Spoiler free review:
I didn’t know exactly what I was getting into when I started this book. Tarot isn’t a common story line within book series, much less the entire Magic System aspect. Elsie Kova did a masterful job of introducing me to a new magic system, while still making it fresh and inviting to readers of High Fantasy and Romantasy. It was immersive, engaging, and easy to follow, while still being thorough and highly detailed. This is my first book from Elsie Kova, which seems tragic since I have heard many good things about her Married to Magic series. There were times that I felt like the pacing was a little slow, but it never last too long, keeping you ultimately engaged and hanging on for just once more chapter.

Clara was a heroine for the ages. She knew what she wanted and what she was fighting for; despite these traits I thought she was naive at various points throughout the entire book. When presented with new information, she was slow to acceptance and it became frustrating to see her struggling. The main love interest, the void-born prince, Kaelis, was dynamic yet slow to like. I’m still not entirely sure if I like or trust Kaelis, but that is the sign of a well-written and dynamic character. This was a true “enemies to lovers” story, but the romance wasn’t the focal point. Clara’s true love was reserved for her family, both blood and found, which was endearing for the reader throughout this journey. The side characters were wonderful and plentiful, each feeling fleshed out thoughtfully.

The vibes of this book are on par with Harry Potter. This was evident in the four various “Houses”, as well as the Trial of the Sun Queen from the additional trials Clara must face. This book felt fresh to me, regardless of similarities to previous magical literature, as Elsie Kova introduced it all in a new way, with an entirely new magic system that I couldn’t stop thinking about. The wait for the sequel is going to be HARD, since it was left on a heartbreaking cliffhanger. I can’t wait to see what is in store for this series, as well as what else this author introduces in the future.

Thank you Netgalley, as well as Del Rey publishing, for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

5 Stars
Arcana Academy is the first book of a new series called Arcana Academy. A fantasy world of magic and tarot cards. An escape from a prison lands in the arms of the prince-headmaster of the mysterious academy. It’s a fantasy world with romance, adventure and escapades with some interesting yet amusing moments between the escapee and the prince. A mysterious plots occur and fights between students and epic encounters. It’s like being on a fun fair ride, edge of the seat and extremely hard to put down book from the start to the last word. Small hints and clues are given to readers along the way but leaves some hints to the imagination. Certainly gives readers a clue of what might occur in the next book.

all I can say is WOW! This story blends together academia, trials, a unique magic system with tarot cards, and a fake engagement with a student and headmaster! I was enthralled with the storyline, invested in the history and the magic system, and absolutely loved the fmc! this story had twists and turns and had my jaw on the floor! I need the second book already!!!! this was so well written and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book start to finish.

This was such an interesting story that captured my attention from the start. Arcana Academy is such an interesting take on fantasy mixing together unique ideas and common concepts many have heard of like tarot cards. I really liked the main character and her desire to protect and take care of her sister. I do wish there was a little more explanation at the beginning to help the reader understand some of the way the world worked without needing to constantly go to the glossary but overall it was a great read.

Arcana Academy feels like the perfect blend of my favorite fantasy books—think Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing meets Throne of Glass—but for adults! The world-building is immersive, the characters are compelling, the magic is exciting, and that cliffhanger left me reeling. I can't wait for the sequel!

Big thanks to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Inklore for the advanced copy :)

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

I’m honestly having trouble even processing that this is over and I now have to just go live my life like this book didn’t just wreck me and alter my brain chemistry. WHAT DO I DO NOW!?!? 😭 I can’t stress how good this is. The absolutely 💯 unique and original world building and magic system. The Academia vibes bring a little school of wizardry nostalgia mixed with dangerous trials. BUT the whole Tarot thing is amazing, that’s a magic system I have absolutely never read before! I’ll be honest it took me a while to get into it, it’s dense world building and A LOT of info to learn but by about 40% in I was so invested and it just kept getting better and better. Trust me (the is Crescent City level world building iykyk) just keep going, read that world building, it is worth it because this turns into one of the best books I’ve read this year. Hands down this is absolutely phenomenal! ♾️ ⭐️’s.
Oh and the slow burn turns into the most delicious spice ever with some of the absolute BEST quotes I’ve ever highlighted! 🥵 🔥🔥🔥🔥 probably a 🌶️🌶️🌶️ on the spice-o-meter.

“Yes,” he rasps against my lips, voice heavy and low with desperate need. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to have you. Claimed you. Make you mine beyond recognition.”

OMG 🥵🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠

THANK YOU to NetGalley for my eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Received as a free digital arc from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and freely given.

Okay…. First of all, obsessed. And second of all, still freaking obsessed! This is my first time reading any book written by Elise Kova and let me just say I’m officially a huge fan and about to go buy every single book she’s ever written. I already have the special edition of this book pre ordered and gonna stare out my window and sigh pitifully until it arrives in July!

Enemy to lovers, magic tarot cards, a dark prince, pretend engagement, excellent world building, spice that was absolutely spicing 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️, and an ending that leaves you in shock.
Add it to your TBR because it’s a must read!

Arcana Academy by Elise Kova is a vibrant and ambitious start to what promises to be an engrossing series. Earning a solid four stars, the novel impresses with a richly detailed world and an innovative magic system centered on tarot cards—one of the most creative I've encountered in fantasy literature.

From the outset, the book introduces a unique blend of magical academia and high-stakes adventure. Although it took me a little while (about a third of the way through) to fully latch onto the narrative, once I did, the story swept me along. The plot deftly weaves together multiple intriguing elements: a magical academy that challenges its students with perilous trials, a high-energy heist, complex political maneuvering, and a slow-burn mystery that leaves you with plenty of questions to ponder long after the final page.

One of the standout features is the tarot card magic system. Kova manages to infuse the concept with originality and depth, presenting it in a way that feels natural rather than overwhelming. The balance she strikes—providing enough detail to make the magic feel authentic without burdening the reader with excessive exposition—is truly commendable.

The characters add further layers to the narrative. Clara, the resilient protagonist, embarks on a tumultuous journey after being freed from a grim fate in prison by the enigmatic Prince Kaellis. Their arrangement—a fake engagement that soon grows more complex—adds a deliciously dark twist to the story, as Kaellis’s own ambitions and secret machinations slowly unfold. Alongside these central figures, the narrative excels in portraying found family dynamics and multifaceted relationships that enrich the plot. Not going to lie she started to REALLY bother me as the story progressed BUT I look forward to some character development.

While the romance is engaging and well-crafted, I did find that some of the explicit scenes felt more like a box-checking exercise than an organic part of the story. The spice, while not unwelcome in a fantasy romance, didn’t quite integrate as seamlessly as the other elements, and at times, it seemed forced.

Overall, Arcana Academy is a refreshing and ambitious entry into the fantasy genre. Elise Kova has ventured into new territory with a compelling mix of magical innovation, political intrigue, and personal vendettas, setting the stage for an exciting series. I eagerly await the next installment, even if the wait feels a bit too long at times!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!

The start to another amazing series from Elise Kova! This book has the perfect combination between plot, romance, suspense, everything! You don't know who to trust or believe and there are so many things happening that it keeps you on your toes from start to finish! And that last sentence...I need book 2 immediately!

The story follows Clara, who escapes from prison where she was being held for illegally preforming magic. But through a series of lucky events instead of being thrown back in prison, she is suddenly an initiate to the exclusive Arcana Academy and engaged to a prince (who happens to be the headmaster). Lots of secrets will be revealed and more questions will be raised about Clara's magic, her family, and her past, as she works with who she once thought was her enemy, and may still be...

Arcana Academy

This story hooked me immediately and I was intrigued by the tarot card magic. However, the story seemed to drag a bit for my liking and I really felt zero chemistry from the MC’s. I struggled to care about the FMC. This book may be perfect for those who love deep world building and dark academia.

3⭐️

OSD - July 22, 2025

Thank you NetGalley and DelRey for a copy of the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

First I want to say thank you for allowing me to read this ARC.


I want to start by saying I am no stranger to Elise Kova and her writing, with that being said. I think this might end up being one of my fav books of hers.
Let's start with the basics. This book is like if One Dark Window, had a shadow daddy lover boy, set in Hogwarts.
The setting was beautifully written, I could very clearly see what she was describing and it was gothic, gorgeous, and magical.

Clara is what I would call a standard FMC in these types of books. Tortured past, living on the street, making due with a found family of misfits, tragic story of losing her mom, most of the book she is semi looking for her sister who also enrolled in the academy, but disappeared. She's got special powers, she's a badass, she's also kind of wishy washy in how she feels cause she's so guarded but wants the enemy so much. I didnt hate her, I just found her generic.

Kaelis to me is an enigma. I don't know where he stands, with the cliff hanger in the book I really don't know where he stands. I want to like him, but I don't know if we are suppose to believe him.

I do like that the author is willing to actually kill people off, letting their deaths be tragic and abrupt. That's refreshing.

The side characters, almost all of them, I could throw away. I had trouble remembering who any of them were because I had no emotion connection to any of them except Silas.

I loved it, I will read the whole dang series.

4.5 stars

*** ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***

I loved the concept and world building of this book. It took me a minute to understand the magical system, but once I did, I was all for it!!

The execution of the plot and the way the characters were built was also so very good! I finished the story and immediately wanted the next book!

I really enjoyed this at first! The tarot card magic was so interesting, especially as someone already interested in tarot. I always love an academy setting!

I liked Clara, but slowly found myself not caring about her. This being in first person POV was also a struggle for me. I never connected with Kaelis, especially as a love interest. Their romance was awkward and confusing... and honestly not really a romance? I found their relationship to be very strange and wanted more from them. Not physically, which was a bit cringey for me, but they felt so disconnected the whole book. I think the "fake dating" aspect could've really been played up.

As far as the plot, it was alright. A lot of it seemed very random. My favorite parts were definitely anything having to do with the cards - inking, reading, wielding, rules, dueling etc. I just wanted a bit more. More from the characters, more explanation of the worldbuilding, more from the romance. I didn't feel anything towards any of the characters which made it hard to be really invested.

That being said, I would recommend trying it out if you are a fan of Elise Kova and enjoy tarot.

Dark academia meets tarot magic with a side of fake engagement? Yes, please.

Arcana Academy pulls you in from the first page with its atmospheric setting, high-stakes magic, and the kind of tension-filled dynamic that makes fantasy romance so addictive. Clara Graysword is the scrappy, clever heroine I love—wielding illegal tarot magic and constantly walking the fine line between survival and disaster. The premise of her being roped into a fake engagement with Prince Kaelis (who is, of course, broody and powerful) to infiltrate the academy is chef’s kiss, I ate it up.

The magic system, built around tarot cards, feels fresh and immersive, adding layers of intrigue to the already high-stakes plot. Arcana Academy itself is dripping in dark academia vibes, secret plots, and the kind of elite magic politics that always keep me hooked. Clara’s dynamic with Kaelis is sharp and engaging, full of banter, distrust, and just enough tension to make their chemistry sizzle.

Why not five stars? The pacing lagged a bit in the middle, and I wanted even more depth in certain character relationships, but overall, this was a compelling start to a series that promises magic, danger, and some deliciously complicated romance.

If you love dark academia, morally gray love interests, and tarot-infused magic systems, Arcana Academy is worth the read! Can’t wait to see where Book Two takes us.

If you like being dropped into a world, this will be your jam! I personally struggled to connect with the very indecisive but also stubborn FMC, as she changes her mind a lot. I wanted to like this book because the writing itself is good, I just am personally not a fan of the miscommunication trope. Instead of enemies to lovers this felt more like enemies and lust/we're in love but too prideful to admit it.

OMG the fact that I got to read this book as and ARC and now have to wait to find out what happens!! I am shook!!

Elise Kova is one of my favorite authors. The way she writes fantasy and magic is truly so whimsical and astounding. This is some of her best work yet! I was hooked from the very beginning.

The magic system in this book was amazing. The concept of swords, cups and coins having their own domain with each number in the stack corresponding to a different ability. I found myself so interested that I highlighted passages and noted down what each tarot card meant.

The story itself is so well written, everything means something and at no point did I feel like this was boring at all. The magic school part of this whole story was really well written. I found myself invested in the other students Clara interacted with and their classes where they learn various things.
If you love books like Harry Potter or a School for Good and Evil... this is pretty much and incredible adult version that you'll love!

The enemies to lovers concept in this was really well written, and the slow burn was so good. I truly didn't think Kaelis and Clars would get along, let alone be falling for each other. I also liked that their relationship wasn't the forefront of this story rather than being a subplot. As they're all connected to a much larger story.

Overall if you can't already tell this is my top read of the year. I love this book so much!

I’m giving this book 3 stars.

Arcana Academy is the story of Clara Redwin, a talented arcanist who has the ability to ink tarot cards that allow those who use them to cast a one-time magic spell. She is imprisoned for using her ability illegally, and making the cards available to common people, who are not allowed to have magic. When she sees an opportunity to escape the prison, she takes it, only to find out that her escape was orchestrated by Prince Kaelis, second-born of the king, and headmaster of Arcana Academy, the official training grounds for arcanists.

The world-building is immaculate. I admire how much work Kova put into thinking about the tarot and how each card would manifest magic. The battle scenes where cards are commanded and their powers displayed are exciting and fascinating. The academy itself is so interesting, and I enjoyed learning about the lessons.

Unfortunately, despite all the good things it had in its favor, the book didn’t always hold my interest. I can usually finish a book in two or three days if I am really engrossed in it. This book took me a month. I could put it down in the middle of a chapter, then not come back to it for hours…or even days. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but they didn’t always stand out enough that they were distinct in my mind.

There is a budding romance in this book between Kaelis and Clara. An enemies to lovers trope. I have no objections to that. But, it seemed jarring in spots to have pages and pages of explicit sex scenes. If the book was foremost a romance, then those scenes wouldn’t have felt so gratuitous. I’m sure they were well-written, but, honestly, I skipped over them because I wanted to get back to the main plot line. And, honestly, the dynamic between Kaelis and Clara was a little off-putting. She’s a student but she gets special privileges because she’s engaged to, and supposedly sleeping with, the headmaster. I think the fact that she was a student, even though she’s 20 or 21, made me feel like I was reading a young-adult fantasy novel, and maybe that’s why the romance and sex scenes didn’t feel right.

Still, despite that, the story was interesting enough that I will read the second book in the series when it’s published.

I have a feeling that this book is going to be one of the top romantasy reads of the year. The yearning, enemies to lovers, slow burn, twists and turns; all of it was so engaging. I love Kaelis and Clara but wish we got a little more in terms of side characters and their own backstories to add to how everyone is intertwined. The magic in this book is very unique to anything I’ve read and really makes the setting feel otherworldly. This book really encompasses all my favorite things: fantasy, dark academia, betrayal, plot twists and THAT ENDING. I can’t imagine waiting to find out what happens next…

“Break or die. It’s one or the other in Halazar Prison. I refuse to do either.”

Clara “Graysworld” has been sent to Halazar prison for illegally inking, selling, and using tarot cards without first graduating Arcana Academy and being placed with a clan. I love the above quote because it provides an insight to Clara’s resiliency and will to live. This becomes a theme for the novel as she continues to propel herself forward in this cruel world that is the Orcalis Kingdom.

Our story begins at the prison when she is summoned by Prince Kaelis. The Prince is the 2nd son of King Naethor, spare heir the kingdom, and headmaster of the Arcana Academy. Clara knows that the Prince has not come to save her for some altruistic reason; he has a reputation of being a cruel, cold-blooded killer who is rumored to have annihilated an entire clan and possibly murdered her mother. Clara also has reason to believe that he is the one who sent her to the hell-hole that is Halazar prison..

Prince Kaelis admits that he wants to use Clara and her masterful abilities of inking cards to his own advantage. He devises a plan for her to escape Halazar prison and become an initiate at Arcana Academy…. and his betrothed to further ensure her safety. Both agree to work together but remain suspicious of the other’s true intentions and question what secrets they may be hiding.

The story is a dark fantasy, filled with magic, tarot cards, evil plots, sinister characters and of course, forbidden romance. I admire the way Elise Kova writes her protagonist, Clara. She is fiery, witty, strong willed, flawed, and passionate; a multi-dimensional character I am rooting for! I am excited for her newest series and look forward to Book 2.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5

SPOILERS

“Arcana Academy” offers an interesting promise of magic related to tarot cards which I found very unique. This read had me staying up late on a Friday night and reading all day Saturday so without purposely dropping a pun, I was sat for this book.

Think of this story as “Six of Crows” meets “Throne of Glass” meets “The Prison Healer.” With this in mind, it didn’t feel all that different in that the FMC is taken out of a prison and then popped back in.

Let’s speak to the characters. Starting with Clara, I thought she was a cool character, though annoying a lot of the time. I understood her desire to bring back her family but she lacked maturity for a character who was apparently street smart. As for Kaelis, I was easy prey to his charm. I did question myself for a bit - is he just misunderstood or actually very charming bad guy? Regardless, I need more scenes between Kaelis and Clara!

I desperately need the sequel and require Elise Kova to pop that sequel directly into my hands! Overall, “Arcana Academy” was an immersive story. I just wish the glossary was at the start of the book - it was hard to keep up with the different abilities of the tarot cards.