OMG the fact that I got to read this book as and ARC and now have to wait to find out what happens!! I am shook

Elise Kova is one of my favorite authors. The way she writes fantasy and magic is truly so whimsical and astounding. This is some of her best work yet! I was hooked from the very beginning.

The story follows Clara, who has been illegally making magical tarot cards and has been put in Halazar prison, which is worse than death. This is a rare talent which the second prince Kaelis finds useful so he breaks her out of prison and enrolls her into Arcana Academy, which is a magic school that Kaelis runs. Those who attend and pass the school are arcanists who have the power and can legally use tarot cards.

The magic system in this book was amazing. The concept of swords, cups and coins having their own domain with each number in the stack corresponding to a different ability. I found myself so interested that I highlighted passages and noted down what each tarot card meant.

The story itself is so well written, everything means something and at no point did I feel like this was boring at all. The magic school part of this whole story was really well written. I found myself invested in the other students Clara interacted with and their classes where they learn various things.
If you love books like Harry Potter or a School for Good and Evil... this is pretty much and incredible adult version that you'll love!

The enemies to lovers concept in this was really well written, and the slow burn was so good. I truly didn't think Kaelis and Clars would get along, let alone be falling for each other. I also liked that their relationship wasn't the forefront of this story rather than being a subplot. As they're all connected to a much larger story.

Overall if you can't already tell this is my top read of the year. I love this book so much!