Arcana Academy cover art

Arcana Academy

the spellbinding #1 Sunday Times bestselling enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance

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Arcana Academy

By: Elise Kova
Narrated by: Anna Burnett
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About this listen

 Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic. After a job goes 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?©2025 Elise Kova Dark Fantasy Epic Fantasy Royalty Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

A mysterious academy, uncertain alliances, and a unique spin on tarot make the perfect backdrop for a sexy romance - Arcana Academy is magical from nail-biting beginning to shocking end!
Elise Kova is the queen when it comes to fantasy! Arcana Academy has a brilliant storyline, a unique and refreshing magic system, and a heart-stopping romance!
Sharp, romantic, and irresistibly fun
The romantasy novel to get lost in
A great read for someone looking for a dark academia and fantasy romance with an enemies to lovers romance
Simmering romance, broody dark academia aesthetics, and an inventive magic system combine in YA author Kova's fascinating traditionally published debut
All stars
Most relevant
Arcana Academy: Arcana Academy,
Book 1
By: Elise Kova
🎧 Audiobook Narrated By: Anna Burnett
Length: 20 hrs and 28 mins
📖 Ebook Read

I liked the tone and inflection of this narrator's voice. I don't think she gave enough modulation to it to delineate between characters, though, sadly!🤷🏻‍♀️

This book has a magic system that was pretty unique. I've never read anything even similar, and it was so well thought out and then executed! 👏

We start out with the headmaster of Arcana Academy, Kaelis, who is the second son of the dictator king, having called to see a prisoner from her cell. After he has manoeuvred our fmc, Clara, in to escaping prison, he then captures her and secretly brings her to his academy to become an initiate. He stops prison guards from taking back by threatening them, and then he announces, in front of the entire Academy, her as his future bride!🤯

Clara has to learn a whole new way to draw, weild, and read the Arcana (tarot cards), which she shouldn't have any real knowledge of at all!😳 We learn she was taught, at an early age, to draw tarot, which is not only illegal, it's almost unheard of unless you are around 20 years old. Then there's the fact that she can use any ink to draw all Arcana, as long as she adds a drop of her blood!😳

There's clearly a lot going on that 'we the reader' doesn't understand, and neither does Clara, initially. There's also the mystery of her mother's death and her missing sister.🥺

I loved the push and pull between Clara and
Kaelis. Although I didn't enjoy her constant distrust of him, when someone who had backstabbed her and got her sent to prison, was given her trust again without a second thought.🤷🏻‍♀️ So, if I'm honest, I only really liked Clara around her Academy friends. The rest of the time, she was a bit of a b!@tch.😔

I loved the whole 'world' part that Kaelis informed her about. But I think I trust him more, given the information we currently have, than her selfish wants.🫣

On the whole, I really enjoyed this book. I just felt it went around 'a lot' of houses to get where it was going!🤷🏻‍♀️

I will read the next book.

Debbie, 1970, UK

A Unique and Fascinating 3.75 Star Read.👏⭐️

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Definitely going to wait for book 2. I enjoyed it but didn’t feel the pull to keep reading. It was quite easy to pick up and down.

Easy to pick up and put down

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I loved the story. The narration was amazing. I felt like I was actually in the book. I love Clara! I can’t wait for book 2

Loved

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Loved this! The Tarot based magic system is so interesting. Perfect Academic setting, fast paced with multiple trials and tests to overcome. Great narration. Cannot wait for the next book 😁

Perfect Academic Fantasy

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I loved the story and plot twists. Loved the yearning! Only the narration was a bit lazy and boring at times. Almost no difference between the characters. Still, can’t wait for the second book!!!🖤

Amazing story

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