by: Elise Kova
Series: Arcana Academy
Genre: NA Fantasy Romance
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Publisher: DelRey
A woman who wields magical tarot cards lands herself in a false engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy in this first installment of an enthralling fantasy romance series from the bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King.
Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic. After a job gone awry, Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards-a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy.
Just when it seems her luck has run dry, the academy's enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her an escape-for a price. Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king and use it to re-create an all-powerful card long lost to time.
In order to conceal her identity and keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first-year student and his bride-to-be.
Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world-and her heart? Or will she take it for herself?
What drew me to Arcana Academy was the fantasy aspect. I was intrigued by the idea of someone wielding magic tarot cards illegally and ending up in prison for it. The possibilities for how this story could transpire seemed endless. While I was pulled into the story, I quickly realized an issue on my part. I don't understand tarot cards. My knowledge of them is zilch. It's possible that if I had known there was a glossary at the end of the book, I might have utilized it quite often. However, my lack of tarot knowledge didn’t take away my enjoyment of the story at all.
In her short twenty-one years of life, Clara Graysword has lost a lot, more like everything. Five years ago, her mother died—though Clara and her younger sister Ariana suspect she was murdered. Ariana should be starting her second year at Arcana Academy, but she’s rumored to have left, escaped, or simply disappeared. No one knows for sure, or they’re just not saying. After a job gone bad, Clara has been sentenced to life in prison for illegally inking tarot cards. In the year since, she’s been trapped in the nightmarish prison of Halazar. Clara has become a shell of who she once was; however, she still maintains her courage and survival instinct.
Unfortunately, Clara has become a favorite of the warden, who abuses her and forces her to make tarot cards, which is the exact reason she is in prison. When Clara is summoned to the warden’s office, she thinks it’s for another round of spending hours locked in his secret room, inking cards. Instead, she finds Prince Kaelis—the very man she knows sent her to prison, and whom she believes is responsible for her mother's death—requesting an audience with her. Kaelis tells Clara she has an hour to live, then leaves her to her thoughts. What results is Clara becoming the only person to actually escape Halazar and survive.
After rescuing Clara from her escape, Kaelis gives her two choices: either be sent back to Halazar (straight to the dungeons, or worse), or help him steal some major tarot cards from his father, the king. In order to accomplish this, Clara will pretend to be his fiancée and attend Arcana Academy—where he is he headmaster—allowing her to be legally trained in tarot cards.
Arcana Academy brings together dark academia, with found family, a fake engagement between enemies who become lovers, witty banter, and a slow-burning romance, with sizzling moments—all wrapped up in betrayal and mystery.
I loved Clara and Kaelis. Clara has a strong desire to do what she believes is right. She isn't afraid to help someone or go against authority or the status quo. She's a fighter and a survivor. I know there's so much more to her than has yet to be revealed. Kaelis is truly a mystery. He seems to be a loner and is called a cursed prince. While he likes to elicit fear in people, I'm not truly sure if he's really as feared as he should be. He plays his cards close to his vest, pun intended. You never know if he's someone trustworthy or merely playing a game.
Arcana Academy relies heavily on plot; the romance is hot, but it’s not the true focus of the story. It really puts the slow in slow burn.
I loved the unexpected mystery of the story. Clara’s life isn't quite what it seems. While she questions what happened to her mother, more questions arise. She finds herself in a race against time. It seems there's someone who doesn't want her, her family, or others around. But why? And just who is she, really?
The ending was beyond shocking. I'm talking, “What did I just read?!!” shocking. Can I have the next book now?
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“Sometimes, it’s the things we can’t see in ourselves that have the most power.”
“Sometimes the living must breathe because the dead cannot.”
“All the power you need is within you.”
“Don’t exhaust yourself over something that might not come to pass.”
**Received a copy of the book from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased a hardcover copy.**
Rating: 5
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