859 reviews for:

Arcana Academy

Elise Kova

4.12 AVERAGE

cylent_rose_books's review

4.5

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

catsandcoffeebycc's review

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

cammy_1984's review against another edition

3.25

slow-paced

reddhead16's review

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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What a fascinating world! Yeah, it has problems, at least if you are not part of the noble ruling clans and are a unmarked arcanist trying to break the system. Unfortunately Clara got the short stick, spending a year in an awful prison before Prince Kaelis decides to use her in his own plans which are quite grand, world changing in fact! The magic system in this book is interesting, using tarot cards as the conduits, strictly controlled by the king where you either go to the Arcana Academy (which has rigorous tests, limited spots and favors nobles) or are marked and go to the mills that make the ink to bring magic to the inked cards. 

Yes, there is romance (which only heats up near the end) but it is not so much of a focus, instead it goes in depth into the academy and its many secrets with the Majors and original rulers of the land and how Clara will play a part in the changing. Plus you get to meet some very interesting people, some of them students like Alor and Lurien, but also the rebels fighting against the king and his visions for the land. Lots of excitement, near death, and death experiences and I had a thrilling ride going along with Clara as she figures out how to survive the academy and who she can trust. 

I really enjoyed reading this and it sucked me right in though I am disappointed and on tenterhooks for how it ends. I need the next book now!!!  

hellobookbird's review

3.0

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"This is Arcana Academy. Your future is your tuition."

What an interesting premise! I loved the way they detailed the inking of tarot cards and how that magic was used. Though I wasn't completely understanding the relationship of the royal family and how Kaelis came to be the seemingly black sheep of the family...but that could also be that I DNF'd at 66%. Don't let that stop you from reading, though! I have ADHD and sometimes if it lags slightly I just lose interest entirely. In this case, it was me not the book. It was headed for some interesting showdowns!

That said, I absolutely recommend for lovers of One Dark Window because this is more dark card shenanigans. 

rhisbookishthoughts's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

emmadub's review

4.5

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Harry Potter x Hunger Games x ACOTAR

sakurastar's review

3.25

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This read like fanfiction to me. I really enjoyed the magic system, but the rest felt underdeveloped. The plot was meandering, plot points were resolved out of nowhere, and the love interest never showed how he was cool or interesting (he just has a sad tragic backstory). I’m also not a fan of prickly female main characters who bite off the head of the love interest for no good reason. Finally, the cliff hanger! Don’t think I will read the sequel.

deebearx's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

aimasauru5's review

3.75

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes