Arcana Academy Review – A Magical Romantasy by Elise Kova

Title: Arcana Academy
Author: Elise Kova
Series: Arcana Academy #1
Pages: 576
Publication Date: July 22, 2025
Publisher: Del Rey
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:

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?

LINKS: Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Bookshop.org

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Sometimes, it’s the things we can’t see in ourselves that have the most power.

Wow! What a fantastic read! I knew as soon as I started reading that I was going to love this story. Kova is a talented storyteller with a thought-provoking and immersive writing style. The world-building, the magic, the dynamically developed characters, THE ROMANCE – I loved it all.

This is an enemies-to-lovers romance that’s absolutely swoon-worthy with its slow build, electric chemistry, and banter. Clara, the protagonist, is so compelling, and from the first lines, when she’s refusing to be broken in a depraved prison, I was invested in her story. And then we meet Kaelis, the second-born prince, and I knew there was more to his evil persona. They’re both a jumble of contradictions, and their fights and animosity are almost as electric as their more tender scenes.

Love me, hate me, but only look at me like my existence sets you on fire …

I also love the found family vibes in the book, first with Clara’s new peers at the academy and with her sister and the others who were there after her mother’s death when she was younger. There are strong messages about family, loyalty, earning trust, and fighting for those you love.

The plot is layered and nuanced and super intense. The whole story is pretty dark and atmospheric, which definitely parallels the setting, stakes, and confounding characters. It’s the kind of story where you truly never know what’s going to happen next. Kova takes the reader on a dark and twisty journey that left me shook and questioning so many things about the magic, Clara’s power, and the fates of many of the characters.

This was a brilliant 5-star read, and with so many jaw-dropping moments and revelations, I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! I have a feeling it’s going to rip my heart out, and I’ll probably end up thanking the author for it. Lol, In the meantime, I plan to go and read some other books by Elise Kova.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Del Rey for providing me with a copy of the book and Leslie @ Books Are the New Black for buddy reading it with me! All thoughts are my own.

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Those eyes … I could spend forever being lost in them and thank him for the time.

“Every time I see you, I see what the world could be.”

“Don’t weep for an empty coffin,”

“We don’t abandon family, by blood or by bond.”

ELISE KOVA is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys telling stories of fantasy worlds filled with magic and deep emotions. She lives in Florida and, when not writing, can be found playing video games, drawing, chatting with readers on social media, or daydreaming about her next story.

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