This book was a fun, entertaining read; I believe that amongst romantasy readers it will do well. I quite liked the magic world, using tarot cards as weapons; each signifying a different thing.
The romance was quite slow but obvious, they never felt like enemies (not truly), but I liked it anyway, and I will be trying to get my hands on the next regardless.
Some of the plot dragged a little, and the jumps in time were a bit too frequent, skipping through weeks at the academy, when I would have been very interested in seeing the day to day in class and see the friendships flourish more.
Regardless of that I think it will be a good seller, amongst young adults and romantasy readers.

This is a fun read with unique and interesting magic. It felt a bit similar to other fantasy novels, but deviated enough to stand as it's own story. Loved the twists!

"A woman who wields magical tarot cards lands herself in a false engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy in this first installment of an enthralling fantasy romance series from the bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King.

Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic. After a job gone awry, Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards - a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy.

Just when it seems her luck has run dry, the academy's enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her an escape - for a price. Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king and use it to re-create an all-powerful card long lost to time.

In order to conceal her identity and keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first-year student and his bride-to-be.

Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world - and her heart? Or will she take it for herself?"

So apparently they don't have a rule about staff and students dating.

What a journey. Clara is finally free from that hellish prison but she is still a prisoner of the Crown. Prince Kaelis might have aided her escape but he needs something from her. Can Clara trust him to keep his word?
The academy is another prison but Clara knows more than the average Dryden she knows how to use her magic and nothing will stop her looking for her sister.
Kaelis knows that he needs to be careful with Clara as she is an important part of his plan but he never thought that he would need her in another way. Can they trust each other?
Will they be able to complete their plan or will they lose each other?
A great read starts of slow but it becomes an adventure that is filled with magic, enemies, lovers and family. What an ending can’t wait for the next book in the series. Highly recommend

Yes. This is another book about at 21 year old who is as thin as a feather and her mortal enemy who happens to be a ruthless general at 23 years old and how they fake being engaged. The first pages mentioned his proximity and his touch like a thousand times and for some reason all men smell like cedar in every single book. There are some Harry Potteresque elements. And it wasn’t until 35% into this book, when I was introduced to new characters, that I was actually invested because the fmc was a little annoying. BUT that last 10% cemented my wanting to continue with the series. It flipped some tropes on its head and I liked that. The ending was wild.

4.75 ⭐️’s

Thank you @netgalley @elise.kova and @randomhouse for allowing me to read Arcana Academy

Release date: July 21, 2025

Review:
Honestly this book feels like a mix of multiple books that I would deem a favorite for me but at the same time, it’s a unique book all of its own.

Clara is such a badass FMC. She is raw with her emotions, loves her friends and family fiercely enough to be taken to prison while trying to avenge her mother’s death even if it meant going after the crown itself. She learned to ink tarot card illegally to get those who hurt her and make money that she needed to survive. Because in her world magic and these cards are everything but only the privileged usually get to use them.

Then when the 2nd born prince walks in to that prison and offers her a deal, she now is going to have to remind herself who she if and her goals because the lines of all she knew are about to blur so much that her path the kick has always guided her with is about to be looking a whole lot different.

I absolutely loved this book. From the slow burn to the journey of trying to reach the goal that Kaelis is trying to accomplish whether it’s for his own benefit or not. I also loved how the academy was written, getting to learn about each card in a way was really interesting along with getting to know the major cards as well. Overall I was just very impressed with this book and cannot wait for book two to come out.

#netgalley #arcanacademy #fantasy #arc #julyrelease #mustread #bookstagram #july #bookreviewer

Arcana Academy centers on Clara Graysword, fresh out of prison after being caught illegally printing magical cards. When Prince Kaelis offers her a deadly ultimatum (marry him, spy for him, or die), Clara chooses survival. What follows is an immersive journey through a world steeped in politics, dark secrets, and dangerously powerful magic.

Clara is one of those main characters you’ll either love or love to roll your eyes at. She’s cocky, clever, and sometimes downright annoying, but genarally compelling. Her strength and fierce loyalty make her easy to root for, even when she’s making questionable choices. Kaelis, on the other hand, is the classic morally grey hero with serious “dark prince” energy.

One of the standout aspects of this novel is the magic system. The use of crafted cards for spells and battle sequences was original and refreshing (to me at least). The only drawback? Trying to remember what each card did! Although I suspect those more familiar with tarrot cards will appreciate the nuiances more than I did, the glossary at the end was a godsend. The plot is packed with twists, trials, and a touch of espionage, and moves quickly.

Elise Kova does it again! Arcana Academy blends everything I love about her writing — strong-willed heroines, intricate magic systems, slow-burn romance, and high-stakes intrigue — into a story that feels both fresh and familiar in the best way.

Set in a world where magic is real but hidden, the story follows a protagonist who’s thrust into the secretive and elite Arcana Academy. Think dark academia with magical trials, secret societies, and that signature Kova emotional tension — I was hooked from chapter one.

The world-building is immersive without being overwhelming. You get just enough breadcrumbs about the magical hierarchy and hidden dangers to keep you curious without dragging down the pace. The love interest? Swoon-worthy but complicated. And the side characters are just as interesting — I’m already bracing myself for heartbreak and betrayals in future books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!
I am continually flabbergasted that Elise Kova is still an under the radar author. I devoured her Awakens series and was so thrilled to get an early copy of this new work set in a world where tarot and magic abound!
This has Kova’s signature morally grey male main character and a strong independent woman trying to make her way in a world set against her. I thought the tarot magic system was so cool and well done and I can’t wait to read more of this series!

Yeah, I'm not finishing this book. I could tell from the first page that I wasn't going to like this, but I decided to give it 100 pages anyway just in case. The extra 99 pages were not worth it. There is a lot of info dumping in this book. Just paragraph upon paragraph of the main character explaining the magic system and politics of the world. It was very boring and hard to get through. This book also does a lot of "tell, not show" (vs the tried and true "show don't tell" rule). Clara is constantly talking about how smart Kaelis is. But I would believe her a lot more if I actually saw him do something intelligent. The characters are also very basic. Clara is just like every enemies-to-lovers romantasy lead: sassy and out of vengeance. While Kaelis is like every enemies-to-lovers romantasy love interest: stoic, brooding, constantly smirking for some reason. The concept of the magic system in itself is quite interesting, but not interesting enough to keep me invested (likely due to the exposition heavy writing style). I would technically call this dark academia, as it has a corrupt education system, but it is very shallow. Arcana Academy is meant to be full of secrets, however, Clara explains that the nobles have a network where they spread information to get a leg up. This is good for dark academia, as it shows that those with power have the upper hand and an advantage. However, after the first trial, there are twice as many non-nobles moving on. So nobles don't actually have an advantage at all. Which kind of takes away from the rich and the powerful restricting access thing. The pacing is also incredibly quick, but less because it was thrilling and exciting and more because it was just jumping from scene to scene at a lightning pace. I'm not a big romantasy fan, so I can't speak on that. However, if you enjoy dark academia, I wouldn't recommend picking this one up.

It’s a dnf for me 😔 (page 98)
I’ve read several books lately with similar dynamics, so maybe it’s just me—but this one didn’t feel particularly new or fresh, and I think I might be craving something a little different or out of the box right now.
The writing also gave me strong YA vibes, which isn’t a bad thing at all, but it felt a bit at odds with the more adult themes woven into the story. That contrast left me a little unsure of the intended tone, and I found myself disconnecting from the characters.
That said, I don’t think it’s a bad book—just not the right one for me at this moment. I’ve decided to set it aside for now and might revisit it later with a different mindset. Sometimes, it’s all about timing.

If you’re in search for your newest Dark Academia read, look no further! This has all my favourite tropes - enemies to lovers (ish), morally grey characters, and a really interesting magic system.

Clara Graysword can wield and ink magic tarot cards, however, this has landed her in some hot water, and she has spent the past year languishing in a prison cell. She is… rescued/escapes/gets herself into a situation where she ends up enrolled in the Arcana Academy and is engaged to the Headmaster - enter the hot, morally grey MMC.

This was an enjoyable read, although I always forget to check if it is going to be part of a series before I start reading books, and now I am patiently awaiting the next book. I need answers! The book is great, but the cliffhanger it ended on… sigh.

Premise IMMEDIATELY hooked me; however, execution let me down a bit. Just A LOT going on to keep up with and characters I didn’t feel fully connected to. It’s also a slowwww burner across a few aspects. I think it’s a solid setup for a series; just felt like a while to get there.

Being in prison gives a person time to think, they say. Clara Graysword has had quite enough of prison though, and once the headmaster of Arcana Academy has decided to release her (for a price, of course), she’s determined to never go back. She’s also determined to get some answers to questions she’s had to hold onto for the year or so she’s been imprisoned: Where is her sister? Is her misfit family alive and well? Who betrayed her?

As you can imagine, our FMC starts this series with a handful of questions, and as the plot grows and the story builds, the questions pile on. Tentative friendships are made and then solidified even as enemies grow in number. In the middle of the mix is the axis on which this whole book (and the series, as a whole) spins: the slow-burn, unlikely-allies, love-to-hate and hate-to-love dynamic between Clara and Kaelis. Some may be tempted to call them enemies-to-lovers, but I strongly disagree. The chemistry between these two is sharp and spicy and the tension burns so nicely. The two of them together are like a guilty pleasure.

This is a fun, engaging book with a large supporting cast that I feel will be well-utilized in the next book. I like the magic system and how the tarot cards are wielded in the action scenes. The pacing is really great and the plotting is solid. It ends on one heck of a cliffhanger, so watch out for the drop! 4⭐️



I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Academy Setting/Adult Fantasy/Book Series/Fantasy/Romantasy/Spice Level 1

An utterly gripping romantasy that blends gothic dark academia with a richly original magic system based on tarot inkwork. This is a must-read for fans of One Dark Window or A Deadly Education. When Clara is framed and imprisoned, her fate becomes entwined with Kaelis—the void-born second prince and morally grey headmaster of Arcana Academy. What follows is a whirlwind of betrayal, secrets, and yearning, set in a world as brutal as it is beautiful.

Clara’s journey—from prison to a reluctant partnership with the man who may have murdered her mother—brims with tension, mystery, and found family dynamics. The romance simmers as Clara questions her allegiances, uncovers dangerous truths, and navigates a fake engagement inside an academy pulsing with gothic energy and layered politics.

With fast pacing, vivid twists, and unforgettable characters, this book is nearly impossible to put down. It ends on a brutal cliffhanger, but every moment leading there is absolutely worth it. This may be one of the standout romantasy releases of the year.

The premise sounded sooo good that I was extremely happy when I got the arc but I just couldn’t get into it. I had to DNF it. Sorry.. not for me

Arcana Academy features such a great magic system built off of tarot cards and the powers of those who wield them. I loved the school setting and the creative challenges the students go through to graduate. My main complaints stem from the fact that there are so many different components fight for the reader's attention, often giving me whiplash trying to figure out what was going on. The twist at the end though... whew that was exciting. I'm already desperate for the next one.

OH MY GOODNESS. I’m at a loss for words because Arcana Academy absolutely blew me away! The story follows Clara Graysword, a prisoner caught for illegally inking tarot cards to support her and her younger sister. She’s given an opportunity to escape by Prince Kaelis, but it comes with strings attached, which includes her enrollment as an initiate at Arcana Academy.

If Harry Potter, TOG, and Fourth Wing (minus the dragons) had a baby, this would be it. The world building is immaculate. The magic system is one-of-a-kind. Clara Graysword is an absolute badass. This book is perfection—it has suspense, mystery, high stakes, romance, and found family to name a few. The plot had me at the edge of my seat and I had to slow down my reading in order to not devour this book completely in one sitting. I cannot wait for book 2 to arrive!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Del Rey for a chance to read and give a honest review an advanced copy of this book.

I was so thankful to receive a arc for this because it was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025! It had such an interesting magic system and I really enjoyed learning about cards and about the intricate world that elsie kova created! I can’t wait for the next book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)

Elise Kova once again proves she's a master of magical intrigue and slow-burn romance in Arcana Academy. From the very first page, this novel wraps you in a vivid world of forbidden magic, secret identities, and tarot-based power that feels as fresh as it is immersive. Clara Graysword is a scrappy, cunning heroine with just the right mix of grit and vulnerability—her illegal magic and criminal past make her an irresistible underdog in the elite, dangerous world of the academy.

The false engagement trope is executed perfectly here, especially thanks to the brooding, enigmatic Prince Kaelis. Their chemistry crackles with every stolen glance and calculated lie, and the slow progression from distrust to something deeper is as satisfying as it is tense. The politics, the danger, the arcane secrets—all of it is layered beautifully into a high-stakes game that kept me turning pages (or rather, listening) late into the night.

My only small critique is that some of the academy and world-building elements could’ve been unpacked a bit earlier in the story, as there are moments when you're left catching up—but that minor hiccup is easily forgiven in the face of Kova’s signature romantic tension and high fantasy flair.