

AND THAT ENDING!!!! Elise!!!! Girl you outdid yourself on this one friend.

My one and only comment (outside of my utter praise and upmost respect for this book) is I wish the tarot card summary were at the beginning and not the end. I myself am not familiar with the tarot card meanings so I had to learn along the way. And I can definitely see how that might deter people from finishing the book.

Other than that, I am so thankful to have gotten to read this. I already added this to the list of books my book club will need to read when it comes out. Can’t wait to hold a physical copy!!

I absolutely loved the tarot card magic system. It's was very unique and awesome! I did feel like the pacing wasnt very consistent and that did make it harder to get through. Over all I really enjoyed this.

Sadly, I wasn't as interested in this one as I thought I would be. It was very YA to me (in a not so good way), and I felt like the characters were sort of flat and a bit annoying. The detail in the magic system and the world were great. I enjoyed reading and learning about the tarot cards and the way they are created and imbued. I think the attention to detail is 4/5, but the rest of the story wasn't super engaging. The romance felt so forced! I also sort of felt like this was a little on the nose with another magical school that I'm not so fond of. IYKYK. You probably know.

Overall, not for me, but I can appreciate many aspects of it still.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for an ARC of Arcana Academy by Elise Kova.

First let me say I've read a few Elise Kova books, but this one is by far my favorite! I'm huge fan of the dark Academia genera, so I knew right from the start I was going to love this book.
The magic system in this book is incredible! The whole aspect of weaving Tarot and the major Arcane into the story is so well done.
Our Two leads, Clara and Kaelis have a love/hate relationship, just like any good enemies to lover story. And yes this is romance book, but the romance doesn't over the main plot, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The only thing I will say is, it does end on a pretty wicked cliff hanger. But I love a good cliff hanger,so that didn't bother me at all.
If you like Dark Academia, magic, lovers to enemies, then I think you will really enjoy this book. I can't wait to read the next one.

I need book 2 immediately! I really enjoyed this from start to finish. The world building and magic system were well thought out and something new which I loved! I can’t wait to see where this series goes, we need more Kaelis ASAP!