Unfortunately this one was just not for me. I just wasn't in the right mood for it and the characters didn't grip me. I wasn't invested in what happened to them.

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for the audiobook ARC of Arcana Academy.

This book was everything a fantasy reader like me could wish for. The top-notch trope enemies-to-lovers, the gripping plot, and world-building were on another level. The bantering and tension were a little than I expected, but it made me stare at the wall listening. It was my first time listening to a fantasy audiobook that had such a strong and need-to-be-attentive kind of plot, I kinda did an injustice with this one. I know I would have devoured this one if only I had this in a physical copy, but listening to this made me kinda bored, and most of the time I could not imagine the action scenes properly but once it got past the description of world i enjoyed it but still the use of cards was hard to follow IN AUDIOBOOK. i know the ones who had read in the book would have enjoyed it a lot, and to be honest, I am jealous of them all

I picked up this book because of the stunning cover, but it was the story, magic, and romance that completely hooked me. Clara and Kaelis stole the show—along with some of the smaller charactersand their chemistry and tension was sizzling without ever tipping into cheesy romantasy territory. Honestly, I’m already counting the days until book two!

If you love magical academies, high-stakes tests, and a touch of fake dating, Arcana Academy delivers all that and more. The way it reimagines tarot magic is utterly unique and fascinating—an absolute dream for any tarot lover.

I think the thing about this book is because I’ve not long since read the Shepherd King duology I was kind of comparing this book to it. I know Arcana Academy used Tarot cards versus unique ones from the Shepherd King duology but there are so many cards, I did sometimes get a little lost, and had to review to a table I had made but I did have to do the same for the Shepherd King duology to be fair. Saying that this book also have a lot of other world building things to get around, there are a lot of characters especially for book 1 in a series and it was often quite overwhelming.

There are some things logically that I just wished were stretched out or done in a different way, a key one being the set up. Certain things just don’t feel as fleshed out as I would have liked, but I do think that often happens with romantasy where it’s about balancing the romantic relationship and the fantasy story. Talking about the romance, it was a slow burn, like very slow burn and then suddenly all the romance. I just wish that the burn had been a little less slow and more even.

The characters in general aren’t super unique, and I feel like I have seen them all done. Normally that’s fine as long as there are interesting side characters as well but I never really felt that wasn’t really the case here, and there are a lot of side characters. I have seen the trial system done many times, and unfortunately this wasn’t a great version, and I think in general that sums up this book, I have seen lots of elements of this book done before and better.

I love this book. The setting, the story and the slowest burn. My rating is lower because of the magic system. I tried to understand it. I have no prior knowledge of tarot before reading this book and I found it very hard to follow. The basics I understood. But what every card does not. Also were do the houses come from? What's their story.

When you start the book it's at a running speed I loved that. You dive right in. The arrangement with the prince is a nice trade. Ofcourse you can see coming what happend next. But it still very good 🔥.

The side carakters and found family were amazing. I would have loved to know more about them. Maybe some flashback of here time in the club. The more day to day.

I loved the school setting and their work there. The interactions with others (enemies / bullies). She is kind but a baddest to stand up for here friend when the card goes wrong and later to help here roommate with extra lessons. On the other hand she knows what's she is doing. With the prince but also here enemies. Nothing to add, she is a very good fmc.

The plot twist at the end was cruel. Come on. I was so heartbroken before and then that last line. I need book 2 to come out!

This was a promising start to a new series with a unique magic system using tarot cards. This has a slow build up & the first half was a bit slow but the second half picks up as we get to see the threads joining to see the bigger picture. The characters were interesting and i liked the MC’s arc & the enemies to lovers romance with a slow burn filled with tension & angst. I am looking forward to the sequel!
The narrator did a really great job in bringing the story to life especially in the first half as if it wasn’t for the narrator i may not have continued but they kept me invested & I’m glad I did!

I love Elise Kova’s married to magic series so picking this up with a no brainer. I really liked the narrator and found it easy to listen to in the car or moving around while also speeding up your 2x.

The World building and tarot magic is really interesting and I would have liked to have learnt lots more about it. Even a table of cards and their abilities would be useful to get a better grasp of the magic. Maybe this will be in finished copies.

I enjoyed the romance and the spice, but I did find it all very predictable. I initially thought it being dark academia vibes and adult fantasy that it would perhaps have more twists that I wouldn’t see coming. The dark academia was more the setting but not a lot else.

I think this could be the start of an interesting series, it ended with a good cliff hanger.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This book was great!
The audiobook was also a fantastic way to read this book.
I love the magic system of tarot cards, the world was interesting and the characters too.
The writing was captivating.
The romance was full of yearning and forced proximity.
Overall I loved this book.

The first in a trilogy, this story starts out with our main character, Clara Greysword, stuck in prison.
In this magical world, the ability to create magical tarot cards is restricted to those who have been properly trained at Arcana Academy, an elite and exclusive school. Tarot cards are not only used for readings, but they also have magical abilities which can be used in an endless amount of ways, such as battle or escape. (Think Cardcaptor Sakura and the way she draws power from her cards).

When Prince Kaelis offers Clara an escape from her prison life, she finds herself with little other option than to go along with his schemes. That doesn't stop her from plotting on her own and she'll stop at nothing to find out what happened to her sister.

I found the setting of Arcana Academy fascinating. There's a nice mix of royal and spoiled privileged wealth vs illegal magical trade and people just trying to get by with their lot in life. I also found the magic system of the tarot cards, which can be inked and used up, very intriguing. There's a bit of a mystery and intrigue going on and while some of it is answered in this first book, there's even more truth to uncover in the rest of the series.

Romance wise, there are definitely some descriptive moments and focus, but not as much as I was expecting (in a good way). There aren't any really long descriptive scenes but more shorter intense moments and a bit of tension/build up towards those.

I will for sure be continuing the series and am really grateful for the digital Arc I received from Hodder & Stoughton Audio. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, Blood, Grief

Arcana Academy
Elise kova

A woman who wields magical tarot cards lands herself in a false engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy.

‘But no matter how dark the night I refuse to give up the hope for the dawn.’

Wow this was incredible! I think I’d call myself obsessed. Literally this book has everything I needed. I never thought I would crush on the headmaster until I met Prince Kaelis. But here we are…

‘Magic is a rare commodity that requires even rarer resources to perform, making it highly controlled by the crown. Those who can wield it are never safe, and never free.’

Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck and illegal magic. After a job goes awry she’s sentenced to a lifetime in Halazar prison.

"Well played ... I always knew you were dangerous."
"More than you realize," I whisper.

Surprising her the Arcana Academy’s enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis offers her an escape for a price deal. Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the King and use it to re-create an all powerful card long lost to time.

"But tell me what you're afraid of; I see it."
"Our doomed future."
"The future will be what we make it," I remind him.

Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first year student and also his bride-to-be.

"Don't act like you're not getting anything out of this. You're engaged to a prince, after all."

Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the Prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems.

"A rumor can be more deadly than a poison."

Prince Kaelis 💓 The tension and build up was absolutely perfect and made all the more meaningful for it.
Clara was a phenomenal main character. Headstrong and calculating.
And Pris, his cat. 👏

‘Nothing is going to help me sleep better my first night here than the overwhelming, smug satisfaction of being chesen by his cat.’

The world building was great. You get a strong sense of the world and the actions without heavy details that slow the pace. I loved the dark academia vibes with a corrupted head of power pulling strings.

The narrator did an exceptional job with this audio. It was compelling and clear. Well done to Anna Burnett.

"What did he do?" Kaelis asks, misreading the concern on my face, eyes darting toward Liam.
"Nothing."
"It doesn't look like nothing." A frown tugs on his lips. "I would love a reason to end him; give me one."

Overall I loved it and cannot wait to continue with book two!

”The tarot lives in us all. It is both feminine and masculine; it is also neither. It is essence of life and nature in all its forms.”

2025 has so far been nothing short of amazing for romantasy books I pick up, with Arcana Academy not an exception to this rule. It’s become one of my favourite books this year, holding a special place in my heart. Feeling very lucky that I got to read it as both an eARC and ALC, I hope anybody that picks it up has an equally magical time!

In Arcana Academy we follow Clara as she finds freedom (or does she?) from prison she spent a year in when according to a carefully curated plan, she is enrolled into Arcana Academy. As a bride-to-be of Prince Kaelis, the academy’s Headmaster.

Inking. Reading. Wielding. All three are components to working with tarot cards, which are the base of this world’s magic system. Knowledge and skill that isn’t for everyone, reserved only for those who attend - and graduate - from Arcana Academy.

The stakes are high, and I’m not only talking about the fact that Clara is Halazar’s escapee having to stay a secret. Kaelis’ plan was never to just help her. He has his own end goal in sight, but that goal might become something others strive for as well.

””Don’t act like you’re not getting anything out of this. You’re engaged to a prince, after all.””I’d rather die””

Clara. Kaelis. Our main characters. Two people forged by their surroundings and life stories. Seemingly as different as one might be. However, the more time they spend with each other, the more blurred the lines become. Where does their arrangement ends, and real feelings start?

(Out of context, BUT - the bathing scene. That’s it. That’s all I’m going to say.)

Clara is an amazing FMC, a strong-willed woman who survived so much hardships. Her love for those she holds dear was one of the things that helped her push through. Unfortunately, it also lead to situations where she would act on impulse, driven by the intensity of that love and wanting to save those she still could.

Kaelis... What can I say? I love me an MMC like that. Arrogant asshole at the first meeting. However, as we uncover more of his life story, we start to root for him.

What can you expect in Arcana Academy:
- enemies to lovers
- SLOW slow burn
- original magic system
- found family
- hidden identity
- dark academia
- trials
- CLIFFHANGER of an ending

THAT. ENDING. THOUGH. It’s a love/hate relationship, but also a personal mark for an amazing read - when there’s a plottwist or a cliffhanger at the end of a book which shocks me so much I cannot help but stare into nothingness. Book #2 cannot come any quicker.

As for the audiobook version, Anna Burnett has done an amazing job! Being the only narrator of it, she portrayed both female and male characters to life in a way that didn’t take me out of the story. Getting to hear her emotional reading added to how amazing the story already is.

Lastly, attending the Elise Kova event filled me with even more appreciation for Arcana Academy. As someone who is still quite a novice to tarot reading, the magic system was one of the reasons I became intrigued about the book in the first place. And now that I know Elise has been reading tarot since she was a child, the love and appreciation for this art is palpable between the pages -plus, she thought my deck was cute!

Thank you to NetGalley and Elise Kova! Thank you to Hoddersape and Del Rey for providing these eARCs, and thank you to Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the ALC - all in exchange for an honest review.

Really loved the audiobook performance!

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!

I will give the uniqueness of the world to this book, I think that, and great narration, is what gave this book more stars that I would have given otherwise.

I loved the tarot cards use woven into the magic and the society in this books. It was well thought out and great.

Now the rest of the book was just same as any other books, baddie girly, dark and broody guy, they hate eachother, bla bla bla. Been there, done that.
Dark academia fantasy as genre has a very intricate balance between academia and fantasy elements, and I think this was not dark academia, this was fantasy in a magic school setting, hence I was a bit disappointed.

All and all I think this book will be loved by people that love magic school, enemies to lovers romantasies, but this was not for me personally.

The romance has elements of marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and enemies to lovers with a love interest who appears cruel but is actually a complete fluff ball at heart. The romance is beautifully slow burn and excellently done but weirdly I'm not sure if I would call this a romantasy as the romance is very much a subplot - this is a dark academia fantasy with a romance subplot. If you removed the romance the story would still stand and the main plot of the book is not the romance so I wouldn't personally call it a romantasy.

I enjoyed the audiobook narrator and I'd definitely be interested in reading more books narrated by them.

I think that the world building is great and the magic system is very interesting and cool. There are also a lot of side characters which definitely confused me at the start but I do appreciate how well fleshed out a lot of these side characters became and I'm looking forward to getting to know them all more in the next book. The ending was brilliant and I need book 2 now!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I absolutely loved the magic system in Arcana Academy. It was truly unique and clearly very well thought out, which made it one of the highlights of the book for me. Unfortunately, the rest of the story didn’t quite live up to that same level. I found myself quite bored throughout, as the pacing was off and inconsistent and I also wasn't invested enough in the characters. It almost felt like two separate stories trying to happen at once, and overall, it gave the impression that elements from other popular books had been pulled together and mashed into one. However the ending also came out of nowhere! It was very sudden and unexpected, so while I wasn’t fully sold on this one, I suppose I’ll have to pick up the next book just to see where it all goes.

<i>”The World is ours to design or destroy.”</i>

I’m so happy I gave Elise Kova another try! You can really tell how her writing has grown since ‘A Deal with the Elf King’, adding more depth to her characters and world, and more tension and dialogue and connection between the love interests.
I was really curious about this Dark Academia world using Tarot, and although the tarot aspect could be a bit clearer, I really enjoyed how this world was built and the characters were explored.
The plot was plotting, the romance was slow and reluctant and had chemistry, and that ending left me desperate for the sequel!

I also found the narrator absolutely fantastic, keeping me engaged in the story even when the exposition sometimes felt a bit heavy.

Read this if you enjoy:
🃏Tatot card magic system
💍Fake-dating
👑 Political Intrigue
🗡️strong and capable FMC
🖤 slow burn enemies-to-lovers
🗣️ MMC that says things like “You consume my every waking moment. Devour my thoughts. You’ve poisoned my halls with your scent. Flooded my dreams to the point that I cannot tell if it is a delight or a nightmare to want to drown in you.“ and “There is no world in which you do not consume my very being.”

***Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced computer of this in exchange for an honest review!***

This was my first book by the author and I truly went into not really knowing what to expect. And it blew my mind away.

The magic system was incredible and so complex and interesting. The world-building was all the complete that it the politics, the magic and the places were detailed in an awe-inspiring way sometimes. I felt Elise Kova’s writing was so visual that it was easy to project myself in the story. The dark academy setting was absolutely on point, the morally-grey characters never just villains because they want to be villains.

Clara is an absolute badass main character, the kind that you can’t help to root for.
I wasn’t sure I’d be able to root for her romance with Kaelis at first, though, but fortunately I changed my mind quickly. Nothing is easy with them, the obstacles to their relationship are real and in no way overcome at the end of this first book.

And the audiobook was amazing as well, I adored the narrator, she convoyed the stakes and emotions so well that I was hooked from the first minute.

I can’t wait to see more in the sequel, I need it more than air at this point.

ARCANA ACADEMY is a magical school tale with plenty of romance and action.

The tale has a nice balance of danger (threats from students and external actors), romance (there is a lot of chemistry between Clara and Kaelis), danger (magical duels), and background mysteries about the fate of Clara's loved ones. It's a good mix, making the pages turn easily. Elise Kova's A DEAL WITH THE ELF KING is very much a romantasy and this book goes darker than that while also bringing more non-romantic plot into the tale, which I liked.

The magic system, with the cards having specific abilities and some being harder to create or rarer than others, reminded me of the magic system in ONE DARK WINDOW. I really liked that the card's ability was the focus of the magic system rather than the fortune telling aspect. That is in there but it felt like a minor part.

The book fits into the current trend of school books in the adult space. They have been hugely popular in children's fiction (for obvious reasons) in the past but now we're seeing an increase in them in the adult space as dark academia gets more popular. I wouldn't say this book is a dark academia novel (it isn't about the research and the obsession with it, rather the school is the setting) but it is interesting to see how that sub-genre's prominence is having a broader affect.

I listened to this and I liked the audiobook. There is something about first person, I think, that lends itself well to narration. Someone is telling you the story and this is how you really get that experience.

It is a duology, I believe, and the second book definitely implies that the setting and focus will be quite different - not a school-set book about trials throughout the year, but a much broader battle for the future.

I loved this audiobook. I’ve read the book but really happy I got a chance to listen to the audiobook. It came alive again with the narrator who was great. I love the different troupes . My fav one enemy to lovers. Highly recommend this book. The characters are great and dynamics between them

4.25 🌟 1.5🌶️

Arcana Academy is narrated from the first-person perspective of Clara, the FMC, who finds herself imprisoned after a heist goes wrong. In prison, she is coerced into illegally inking tarot cards. However, she is 'rescued' by the headmaster (Prince Kaelis) of Arcana Academy (MMC??), who offers her a deal: in exchange for her release, she must enroll as a student at the Academy and pose as his fiancée while assisting him in locating the most powerful tarot card.

During her time at the Academy, Clara has to figure out why the prince is really helping her. She goes through a lot of challenges that almost give away her true identity, and eventually, it all comes out....

Pick this up if you like:
🎴 Unique magic system (Tarot cards)
🎴 Enemies to lovers
🎴 Dark Academia
🎴 Forced/Fake Engagement
🎴 Tests and Trials
🎴 Political intrigue
🎴 Slow burn

If you enjoy an easy-to-read romantasy with a unique magic system, then Arcana Academy is the perfect choice. Although it took a bit to get into because of the slow start, the pace eventually picked up and the ending was just 😲 honestly, no one is safe! The numerous twists and turns kept me hooked, though I did find it a bit challenging to keep track of all the plot points due to the sheer volume of events.

I did an immersive read and even though my preference is duet narrations, the narrator (Anna Burnett) did an amazing job throughout and added to the overall story.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton Audio | Hodderscape for sending me an ALC in exchange for an honest review.