The magic system was interesting and well done. The setting details and imagery as well. However, this book was just not really for me. I found the dialogue, progression of the relationships, and imagery to often be disjointed. The dialogue would move back and forth between being very informal and super flowery formal in the same conversation. There were a fair few cliche turns of phrase in the writing.

The progression of the relationship between the MC and love interest didn’t flow well, in my opinion. I think just delaying the start a little more would’ve helped. He felt a bit like a cartoon villain at times, so I think his character could’ve been executed with more subtlety.

I think this story has lots of potential with some rewriting, editing on the dialogue, and reworking the characterization of the love interest.

I'm going to keep this short. ARCANA ACADEMY is a fantastic book held back by the fact its romantasy.
It feels like a story caged in by genre. Let these book breathe! Because that ending had been screaming and I cannot wait for Book 2.

I had so much fun with this book! The world-building, magic system, plot, and the characters were all incredibly well done. I was hooked from the very beginning. I do wish we got to see a little more from the romance side, but Elise definitely had me itching for the second book to see where the FMC and MMC’s journey takes them.

Clara was a great character and I loved to see more into her past as the story went on. There were moments where I wanted to shake her, but she really had me rooting for her the whole time. Kaelis also really surprised me. I was a little afraid in the beginning that I wouldn’t enjoy him as much as I did, but as the story went on, he quickly became a favorite.

I also really loved to see the relationships Clara already had going into the plot and the found family relationships she created as the story went on. There were a lot of really great characters that you can’t help but root for!

Ultimately, I think this is going to be a great series and I highly recommend picking it up once it publishes later this year!

This is torture pure torture. The boom was sooo good and now I have to wait extra long before book 2. That ending was insane. There are so many details and it was Incredibly well written. The romance in the book is a definite slow burn but the two main characters are perfect!! I need more of them, and then there's a magic system based off tarot!! Ok, what could be better? Literally, nothing. I know it's early in the year but this is my top read so far!!

This book was really good! The magic system is super unique and fascinating. There’s lots of action and the writing is fast paced and entertaining. The FMC was a bit annoying at times but the MMC is amazing and I adore him. The ending leaves you needing more and I am so bummed I don’t have the next book and have to wait who knows how long! This books is a slow burn with some spice and I really enjoyed the tension and ache of it! A great romantasy and I want more!

I absolutely loved Arcana Academy! It sucked me in from the beginning and I found myself wanting to read it even when other books I had pre-ordered arrived haha. The tarot magic system was really interesting to me and it really reminded me of One Dark Window mixed with Harry Potter. Clara's actions were admittedly kind of frustrating at times, but it's understandable when she's grown up not knowing who to trust. I will definitely be continuing this series to find out what happens next!!

Magic system : 10/10
I loved the use of tarot cards and the play on wielding them. I really enjoyed the way the FMC was written and her personality. It’s a lot of world building and can be slow to start but it was never “boring”, she always had someone coming after her or a new thread of information she was trying to uncover. It’s really hard to distinguish who the real antagonist is & I really enjoyed when new information would drop and it leaves you as conflicted as the FMC. Enemies to lovers romance but does not over shadow the plot *chefs kiss *

A really fun magical world that reminded me of Throne of Glass and Six of Crows with some new elements thrown in. The tarot world being the ruling magic system was so fun just a lot of cards and things to learn as I am not familiar with tarot. There are a lot of characters and felt like a lot of this book was world building so was hard to get into it/remember what’s important. The romance was a nice slow burn, and I love not feeling like no one was who they said they were. The ending of the book was crazy, and I’m excited for the next one. I recommend this book to a romantasy lover looking for found family and a magic school system.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy. First I want to say that I have only read Elise Kova’s Air Awakens series. I enjoyed it but I must say I think I loved Arcana Academy even more.

We start the book out with Clara imprisoned in Halazar Prison. Clara illegally inked tarot cards and was thrown in prison. The warden had Clara continue to ink illegal cards while in prison. Prince Kaelis comes to the prison and Clara tries to escape.

The prince tells Clara that he needs her to help him make forged tarot cards to fool his father the king to be able to create the world card that is rumored to be a myth. He tells Clara that she will need to enroll in Arcana academy that he is the headmaster of and tells his brother that she is his betrothed.

This book had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the tarot card magic system and how Clara interacted with friends and Prince Kaelis. I may have saw one twist coming at the end, but there were so many twists that surprised me. I was at the edge of my seat wondering whom Clara could trust. I have already preordered this book after reading this arc and I can not wait for the following 2 books. Elise Kova’s books keep getting better and better!

The world building and magic system in this book is so unique! I was so taken by the magic system and the plot, I had a hard time putting it down. My biggest struggle was definitely the characters. I didn't really care for any of them. That said, I highly recommend this book and I hate that I have to wait so long for the next one.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fantasy
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: July 22, 2025
📖 576 pages

⭐️ 5/5
🌶 2/5

✨️ Forbidden Magic
⚡️ Unique Magic System
❤️ Super Slow Burn
⌛️ Dark Academia
🗡 Epic Heist + Trials
📚 Fake Engagement
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to Lovers

Arcana Academy is perfect for lovers of The Shepherd King duology and Harry Potter! From unique tarot magic, a fake engagement with a super slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and a heist to end all heists, you won't be able to put it down!

The beginning feels very Dramoine-coded, and I love it. Our prince is grumpy and gorgeous, and our FMC is a sassy spitfire with a penchant for violence.

If you love Harry Potter, there are a lot of parallels in the beginning (ie, magic academy, trials w/ magic cup like the goblet of fire and the way each house has very specific criteria for their initiates.) These parallels are probably what hooked me, but the story is so fast-paced, I love the slow burn between Kaelis and Clara, and the tension built by the events leading up to the heist are perfection! I adored how strong Clara is and how head over heels Kaelis is for her.

Thank you so much, Del Rey and NetGalley, for the digital review copy!

⚠️ grief, some foul language, explicit sexual content around 80%

As a fan of Elise Kova's work, this did not disappoint. An exciting, thrilling new series. Her writing is enchanting and this may be a bit darker than her usual work but that's why I adored it.

I received an eARC copy through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher, Del Rey, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own. Thank you!

If you grew up reading about a certain scarred boy wizard, like I did, and are looking for something to scratch that itch as an adult without the bigot baggage, then this is the book for you!
A magical boarding school full of hidden passages and rooms? Check!
A gifted/special orphan against some powerful evil forces? Check!
While she fights to stay alive at school and solve the mysteries surrounding her family? Check!
A nice, balanced blend of world building, magic, action, and romance? Check!

Overall, I loved it and had a hard time putting the book down, especially for the last quarter. The way it ended has me wishing book 2 was out already. I don't know how I'm going to wait!

My favorite part was the magic system. I have been a professional tarot reader for almost a decade now and having a magic system based on tarot was very intriguing to me. I loved just how much tarot is incorporated into, not just the magic, but the world building as well.
I could also tell Kova either did a lot of research on tarot meanings and symbolism or even reads the cards herself. As a reader and fan of tarot, I really appreciated that extra attention to detail.

For the romance, it's billed as an enemies to lovers trope. Too often, I feel like authors forget the enemies part of that and go straight to the lovers part. I don't feel that way and issue with Arcana Academy, though. The FMC and the MMC definitely had both delightful and frustrating tension, which I expect from enemies to lovers, throughout the entire book. You can tell that it will be an ongoing thing through the next book at least.

I do want to mention there are a couple sex scenes towards the end of the book. Nothing too racy, imo, and they can be skipped without taking away from the book for readers who may be averse.

I discovered Elise Kova a few years ago by chance when one of her Married to Magic books was on sale and I am so glad I gave her a chance! She never disappoints and Arcana Academy is no exception. I anticipate this will be one of my top reads for 2025.

I would rate this book 3 1/2 stars. What I enjoyed most about this book is how unique the plot line was. It kept me intrigued with the story. I also enjoyed how it was a fast paced story and it didn’t feel like the plot dragged on. The romance was the aspect I didn’t enjoy as much just because it wasn’t my cup of tea. I didn’t feel a connection between the two characters, but with that being said I think this is a unique fantasy book and I am intrigued to see how the story develops in book two!

I am a big fan of Elise Kova, so I was very much looking forward to this new series. I was not disappointed at all. The magic system in this book is so cool, on a couple different levels. It was really interesting to see how it all worked. I also liked the romance, eventually. I could see the MMC was more than meets the eye, and I ended up really liking him. Also, there is A LOT going on in this book. So many mysteries, and questions that I need answered. The end was a great set up for the next book which will be a long wait for me. Definitely going to continue this series.

Tarot cards, enemies to lovers, slooooow burn. This book was so unique and fun (but also serious haha). It was a breath of fresh air as a fantasy reader. I will be looking forward to continuing this series. Thank you NetGalley and Del Ray for sending me an eARC for review!

Exactly what I'm looking for when I pick up a romantasy. So glad I was able to read this early. Incorporating tarot was interesting and fresh. I couldn't stop reading until i finished. Will definitely be recommending

This book was pleasantly surprising. I didn't have a whole lot of expectations going in, since creating new, original magic systems is a rare occurrence these days. The way the magic of the tarot cards was turned into a weapon was really neat, and the plotline was solid. The tension was tensioning, and the enemies to lovers was sooooooo good.

Already excited for book two!

Arcana Academy was a really fresh and fun book in the midst of so many books that feel like other books. The magic system felt very unique and different. It still had plenty of tropes/items people love: enemies-to-lover main couple, found family, magic school (far closer to A Deadly Education than Harry Potter) and trials. But overall, the magic system really stood out. I did enjoy the main characters and each had their own driving motives that really didn't falter. I enjoyed the twists and turns, even though I can't say they were too surprising. I'm very much looking forward to seeing where it goes next, especially after the cliffhanger ending!

Where to start with this! Elise Kova ate!! I can see why this is going to be a very popular release. The world building is incredible, the magic system I was worried it would be too similar to other tarot card books like ‘One Dark Window’ but it’s so so different. I was vibing with the enemies to lovers and the ending gave me goosebumps! I cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copy when it comes out. July 22nd can’t come soon enough!!