Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I found this book just okay. I had high expectations given its fantastic premise, but ultimately, it delivered only on the romance aspect—which, unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy. I think Arcana Academy will appeal to readers looking for something akin to One Dark Window but with a heavier focus on romance, those who want a less dark alternative to Zodiac Academy, or even those feeling nostalgic for Harry Potter. However, it simply wasn’t for me.

The book tries to juggle too many elements, yet all seem to serve only as a backdrop for the romance. As a result, the plot feels messy: Clara, the protagonist, seeks revenge and retribution for her imprisonment; she tries to unravel two mysteries—her mother’s death and her sister’s disappearance; she is thrown into a magical academy (which had incredible potential but was severely underdeveloped); she attempts to escape (and even succeeds once) from said academy; and she is tasked with uncovering the World, the 21st Major Arcana. Too much? I’d say yes. These plot points are all criminally underdeveloped, making the story feel chaotic and unfocused.

The magic system had great potential—I love Tarot-based magic—but I don’t think it was handled well here. The tarot cards and their mechanics are only explained at the end of the book in an appendix, which might make for a confusing reading experience, especially for those unfamiliar with tarot. Additionally, I would have loved to see the cards illustrated in the book.

Now, let’s talk about the romance… which I didn’t like. It follows a formulaic pattern, and the banter—clearly meant to be flirtatious—came across as extremely cringeworthy. I’ve seen reviews calling this a slow burn, but it really isn’t. There are sexual innuendos from the very first chapters, and it’s evident from the beginning that the prince is already lusting after Clara. What slow burn? Furthermore, there’s nothing that distinguishes this romance from the countless others I’ve read in the past year. The romantasy genre has become stagnant and repetitive, and this book only reinforced that frustration. We have an arranged marriage, an enemies-to-reluctant-allies dynamic, and little else.I couldn’t tell this romance apart from those in Quicksilver or When the Moon Hatched—both lacked personality and emotional depth.

I’m really disappointed, as this was my most anticipated novel of 2025. It had the potential to be something great if the plot and magic system had been more central, fully developed, and not just used as a backdrop for yet another formulaic romance. I'm only giving it three stars for the incredible magic system, but I really wish it were more fleshed-out. I might continue with the series, if the romantasy genre starts to switch it up a little bit...

The ending?!??

This is by far the best book I’ve read this year. FMC is broken out of prison by MMC and enrolled at his magic academy, whilst also becoming his ‘betrothed’. MMC needs her and her magic to help overthrow the king (essentially)

The magic system in this - love. I’ve never read a book with a magic system based on tarot cards, and it felt really unique and refreshing in a sea of other fantasy novels. I loved the fight scenes and how they used the cards during it - it really added to the visuals and made the fights seem really fast paced.

The world building was really well done. Like explaining the tarot system and the lore of the series was a lot, but it never felt heavy. The author really found an excellent balance of world building and forward moving plot.

The relationship was perfect. I love a slow burn, and the enemies to lovers (not quite there yet) was well done. It’s too often that a couple is ‘enemies’ for a chapter and then are immediately all over each other. It was really well paced here. I did however find myself thinking a few times ‘use your words!’ - like please just talk to each other!

I am somewhat devastated I need to wait over a year for the next book, because I need to know immediately what happens next.

Thanks for Netgalley for the ARC

⋆｡°✩ ᴀʀᴄ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ✩°｡⋆

ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ : Arcana Academy
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ : Elisa Kova

W.o.w. I really enjoyed this book! Admittedly i haven't read any of Elisa's books, which yes is a TRADGY but I'm so glad I got to read this ARC.

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 Gloassry 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. 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.

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.

I absolutely loved this book. Despite knowing nothing about tarot, it didn't take long for me to understand the magic system—it's complex enough to be interesting and unusual but simple enough to be quickly comprehensible. The development of Clara and Kaelis's relationship and motivations was really well done, and the conflict was well paced. I will certainly be continuing to read the series, and I highly recommend Arcana Academy to all fans of fantasy with mystery, unique magic systems, romance, and heists.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Arcana Academy is going to be THE romantasy of 2025, let me tell you. When I say my jaw is on the floor.

Dark academia
Intricate magic system
Fake engagement
Enemies to lovers
One Dark Window x Harry Potter but make it 🌶️

This was somehow both refreshing and familiar, and it made for an utterly enchanting read. I absolutely loved every aspect of this book. The world-building is rich, and the magic system is well fleshed out and intricate, with a unique premise of magic wielding.

Clara is an Arcanist, she’s fiery and independent and fiercely loyal, and after being imprisoned for illegally inking tarot cards, finds herself joining the Arcana Academy as a first-year student and “betrothed” to Prince Kaelis, the very man Clara suspects of being the man who killed her mother, in a bid to take down everyone has wronged her people and find her sister. And I am OBSESSED with this pairing — I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops in the next book.

The cliffhanger in this book is absolutely CRIMINAL. And I cannot express how excited I am for everyone else to experience the first instalment in what I’m certain is going to be an insanely popular series.

An endless thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this bloody masterpiece.

One Dark Window meets Harry Potter!

Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards - a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy. She is offered her freedom in exchange for helping the academy's cold headmaster, Prince Kaelis. Her identity is a secret and sheer presence is explained away by her engagement to the second born Prince.

Clara is brash and bold. Highly emotional, yet loyal to those she loves. She also has more power than others and is a great thief and very capable.

Kaelis is cold, calculating, controlling…. Or maybe he’s protective, ambitious, hurting and hiding. He also has a pet cat, Priss.

This was exceedingly sloooooow burn. You are on your hands and knees with a torch for mere crumbs. But these crumbs are akin to luxury chocolate or truffles or caviar.

<b>“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.”
</b>
Saying that, I needed more romancing before the main event. It was all very slow and then BAM. And how they got together was not my favourite.

There is a lot of world building to get your head around - the tarot cards magic, the myths, Clara’s past, her family, her old friends and gang. Then you have a lot of names from students to nobility to past connections.

I did love the concept of the tarot card magic system but wish there was more explanation. Maybe diagrams - perhaps this will be added in for the final copy.

Clara didn’t stand out to me as a heroine. She is a very typical romantasy protagonist and Kaelis was the brooding yet misunderstood romance.

Physical arc gifted by Del Rey