This was honestly a fun read. It was a slow start just because the magic system was so unique and unlike anything I had come across before so it took me a while to understand it all, but it really kicked off in the middle of the book. I love that it was action packed throughout the story and the tension in the romance was honestly perfect. I am super excited for the sequel to come out!

one star for the magic system, and the other for priss. that's it.

this book had the promise of a 5 star rating. it truly did.

one of the main things that pushed me through this book was the magic system - tarot cards?? where each card evokes a certain magic action and each suit represents an element?? and then place the main character in an academic setting?? it's my childhood dreams come true.

BUT .... as the plot went on, i felt like we didnt get to explore the intricacies of the magic system. The world felt shallow and the characters just didn't make sense to me - take clara for example. Her motivations going into the academy were simple, her overall morals were simple. Find sister and make the world a better place as the control of the current king was unfair. Clara flip-flopped, i felt like i never really understood her and so i wasn't emotionally attached. She was all like "i am for the people" but then when the first opportunity to actually be FOR the people comes, she goes "what has the greater good ever done for me" and i had to put the book down or else i wouldve thrown my kindle across the room.

The romance in this book also felt rushed?? is it just me or did this scream insta-lust? like you cannot market this book to me as a slow burn and then have Clara descibe his presence as "hot", like what?? girl, you were supposed to hate this man but i'm not convinced. She said alot of things actually, and i was not convinced. Clara was the personification of "don't talk the talk, if you can't walk the walk", she said alot of words but did she deliver?

Her character arc felt also lacklustre. i felt like we didnt get to feel her truly work for her wins - alot of her training and learning was off page and i never really saw her struggled. She would encounter an issue in one chapter and then defeat it (flawlessly) in the next, like where's the payoff?? I felt like alot of her skill with tarot cards were just "there" which made it hard to celebrate her triumphs.

kaelis, ah. i dont know man. did we even meet him? we barely got to know him and he's supposed to be the main male character. in the moments we do get to be with him, he's so hot and cold (at the start) and it took me a whileeeeeeee for me to even understand his character. Lowkey, everything he did was convenient to Clara. I honestly don't think he had a purpose in the book other than to serve Clara and that is such a waste of potential.

one of the things that irked me about this book was the worldbuilding. we literally got info dumped in broad daylight and it wasn't even done creatively. In terms of plot, i felt like we were spoonfed everything, like yes i get it "she did this, because of this" you dont need to repeat 5 times in different wording. I joke about having one brain cell alot, but even i got annoyed by all the "telling not showing" in this book.

i'm not going to lie. i did skim-read the last 25% of the book because i mentally, emotionally and physically clocked out. My intrigue with the magic system could only push me so far :(

i felt like elise kova wanted to do so many things within this book but the delivery and structure was not there :( i'm so sorry.

sigh, this book promised a feast, but all I got was crumbs.

Wow! This was such a crazy world, the magic was complex, the ideas were fresh and the characters we're multi-faeceted. I struggled to get engaged at the start, I found it a bit slower than others and the language a little juvenile but eventually I fell in love with it.

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING! I loved it so damn much. I don’t think I’ve read a book quite like this before the magic system was so unique. I really need the next book desperately.

I have read many romantasy books this year that have been entirely disappointing to me. Sadly, Arcana Academy is another one to add to this list.

The book started really well. I enjoyed being dropped straight into the action. I liked the magic system even though it could have been expanded on. The world building felt very underdeveloped. I finished with so many unanswered questions.

For such a long book, everything felt really surface level. The pacing was everywhere. I didn't connect with anyone. The romance was okay, but that wasn't enough to keep me particularly interested. Sadly, everything felt subpar and I felt indifferent to almost everything that had happened after the halfway point.

Unfortunately, I tried to read this and I got to about 12% and couldn't go any further. I left it, thinking maybe I just wasn't in the mood and haven't been able to pick it up since. I'm sure it's a fabulous book, I've heard many good things and I'm hoping I can get back into it in the future. Thank you to the author and the publishers for giving me the ebook copy. I'm grateful.

The story opens within the cold walls of a prison, where we meet Clara, a young woman imprisoned for her rare and untrained gift, the ability to ink magical tarot cards. Wise beyond her years yet trapped by her circumstances, Clara’s fate takes a turn when she crosses paths with the cunning second prince, Kaelis, who seeks to use her powers to steal from his own family.

At Arcana Academy, where fortunes entwine with the magic of tarot and survival depends on trusting the protection of your enemy, Clara must navigate danger, deception, and a world where every card drawn could change her fate.

I adored this unique romantasy, the slow-burn tension between Clara and Kaelis had me hooked. As secrets were kept and uncovered, I loved watching Clara realise that perhaps her enemy wasn’t truly her enemy at all… and that there are far more dangerous people in the world than Kaelis.

Thank you to Hachette Australia and New Zealand, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for Arcana Academy!

I was not prepared for how much I’d love this book. This was actually my first book of Elise Kovas, and after reading this, she is now one of my auto buy authors. Elise Kova pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go. Arcana Academy is dark academia meets secret societies meets magic, with just the right touch of danger. The magic system is unique and I am truly obsessed with every single aspect of this book.

The atmosphere? Immaculate. Think gothic halls, magical duels, and an elite academy where everyone has something to hide. The main character is sharp, determined, and exactly the kind of heroine I root for... flawed, smart, and not afraid to make bold choices.

The pacing is fast without feeling rushed, and the twists actually surprised me (in the best way). And the chemistry between characters? Let’s just say I was very much INVESTED (there was a lot of kicking and screaming in delight involved).

I inhaled this book and found it so hard to put down and immediately wished I had the next book. If you love fantasy with high stakes, layered characters, and a strong academic setting, this one’s worth bumping to the top of your TBR

The stand out element of this book is definitely the tarot card magic system. Learning about the different powers of the cards and reading about them in fight scenes was so much fun! The pacing of this book is also really solid, making it the perfect slump cure. I did feel that this book fell prey to some romantasy stereotypes that made parts predictable, especially in the beginning. I also wish Kaelis' background was explored more. I liked Clara as an fmc, but I felt like she was a little repetitive with her inner monologues. Regardless, this is a solid book and I'm curious to learn more about the world and its history in the next one!

4 stars
Content warning: death, murder, injury detail, imprisonment, trauma and ptsd, grief

Thank you to the author and publisher via NetGalley for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

I love the magic system in this book. Basing it on tarot cards with the Major and Minor Arcanas and then fixing this magic around the entire system of a corrupt kingdom was so fascinating and extremely well done. The arcana lore as well as the academy foundations are well-thought out, and this world feels immersive and easy to imagine. The author has done a stellar job with researching and integrating tarot into this story's world setting, whilst simultaneously making it feel like its own, and I was hooked early into the book because of these efforts.

And for most of this read, I loved the tension, the risks, the mystery and the reluctant ally / impending marriage of convenience between Clara and Kaelis. The layers of their relationship, from mutual dislike to something yearning and desperately delicate, were really well described and believable. When the romance hit between the pair, it felt rewarding.

However, after two-thirds of the book, I started to lose some interest. This was down to pacing, and also a little bit of character assassination of Clara. She became too good, too special, too much of a "not like the other girls", which was a pity because I had been enjoying her a lot. This didn't last forever; when things started moving once more, and her morals were on the line, it was interesting to see the decisions she made. But by this point, it was harder to fall back into my all-consuming adoration for this book, which is why I ended up rating this four stars. I will be absolutely reading on when the sequel is out, and I highly recommend this read, especially to those who love dark academia with intricate magic systems.

INITIAL THOUGHTS: One of my all-time favourite animes is Cardcaptor Sakura which uses "Clow Cards" inspired by the Major Arcana. So when I heard Elise was releasing a book with a magic system based on the Major Arcana, I knew I had to read it.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Arcana Academy follows Clara, an escapee from Halazar prison who suddenly finds herself engaged to the academy's headmaster, Prince Kaelis. He sees her as the perfect tool to help him steal a royal tarot card to recreate a legendary, long-lost one.

AFTER THOUGHTS: From the first chapter, I was hooked. I was so invested in the story and characters. Elise did a really good job of making me second guess where everyone's loyalties lay.

Written in first-person, we only get Clara's perspective - I'm hoping book two will have a dual POV because I'd love see the world through Kaelis' eyes. He's a very likeable MMC, very mysterious, intriguing and there's so much we don't know about him. The final stretch of the book was a little frustrating as Clara's stubbornness really showed and her development felt like it took a step back, especially with how it played out at the end (iykyk). Many of her internal monologues felt repetitive and she kept circling the same thoughts.

That said, I thought the balance between romance, world-building, and political intrigue was really good. I wouldn't have minded a few more scenes between Kaelis and Clara - the yearning and tension was delicious, and I wanted to see more of their relationship develop.

Overall, a great read. I would still recommend it and I am looking forward to book 2!

From the first page, I was completely hooked! Elise Kova has created such a stunningly unique and magical world, and I am desperate for more.

The story follows Clara as she escapes from Halazar Prison, only to be captured by Prince Kaelis, who forces her into a fake engagement and enrolls her in Arcana Academy to supposedly "save her life." Arcana Academy is a school where Arcanists—those who can ink, wield, and read tarot cards—are sent to learn how to control and master their magic. And… Kaelis is the headmaster.

During her first year at Arcana Academy, Clara is thrown into a world full of secrets, mysteries, and political backstabbing. This story immerses you in a dark academia setting with an elaborate tarot-card-based magic system that is absolutely amazing. The magic system is both rigid and beautiful. The academy requires students to sacrifice their futures in order to wield it, and with the countless fantasy novels being published these days, this system felt wonderfully refreshing, painful, and unique.

Clara and Kaelis’ relationship is the epitome of ‘it's complicated’ (for very valid reasons) and I love them for it. Clara is intuitive, clever, stubborn, and powerful, while Kaelis is our broody, mysterious and morally grey prince. With this book being the first in a series, it was a very very slow burn romance! Their tension was top tier, and they both fought so hard to deny their feelings that I found myself desperate for every interaction between them. This book is so much more than a romance. There is such a beautiful found family element and there was such strong character development as they change and grew with each other.

This book is so much more than a romance. With all the heists, secrets, and twists Clara and Kaelis navigate, the plot kept me constantly intrigued. After that ending, with so many questions left unanswered, I am beyond excited to see where the story goes next!

Arcana Academy is set in a richly imagined world of tarot-based magic. Our main character, Clara, has grown up around cards and knows how to ink them — something that is strictly regulated by law. After a job goes terribly wrong, Clara finds herself imprisoned for illegally inking. But when Prince Kaelis, the overseer of Arcana Academy, offers her a deal, she has little choice. The catch? She must pretend to be engaged to the prince and enroll in Arcana Academy — the one place she swore to avoid at all costs.

The world building is truly original and completely immersive. Elise Kova brings her signature creativity to this universe, with a tarot magic system that feels thoughtful and layered. It takes a moment to fully understand, but once it clicks, it’s brilliant. The rules are clear and consistent, and the system is revealed gradually enough but does require patience.

The pacing leans on the slower side, especially in the first 30% where Clara spends time learning and training at the academy. But even in these quieter moments, the story is brimming with tension, secrets, and a constant sense of unease. There’s an underlying threat that keeps you engaged, even without high-octane action on every page.

Clara is a fantastic protagonist. She’s clever, driven, and morally grey in all the right ways. She makes hard decisions and thinks differently from your usual fantasy heroine, which makes her feel fresh and compelling. Kaelis is another standout. He ticks the tall, dark, and tortured box, but in a way that feels unique and layered. Every scene with him left me wanting more — he’s definitely a character to unpack.

The romance is deliciously slow burn. There is no insta-attraction, no forced chemistry. Just real, hard-earned tension that builds over time. Their relationship is messy, antagonistic, and full of history. And that’s what makes it so satisfying. It doesn’t follow a straight path, but every stumble and setback feels earned and believable.

The side characters are also worth mentioning. They don’t exist just to fill space — each one has their own agenda, their own personality, and they add a lot to the world. I especially loved the focus on sisterhood and female friendships, which gave the book more depth and emotional resonance.

Between the magic system, trials, lore, and secret plots, there is so much to love here. It sets the stage for an epic series. My only real gripe was the pacing, but with a world this complex, a slower buildup feels inevitable. I’m left with so many questions and can’t wait to see where the story leads next.

I loved this book! Dark academia with a complex and intriguing magic system and an ongoing struggle between the poor and the elite.
The tarot card style magic used in this book was very unique, I loved how intricate it was and how the different cards could have different uses. The glossary listed them all for a better understanding of what they all do which I found very helpful.
Kaelis intrigued me from the very beginning, I liked him despite knowing I was meant to hate him on Clara's behalf. Their relationship was very enemies to lovers and verrrry slow burn but boy was it worth it.
There were a few twists at the end I absolutely didn't see coming but I was also left with a few questions and now I just really need for book two to be in my hands already 😂

I loved this book. The magic system is fantastic, unique and the twists and turns will have you clutching your cards tight! The cliff hanger will have you desperately waiting for our next fix when book 2 comes, but it is worth the wait so if been debating if you should read, I suggest you get your tarot cards handy, and settle in for this amazing read.

For my witchy and spiritual readers this will appeal to you with its slow burn tension. Forbidden romance, unique magic system and twist to the tarot cards plus characters which will have you questioning all of them on whose side they are on. If you enjoy romantasy and book tok novels this is one for you and deserves the hype. Dark academia at its best. Enjoy and I hope to see you in the next book 📖

An immersive and action-packed fantasy story, set within the magical Arcana Academy in the Oricalis Kingdom.

I really enjoyed the unique magical system, through inking and wielding magical tarot cards, with elemental magical spells involving Wands, Coins, Swords and Cups. I enjoyed the found family element, the noble clans and royal intrigue, as well as the deadly magical trials and the mystery of Clara’s missing sister.

Clara Graysword is a fabulously feisty FMC, and I enjoyed her sparring with (second-born) Prince Kaelis, who is broody, stubborn and has mysterious intentions for his future as the young headmaster of Arcana Academy. They progress from enemies to reluctant allies with a fake engagement, to occasional lovers, with an interesting slow-burn connection.

The conclusion has me very excited for the next book in the series! If you enjoy dark academia, then this series is set to be a great one.

I particularly appreciate the maps at the beginning of the book and the glossary at the end of the book, which further highlights the cards and associated spells that are featured throughout the story.

With thanks to Hachette Australia and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this mysteriously magical story, in exchange for an honest review.

I have been looking forward to this book for months! It took me a while to get into and I was starting to get nervous that I wasn’t going to love it but once I got my head around the magic system and understood the world I really started enjoying the book and couldn’t put it down. It was such a cool and unique magic system and I loved the academy setting. The mix of characters really brought the story to life and the twists and turns kept me hooked and I really didn’t know what direction the book would go in. I can’t wait for book 2 after that ending!
I am becoming such a fan of Elise Kova and can’t wait to see what else she does!

Arcana Academy is the addictive kind of romantasy that casts a spell on you from page one. The world is lush, dangerous and full of secrets, with a spellbinding magic system that literally made me want to go buy tarot cards.

Our FMC Clara Graysword is an icon. Headstrong, sharp-tongued, and no-nonsense. Watching her clash with the brooding Prince Kaelis? EEEEEEE! Their chemistry simmers beneath every snappy word and stolen glance.

There’s political intrigue, magical classes and trials, the mystery of Clara’s missing sister, and a secret quest that could remake the world. The romance kept me SAT with their infuriatingly stubborn personalities. It was so satisfying watching Clara and Kaelis slowly unravel each other, I was (as i often am) giggling and kicking my feet.

I have zero complaints. Just an amazingly executed romantasy that ticks every box with its own magical flair!

🂱 tropes:
– enemies to reluctant allies to lovers
– fake engagement/ marriage of convenience
– magical school & trials
– forced proximity
– royal/political intrigue
– missing sister
– slow burn

This book is leading up to a great second book!
If you're a fan of fourth wing, or any dark academia books you'll enjoy this! The use of tarot magic was really fun to read! It made it different from other fantasy books i've read.

It is a very slow burn. I felt this both in romance and storyline

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Hachette Publishers and Elise Kova for providing me a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

The moment I started reading, I vibed with our MC’s, Clara: a thief who practises illegal magic and relies on her whims and Prince Kaelis: the enigmatic and calculated young headmaster of Arcana Academy and second-born son to the King.

Kaelis offers Clara a deal; in exchange for her freedom, she must help him steal a tarot card from his father and forge a powerful, long-lost card, ‘The World.’ In order to conceal her identity, she attends the academy and poses as a first-year student as well as Kaelis’s betrothed.

Enter some of the tropes we know and love: fake dating, secret identities, close proximity, royal intrigue, touch-her-and-die, high stakes, dark academia. The banter was fire and the tension delicious.

The magic system was clearly inspired by tarot (and oddly reminiscent of Yu-Gi-Oh – shout out 90’s kids.) These scenes were action packed and played out vividly in my head. For the most part, the story took place in the grand academy, decked out in celestial décor which was exquisite.

I suppose my only qualms were the length (lol.) As charming as the secondary characters were, I found that there were far too many making it difficult to remember them all. The narrative was also unnecessarily long and could have used a substantial edit and snip. Overall, I was gripped and can’t wait to continue the series.

Publication date: Out now!