Loved this book! So gripping and engaging from the first page, lots of action and mysteries, but also genuine deep feelings. The magic system is clever and well thought out and felt really fresh, I haven't read any books with tarot-based magic before. Cannot wait for book two, while simultaneously dreading things to come.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a proof copy!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Ms. Kova for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

The real star of Arcana Academy was its magic system. While I love a dark Academia book and a marriage/engagement of convenience, I’ve read several tarot-inspired books this year that fell short for me (some more than others). This one really stood out for me. The major and minor Arcana, and the way they’re wielded, was really cool, as was the concept of inking your own cards. I really enjoyed the way each card, and suit, had their own meanings and their own magic.

Oh yeah, and the story was good too. LOL

On occasion I did get frustrated with Clara, who is super, SUPER stubborn and is difficult to convince that she’s *not* always right. I actually enjoyed Clara’s tentative alliance with Alor more than her friendship with Luren, which I found to be a bit calculating on Clara’s part. I’m still not sure why Clara trusted the Starcrossed group so much, or why she was so reluctant to consider Kaelis’ point of view at all. Frankly, I don’t think Clara’s reasons for wanting to take the World for herself are good ones; bringing back your loved ones from the dead NEVER WORKS OUT, literally ever, in any story. Over all, though, I really enjoyed the story and am really looking forward to what Clara will do next.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A big gigantic thank you to the Del Rey team for reaching out to me with an eARC of what is easily my favorite book of this year.

This book had me in a choke hold the moment I realized it was tarot magic. As a user of the tarot I love when tarot magic is involved and this books magic system is so unique and exciting. It’s definitely one of my favorite magic systems I’ve gotten to read!

Now, onto the characters. Clara is a badass that lives by her luck which I can’t say more about without being a spoiler. But! She’s incredible, she’s witty, talented and refuses to back down. I loved her and Kaelis so f*cking much! I love slow burns and this books is very much that!

One thing I love about a love interest is when they use blackmail and are super vague about their end goal. I am foaming out of the mouth for book 2.

If you’re looking for the TL;DR it is simply Read. This. Book.

OH. MY. LORD. Elise has done it AGAIN, and maybe even better than ever? Somehow? I am SHOOK.

This is such an incredibly special story, and I think I’ve been looking for something like it for a long time: a magical academy, wildly unique tarot magic, a gritty as hell FMC who will mess just about anyone up if she needs to, a “tell me that you hate me” romance dynamic with a slowwww, delicious burn. Elise has the most PERFECT pacing, the world building + action + romance + character development all happens so incredibly seamlessly, and sucked me in in the most engulfing, visceral way.

The politics of this world mingle so beautifully with the magic and lore throughout. I really don’t think I’ve read anything else quite like it, and it has the Kova flair that I always adore so much. I LOVE an MC like Clara, she is a frightening thunderstorm of a woman, but she also has this deep & unending care for her people & others with a similar plight. She’s wildly competent, but not in a way that ever becomes boring to read, because of how stunningly her emotions, values & priorities are explored. Her expressions of grief truly hit me so hard, and speak to how wonderful of a writer Kova is. Clara is truly such a complicated person, & her particularities alongside Kaelis’ create this really unique & incredibly fun dynamic. Kaelis is a similarly dark, villainous-feeling type of man. He’s a little tortured, a lot mysterious, & a LOT passionate. You get the sense that he values the greater good above all else, but isn’t afraid to make himself the bad guy in order to achieve it. These two are so tortured over their attraction to one another, and their desire & conflict are things you can feel in your gut as the reader.

The ending of this story has me absolutely REELING, & I don’t know HOW I am going to survive waiting for the sequel 🫠 but I’m so grateful to have been along for the ride. Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley & Del Rey for this eArc!

4 stars

Arcana Academy is a dark academia fantasy romance that is slow burn, with morelly grey MMC. I really liked the magic school setting, it was intense, challenging plus the magic system was so unique and complicated, there were so many different components and rules to it. It got a little confusing at times with so much info about it, but it was very entertaining. Clara was in a desperate spot and really could feel her panic at times but so tough and fast thinking. I liked the glimpse of Prince Kaelis, very mysterious, smart and willing to do anything to get what he wants, I wanted to get a little more info on some of his secrets. Overall, I thought the book was exciting, fast paced, full of complicated magic and recommend checking out this new series.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

A promising start to a new series with a world worth returning to…

Arcana Academy is an adult fantasy that blends One Dark Window with the classic magical school vibes of Harry Potter. With an intriguing world, a compelling magic system, and a mysterious family legacy at its core, this book had all the right ingredients to hook me.

I really enjoyed the setting and the focus on fantasy elements over the romance. The magical school atmosphere was well-crafted, and the mystery surrounding Clara's family kept me turning the pages. The world itself feels rich with potential…

That said, the pacing felt uneven. Some sections dragged while others rushed by too quickly, especially when it came to the romance. The romantic scenes felt awkwardly placed and escalated abruptly.

Still, the last 25% really picked up the momentum and left me curious about what’s to come. While this book didn’t fully land for me, it was a solid 3.5-star read, and I’m invested enough to continue with the next installment. I think this world has a lot more to offer.

***Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

I loved loved this book. In the beginning I really wasn’t sure who the MMC as going to be, and I was very unsure of how I felt about Kaelis..but about halfway through I was HOOKED and just so incredibly blow away by how great the romantic tension was. Such a good slow burn and true enemies to lovers. SO much that I truly disliked Kaelis in the beginning and was looking at every male but him character to be the love interest. BUT it’s so worth it.

The magic tarot card system was so unique and honestly a little hard for me to follow in the beginning but again, about halfway through it all starting working so well together and I was so interested in the Major Arcana’s and Claras abilities. The author did a great job at building the world and the story and the magic system. She also did such a good job with the mystery surrounding Clara’s sisters fate, I was so desperate to find out what happened to her! I loved this book overall, and was very surprised at how much I loved about it.

Omgggggg WHATTTT?!?! That ending 🤯🤯🤯🤯

Ok ok let’s just take a step back. Holy crap this book was so cool and awesome and GAH, I absolutely loved it.

This is a true enemies to lovers, chef’s kiss, no notes. Kaelis is that morally grey you can’t help but fall for and Clara is a baddie, so obviously I loved her so much. They had so incredible chemistry, even though we are torturously made to wait with all the tension. Which I loved, duh, because slow burns are my jam.

This whole story though? I can’t say enough. The magic, the fighting, the twists and turns and mystery and emotions! It has everything. And then at the end where it’s at its peak, I was quite literally sweating and biting my nails with how anxious I was. And again THAT ENDING!!!!! Holy mother of ways to end. How am I supposed to wait for more and not die?!

I was so looking forward to this book that I accidentally requested a digital review copy of this book TWICE! And both publishers, the American publisher Del Rey and the British Publisher Hodderscape, granted my request! I could dive in!

This book was everything I had hoped it would be and then maybe a little bit more! From the very first chapter until the very last I was hooked. I just wanted to keep on reading, I wanted to read faster and I wanted to read slower. I wanted to know how the book was gonna end and I wanted to make the book last as long as possible. I can't wait to hold my physical copy of the book and I don't promise I will only get one.

The world building in this book is amazing! I'm a little familiar with the Tarot cards, the minor and major arcana and the meaning of the cards. I can imagine that helped a little to not be overwhelmed by all the names and powers. However, there were a few amazing twists and turns keeping me on the tips of my toes. There were also a few questions I had that weren't answered yet, so I'm incredibly curious about the sequel to see if some of my theories are right!

I also loved the characters in this story. I have to admit that I was not blown away by the romance yet, but it feels like the romance isn't meant to blow me away yet. These characters are keeping so many secrets and are hiding so many parts of themselves. I can't wait for them to learn more about each other, and probably themselves too, because I'm sure there will be some really emotional and dramatic moments waiting for us!

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔. 𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆.

Nothing screams enemies to lovers like the man who killed your entire clan being the same one who lets you escape prison, makes you his future bride, and asks for your help to unlock true power. Would you trust him?! That's the real question!!!

If that doesn't convince you, how about this: the world is all about the power of tarot cards, and the Arcana Academy is the only place that can teach you the true magic of the cards and now, she’s part of it ✨

Kaelis ⇛ What. A. Man 🖤 WHAT A [Morally grey, headmaster of the academy, sexy mofo, dark hair, full of secrets, fell first and hard for our girl] MANN. He’s grumpy, a genius, and as soon as he starts spending time with her, he becomes possessive (in the best way). Forever her enemy tho right? 👀

Clara ⇛ She’s such a baddie 😌 I think I fell in love with her in less than 50 pages. Her intuition, her magical abilities, the way she thinks through everything while still having such a big heart I freaking loved it 🩷 SHE AIN’T WEAK, LADIES AND GENTLEMENNNN 👑✨

Enough about that let's talk about the enemies-to-lovers tension we all crave in romantasy, IT IS THERE! It is SLOW but so worth every second. BUT the plot, omg, the plot. The way it develops, I loved every single minute of it. The depth behind a deck of tarot cards, the minor and major arcana, and how our girl is a baddie with them?? Obsessed ‼️🃏

I will say, this book is a slow burn in general aka plot and characters but it hits SO GOOD once you get to the good stuff 😮‍💨🔥 Anyway 5 freaking stars because I stared up late for it and woke up early to finish it, if that doesn't make it for me a 5 star besides crying (which my eyes teared up once) then idk what does.

ALSO, ELISE KOVA, HONEY WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THAT CLIFFHANGER?! EXCUSE MEEEE?!?! 😭😭😭

tropes
✨ dark academia
✨ fake engagement
✨ forced proximity
✨ he falls first
✨ morally gray mmc
✨ magic elements (taroy cards)

Thank you Del Rey for my eARC!

So, I have been wanting to read a book with a tarot-themed magic system for a while, and Arcana Academy delivered! The way tarot is used, the clans, class system, and tarot inking was the fresh and fun world and magic system I have been craving.

Our FMC, Clara, has been imprisoned for almost a year for inking tarot cards, an ability reserved for the elite at Arcana Academy, and her luck seemed to have run out until Prince Kaelis comes looking for her. He needs her help and will free her in exchange for helping him steal a tarot card from the king to recreate a legendary card.

Elise Kova has written so many amazing books, and this one is top-tier! The magic system is so unique, and it, along with the world-building, kept bringing me back to the book. Also, the emotional whirlwind and ending that Elise gave us… AHHHHHH. That’s the only thing I can say, there are literally no words. I need book two now lol.

Themes/Tropes:
Unique Magic System
Tarot-Based Magic
Dark Academia & Magic Academies
A True Morally Grey MMC
Fake Engagement

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an eARC copy of this book! I loved it!

This was a fascinating book and I cannot wait for the next one. The characters and the plot were lush and well written with complexities that kept me turning pages until I reached the (too-soon) end. While the worldbuilding at times left me a little lost (I don't know really anything about tarot which was not helpful for this book and there is a reason I don't read a lot of high fantasy), the general plot didn't suffer for it. The magic system was fascinating and completely unique (even when I was lost), and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Clara is imprisoned in Halazar, a fate worse than death, after being caught online tarot cards. By some miracle, she escapes, and then I kept safe by Prince Kaelis, as long as she pretends to be his future bride. Clara is allowed to enter into the Arcana Academy, an elite school where her magical powers are practiced, and her feelings for Kaelis grow.

This was a great start to a new series! I found the world building to be mostly easy to follow, and the pace kept me turning the pages. Clara has the magical ability to read and ink tarot cards, which I found a fascinating new magical realm. I enjoyed following the mystery of what happened to Clara’s sister, and the thrills and high stakes the academy put the students through. Book 1 ended on a cliff hanger, so now I anxiously await book 2!

Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
Arcana Academy Series, Book 1

New Adult * Fantasy Romance
ARC Review
557 Pages
Out July 22

*Dark Academy
*Tarot
*Enemies to Something
*Fake Engagement

Very unique and interesting magic system. I love the tarot, how they channel magic and power. I loved how equally unique her power and strength are. Prince K is probably my favorite in this book. So much potential, so many layers. I can see myself becoming a little obsessed with this morally gray character. And if you fake an engagement less than 10% in, know I'm going to be team you. It's just the way rules are.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the arc to review.

Happy book release day Arcana Academy.

This book reminds me a lot of YA fantasy circa 2013. It's set in a magic school where the first year students (or initiates) are in constant competition with each other. The magic system is based on tarot cards, and our main protagonist is the most chosen one amongst chosen ones. Also, she's in love with her enemy, of course, the dark prince of this oppressive kingdom.
It's an okay book with a lot of flaws. However, a fun time if you are looking for a lighthearted fantasy read.

So, Clara is our main character and heroine. When the story begins, Clara has been imprisoned for almost a year. She's weak, malnourished and feels hopeless. Until one day prince Kaelis goes to Halazar looking for her. She's now under a fake name, a fake identity of the last distant survivor from a culled Clan that is about to be engaged to the second prince of Oricalis, Kaelis. She has a special ability, says the prince. She can ink tarot cards like no other and Kaelis needs her to ink the mythical card of The World. For that, however, she needs to survive the first year in Arcana Academy. Where the arcanists compete in different trials by reading, inking, and wielding tarot cards. If they fail, they are sent to the mills to work the rest of their lives.

If you like romantasy or YA fantasy books, I think you'll like this one. The magic system is fun, if vague, and the romance works, even though I think it took too much time for how the books progresses and eventually ends.

I think three stars is a fair rating even with a lot of flaws. There's little development to secondary characters. Clara has a family, the starcrossed club, from before she was imprisoned. I feel like you are told one main trait from each of the characters to recognise them but there's no chemisty between them, no real characterization. There's the one that likes to bake, the one that sleeps a lot, the mother figure, etc. Similarly, the few friends Clara makes in the academy feel like an afterthought. Truly, I feel like the author forgets about them, because even in the most dangerous of trials it takes a few pages to say, "oh yeah this character also passed". So most of the characters feel one-note and inconsequential. Even Kaelis, though I like him, feels quite stagnant. When Clara wants to dig deeper into his past she always chooses not to and we are left with many doubts and questions.
I also have to say, there are some plot holes that you just have to ignore. Why, if Kaelis is faking Clara a complete new identity that people are constantly questioning, they never work together to establish a backstory between them? They had a whole year. Why does he never teach her about the different clans and Highlords and Highladies? Why did he never faked evidence of Clara being the last survivor of her Clan? Every time someone questioned her origins he would just respond by saying "I'm your prince don't dare question me". The fact that six weeks would pass without them even talking when they should've planned a better lie together is crazy to me.
Also, I feel like Clara would jump to conclusions way too fast and be right and I think if the worldbuiling was better developed, especially regarding the history of the clans or the ancient kingdom from before, it would have been rewarding to follow Clara's revelations. But because the lore was lacking, these plot twists often lose the excitement for me.

Like I said though, even if I found a lot of flaws in this book, I had a fun time and I liked the ending. I liked how the author is not afraid to up the stakes. I'm not sure if I'll pick up the sequel, but I do think a lot of people will enjoy this one.

Arcana Academy by Elise Kova is AMAZING!!!
I gobbled this story up and was so sad when the book had ended!
Eclipse City is full of people casting illegal magic through tarot cards. Clara is one of those people Unfortunately she gets caught during a job and is thrown into prison. When she’d almost given up hope, Kaelis, the second born prince and also headmaster of a mysterious academy, offers her a deal. Help him steal a tarot card from his father, and she will have her freedom. To make this situation more believable, he says she has to pretend to be his fiancée, and a student in his school. That way she can be close at hand to train with the teachers as a student, and work with him to get what plans they need together.
The world that Elise Kova starts to build, and the characters within it make this story so exceptional. I especially enjoyed the friends and enemies that Clara has within the academy. Jealousy and competition is rife there!
All I can say to conclude is that I cannot wait for book two!!!.
Many thanks to Random House for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #RandomHouse, #Elise.Kova.

Excuse me while I still scream over the ending of this book! I honestly have no idea how to fully put into words the amount of whiplash I got from all the emotions this entire book put me through. Elise, I don't know if I'm supposed to love Kaelis or not because I do but I'm questioning everything at this point. Also, I needed book 2 like yesterday please!!!

Ok, the highlights? Dark Academia, Fake Engagement, Forced Proximity, Actual Morally Gray MMC, a baddie of a FMC, He Falls first(?), A unique magic system, Found Family.

I can't stress enough how obsessed I am that Elise Kova has based her magic system on Tarot. Not just typical Tarot but the way they are drawn, the suit (Swords, Wands, Coins, Cups) and major arcana. The stakes of the academy, the class system, this world is so immersive and I wanted to dive so far deeper into the lore especially with the reveals that just smack you in the face with more questions than answers. The burn between Clara and Kaelis is built on tension, I can't logically class it as a slow burn due to them hooking up in book one, but the build up is delicious. I also cannot praise enough having a strong and talented leading lady and for once not having her sacrifice her powers (at least not yet). Our girl is not weak and I am so HERE FOR IT.

It's safe to say I could not put this book down unless I was forced to. This may be my new obsession and I cannot wait to see how Clara is going to handle her new predicament now.

Thank you so much to Del Rey for the e-arc through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I'm begging for approval for book 2 already

Elise Kova does not miss. I have been a fan of hers since the air awakes series came out and I am stunned still to this day about her world building. She is the queen of fantasy/romantasy. The way she takes a topic like tarot cards and builds a whole world around them, the creation, and the function of them blows my mind.

This book follows Clara through her trials and tribulations of being someone who can make tarot, which is a rare ability that requires magic. Throughout the book you follow her story and the twists and turns of her life while at Arcana academy. Instantly you are rooting for Clara— she is such a likable character!

I will be impatiently awaiting the next book in this series because I cannot get enough.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.5)

Tropes & Themes: Unique Magic System, Tarot-Based Magic, Dark Academia / Magic Academy, Fake Engagement, Hate to Love, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Secret Societies.

Initial Thoughts: This book had me at “Tarot-Based Magic” and “Magic Academy.” Add a layer of Dark Academia and political intrigue? I was absolutely on board. The premise promised so much—and in some ways, it delivered—but in others, it left me wanting more.
Plot: We follow Clara, a resilient and determined young woman who has just escaped from prison, where she was locked up for illegally “inking” Tarot—a rare magic reserved only for the elite Arcana Academy. Her unlikely rescuer? Prince Kaelis, Headmaster of the very Academy her mother warned her to avoid. Kaelis needs Clara’s help to steal powerful Tarot from the King and recreate an all-powerful card, supposedly to better the world. But Clara is wary—rightfully so—as his family is responsible for the traumas that shaped her: her imprisonment, her mother’s death, and her sister’s disappearance.

What I Loved!
The Magic System & Worldbuilding: This was hands-down my favourite part of the book. The Tarot-based magic felt fresh and inventive, and the structure of the magical society (clans, hierarchies, the inking process) was incredibly compelling. I was completely absorbed whenever the book explored this world—and the glossary is essential reading to help keep it all straight.

Intrigue & Plot Twists: The last-page twist completely caught me off guard in the best way. It was a perfect hook for book two, and it’s the reason I’m sticking with the series.

What I didn’t love (but REALLY wanted to love):
Pacing & Structure: The first act had me gripped, but things started to lag after Clara's escape and introduction to the Academy. The middle of the book felt repetitive and uneven, with jarring time jumps and scene shifts that made it hard to stay fully immersed. Despite the high stakes, the tension never felt high.

Character Development: Clara is clever, tough, and capable but I didn’t see much growth from her over the course of the story (which spans nearly a year). Her arc felt a bit static, aside from her shifting opinion of Kaelis. And while Kaelis is presented as a morally grey love interest, we’re never given a real reason to question his morality - his actions toward Clara are mostly noble, and his supposed “dark past” is barely explored.

Romance & Chemistry: This was pitched as a hate-to-love story, but it felt more one-sided. Clara hates, Kaelis is enamored. The transition into romance didn’t feel earned, and the spice, while enjoyable, lacked buildup. I was hoping for a more satisfying slow burn.

Supporting Characters: There were a lot of side characters introduced, and unfortunately, most of them didn’t leave a lasting impression. Aside from a few cruel or antagonistic ones, many blurred together and felt underdeveloped.

Final Thoughts: Despite its pacing and character issues, Arcana Academy has laid the foundation for a promising series. The magic system and the final twist are what really kept me invested, and I’m definitely intrigued to see where book two takes us. If the sequel delivers on the potential teased in this first instalment, I think this series could really shine.

Wow! The world building and magic system!?!
The magic system really kept me hooked.
Although this did take me a bit to get into, once I did, I couldn’t put it down. The pacing was a bit odd at times and sometimes there was just too much going on.
The spice felt kind of thrown in, if that makes sense- just added to say it’s in there.