This was pretty good.

Arcana Academy is a fast paced romantasy with a fierce FMC set in an elite magical academy, in a world where magic is wielded through tarot cards.

I LOVED unique magic system in this! I’m an absolutely sucker for a creative one. However, this is probably the only thing that I really loved. I was really intrigued by the story at first but somewhere this fell a bit flat for me.

Whilst it was a relatively entertaining and enjoyable read, but I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. The main characters’ relationship was really off.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Rating- 4.5/5

This was such a fun read! It had been a while since I dived into a more fast-paced, romance-centred novel like this, and it made this book all the more enjoyable. I really appreciated the world building and the magic system was done really nicely. The main character, Clara, wasn't my absolute favourite, but I enjoyed seeing her change throughout the story, though I definitely think that Kaelis' character growth was executed better. Overall, this was a fast and engaging read, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series!

All the STARS!! I would personally rate this 4.5 stars but it can have a little extra one for the missing one in here (if you know, you know😏)

This book took me by surprise, even though I read the blurb and thought I knew what I was getting into, I really didn’t! There were some twists at the end that I didn’t see coming and I love a book when it manages to surprise me. But the fact this is a dark academia? Count me in!!!!


We get a strong FMC Clara who has a special gift and she by no means is a pushover (again, love a FMC who can stick up for herself) so when within the first 10% she does something know one else has ever done, I can’t help but root for her. On top of that, the MMC is a broody prince who seems to hate everyone including Clara and will not stop until he gets what he wants? All it does is make me kick my feet in glee when these two are on the page together😏 we have enemies to lovers, fake engagement, a smidge of betrayal and I think we can all agree that sounds like a perfect was to start a relationship..

Aside from the romance is this book, my favourite part is the actual magic system. It’s so unique and refreshing to have a system that is all about tarot cards but uses the principles of a deck of cards, never read anything like it!! I will say, I had to reread a few pages a couple of times and the glossary became my best friend because I did find that with this being a more complex magic system, I found it a little difficult to remember what is what but that could just be me and my little brain.

Only main issue (if that is what you can call it) is I wish we got more of the romance. It was definitely more heavy on the fantasy in this but the pages I got with them together just only made me wish we had more.

This is the first Elise Kova book I’ve read and I will definitely be reading her other series.

Big thank you to Elise and her team, Hodder & Stoughton and NET Galley for sending me the eARC. It was one of my highly anticipated books this year and it did not disappoint. I will be continuing this series and I would highly recommend to anyone who loves fantasy romance.

I enjoyed this one and flew through it in a couple of days. Standard set up - girl is in prison, girl is given the choice to assist the dark brooding prince with his plans or stay in prison. Love a magic school! The magic magic system sets it apart from other romantasy, the focus on tarot cards having different powers and needing to sacrifice something to wield magic make it interesting. The romance element is a real slooooooow burn which might be frustrating for some but I like that. Some characters fall a little bit flat and the main character isn't particularly likeable but the book is still a fun time.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for approving me to read this early, 5 stars isn't enough truly.

This was utterly incredible, it had some One Dark Window vibes with the cards, but the use of the magic system and the depth of the magic is unique. I thoroughly love how we’re dropped into the heart of the story at Halazar with our FMC, we get to see how resourceful and fierce she is. The introduction to our MMC is wild, it was giving true enemies to lovers tension the whole book and the build up was great.

This story is complex with so many ever changing dynamics in this cut throat world. The academy has a very every man for themselves mantra and your life is very much on the line. You see alliances form and enemies made all while our FMC and MMC are scheming to survive and chasing myths to succeed.

I highly recommend this for fans of enemies to lovers fantasy with secrets, betrayal, an arranged marriage, insane magic and political intrigue based in an academic setting.

Arcana Academy is a dark, spellbinding romantasy with a brilliant tarot-based magic system, a morally grey prince, and a stubborn heroine caught in a high-stakes web of secrets, schemes, and slow-burn tension. Clara, a rogue Arcanist, is forced into a fake engagement with the enigmatic headmaster Kaelis, only to find herself in a deadly academy filled with hidden agendas and political intrigue. The worldbuilding is unique and immersive, the pacing intense (if occasionally uneven), and the romance sizzles with tension, even if it sometimes takes a backseat to the plot. Fans of dark academia, enemies-to-lovers, and powerful magical systems will be hooked—this is a standout start to a series that’s impossible to put down.

Absolutely could not put this book down Elise Kova does it again! Fast paced plot with amazing fantastic magic system and great characters! Loved all the world building I did feel as though it didn’t need the romance as it was great without it but that’s just me. I can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you Netgalley

WOW!!! This book was incredible! I loved the magic system in this! it was so unique.

The romance and plot were amazing! I loved all the side characters and the twist at the end!

I already cant wait for the second! You need to read this book!

5 ⭐️ Wow! I absolutely loved this book, could not put it down.
I loved the magical school premise and the scene setting in the book was fantastic.
The dynamic between the main characters was very enjoyable but I also loved the other character and felt there was many twists and turns.
Can’t wait for the next instalment!!!

Arcana Academy is a fast-paced, trope-filled magical romp that delivers a good time with tarot, tension, and a surprisingly steamy twist.

Set in a world where arcane power and political manipulation collide, Elise Kova builds an intriguing setting rooted in tarot-based magic and magical academia. The story follows a fiery protagonist—an accused criminal with a mysterious past—who finds herself pulled from prison by a brooding prince, now headmaster of a powerful academy. He offers her protection and a second chance, but only in exchange for something he wants in return. The setup blends enemies to lovers, fake dating, found family, and murder mystery into a richly layered narrative filled with magical duels and high-stakes tension.

The chemistry between the leads simmers with sharp banter and emotional push-pull… until it suddenly takes a sharp turn into explicit territory. The writing is engaging throughout, but the abrupt shift into rough, highly descriptive smut may feel out of sync with the prince’s previously enigmatic and reserved personality.

The protagonist is equal parts clever and impulsive. At times, she veers into self-sabotage or frustrating decisions, but her emotional core and resilience keep readers rooting for her. The supporting cast adds plenty of intrigue (and obstacles), and the world-building around the arcana magic system is both creative and fun to explore.

If you enjoy magical academies, morally grey royal agendas, slow-burning tension, and just a pretty fun time, Arcana Academy is worth diving into. Just be warned: it ends on a cliffhanger, and book two isn’t here yet. The wait may burn.

IM FREE 🙏

This was like slow torture. I truly genuinely tried so hard to love this 😭😫

The characters were bland and the story was mind numbingly boring. The dialogue was flat and awkward it took me out of the story too many times to count.

I’m so upset because I had the biggest expectations and it rlly underdelivered for me ☹️💔

ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC! ♥︎

I loved the use of tarot in Arcana Academy and it was such a breath of fresh air in the fantasy/romantasy genre!

The first part of the book was a little slow going as I tried to wrap my head around this new magic that doesn’t quite follow the rules that we’ve come to know and expect.
There was a bit of repetition in terms of the world itself and the tropes - magical school, magical trials, FMC being more advanced somehow than all others with limited training and resources etc.
The second half of the book was much quicker in terms of pacing and action but I do feel that the book could have been a little bit shorter.

I’m not overly enamoured with any of the characters thus far, but they could win me over when the second book comes out.

If you love a slow burn, forced proximity/false marriage and magical worlds then this is a book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Elise Kova for the eARC!

3.75⭐️ Arcana Academy, book 1 in a new series by one of my favourite authors, Elise Kova.

The magic system is based in tarot cards where only royal approved arcanists are permitted to use this magic, all in service to the royals and noble clans.

We follow Clara as she is assisted in her escape from the prison she was sent to for using tarot magic without permission and thrown into her first year at the magic academy, all by an unlikely ally.

While trying to survive the challenges of the academy, Clara and her ally, fake finance prince Kaelis, are planning to overthrow the King and set a new world in motion.

I wanted to love this book, and I did enjoy it, but the first 45% was a slog to get through. I had to read a couple of chapters at a time before taking a break as there was so much information, making it very dry to read.

I tried to connect with the characters but amongst all this information about the magic system and the world, along with the introduction of a huge cast of side characters made it difficult to keep track of everyone, let alone care about anyone other than Clara and Kaelis. Even that felt like a stretch, I wanted to care more than I did.

About halfway through things started to pick up. I understood enough of the magic system to keep up and I cared about Clara and Kaelis enough to want their plans to work. When their plans started resulting in action and the pace increased I couldn’t put the book down.

I did thoroughly enjoy the slow burn, love hate relationship that Clara and Kaelis were building and thought that their hesitation with each other was written well. I am invested in them and hope that they find each other again in book 2.

The magic system was unique, complicated and I enjoyed the huge amount of information from the first half of the book which helped me understand it, but I do wish it was more successfully balanced with character connection.

I feel like much of my criticism will decrease as I continue with this series as I appreciate the information more as the story moves forward. And I am definitely looking forward to continuing this series.

Thank you to Elise Kova, Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is classic bookbox romantasy fodder. Each scene feels like it’s been magpied from a popular YA fantasy series. Whiny FMC, broody MMC etcetera etcetera. The writing style was very plain and simple too. If you want an easy YA romantasy with heavily used tropes, you might enjoy this more. I had to dnf.

4.75 stars ೃ⁀➷ So, you're telling me this book isn't even out until July and I need book 2 now?! The last line GAGGED me, SO hard.

Arcana Academy follows Clara Graysword, who at the start of the book has been rotting at Halazar Prison for over a year for doing and dealing with magic illegally. But one day, she's asked to see the second born prince- Prince Kaelis and while things dont go well at first she's offered protection and a chance to escape prison by stepping into a marriage with him and by attending his elite school for Arcanists (magical people who can wield the tarot cards) Arcana Academy. All this doesn't come with a price though; she's tasked with finding the impossible, and if she doesn't, back to Halazar prison she goes.

What to expect~
🔮 False marriage
🃏 Headmaster/Student relationship (but the romance unrelated to that dynamic)
🔮 Magical boarding school
🃏 YEARNING.
🔮 Plot twists
🃏 Unique, new magic system

This book was a super twisty, wicked story with high as hell stakes and had me by the NECK because I could not put it down. I finished most of it in one sitting, and now I'm a mess because of how long I'll probably have to wait until book 2. Can't imagine what could top this brilliance. The magic system was so unique and so beautiful to imagine (it annoyed me that the card glossary was at the back and not the front because WDYMI have to try extra hard to remember the cards, but there was a glossary the whole time?). I was obsessed with the setting and school- it felt like a mesh of Harry Potter and Zodiac Academy, yet heaps better than both. I liked how there was a heavy side plot alongside with the school because what normally happens with me during these fantasy boarding school books is that I lose interest after they leave the school, but in this book I got the chance to grow attached to both in-school and out-of-school plots. However, there was a super heavy focus on the out-of-school plot and I would have loved to read more of the academy experience.

FMC // Clara Graysword | She reminded me of Vi from Arcane so freaking much. Icon, legend, mother, you name it. Her relationship with Priss (Kaelis' cat !!) was also hilarious. I just know this girl has all the power to smash everybody into little bits but she's so HUMBLE about it ahhh. I know she went through so much in the prison and I honestly feel for her but nevertheless she's emerged as the baddest bitch alive.

MMC // Prince Kaelis | He reminded me of JAYCE from Arcane, which is such a weird mix- Jayce and Vi, WTF. I can just TELLLLL he's lonely because there were so many little things he would do or say that just screamed 'I want someone!'. Also, I feel like Elise Kova captured his younger sibling energy so well, and his character development through Clara's eyes was so SMOOTH. He ended up being so soft for her, and I didn't even realise it was happening (and that's how you know it's good development and not cringey).

The romance // Clara & Kaelis | Oh, I loved it. At first, I won't lie I wasn't feeling it, but it turned out to be a delicious slow burn then once I realised his yearning, I was ALLLL for it. What kind of was average and meh for me though was the smut- it was predictable ICL, but still disappointing because in every romantasy/dark romance book, the MMC will suddenly change personalities in the smut and not in a way that makes sense but in a way that makes him lose all uniqueness and become like every other 'dark and brooding love interest'. I admired Kaelis for his depth but it got lost in the smut.

Side characters | Ohhhhh I love them all. My favourites are Alor, Luren aaaaaand Elorin. Elorin didn't get much however I'm still so INTRIGUED. Wait, I can't forget my darling Priss.

The ending. I can't say much without spoiling but I'll say- I saw it coming just not in THAT way and it hit me like a TRUCK. And now I have a gazillion unanswered questions- perhaps more than what I usually like. Either way, you're going to want to read this book because it gave, everything.

Thank you so much to Netgalley & the publishers for giving me an eARC to review!!

4.75 stars

I loved everything about "Arcana Academy". Both the unique magical world as well as the characters and their chemistry were truly amazing.
Right from the start, the story draws you in and the constant twists and turns keep you hooked until the end.
I cannot wait for the next installment in the series and will recommend "Arcana Academy" to anyone who loves fantasy, enemies to lovers or who simply enjoys reading a well-written book.

Couldn't settle into this. It doesn't read smoothly, start, stop, start , stop. Sorry. Maybe when it's more edited I'll try again.

This was magical experience.
The world was so immersive and the characters really intriguing.
I read in on breath.
Could not put it down.

Absolutely amazing. I loved the unique magic system and how tarot cards are used and read. It was an exciting read where all throughout the book i couldn't figure out who was telling the truth and who wasn't. (That's how well written it was!) I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between the mmc and fmc but also loved the side characters ( though they all had secrets of their own!) I went through different emotions throughout the book ending with a heart break. Absolutely loved it and I'm very excited for the series!

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0 STARS

I can always trust Elise Kova to create such a breathtaking magical world.

Right from the start we jump straight into a prison escape where me meet Clara Graysword, who is being held there for illegally wielding magic and Kaelis, the second prince and headmaster of the academy, who is there to strike a deal. But first she needs to escape all on her own...

During this, we get introduced to the very unique tarot inspired magic system. It's so refreshing to read a story where I felt like the author had an idea that they completely leaned into and there was no concern about it maybe being to complicated. It really helped add depth to the world and the explanations of how the magic system works is split between the prison and the academy so it's not overwhelming.

Without getting more into the plot to keep things mysterious, read if you enjoy:

- Tarot inspired magic system
- Dark academia vibes
- Magical school
- Trials
- Fake engagement
- Slow burn

Thank you to Elise Kova, Hodderscape and NetGalley for an ARC of Arcana Academy (Release Date: JULY 22 2025)