An Arcane Study of Stars

by Sydney J. Shields

From Sydney Shields, the breakout author of The Honey Witch, comes An Arcane Study of Stars, a historical dark academia fantasy filled with ancient secret societies, a swoon-worthy rivals-to-lovers romance, and dangerous deals made after dark. Perfect for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and The Atlas Six.

When Claudia Jolicoeur is rejected from Cygnus University, a devilish stranger named Dorian appears in her nightmares and offers her a bargain: he will get her into Cygnus if she learns how to free him from a prison of stars. He takes a bite of her soul to seal the deal, and Claudia wakes to a letter from the High Sage of Cygnus stating she will take the place of Odette Dufort, a Rhetoric student who passed away.

Her arrival raises suspicions, rumors that she had a hand in Odette's death spread like wildfire, and Cassius MacLeod, the High Sage’s apprentice and Claudia's fellow Rhetoric student, seems hellbent on humiliating her. Determined to clear her name, she searches for any evidence that could prove her innocence. When someone—or something—starts slipping her pieces of Odette’s diary, Claudia uncovers a horrifying truth: over the last century, celestial witches at Cygnus have been murdered. Odette was one of them, and Claudia could be next. For her own protection, Claudia needs to free Dorian—and fast.

By night, she studies the stars, slowly unraveling the mystery of Dorian's prison. By day, she and Cassius wage rhetorical war as debate partners in class. What begins as a fierce rivalry devolves into something deeper, darker, and dangerously sensual. As Claudia inches closer to the truth, she must decide: would trusting Cassius be the last mistake she ever makes?

Genres: Fantasy, Dark Academia, Romance, Romantasy, Adult, Fantasy Romance, Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication April 28, 2026

About the author

Sydney J. Shields is a swamp creature who evolved to hold a pen. She is a No. 1 Sunday Times, USA Today, and Indie Bestselling author. Her debut, The Honey Witch, is an Amazon Editors’ Choice for Best Fantasy and Best Romance, and a 2024 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee. When not writing, she enjoys playing chess in the park, keeping bees, and doing anything that an 87-year-old trapped in a gen-z body would enjoy. You can find her across social media @SydneyJShields, or her website, sydneyjshields.com.

Reviews

[Mai ༊*·˚]

I've been fiending for a good dark academia read!



__________

Thank you to Orbit for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[ishraq ✿ (semi-ia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my god.

special thanks to the author and netgalley for an arc!

[Izzi]

holy hell im so excited to see what comes from sydney next. the honey witch holds such a special place in my heart

[kylie’s been jinxed ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

full review to come - eventually

quick notes before review because i couldn’t resist 🙃

- dark academia vibes are incredible
- i was properly engrossed, the pacing was quick
-the plot definitely feels a little rushed at some points

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ☕️|| ᴘʀᴇʀᴇᴀᴅ :)
⤿ im so excited to start this book! after finishing katabasis i am definitely in the mood for more dark academia!!

‧𓍢ִ໋🖋️ ׂ 𓈒 ⋆ ۪. | | ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ:

➤ 41% - so this isn’t the ya book i thought it was 😅😅

➤ 62% - claudia don’t make the mistake i think you’re about to make!!

➤ 100% - pleasantly surprised by that one 😄

[Amanda Blanche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very grateful to have received an e-arc of this book. Releasing April 2026

This is a gritty romantasy that combines magic, gods and the stars. It started off very strong for me, lots of promise. Good writing. But for me it slowly got cut down by slow pacing and over complicated plot. I think it falls into the too many ideas going on at the same time - for me I just found it a bit information overload. And I take issue with Cassius - the so called MMC, I think Claudia could have done better.

Claudia is from a disgraced family in a small nowhere kind of town. After her mother passed, her father gambled away all their fortune, and with it went their reputation. Now 23, Claudia lives for books and to keep her mother’s teaching of the stars alive. She finds a magical book that shows her the world and possibility of a magical college, only to have her application be rejected. But when her father plans to sell her hand in exchange for his debts (to a man 50 years her senior), she is desperate for escape. That is when a being from the stars reaches out in her dreams - brings her to his nightmare realm where he is trapped. This ethereal being Dorian offers her a chance to escape and go to the magical university, in exchange for her figuring out how to free him. She accepts - giving a piece of her soul in exchange. But little does she know she has just made a deal with the devil. Thus begins the mystery, the misadventure and the search for truth amongst the stars and the gods that will either take her life - or the lives of those she cares for. And with so much deceit and subterfuge, who can she trust.

[Mandy]

This started out so strong, then quickly took a nose dive. I hated the dialogue. Nobody talks like that…Also, who finds a random page out of a diary that’s so detailed-it even includes dialogue? WAY TOO CONVENIENT!!

[Abbi :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I want to see in a dark academia romantasy!!!

What an absolute total package of a book. There was virtually no flaw for me here. I have not read The Honey Witch by this author, so I fully went in blind. The concept of this book hooked me though, and the execution did not disappoint. Claudia is such a fascinating main character. She was flawed and made mistakes, but it was so easy to fall in love with her. Her interactions with her friends grew to become a highlight for me, The found family dynamic, although it took some time to fully become fleshed out, was really lovely.

THE ROMANCE. ABSOLUTELY GAGGED. I somehow missed the fact that this was spicy, and let me tell you, it is spicy (!!!). This type of spice will not be for everyone as it dives into BDSM so be warned. However, the tension absolutely hooked me from the start and had me squealing. Cassius, the man that you are, was so unbelievably down bad for Claudia. I mean incredibly. I ate it UP! He was such a sweetheart at times too. He would have done literally anything for her. I am obsessed.

The academy was incredibly interesting as well. It reminded me a little bit of Hogwarts if they had majors and were able to commune with gods. Really unique concept I hadn't seen before. Now, Claudia is a rhetoric major, so there were a lot of philosophical conversations being had during those classes. They kind of went over my head most of the times, but the ones I was able to follow were very thought provoking. It was clear Shields had done some thorough research which I appreciate.

My only minor, and it is minor, complaint is that the pacing was a little slow to start with and took me a minute to get into. Once it picked up, however, I literally couldn't put it down. Shields should continue in this vein of romantasy in the future!!

This is perfect for fans of dark academia, spicy romance, rivals to lovers, and suspenseful mysteries!

Thank you so much to net galley and Orbit Books for the e-arc!! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Heathers_readss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realize when requesting this that it was the author of the honey witch so that was a fun surprise. I did find this book to be a lot different, the plot follows a 20 something year old (yay not a teen) who is trapped in a miserable existence with only books for an escape, she comes across a magical book that opens up her world and ends up with her attending a magical school and making a deal with a (hot) bad guy.

I thought this was a fun read! Id recommend giving it a go

[Heather Callahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing an early copy of this book.
This one took me a little while to fully settle into. I wasn’t completely hooked until around the 25% mark, but once it grabbed me, it really grabbed me. From that point on, I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading the majority of it in a 24-hour span.

The writing is genuinely beautiful — atmospheric, lyrical, and immersive. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was compelling and added strong emotional tension throughout the story. The character interactions were one of my favorite parts once the pacing found its rhythm.

That said, I do wish the atmosphere — especially the school setting — had been expanded on more. The foundation was there for something incredible, and honestly, this would have made an excellent series. There was so much potential in the world and academic environment that I would have loved to see explored more deeply.

The spice level was a bit overwhelming for my personal preference as a reader. I skipped most of those scenes, which didn’t detract from the overall plot for me, but it’s worth noting for readers who are sensitive to that element.

Overall, once the story hit its stride, it was hard to step away from. Beautiful prose, strong romantic tension, and a gripping second half made this a memorable read for me.

[Callie Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of Addie LaRue and The Secret History. Chock full of romance, tension, profound discussions of philosophy, magic powered by pure desire, and so much heart—all packaged in Shields’s signature lush prose. Fans of The Honey Witch will NOT be disappointed!

[Siara]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review

DNF at 45%

I thought the first 30% was really interesting and loved the fantasy dark academia vibe. I was really intrigued by the mystery and the magic system & gods, but then a lot of things fell flat.

I didn’t like Claudia at all. She felt like a very self-indulgent, wishy-washy, and a just not overly well written character.

She declares herself Cassius’ rival, but is nowhere near him academically and it makes her seem very pathetic. A lot of her actions don’t really make sense.

She makes a bargain with what appears to be a demon (the story really isn’t all that clear about it) who takes a piece of her soul and not only does she not seem to be concerned by that AT ALL, she’s also blindly following his orders.

The romance plot line is just an insta-lust situation that shows up out of NOWHERE. No development, nothing, it’s just 0 to 100. It also completely screwed what we knew about certain characters up to that point — you’re telling me that Cassius hated her and was convinced that she murdered his friend and cheated her way into the school and then all of a sudden he’s worried sick about her sleepwalking and is also .. thirsty as hell.

Not to mention, the beginning of this book was obviously set in a historical period (it didn’t give us the exact year but they were discussing dowries and marrying their children off so…) but throughout the story it just gets more and more modern. It’s non-stop modern day slang, if I took a shot everytime they said fuck I’d be dead, and at one point a couple characters played fuck marry kill, be so serious rn.

Also at the beginning of the book she mentions that the old man she was being married off to had said that she seemed like she was going to be a good wife because she was a good, obedient, quiet girl and Claudia was so upset by it. Then suddenly when the insta-lust plot line starts she becomes super submissive and suddenly acquires a praise kink. :)

[Vanessa Hermanns · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars — Dazzling Dark Academia

First of all huge thank you to Redhook/Hachette and NetGalley for the ARC! ILYSM.

An Arcane Study of Stars had me absolutely hooked from page one. Sydney J. Shields pulls you in with an atmospheric, dark academia world that feels almost familiar. I was fully under its celestial spell.

Then the 50% mark hit, and it was like watching a beautifully decorated cake left out to sit in the sun. The frosting starts to slide, it gets a little goopy, and suddenly you’re scrambling to catch one of the layers before it slides off the edge…

The story juggles a lot: celestial gods, a central mystery, and academic rivalry and somewhere in the middle, those threads started competing with each other rather than weaving together.

What earned that extra half star without question was the magic system. Genuinely one of the most inventive and satisfying I’ve come across recently. Shields clearly put real thought into it, and it shines bright like a diamond (Rhianna voice.)

Now, the rivals to lovers element, yum, (my absolute favorite trope!) is very much present, and yes, it was giving major Dramione. I was thirsty in the desert for it.

That said, I did feel it tipped a little too far into insta-love territory for my taste. The slow burn could’ve used a longer burn. Like 3rd degree…and the pacing of some of the steamier scenes also felt slightly off-beat, but honestly now I’m just being nitpicky. As if I could do better, please. I can barely write an email.

If you’re a Dramione stan, a dark academia devotee, or loved Wild Reverence or Nightshade, this one belongs on your TBR. Just go in knowing the second half asks a little more from you than the first.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to snag an eARC of AN ARCANE STUDY OF STARS and I am so incredibly thankful I had the chance to dive into this masterpiece early.

For anyone looking for a delicious and PERFECT rivals to lovers, may I present Claudia and Cassius. From hate at first sight to the most passionate lovers I may have ever read, I am blessed to have joined them on this beautiful, messy, murderous, and cosmic journey. I was completely obsessed and invested in them as a couple but also as individuals, which is truly impressive. I couldn’t root for one without also constantly thinking about how the other would be impacted by what was happening on page. They are the perfect yin and yang.

Now let’s talk magic system. I am so so impressed by the intricate world that Sydney J. Shields created. Cygnus is not only a university, it’s truly a different realm. The rules of the natural world don’t apply and magic is fueled by desire. The desire to succeed and achieve what you set out to do, what you think, and what you want. Both Claudia and Cassius are incredibly driven and motivated to be the best but for what they think are different reasons. When their motivations finally converge it is a clear their fates are inexplicably intertwined and have always been written in the stars. Turns out they just needed a certain witch’s powers to awaken and finally bring them together.

For anyone craving a dark academia murder mystery sprinkled with the perfect amount of fantasy and slow burn romance, I highly recommend adding AN ARCANE STUDY OF STARS to your TBR right now. I am cosmically in love with this story and I need everyone to preorder, buy it immediately, and yap with me about this story.

[Kelly✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounded up!

Sydney and her writing have done it again! The Honey Witch is one of my all time favorite books, so An Arcane Study of Stars has been at the top of my anticipated reads list since it was announced! I’m so grateful to have gotten the chance to read it early (thank you Orbit and Netgalley for this advanced reader copy!!!) and can’t wait for everyone else to get their hands on it.

I really enjoyed the dark academia aspects of this story. The school system was really exciting to read, and I loved getting to “sit it on” so many of their classes. Learning along with Claudia was so fun to me. The writing was really brilliant in this way. As for the romance - I was also HOOKED! I was kicking my feet and loving the enemies to lovers progression.

After 50% through, I could not get myself to put this down! I devoured the second half in one day and am sad it’s over! This will definitely be a reread for me. I will be recommending this book to all of my romantasy and dark academia loving friends once it releases!

[Sydney Shields]

Hello friends! I've been informed that unfortunately my author's note with content warnings was mistakenly left out of the first print run. I am so sorry for this. I can confirm the eBook and second print run will include it. The content warnings have always been up on my website, but I wanted to share here as well: This is a dark academia fantasy novel with gothic themes, gore, and explicit sexual content. It explores grief, suicidality, alcohol and drug abuse, and mental health struggles. Reader discretion is advised.

More specific CW here: https://www.sydneyjshields.com/an-arc...

[Michelle (easy.vesey.reads)]

DNF at 59%.

Sadly, this was another one of my anticipated reads that I had trouble finishing. The cover initially drew me in and the plot sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, I was never able to form a connection with the characters. I think the third person also didn’t help with this story and I bet I would have enjoyed first person much better.

Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

[Lucy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 22%

Sadly did not find the magic system fleshed out for this, nor the dark academia setting. Usually I love learning what the characters are learning in detail and enjoy the dark academia environment, but this book did not go into the magic.

I couldn’t get on board with the characters and how they were speaking. This was not grabbing my attention.

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't go in expecting dark academia, they may as well be in a studious leaning apartment complex rather than a magical boarding school. Also? Everyone immediately acts on every single thought they have, which is exhausting.

[C. Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Pride and Prejudice meets Shadow and Bone but make it star magic & Villain gets the girl!

I am genuinely impressed with the author's lyrical writing and blend of genres: Regency Academia Romantasy? I found the writing refreshing from the ultra-modern urban fantasies or even your average romantasy, it is poetic and vintage without sacrificing clarity. With the amount of philosophy quotes and knowledge from Aristotle and Plato discussed in here, instead of feeling overwhelmed or bored, I found myself enthralled. It worked with the story and was interesting despite how complex it can be.

The beginning 30-40% was quite good, the middle stilted and the last 25% riveting and explosive. I considered DNFing it in the middle where it got tiresome but since it was an ARC I pushed on, and I am so glad I did! Because again, VILLAIN GETS THE GIRL!

I was literally shipping Claudia so hard with Dorian, the mysterious shadow daddy god, the devil she made a deal with. Like if villain why hot? Everything this man does is so good! So much better than Cassius lol. And he met her first! Literally texting my friend like WDYM the blurb makes it seem like she will end up with Cassius her academic rival? WDYM the god of nightmare isn't endgame? The tension and chemistry was off the charts! Imagine my surprise when he was like I can bring Cassius back but only if he gets your days and I get your nights! OMGGGG! Love Triangle to Why Choose dream come true in the best way! The ending was crazy, just twists after twists and the author ate in a way I didn't even know was an option!

I will give credit to Cassius scenes when they were still enemies and were writing taunts in class at each other and the debate was great. And the angst at the end with this pairing was great too, it hurt and there was yearning.

I also adored Alistair, he is my favorite side character in this, the nerdy gay best friend everyone needs. Ngl March was bad at first and then was unhinged to the point where I am like girl are you autistic? But then she grew on me. Angel is a wallflower, I don't know anything about him.

Other than the middle section of 40-70% being boring with a lot of back and forth betw the heroine and her rival, I found the BDSM theme to be jarring and unnatural, so was the smut. I think for the first time ever, I will say this book would have been better being closed door and YA since it felt like everything else is very graceful and YA and historical, and this was the author's effort to make it more marketable as an adult romantasy. A lot more readers could have enjoyed it if it was clean or YA, what a shame.

It has been a long time since the ending of the book raised the star rating of a book to a 4, if it ever happened before. Some of these twists gave me the chills and it ended so well I was speechless. I am now on the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel because I NEED MORE! UGH Dorian is just the perfect morally gray shadow daddy villain who is obsessed with the heroine since the beginning! (IYKYK) He is so much better than the stupid boy Cassius who goes back and forth with his feelings and doesn't know what he wants. I will be so so mad if Dorian isn't endgame, but I will also accept Why choose haha.

[Lakshmi]

Got this book approved as an ARC on netgalley, hoping to read soon!

RTC

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this book.

This book started off very slow for me, I’m not going to lie. I considered DNF in the book at 37%. But I decided that I needed to push through and continue reading and I’m very glad I did. The book really picks up about the midway point and I think it actually turned into a really fun read. The enemies to lovers became evident, and there was a hint of Fifty Shades of Grey… If you know what I mean, but it never went down the path of being too spicy. I would say that this book is maybe a one chili pepper on the spicy scale. I will say that the magic system in this book is very different and can be a little difficult to understand. I think when looking at the different types of magic, some made more sense and some were a little pointless. My other big complaint about this book is, I felt like the diary entries to help solve the mystery were very unrealistic. There was some correspondence that was spelled out in the diary entries, which I feel like is not at all realistic to how diary entries are written, I do wish that the author would have figured out a better way to convey conversations without spelling out exactly, He said “xxxx” and she said “xxxxx”. overall, there were some fun pieces to it and some plot twist that I didn’t really expect but looking back could kind of see how they came to be. I think that if you are wanting to venture into a different world with different magic, this might be a fun read for you. I don’t know that I would say that this is a read. I would highly recommend anybody but an avid reader, who is looking for something just a little different might enjoy the creativity of the magic system.

[Em The Scribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 Stars.

An Arcane Study of Stars is for anyone who has ever looked up at the stars and yearned to join them, knowing they were destined for more.

An adult dark academia romantasy that I would put on a shelf next to Olivie Blake, Kerri Maniscalco, and Saint Gibson, you might be interested in this book if you love: a female main character tormented by her own darkness while trying desperately to do the right thing (and to figure out what “doing the right thing” even means), secret universities where you study the arcane, making deals with the devil (and, wait for it… he’s hot), a messy but beautiful queer friend group, deep philosophical discussions in a classroom setting, enemies-to-rivals-to-lovers (oh my goodness look another hot guy), a mild bit of sexual debauchery, and bacchanalian revelry from artsy twenty-somethings.

We meet Claudia, a girl who wishes for more out of life than what she’s been offered. While she’s spiraling about her horrible father, her dead mother, her soon-to-be husband that’s ancient as dirt, and her rejection from a secret university that she learned about in a book, she spends her last night as a single woman drinking on the roof before almost plummeting to her death. When she realizes how much she desperately wants to live, she realizes she’s willing to do anything to live, and to live her own way… including making a deal with the devil to release him from his shackles and running away to a fabled school of magic. After having been rejected on account of the major she wanted to study, Astrologia, having been forbidden for the last hundred years, the deal she strikes changes her fate, and gets her accepted as a Rhetoric student. After a harrowing escape from home, she arrives at Cygnus University, covered in blood, and already having a target on her back. Between her suspicious arrival, learning that the student who previously inhabited her room has recently died, harassment from classmates who think her a killer, the magic of the stars haunting her steps through the school, and her deal to release a devil from his prison, we follow Claudia as she navigates chaos, dances with the devil, falls in love with her enemy, and tries to discern what it truly means to be a good person as she falls deeper into the belief that she must not be one.

I am genuinely in love with this book. Claudia is one of my favorite characters I’ve read in a while. She is unique in the way that yes, she’s very unsure of herself at parts and whether or not she is a “good”person since she’s done some bad things, but she’s also not weak, or simpering. I thought she felt very flawed, yes, but in such a real and honest way. Especially towards the end of the novel, when we see her have an inner debate about having to choose who gets to live: her, or the man she fell in love with. And while she ultimately chooses to die for him, I loved that we saw she was conflicted for a moment. That she isn’t perfect, that she acknowledges that fear living inside of her that makes it hard to do the right thing.

Dorian was an interesting character, I wish we had gotten to see more of him, but I’m not going to dock any points for that because the ending gave me the impression that we’re probably getting a sequel to explore their relationship (I HOPE that’s true, I would give anything for a sequel). I loved their relationship and how strangely complex and dark it was.

While I thought that the relationship between her and Cassius developed too fast once she decided she needed to seduce him, I did really love their relationship. Their banter was a joy to read, and their sexual tension was delicious. I loved the talk around boundaries and what they wanted from each other, that was well done. The slight amount of spice we did get was written so well that even though the seduction plotline happened a bit quick, it felt so right between the two of them, in my opinion.

Her friend group was so fun, I loved how different the characters all felt from each other, and I really loved everyone’s dynamic. The setting was cool, though I was a little confused as to what the real world was like before Claudia ran away, it felt a little less fleshed out. I also wish we were immersed a little more in the school itself, I think the school and the students in it could have played more of a part and truly made it feel magical, rather than just a place where one studies magic. The classroom discussions were one of my favorite parts, I thought the philosophical discussions were not only fascinating, but fit alongside the story nicely. The story itself was so interesting to read, and while by the end of it there were many pieces of it to keep track of, I thought it was handled well. The only thing I felt was missing was more of the story behind her mother and her relationship with the stars, but like I said before, I am 99% sure from context clues that there will be at least one more sequel where we will get more answers. I am reviewing this book as if it is the start of a series rather than a standalone, and with that in consideration, I think the story was fleshed out well and paced well. Maybe a little quick for my taste, I really like stories that I can linger in, but overall, the structure was sound. The prose was concise, descriptive without being too flowery.

Thank you to Sydney J. Shields, Orbit, and Netgalley for my digital advanced reader copy!

[♡ Dia ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley for an e-ARC!!

---

✦ ˚₊‧₊˚✧ ARC REVIEW ✧˚₊‧₊˚ ✦
*An Arcane Study of Stars* — Sydney J. Shields

rating: ★★★★★
dark academia + celestial magic + rivals to lovers

---

୨୧ 一 overall

This book completely pulled me in.

From the first chapters at Cygnus University, the atmosphere is full of secrets, ambition, and quiet danger. The story blends magical academia, mystery, and romance in a way that kept me constantly curious about what would happen next.

I especially loved how the book balances plot and character development. There’s a central mystery slowly unfolding, but at the same time we’re watching Claudia grow into someone stronger, more determined, and more willing to fight for the truth.

By the end, I was fully invested in both the mystery and the characters.

---

୨୧ 一 plot

The premise alone immediately hooked me.

After being rejected from Cygnus University, Claudia Jolicoeur is visited in her dreams by a mysterious stranger named Dorian, who offers her a dangerous bargain: he will help her enter the university if she helps free him from a prison made of stars.

The deal costs her a piece of her soul.

When she arrives at Cygnus, she discovers she has taken the place of Odette Dufort, a Rhetoric student who recently died. Rumors begin spreading that Claudia may have had something to do with Odette’s death, and suspicion follows her everywhere.

Then strange things begin happening.

Someone starts leaving Claudia pieces of Odette’s diary, slowly revealing that celestial witches at Cygnus have been murdered for over a century, and Odette was one of them.

As Claudia searches for answers, she spends her nights studying the stars to free Dorian, while her days are filled with tense rhetorical debates with Cassius MacLeod, the High Sage’s apprentice.

The deeper Claudia digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes.

---

୨୧ 一 characters

˚˖𓍢ִ໋. “ claudia jolicoeu ” ・

Claudia is such an interesting main character.

She enters Cygnus under suspicion, carrying the weight of a bargain she can’t reveal and trying to prove she didn’t cause Odette’s death. Watching her navigate the academic pressure, rumors, and the growing mystery was incredibly compelling.

Her determination to uncover the truth, even when it puts her in danger, made her really easy to root for.

˚˖𓍢ִ໋. “ cassius macleod ” ・

Cassius starts out as Claudia’s rival in rhetoric class and the High Sage’s apprentice.

Their interactions are full of sharp dialogue and tension as they challenge each other constantly in debates. That rivalry becomes one of the most entertaining parts of the story.

˚˖𓍢ִ໋. “ dorian ” ・

The mysterious stranger from Claudia’s dreams who offers her the bargain that sets the entire story in motion.

His presence adds another layer of intrigue to the plot as Claudia works to understand his prison and what freeing him might truly mean.

---

୨୧ 一 relationships

✧ Claudia & Cassius

Their relationship begins as a rivalry in rhetoric class, where they constantly challenge each other in debates.

That tension slowly shifts as the story progresses, creating a dynamic that adds both emotional and romantic stakes to the plot.

Also the spice is really spicing with them 🤭

---

✦ what I loved

🌙 the dark academia setting
Cygnus University feels mysterious and immersive, with star-based magic and an academic environment that constantly raises questions about knowledge, power, and truth.

🔎 the central mystery
The diary fragments, the history of murdered celestial witches, and the secrets surrounding Odette kept the plot intriguing the entire time.

---

✦ what didn’t work as well

⚖️ a slightly slower start

The story takes some time to establish the setting and the mystery at Cygnus. However, once the main threads begin connecting, the plot becomes much more difficult to put down.

---

final rating: ★★★★★
a mysterious, atmospheric dark academia fantasy with a compelling plot, strong characters, and a rivalry that adds the perfect amount of tension.

(ps: this review might be dry af, bcs like im so tired but i just wanted to write this review while i still remembered what happened bcs i lwk have short term memory loss so here we are 😭)

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

After being rejected from Cygnus University, Claudia Jolicoeur makes a deal with a mysterious figure named Dorian, who promises to get her accepted if she helps free him from a prison among the stars. Soon after, she’s admitted to Cygnus in place of a student who recently died, which brings suspicion and rumors that she is the killer. She also ends up in a constant rivalry with Cassius MacLeod, the High Sage’s apprentice.

I really liked how Claudia was struggling at the beginning, with keeping up with classes while behind her classmates and also with making friends/being at constant scrutiny. I liked how driven she was, how desperate.

Some of the dialogue did feel a bit unnatural at times, though. One of her first conversations with Alistair especially stood out to me. It just didn’t read like a real conversation people would actually have. Like, no one talks like that.

I liked the rivalry between Cas and Claudia at the start, it felt charged and they actually had a genuine reason not to like or trust each other. But the way they transitioned from that rivalry/hatred into something romantic felt really jarring.

Cassius was also a character I just didn’t feel as connected to. He had these goals that were supposedly very serious to him, serious enough that he even considered pushing Claudia away because of them, but then he just…throws them aside? It made his motivations feel a bit shaky. And him blaming Claudia for being “distracted” kind of came out of nowhere. Overall he could be very hot and cold at times.

The spice itself was a bit much for me, though it was still tastefully done. I did appreciate the consent boundaries and how that was handled. My main issue was that it didn’t feel like there was enough buildup. One moment they hate each other and the next they want to jump each other. If Cas truly believes Claudia killed Odette, it’s hard to understand how he’s willing to be intimate with her. The transition between those emotions could have been handled more smoothly.

Claudia and Alistair’s friendship was one of my favorite parts. The way he accepted her and was always there for her was really sweet. Claud and Alis, Star girl and Bones. 🫶

Bishop!!! What a diva.

Marcherie was an interesting character and I wish we had gotten more of her. We do learn more about her as the story goes on, but I still wanted more page time, especially to see her grief and the way she shapes the group. It’s mentioned that she’s almost the “architect” of it, directing everyone, and I would have liked to see more of that dynamic on page. I would've liked more group interactions in general.

Olivier!!! She was so cool, and she still managed to stand out despite not having much page time. Lamour felt layered, and learning about his past at Cygnus was really intriguing. Despite being quite guarded at first, I ended up understanding why he was so reluctant to let Claudia in.

Around the middle, so many things start happening at once that it feels a bit scattered. There isn’t really one clear objective the story sticks to, and everything starts to feel compressed. The romance also ends up overshadowing a lot of it, and it didn’t fully feel earned to me.

THE ENDING??? GENUINELY BAFFLING WHAT THE HELL 😭😭😭😭 I cannot process that. What. The AUDACITY.

The last few chapters leading up to it were so compelling, and then the ending just hits and it feels really abrupt. I definitely needed more time with the characters to see where they end up and what they’re thinking, because I was just sitting there like…hello??? What. How did that just happen????

I do think that reaction was probably what the author was going for, so in that sense it works. But I was still left there going wow. What just happened.

I think the book really could've used being a duology so everything had more time to come together. But I still had a really fun time and was hooked.

Thank you to Orbit Books, the Author and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review
✨
Actual rating: 4.75/5

This is one of those books that is going to stick with me for the rest of my life. I really, really want a pet snake now.

THE GOOD
- The Magic system. I love a good Magic system. I’m typically wary when there are fictional gods within a normal, otherwise mundane world, but this worked (especially since the gods were just human once).
- the star magic! I looooove celestial magic so much. The use of constellations and poetry was just MWAH. Perfection.
- the found family. Duh. I loved the main six so much.
- the rivalry. UGH. It was so delicious. So tense ;) This was the PERFECT example of a good academic rivals to lovers. From now on, if anyone wants a rivals to lovers recommendation this will be my first suggestion.
- the plot twist. I thought I had it figured out. I was almost positive. But nope. I was wrong. And I LOVED IT.
- the general vibes. Think Ninth House had a baby with Divine Rivals, and that baby had a baby with Mary and the Witch Flower. Dark academia, rivals to lovers, magic that hinges on different academics? Amazing. I think I’d either be a Rhetoric student or a Scientia student honestly.

THE BAD
- the last 20-30%. The first chunk of the book was soooooooooo good. Mutual pining, rivals, secret magic, diary entries that slowly spill the maddening truth? Yes! But I feel like after the detention scene (iykyk) it sorta just rushed to the end. I love standalones. I think they’re great! But personally I feel like this book could have EASILY been made into a duology just so the ending wasn’t so rushed. The buildup was slow and then everythinghappenedallatoncerightattheendandthatsit. The rivalry was over (this isn’t a slow burn, unless you consider a match to be slow burning). Happily ever after the end. I was left with questions. There were a few shallow plot holes. All of it could have been fixed if this book ended sooner and the rest was stuffed into a sequel. I’m not gonna get into spoilers, but I feel like some very vital information and plot points were just shoved into a meager paragraph or two of explanation and the end was hurriedly tied into a sloppy bow. I have questions. I want more. But the end, I guess. Happily ever after for everyone but me who wanted better explanations and answers.

THE REST
- the characters. Did I love them? Yes. Is Cass my new most favorite fictional man? No… If anything, Alis is. Love him <3 Claudia genuinely acted her age. She was desperate and acted like a stuck up at times, but…desperate. And she’s in a magic school so like ya know. She did have a lot of growth and for that I applaud her. Even if she did give me a bit of second hand embarrassment after forcing friendship upon Alistair lmao.
- the gods. I…wanted more. There was a huge revelation about them and I wanted MORE. The rituals and communications and magic were all so shallowly explored. Yeah, the MCs were first years, but still. I. Wanted. More. More depth and lore and explanation. Tell me about the gods. About their reigns. About their magic. Their NAMES. Please. That is the biggest no for me, honestly. If this book was longer and explored more it would have EASILY been a five star read.
- the plot holes. How did Claudia find the book? How did her application get changed? Why didn’t she know about Sidarphion’s disappearance? What about her mother and her family? Who graduated valedictorian? (That was such a huge deal and it never got explored further).

I don’t know. I loved this book. I wanted more. I wish there was more. I don’t know if there will be a sequel or not but I hope so because it didn’t feel like it ended properly. At least give me a prequel or something where the gods and magic systems and school are explored more.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Between a 3.25⭐️ and 3.5⭐️

My two main issues with this were that a) this had way too much going on and b) this had some of the most egregious telling and not showing. The main culprit was the journal entries, who gives full exposition and then dialogue written as if it were a novel/play? That’s just not realistic. I liked the concept of the journal entries but not the execution. Also was not a fan of the very Addie LaRue-esque ending, then again I am not an Addie fan so maybe I’m just not the right audience for that?

This had a lot of elements I thought I was going to really enjoy but overall it didn’t fully work for me. The timeline also felt a little too rushed, especially when it came to the main relationship. I liked it but it needed to marinate a little longer or feel like it did since this is a standalone. I also wanted more about the school itself, were being told that the school wants you to fully fall into hedonism outside of the academics and we get like a kind of glimpse of this but only once when it sounded like it was an always thing, but ultimately the school wasn’t serving this.

My last gripe was the language used, this is supposed to be during a time when arranged marriages were prevalent, people wore cloaks and chemises, etc and also be a UK setting but we’re getting very American English, also American currency? Along with the use of phrases like “good girl” and generally very modern verbiage. I think the stakes for some of the events and also this comparison to Iphigenia sort of relied on the arranged marriage, but I think then there needed to be more care towards avoiding overly modern language use and also if you’re doing a UK setting don’t use American currency, etc.

I overall liked the setting and the idea of the gods and how it relates to their studies, it felt like an interesting take on the academic setting. I also liked the glimpses of their classes and how it pulled on philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle to give a depth to what they were discussing and ultimately it gives a glimpse into what they use at the end. Language as a tool is always interesting to me, especially when you imbue it with a magical element. The idea too of linking gods and their “favor” to the increase in magical ability was unique and I liked that this was explored with the arts. The idea too of the lost arena of study and how it connected back to earlier situations was interesting and well done (though somewhat predictable at some instances/reveals)

Though rushed I did like our main romantic plot and even the romantic subplots. The friendships as well were interesting and I liked seeing that come together and build. The exploration too of guilt and what it means to be “good”, though I was a little irritated at how often our FMC retreads so much of the same issue with this - bouncing back and forth between totally okay and then I’m the worst person in the world depending on what it did for the plot in that moment. I appreciated that our characters were all in their 20s rather than like fresh 18 year olds.

As much as I had issues with the book, it kept me engaged, especially the back half of the book. This got us past some of the heavier handed telling rather than showing and there was more forward movement. It kept me wanting to learn more and wanting to see how we would untangle some of the knots that our characters found themselves in. I also wanted to see how the relationships would move forward and if our FMC was going to find her place in this new school.

I think if you enjoyed Addie LaRue and also want something with a new take on the stars and magical dark academia you’d be into this!

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC, all opinions above are my own!

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been trying to form cohesive thoughts so I can write a review that conveys all of my feelings about this book, and I am failing miserably because I am overcome with emotion after reading this. I absolutely LOVED this book.

The book starts by following Claudia, who lacks ambition after the loss of her mother. She’s surrendered to a life of complacency and suffering, until she’s offered a glimmer of hope and opportunity by attending the magical university Cygnus. After it’s in her grasp, we spend the whole book watching her learn to advocate for herself and be empowered to ask for and take what she wants. Her dedication is admirable, and even though she has ulterior motives for certain actions, I still loved seeing her emotional and intellectual growth.

At Cygnus, we learn a lot about the magic system in this universe, and I quite liked it. Not only am I a sucker for the arts and sciences, but astrology. Speak to me about the stars and I’m IN!! The crux of magic in this story is Desire, and we are told that “Desire is what makes a witch.” This quote stuck with me, and is such an interesting reference to frame magic around because it has such a human element to it that makes it feel attainable, yet relatable. But nothing in this book is as it seems… or is it?

The mystery in this and how it swirls with romance, desire, knowledge, power, magic, and deception was just sooooo delicious. Seriously. I ate this up and it had me begging for more. And speaking of begging, we NEED to talk about Cassius. “Did you hate me as you begged for more?” UM HELLO????? PLEAAAAAAAAASE!!!!! I was foaming at the mouth for this, and honestly I felt like it was so well done, respectful, and sexy in the best way. I wasn’t expecting the two of them to connect in this way at first, but the push and pull between Claudia and Cassius made so much sense when it came to their characters and their desires.

The one thing that hit me the most in this book though was the theme of self forgiveness. The dedication for this book offers a reprieve from the self-punishment that most of us inflict on ourselves, which is what Claudia struggles with throughout the book. We see her grapple with misdoings from her present and past, and question whether or not she is really good.

But what is good exactly? This book will teach you to question that.

“You are good because you want to be.”

As someone who hasn’t studied prose or philosophy in years, this was so refreshingly educational and philosophical without trying to force the knowledge down your throat in a way that doesn’t stick. I found myself entranced by the lessons Claudia was learning at Cygnus, because not only was it fascinating and tied into the themes of the book, but it helped me learn more about myself. I found myself in tears when I questioned my own self-punishment and forgiveness as Claudia faced hers, and through that I felt the reprieve. I have spent many years of my life asking myself whether or not I am good, and this challenged me to think differently.

At the end of the day, a book that helps me learn about myself gains my utmost love and respect. When I get to take something away from a read that I know will stick with me, that’s when I know it was good. This book beautifully tied together so many complex themes, while also not making it too heavy.

I truly look forward to rereading this some day. I’ll likely devour it in one sitting again and find myself questioning life once more, with a bubble of emotions at the helm.

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book.

[GlacierFrost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Orbit and Netgalley for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

5/5 stars!

I read Sydney J. Shields’ debut, The Honey Witch, back when it was released two years ago. I absolutely adored this book as a fan of Bridgerton and Practical Magic, so I’ve been waiting for her newest book to come out ever since. I was super excited to get an approval for this arc, and am really grateful to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the chance to read this sooner!

This book focuses on Claudia Jolicoeur, a disgraced socialite who’s banking on an acceptance to the magical Cygnus University for a chance of freedom. When she is rejected instead, Claudia loses all hope until a mysterious stranger named Dorian reaches out to her with a proposition: he can help her get an acceptance to the school, so long as she uses what she learns to free him from his prison. As she gets to the school, she realizes she has taken the place of a well loved student who died under mysterious circumstances, and must learn to overcome the learning curve of entering the school late as well as fighting off the rumors from her rival, Cassius MacLeod, that she was responsible for this past student’s death.

An Arcane Study of Stars might just be my favorite dark academia inspired fantasy yet! I’ve read a couple books that have nailed the aesthetic down, but it hasn’t stood out as a favorite element besides the characters and the plot, because those are ultimately what garner my attention no matter the setting. This book, however, makes this element stand out as it ties directly into the way the magic system works, and how both it and the pursuit of knowledge in this school can be literally addicting. Learning the chosen discipline of whatever god you’ve applied for requires you to physically want and long for your magic. It creates a foundation around greed and how it can negatively affect certain characters as time goes on, and I think it was an interesting concept to explore. I also liked the way it handled Claudia’s magic, one centered around the stars and having to call on physical constellations for whatever spell you want to cast. I found it really intriguing!

The characters are also very compelling to follow. Claudia has an interesting connection to the stars because of her mother, so to find out about the forbidden ability that she has and how guilt for her past actions affects her psyche made her an interesting lens. I also found Cassius and the other friends she meets to be cool to read about. She and Cassius have a pretty strong relationship and bantering dynamic, so if you are a fan of a rivals to lovers romance this one delivers! Additionally, I want to note that this is a romance with BDSM elements! They’re handled with care and with healthy conversations on boundaries, but I would recommend checking the trigger warnings just in case.

Overall, An Arcane Study of Stars creates an intricate world with a magic system that thrives on desire, that nails the dark academia aesthetic it promises its readers with strong characters. It’s interesting to watch Claudia and the other characters as they play into the whims of the gods that grant them their magic. It has strong relationships, intensive emotions, and potential for a sequel as the ending definitely leaves room for additional stories to tell.

[Emily Downs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Orbit Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the Arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

An Arcane Study of Stars is a Dark Academia Romantasy that follows Claudia, a young woman who makes a Faustian bargain for admittance to the elite occult University where she was previously rejected. When she arrives at Cygnus University, however, she discovers that she's taken the place of Odette Dufort, a student who passed away under strange circumstances the previous semester, and the entire school -- led by her debate partner and rival, Cassius MacLeod -- thinks she's responsible. As Claudia struggles to catch up in class, someone begins slipping her pages from Odette's diary, revealing the killer's next target: Claudia herself.

This book was WILD. While the beginning was slightly confusing and the initial world not nearly fleshed out as I would like, the plot hooked me as soon Claudia arrived at Cygnus University, covered in blood. Claudia is immediately entrenched in the mystery of the girl who lived in her room, in the philosophy of her rhetoric classes, in her secret midnight lessons to learn celestial magic.

There are a lot of ideas happening here: what is "good" and what is "evil"? How does desire fuel every person in their quest for good and evil? Can we shape our fate, or does fate shape us? And can punishment be good when it something we desire? There was a lot of promise in terms of discourse at the beginning of the book, but then then the plot makes a detour for the more dramatic and we lose some of the academic prowess from the beginning. A debate between the two love interests is hyped for chapters and then barely fleshed out, but the next chapter goes into pages of hyper-specific detail about a recital the two characters are watching.

The world of Cygnus University is complex and fascinating, but some of the groundwork for the world isn't laid at the beginning, so it takes a bit to understand why exactly Claudia is there. The book takes place in England (I think?), in the real world, but the time period is vague. 80% of the dialogue and description put the book in the late 19th to early 20th century, but then occasionally Claudia talks like a girl from 2026, which can take you out of the narrative. It's also unclear why Claudia believes this magical academy is real from the very first page, when magic isn't a part of her world, and it's absolutely never explained how Claudia is paying for this expensive academy, or where Cygnus University *is*. I explained a lot of the questions away with "it's magic academy," but it would have been helpful for the initial world to be a little more concrete.

Despite these things, the plot is so entertaining and engaging that you very nearly don't care about the unanswered questions. I loved the classroom scenes, and only wish there were more of them throughout the novel. I loved the discussion of ideas, I loved the sexual tension and dynamic between the two love interests, and the novel built suspense extremely well throughout the entire plot. When I wasn't reading this book, I was wondering what was going to happen next. I also loved Cygnus University, the gods and magic system, and the vibes of the entire book/school. If I had the chance to go to any magical school I've ever read about, I would definitely choose Cygnus.

I agree with others who've said they think this concept is better suited to a series, and the ambiguous ending gives the opportunity for a second novel. I'd love another chance to return to Cygnus and explore the world more!

[klaudia. · Rating 5 out of 5]

𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖ 5 stars ★ ˖⌕ ۫ ➺ spoilers free review
→ thank you netgalley and Orbit for the arc

this book the whole time:

୨୧ 一 overall

Did I finish this book or did it finish me? This book absolutely finished me, ruined me and mixed me with the mud. In the best way, of course. I felt so many emotions here, I couldn't tear this book away from me, although I read it slowly because I didn't want it to end. I definitely recommended it to everyone (and I will do it every day from today, I'm miserable). The ending swept me off the board, I'll never be the same again, I'm sitting in the corner and trying to process it.

୨୧ 一 plot

I mean yes, don’t hesitate and take my money! Spells, stars, mysterious death, mysterious university, devotion of the soul, gods...it was so interesting. We are definitely very focussed on the plot, which I really like, especially when it intrigues me. I loved the plot with odette’s diary. No one is really good, everyone has secrets and you won’t be able to tell if you should trust them or not.

୨୧ 一 characters

˚˖𓍢ִ໋. “ claudia jolicoeur ” ・

That we share the same name makes things so much better, but sometimes I felt weird 😭 I loved her. I loved her SO MUCH. Cassius step back, I’m serious, I need to hug her. My sweet brave girl, I love how she is layered. Her main goal is to discover the truth at the university, but then things get complicated and she gets into a spiral of lies and tragedy. Definitely one of my favourite fmcs of all time. She could be smart, cunning and didn't let herself be messed, she was able to stand up for herself. She was so strong and at the same time so pure, the things she would do for Cassius ☹️ she deserved her happy ending.

˚˖𓍢ִ໋. “ cassius macleod ” ・

If my boyfriend is not like him, I DON'T WANT him. He was SOOO, I giggled every few minutes. and I loved how he was with Claudia 🫂🫂🫂 so caring, thoughtful, sweet, supporting her… and the most important, he down bad for her 🙂‍↕️ AND pathetic AND desperate (I LOVED THIS SCENE SO MUCH, it was so hot)

I also love Alistair, to be such a good friend, my boyyy I wanted to see him more.

++ I DESPISE Dorian, I hated him, although he really made the plot even more interesting (his only plus)

୨୧ 一 relationships

Claudiacassius...haha...haha...just lock me in the asylum. They had EVERYTHING. yearning. groveling. obsession. devastating love. GOOD TENSION, ANGST, LONGING AND CHEMISTRY WE MISSED SO MUCH. I can't remember the last time I read a SO WELL-written couple. And I love their rivals to lovers, giggling and kicking my feet.

Alistair and Angel my babies 🫂🫂 I needed more of them. Also it was cute how claudia just “adopted” Alistair, I love their friendship, they were so adorable together.

୨୧ 一 ending

I refuse to talk about it for my own sanity 🫂



──── ୨୧ ────