Such a good read. This book started with a band and left me anxious for the next book in the series. I loved the tarot magic system that Kova created - it really kept me invested in the story. This first book started a lot of plot threads - from a fake relationship with a prince to a deeper plot change the world. I can't wait to see where this story goes.

4.5 stars
This book had it all! I love a dark academia series, especially when we get fantasy elements. The addition of the arcana/tarot elements made it even more interesting! For whatever reason, I found myself reading a number of books with a similar plot— imprisoned woman needs to escape and navigate a hostile world, while uncovering her family background/origin story. It’s a popular trope right now so only the strong will survive (literally and figuratively). Arcana Academy was the best of the bunch for me. The plotting was tight for a fairly long book. The world building was excellent. The character tensions were sublime. The only negative thing I have to say about this series is that I have to wait for the next book!!

This book did not disappoint!
Y’all! So intriguing!
This fantasy romance was freaking phenomenal!
It was basically everything I want in a fantasy book!
Did it keep me glued to the pages? Did it keep me up at night until I finished it? Yes, to all of the above!
I was swept into the story from the very first page. I immediately loved the magic, the world-building, and the characters.

DNF at 20%. Overwritten and underwhelming. The magic system sounds interesting but is convoluted. The headmaster of the magic school is 23. Romantasy is giving early 20 years old way too much credit. The genre just isn't for me. At least in its current form.

I really enjoyed Arcana Academy! The tarot-based magic system is so unique, unlike anything I’ve read before. I wasn’t totally sold on the concept at first, but after hearing such good things, I gave it a shot, and I’m so glad I did!

I’ve been loving academia settings lately, and this one totally hit the mark. Between the rich magical world and our favourite flavour of love interest (dark, brooding and a prince?! yes please), I was hooked.

Clara and Kaelis had me screaming into the void with their constant “we’re pretending” nonsense, like,

just kiss already. But to be fair, Clara’s hesitation felt real and justified. Kaelis is part of the royal family that threw her in prison and might be tied to her missing sister and mother. Her determination to uncover the truth had me so invested.

And those little moments where Kaelis tries to show he actually cares? Gut wrenching.

If you love unique magic systems and slow burn enemies to lovers with a side of royal drama and emotional chaos, this one’s for you!

Huge thank you to Elise Kova, Random House Publishing Group, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this magical story early!

This is literally the best book I have read all read. Clara was infuriating but I kept rooting for her. The story had me hooked and I found myself reading slower because I did not want it to end. I need the next book yesterday! I cannot wait to see what happens next. The number of characters I loved that were killed off is unforgivable. I’m literally speechless, I’m obsessed with this!!

I’m rating this book three stars mostly for its concepts and for having tropes that I enjoy.

I wanted to love this book after reading the blurb. The first chapter pulled me in right away and I was hopeful but, in the end I had to really push to finish this one unfortunately.

This book lost its moment at times. The pacing was off and the story dragged in some parts and left the book feeling disjointed. I also felt as if the romance did not build in the way I was expecting. It seemed like it came out of nowhere and the spicy scenes were... odd because of the lack of build up between the characters. As a lover of fantasy romance books, there was fantasy in this book that was unique and captivating, but the romance was not fully delivered.

Overall, this book is built on an interesting concept and has a unique world with story elements such as dark academic that I usually love. However, I would have loved more tension and romantic build to make this even better.

4.5! Amazing tarot magic system, sloooow burn enemies-to-lover tension, and unexpected twists and turns! My only complaint was that there were a lot of characters to keep track of and I would’ve liked to have seen more about the academy and the classes itself. Felt a bit slow to get things rolling once Clara was at the academy.

Thank-you to NetGalley and Del Rey books for this eARC!

Elise Kova’s writing is always entertaining. I love everything she writes. Arcana Academy did not disappoint me. I had an amazing time reading this book by the lake. I’ve read many books with magic as the premise but this was absolutely unique and I loved it. It was an amazing story. Arcana Academy is a fantasy, dark academia novel with a touch of romance. Our main protagonist is Clara, who is a tarot card crafter. She is forced to infiltrate Arcana Academy, which so happens to be a magical school run by a Prince. There are trials in this story and they were extremely entertaining. I can’t wait to read book 2 because it will be an automatic buy for me. Once again thank you NetGalley for giving me this amazing opportunity and for providing me with a digital ARC.

Oh my gosh this book was so good. The world building was so subtly. It was written as part of the story in such a way that was just amazing. I cannot wait until the next book. Loved it so much.

I received an early digital review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is my first Elisa Kova book even though I have a few on kindle already. And I am now convinced I need to read her backlog if it is anything like this book!

I loved Arcana Academy. I was not sure how I was going to feel about it as I tend to stay away from most school based novels. The magic system immediately pulled me in and felt very One Dark Window. I am fascinated with tarot and know next to nothing, but I think I need to learn after reading this.

I loved the writing and characters. You can just feel the tension simmering between the main characters. I love the friendships that develop and found family. I especially appreciated the constant threat of betrayal you felt the entire time. I was not at all disappointed in the ending and naturally can’t believe I have to wait for book 2. I don’t give 5 stars often, but this one deserves it.

Cliffhangers should be illegal.

I loved every single part of this book. I loved Kaelis and Clara. I loved their relationship and I loved how hard Kaelis fell for her. I did occasionally get upset with Clara and some of the decisions she made, but I'm hopeful that she'll redeem herself in the sequel.

Now, if you need me, I'll be in a coma until we get info on the second book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for giving me an opportunity to read and advanced copy of this book!

You had me at "tarot card magic system!" As someone who has practiced tarot card reading for the last 8ish years, I am always intruiged to see how it might be used as a magic system. And for the first time ever, I was not disappointed!

This book started off a little slow, in terms of action and forward movement of the plot, but sped up and got more intense as the book went on. The world building was amazing, and it developed naturally as the story went. It’s clear throughout the whole story that there are layers and layers of secrets, all tangled up and intertwined...

This book is for you if you love:
*A fantastic fantasy with a romance subplot
*Magical academies
*Dark academia
*Tarot based magic system
*Secrets upon secrets upon secrets...
*Forced engagement/engagement of convenience
*Hate to lovers, but he still can't be trusted

Give this one a read! I highly recommend!

Dark academia vibes. The magic system was very different and interesting.
The tarot card magic system details did get a little confusing and became difficult to follow. I did love the enemies to lovers. Definitely a slow burn. A great read.

I almost gave up on this one about 20% in. I stopped and looked at ratings (currently 4.25 on Storygraph) which made me power through. I still wasn’t full engrossed until halfway through but then things got good. In this you’ll find a badass FMC, a shadow daddy MMC, enemies to something plus found family and so much more.The spice is decently low (only a few scenes) so if that’s not your thing you should be good. I definitely will be reading the sequel!

Warning! This book ends on a cliffhanger! I know that sounds pretty standard for the first in a book series, but I’m providing this warning because it will be so hard to wait for the next one.
The mythology and world building is initially a little hard to keep track of, but soon it’s easy to get sucked into the world of magical card-wielding and hints of the origins of the world that came before.
It feels YA aside from the spicy scenes- not that this is a bad thing, but rather as a comp for fans of Six of Crows and Throne of Glass.

This book wasn’t for me unfortunately. The premise sounded intriguing, but the magic system felt so unnecessarily complex that it kept throwing me out of the story trying to keep track of it.

The story and dialogue felt clunky and I sadly wasn’t invested in the main relationship due to my issues with the book as a whole.

I adore fmc’s confidence and her determination to flight for her family. The magic system is unique enough to be interesting but I had a hard time remembering what each card could do.. For folks like me, the glossary in the back will come in handy.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

HELLO?!!! THAT ENDING?!! i need the next book like yesterday. holy moly that was amazing. the use of tarot cards for the magic system? the enemies to lovers? the twists?? absolutely everything i could have asked for and wanted in the book. this is definitely in my top five for the year and i cannot wait for the next book to come out

✨ Arcana Academy completely enchanted me from the first page. I devoured this book and couldn’t stop thinking about it, it’s exactly my taste in fantasy and I had the time of my life reading it.

Clara Graysword is the kind of heroine I love scrappy, clever, and constantly walking a knife’s edge. The magic system built around tarot cards was unlike anything I’ve read before. As someone with very little tarot experience, I still found it utterly fascinating and easy to fall into.

This book catapulted me into a dark academia world stitched together with arcane card magic, deadly secrets, and a brutal class system that felt way too real (so basically: fantasy with non-fiction trauma, lol/sob). The academy setting? Ethereal, twisty, and filled with tension. I adore the “curriculum but it’s trying to kill you” micro trope and this did it so well.

Also, the love interest… swoon. The chemistry, the banter, the slow-burn danger of it all. I was hooked. Prince Kaelis is mysterious, morally grey, and impossible not to root for.

If you love romantasy with dark academia vibes, a unique and immersive magic system, and high stakes both magical and emotional run, don’t walk. I need book two immediately. 🖤🃏📚