🃏⚜️Arcana Academy by Elise Kova ✨🖤
This book realised yesterday RUN DONT WALK.

Okayyy I did not expect this book to grab me like it did — tarot magic, enemies-to-lovers, fake engagement, slow burn tension?? I was HOOKED.

Kaelis is peak morally grey energy (dark, secretive, broody… I was feral), and Clara is such a strong, intuitive MC , apsoulte BAD ASS. — I loved her from page one. Their chemistry?? Off. The. Charts.

It took a minute to build, but once the plot hit its stride, I couldn’t put it down. The tarot-based magic system is so clever and unique — I want my own deck now tbh.

And THAT ENDING?? Elise Kova… how DARE you 😭 This was my first read from her but definitely not my last! Can’t wait to grab a trophy for my shelf 📚

✨Tropes:
🌌enemies to lovers
💍fake engagement
👑 he falls first
⚜️ tarot magic
🖤dark academia
🤍 slow burn

Big thanks to @elisekova, @hachetteaus & @NetGalley for the eARC! 💫

I loved this book!!! It was so good! This magic system and world was so unique and creative. I love all the twists and turns the story went down, the mystery and intrigue. Further, I loved the romance!!! I love Prince Kaelis <3 he will hold my heart for a while. I HIGHLY recommend this book!
Thank you Hachette Australia for the arc :)

Clara Greysword has been captured and held in Halazar Prison for over a year. She is then offered an opportunity to escape when she is asked by the Prince and headmaster of Aracana Academy to forge tarot cards. Clara tries her best to escape but is caught by Prince Kaelis, however he promised her she will never return to Halazar if she agrees to help him with his search for the secret Major Arcana card - The World.
This was my favourite read this month and in the top five of the year. It has a unique tarot-based magic system, dark academia vibes, faking dating, enemies to lovers and the slowwwwwest burn. It was fantastic in every way.

Clara is a headstrong, fierce and powerful FMC. She agrees to help Kaelis so she can search for her missing sister and try to find more information about the death of her mother. Kaelis is a tortured, handsome and morally grey MMC who is trying to defy his father with his own agenda to which only Clara can assist. They hide their secrets from each other but begin to fall for each other and slowly find themselves trusting each other more and more.

I loved this book so much and I already can’t wait for the next one! Also loved the glossary of Tarot Cards in the back of the book, that was so helpful!

🔮 arcana academy 🃏

spoiler free review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

if you’re looking for your next romantasy obsession this is it!!

in a world where arcanists are regulated by the royal family, clara greysword has been surviving through illegal magic, inking tarot cards until she is thrown in prison 🔮

just when she has given up, prince kaelis, head of arcana academy, offers her freedom, with a price 👀👀

first of all, let me just say i am OBSESSED with the magic system in this book, using tarot cards as the magic system is so creative and i love how they function - the world building was also amazing!! i really felt sucked in to the world 🌏

i especially enjoyed the mystery aspect (i can’t say much more without spoilers) but i was super invested in finding out what happened to a certain character 👀👀

i always loveeee fake dating and the romantic tension between clara and kaelis was done AMAZLINGLY - i LOVE enemies to lovers so much!! 🗡️

✨ tropes ✨
💛 enemies to lovers
🧡 forced proximity
❤️ dark academia
🩷 slow burn
💜 fake dating

thank you hachette aus, elise kova and netgalley for the arc copy!!

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Australia for this ARC!

So much potential but it missed the mark for me. Tbh it kinda dragged for the first half but once things started happening, I steadily got more invested in the story. I can see why other readers love this book, but this was not for me dawg.

What I liked:
- Strong FMC who worked towards improving herself and has a backbone in most instances
- Refreshing and interesting magic system
- Not him calling her the rat queen lmao

What I didn't like as much:
- A good chunk of the action and important developments happens off-page
- The magic system could be better explained and developed; it just got unnecessarily convoluted but still lacks depth and clarity
- The romance was meh; I don't see their connection as it felt quite contrived and even the minimal spice scenes were forgettable and doesn't add to their connection
- More could have been done to really highlight the fake engagement and forced proximity trope; this aspect was just put to the back burner and just told but not showed
- MMC just felt like an NPC... he didn't really do or develop much
- The sexual quips and banter between the main leads felt so random and forced
- Did the FMC not feel any guilt or remorse at kinda forcing her friend's hand during that one pivotal scene???
- FMC quite resourceful but doesn't do her due diligence when embarking on this crusade???
- Some things just don't seem consistent e.g. the King always has someone attached at his hip for protection but that one scene...??????
- So many cards but so little effort to really impress these upon the reader (i.e. me); I just stopped trying to remember what each type of card does by the first couple of chapters

Would not read again, however I am intrigued at how things will play out in the next book.

Overall rating: 3/5

I could not put this one down! Elise Kova has created this fantastically intriguing world that I wanted to learn more and more about with every page.
The magic system was simple enough for anyone to follow, yet so unique and interesting that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it - I even had a dream where I was inking tarot cards!
The relationship between Clara and Kaelis felt realistic, passionate, and heartbreaking, as they tried to figure out if they could trust each other or not.
As much as I would've like to know more about Clara's friends and both the Academy and the club, I think Kova did a wonderful job at giving them enough personality while still keeping the story pace going. I imagine we'll learn more in the following books.
I loved every twist and turn the story took, as more secrets were revealed - and I know we've only just scratched the surface of what this world has to offer, so I can't wait for the next one!

Arcana Academy follows Clara, newly escaped from the most treacherous place in Eclipse City, Halazar Prison. The person who helped her escape? Prince Kaelis. With a debt owed to Kaelis, he asks her nothing more than to attend his academy of the art of wielding tarot cards. And to be his wife.

Reading Arcana Academy, I was pleasantly surprised by how enthralled I was by the unique magic system Elise Kova created. The characters using tarot cards as a means to cast spells was fantastically fun to read about. I also loved the setting of Arcana Academy. I felt as though I was there learning with the students in their different classes, groaning along with them when their card casting wasn’t working.

Despite adoring the magic system and the setting of both the academy and Eclipse City, I did only give this three stars. I found I did not connect to the characters as much as I had hoped to. Also, I was a bit taken aback by the level of spice as the rest of the novel felt like it read more like a YA.

I am looking forward to continuing this series, because wow that ending! Truly had me gasping!

I begin my review of this fantastic Dark Academia Romantasy read by giving a huge thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Australia & author Elise Kova for this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

The premise of this book was absolutely amazing! Beneath ivy-draped spires and moonlit courtyards, Arcana Academy hums with secrets. It’s not just a school for the magically gifted—it’s a crucible where ambition, power, and ancient rites collide. When a reluctant newcomer arrives with a gift she's been taught to fear, she discovers a world of whispered alliances and dangerous rituals. As rival students circle like wolves and a decades-old mystery resurfaces, survival means mastering more than magic. In this place, truth is a currency—and everyone’s hiding something.

I have just emerged from the ink-soaked halls of Arcana Academy, utterly spellbound. This eARC conjured an atmosphere so rich with tension and betrayal, I found myself questioning every page—every character, every motive!

The tarot-inspired magic system? Genius. The intricacies of reading, inking, and wielding unravel with precision and flair. It's layered, ritualistic, and completely immersive. Each card holds weight—not just as magic, but as memory, prophecy, and power.

Arcana Academy masterfully blends lore-rich combat and nail-biting suspense. The tarot battles are electric—each fight a dance of destiny and deception. And the heist? A pulse-pounding sequence that threads tension with thrill, keeping readers perched on the edge of revelation.

Secrets pulse through the academy walls like whispered incantations. With double-crossings, hidden agendas, and characters cloaked in ambiguity, the narrative dares you to trust— and then quickly leaaves you second guessing your trust in that character!

Lets not forget the slow-burn romance! Threaded through the shadows and spellwork is a slow-burn romance that simmers with delicious tension. Clara and Kaelis are bound by a fake engagement, but their barbed banter and electric distrust betray a deeper, aching pull. As secrets unravel and their grudging alliance morphs into something charged & magnetic, the emotional stakes sky rocket. This isn't just enemies to lovers—it’s spellbound intimacy forged under pressure, every glance a measured risk!

Finally that cliffhanger ending? A masterstroke of cruelty!! I turned the last page and audibly gasped. I was left completely and utterly stunned and I was straight onto the messenger chat with my friend who also read the book and discussing theories of what comes next! Book two isn't just a desire... it's a visceral necessity!! This is definitely a book that I want to add a physical copy to my home collection of and i'm excited for the rest of the series!!

If you love gothic corridors, cloaked motives, and magic tangled with mystery, Arcana Academy delivers a deliciously shadowed experience that lingers long after the final page. Go grab yourself a copy & you won't be disappointed !

Arcana Academy 🃏✨🗡️🐈‍⬛🪞♠️

★★★★.5

Arcana Academy was a fun, magical, and enchanting read. This book had everything I could want in a romantasy book, it has rich world building, complex characters, political tension, high stakes, a unique magic system, a bit of mystery and romance that makes you squeal.

The magic system, which is the use of tarot cards, really stood out to me and was the main character in this book to me rather than the romance. I was so invested in the ins and outs of it so I couldn’t put the book down. It was unique and woven into the story so well. I felt the storyline was strong for this book, I loved how much action there was and what was going on, it made me not want to put this book down and wasn’t done in a way that was too much.

Our characters, Clara and Kaelis, I absolutely adored them. I loved Clara’s character, her determination and strength she displays in this book makes her really likeable and for us to constantly route for her. Kaelis, our dark prince had me swooning, even more when he starts to reveal his softer side.. this plus the fake relationship? Perfection. As we travel through the book, their relationship gets more steamy, I loved the build up of it, it is truly a SLOW BURN. But a good one, the tension = immaculate.

THE ENDING?!!! It will leave you with so many questions. Book 2 is needed immediately.

A great first book in a new fantasy series and I will be definitely picking up the second one. Highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a unique fantasy read!

Thank you Netgalley, Hachette and the brilliant author Elise Kova for this e-ARC of Arcana Academy!

What a treat this read was! The world building, the magic system, the atmosphere, the characters! Chefs kiss for all of it.

I absolutely devoured this book from start to finish. The story hooks you immediately, and the more you discover the more you want to know. Clara is an unapologetically badass FMC. Her gifts, her personality, her backstory - all soooo intriguing, and her growth throughout the book was so good. I love her. Kaelis, a mysterious, broody, protective hottie who you're not entirely sure if you can trust. I need to know more about him and his backstory immediately!!

The side characters were wonderful. They made me feel all kinds of emotion, and I'd become attached without even realising until my heart was aching for them. And this even goes for ones we hadn't met in book one, only heard about.

The twists and turns, the danger, the thrill, the possibility for romance kept me on tenterhooks. The ending had me gasping out loud. I absolutely cannot wait to read the next one, in the meantime I need to get my hands on a physical copy for my shelf!

This is the dark academia, fantasy romance I have been waiting for! I loved every page of this book. The world building was excellent, the magic system was unique and complex and the characters were everything. Clara is a fierce lead character, I enjoyed learning more about her family history as she tried to navigate her new reality of being engaged to the prince, all while fighting for her place in the academy. My only slight annoyance was this was marketed as an enemies to lovers and I never really got the enemies of it all. Clara had plenty of reasons not to trust Kaelis but I never got the impression he hated her back. The cliffhanger of this one has me desperate for book two but seeing as though this one has just been released, I think I will be waiting for a bit. Highly recommend to any fantasy and/or dark academia fan, this has been one of my favourite reads of the year so far.

Arcana Academy by Elise Kova ♠️✨♣️

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year… and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!! I’m still reeling! 😍

The magic system was SO unique. It’s based on suits and cards, and woven into the story so seamlessly that I was instantly obsessed!

It had so many things I love like fake engagement to the prince (a dream!!! 🙈), enemies-to-lovers slow burn with ridiculous levels of yearning that had me giggling and kicking my feet 🤭 and the setting in an magic academy which I really enjoyed!


Kaelis is so mean to her and I love it 🤭🤣
Chapter 37? I squealed! 
Chapter 49? That confession?? The SLOW. BURN. OMG. 🙌

I do wish Clara and Kaelis had more time/interactions together though because I wanted more 🙈

This book had me feeling everything, from butterflies to betrayal to full-on screaming into the void. And that ENDING?! Are you kidding me?! I need book two immediately!!!! Like yesterday.

If you're a fan of slow burn romantasy with a creative magic system, banter and tension that will ruin you (in the best way), pre-order this book now!

Arcana Academy is out 29 July! ✨

Tropes:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Magic Academy
✨ Slow burn
✨ Unique magic system
✨ Found family
✨ Fake dating

A school of magic, fake engagement, a tarot-based magic system and a morally grey FMC?! Say no more! 🤩

This book was captivating from the start, easy to follow and I loved how it stayed close to the true tarot with its major and minor arcana. A highlight was the use of the cards in the fighting scenes!

This will be a favourite for the romantasy lovers.

Thank you Netgalley, Elise Kova and Hachette for the digital arc!

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.

This book had me at tarot magic and magic school vibes. I was instantly sold on the promise of secret societies, dark academia drama, and a morally grey prince who’s also the headmaster (yes, really). The setup was incredible and the potential was so strong, but the follow-through didn’t always land.

The magic system was easily my favourite part. It felt fresh, detailed, and totally immersive. I loved the whole “inking” process and the way the magical society was structured. The worldbuilding was genuinely impressive, and yes, the glossary is a must. That final twist? I gasped. It came out of nowhere in the best way and definitely convinced me to stick with the series.

The story kicks off with a strong start, but after Clara escapes and gets to the academy, things slow down. The pacing stumbles, the tension fades, and the middle of the book feels repetitive. Clara was clever and capable, but her development stalled. For a book that spans nearly a year, her arc felt pretty flat. Kaelis was pitched as this morally grey, complex love interest, but we never got to see the darker sides of him. His big dark past wasn’t explored, and his actions were mostly noble, especially towards Clara.

The romance didn’t quite hit either. It was meant to be hate to love, but it felt more like she was annoyed while he was already halfway in love. It didn’t have that satisfying slow burn or payoff I was hoping for. The chemistry wasn’t bad, but the buildup just wasn’t there. And honestly, the side characters blurred together for me. Aside from a few standout antagonists, most of them didn’t leave an impression.

Even with all that, I’m still curious to see where book two goes. The magic system and that last twist carried hard. If the next instalment builds on that foundation and gives the characters more depth, this could turn into something really special.

As a long-time fan of Elise Kova and her works, I was very excited for Arcana Academy - especially as it is her first traditionally published story. In her works I tend to enjoy her magic systems, slow-burn romance, and interactions between her main characters (particularly the romantic counterparts). Such as, I was eager to get into Arcana Academy.

One of my favourite parts about this was the unique magic system and the setting. I LOVED the tarot-based magic - I haven't read anything like this so it was interesting to read how it was used in this world. Any magic that's associated with divination/occult gets me hooked, so this was great. I also liked how this was based in a magic academy (dark academia, sort of), and learning about the inking process and the academy houses.

There were however, some drawbacks for me. There were some pacing and time-jump issues around the middle, which were sometimes a little jarring. I also generally enjoyed Clara, our FMC, but would have loved to seen some more growth throughout (maybe in the following books?!). These were relatively minor in what was otherwise a very enjoyable read.

Overall, Arcana Academy was an immersive read with a unique magic system and setting - and I can't wait for the following books!

A fabulous read of enemies-to-lovers! Arcana Academy is the darkly delicious tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat, begging for more! The nail-biting tension, twists and turns… everything about this book is perfection!

To give this book less than 4 stars would be criminal! The amount of layers that go into creating the magic system alone in this book is wildly impressive.
We follow the fmc through trials and tribulations that land her in an unwanted predicament that she finds she can use to her advantage. As an arcanist, she posseses a sought after magic that allows her to ink tarot cards - each card wielding its own special power. Having this power comes with having to uphold traditions and certain responsibilities, which not ever arcanist chooses to follow.
I am honestly in awe at Elise Kova's imagination to create this world, and the magic within it. The story is tastefully playful in all the right places, never taking away from the heart of the story. I did struggle building some of the scenes, as I felt the description sometimes bore gaps that I had to fill in myself, or couldn't quite grasp due to the wording, but this was a minor occurrence throughout what was otherwise a
refreshingly new kind of magical story for me.

An epic blend of rich world-building, elaborate magic systems, political scheming, enemies to lovers, fake engagement, and a black cat 🐈‍⬛ that will steal your heart. It’s the perfect recipe for a sweeping, high-stakes adventure.

I absolutely loved the magic system in this book, it is so intricate and unique. The world building was amazing, so detailed that I got lost sometimes 😌
Think tarot cards and card wielders, where each card grants a specific power. The arcanists (wielders) are all being trained at Arcana Academy under the watchful eye of Prince Kaelis. Clara, who escapes the notorious Prison Halazar (likened to Azkaban), is forced to train at the academy and pose as the prince’s fiancée.

As you can imagine, the stakes are high! Pretend engagement, deadly trials, do-or-die magic tests? YES PLEASE. I loveee trial tropes and competitions.

The romance is slow-burn perfection. It simmers quietly beneath the surface, brimming with hate, tension, pain, and longing. The yearning is so real, just enough to keep you breathless, while the main focus remains on the magic and political intrigue. The best fantasies let romance enhance the story without taking over, and this one nails that balance. I’m so impressed and already counting down to book 2!

Thank you @hachetteaus @thebookishtype_hau for my e-ARC, I had a great time!

4.5 stars

Thank you so much to NetGalley for my e-arc!!

This was the perfect recipe for a romantasy and now my favourite read of Elise Kova’s by far.
This was one of the most fun, twisty, unique and addictive stories I have read in a long time.

The magic system was beyond unique and it was so much fun slowly working that out and watching all the pieces slowly come together.
We have a tarot card magic system with 4 different suits: Swords, Cups, Wands and Coins. Each suit brings forth different magical abilities. There are 20 minor cards and 20 major cards. Learning about the major cards was SO unexpected and fun.

Clara our FMC was a strong, witty, determined and sometimes rash character. She was a woman on a mission and she knew how to get the job done, no matter the cost.
Kaelis our MMC was the perfect mixture of dark and broody, his softer side of course only coming out for our FMC. There is still a lot of mystery about it and I can’t help but think we’ve only touched the surface there.

In classic fantasy fashion the last 100 pages on this book went from slightly controlled chaos to outright madness.
The last line …

I am extremely looking forward to the next book!


TROPES
• Enemies to Lovers
• Arranged Marriage / Fake Dating
• Academy Setting
• Unique Magic System
• Tests and Trials