A book set in a magical school, a magic system based on tarot and enemies to lovers? Absolutely made for me.

I don’t even know where to start. I was absolutely transfixed by that ending.
I really, really wanted to hate Kaelis I kind of still do! It is the perfect Romantasy book, if you can call it romance!
I connected with the characters, the spells, the houses.
I thought the plot was so well thought out, and I couldn’t read it fast enough.

I feel like Del Rey are smashing it at the moment.
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the arc, but please can I have the second book immediately?!

5 stars.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts are my own.

Imagine taking the setting of Hogwarts, adding in the magic of One Dark Window and then giving it a pinch of the ruthlessness and romance from Fourth Wing - yeah, that's what this book feels like. And it was absolutely stunning.

I loved reading this book. The magic system was so interesting, different and beautifully made. It worked really well and I loved the fighting scenes where you got to see how the cards could be used in action. I also think the academy setting was done very well, giving us glimpses of her everyday life without dragging and becoming too repetitive. The sprinkle of desire, plotting, fights and revelations throughout was perfect.

The tension between our two main characters was delicious, and I think they were both really fun and great to read about. The build-up was really good, however I do think the execution of the actual spicy scenes could have been a little better. They were over so quickly and you couldn't FEEL it the same way you could everything leading up to it. I just wanted... more.
SPOILER INCOMING:
And when she finally spends the night with him afterwards, it was absolutely criminal that that scene wasn't shown. They had been dancing around their feelings for so long, denying anything more real than just the physical - and when they finally acknowledge it and decide to be vulnerable with each other, we don't get to be there and read about it? I was honestly a little mad and quite disappointed, because it was so monumental for both of them and their story, and it would have been so easy to include. But that was my only real complaint throughout the book.
END OF SPOILER.

I think Clara was such a great protagonist. She was determined, confident, talented and fiercely loyal, and I really enjoyed her POV. I would love to get some scenes from Kaelis's POV as well at some point, because that man is down bad! Hopefully we get to see that in the next one. And speaking of which: I am looking SO much forward to it! The ending in this one was so cool and I can't wait to continue the journey and find out what happens next. I will be thinking about this one for a long time!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I really enjoyed Arcana Academy Chronicles by Elise Kova. The world-building is vivid, the magic system is fascinating, and the characters are both relatable and compelling. The story is packed with action, emotion, and twists that kept me hooked from start to finish. The dynamics between the students and the secrets of the Academy made it all the more engaging. If you love magical academy stories with great characters and a touch of mystery, this is a fantastic read!this was a first book for me by this author and definitely won't be my last!

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.

4.5⭐

Thank you Elise Kova and Hodderscape for the ARC!

Arcana Academy is the first installment in Elise Kova's Arcana Academy Trilogy, set in a dark world filled with magic and secrets, perfect for fans of Caraval and One Dark Window.

This was a great fantasy read and had me hooked surprisingly very easily and early on. I could not put the book down at all and finished it in two sittings.

The magic system in this book was deep and intricate. I found it to be very interesting and the world-building was amazingly done. The tarot card wielding system is my most favourite magic system and it was done amazingly here!

The secrets and mysteries around the story were not brief but very intricate and intriguing. Every word and question seems like a mystery needed to be unfolded. The plot-twists took me off by surprise from the way that the author had us running like sleuths.

The romance was enemies to lovers and he was the second prince and she was a former inmate. There was so much tension and angst between them and the solid chemistry between them sealed it out perfectly.

The revelations and the ending had me screaming to the pillow. Overall, it was an amazing fantasy read with strong-willed protagonists, angst and a perfect blend of mystery and romance.

I'll definitely be continuing this series and I can't wait for the sequel!

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).

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!

"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!

This book has simply reminded me why Elise Kova is one of my favourite authors and an auto buy. Holy crap I devoured this. Not only was it easy to read, but I found myself not wanting to put it down. Gripping in the best way.

From the very first page, I was absolutely enchanted—drawn into a richly imagined world where magic lives and breathes through tarot cards, and where danger and desire are two sides of the same coin.

Clara is a protagonist you can’t help but root for: stubborn, smart, scarred, and endlessly determined. Her voice carries the story with strength and heart, and experiencing this new world through her eyes made the dense, intricate lore feel effortless to absorb. I never once felt lost, even as Elise Kova introduced layer upon layer of history, politics, and arcane rules.

The tarot-based magic system is, in a word, brilliant. Basing the magic on reading, inking, and wielding tarot cards was not only creative but also executed with precision and clarity. It gave the book a unique flavor that set it apart from any other fantasy I’ve read. Every card had weight, every ritual meaning, and every choice consequence. It’s the kind of system that feels lived-in and believable, with so much potential to expand in future books.

And then… Kaelis. Brooding, brilliant, morally gray perfection. The push-and-pull between him and Clara had me screaming into my pillow—their chemistry is pure fire. Their relationship is complex, deeply emotional, and gorgeously slow-burn. And yes, the romance absolutely delivered, with moments that made my heart race, ache, and soar all at once. If you love tension-filled, enemies-to-lovers dynamics with a dash of royalty, betrayal, and forbidden longing—this is it.

But what truly elevates this book is that it’s not just a romance, or just a magic school setting—it’s a political chessboard, a coming-of-age story, a heist, and a rebellion-in-the-making, all rolled into one. From the high-stakes academy trials to the jaw-dropping final act, I was hooked. I didn’t want to eat, sleep, or do anything but keep reading.

By the time I hit that final page? I was wrecked. That cliffhanger?? I don’t even have words. Elise Kova, how dare you—and also thank you, because this might be one of my favorite series starters ever.

Elise Kova, you had me at "Magical school", "tarot" and "Slow Burn"... but you kept me with Prince Kaelis!
"There is no world in which you do not consume my very being"

My lord what a book. What an ending?!

I knew I would love this book from page 1, but I don't think I was prepared for the hold this book now has on me. I need book 2, like yesterday.

My thanks to Elise Kova, the publishing team and Netgalley for allowing me to read this. Can't wait get the physical copy in my hands <3

I bet you read the blurb and thought "I know what's going to happen". I bet you saw "engaged to a Prince who is also a Headteacher" and thought this was trope overload. I bet you thought "it's just another romantasy, it can't be that special".

You're wrong.

You have no idea what's going to happen, because just as you think you do something spins you around until you're dizzy and realise the plot has shifted in an entirely new direction. You will fall in love with Prince Kaelis and begin to understand why this world would sit a Prince in such an unlikely position, and how important it is. And most importantly you will learn that the Arcana Academy is incredibly special and the journey you're about to go on will blow your mind.

The way the magic of this world is linked to tarot is absolutely genius and well crafted - I adored how integrated it is into the very fabric of the world. The characters are flawed, beautiful, and entirely three dimensional, meaning you will happily go from screaming at them to kiss to wanting to give them a good slap in the matter of pages. The spice, whilst certainly heightened by the slow burn, is delicious and will leave you (and Clara) wanting more.

Whether you're a fan of Dark Academia, Romantasy, unique magic systems, tension-filled romances, or all of the above - this is a book you need to read.

This is an intoxicating mix of Dark Academia and Romantasy with the most unique magic you've ever read!

Thank you Net Galley & Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read this early!

This was everything you could ever want in a fantasy book - Found Family, Prison breakout, secrets and rivals and a magic school!
The magic system was so refreshingly different - took a minute to figure it out but its such a good system - the world building is excellently done.
There was couple of points where i thought it was a little slow, but after finishing i realise its all relevant and it gave me time to understand the world a bit better.
I wasn't completely sold on the love interest at first - I felt like he could of worked harder to win her over.
Lots of Harry Potter/One Dark window vibes and a sprinkle of Throne of Glass!

Can't wait to see where the story goes after that ending i have so many questions!

This could be THE fantasy of the year! Everything was so well-written and the pacing never let up! The magic system and worldbuilding were unique without becoming tedious or unoriginal.
Read it for the romance (quite spicey!), found family, magical academia/dark academia with trials and fake engagement.

This book put me through so many emotions. The magic system was so unique, I never read something with this kind of magic before. I absolutely loved it, it was such an amazing story.

Arcana Academy was founded to teach and control Arcanists, those who have the ability to ink, read and wield tarot cards and their magic. Power only reserved for those under the crown.
Clara was imprisoned for using it illegally. Until Prince Kaelis, dark and enigmatic headmaster of the academy, helps her escape, gives her a new name and a place in his academy as a first year student. She will be his bride-to-be and help him steal the tarot cards from his father, cards that are key in creating a powerful card, a card that can change worlds. He is her enemy, one she swore to hate, but there is more to him than it seems. Some choices will be hard to make.

I absolutely loved Kaelis, it's always the tortured souls that get me. He and Clara fought so hard against their feelings, it made me want more of them.
But this book was so much more than that, with the trials Clara had to go through at the academy, the heist, the secrets. Clara was strong and determined, but so stubborn. I loved her even when she drove me crazy.

I'm not gonna lie, the beginning was slow, it took me a while to get into the book, but once I did, it didn't let go. I was consumed by it.
I have so many questions still, I simply don't know how I'm going to survive until book two. That ending...
I promised myself I would stop starting series that aren't finished, but here I am, yet again, with questions I won't get answers to for quite some time. I can't make myself regret it tho, I loved this book far too much for that.

Arcana Academy instantly sucked me in with its interesting world and magic system. It feels like it's been set up so well for the magic and lore to develop even further in the sequels, and for so many twists and turns to come in the story! The world and the magic feels so well thought out and complete. Basing the magic system on tarot was ingenious and I love that the Academy focuses equally on reading, inking and wielding the cards. Our main character, Clara, is particularly skilled in inking and wielding cards but is self-processed mediocre at reading cards. She still values the ability in other people though, and doesn't just discount reading's importance just because it's not in her skillset. Each focus is equally interesting and everything just makes sense! I just really love the magic system lol, and wish I could live in that world. Maybe as a noble and without all that death though!

There's a definite cliffhanger in this one, leading into what is going to be an amazing book two.

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

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

thank you netgalley and hodderscape for a review copy!
I was hooked from the first page of this book and could not put it down!! i think the magic system in this book is definitely a reason to pick it up, it is based of tarot and i found it really well explained because it seems like so much to remember in the beginning but the fights are described really well. The tension and slow burn + forced proximity was immaculate and accompanied the plot so well! Speaking of the plot, there were so many twists and turns some I predicted but others (especially the ending) were so unexpected!! THE ENDING!!!! it was such a shock and now i am DESPERATE for sequel!! Also the setting of a the academy is perfect and i love books set in any sort of school and it adds to the amazing story. The writing was amazing and you know I love Elise Kova and this may be one of my favourite books by her! I could yap about this book for days but i 100% recommend EVERYONE to preorder it...

I've always loved Elise Kova's books. I was very intrigued to read her first published book.
This one like all of Kova's book I flew through. Such a page turner. I will continue to read anything she writes!