Arcana Academy follows Clara Graysword - a prisoner who once roamed freely using illegal magic - who is now given a lucky escape to join the Arcana Academy and be betrothed to the enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, but for a hefty price. This book is part of a series which is unfinished.

The characters within this book were very intricate and it’s clear, once you’ve managed to get through to the end, that they all come with their own mysteries which were deceptively hidden throughout the book. Yet, there are still so many characters which remain a mystery to me and who, I hope, will play an important role in the upcoming series.

The romance throughout characters within the book are palpable but still laced with deceit, with worry, with deception. You do not know who to trust throughout the book and I found that to be very exhilarating as it made the more intimate scenes have an even more dangerous flare.

The magic system throughout is easily one of my favourites as it focuses around the use of tarot as weapons and the different Minor/Major aspects of the deck. You do get to learn a lot about a variety of different cards throughout and this was very interesting to me as I have an affinity towards tarot cards.

The writing style of the book was distinctly similar to other books of Kova’s I have read however this one seemed to take a slower pace than others I am used to and is a lot longer. Despite this, it didn’t feel like the book was giving me too much or too little.

Overall, this book would be great for those who like a fantastical world with a complex magic system, deceit and deception, heists and slow-burn romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for allowing me to read this in exchange for a review.

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!!

it's no secret that i have read (most of) Elise Kova's books in the past and i have loved every single one of them. when she announced this new book i added it to the tbr so fast and the hype was real!! if i had to describe this book, it would be Harry Potter on steroids (minus the problematic things behind it) with so much romance and tension and politics!!

on a grander scale, the story is simple. Clara wants to get revenge for her mother' death, and was locked up in a horrifying prison only to be broken out by the second prince Kaelis to be part of his master plan to change the world. literally. i loved the magic system of using tarot cards for spells and the way magic use is regulated in the world through Arcana Academy and the trials and tribulations for initiates and students alike. the plot thickens in ways i don't expect (the politics!!) and the way the Majors are revealed and the story behind their cards is so cool. i was on the edge of seat through the last 200 pages or so.

yes i gotta talk about Clara and Kaelis because the romance in this has me absolutely feral. i have not enjoyed a good romantasy in so long and this really scratched the itch. i loved the tension throughout and the way this actually starts as enemies. yes they were enemies, like in a 'i want to kill you but this is mutually beneficial so i won't (yet)' kind of way. yes it is a bit predictable but i love the way their chemistry grows and Kaelis actually softens around her. and she wins over both him and his cat!!

alas it is very much a doomed romance (for now) as they have (spoilers!!) ended up on opposite sides of the fight again!!

" hate you. love you. but i can't be nothing to you. "

" there is no world in which you do not consume my very being. "

i also gotta say i love the found family in this, particularly with Luren, Alor and Silas, all three of which actually do not overlap with each other. Luren and Clara understand each other in their grief, and the way they stand up for each other. Clara giving her the House Cups coin was such a powerful scene, especially after what happened with Kel. Alor is her reluctant roommate turned ally.... need i say more.

Silas had me bawling. he was on the wrong side of this fight and he knows it yet he helps her once he got to know her. his end devastated me very profoundly i will not recover from this.

that final reveal about Arina though...... WHAT. i need to know. i need book 2 omg this was so good guys!!

4.5⭐

Thank you Elise Kova, Hodderscape & NetGalley for the ARC!

Arcana Academy by Elise Kova is the first book in the Arcana Academy Trilogy.

I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Themes of friendship, trust, found family, enemies to lovers, human fallibility, betrayal, and slow-burn romance are expertly woven into a plot full of unexpected twists.

The plot and magic system of this book were the first things that captivated me and made me request an ARC to read. I found the idea of tarot cards that give you different powers very unique; I've never read a book like it before.

The complex relationship between the strong-willed protagonist and the brooding dark prince was captivating.

If you loved the card-based magic in Rachel Gillig's The Shepherd King Duology, you definitely need to read the Arcana Academy series!

I went into Academy Arcana mentally prepared for the tropes and tone, and I have to say — I genuinely enjoyed reading this book from start to finish.

It’s fast-paced but a slow burn, and while it’s set in a school, I wouldn’t categorize this as dark academia. The vibe leans much more romantasy than dark academia.

The standout element for me was the unique, well-developed magic system — a rare gem in the romantasy genre. It starts off simple but deepens in complexity as the story unfolds, enhancing both the plot and the romantic tension without sacrificing the plot and pacing.

The fake-marriage trope with a dash of extortion is definitely a guilty pleasure, and it’s done well here. That said, certain stormy eyes, strong thighs, and a few specific anatomical descriptors (you know the ones) pulled me out of the moment. Less is more, sometimes.

Kova’s writing is strong and engaging, though I could’ve done without the overly detailed clothing descriptions. A full paragraph on an outfit feels unnecessary, and cutting those down could easily trim the book by at least 50 pages.

As for the characters, they are distinct, driven, and grounded in solid ideology. But Clara, our main character, tested my patience in the latter half. Her development felt stunted — for all the plot shifts, emotionally she stayed stuck in chapter one. What began as a promising arc ended in a bit of a spiral, and I’m still puzzled by how that shift happened.

Kaelis also confused me; he’s introduced as a brooding villain, but we’re told more about his darkness than we’re shown. Still, I loved his humor and the banter between him and Clara.

That said — and despite my nitpicks — this is my favorite Elise Kova book to date, and I’m genuinely looking forward to continuing the series. Once the book is officially released, I’ll be back to drop my favorite quote, because some lines truly had me floored. 💫

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the ARC!

Enjoyed‎‎‎‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ₊⊹⁀➴ 3
─..★.──────────

Tarot is the highlight of this story and it isn't just an occasional trick that Kova pulls from her sleeve - it's at the heart of almost every scene and has been implemented in a really interesting way. I loved seeing the whole process behind the creation of the cards, from inking to reading and wielding. It's whimsical and nostalgic, and you can tell the author had fun with it.

Sadly the characters didn't work as well for me. The cast lack depth and many them don't get enough page time. The stakes are high from page one but a lot of the tension in this story relies on you caring about a group of people you have never met, and family ties you don't see in action.

I was also disappointed that Kaelis' only duty as headmaster seems to be giving speeches. I wanted a chance to connect with his motives and his interest in Clara, but we aren't given enough opportunities to get to know who he is beneath his archetype. There are issues with the dialogue too, but it could be that Kova's writing style is not for me. I'd say it reads closer to YA than Adult fiction.

Intrigued to learn more about the World card and the lore of the Fool. Unsure yet if I will return to see what awaits the students in year 2, but I'd still recommend this to anyone interested in the tarot magic. It was good fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────
✦ Rep: m/m pairing (not central)
✦ Mood: mysterious, nostalgic

Wow. That was quite a wild read. For a standalone fantasy, I did not expect that Crueler Mercies would really live up to its title, Crueler Mercies. Get it? After finishing it, I was reeling about the different kind of emotions it provoked. On one hand, I enjoyed it a lot since there was a lot of gore involved, no mercy from our characters, it’s a standalone, and of course, the plight of our heroine, Princess Vittoria. On the downside, however, there were a lot of glaring flaws that hindered me from thoroughly savoring the whole book with gusto.

Before we proceed with our review, let’s have a brief background about what Crueler Mercies is all about. So in this book, we are thrown into the Kingdom of Carca wherein our heroine, Princess Vittoria a.k.a Vita, was born. Starting off as a beloved child of the Kingdom, Vittoria’s privileged and sheltered life was suddenly tossed upside down when her King Father publicly executed her mother and sent the poor child to a neighboring city as an exile. Without understanding what’s really happening, Vittoria grew up in a tower with no education, and no friends except for the family of crow birds who visit her from time to time. Although she still had it better compared to the others, Vita’s life was miserable and lonely. She neither knew why her father executed her mother nor why she was sent to an exile, never to be seen again by her people. And then, just when she was resigned to her miserable fate, a horrendous opportunity came knocking at her door. A warrior general saved her from her tower of grief in exchange for her hand. Bonus points that he also promised her revenge for what has been to her and her mother. And so, the adventure of our Princess began.

As I’ve said earlier, I was kind of floored with Vittoria’s story because there’s just a lot of pain there. And it’s so understandable as to why Vittoria behaves like a teenager even when she’s already a New Adult. It’s obvious that she has a lot of growing up to do given that she grew up alone in a tower with only the crows as company. Nobody had taught her how to do things anymore. It’s like she’s a pet dog whose cuteness has finally faded, and the owners are just forced to feed it when they remember that the pet still exists. While Vita can be relatable and her troubles can wrench open your hearts, you will find later in the book that she’s going to irk you more and more. Sure, I can understand her immaturity, making poor decisions leading to brutal consequences, but what I cannot understand is her sudden brilliance for military strategy. She neither has the experience nor a structured theoretical knowledge to overthrow a seasoned general. It just frustrated me.

There’s also the plot. Sure, it entertained me because it was about war narrated from the perspective of an exiled and innocent princess. And yes, there was a lot of gore which was entertaining. I’m glad that Maren Chase did not hesitate in killing beloved characters as long as it drives the plot forward. Despite its predictability, I did not get bored following the story and I was pretty much excited about who’s going to die next. I was only stymied that the Alchemy thing in this focus got sidetracked when the premise of the book promised that it’s going to be the focal point of the story. It was swept aside to the side…? Look, one of the main reasons I picked up this book because the word Alchemy was mentioned in the story’s summary. Who am I to resist that? What I got in this book was a half baked Alchemy system that could have been totally deleted from the whole story and it certainly won’t affect the main plot. We have two girls playing rocks, paper, and scissors over the kind of herbs and other stuff they are throwing into the fire, pray to the gods that it would yield something useful, and voila, you’ll get an unknown alchemical substance that still needs to be tested whether it will work or not. It just felt so weird reading about the whole alchemy thing in the book. There was just no sufficient explanation about it. It just doesn’t jive with the whole story.

The world building was quite lackluster. I would have enjoyed Vita’s journey as the general’s fiancé if the world was thoroughly developed like at least, tell us why is Carca worth fighting for. Aside from that, I was also not convinced about Soline and Vita’s relationship. The foundation is not just strong enough. There was not enough kindling to the first I must say. If it were me, I could do away with the whole romance thing because it did not help the plot at all. It just made me roll my eyes for the most part.

Overall, this book is enjoyable if you’re looking for a short read that’s unhesitatingly brutal. Go and pick this up because despite of its glaring flaws, I still found myself grinning from all the gory deaths that I have witnessed.

Arcana Academy presents a rich and imaginative world, and its standout feature is, without a doubt, the magic system. Original, intricate, and deeply woven into the story, it adds real depth to the narrative and sets the book apart from others in the romantasy genre. That element alone is worth an extra star in my rating.

The author also does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere that feels both magical and mysterious. The writing style is smooth and immersive, making the setting feel vivid and believable. The Academy (and the world around it) feels like a place with real history, secrets, and power.

But once you get past the spellcraft and atmosphere, things get a little wobbly.

🛋️ Too. Much. Description.
I love aesthetics as much as the next person, but I felt like I could sketch a floor plan of every room in the Academy and tell you the thread count of Clara’s bedsheets. There’s a fine line between immersive, and "I could describe every single embroidered dress by memory".

🧠 Repetition Station
A major point of frustration was the repetition surrounding Clara’s family dynamics and history. These details and drama are reiterated so often that it began to feel condescending, as though the reader couldn’t be trusted to remember key plot elements.

🌀 Kaelis: the walking contradiction
Kaelis, a central character, was somewhat inconsistent. He is presented as intelligent and calculating, always thinking several steps ahead. Yet his failure in a critical area of his plan—a failure that had major consequences—felt out of character and poorly justified by the narrative. Like, dude… this was your thing. You had one job.

😬 Clara: main character fatigue
Clara herself was also difficult to connect with. Her internal voice often felt emotionally stagnant, and there was little in the way of meaningful character development. Since the entire story is filtered through her perspective, this lack of growth made it hard to stay invested. Her “edgy teen with a dark past” (yes, I know she's not a teen) vibe got old, and being in her head for 500+ pages was… an experience. Not one I’m eager to repeat.

💘 Enemies-to-Lovers
And yes, there’s the whole enemies-to-lovers slow burn. The tension simmers nicely, and to its credit, Arcana Academy does try to offer more than just romantic angst. It does attempt to rise above the typical “enemies-to-lovers” trope and develops an intricate world and magic system, making it stand out from most romantasy books. But let’s not kid ourselves—this is very much one of those books where you're mostly just waiting for the characters to finally hook up. And that’s fine! Just… maybe don’t pretend it’s something else.

🤷‍♀️ Will I read the sequel?
I’m on the fence. The world is intriguing, and there’s so much potential here. But unless Clara gets a personality upgrade and the plot tightens up, I might just admire the magic system from afar.

That said, I do believe Arcana Academy will appeal to readers who enjoy atmospheric romantasy with a strong magical framework.

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the ARC!

Where do i even begin. This book was incredible. I knew from the synopsis alone that it was going to be a 5 star read from me- magic school setting? check. enemies to lovers? check. unique magic system? check. TAROT CARDS? CHECK.

Arcana Academy had everything I love in fantasy romance and there was absolutely zero chance that i would not love this book.

The book begins with Clara Graysword imprisoned at Halazar for inking tarot cards without the proper requirements to do so. Enter Kaelis Oricalis, prince of the Oricalis Kingdom and headmaster of Arcana Academy - where archanists learn how to read, ink, and wield tarot cards. Their lives get entangled when Clara ends up at Arcana Academy and from there a delicious and yearnful slow burn enemies to lovers begins.

Not only was the romance top teir, the world and its magic system was so fleshed out and thoughtfully explained, it is truly the most unique and interesting magic system i have ever read about.

Between the characters and the magic system and the world, the plot was so well developed it kept me gripped from page one. All of the elements worked so well with each other in this book and I am so sad there is nothing else in this series to read right now (especially after that ending).

Arcana Academy
by Elise Kova
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ / 5

Okay, this review took me way longer to write than I expected.

First of all, I’m a long-time fan of Elise Kova—ever since I tore through the Air Awakens series, I’ve devoured everything she’s written. So I went into Arcana Academy with high expectations… and for the most part, it delivered.

The Worldbuilding:
This was hands down my favorite part of the book. I loved the magic system—tarot-based magic is a trope I’ll never get tired of, and this execution was so fresh, creative, and well thought-out. The academy setting instantly had my heart (I am who I am), and the way the world’s rules and structure were woven into the narrative felt seamless and immersive.

The Plot:
The story pulled me in from the start and didn’t let go. Between the magic, the mystery, and the classic “learn your powers at a magical school” vibe, I flew through this book in record time. I do wish we had spent a bit more time in actual classes—it’s a personal favorite trope of mine—but what we did get was solid and engaging.
Yes, it was a bit predictable, but honestly? That didn’t bother me. The journey was enjoyable enough that I didn’t mind guessing a few of the twists ahead of time.

That said… the ending. Without spoiling anything, it left me disappointed. Not in a cliffhanger way—I love a good cliffhanger—but in a “wait, that’s where we’re going with this?” kind of way. It pulled my overall rating down more than I wanted it to.

The Characters:
Kova has a real talent for creating characters that feel distinct and easy to connect with, and that shines through again here. I really liked the ensemble cast and enjoyed getting to know them.

However, our two leads were a bit of a letdown. Kaelis was so clearly not the bad guy he’s made out to be, so the enemies-to-lovers dynamic never really landed for me. I wanted more tension, more surprise, and more build-up.
As for Clara… she frustrated me to no end. She’s supposed to be this clever, underground inker, but her choices often had me yelling at the page.

(Mild spoiler alert):
The whole situation with her not using her card?? GIRL. WHY.
It made no sense to me at all.

That said, the side characters were a highlight and added a lot of depth and charm to the story.

The Romance:
It was sweet, it was satisfying, and it hit all the right notes for me. Despite my issues with how the enemies-to-lovers arc was handled, the chemistry was there and I genuinely enjoyed watching the relationship develop. Definitely one of the book’s strongest elements.

The Writing:
As expected, Kova’s writing style worked its usual magic. It’s smooth, immersive, and perfectly suited to this kind of story. The dialogue flows well, the pacing keeps things moving, and her descriptive flair makes the world feel vivid without ever bogging things down.

Final Thoughts:
Despite a couple of frustrating character choices and a rushed ending, Arcana Academy was a fun, fast-paced read that gave me everything I love—tarot-based magic, a magical school setting, and a dash of romance. I had a great time with it and am already excited (and a little nervous) to see where book two goes!

Highly recommend if you’re into:
✨ Magic academies
✨ Tarot-based magic systems
✨ enemies-to-lovers

3.75 stars rounded up!⭐️

What to expect:
Headmaster x student
Fake engagement
Enemies to lovers
Slow burn
Magic academy
Tarot based magic
Secret identities

We follow our FMC, Clara, who has spent the past year in prison for illegally using tarot magic. She’s unexpectedly freed—broken out, in fact—by our MMC, Kaelis, the second-born prince and headmaster of Arcana Academy, where students train to harness their magical abilities. In exchange for her freedom, Clara agrees to a fake engagement with Kaelis to help him track down a powerful tarot card known as The World, which holds the ability to rewrite reality itself.

I found the magic system incredibly interesting, though the pacing could’ve been more balanced—some parts flew by way too quickly, while others felt like they dragged. That said, I really enjoyed it overall. The ending was a bit predictable, but still managed to hit hard with a brutal cliffhanger. I’ll definitely be continuing the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder and Stroughton for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This dark academia romantasy really gripped me from the start, it’s high stakes from the get go! Totally unique tarot based magic system, shadow wielding headmaster, deadly trials and slooooow burn enemies to lovers with a side of fake engagement 🔥 Thank you Hodderscape for this arc! I loved every twist and turn if this and can’t wait for book 2!

We follow the story of Clara an illegal arcanist and her journey to uncover the secrets of her family and take revenge on their fate. To do so she must enter Arcana Academy and make a deal with Kaelis the headmaster..who is also the man she holds responsible for her mother’s death.

The magic system in this is completely unlike anything I’ve seen before. I loved this tarot based magic, the concept of wielding cards as weapons was so incredibly unique and complex and honestly I now want to go out and find a deck! The idea of layering different cards to wield and not to mention the process of inking the cards on top of the traditional reading of them, fully captivating!


✨ Dark Academia
✨ Trials
✨ Tarot Magic
✨ Fake Engagement
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Slow Burn
✨ Enemies to Lovers

Thank you for this eARC!

After being imprisoned for a year for illegally practising tarot-based magic, Clara is freed by Prince Kaelis, only to be forced to work with him to ink the most powerful tarot card—the World.

Clara as a protagonist is fascinating—strong, but completely out of her depth. Focussed on her goal of finding her sister, but distracted by a hundred other duties and promises. Untrusting, cynical but never defeatist. She felt like a real person, and one I always rooted for.

Kaelis was an interesting character—I wanted to know more about him, and didn’t get answers about his motivations until quite late in the book. I wasn’t initially a fan of the relationship between him and Clara, but the more his secrets were revealed (and the more page-time his cat received) the more I was sold on it.

I really enjoyed the magic system—especially with the unfolding of the major arcana, and the cost of using those powers. I love magic that comes with a price and thought this was a really original spin on it.

The plot required some suspension of disbelief (especially Clara’s escape from prison) but it was fast-paced and never lost my interest. I’ll definitely pick up the sequel when it comes out!

I was hooked straight into this story and couldn't stop reading about these characters.

From the slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, to the unique magic system, this book had it all.

It was my first Elise Kova novel and I'm incredibly glad I started with this one! I think it's definitely going to be booktok's next big hit!

I was fascinated by the world building and the magic system. It's incredibly unique and thought out which added to the overall intrigue of the story.

Whilst the romance is definitely at the forefront of this story, I did still really enjoy the fantasy aspects as they are just as important.

This is SUCH a fun concept, and I find myself genuinely excited for the next instalment. The idea of tarot card magic was great but perhaps a little over-explained in a way, and at times I found myself skimming pages that were a continuous info-dump.
I enjoyed the interactions between Clara and Kaelis and often looked forward to these parts.

3.85 ⭐️

I was sold on this book purely by the elements of tarot being involved in the magic system. Also an enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, and a juicy slow burn??? Sign me up right now.

I must say the main things that made me thoroughly enjoy the book consistently throughout was the tension between Clara and Kaelis. The hatred they had for each other with the underlying blossoming of affections for one another was perfectly executed. I like how they didn't fall right into being in love, there was alot of complexities to each other that fed into how they reacted to one another. I also loved the aspects of the tarot cards. The meanings of each one were super unique, and they way they could be used and the potential for the damage they could bestow was also intriguing.

I won't lie from the first couple of chapters. I knew this wasn't going to be a five-star read for me. I just felt the book had too many things that stopped me from being 100% hooked into this world and these characters and therefore rating this any higher.

The first thing I didn't vibe with is the consistent repeating that Kaelis is one with the shadows. Like this was only needed once, I think the more the book progresses, the less we get if this is great.
Secondly, there were moments in the plot that felt lacklustre.I don't want to mention spoilers, so it's not ruined for others, but there were definitely so scenes not needed that offered nothing to where the plot was going and there were scenes that did add to the plot but were kept short.

I think with how the book ended, it would be interesting to see where book 2 will take this story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodderscape for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review ❤️

This book was a slog to get through. The magic system was overly explained, feeling like an info dump, and the characters lacked depth. The romance between the main characters went from animosity to spice with no real build-up, making it feel forced and unconvincing.

Arcana Academy throws you headfirst into a magical world of politics, power, and slow burn romance. A prince “rescues” Clara, a criminal arcanist, from prison—but only after making her do the actual escaping.
He then dumps her into a magic academy so she can be legally trained to help with his mysterious mission.

Clara is fierce, bold, and impulsive. She’s clever, but often selfish and narrow-minded.
Kaelis is our MMC, he’s brooding, misunderstood, and a ridiculously sexy headmaster (because of course he is).

The plot starts strong, dips in pace a little as the world-building kicks into overdrive, and then finishes with an explosive bang. The magic system is super original, but also slightly overwhelming, there is a lot going on in this sense.
The romance is a seriously slow burn where you’ll most likely find yourself screaming for them to kiss.

The ending was gripping, I couldn’t put it down. The cliffhanger was exactly what I’d hoped!
A really enjoyable read which has locked me in for book two.

"If to bring about a new world - a better world - I must be the villain, if I must do evil things for the greater good, then so be it. I'll play the part now and be reborn a hero in my next life."

Another book has joined my favourites list. Arcana Academy is outstanding! It is descriptive and immersive. I love the concept of magic being tied to tarot cards with the different cards having different effects. The definitions of the different cards at the back is a very welcome addition.
This is definitely a slow burn enemies to lovers - which I love. Clara and Kaelis, with that ending, I really need to know what is next for them.
As well as I need more information on her last name and why it is such a secret. I have suspicions, of course, but hopefully more gets revealed in book 2 because you know I am eagerly anticipating it now.

If you love magic schools, this one is for you.

I loveeeddd this book! I'm a sucker for fantasy magic school vibes, and add in an enemies to lovers romance plot and I'm hooked. The concept of harnessing magic through tarot cards was fascinating to read and I particularly loved the card wielding scenes. I can't wait for the sequel!

I really wanted to love this book—Elise Kova + dark academia + magic + fake engagement? Sign me up. And to be fair, the tarot-based magic system was super cool and definitely the highlight for me. It felt original and had real stakes, which I always appreciate in fantasy.

But... the pacing. Oof. It dragged so much that I kept checking how much I had left to go. I’m all for a slow burn, but this felt more like a slow crawl. I also struggled to connect with Clara or feel any real chemistry between her and Kaelis. The banter? Kinda awkward. Like, trying-to-be-spicy-but-ended-up-cringe awkward.

There is a lot of mystery and political intrigue under the surface, and I can see why some readers would be hooked by that. It just didn’t fully land for me—maybe because I never quite clicked with the characters emotionally.

Still, I love Elise Kova’s writing in general, and the concept is solid. This one just wasn’t my fave. I’ll be sticking with her other series for now.