Unfortunately after giving this book two tries I had to DNF at 7%. There was too much tarot card references and I was getting distracted by my lack of knowledge of what each card should represent. I have read other works that involve tarot cards and had an easier time following the magic system.

The dialogue between the main female character and who I believe would end up being her love interest was lacking something for me to want to root from them early on.

First of all, a big thanks to Netgalley, Del Rey and Ms. Elise Kova for providing me with ARC of one of my most anticipated releases this year.

Arcana Academy is a thrilling dark academia fantasy that delivers on every front—magic, intrigue, slow-burn romance, and high-stakes drama. The story centers on Clara Graysword, an illegal arcanist who narrowly escapes magical prison only to land in a secretive academy under a fake identity and an even more dangerous fake engagement to the prince himself. From the very first page, the book throws you into a world shaped by a unique tarot-based magic system, layered with political schemes, forbidden power, and the weight of survival.

What makes Arcana Academy so compelling is its richly developed world, morally complex characters, and the electric tension between Clara and Kaelis. Their dynamic—rife with mutual manipulation, reluctant trust, and undeniable chemistry—adds a sharp emotional edge to the plot without overwhelming it. Meanwhile, the academy setting is brimming with secret societies, hidden agendas, and intense magical trials. Clara’s journey is not only about magic and politics but also about found family, inner strength, and carving out power in a system that’s set against her.

With layered mysteries, unpredictable twists, and a cliffhanger that will leave you breathless, Arcana Academy is an unputdownable start to what promises to be a powerful series. Whether you're drawn to forbidden magic, fake dating tropes with real sparks, or magical academies steeped in danger and secrets, this book hits all the right notes. Kova masterfully balances tension, lore, and heart—making this a must-read for fantasy lovers who crave depth, danger, and a little bit of spice.

A new twist to academy storylines. Hard to put down. Loved all the dark gritty characters. Can’t wait to the next instalment, will check out other books by this author

Rating: 3.25-3.5⭐️

Let me start off by saying that the magic system in this is so cool and played out like a video game while I was reading the battle scenes. At first it did take me awhile to pick up on the world building because a lot is thrown at you but once I stopped caring what a 3 of cups, 5 of swords meant and just went along for the ride it got better.

What kept me from rating this higher was that I felt like a connection was missing. It both felt too long and too short in the foundation to make you love the characters; I just wanted more from them for me to be fully invested. This book wasn’t bad by any means and it could just be me that it didn’t fully click for! It totally has a lot of potential and I think book 1 does set a solid foundation on the world itself.

It does end on a massive cliffhanger, but the jury’s out on whether I’ll continue the series.

Thank you to Del Rey for an eARC of this book!

Thank you, Random House Publishing, for the copy of this book.
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Clara is rescued from prison by Prince Kaelis, who is also the headmaster of Arcana Academy. He offers her a deal. Become his fiancée and become a student at the academy, and she will no longer be a prisoner. She will do anything to get out of prison, even engage herself to her family's biggest enemy, but she can't help but find herself attracted to him.
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This was a really interesting fantasy book. I liked the world-building and the magic system. I liked Clara and her fight to figure out what happened to her family. I wanted a little more in regards to the romance, and the book felt pretty slow at times, but overall, I liked it.

Arcana Academy has a really interesting magical system that intrigued me straight away. The first few chapters were captivating and I like the writing style, but I found it hard to get past the 'forced to be a bride' element in this romance. I think this will be a big hit this year though so am interested to hear other reviews and would till recommend it.

If the word "academy" is in the title, I'm immediately reading it!

I loved the premise of the tarot based magic system, what a fun concept! The way they were utilized was so unique, and I found it really interesting that they could ink their own cards. The way the cards are used is also really interesting.

I also really enjoyed the mysterious and dark elements here. Having to give up something from your future to enter the school is diabolical! As a major slow burn enthusiast, I was loving the timeline of the romance (mostly - though it kind of goes from 0 to 60 near the end). The love interest was the kind of morally gray that's easy to fall in love with!

I do feel that the magic system and related world was a bit convoluted to understand. I genuinely needed the somewhat repetitive explanations of things or I'd never remember them.

I think fans of For She is Wrath and fantasy romance dark academia books will particularly enjoy this one!

i LOVE a good villain arc, truly. i absolutely loved arcana academy. i am a ride or die fan for zodiac academy and was worried on how this one would compare. the way that Elise was able to incorporate the actual arcana into this book was outstanding. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who likes dark academia romantasy.

DNF @ 56%. I really struggled with this book. I adored the world and the magic system, but it was hard to get invested in the characters and the romance. There was something lacking there for me, and despite my love of the world, I didn't feel compelled to return back to this book and finish it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Inklore, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Random House Publishing Group for this advanced copy! You can pick up Arcana Academy on July 22, 2025.

This book was a crazy ride from beginning to end. I was IMMEDIATELY hooked from the get-go, as our protagonist Clara gets her chance to escape the hellish prison she's been trapped in for a year. I love how we were thrown into this world and magic system within a scene, so we could see Clara inking and wielding the tarot cards to get a sense for how the magic worked.

My absolute favorite parts of this book, by far, were Elise Kova's incredible world-building and magic system creation. Every time we saw a card used in a fight or for practical use, it felt SO badass. I would have eaten up 10 million more fight scenes in this story, but of course, the trials and external conflicts Clara dealt with weren't the only driving factors in this story.

Primarily, Arcana Academy focuses on Clara's search for answers about her imprisonment, her sister's disappearance, and her mother's murder. And who should reluctantly help her on her quest for answers than the cruel, broody headmaster of the academy, Kaelis... who also happens to be her fake betrothed.

Mild spoilers/bias ahead, but in my opinion, the "romance" was the weakest part of the entire book. Even as a reader, Kaelis' insistence on her being his fake fiancée felt like a stretch, ESPECIALLY with him being a headmaster and her being an initiate/student?? Idk, the power dynamic just felt off to me. And his nature felt less obsessed with her as a person and more obsessed with controlling her as an object. Even when he seemed to "soften" over time, I felt like we still got no real explanation for what drives Kaelis and what his history is. We know his mission (he doesn't explain why it's important to him). We know he has a dead mother (we don't know why he's fighting so hard for her memory because he SHARES no memories about her). I feel like every moment of them being "vulnerable" with each other is actually just Clara showcasing her personality and him being acidic toward her in response (in the name of banter????).

Even when they're finally physically intimate with each other, they quickly establish that it's "just casual" because she clearly still hates him. I'm sorry, but is the romance in the room with us??

Anyway, the romance did unfortunately bring my initial rating down, but the ending brought it back up a smidge, so I'm settling on four stars for now. I definitely want to know what happens next plot-wise, but I couldn't care less about the romance at this point (I hope to be proven wrong with a proper slowburn in Book 2, but we'll see).

I loved the world building in this one - with magical tarot cards and how the powers were harnessed! ⁣
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In a world where Arcanists have the power to ink tarot cards that give magical abilities to the ones using them, Clara has been sentenced to prison for illegally inking tarot cards - as only those who've been trained at the Arcana Academy to serve the kingdom are allowed to ink them. ⁣
Just when she's contemplating a possible means of escape, Prince Kaelis(who's also the Academy's headmaster) offers her a deal - help him steal and recreate some tarot cards in the king's possession and he'll free her. But she'll have to enter the Academy as a student all while pretending to be his fiance!😂⁣
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I loved the setting and the world building in this one and I also appreciated the fact that we slowly discover many things along with Clara too. The students of the academy have to go through many trials to be finally selected and enter one of the four different houses - Wands, Coins, Cups and Swords(the four suits in the minor arcana). Clara has the special ability to ink any minor arcana without any limitations but though she's had experience inking cards illegally it's a whole different game inside the academy! She's got a lot to learn and I appreciated the fact that we didn't have an overpowered heroine here - she had to struggle a lot! ⁣
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I also loved the romance between Clara and Kaelis - it was a slowburn going from hate to love, but they have a long way to go when it comes to trusting each other! I still have many unanswered questions especially after that cliffhanger ending and I hope the next book comes out soon! Very excited to read it! ⁣
I'd definitely recommend this one if you're looking for a new NA fantasy with unique world building, dark academia vibes and some romance too!

Tarot cards. I never would have thought I would enjoy a storyline where Tarot cards and a persons ability to create and wield them would be so enjoyable. I loved Clara. I loved her grit and determination to rebel against those that took everything from her (she did spent a year in basically a hole). But I also loved her willingness to see beyond what her eyes show you to understand there may be bigger things in play.

Kaelis is the perfect anti-hero, but I know he has a giant soft spot for our heroine. I hope we get to see more than a glimpse of that in the next book. I also really hope he sticks it to his brother.

This book offers a refreshing take on the magical school genre, blending a unique magic system with a rich world full of secrets, danger, and unexpected twists. At the heart of the story is a tarot-based magic system that stands out as both imaginative and engaging. Practitioners can predict the future, imbue cards with spells for others to use, and duel using magically-charged decks. Learning about this system was a highlight, especially as we see it through the eyes of a protagonist who hasn’t learned magic the traditional way—and must keep her knowledge hidden from her classmates.

The setting features deep world lore and a kingdom layered with history and mystery. As the story progresses, more of this lore is revealed, keeping the stakes high and the reader invested. The school setting felt familiar but was given a darker edge with a Hunger Games-esque competition that adds urgency and danger to the characters’ journey.
That said, the beginning of the book was weighed down by some heavy-handed information dumping. While necessary to set the stage and prevent the book from sprawling, it made it harder to get into the story initially. Once past that, though, the plot gains momentum and delivers solid twists and surprises.

The characters are likable, if a bit familiar—particularly in the enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Clara is loyal and resourceful, while Kaelis proves to be more than he appears. Their relationship is marked by good tension, though the romance itself is on the lighter side for a romantasy. Readers looking for deep romantic development might find it a bit sparse, but the emotional stakes and character dynamics still make for compelling reading.
Beyond the central romance, the plot is layered with intrigue—from a scheme to steal powerful tarot cards to secrets that gradually reshape the reader’s understanding of the world. The ending, while a bit abrupt and unexpected, felt earned and left me curious to see what comes next.

Overall, this was a fun and engaging read. If you're looking for a story with a distinctive magic system, an intriguing plot, and a fast-paced journey through a dangerous magical academy, this book is definitely worth picking up.

I’d like to thank Del Rey and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

4.75⭐️ Thank you Del Rey & NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

The romantasy books that I’ve been reading lately have been hitting and I am 👏🏼here👏🏼for👏🏼it!! Give me one with a unique magic system, complex and multi-faceted characters, and aching slow burn romance and you’ve got me hooked. Arcana Academy has all of this and it’s done well. Our fmc, Clara, has been pulled from Halazar prison where she had been withering away for the last year for inking illegal tarot cards. This world relies on a tarot based magic system, but only those who have gone through the proper training in the Aracana Academy may utilize tarot. The academy is run by Kaelis Oricalis, a prince from the royal family that Clara’s mother warned her about, but has confusingly offered her a deal she cannot refuse. Join the academy under the guise of a long lost royal AND Kaelis’ betrothed, or return to Halazar.

Clara is a talented tarot wielder and incredibly headstrong. I loved that she was confident in herself despite all the obstacles that impeded her path. Her love for her family and loyalty to her friends at the Starcrossed Club, a band of misfits that help Arcanists not fortunate enough to attend the academy, was admirable and a driving force for her throughout the school year. At times, I did find her decisions to be rash and selfish, but at least she possessed a modicum of insight and knew these to be true. This paired perfectly with Kaelis’ calm and composed demeanor, always in control, always thinking ahead. He was infuriatingly reserved with affections, which ultimately made for exquisite tension and throbbing slow burn. It was tough even for me (someone who considers herself a seasoned romantasy reader lol) to get a read on him because he could be so hot and cold with his emotions. Together, the two of them were such fun to read for you would never know if they were going to go at each other’s throats or flirt with some of the best banter I’ve read in a while. The love I have for these two has no bounds and they quickly have become a favorite couple of mine.

The tarot based magic system was so unique and complex that I did find my head reeling quite a bit. But for me, the challenge of a complex magic system/fantasy world makes the read that much sweeter. Because once it *clicks* it feels like everything just falls into place. And try as I might, I could not help but think about the tv show Yu-Gi-Oh that I grew up watching while reading this. I don’t believe the author had that intention lol, but it did help me visualize all the dramatic flourishing of cards and the powers they contained and unleashed. I can tell there is still so much that we have to learn in the upcoming books, I’m glad the author did not show all her cards in book 1, pun intended.

This was almost a perfect 5 star read and my reasons for it not being so are pretty minor. Like I mentioned, some of Clara’s decisions were so random and rash within the context of the plot that they seemed only to be written so very specific events could unfold. Also, the amount of information that was withheld from Clara from her supposed club leader irked me to my core. Buuuuuut that being said, I would not be surprised in the slightest if this book takes the romantasy world by storm! It would rightfully deserve to. And I hope we don’t have to wait too long for book 2, I need it like I need air because that last 50 pages had my heart racing!!

OBVIOUSLY you can give me a fantasy book with a cool magic system and dark academia energy. And OBVIOUSLY I'm going to love it.

I knew going into this I was probably going to love this--the Persona series is arguably my FAVORITE video game series, and the magic system/battle system is based on the Arcana. It was so fun reading this and seeing the similarities and differences on how the Tarot was used while (ironically) sort of having the same end game. Super unique and fun magic system that's complicated without being overly so, and the parts that CAN be complicated are reexplained as necessary in a way that doesn't feel repetitive.

I loved the enemies to lovers relationship and the way both it AND the individual character arcs develop. One of my favorite things is the dichotomy between being hard and hating the world and being full of rage while also having an incredibly soft spot for your family and friends to the point you can't reconcile the two things. It was a great inner conflict, even if I didn't fully vibe with it for "me" reasons.

This was SO much fun and I'm already DYING waiting for the second book in the series. I don't have a single bad thing to say about this one other than I want MORE. I'm so excited to see where the story goes after the way this ended!!

Arcana Academy is my newest obsession! I was immediately hooked by the incredibly unique and brilliantly crafted magic system. The tarot-based magic felt fresh and so cleverly done. I loved how the characters had to draw their cards to activate their powers.

The stakes are high as students face deadly trials just for a CHANCE to earn a spot, and those scenes hit with intense emotion. The story is packed with twists, betrayals, and surprises that kept me turning the pages. It is fast-paced and full of heart-pounding moments from start to finish.

And the ROMANCE. Pure enemies to lovers perfection. The tension and longing between them while struggling to trust each other was chef’s kiss. And that ENDING? I am absolutely desperate for book two. I need answers now.

The author is stopping in my city for her book tour, and I am even getting my nails done to match House Swords. If that does not scream five stars, I do not know what does.

Well I have a new obsession and it is the book.

This book has such an intricate magic system that I can't wait to find out more about as the series continues.

The number of times I audibly GASPED while reading is well over 20. The plot was very easy to follow while also containing twists that made reading it exciting. There were times that I had somethings figured out then to get more info and think I'm wrong all for my original theory to end up being correct. The red herring clues were used so well that it made it all the more enjoyable.

Characters:
CLARA: I love Clara. She is so easy to like and root for. She is an amazing FMC and I cant wait to see what happens next in her story. Her found family hold my heart, I love how fiercely they fight for each other. Clara school friends are hard to figure out, I like most of them but am still sus of some of them. However, liking Alor was a twist I wasn't expecting.

Kaelis: I know this man has as many red flags as he does green ones but I like him and I dont think anything you saw can change my mind. I look forward to seeing where the story takes him in the next book as well as getting to know him better.

Thank you Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for providing this early copy for review. I am now going to go spiral until book 2 in announced and more people have finished this so we can scream about it together.

Arcana Academy
By: Elise Kova

Thank You Del Rey and Random House for the free E-Arc of this book and @prhaudio for the #gifted audiobook. #PRHAudioPartner All opinions are my own.

Favorite Quote:
“This was supposed to be simple,” I whisper…
“Nothing about us will ever be simple”

Summary
Clara is no stranger to illegal magic but when she finds herself imprisoned for inking tarot cards (a practice which is reserved only for scholars at the elite Arcana Academy) she has only one hope of escape -- a perplexing prince who believes her to be the perfect accomplice in his attempt to steal from the King. Clara’s identity is kept hidden as she is brought to Arcana Academy and introduced as his bride-to-be. Together they will attempt to recreate an all powerful card and change the world for Arcanists.

I was completely captivated by this story. The world Elise Kova created is immersive and full of adventure. The characters are beautifully written. Clara is a strong and clever lead and I loved the slow burn romance between her and Prince Kaelis. You can’t help but root for them both. I think that this will ultimately be an amazing trilogy and I am desperately awaiting book 2 especially after that cliffhanger!

Read if you like:
✩ Found Family
✩ Dark Academia Setting
✩ Enemies to Lovers
✩ Morally Grey MMC
✩ High Stakes Contests
✩ Slow Burn Romance
✩ Immersive World Building

Audio Notes: I absolutely loved the audio version of the story. The narrator, Anna Burnett is phenomenal. The story is a long one (at a little over 20 hours) but I honestly didn’t want it to end!

I love this author and I loved the atmosphere of this read. It was exactly what I hoped the cover promised.

REVIEW: Arcana Academy by Elise Kova

Clara survived living in Eclipse City through luck and illegal magic. Clara is caught and thrown into a high-security prison. Prince Kaelie runs the magical academy and offers Clara a deal to help her escape. If she can help him get some magical cards from the king, they can pretend to be engaged to help keep her safe.

Arcana Academy has some impressive world-building for Eclipse City. As you start reading, you get to know this city and the magic within it, controlled by tarot cards. Arcana Academy is the school where those with the magical gift learn to wield magic with their cards. I liked the uniqueness of the magic through cards; the different card types were interesting to learn about. I also appreciated the various trials that students must pass to gain admission to the school. They added a lot of excitement and anticipation to the story.

I enjoyed Kaelis and Clara as the main characters of Arcana Academy. Each character had a fully developed history, family conflicts, and it was interesting to hear about the different upbringings between them. These characters offer us fake relationships, slow-burn dynamics, and enemies-to-lovers tropes. They had great chemistry and a tension that built throughout.

The beginning of Arcana Academy started slowly, as it was getting us immersed in the world, but once it reached a certain point, I was completely engaged. There is also a cliffhanger at the end to lead to the next book. I wish they had given us a little more in the ending to at least ensure the readers weren’t completely left in the dark.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Arcana Academy; I just have to wait to find out more when the next book is released.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey, for providing me with a free advanced copy for my honest review.

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