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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 romantasy 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? Book One of The Arcana Academy Series
Featured Series
0 released booksArcana Academy is a 0-book series first released in 2025 with contributions by Elise Kova. The next book is scheduled for release on 7/22/2025.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)
I received an email with an invite to this and after reading the description including a fake engagement and enemies to lovers in a magical academy? Sold.
The magic system being built off of tarot cards was really cool and something I have not seen before. The dark academia setting gave Harry Potter vibes with the division into houses based off the Minor Arcana.
I felt like most characters were a little morally grey which I love. I liked Clara and Kaelis (void born prince with a cat!) and how their relationship progressed into something real.
I am very much looking forward to the next one after all that went down at the end!