
Member Reviews

3.75✨. Arcana Academy was packed with intricate world-building, a truly unique and innovative magic system, and characters cloaked in mystery. Elise Kova is clearly laying the groundwork for something vast and layered — we were given so much rich foundation, and yet I’m still restless for more insight into the world she’s created.
The tarot-based magic system and the structure of the clans were fascinating and clearly well thought out. You can tell she spent significant time developing how this magic functions, and it adds a compelling layer to the story that feels both original and complex.
That said, while I enjoyed the characters, I was surprised by how little emotional connection I felt to most of them after 500+ pages. I have a grasp on a few, but the rest felt like shadows — maybe because there were so many, or maybe because the world and magic system demanded so much attention that it left less room for deeper emotional character development. Still, I did feel a spark of fondness for the developing relationship between our two main characters. 😉
I imagine this is a book that can really be brought to life via audiobook and I will definitely be checking that out, too!
Regardless, I’m definitely hooked. The hints dropped throughout the story — and that cliffhanger — have me reeling and eager to find out what’s next. Will he step in? Can he? 🫣💕
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, Del Rey, and NetGalley for the eARC.

I really enjoyed this book.
The first few chapters had me hooked immediately and I couldn't wait to fully dive in. It felt different to me than other books by Elise Kova, not in a bad way, just different. It has a darker more adult vibe to it, the magical world is pretty interesting and I was definitely giving all the characters the side-eye ... I was suspicious of everyone!
I did guess a few things along the way, but it didn't take away from enjoying the story. I was also slightly overwhelmed with the different cards and numbers and what they all did, I found myself wishing for a type of glossary but it wasn't until the end of it that I realized there was a glossary at the back. I should have paid closer attention when first beginning the story. It's still quite a bit of information to take it, so I think in future books, I'll be making sure I have the glossary handy so I can try and keep up with everything.
I thought the world itself was pretty interesting and I haven't read anything quite like it. I think a lot of people are going to absolutely LOVE this book and this world! I am definitely looking forward to book 2!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!
This was my very first Elise Kova book can you believe?!
So to start with, the beginning had me hooked. I love our FMC Clara and the way she was introduced. I really enjoyed the way we followed her on the journey to not only discover her magic and inking but the mysteries surrounding her past and her decisions going into the future books.
Our MMC was quite mysterious and this is a slow burn for anyone wondering so go in with that in mind. I felt a little bit of a lull during the middle but honestly I think it was me rather than the book itself as I felt myself drifting into wanting a faster romance (hormones 😂)
The last 40% got me though and I read to the end from there in 2 days over the weekend. The vibes were immaculate, major hogwarts vibes and atmosphere but more adult with higher stakes (and better writing 👀😂)
The way the tarot cards were used too and the difficulty to create them I thought was unique and interesting and I'm excited to see where it goes from here.

This took me forever to read but ultimately I did enjoy it, especially the ending. My main gripe is there are too many characters and spells and clans and cards to keep track of, so I wasn’t super connected to anyone. I love the uniqueness of the magic system but wish it had been more manageable.

So i did not finish this book. It seemed like every trope we written in a bad way and I also did not understand the magic system.

This was such an enjoyable book. It was intricate, tense, and mysterious. The magic system was so different and refreshing, I really enjoyed discovering all the new cards and their powers. I loved the dynamic that Clara had with the other characters, notable mentions of course Kaelis. There was also variety in the friendships she had and I was always debating who she could really trust... There was politics and secrecy and I just ate it all up, I can't wait for book 2!

4 Stars
I enjoyed Arcana Academy despite the fact that it was a bit repetitive and could have been significantly shorter. Elise did an incredible job building a unique and intriguing world crafted from Tarot and the magic the cards hold. It had quite the cliff-hanger of an ending, and I am excited to read the next book, but I am worried I will forget some of the details thanks to the repetitious nature of the more insignificant parts of the world.

I don’t know what exactly I was expecting of this book but it wasn’t that.
I’ve read the married into magic series of the author and thought it a bit too soft, too slow and too predictable. But I really liked the idea behind Arcana Academy so I thought I try again a book of hers and oh my god this was everything I expect from a good Romantasy book.
Firstly the magic system is amazing. Using Tarot cards not only for reading but also as a way of fighting is really intriguing and I loved how everything is explained. The forging of the cards, Minor and Major Arcana- I absolutely loved the concept.
And while I thought the school to be very similar to something I’ve read as a child in the beginning it turned out to be much more unrelenting and brutal then I would have guessed.
Clara as the main protagonist is amazing. She has a sharp tongue, is clever and the right mix between morally grey and ambitious. The way she does everything to get what she wants and says what she thinks- I loved her from page one. Kaelis? What can I say except he’s amazing too 🤣 boring I know but how can we not love the classic morally grey love interest. But combined with Clara who is equally unrelenting- chefs kiss.
In the end the book was much more sad and kinda brutal then anticipated and the ending was not nice. I seem to constantly read books with brutal cliffhangers at the moment.
I’ll give the book 4 stars overall because I kinda felt it was a bit slow sometimes during the middle parts but I absolutely recommend it to everyone who loves Romantasy with a good magic system and turns of events you can’t predict.
Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC!

Featuring incredibly rich world-building, this is a DENSE read! Kova writes such delightfully twisty morally grey men, but it’s her equally complex female characters I live for. Clara isn’t kind, she isn’t a hero, she isn’t even particularly likable at times. What she is? Driven, loyal, powerful, and mad as all hell.
In a world where arcanists (magic users) are oppressed and commodified, Clara has had a hard go of it, and she’s had about enough. When the prince who authored all her woes whisks her off to his fortress academy and enlists her help in changing the world, she embarks on a path that will force her to question everything she knows.
The tarot card magic system is intricate and unique, and I immensely enjoyed every fight scene. The enemies-to-lovers romance between Clara and Prince Kaelis unfolds in a believably unconventional manner, but the plot is driven by the mystery of the world and the motives of the people therein.
The pace slows during the middle as we learn more of the workings of the Academy and the overarching society, but it all builds to a gripping final arc that has me anxiously awaiting the next book! Highly recommended for readers of fantasy and romantasy, especially fans of the author’s Air Awakens series.
*I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review*

Arcana Academy is an addictive read and the start to Elise Kova’s new series. The setting is dark academia with a unique, tarot-based magic system. From the first page, the story pulled me into this world of danger, secrets, and high stakes.
Clara Graysword, our main character, is forced into a fake engagement with Prince Kaelis, the most dangerous man at Arcana Academy. To find her sister, she goes along with this arrangement as her best chance to search for her. Navigating the halls of the academy, Clara must use her wits and magical skills to uncover the truth and to find her.
The magic system is centered on inking and wielding tarot cards. When I got to the end of my ARC I found a glossary which would have been helpful to skim through while I was reading the book. The magic system is well written and original. I absolutely loved it, along with the immersive world-building. Some of the chapters may seem dense, but this is a complex world, and this book is setting everything up for the second book in the series. Which I can’t wait to get my hands on!

Arcana Academy is a magical read that immediately pulls you in. I loved how fresh and imaginative the magic system is and how it adds a lot of depth to the plot. This book is perfect for fans of romantasy and dark academia. I can’t wait for the rest of the books in the series to come out!!!

I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to read this book and it’s entirety before it expired but what I did read was absolutely amazing and had me hooked. I can’t wait until this actually comes out.

✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: Arcana Academy (The Arcana Academy Series Book 1)
🎴 Releasing July 22, 2025
In a world fraught with power imbalances, constant peril, and tyrannical rule, Clara survives the underworld thanks to her talent, cunning, and luck.
After getting caught using illegal magic, she faces a lifetime of imprisonment. A surprising ally in the form of a villainous and calculating Prince and headmaster of Arcana Academy presents another option: enroll in the academy, pose as his betrothed, and help steal from the king.
Thrust into the very place she was warned to avoid, Clara faces opposition, intrigue, and a dangerous draw to the enemy.
Tropes:
🎴 Tarot Magic
⚠️ Enemies to Lovers
🙌 Bada$s Heroine
🖤 Shadow Daddy
💍 Fake Engagement
📚 Dark Academia
🔥 Slow-burn Romance
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Found Family
Clara is a force of nature. She’s clever and determined, but hardened by her harsh circumstances and secretive upbringing. Our broody headmaster and spare heir Kaelis keeps his intentions closely guarded, judiciously wielding secrets as currency.
I loved the tarot card magic and how integral it is to the story and series. The author also explores greed, betrayal, and the struggles of trying to change the world for the better.
Arcana Academy weaves an imaginative, plot-heavy tale with engaging characters, immersive world-building, and a slow burn enemies to lovers romance!
Beyond grateful to the author, Random House Publishing Group, Del Rey, and NetGalley for the review copy opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.

DNF at 20%. The first 10% was intriguing. I liked the prison escape part, and the villain. But then the story became very predictable, and I don’t feel like the characters have any depth or nuance. I just don’t care to figure out what happens.

4.75⭐
2🌶
Did I just read the fantasy that'll take over everyone's summertime reading?? I think I may have.
Arcana Academy is a whirlwind of magic, history, secrets, dark academia, tension, and found family. The tarot-based magic system is captivating and unlike other fantasy books I've read in recent years. Mix all this with riveting storytelling and you have the recipe for a top-tier read!
Clara, my GIRL. Her wit, strength of conviction, and trust in herself are inspiring, fortifying qualities that make her a fierce FMC. She knows who she is, and she's not afraid to show it.
Kaelis... this MAN. Truthfully, I was concerned I wouldn't like him for like the first 25% of this book. His morally grey demeanor and unflinching commitment to his princely façade almost convinced EVEN ME that he was unlikeable. However, once Clara got her claws into him and they began working together in earnest, once they saw one another as more than a thief and an arrogant prince, I fell head over heels for yet another shadow daddy. Go figure ;)
The beginning quarter of the book has a lot of world-building, magic explanation, history, and plot buildup jam-packed in recollections from Clara. While interesting, it may feel like a lot at times, but I promise it's worth it. Once the ball starts rolling and the cards start flying, you'll be glad she introduced you to so much so early.
Also, be ready for a slowwwwww burn with an exceptional payoff. This is enemies to lovers at its best, in my opinion, and the chemistry/tension between Clara and Kaelis will leave you seeing stars.
This was my first read by Elise Kova, and it most certainly just began my dive into her backlist (as well as anxiously anticipating book 2 of AA. Because EXCUSE ME, this ENDING...?! SOS!!
*Thank you so much to Elise Kova and Del Rey for a copy of Arcana Academy and the opportunity to leave my honest, voluntary review! All thoughts and opinions are my own!*

I have been meaning to try something from Elise Kova for awhile now, but have been hesitating since they seem like YA and I just can't relate anymore.
But even though Arcana Academy is set in a school, the initiates are in their 20s and I figured I'd be okay.I have to say, aside from a few small bits that seemed familiar from other fantasy books, this was pretty entertaining.
The magic system was interesting, but also a bit complicated to keep track of, given the number of cards in a tarot deck.
The enemies-to-lovers was more realistic than some other romantasies in that it wasn't some insta-love or insta-lust. It's a slow burn into some spice.
The book ends with a few surprises and cliffhangers, so I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I am a huge fan of Elise Kova's books! I've been a fan of her "Married to Magic" series for the last few years, so I was excited to read this eARC.
Clara is an orphan who, when we first meet her, was in jail for illegally inking tarot cards. Mainly motivated by her love for her sister, Arina, and because she was blackmailed into a marriage of convenience by the prince, she has to attend the magic academy.
I was intrigued by the plot. I was curious about how the tarot card magic would work and I was happy with how it played out. The plot was a mixture of "Harry Potter", "Throne of Glass" and "Yu-Gi-Oh!" which was also fun.
There were times when I felt a bit overwhelmed with all the worldbuilding; some of the magic system went over my head and there were a lot of side characters to keep track of. In saying so, it didn't affect my reading experience too much.
Elise Kova is the queen of romantasy! I loved the slow burn and tension between Clara and Kaelis. I appreciate good relationship development and I was not disappointed.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I look forward to more book by Kova!

3.5 Stars
Thank you NetGalley, Elise Kova and her Publishers for the ARC.
I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the premise is really interesting, and the magic system totally hooked me. It felt like a mix between Harry Potter and One Dark Window, and I genuinely loved how it was done. It’s creative, well thought out, and probably my favorite part of the entire story. I was also super thankful for the glossary, it made it much easier to follow all the details.
The writing style is pretty simple and easy to read, which made the book approachable. But personally, I like stories that give me time to sit with emotions and connect with the characters on a deeper level. That didn’t really happen here and it made me feel a bit distant from everyone, especially the main character.
There are a lot of side characters, which helped make the world feel full and alive, but it also made the pacing drag at times. The story builds slowly, and I struggled a bit between the 20% and 40% mark. It felt like not much was happening, and it was hard to stay engaged. That said, things really picked up after that point. The pacing improved, the world started to open up more, and the mystery finally began to unfold in a way that pulled me back in.
The prologue and early chapters were intriguing, but honestly, the best part of the book was the last 30%. The reveals were great. I didn’t see some of them coming and everything started to fall into place in a really satisfying way. I was so glad I stuck with it.
I’m genuinely excited to see where this story goes next. If I had one wish, it’s that the main character had been a little more proactive. She clearly wanted answers, but her actions didn’t always reflect that, which was a bit frustrating at times.
All in all, while the book had its ups and downs for me, the magic system was a standout, and I’m definitely curious to see what happens in the sequel.

Elise Kova has entered the dark academia and romantasy chat, and what a cool book to start.
It begins with our main character, Clara, in jail. The beginning hooks the reader in pretty quickly. It's a whirlwind of breaking out of prison, being manipulated into a magic academy, and survive the trials. Like all first books, there is A LOT of world building. The magic system is just so interesting. Clara has the ability to (illegally) ink tarot cards and each card offers a specific skill. Kaelis, on the other hand, tries too hard to be this mysterious, brooding, bad-boy type. He reminds me a little bit of Aldrik from Air Awakens like a same-person-different-font style. Even though it's a pretty slooooooow burn, I wanted the enemies to stew just a little longer.
Overall, if you've ever enjoyed her other series like Air Awakens or Loom Saga, you will also enjoy this one! Elise Kova brings her flair to the genre and no one does cliffhangers like she does. As a proud Tower Guard member, I'm excited for the next installment! Overall 4.5 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for a copy of the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5/5 stars! This book was gifted to me as an ARC however my opinion is my own. Minor spoilers. It took me a minute to become invested in the magic system but once I did I was on the edge of my seat the rest of the way. The plot and characters were refreshingly unique and I loved seeing Clara’s imperfections portrayed on the page. I of course devoured the tension between Kaelis and Clara and learning to know Kealis’ sweet side. Another aspect I always enjoy is when the characters have external forces or moral values that push them to make hard choices and they have to sacrifice their own hearts desires. I’m excited to be tortured some more with the next book and hope Clara and Kaelis find their way back to each other even though I fear that may be a hard ask. Also the last sentence!!!