Arcana Academy

Clara Graysword has survived the gritty underbelly of Eclipse City by relying on her wits, her quick hands, and a dangerous gift—illegally inking tarot cards with magical power. When a heist goes wrong, she’s sentenced to life in prison for a crime that’s forbidden outside the walls of the elite Arcana Academy. Just as all hope seems lost, a mysterious offer comes from the most unexpected place: Prince Kaelis, the enigmatic headmaster of the academy himself. He proposes a daring escape—but only if she agrees to play a dangerous role in his secretive plans. With no other options, Clara steps into a world of arcane rituals, ancient secrets, and high-stakes magic, where one misstep could cost her everything.

Now disguised as a first-year student and publicly introduced as Kaelis’s fiancée, Clara must navigate the treacherous halls of Arcana Academy, where every student hides an agenda and every professor wields power like a weapon. The academy is more than a school—it’s a battleground of political maneuvering, magical duels, and whispered betrayals. As Clara trains in the art of tarot magic, learning how each card channels elemental forces and shapes fate itself, she begins to uncover the deeper mysteries of her own abilities and the forgotten history of a lost card said to hold unimaginable power.

The tension between Clara and Kaelis crackles with suspicion, rivalry, and something deeper neither of them wants to name. Bound together by a lie, they must pretend affection while guarding their true intentions. But as they’re forced to work closely—training together, surviving deadly trials, and facing threats from both within and beyond the academy—walls begin to crack. The line between enemy and ally blurs, and so does the line between strategy and desire. Their slow-burn connection grows through sharp banter, shared danger, and moments of unexpected vulnerability.

Elise Kova crafts a world that feels both lush and dangerous, where magic isn’t just spellcasting but a calculated game of risk and intuition. The tarot-based magic system is inventive and deeply woven into the story’s fabric, making every card draw feel significant and every duel a pulse-pounding event. From the gold-foiled page edges of the special edition to the included maps and richly detailed setting, Arcana Academy invites readers into a universe that’s immersive and visually striking. The dark academia atmosphere—secret societies, candlelit halls, and ancient prophecies—adds a gothic elegance to the story’s emotional core.

With strong character development, a fiercely independent heroine, and a morally complex love interest, Arcana Academy delivers on both fantasy adventure and romantic tension. It’s a story about power—who wields it, who deserves it, and who gets crushed beneath it. Readers will find themselves rooting for Clara as she fights to reclaim her freedom, protect her secrets, and decide who she wants to become in a world that demands she choose a side. This is the kind of book that lingers after the last page, leaving you eager for the next chapter in the series.