Elise Kova has something extremely special with Arcana Academy.

When I read the blurb months and months ago, I knew I had to read this book. Not only do we have amazing world building. We have characters that you can’t quite figure out whether you should be begging them or not. An extremely strong female weed, who is not gonna let anyone tell her what she can and cannot do, even though she’s not sure who she can trust. The system of tarot magic that is portrayed in the book is absolutely amazing. We have some dark academia, some Royals who are out for themselves and a cunning heroine, who will not let the danger around each corner stop her in the slightest.

The book begins with Clara Greysword breaking out of prison, and finds herself in a world that she never thought she would. It truly is a magical adventure with danger lurking behind every door and around every corner. There were some moments where the pacing did slow down, but I also do believe that was to be able to set the stage/world building aspects that the story needed. All I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this story. And I cannot wait to see what will be coming next within this dark academia world.

After getting caught and imprisoned, Clara Graysword, is given the opportunity to escape under one condition: she agree to help Prince Kaelis (and headmaster of Arcana Academy) acquire the remaining cards to obtain coveted 21st card: the World. With that agreement comes entry into the academy, a new title as heir to the lost Clan Hermit, and a betrothal to the prince himself. As she attends the academy, she learns more about her magic, her family, and the kingdom's corruption her mother warned her about.

This has many of your typical fantasy/romantasy tropes: orphaned girl, enemies to lovers, strong and independent heroine who doesn't realize her power and is pretty good at stealing things, morally gray male character, prison break, corrupt royalty, lost family, and government corruption. Some of it was executed well (particularly Clara's power, which I felt was not as overpowered as in some other fantasy series for a female lead), but others felt trite and derivative in places.

I enjoyed the magic system based on tarot cards which I've been seeing as a trend in fantasy in recent years. I liked that there were two main systems, one that was accessible by many and the other accessible by few. I appreciated that Kova would add descriptions of what the cards did in the fight as they were used as learning about the magic of all the cards was a bit confusing. The pursuit of the "one card to rule them all" feels like an interesting quest that could take a few books to unravel and the mystery surrounding what Clara's been told about the card could lead to some interesting plot twists in future books.

I enjoyed the romantic plot, which played a major role in this book. In fact, I'd probably categorize this book as "dark romance" rather than "dark academia" because most of the events/action took outside of the school and the setting of the academy wasn't the most memorable part. Kaelis was a bit possessive at times, which did feel like a bit too much at times, but I did love the yearning! I appreciated that their motives in the story align and it makes sense, despite their differences, that they can work together to benefit each of the individually.

While I think I know some of what will happen in book two of this series, I'm excited to learn more about the magic and what will happen when secrets are revealed. If the last few chapters of this book were that intense, I'm sure the rest of the series will promise much more!

I fear romantasies with an academy setting will forever satisfy the child reader in me that grew up on She Who Must Not Be Named, but it really does scratch the same experience. I was a big fan of the tarot-based magic system as something purely unique, and Clara and Kaelis felt like real enemies to lovers instead of some facsimile. Really interested in the sequel bait too.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The characters which were many main characters and side characters did feel overwhelming to me. The pacing was easy to read and relatable. The plot kept thickening as was the magic system. The writing was just epic with the world building the way Elise's sets up her settings is very much her signature to drag you in until you finish the whole thing. HOW COULD YOU END LIKE THAT?!?!?

Perfect if you like:
Female baddie energy
Magic and Mystery
Tarot cards!?!?!?!?
Who hurt you? I'd like to take that crown, Prince.
Fake student/fake bride-to-be
Dark academia
Romantasy baby!

I absolutely adored the Married to Magic series by Elise Kova! She is also a self-published author who mentors people a lot! I know there will be more from this author, and I am intrigued to finish this series! Thank you so much to the author, the publisher Del Rey Publishing, and NetGalley for this arc!

4.5 stars
I really enjoy this book.
Dark academia, interesting magic system, secrets, betrayals and more secrets.
Every Elise Kova book that I read is good, but I think that's my favorite.
Can't wait for the next book.

Such an exciting start to a series! Elise Kova is so good at beginning series like this and building such a comprehensive world that you can fall into and lead you somewhere. I loved the complex nature of the tarot and the culture she built for them in the context of this world and what it represented for different people and different social classes. The academy itself was described so beautifully and was so easy to fall into! The characters also: love love love love!! I cannot wait to see what the rest of the series will bring! The ending was mad crazy though I need the second book neowwwwwww

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the review copy of this book.

I was absolutely hooked from page one. I loved the tarot card magic system, finding it pretty unique.
The character developments and interactions throughout the book were wonderfully fantastic.

I can't wait to see where some of the amazing storylines go!

And that CLIFF HANGER. My heart was shattered. I need book two as soon as possible!

3.75/5⭐️

Thank you to the publisher and author for this e-ARC❤️

The premise of this book enthralled me right from the beginning - a unique, tarot-based magic system set in a magical academy? SIGN ME UP.

I must admit I had to persevere through the first 40-50% of this book. I found the writing quite clunky and too literal, the multiple plot lines a bit hard to follow and the magic system felt confusing. Honestly at times it felt like it should be the second book in the series. Some plot points would have hit so much harder after more depth into the events that happened before this book (e.g. Arina’s story, how Clara was captured, the story of the Starcrossed Club).

However, once the plot really kicked off and everything started fitting together, I devoured this book. I read the second 50% of this book basically in one sitting, staying up until 2am to keep reading! The romance felt believable, and I am always a sucker for a marriage of convenience trope. The ending truly brought up my rating of this book and I will definitely be reading book 2!

3.5 ish but rounding up for goodreads!
I’m struggling with this book because it had all of the elements to make a 5⭐️ for me, but fell flat in many ways. For the first 75% of the book, the magic system was the shining star, while the characters, plot, & romance really took a backseat.

I ended up loving how it ended and think book 2 is going to be very interesting, but I’ll struggle to remember the details of this book or to pick it up when the time comes.

It was a lot, and a little. There’s kind of romance but not really for MOST of the book. There’s kind of good plot stuff happening but it’s rolling out soooo slowly that it’s not quite there. At times there are whimsical prince/princess vibes, but I wouldn’t call the story whimsical or cozy. There are just many elements that fell flat, right up until the end, that prevented me from eating higher.

Thank you Del Rey & Net Galley for the early copy 💗

I think I need to maybe come back to this book again after a bit. I just didn’t really enjoy the world building and the characters seemed a bit bland but I’m a mood reader so it may have just been me. I think it has merit with the dark academia/romantasy theme, but was a bit dense and felt like I was slogging through the story.

Thank you to @prhaudio and @Delrey for the copies!
After being sentenced for life in prison for illegal magic, Clara finds herself making a deal with the elusive prince for her freedom if she agrees to work and be engaged to him. Feeling she has no real choice she agrees.

Clara is a scrappy thief who has lived poorly with her sister since her mother died. When she is imprisoned, her sister sneaks herself into the elite academy hoping to get the knowledge she needs to help them both. When Clara makes the deal, she uses her position to find out more about her sister who is now missing. She also takes the opportunity to act against the ruthless king.

The book expertly lays out the story building slowly on the relationships and world. Magic is in the tarot cards and learning about the academy is fascinating. As the story progresses, you begin to see that Prince Kaelis is not all that he seemed. He is perfectly mysterious and adds a great level of intrigue. The end was full of high action and a jaw dropping reveal. I did feel from the start I was missing a few chapters at the beginning that would have given me a more personal side to the backstory but I never felt I was missing information, just a better understanding.
I can’t wait for book 2!

⭐️AUDIO REVIEW: Anna Burnett did well with the voices of each character. I would've preferred more intensity or speed to her voice in fast-paced scenes but I still enjoyed the audio.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. I wish I would have read it sooner...but I'm so behind on my arcs. I haven't actually read anything by Kova, so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. The world building was done pretty well, and I love the emphasis on the Tarot. There's a lot to still be discovered with the world, especially considering "the world" card itself and more of the politics and dynamics that were unveiled throughout the novel. I am also very, very angry at the ending of the book.

I really enjoyed this!! The magic system was incredibly well thought out and unique - you can really tell how much time and research went into fleshing it out, which I definitely appreciated. It was a bit of a slow build but I tend to like that in a fantasy world, it allows the reader to get to know the characters and world at a pace that feels natural - and there was A LOT going on. Potentially too much at points, I would’ve liked to see a touch more character development throughout. I also would’ve liked a more believable build up in the romance - though I do love a slow burn so was excited to see this truly did take its time ramping up! Overall, I am a big fan of Elise Kova’s writing and would definitely return to this world.

📚 Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
📱Format: NetGalley eARC
🌟 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Kova’s Arcana Academy is a magical blend of dark academia atmosphere, inventive tarot-inspired magic, and slow-burn romantic tension that had me hooked. The worldbuilding is lush and detailed, making the Academy itself feel like a character—full of secrets, danger, and intrigue.

The characters shine here: layered, flawed, and endlessly engaging. I especially loved the delicious push-and-pull of the enemies-to-lovers arc, with sharp banter and moments of vulnerability woven throughout. It’s the kind of dynamic that keeps you flipping pages, even as you savor the richly built setting. Add in splash of found family, rivalries, and the looming promise of even greater stakes, and you have a start to a series that feels brimming with potential.

🏆 Dark academia vibes
⭐️ Tarot-inspired magic
🪄 Enemies to lovers tension
🗡 Found family + rivalries

#ArcanaAcademy #EliseKova #FantasyBooks #EnemiesToLovers #Bookstagram #Booktok #NetGalley

This was ok but better than I originally thought. The main couple I had a hard time seeing the connection. The fantasy was good but I was getting sliuconfused with the different cards mentioned. The ending does end on a good cliffhanger.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This was one of my most anticipated reads and glad to report it did not disappoint! This fantasy dark academia has all the elements for a cozy suspenseful read for the fall. The characters were written with care and the plot of the story had you in your toes.

I LOVED the magic system in this book! It was very One Dark Window meets classic magic school! I really enjoyed the idea of tarot style magic and the major arcana being an inherent magic adding an extra layer. My only issue was that there were so many characters I tended to not care much about them because I couldn’t always remember who they were. Some of Clara’s inner monologue also began to get frustratingly repetitive but overall I enjoyed the pull of the storyline enough that I wanted to get to the other side.
I think the magic system was 100% this stories biggest strength.

Elisa Kova creates a complex, intriguing world with a unique magic system using tarot cards. This magic system is used to control society, but can also be used to rewrite the framework of this world, if the secrets behind the establishment and running of their society can be uncovered...

One of the most unique fantasy novels I have ever read!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I absolutely loved everything about this book. I have been anticipating this book release for so long and once I got my hands on it, I could not wait to dive in. And it did not disappoint.

I absolutely loved the magic system in this. It was so unique and so fun to learn about and it didn’t get boring thinking that it’s just the same old thing over again.

So I will say the beginning of this book is a little slow, but I feel like it almost needed to be because it has to explain everything and then it’s a whole new magic system of tarot cards to explain, but it wasn’t boring. Stick with it because it’s so wonderful.

Do not skip over this book! It was a must read for me because I love Elise Kova and it was so worth it!!

4/5 stars and I’ve already bought a physical copy for my shelf!

4.5⭐️

Loved it! The magic system is so incredibly unique to use tarot cards that all have unique powers to them. The main character, Clara, was a character that I understood. She was attracted to someone she shouldn’t be and she fought it for a long time. The enemies to lovers felt believable and progressed at a pace that made sense.

There were so many exciting moments throughout the book that it never felt like it got slow. Several moments were sad enough for me to cry. And then the ending! The last several chapters I almost skipped through because I wanted to know what happened. And now that I know I need to know what happens next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for the ARC of this book.