Arcana Academy is Elise Kova's foray into dark academia, which combines a fascinating and creative version of tarot magic with an exquisitely slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance. Every part of this book was set up for me to love it (and I did) - from the first moment I loved our main character Clara, and the way she was willing to do anything for her family and friends. I really appreciated how she didn't keep her skills and knowledge to herself just to protect her in every way possible; she was willing to share knowledge and also smart enough to bargain her skills for other things she needed. I love when an author manages to actually show a smart main character, instead of just telling us that the character is smart with no proof. Elise Kova nailed that perfect balance of having a smart and powerful main character who also faces challenges that test her.
I loved the setting of Arcana Academy, and all of the world-building surrounded it. One piece of world-building surrounding the school that I really liked was the Chalice, and how pretty much everyone in the world was set up to believe that you had to rely on the academy and the Chalice to have power when that really wasn't the case but was so well hidden by the nobles.
By far my favourite part of this book, though, was the magic system. The fact that we have learned so much of the way the magic works and yet we still have so much that we don't know speaks to the depth of planning and careful consideration that have been done. Needing to see where things go from here with the magic, the romantic relationship, and Clara's friends and family has me eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.

This is a really good romantasy, i loved the uniqueness of the world building and lore. The fmc is wielding tarot card magic and she’s a prisoner that finds herself in engaged to the headmaster of the tarrot card magic academy. The magic system and world was built well, i understood what was going on and why. I like the idea of going to a school where you practice and learn how to get better with using magic tarots. The romance is an enemies to lovers and he’s also the second prince. There is so much tension and their relationship is a will they wont they one. They do get together but there are secrets, plots, and political drama between them. I liked the drama between families, hidden identities and also found family aspect. Overall an interesting fantasy, it’s long but I couldn’t put it down! This book kinda reads like a YA/NA book but it does have a couple of steamy scenes.

Read for:
- Morally grey characters
- Secret academy
- Slow burn
- Forced fake engagement
- Magic tarot world
- Secrets and hidden identity
- Dark Academia

Where to start with this book? The world building was beautiful, the magic system was really well developed and kept me wanting to learn more. The characters were unique, and I found myself wanting to know more about them. So many secrets and so much more to learn about this world. I knew there was going to be a cliffhanger but that is not where I was excepting it to go. Can't wait to see where the rest of the story is going.

I loved this book! The beginning hooked me immediately and the characters have such vivid personalities. The end was insane in the best way!

Arcana Academy, an amazing slow burn fantasy.
The story opens with our FMC, a young woman named Clara, being held in a prison called Halazar.
Clara lives in a world where there are people gifted with magic. Instead of wands they use a deck of cards, the magic is separated into four categories: Swords, Coins, Cups and Wands. More powerful than even those are the ten Major spells the ability to kill someone with just their name, the power to remove pain, being able to revive someone from death and teleportation (just to name a few).
The King that rules over them made it against the law for anyone to practice magic without his knowledge, this is so he can use the magic for himself and be more powerful than all the other lands. To accomplish this he has his son, Prince Kaelis, run Arcana Academy a school that teaches and monitors the kids that come into their powers.
This story is one of revenge, betrayal, finding love where it’s least expected, learning to trust again and self-empowerment.
I couldn’t believe how vivid Elise Cova’s world building is and how remarkable her attention to detail is. I felt like I was seeing everything through Clara’s eyes, like I was shadowing her through her journey. I was so engrossed in the story I didn’t want to put it down.
There are a lot of supporting characters that have stories of their own and although they are just as interesting or important none of them overshadow Clara and Prince Kaelis’s.
This is book one of three and ends with a mind blowing cliffhanger.

I held off reading a certain popular dragon book 3 of a series to read this because I could not stop reading this despite being only a few chapters in. The plot grabbed me from the start and I never felt like the book slowed down enough for me to lose interest. The card magic reminded me of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories but make it tarot cards.

The MMC is mean in the beginning is the most perfect way. The FMC holds her own in this regard and their attraction makes sense and isn't overly done. I love when the yearn is there, but the plot is always more important.

I like the other characters you meet and that the FMC has a smart amount of skepticism without needing the reader to get too much in her head either. I've always been a fan of Elise Kova's writing as well. We don't need bloat and she doesn't write it.

This book ends with many questions still unanswered so, fair warning. I don't know how I'm going to survive this wait. I'm telling all my friends to keep this book on their radar this summer.

I received this ARC through NetGalley. Thank you!

(4,5)

I love Elise Kova. Her writing style, her stories, and her characters. That being said, for some reason, I was a little bit hesitant when it comes to Arcana Academy. I wasn't sure that I would enjoy it as I am no dark academia fan. But the dark academia vibes were actually pleasant and the moment I dived into this new world, I fell in love with the morally gray characters, and I couldn't put it down until I reached the last page. And the romance, I loved it so much! I will definitely be rereading this book the moment it releases in July because I already miss the characters and I can't wait for book two!

Loved reading the exciting and engaging paranormal story. When Clara escapes prison, Kaelis wants her to pretend they are engaged and to work for him. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of mystery and captivating characters, and a must read riveting story. Can't wait to read the next story in the series by the amazing author, Elisee Kova!

Book 1 in Arcana Academy series

A true enemies to lovers fantasy romance that will leave you begging for more.

I'm a long-time fan of Elise Kova; she's always been a one-click author for me. This book is no exception. Her dive into the spicier side of fantasy romance was well-written, original, and intriguing. I was ensnared from the very beginning. At times I found myself on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, and biting my nails. Other times, I was laughing, crying, or angry. So many emotions packed within this book. I can hardly wait to read the next one because that ending was mind-blowing.

As always, a great line-up of strong characters within an intricately detailed world and a captivating storyline.

So, so, so incredibly thankful to both the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc of this book!

I am still collecting my words because that was one whirlwind wind of a masterful story. The ending had me gasping and I’m literally yearning for the next book!

I went into chapter one with absolutely no expectations and as I learned the world building and the complexities of the characters, time flew by so fast that before I knew it, it was over…for now. Yes, there is a bit of a cliffhanger but boy was the action, political aspects, family drama, and academic setting so worth it.

This book is so perfect for those who are into tarot card readings. Even if not into that, if you’ve ever enjoyed an Elise Kova book, ever enjoyed characters who rely on their artistic side to survive in life, or are a fan of questionable fictional men in powerful positions, or even if you’ve ever liked enemies to friends trope, then this book is absolutely 100% for you. This book is for sure the best book I’ve read this year and I won’t be surprised when there are special editions made because it’s so worth it.

Okay the magic system? The romance?? Elise Kova knew EXACTLY what she was doing. There were times at the beginning where I found the MC Clara to be a bit dull and overreaching but ended up really liking her and her tenacity. That girl will solve a mystery at any cost. The plot felt unique and held my attention really quickly. Once I picked it up I didn’t want to put it down. Don’t even get me started on that angsty romance. So. Good. This would have been 5 stars but the plot did feel a bit jumpy and will they/wont they. You’re given a lot but it just didn’t feel like enough at the same time. Overall I really enjoyed it and am honestly upset at how long I’ll have to wait for the next one.

I absolutely loved this book! Thank you to Elise Kova, Net Galley and Del Ray for the ARC. Such a fun dark romantasy that had little glimmers of The Throne of Glass and Shepard King series. I loved the female protagonist Clara and how well written her character was. Kaelis is 2025’s new shadow daddy who is as dark and mysterious as you’d expect.

Without giving away too much about the plot, the academy setting, romance and twists are amazing and the characters are vivid. My only critique is that it was actually a little hard to start and I had a hard time keeping track of all the characters at first.

I highly recommend this book! The ending is intense!! I’m ready for book 2!!

Giving this book 5 stars doesn't feel like enough. I think this will be one of the top fantasy romance books of 2025 it was that good.

I absolutely LOVED Arcana Academy. The tarot-based magic system is quite literally the coolest magic system I have ever read. The complexity of it and the sheer forethought to plan the magic alone let alone the world building, politics and then overarching plot? Incredible. I loved that there is multiple aspects to the magic from inking, wielding and reading.

Clara is an intelligent, multilayered FMC with many secrets of her own and secrets that were kept from her. She is pulled from prison by the second son, Prince Kaelis, after illegally inking tarot cards (as only Arcana Academy graduates may ink in service to the crown). She makes a deal with Prince Kaelis and enrolls in Arcana Academy.

As a huge dark academia fan the setting was so well done and I enjoyed being in the student's lessons learning about the different aspects of tarot magic. The trials were so exciting and tension filled and were a highlight of the academic portion.

The romance was slow burn and felt almost star-crossed. You wanted to root for them but also both were hiding things and not being fully truthful to one another. As time went on, you could see how the two came to genuinely care for one another.

The ending had me speechless and I am eagerly awaiting book 2. I will be pre-ordering a copy so I can read it again upon release.

Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey for the ARC. You do not want to miss out on Arcana Academy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the arc.

Honestly, I was on the fence about whether I really wanted to read this book based on the description but I am so glad I did. I can normally predict a good portion of most books by a certain point but this one kept me guessing. I’m still not sure which characters can be trusted. I really liked the magic system and that it felt more like a fantasy with romance than a romantasy if that makes sense. I’m already looking forward to book 2 even though this one hasn’t come out yet.

I'm predicting this to be one of the hottest new fantasies of the year! I was immediately interested before I even started reading with the concept alone. Once I started I was immediately hooked and could not stop reading! Clara is a fun, it's not sometimes frustrating FMC to follow along with. While I agreed with her at times, I also wanted to knock some sense into her at others. I found the magic system to be unique and intriguing, and definitely I'm excited to explore more of as the series continues. I was so really excited and really enjoyed the romance, I'm really loving this return to slow burns? Maybe it's just me but I feel like we fell away from slow burns for a little while there and we're back to them and I am in love. Despite the fact that this book is almost 600 pages, I never found myself getting board or thinking that we could have just cut whole chunks away and been just fine! This is definitely a book I'll be picking once its been realeased and I have a feeling I will not be alone!

I will admit that I struggled to get into this book. I'm not sure what caused it and I am hesitant to blame the book because it was honestly so amazing. But I found that I had to force myself to pick it up. That being said, once I really got into it (around the 50% mark), I didn't want to put it down,

This book is an amazing blend of dark academia, heavy world building, a plot for the ages and one of the most unique magic systems that I have seen in a while. Magic based around tarot? YES PLEASE! I especially loved that even though it could have been a super complicated magic system, the author does a great job of keeping it balanced with being extensive, yet mostly easy to follow. She does include a guide in the back of the book of each of the cards and their power, which is helpful to reference when I found myself getting a bit lost.

I thought the author does a great job at balancing a tropes in a way that doesn't feel "tropey". Found family, though they play a bit of a backseat through most of the story, and a fake engagement with one's enemy that clearly will lead down a very particular path.

I do wish that we had a bit more time with the Prince, understanding his motivations and character, but overall I am decently pleased with him as an MMC.

I am so excited for book 2

I loved the concept of this book and thought the magic system was unique. However, it could have been editied down or split into two (maybe three!) books. It's trying to set up way too many things to be the first book in a series. Pacing was an issue because of the length and it started dragging about halfway through. While I found this book enjoyable enough, I won't be picking up any future books in the series.

Fans of Elise Kova will not be disappointed. Her writing style carries, though it feels more polished and refined than her earlier works. Looking forward to seeing where she takes the series.

Thank you to Del Rey for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this- dark academia, plot heavy (which I love) and heavy world building (another bonus) a magic system based in tarot cards was a refreshing change up! The tarot magic wasn’t overly complicated and understandable- which I appreciated because sometimes I get a little lost
Found family and Enemies to lovers (slow burn) forced take engagement - but I wish we got more in depth chapters with Prince Kaelis as I had a really hard time finding a connection with him in the beginning.

This is the first book I read in quite some time that I would give 5 stars. It’s a fun mixture of Zodiac Academy and maybe Yugioh or One dark window. I love the whole fighting with cards aspect and the characters I well written. I will definitely recommend this book