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the_bookish_chimera 's review for:
Arcana Academy
by Elise Kova
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
“I can’t blame him for his secrets. I keep my own.”
I had a great time with Arcana Academy, especially thanks to the developed WB, but also with the rich plot (the romance, the escape plan, the mysteries, etc), with several “side quests” that make it thicker but not too heavy. The characters are wonderfully crafted, pondered and multilayered. They’re full of secrets but it never falls into some stereotypes. Of course, at the end of book 1, we know that we still have a lot of discoveries to make, secrets to unbury, hoping that it will feel just as natural as it felt in this first installment. Because the pacing is also so good. It’s fast-paced in the sense that a lot is happening but it’s not at the WB’s detriment. Arcana Academy isn’t a “green screen book”. The places and characters are described (without being overwhelming), and the WB is rich and unveiled little by little.
I adored the magical system, based on the tarot cards, but mixing a lot of other aspects that interlock with each other to create something truly unique. Because the world also has its secrets, and we learn –very gradually– what is hidden to the “average people”.
As soon as something is untangled, new knots appears, giving density to the story. Indeed, if Arcana Academy is easy to understand in a first read, it also feels that rereads will reveal even more, in order to enjoy every subtleties.
The romance part is secondary but also very important to the plot. I loved that “pas de deux” between both characters, how they play cat and mouse, how we never know what to think, between fascination and repultion…
But the book also questions things, especially about “revolutions”. If you were to change the world, would it be better than it is? What would be your priorities? Would you privilege your personal dreams or something bigger? What would be the consequences? I can wait to read book 2 to know more about everything!
I had a great time with Arcana Academy, especially thanks to the developed WB, but also with the rich plot (the romance, the escape plan, the mysteries, etc), with several “side quests” that make it thicker but not too heavy. The characters are wonderfully crafted, pondered and multilayered. They’re full of secrets but it never falls into some stereotypes. Of course, at the end of book 1, we know that we still have a lot of discoveries to make, secrets to unbury, hoping that it will feel just as natural as it felt in this first installment. Because the pacing is also so good. It’s fast-paced in the sense that a lot is happening but it’s not at the WB’s detriment. Arcana Academy isn’t a “green screen book”. The places and characters are described (without being overwhelming), and the WB is rich and unveiled little by little.
I adored the magical system, based on the tarot cards, but mixing a lot of other aspects that interlock with each other to create something truly unique. Because the world also has its secrets, and we learn –very gradually– what is hidden to the “average people”.
As soon as something is untangled, new knots appears, giving density to the story. Indeed, if Arcana Academy is easy to understand in a first read, it also feels that rereads will reveal even more, in order to enjoy every subtleties.
The romance part is secondary but also very important to the plot. I loved that “pas de deux” between both characters, how they play cat and mouse, how we never know what to think, between fascination and repultion…
But the book also questions things, especially about “revolutions”. If you were to change the world, would it be better than it is? What would be your priorities? Would you privilege your personal dreams or something bigger? What would be the consequences? I can wait to read book 2 to know more about everything!