✨ When tarot meets dark academia, magic happens... but does it cast the right spell? ✨

I've been so excited to dive into a tarot-based magic system, and Arcana Academy by Elise Kova promised exactly that.

The Setup That Had Me Hooked:

Clara Graysword is rotting in prison for her illegal magic, specifically, her rare ability to ink tarot cards (which is apparently a big no-no if you're not academy elite). Enter Prince Kaelis, brooding headmaster of Arcana Academy (at just 23!), with a deal too tempting to refuse: pose as his fake fiancée, help him steal a legendary card, and earn her freedom. The fake engagement trope? Sign me up immediately!

What Absolutely Worked:

The magic system is genuinely fascinating! Each tarot card has unique powers, and the world-building around the major and minor arcana is intricate (but does get overwhelming at times).. Clara is the kind of FMC I can root for. She's strategic, flawed, and refreshingly not infallible. The dark academia vibes are immaculate: gothic settings, secret passages, deadly trials. And when the action picks up (especially those trials and the heist), it's genuinely gripping.

Where It Lost Me:

This book has serious pacing issues. What should feel like a quick page-turner often drags. I found myself setting it down multiple times, which is never a good sign. Kaelis, our "shadow daddy" love interest, felt frustratingly one-dimensional. Yes, he's mysterious and brooding (and has a cat named Priss, which is adorable), but I needed more depth beyond the typical morally gray MMC facade.

The Honest Truth:

This reads more YA than adult, despite the steamy scenes that confirm its adult classification. The characters and their dynamics would've actually worked better in YA, and I think the book would've been tighter for it. The cliffhanger ending? Predictable but punchy. Am I curious about book two? Sure. Am I desperately counting down the days? Not really.

Arcana Academy has all the ingredients for a fantastic dark academia romantasy, fake engagement, and academic intrigue...but the execution doesn't quite live up to the potential. If you're a die-hard dark academia fan or love tarot-based magic systems, you might enjoy this more than I did. Just be prepared for a longer journey than necessary.

Many thanks to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

When I received this ARC I was immediately intrigued by the concept of the story and couldn't wait to start. It did not disappoint me. It is a little slow at first but I believe that was necessary to the world building and for the incredibly unique magic system that is based on tarot cards but once you hit about 30% it definitely picks up.
Our FMC, Clara is fierce and independent and often very sassy (especially when interacting with the MMC, Kaelis). Kaelis is often quiet and mysterious especially surrounding the details why he liberated Clara from prison.
If your a fan of dark academia, enemies to reluctant allies to lovers, trials, fake engagement, and a unique magic system this is a book for you. Oh and that ending nearly did me in ........I cannot wait for book 2!

Arcana Academy is the first installment in author Elise Kova's Arcana Academy series. The story is a blend of dark academia, intricate world-building, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance with, of course, a really heartbreaking ending. But I digress. The story follows Clara Graysword, a cunning and resilient young woman who has survived the gritty underworld of Eclipse City through thievery and illegal magic—specifically, the rare ability to ink magical tarot cards, a power reserved for the elite practitioners of Arcana Academy.

After a job goes disastrously wrong, Clara finds herself imprisoned in Halazar, facing a lifetime sentence, forced to make tarot cards for the disturbing and vile Warden Glaystone. Her fortunes shift when Prince Kaelis, the enigmatic headmaster of Arcana Academy and second son of King Orcalis, offers her a deal: help him steal a powerful tarot card from the king to recreate a legendary, all-powerful card lost to time, and in return, she’ll gain her freedom.

To conceal her identity, Kaelis brings Clara to the academy as a first-year student and his fake fiancée, thrusting her into a world of arcane magic, deadly trials, and royal intrigue where one misstep could mean prison—or worse. The narrative is driven by Clara’s journey to navigate the academy’s dangers, uncover hidden truths about her own past, and grapple with her complex relationship with Kaelis. The story balances action, mystery, and romance, with themes of trust, betrayal, and self-discovery at its core.

Clara is a standout protagonist—bold, witty, and fiercely independent, yet layered with vulnerabilities stemming from her tragic past. Her ability to think strategically while maintaining a compassionate heart makes her a compelling and relatable heroine. Clara’s not infallible, though; her recklessness and tendency to keep secrets add depth and tension to her arc. Prince Kaelis, the brooding and morally gray headmaster, is an equally captivating figure.

His motives are shrouded in mystery, and his cunning, paired with moments of unexpected vulnerability, make him a perfect foil for Clara. The dynamic between them is electric, fueled by mistrust, forced proximity, and a slow unraveling of their true selves. Kaelis’s “shadow daddy” vibe, complete with a cat named Priss, adds a touch of charm to his otherwise ruthless demeanor. The secondary characters are equally well-crafted, contributing to the story’s rich tapestry.

From Clara’s fierce roommate who sleeps with a dagger to the enigmatic Silas, a “Bruno” figure living in the academy’s shadows, these characters add depth and intrigue. The society of Eclipse City and the elite Arcana Academy are intricately constructed, with a political structure, class system, and magical hierarchy all revolving around the use of tarot cards. The academy itself is a vivid setting, blending gothic dark academia vibes with a sense of danger reminiscent of a darker Harry Potter or Fourth Wing (minus the dragons).

The system is built around the interplay of minor and major arcana, with specific rules governing who can wield certain cards and how their powers manifest. For example, Clara’s ability to ink cards—a rare and forbidden skill outside the academy—sets her apart and drives much of the plot. The magic system is complex, with courses at the academy dedicated to different aspects of card-based magic, and its political implications add layers to the story’s conflicts.

The first half is slower, focusing on world-building and establishing Clara’s place in the academy. However, the second half picks up significantly, with action-packed trials, surprising plot twists, and a cliffhanger that leaves readers desperate for book two. At this point in the year, I am unsure whether to continue the series or not. We shall see how things go with everything I am currently dealing with.

What I loved:
- tarot based magic
- dark academia setting
- shadow daddy (always a sucker for a good shadow daddy)

What I didn't like:
- the romance (super slow and them BOOM POW! — I wasn't a fan tbh)

I wanted to love this one, I really really did, but there was just something I couldn't put my finger on that held me back.
Don't get me wrong, this is a good story, and in the hands of the right person, would be wonderful for them! Just not for me
From the beginning you're told almost every secret, nothing is left to surprise or twist (except the very last line) (but even that I kinda guessed)

ARC Review ~ Arcana Academy~

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There has never been an Elise Kova book that hasn’t made it into my TBR and this one was no exception! I was honored to receive the ARC for the start of this new series and I am only sad that I will have to wait for the next book to see what comes next. The magic system is spectacular and the enemies to lovers plot is really giving exactly what you want to read. I cannot wait for the next book, I have so many questions about what is to come for the characters!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC!

Oh, I really enjoyed this. A dark academia enemies to lovers with magic inspired by tarot. Made me want to get my own deck!

I found this to be incredibly creative and unique. I loved the world building and the explanation of the magic. The first 25-50% was a smidge slow, but I also think a lot of that is because you're being introduced to so much. I really liked both Clara and Kaelis (although I need him to rise to the occasion more) and look forward to seeing where their journey leads them.

🎧 The audiobook was fantastic! As soon as I hit play I was like OH. I LIKE THIS NARRATOR. Anna Burnett had an incredible voice and narrated this world and story perfectly. Definitely recommend the audio!

Read if you like:
-Tarot
-Enemies to Lovers
-Fake Engagement
-Dark Academia
-Magical Duels

Overall I really enjoyed this and the cliffhanger ending adding me SO excited for book two. Cannot wait!

Thank you to Del Rey for the ARC and PRH Audio for the ALC!

Arcana Academy by @elise.kova is the tarot-based story I wanted after One Dark Window. Each card has a unique power that students in this magical academy must learn how to wield. Clara soon learns why she has a natural aptitude for inking and wielding, why the second-born prince freed her from prison to pose as his betrothed.

You Can Expect -
Dark Academia Romantasy
Tarot-Based Magic System
Enemies to Reluctant Allies with Benefits
Fake Engagement
Banter & Pining
Secrets & Heists
Twisty Cliffhanger
Early20s MCs
Single, 1stP POV
First in New Series

There are secrets, heists, murder mysteries, politicking, set in dark academia with complex worldbuilding. We also get plenty of steamy Romantasy tropes to balance it out. We get a lot of answers by the end of the book but it does end in a twisty cliffhanger that has me excited for the next book.

Thank you to @NetGalley and DelRey for providing an eARC for my honest opinion.

I love this genre and did not enjoy this. The magic system was confusing. The characters had no depth.

3.5 🌟 Lots of potential but didn’t quite grip me the way I hoped!

I love the idea of a tarot based magic system, so was rather excited to read this book. However I feel it was perhaps a bit long winded in points and maybe would have been a much better YA book than adult.

🪄🎴🪄🎴

Premise:

Clara is locked in prison, where she is forced to use her rare abilities to ink tarot cards for the warden. However her abilities attract the attention of Prince Kaelis, the 2nd born prince and headmaster of Arcana Academy.

He sets her an offer, to come join the Academy, and develop her gifts, under the guise of a sole surviving clan member and his betrothed. And in exchange, she will help him to obtain the long forgotten World card.

🪄🎴🪄🎴

There’s a lot of mystery, political intrigue and double crossing, and overall I do think it’s a great premise! The way the magic system is developed is great, with the different clans, and the use of the minor cards. And the major arcana being reincarnated. I can not fault the use of the magic. And I enjoyed the set up of the school and the different elements they must harness.

The plot itself, had some interesting elements, albeit some parts dragged. I enjoyed the trials to the Fool’s lair and the heist! There were definitely some predictable parts, but I like that the author didn’t hold back sacrificing characters and being brutal. And the last line, whilst predictable, was punchy! I’m torn on whether I’ll continue with the series.

And the romance, whilst involving one of my favorite tropes, a fake engagement, at times was a bit too broody for me. I honestly thought this was a YA based on their initial conversations until I googled and realised it was not. And the two steamier scenes definitely confirmed that it’s an Adult book. But I honestly feel the book could have had a lot more power as a YA book and the characters would have suited it more. (I say this as a lover of both YA and Adult)

Character wise, Kaelis fell slightly flat for me. Although I feel he does hold back a lot in general, but I would be keen to see more of his personality in the next book or perhaps a dual POV to understand him more. I liked Clara though. She was a strong FMC, and I felt we discovered things with her instead of me yelling at the page for her to open her eyes. (Always a bonus! Haha)

All in all, I’m torn on whether I’ll continue the series. I think if it becomes dual PoV I’ll be tempted as I do love the magic system.

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/🌶️
The first half of the book is slower paced, setting the scene of the world building and the magic system.

The magic system is confusing, but if you think of other magic worlds where spells are used to battle, the tarot cards are like those spells.

If a person develops magic, they are considered Arcanists and must go to the Academy when they are 20. In order to become an initiate at the Academy, they must battle. If they loose, they are branded and sent to the Mills to work to produce the powders used in the ink for the Arcana cards.

During their first year, they are given the opportunity to be sorted or chosen into certain Noble Houses (if they exhibit the characteristics for those houses). After they graduate from the academy, they will work for the crown.
✨
Both the 2nd born prince and his Father, the King, are trying to obtain a mysterious card which has the power to do anything
✨
The last half is definitely where the action and plot progresses.

This ends on a major cliffhanger.

I can already tell I’m in this series for the long haul. This was such an interesting world! I really enjoyed the world building and magic system. I’ve read a few different books that involve tarot as the form of magic, and I thought this was such a cool and unique way to do it!

The whole concept of the academy is so fascinating (that first ceremony was such a crazy thing to think about!!). I loved the side characters, and I felt like they all played an important role.

And the slow burnnnn. It was a SIMMERRRRR, we’re being slow cooked. We’re making a stew. I’m all in though, I need more!!

If you’re looking for a book with a slow burn, a fascinating magic system, world building, and a large but wonderful cast of characters, grab this one!!

TROPES:
Tarot Magic
Slow Burn
Enemies to Lovers
Found Family vibes
Political Intrigue

Thank you so much to Elise Kova and NetGalley for sending me a copy for an honest review!

I'd never read anything by this author before, and I think this book was a great place to start. The whole Tarot card section reminded me of One Dark Window. The ending revelation was a bit predictable, but those who aren't used to reading this type of book will be amazed. All in all, it was a good book, and I'll definitely want to read more by Elise Kova.



Rating: 3.5 stars

If Elise Kova writes it, I will read it. I love her books and this one was no exception. The magic system was so unique it had me hooked form the beginning. I've literally never read anything like it. The only thing that might come close is the magic system in One Dark Window because of the cards but even that is the only thing that's similar. Elise has a way with bringing characters to life, even the side characters are interesting. I can't wait for the rest of the series. Book 2 when!?

THAT ENDINGGGG!!!

* super unique magic system
* enemies to lovers / slow burn
* magical school
* political intrigue
* high stakes
* found family

oh wow wow wow! This magic system was beyonddd cool and so creative! I have never read a fantasy with this type of unique magic system! I loved how the book started and was super intrigued by our FMC! I loved learning more about her history as the story unfolded. The relationship development between our MCs was sooo good - it's a real slow burn but dang did it satisfy once they finally got together! But like GAHHH that ending!! This cliffhanger is going to be brutal to sit with until book 2!

My only nit-pick is the pacing was a bit inconsistent for me, but otherwise, I enjoyed this book immensely and cannot wait for book 2!

Arcana Academy is going to be on all my “top” lists at the end of the year. It is several days later, and I’m still thinking about it. It blew me away! I buddy read this with a friend, and we both loved it. It has taken me a week to attempt this review. I loved this book, and I hope I can do it justice.

Kova does a brilliant job with every aspect of this book. The world-building was amazing, and the magic was fascinating! The cards were so interesting, and I loved learning about all the different types of magic. The romance in this book was an epic enemies-to-lovers. There are many tropes, and it has a little bit of something for everyone. All the characters are morally grey and pushing boundaries. You have no idea who you should trust, just as the characters do.

Speaking of characters, I loved Clara and Kaelis. I’m going to start with Clara first, and what I loved about her. Clara is trying to find her sister, and that’s her sole focus. On this journey, she can’t help but help everyone she can along the way. It didn’t matter how they treated/ed her, she would always want to help. She has the academy and the found family she made prior. Her worlds are mixing, and I loved getting to know so many characters. Kaelis was one that I had pinned from the get-go. He’s probably a very stereotypical character, where he comes off broody and evil, but you know, there’s more to it. The relationship between these characters was fantastic. They had so much chemistry and angst that it was flying off the pages. I couldn’t get enough of them and their complicated dynamic.

I hope it’s apparent that I adored this book. I cannot stop thinking about it, especially after that ending! I loved everything about this. I went through all the emotions by the time I finished reading. The romance was fantastic. I can’t wait for book two!!

Thank you, Del Rey and Netgalley, for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Three and a half
Ok whilst I'm not particularly a fan of academy based romance I was definitely on-board for a world based around tarot magic. I will point out here though that the thought of a headmaster being the love interest definitely gave me pause but oddly he's only twenty two or so so definitely not as yuk as I had feared.
Clara has had a traumatic life always hiding her remarkable affinity with the cards and lately has been incarcerated as an enemy of the crown. Prince Kaelis helps her escape but only if she helps him find a very dangerous tarot card. Clara joins the infamous Arcana Academy hoping to find her baby sister but it's a dangerous place with trials that test both magic and fortitude. As Clara uncovers mysteries sadly she also makes dangerous enemies. Yet the wicked Prince is not exactly forthcoming about his motives and soon Clara is swept up trying to navigate through intrigue and lies !
If I'm blunt I found the first half of this book pretty slow going and I just wanted the story to move forward. There's a lot of Clara just reflecting as she learns the true history of both the magic and how it affects her. Romance ? Well I wasn't convinced but that's because this story takes place over a year and for much of that time Prince Kaelis is pretty absent from the story. I think many will appreciate as this thundered towards the end that he certainly seems to have fallen first and yet in spite of ahem intimate scenes there is no real feeling of trust or affection but hey that's my opinion. I did enjoy the end as everything became much clearer and the surprises certainly added to my enjoyment. So although initially I was not particularly invested I would certainly want to continue this series to discover just what and indeed how everything came to be.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts are I believe fair

Unfortunately, I wasn't the biggest fan of this story. I went into it super excited about the tarot-based magic system, which was really cool; however, it was not enough to keep me hooked on the book. There are a lot of characters introduced in this story, but I feel like most of them are not fleshed out enough for me to care about what happens to them. Arcana Academy is almost 600 pages long, and I think the length did the story a disservice. The plot did move at a fairly nice pace, but I was often bored and wished there was more happening. The romance was somewhat interesting and I think it could potentially lead somewhere in future books.

The ending did make me intrigued to potentially continue the series. I love a good last line twist.

Arcana Academy, by Elise Kova, is an irresistible blend of romantic fantasy, magical intrigue, and morally ambiguous protagonists, set in a universe where power is measured by what one dares to keep hidden. With her gripping writing style and a premise that fuses stealth-driven action with a marriage-of-convenience romance, the author kicks off a new series that is sure to captivate fans of dark magic and dangerous passions.

The protagonist, Clara Graysword, is far from a traditional heroine—and that’s one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Raised in the criminal underworld of the decaying Eclipse City she survives through petty scams, street smarts, and an extraordinarily rare talent: the ability to “tattoo” living magic onto tarot cards—a highly illegal practice outside the elite of Arcana Academy. The story begins when Clara is captured after a failed mission and sentenced to life imprisonment. That’s when Prince Kaelis, the mysterious and seemingly unshakeable headmaster of the magical academy, appears with a proposition as absurd as it is tempting: freedom in exchange for a fake engagement… and a magical heist of grand proportions.

The relationship between Clara and Kaelis is built on mutual distrust and cynicism, but sparks fly from the very start. This isn’t a sugary romance—it’s a complex dynamic rooted in manipulation, veiled attraction, and fragile alliances. Clara is clever, skeptical, and driven by survival rather than dreams. Kaelis, on the other hand, is a sphinx wrapped in power and secrecy—offering protection, but also danger. The romantic tension between them grows organically, built more on unspoken moments than passionate declarations, which makes it all the more compelling.

The Arcana Academy setting adds a dark charm to the narrative. Unlike the typical bright, welcoming magical schools, this one is a maze of political rules, hidden secrets, and power struggles. Each magical tarot card represents not just a spell, but a position of influence, and the act of *creating* cards—reserved for the chosen few—makes Clara both a threat and a key player in a game far bigger than she realizes. The academy’s structure, with its clans, castes, and manipulative games, vaguely resembles Hogwarts if it had been designed by Machiavelli.

The plot moves at a steady pace, avoiding excessive explanations of the magic system. Instead, Kova chooses an organic approach: we learn alongside Clara, uncovering the dangers and possibilities of magical tarot as she masters them and infiltrates the academic and aristocratic circles of Arcana. The card-based magic system is one of the most creative ideas in the book, echoing series like *Shadow and Bone* and *Caraval*, but maintaining its own originality—especially through the symbiotic relationship between power, art, and identity.

Though the focus remains on Clara and Kaelis, the supporting characters come alive with distinct personalities: dangerous rivals, reluctant allies, and royals who play according to their own interests. Every character seems to have an agenda, adding to the constant atmosphere of tension. No one is fully trustworthy, and everyone seems to have something to lose.

What truly sets Arcana Academy apart from other romantic fantasies in the genre is its moral complexity. Clara is constantly torn between two forces: Kaelis, with his vision of a freer, less oppressive world, and the temptation to use the cards' power for herself. She’s not a selfless revolutionary, nor a cold-hearted villain. She’s someone striving for freedom in a world that deems her disposable—and willing to risk everything, including her heart, to get it.

With accessible, fast-paced prose and sharp dialogue, Elise Kova delivers a strong first installment that serves as an effective introduction to a world with much more to reveal. The ending, packed with well-timed twists and strategic cliffhangers, makes it clear that Clara’s journey is just beginning and readers will be eager to follow her every step of the way.

4.5 stars

Exciting new magical romantasy based on the Tarot. Clara is a new student at Arcana Academy and Price Kaelis is the headmaster. Filled with power struggles, family secrets, a bit of fake dating, learning magic, and a heist on top. So much to enjoy. Loved it and can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you Elisa Kova and Random House for providing this ARC via NetGalley. Comments and opinions above are my own.

#ArcanaAcademy #NetGalley