Thank you Netgalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Having read a few books by Elise Kova, I was eagerly anticipating Arcana Academy and it did not disappoint! A magical school with forbidden romance and morally grey characters - sign me up!
I really enjoyed the magic system Kova created, with the unique use of cards. Clara is an intriguing character and I really enjoyed getting to know her and seeing her get to know more about herself and her family - I can't wait to see more in the next book! The mystery around what happened to her sister was intriguing and a great storyline throughout. I feel like there's still more to see and can't wait for more in the next book.
The forbidden romance was great, with lots of tension and that satisfying slow burn. I love Kaelis and need more of him - I really hope we get to know more about him in the next book. I'd love to see his POV!
Arcana Academy is a great first book in a magical, school-based dark Romantasy and I really enjoyed listening to it! I'm already excited for the next book.

2.5 rounded up to 3/5

I previously had a chance to read an arc of the ebook earlier this year, which was a solid 4.5/5 for me and this book is still is probably my most anticipated release of 2025. The overall plot and story still gets a 4.5/5, however the audiobook adaptation itself is what's brought this review down a few points.

I tried so hard to enjoy the narrator, but her narrations just fell a little flat for me. There were times when the pacing felt a little rushed, and others when it was almost too drawn out, and characters often blended together due to the lack of differentiation between voices, which made the overall experience a bit more monotone and flat than what I was expecting for this story. That being said, I really loved the unique magic system and overall tropes of this novel, and cannot wait for book two!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

To say I freaked out when I got this ALC is an understatement! You will find this book in my most anticipated releases of 2025 post!

Clara our FMC has been through loss, trauma, imprisonment and is filled with rage towards the royals. Our MMC, Kaelis, who is one of said royals, has many secrets and all is not as it seems. These two are actual enemies, especially our FMC sees it that way! Expect to feel the hate, distrust, and struggle of our main characters in this rich magic & fantasy filled read. Elise Kova is going to make you wait, beg, and huff waiting for the romance. We do get some spice (its a long wait) but more on the romance later!
I love Tarot and books that feature it as a magic system. This one is exceptional, the author clearly has a good understanding of real world Tarot to pull from. You don't need to know Tarot to LOVE this book though, there is a key in the book and its woven in to the story naturally so you won't feel confused.
Being the first in a new series, with a complicated magic system, we do get lot of world building and information in the first third of the book. It's a bit slow (Audio is over 20 hours) but I was never bored, instead fascinated to learn more and see what happened next. My love of tarot helped! There are some great trials, being Tarot based they were refreshing and different than the usual in books. The first trial, yikes, I'm not sure I would be up for that 😂.

The romance.....I was expecting the synopsis dark academia, headmaster, student, fake engagement with 🔥. Whilst it was all there in technical terms it for me lacked 🔥 and was not quite as expected. The romance is pretty much non existent, no banter, no depth to the relationship, getting to know eachother on a deeper level and the ending urgh. The spice was fleeting. As of book one sadly Kaelis is not for me. This is not a touch her/him and 💀, I lost respect for the MMC by the end (I do spoiler free reviews so can't say more). This would have been a 5 🌟 (10 lol) if the romantic connection was there for me.
Now the second book may change things and I will be reading it!
If this had been advertised as a fantasy or I went in expecting a fantasy read with side story romance, it would have been a different rating. Dark academia romance is one of my favourite genres though so the read was tinged with disappointment.

I slept on my rating as I was between 3 and 4, I went with 4 because my love of this complex magic system won out! As well as the side characters, found family aspect that was building. I also hold high hopes for book two in this series! I did really enjoy the world and have two SEs of this book on the way 😂.

Audio book
Narrator - Anna Burnett
Hours - 20 hrs 15 mins
Rating - 5 🎧
I loved the audio narration! It was so well done and the characters were all unique & recognisable by voice alone.


Thank you Netgalley and Hodderscape for the ALC.

Arcana Academy is my newest obsession! I was immediately hooked by the incredibly unique and brilliantly crafted magic system. The tarot-based magic felt fresh and so cleverly done. I loved how the characters had to draw their cards to activate their powers.

The stakes are high as students face deadly trials just for a CHANCE to earn a spot, and those scenes hit with intense emotion. The story is packed with twists, betrayals, and surprises that kept me turning the pages. It is fast-paced and full of heart-pounding moments from start to finish.

And the ROMANCE. Pure enemies to lovers perfection. The tension and longing between them while struggling to trust each other was chef’s kiss. And that ENDING? I am absolutely desperate for book two. I need answers now.

I listened to the audiobook and absolutely adored the narration. The narrator’s voice perfectly captured each character’s personality and emotions, making the story feel even more alive and immersive. Their pacing and tone added extra layers of tension during the trials and chemistry in the romance. It truly enhanced the whole experience and kept me glued to my headphones.

The author is stopping in my city for her book tour, and I am even getting my nails done to match House Swords. If that does not scream five stars, I do not know what does.

(Will add review links on publication day)

DNF 30%

I would love to say this book hooked me from the first page but actually it have not, something just didn’t clicked. In the first part, and as long as it is quite a big part, is actually very unclear: we are thrown in the middle of a pre existing situation that is kinda confusing, a lot of things happen but half of the time I was wondering if I was reading into things wrong like… it’s really happening that one? The MMC got me invested but not enough to make me push until halfway, which was my main goal after realizing I was not vibing with the book. I received the ALC for this one and the narrator was honestly great and fit the mood perfectly, but this books just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ALC copy. Every opinion is my own.

English is not my first language, sorry for any misspelling.

4.5⭐️ I AM STRESSED AND I NEED BOOK TWO IMMEDIATELY PLEASE

Things I loved:
- the magic system
- the slow burn
- the politics
- the lore
- the 💕MMC💕

You NEED to add this one on your tbr. It’s so addictive, I completely ate it up in one day. Thank you for the netgalley arc in exchange for an honest review.

I re-read this book in the form of Audiobook and i am so happy that i did cos it was JUST as good as the first time!!! OMG the narrator did such a good job and shout out to the English Accent! You dont hear that much in audibooks (at least the ones ive listened to!)

W.o.w. I really enjoyed this book! I have read the Air Awakening series by Elise Kova and when i received the ARC for this i was super excited as i really enjoyed that series!

Arcana Academy has a very unique use of magic, Tarot Cards. I found this so fascinating and super unique, not something i had read before. (I love new stuff!) It did confuse me a little at the first, but eventually i finally started understanding all the cards and what they do. (Only to find out there is a Glossary at the end. LOL)

Clara, a strong driven women. I really like her strength and the way she holds herself. Her family values and belief in herself is brill. I loved the slow realize of information into her background and the whole twist at the end with it all. I'm so intrigued! Kaelis, now he was something! You could see his inner turmoil the whole way, to be the enemy he thinks he is born to be. These two … FIRE, the tension ripples off of them. I like how Clara didn't instantly like him, she truly hated him but the then flame slowly started to flare for different reasons and i adored this!

There is a lot of foreshadowing that you don't notice until the story unravels later on. So keep an eye out for stuff!

I really really enjoyed this book and wholly recommend it to everyone! 5/5.

5⭐️

I loved Arcana Academy by Elise Kova so much—I couldn’t stop listening! From the first chapter, I was completely pulled into Clara’s world. She’s tough, clever, and funny, and I loved following her journey from living on the edge in Eclipse City to suddenly being thrown into a magical academy… as the fake fiancée of the headmaster. Yes, please!

The magic system with the tarot cards was really unique and exciting. I’ve never read anything quite like it! There’s a perfect mix of magic, danger, secrets, and romance. And let’s talk about Kaelis—he’s mysterious, powerful, and has such great chemistry with Clara. Their slow-burn relationship had me hooked the whole way through.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the ALC! I also have to say—Anna Burnett did an amazing job with the narration. She really brought Clara’s personality to life and made every moment so fun and emotional. I felt completely immersed in the story thanks to her.

Now I’m just sitting here desperately waiting for book 2. If you enjoy fantasy romance with magical schools, fake dating, and strong heroines, you have to check this one out!

As someone who is not a fan of Elise Kova's previous books or writing, I knew this one was going to be risky. But I always like to give authors a second chance and thought I'd give Fairyloot's Romantasy pick for July a go.

Unfortunately, this has confirmed that Elise Kova is not for me. Her writing and my brain just do not work together, and I honestly found the storyline boring.

However, I know this is a me issue only! I think fans of Elise Kova will enjoy this, especially if you enjoy Tarot Magic! The audio narrator was brilliant but unfortunately, this story just did not hold my interest!

This is was my first DNF in a while and I'm sad I didn't enjoy this more.

I’m sorry, what was that? I feel like I need 3-5 working days to process this absolute masterpiece!!!

I text my book bestie at Chapter 4 saying “I’m already obsessed with this book, it better not let me down” and I can honestly say this book is INCREDIBLE. I have no words - the twists and turns, the betrayal, the heartbreak, the *yearning* my goodness the yearning between Clara and Kaelis had me on the edge of my seat.

The magic in this was exceptional, the tarot cards added an unexpected dynamic and made the storyline unique and fresh.

The academy system has the nostalgia of Harry Potter while being unique, the house systems were intriguing and unlike other academia books.

The ending?!??? What, the, hell!? How could it end like that? How can we be expected to wait to find out what happens? Who can I pay to get the next book?!

Thank you Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for this ARC.

We meet Clara, our FMC as she is in prison for inking and using Tarot cards illegally, the magic system of this world. She is the visited by the Headmaster of Arcana Academy, Kaelis, the second born prince of the kingdom and they make a bargain for her release.

I really enjoyed this book, the academy setting with the deadly trials and high stakes, the suits of the tarot being used to divide people into houses and the means of inking, wielding and reading them being taught.

The tension between Clara and Kaelis is intense, but sometimes it felt a bit forced and dragged a bit, but the found family elements in the book made up for it.

There are a lot of twists and turns that will keep your interest peaked throughout, and that ending is absolutely criminal with that massive cliffhanger! I cannot wait to see where this series is going to next!

The narrator did an incredible job of bringing this book to life! Listening to it was an really pleasant experience.

Original magic system, ruthless competition, grumpy and stubborn characters we all like, a cat who steals the show, and an ending that makes you wish book 2 was already published because I need it now!

4.25/5 stars for both the book and the audiobook. The narrator really makes the characters come to life and does the narrative justice.

I’m going to start with what I disliked the most, because all other things I have to say about this book are praise. So, the pacing… For about the first 60% of the book, I had to force myself to keep on reading. I liked what I read, but I just wasn’t that invested, yet. Some things were rather repetitive also. Even though I wanted to know what was coming next, I could easily put the book aside for a few hours. It starts really slow, sometimes confusing even, and it takes a while before the pieces start coming together and you get attached to the characters. Once you begin to discover where everything is going, what’s at stake, and who you can or cannot trust (or so you think), you are in for a ride…

Now for the positive things and the praise: I read the last 40% in one sitting (40% out of almost 600 pages is a lot, I know, don’t out me like that…). The enemies to lovers (it takes some time for the chemistry to make an appearance, but once it does, I was rooting for them so hard!), the tarot magic, the intrigues and betrayal, the past that resurfaces, the possibilities, the discoveries, the houses and alliances, the found family, hate-worthy enemies, … the pace suddenly picks up, the stakes rise, maybe some people are unalived (expect both cries of happiness and tears of sadness), there is one plot twist after the other and you just have to know what will happen next. I can’t say anything about the ending, because that would be a major spoiler, but believe me when I say you’ll want to get your hands on a copy of book two ASAP. We’ll have to be patient though, because book 1 even still has to hit the shelves (one more week, believe me it’s worth it)… Did I mention it has a very original and interesting magic system? I want to be able to ink cards and wield them as well…

The story has a lot of potential and in the end it does deliver. It’s the first book by Elise Kova that I have read, but it will definitely not be the last. She knows how to tell a compelling story with lots of amazing and intriguing elements.

Thank you Hodderscape for the eARC and ALC, I really enjoyed both.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

We follow Clara, an illegal but naturally gifted tarot card inker, imprisoned in one of the kingdom’s most brutal facilities near Eclipse City. Her fate shifts when she meets the king’s third son, a mysterious, powerful, and ridiculously handsome prince with midnight purple hair and a deck of tarot cards in hand. Oh, and he also happens to be the Headmaster of Arcana Academy.

After this encounter, which ends with her escape (maybe all planned by him 👀), Clara is swept into the prestigious Arcana Academy, and her life completely changes.

Declared the last descendant of a long-lost tarot clan and suddenly engaged to the prince, Clara is drawn into a quest to uncover the 21st Major Arcana card, more legend than reality: The World. In a realm ruled by cards, secrets, and legacy, she might be more entwined with fate than she ever imagined.

Vibe Check & Tropes:
• Tarot-based dark academia
• Fake engagement / enemies to lovers
• Perfect for late summer or autumn reading 🍂

The audiobook was definitely the right choice.Immaculate narration, so immersive, and that’s coming from a very picky audiobook listener haha.

Arcana Academy was so enjoyable, a strong start to a new series. I got similar vibes to Briar Boleyn’s writing, romantic, a little dramatic, and magical in all the right ways.

The way a full blown pterodactyl screeched out of me at that ending - I am not okay… still! Arcana Academy has me in an unapologetic chokehold

This is peak fantasy romance.
Secret tarot magic? Yep.
A broody, morally grey prince with a fake engagement that spirals into something way messier? Say no more.

Clara - Scrappy, sharp, and just trying to survive a world that keeps trying to knock her down - Complete underdog.
Kaelis - He’s all sharp stares, veiled motives, and “I’ll burn the world for you” energy.

The tension between them is unreal.
“He didn’t touch me, not really - but gods, I felt it everywhere.”

It’s that kind of slow burn that coils around your ribs and refuses to let go.
“Power like his wasn’t meant to be gentle. And yet, in that moment, it was.”

There’s so much in here that ticked every box for me—if you love One Dark Window, Crimson Moth, or The Hurricane Wars, I’m confident this one’s going to land for you too.

The world is rich, the stakes are high, and that ending? Unhinged (in the best possible way).

Also - shout out to Anna Burnett, who nailed the narration. Her voice gave Clara the perfect mix of grit and vulnerability and carried the emotional beats beautifully. The audio made me feel everything more intensely, especially toward that ending.

Big thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. I’ll be impatiently waiting for book two.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me at 60%.

The main issue I had with this one is that I just couldn’t seem to get connected to the characters or find myself caring about the narrative. There were quite a few side characters introduced but none of them really had the depth we would need to be invested in them (or at times remember who they were).

I did however really enjoy the writing style, and the world building and magic system were really intriguing, but unfortunately they weren’t enough to keep me invested in this one.

Arcana Academy swept me into its dark, magical world and never let go. Elise Kova delivers a captivating blend of danger, mystery, and slow-burn romance that kept me hooked.

Clara Graysword is a clever, stubborn, and recklessly brave heroine I instantly loved. Watching her navigate the eerie halls of Arcana Academy after being forced into a fake engagement with the enigmatic Prince Kaelis was a wild ride.

The tarot-based magic system is one of the most original I’ve read—intricate, strategic, and utterly fascinating. The school itself is deliciously dark and secret-filled, with every chapter peeling back new layers.

My only minor critique is the pacing—some moments felt rushed while others lingered a bit too long. But honestly? I didn’t mind. The drama, the twists, and the emotional stakes made this a standout fantasy read.

If you love dark academia, morally gray characters, and immersive worldbuilding, Arcana Academy is absolutely worth diving into. I can’t wait for the next one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital review copy.

This was great! So much happens, but in such a fascinating way!

The magic system was interesting - tarot cards having powers, think One Dark Window except that the option for creating more cards depends on whether or not a person has the magic and skill to ink new ones. It makes the magic fights just as much a dance of wit and ingenuity in the use of tarot cards as it is in having cards to begin with.

Our protagonist Clara Graysword has the magic, power, and skill to ink and wield tarot cards, and it put her in prison for illegally inking tarot cards which only legal for students and graduates of the Arcana Academy. The majority of those graduates are usually limited to the upper echelon of society aka nobles.

Prince Kaelis offers to free Clara from prison in exchange for her cooperation. He brings her to the Arcana Academy where he is headmaster, so he can keep an eye on her and her abilities. Clara is introduced as Kaelis' fiance to further cement her standing among the noble students.

Clara is cocky and arrogant but her abilities gives her cause to be so. She is street smart and cunning after having survived in the underworld of Eclipse City. She is loyal to her found family whom helped her survive the underworld and continues to give her reason to survive and escape. Clara is so sure of herself it gets annoying at times. It seems like there is no real room for future personal growth despite her teeny tiny flashes of doubts here and there.

I immensely enjoyed the parts focusing on the academy - the students, the classes, the teachers, and the trials Clara and her year mates have to go through to master their magic. Seeing the way the cards are used is phenomenal, and the way it was written made it a movie in my mind.

The way Anna Burnett narrated the story and characters is *chef's kiss*.

I will definitely read the sequel. I recommend Arcana Academy to those who are into dark academia, sophisticated magic systems, and found families.

4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Elise Kova, and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the audiobook in exchange for an honest opinion.

I was immediately hooked by this book! The magic system was so cool, using the power of tarot cards which ranged from small magics to world changing ones. Our MC Clara was a sassy and tenacious young woman with a drive to survive as well as the secret skills to do it.
And that ending! Definitely left me needing more!

Lovers of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake relationship tropes along with interesting and unique magic will love this one.

Arcana Academy has one of the most interesting magic systems I've encountered in a while, with the use of tarot cards rather than spells. I also loved the setup for the main romance. It was a great combination of fake dating and enemies-to-lovers that will appeal to a lot of readers! Mysteries were unfolding slowly throughout, keeping the sense of intrigue high.

Despite all of this, I wasn't as gripped by the story as I'd thought I would be. I seem to be in the minority, but I felt that the romance was a bit underdeveloped. Even though it was technically a slow-burn, it didn't feel as satisfying as it should have. I also found the FMC to be quite childish at some points even though she was supposed to be in her 20s.

I listened to the audiobook alongside reading the ebook and the tone of the narration was fantastic. Unfortunately, some of the dialogue was difficult to follow due to the lack of differentiation between character voices. Nevertheless, this was an inventive new fantasy world and I'm looking forward to seeing how the story progresses in further books.

4.25⭐
2🌶️

.Enemies to lovers
.Secret identity
.Found family
.Fake dating/engagement
.Forced proximity
.Hurt/comfort
.Single POV

This book was a really pleasant surprise. I went into it completely blind. I only saw the author, the title, and the cover and thought, I have to read this. And honestly, that might be the best way to dive into a book: no expectations, no idea what’s coming, and then suddenly you're having way more fun than you expected. That’s exactly what happened here.

The premise is super intriguing. It’s set in a world where magic comes from tarot cards, and the story takes place at a highly competitive academy where students will do anything to secure their place. The world building is detailed but not overwhelming, so it’s easy to follow even if you’re new to fantasy. Plus, the story kicks off right in the middle of the action, which makes it easy to get hooked from the start.

There are a few slower parts where the pacing dips a bit, but I listened to the audiobook, which helped the story flow more smoothly. I’m not sure if I would’ve been as patient during those moments if I’d been reading the physical book.

I love a strong, clever female lead, and this one definitely delivers. No damsels in distress. The male lead is morally grey and sometimes ruthless, but he clearly has a soft spot for the FMC. The side characters are also well developed and all serve a purpose in the story.

Of course, it ends with a big cliffhanger, and because I never learn, I’ve started yet another unfinished series that left me desperate for the next book. But since this was an advanced copy and it hasn’t been published yet… I’ll be waiting.

Highly recommend this if you're into dark academia, a rich magical system, secret plots, and a touch of romance.