Title: Prince of SwordsAuthor: Elise Kova
Series: Arcana Academy #2
Pages: 560
Publication Date: July 21, 2026
Publisher: Del Rey
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
Welcome back to Arcana Academy. Tarot magic, forbidden desire, battle, and betrayal collide for the power to change the world in the thrilling second book of this New York Times bestselling fantasy romance series.
I am terrified. Yet my heart skips a beat. This man might be a monster, but he is my monster.
Clara Graysword is Oricalis’s most wanted. Hunted and cornered, not even her mastery of tarot can save her this time . . . until the mysterious Worldkeepers appear. This secretive order may hold the key to changing Clara’s fate. If she dares to trust them.
But the most dangerous alliance of all is one she’s already deeply ensnared Prince Kaelis.
Kaelis, second-born prince of Oricalis and headmaster of Arcana Academy, is the one man she can’t escape—maybe she doesn’t want to escape. Ruthless, dangerous, and bound to Clara by destiny and desire, Kaelis tests her heart as much as her loyalty. Together, they grow closer to the most powerful secrets of the tarot . . . and to the truths they both hide that could destroy the passion that they no longer deny.
Hidden in plain sight within Arcana Academy, Clara walks the dagger’s edge. Revelations about Oricalis threaten everything she thought she knew, and every choice she makes is the difference between salvation and ruin.
To change the world, Clara must risk everything—her power, her beliefs, and her heart.
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Prince of Swords is the highly anticipated sequel to Arcana Academy, and it picks up where Arcana Academy left off. Right from the start, the plot is suspenseful and intense, and I was so excited to get back into this dark academia setting. It’s darker than the first book, with ominous vibes and a super unique tarot-based magic system. I was intrigued by the magic wielders and magic system, though some parts of it confused me a bit. lol Regardless, I thought it was a really cool system, and I like that we get to see even more of this dark and dangerous world.
Like the first book, the story is told from Clara’s perspective. She goes through so much over the course of the story. Hunted, vilified, and constantly in fear for her life, Clara also worries for the safety of those she loves. She keeps a lot of secrets from a lot of people, and she’s learned how to maneuver through court politics and the lies, secrets, and betrayals that come with it. She’s proving to herself and others how strong and determined she is and how much she’s willing to risk to protect the people and things she cares about. Luckily, she has the support of some strong allies and one particularly swoon-worthy character.
Ok, the romance was an absolute roller coaster, and I don’t want the ride to end! lol There are so many layers and complex things going on here, much more so than I even imagined, and some that I still can’t wrap my head around. If I had to sum it up in a few words, I’d say steamy, complicated, risky, and so darned good!! Kaelis makes the morally grey bad boy look good, that’s for sure. And I love his whole “I’ll burn the whole world down for you” vibes. I was so invested in their love story, and even when I questioned their loyalties, I hoped they both were sincere in their feelings and motivations.
The plot was good, too. With Clara facing all the threats against her, she also learns of a secret group with similar motivations, feels the pressure to gather all the tarot cards needed to complete their true plan, and her rescued and wounded sister needs care. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Even though a ton happens, there were some slower moments, and there were a couple of points in the middle of the story where I did a little eye roll at the trope-heavy and very recognizable lines. But I thought it had a great beginning and a very strong ending. And speaking of that ending, WHAT!! I can’t wait for the next book because that was fantastic, bonkers, unexpectedly expected, amazing, and exactly perfect.
- touch her and die
- tarot based magic
- found family
I am fueled by rage and held together by spite.
“Belief is sharper than any blade, stronger than even stone. It far outlives the trappings of mortal men. Even of fate itself.”
“I would rather die a thousand deaths—suffer a million horrible fates—than exist in one world where you are not mine, Clara.”
“For you, I want to make every mistake and indulge every desire.”
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.
