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An Arcane Study of Stars
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Expected 28 Apr 26From 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?
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?
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 28, 2026
22 people are currently reading
2795 people want to read
About the author
Sydney J. Shields
2 books1,140 followersSydney 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Currently reading
December 26, 2025I've been fiending for a good dark academia read!
__________
Thank you to Orbit for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
__________
Thank you to Orbit for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Want to read
May 24, 2025holy hell im so excited to see what comes from sydney next. the honey witch holds such a special place in my heart
November 10, 2025
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.
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.
dnf
December 12, 2025This 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!!
January 12, 2026
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
I thought this was a fun read! Id recommend giving it a go
August 17, 2025
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!
January 12, 2026
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 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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
Want to read
December 17, 2025Got this book approved as an ARC on netgalley, hoping to read soon!
RTC
RTC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed reading Sydney's first novel The Honey Witch when it came out several years ago, so I was excited to see what kind of magical world she was going to create in her next book! I will say that I'm not the biggest fan of trope-heavy romantasies where the FMC has to choose between loving two dark and handsome men, so that aspect of this book's premise gave me pause, but I was intrigued enough by the academic setting and celestial powers to start reading this. Those things were as interesting as I thought they'd be. There are actual lectures and debates incorporated into the story, not only about this world's magic but also more realistic topics like rhetoric and philosophy. So often I read stories with a school setting, but it's rare to see characters actually attending classes and doing schoolwork. I loved that this book contained a balance of academic studying and magical/action intrigue. Claudia's two professors Olivier and Lamour were some of my favorite characters -- they had different approaches to running their lessons, but they felt like real teachers, challenging and inspiring her along her journey. An Arcane Study of Stars is the perfect title for this book, because at times I really did feel like I was right there studying and learning with Claudia at Cygnus University! That did make this feel like a very information-heavy book, and sometimes Claudia's internal struggles and feelings were over-narrated like a lecture. It took until the 40-50% mark when the action started picking up for me to truly start connecting with her.
I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't completely dislike the romance aspect, and actually found myself rooting for our main couple to be happy together towards the end. I admit I skimmed over the more steamy scenes between them (they were well-written, just not my personal cup of tea!), but I do appreciate that they had lots of discussions of consent, setting boundaries, and making sure the other was comfortable during their more deviant activities. I also enjoyed the queer-normative setting, and that even though Claudia's two love interests are male, she is explicitly stated to be attracted to men and women. Everyone in her friend group at Cygnus is queer, actually, and it's wonderful. There's an M/M couple and an F/F couple that are established early on. I loved seeing all of the dynamics of their friendship, and would have appreciated a few more scenes with them all!
My least favorite part of this book was actually its ending. Without giving specific spoilers, I will give it credit for being an engaging ending. There were a lot of twists and turns; only some of which I predicted. However, perhaps because of all those fun twists that were packed in there, the actual ending felt rather... abrupt. I wanted some space to breathe and process what had just happened with these characters. (I do remember having similar feelings about The Honey Witch's ending, so this type of endings may just part of Sydney's writing style/preferences.) My issues with the last few chapters didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of this book, though. I definitely want to read this one again when it officially releases and absorb more of it!
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for providing me with this book in exchange for review. All opinions are my own!
I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't completely dislike the romance aspect, and actually found myself rooting for our main couple to be happy together towards the end. I admit I skimmed over the more steamy scenes between them (they were well-written, just not my personal cup of tea!), but I do appreciate that they had lots of discussions of consent, setting boundaries, and making sure the other was comfortable during their more deviant activities. I also enjoyed the queer-normative setting, and that even though Claudia's two love interests are male, she is explicitly stated to be attracted to men and women. Everyone in her friend group at Cygnus is queer, actually, and it's wonderful. There's an M/M couple and an F/F couple that are established early on. I loved seeing all of the dynamics of their friendship, and would have appreciated a few more scenes with them all!
My least favorite part of this book was actually its ending. Without giving specific spoilers, I will give it credit for being an engaging ending. There were a lot of twists and turns; only some of which I predicted. However, perhaps because of all those fun twists that were packed in there, the actual ending felt rather... abrupt. I wanted some space to breathe and process what had just happened with these characters. (I do remember having similar feelings about The Honey Witch's ending, so this type of endings may just part of Sydney's writing style/preferences.) My issues with the last few chapters didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of this book, though. I definitely want to read this one again when it officially releases and absorb more of it!
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for providing me with this book in exchange for review. All opinions are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Obsessed is an understatement for how I feel about An Arcane Study of Stars. I have to preface this review: I normally read with companion audio, so for a book to hold me so thoroughly with only my thoughts is impressive.
Overall while I was reading I could tell a lot of research and effort went in to crafting the magic systems and different disciplines. In the rhetoric discussions I honestly felt like I was back in my college philosophy class. I love when books really focus on the details.
I enjoyed Claudia a lot as a main character. I do think she was very hard on herself given her circumstances, especially as the book went on. I also loved Alis, I want to protect him at all costs. <3
Still a 5 star read for me because I loved the story as a whole so much, but the one thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was the spice. Don’t get me wrong I love a spicy book, and I don’t consider even the little bit there was very spicy, but I just thought it was a bit disjointed. To me it felt like it was just thrown in there to make the book more adult. You could take it out and just keep the more PG romance and still have a great story.
There were some great twists. Tagged as spoilers but I still trying to be vague haha. There was a a good combo of things I saw coming (Triche man…) and ones I didn’t (anagrams for their names and Odette at the lake). I do wish Odette’s return was explained better, I understand the basics but I don’t think the concept of the celestial blood was really brought up before that to bring us to that happening and it being obvious. It may just be me forgetting though.
The ending I really enjoyed, but at the same time left me frustrated. It was the best Claudia could do to salvage everything she cared about, but it felt like a rock and a hard place situation to be in. I don’t know if there is any intention to return to this world and this storyline, but I could not see that being just the end for her in that bargain. The book didn't necessarily end on a cliffhanger either which I think is why it was good but also frustrating.
I had the pleasure to meet the author in Pittsburgh last May, and when getting my copy of The Honey Witch signed she mentioned this book I was very excited as the elements are very much what I like to read. I went in with high expectations, and while no book can be perfect, it did not disappoint. I was enraptured and looked forward to reading more every day. I would like to thank Orbit for allowing me the opportunity to access an advanced copy of this book to read and review.
Overall while I was reading I could tell a lot of research and effort went in to crafting the magic systems and different disciplines. In the rhetoric discussions I honestly felt like I was back in my college philosophy class. I love when books really focus on the details.
I enjoyed Claudia a lot as a main character. I do think she was very hard on herself given her circumstances, especially as the book went on. I also loved Alis, I want to protect him at all costs. <3
Still a 5 star read for me because I loved the story as a whole so much, but the one thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was the spice. Don’t get me wrong I love a spicy book, and I don’t consider even the little bit there was very spicy, but I just thought it was a bit disjointed. To me it felt like it was just thrown in there to make the book more adult. You could take it out and just keep the more PG romance and still have a great story.
There were some great twists. Tagged as spoilers but I still trying to be vague haha. There was a a good combo of things I saw coming (Triche man…) and ones I didn’t (anagrams for their names and Odette at the lake). I do wish Odette’s return was explained better, I understand the basics but I don’t think the concept of the celestial blood was really brought up before that to bring us to that happening and it being obvious. It may just be me forgetting though.
The ending I really enjoyed, but at the same time left me frustrated. It was the best Claudia could do to salvage everything she cared about, but it felt like a rock and a hard place situation to be in. I don’t know if there is any intention to return to this world and this storyline, but I could not see that being just the end for her in that bargain. The book didn't necessarily end on a cliffhanger either which I think is why it was good but also frustrating.
I had the pleasure to meet the author in Pittsburgh last May, and when getting my copy of The Honey Witch signed she mentioned this book I was very excited as the elements are very much what I like to read. I went in with high expectations, and while no book can be perfect, it did not disappoint. I was enraptured and looked forward to reading more every day. I would like to thank Orbit for allowing me the opportunity to access an advanced copy of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was overall a strange experience. I'm not a romantasy girlie, which means I had some beef with things that were just conventions of the genre (aka Cassius and Claudia's entire relationship) but the premise of this book was interesting enough that I can't just write off the book as bad.
First, the good. Like I said, this book is really conceptually sound. I'm a sucker for magic schools and this is no different. I love the vibes of characters who haunt the narrative, so the moment Odette was introduced through the perspective of other characters I was seated and ready.
Add in the grief shown through Marcherie, Alistair, and Cassius? I'm a sucker for mourning, especially when it's messy and irrational so that dynamic was super fun. Lamour is another character who I liked against my will, though again show me a mentor with issues of their own and I'm in.
My wish for the book, not quite a critique but simply something that didn't mesh well with me is the shortened timeline. There is so much going on both plot wise and character dynamic wise and while the timeline isn't clear, it's definitely too short. I'm not saying I want a four book series with the appropriate build up and foreshadowing but everything felt too condensed to be meaningful. I wish things could linger and develop over time rather than being thrown at you and jumped around. Especially because it is in a school setting this would have been ripe to be spread out over years.
Now, for assorted complaints:
- every single nickname. someone take nicknames away from this book and it will get to three stars in my head. I could not take any of the characters seriously for the life of me.
- instant hatred. Claudia sees Cassius twice and suddenly he is the person she hates most in the world and I don't know man but that's like. A lot and not very believable. (now if it were spread out over semesters and this rivalry was given time to breathe--)
- It was such a dramatic tonal shift and I could not take it and by extension Cassius seriously
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
First, the good. Like I said, this book is really conceptually sound. I'm a sucker for magic schools and this is no different. I love the vibes of characters who haunt the narrative, so the moment Odette was introduced through the perspective of other characters I was seated and ready.
Add in the grief shown through Marcherie, Alistair, and Cassius? I'm a sucker for mourning, especially when it's messy and irrational so that dynamic was super fun. Lamour is another character who I liked against my will, though again show me a mentor with issues of their own and I'm in.
My wish for the book, not quite a critique but simply something that didn't mesh well with me is the shortened timeline. There is so much going on both plot wise and character dynamic wise and while the timeline isn't clear, it's definitely too short. I'm not saying I want a four book series with the appropriate build up and foreshadowing but everything felt too condensed to be meaningful. I wish things could linger and develop over time rather than being thrown at you and jumped around. Especially because it is in a school setting this would have been ripe to be spread out over years.
Now, for assorted complaints:
- every single nickname. someone take nicknames away from this book and it will get to three stars in my head. I could not take any of the characters seriously for the life of me.
- instant hatred. Claudia sees Cassius twice and suddenly he is the person she hates most in the world and I don't know man but that's like. A lot and not very believable. (now if it were spread out over semesters and this rivalry was given time to breathe--)
- It was such a dramatic tonal shift and I could not take it and by extension Cassius seriously
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An Arcane Study of Stars is a New Adult fantasy novel that combines a complex magic system with a dark academia murder mystery. The first 50 pages of this book is well paced, and very compelling. It grips you with unexpected action and tension.
Once our main character, Claudia, fights her way into the Cygnus magical academy, the mystery of her past and future start to unravel. As a reader, I felt like the tension between the love interests didn't create a true rivals-to-lovers scenario, and it definitely wasn't established enough for enemies-to-lovers. She and Cassius just didn't have enough interactions together to establish mutual hate, but more just one sided hate and one sided annoyance.
The switch of their relationship into becoming lovers felt out of left field. There was some lead up from our main character showing attraction to Cassius, but for the two characters to fall into a BDSM relationship with no warning was jarring and took me out of the story. This felt even more surprising since the setting felt more early Victorian era, and our main character has never kissed anyone up until the time our story takes place.
The magic system of the book felt unique, but at the same time a little hard to follow. I think the author spent a little too much time showing off their rhetoric research and tried to teach the reader about philosophy, and not enough time explaining how the Gods of this world work and the realms they all inhabit. Sometimes it felt like the gods were in one place, and others they were corporeal in another, and it was just confusing.
I also had a hard time following the ending of the book regarding the resurrection of one of the students. Her explanation of how she came back was only explained in really one or two sentences, but I think we as the readers needed more of a hint about how she isn't a ghost and back into her old body. Because the characters (and author) gave us more explanation of her ghost form than her corporeal form.
Extra extra SPOILER: Lastly, as a reader who loved the Harry Potter series growing up, the grand surprise about Dorian Ship being Sidarphion was very predicable. My recommendation would be to exclude his last name since it is never brought up again and ruins the surprise the moment Sidarphion's name is mentioned. It just was a little bit too easy to predict.
Once our main character, Claudia, fights her way into the Cygnus magical academy, the mystery of her past and future start to unravel. As a reader, I felt like the tension between the love interests didn't create a true rivals-to-lovers scenario, and it definitely wasn't established enough for enemies-to-lovers. She and Cassius just didn't have enough interactions together to establish mutual hate, but more just one sided hate and one sided annoyance.
The switch of their relationship into becoming lovers felt out of left field. There was some lead up from our main character showing attraction to Cassius, but for the two characters to fall into a BDSM relationship with no warning was jarring and took me out of the story. This felt even more surprising since the setting felt more early Victorian era, and our main character has never kissed anyone up until the time our story takes place.
The magic system of the book felt unique, but at the same time a little hard to follow. I think the author spent a little too much time showing off their rhetoric research and tried to teach the reader about philosophy, and not enough time explaining how the Gods of this world work and the realms they all inhabit. Sometimes it felt like the gods were in one place, and others they were corporeal in another, and it was just confusing.
I also had a hard time following the ending of the book regarding the resurrection of one of the students. Her explanation of how she came back was only explained in really one or two sentences, but I think we as the readers needed more of a hint about how she isn't a ghost and back into her old body. Because the characters (and author) gave us more explanation of her ghost form than her corporeal form.
Extra extra SPOILER: Lastly, as a reader who loved the Harry Potter series growing up, the grand surprise about Dorian Ship being Sidarphion was very predicable. My recommendation would be to exclude his last name since it is never brought up again and ruins the surprise the moment Sidarphion's name is mentioned. It just was a little bit too easy to predict.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars rounded up.
I really enjoyed this but it definitely has some issues.
First the good:
Loved Cygnus and the dark academia SETTING.
I liked Claudia for the most part. I liked that she was independent and feisty but didn’t give off “not like other girls” vibes. She was sure of herself and was realistic (for the first 2/3).
I liked the relationship between her and Cassius at the beginning. I enjoyed their rivalry.
The spicy parts were really good and well written. Tons of tension.
Good pacing and made for an easy enjoyable read.
Enough mystery and unanswered questions to keep me constantly engaged.
Claudia and Alistair are adorable
The bad:
Cygnus was only a setting (hence the emphasis)and not part of the plot. It felt a bit Harry Potter-esque and like it could have happened anywhere as opposed to Cygnus being essential to the story.
Claudia in the last third became insufferable.
She’s 23?!?! They’re all acting like horned up teenagers.
The world building was confusing. Claudia lives in Kulden (I’m assuming a London stand-in); her father is from France; it’s all regency tinted with corsets and promenades and arranged marriages but that’s almost instantly forgotten once she gets to Cygnus. Brought up twice only when directly referring to the women’s corsets. Claudia wears silky slips but also nightdresses.
The ugly:
I hate enemies to lovers. This felt super rushed and then was 50 shades of grey lite even though Claudia is apparently a repressed 23 year old. She shows zero hesitation to jump right in.
There was also a love triangle with a devil.
There is an enemies to besties situation.
No women talk to each other in meaningful ways or have meaningful relationships.
Claudia is the most special/unique and everything is because of or for her.
Insta-love
Way to much back and forth about Claudia’s decision.
So so many unanswered questions or just not fully fledged out (which is fun if this is the first in a series but I’m not sure if it is…)
Overalll I did like reading it and was fully engaged. It was quick and I think lots of people will love it. I just have a lot of issues and wish it would have been edited down.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
I really enjoyed this but it definitely has some issues.
First the good:
Loved Cygnus and the dark academia SETTING.
I liked Claudia for the most part. I liked that she was independent and feisty but didn’t give off “not like other girls” vibes. She was sure of herself and was realistic (for the first 2/3).
I liked the relationship between her and Cassius at the beginning. I enjoyed their rivalry.
The spicy parts were really good and well written. Tons of tension.
Good pacing and made for an easy enjoyable read.
Enough mystery and unanswered questions to keep me constantly engaged.
Claudia and Alistair are adorable
The bad:
Cygnus was only a setting (hence the emphasis)and not part of the plot. It felt a bit Harry Potter-esque and like it could have happened anywhere as opposed to Cygnus being essential to the story.
Claudia in the last third became insufferable.
She’s 23?!?! They’re all acting like horned up teenagers.
The world building was confusing. Claudia lives in Kulden (I’m assuming a London stand-in); her father is from France; it’s all regency tinted with corsets and promenades and arranged marriages but that’s almost instantly forgotten once she gets to Cygnus. Brought up twice only when directly referring to the women’s corsets. Claudia wears silky slips but also nightdresses.
The ugly:
I hate enemies to lovers. This felt super rushed and then was 50 shades of grey lite even though Claudia is apparently a repressed 23 year old. She shows zero hesitation to jump right in.
There was also a love triangle with a devil.
There is an enemies to besties situation.
No women talk to each other in meaningful ways or have meaningful relationships.
Claudia is the most special/unique and everything is because of or for her.
Insta-love
Way to much back and forth about Claudia’s decision.
So so many unanswered questions or just not fully fledged out (which is fun if this is the first in a series but I’m not sure if it is…)
Overalll I did like reading it and was fully engaged. It was quick and I think lots of people will love it. I just have a lot of issues and wish it would have been edited down.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
December 23, 2025
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.
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.
January 19, 2026
A deal made with the devil, a one-way ticket to a magical academy, a forbidden field of study, and a mysterious diary tied to a student’s tragic disappearance. 🌌
This setup had me immediately hooked. An Arcane Study of Stars kept me intrigued all the way through, even if it ultimately landed in the “solidly enjoyable, not quite obsession-inducing” category for me.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is its presentation. The layout is visually stunning, and the magic system is genuinely unique. Spells are literally woven into the text itself, which was such a cool reading experience. I also loved the found family dynamic (one of my favorite tropes), and Alister completely stole my heart as a character. Another highlight was getting a front-row seat to some of the FMC’s classes at Cygnus, especially the rhetoric ones. Sydney Shields packs those sections with sharp, witty quips that were an absolute delight. There’s plenty here to keep you turning pages!
That said, a few things didn’t fully hit for me. First, and this is entirely a me problem, there is a pet snake. Snake lovers, you’ll be fine. I, however, would personally prefer all fictional companions to be fluffy and non-slithery, thank you very much. 🐍
I also went in expecting more emphasis on secret societies based on the blurb. While that element exist, I would have devoured even more intrigue, and shadowy interplay with some of the other student groups / fields of study at Cygnus. Finally, I would’ve loved deeper character development for the “devil” himself. There’s clearly more there to unpack, and I’m hoping book two really digs into that.
Overall, this was a fun time with a lot to love. I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes next. Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC.
This setup had me immediately hooked. An Arcane Study of Stars kept me intrigued all the way through, even if it ultimately landed in the “solidly enjoyable, not quite obsession-inducing” category for me.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is its presentation. The layout is visually stunning, and the magic system is genuinely unique. Spells are literally woven into the text itself, which was such a cool reading experience. I also loved the found family dynamic (one of my favorite tropes), and Alister completely stole my heart as a character. Another highlight was getting a front-row seat to some of the FMC’s classes at Cygnus, especially the rhetoric ones. Sydney Shields packs those sections with sharp, witty quips that were an absolute delight. There’s plenty here to keep you turning pages!
That said, a few things didn’t fully hit for me. First, and this is entirely a me problem, there is a pet snake. Snake lovers, you’ll be fine. I, however, would personally prefer all fictional companions to be fluffy and non-slithery, thank you very much. 🐍
I also went in expecting more emphasis on secret societies based on the blurb. While that element exist, I would have devoured even more intrigue, and shadowy interplay with some of the other student groups / fields of study at Cygnus. Finally, I would’ve loved deeper character development for the “devil” himself. There’s clearly more there to unpack, and I’m hoping book two really digs into that.
Overall, this was a fun time with a lot to love. I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes next. Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC.
February 4, 2026
4.5 stars, rounded up!
This book is absolutely ethereal! I have already recommended it to so many people. I was completely swept away in this magical world, and loved every minute of it! I really hope this is the first in a series, as I absolutely loved the magic system. It was so interesting, and the added art really enhanced it! You can tell this book was really well thought out, and that Sydney spent a lot of time creating this universe. As I had Arc read for The Honey Witch (which I also really enjoyed), I picked up on the little hints of honey throughout the book, and was always reminded of Marigold. <3
Sydney has an extremely lyrical writing style, which really shone in the poetry and rhetoric used throughout the book. It perfectly fit the dark academia aesthetic of the storyline. I feel that if this were to become a series, it would make for an interesting TV adaptation. As someone with aphantasia, the writing was evocative enough for me to know that it makes a great show.
The only reason this book is not a 5-star book is that I feel like I would enjoy it more if I knew more about some of the themes in the book. That being said, it makes me want to learn more about Plato, Socrates and Aristotle. As someone who grew up going to a French school, I was really fascinated by some of the classes in the book. I definitely intend on re-reading this once it is published (and annotating the gods out of it). I can also see this book being one of those that gets better after every re-read.
~A big thank you to NetGalley, Orbit Books, and Sydney J. Shields for an arc of the book in exchange for an honest review~
I just reviewed The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields. #NetGalley #OrbitBooks @orbitbooks
This book is absolutely ethereal! I have already recommended it to so many people. I was completely swept away in this magical world, and loved every minute of it! I really hope this is the first in a series, as I absolutely loved the magic system. It was so interesting, and the added art really enhanced it! You can tell this book was really well thought out, and that Sydney spent a lot of time creating this universe. As I had Arc read for The Honey Witch (which I also really enjoyed), I picked up on the little hints of honey throughout the book, and was always reminded of Marigold. <3
Sydney has an extremely lyrical writing style, which really shone in the poetry and rhetoric used throughout the book. It perfectly fit the dark academia aesthetic of the storyline. I feel that if this were to become a series, it would make for an interesting TV adaptation. As someone with aphantasia, the writing was evocative enough for me to know that it makes a great show.
The only reason this book is not a 5-star book is that I feel like I would enjoy it more if I knew more about some of the themes in the book. That being said, it makes me want to learn more about Plato, Socrates and Aristotle. As someone who grew up going to a French school, I was really fascinated by some of the classes in the book. I definitely intend on re-reading this once it is published (and annotating the gods out of it). I can also see this book being one of those that gets better after every re-read.
~A big thank you to NetGalley, Orbit Books, and Sydney J. Shields for an arc of the book in exchange for an honest review~
I just reviewed The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields. #NetGalley #OrbitBooks @orbitbooks
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and Orbit books for the arc copy! This book was marketed as dark academia, but unfortunately it didn’t quite deliver that atmosphere for me. While I was mostly engaged in the story and wanted to see how things unfolded, there were several elements that kept it from being more than a three-star read.
My biggest issue was the character development and relationship pacing. The two main characters would go from actively fighting or hating each other to suddenly being in love and making out, with very little buildup in between. It felt abrupt and happened multiple times, which made the romance hard to believe or emotionally invest in. A similar issue came up when one character literally tried to kill the main character, only for an apology to smooth everything over far too easily. These moments needed more tension, consequences, and development to feel earned.
That said, what truly kept me reading was the storyline surrounding the trapped god. That plotline was intriguing, darker, and far more compelling than the romance, and it felt like it had the depth and stakes I was hoping for from the start. It’s the strongest part of the book and the reason I stayed invested until the end.
Overall, this was an okay read with an interesting premise that needed stronger execution, especially in character dynamics and pacing. If there is a sequel, I’ll likely pick it up since I’m still curious to see if anything further happens with the trapped god and where that storyline leads.
My biggest issue was the character development and relationship pacing. The two main characters would go from actively fighting or hating each other to suddenly being in love and making out, with very little buildup in between. It felt abrupt and happened multiple times, which made the romance hard to believe or emotionally invest in. A similar issue came up when one character literally tried to kill the main character, only for an apology to smooth everything over far too easily. These moments needed more tension, consequences, and development to feel earned.
That said, what truly kept me reading was the storyline surrounding the trapped god. That plotline was intriguing, darker, and far more compelling than the romance, and it felt like it had the depth and stakes I was hoping for from the start. It’s the strongest part of the book and the reason I stayed invested until the end.
Overall, this was an okay read with an interesting premise that needed stronger execution, especially in character dynamics and pacing. If there is a sequel, I’ll likely pick it up since I’m still curious to see if anything further happens with the trapped god and where that storyline leads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An Arcane Study of Stars is an atmospheric dark academia fantasy filled with celestial magic, academic intrigue, and simmering tension. From the moment the story opens, it pulls you into a world where ambition, secrets, and the stars themselves hold dangerous power.
Claudia is a compelling protagonist—driven, intelligent, and deeply determined to earn her place at Cygnus University. The mystery surrounding her sudden admission and the rumors tied to a student’s death add a constant undercurrent of unease that kept me turning pages. The setting truly shines here: shadowed halls, whispered accusations, and magic rooted in astronomy give the story a rich, moody vibe.
The magic system is one of the book’s strongest elements. Its connection to star lore feels original and thoughtfully constructed, and it enhances both the academic atmosphere and the overall mystery. The romantic tension adds another layer to the narrative, balancing ambition and danger with emotion and vulnerability.
While the pacing can feel dense at times, the worldbuilding and character dynamics more than make up for it. This is the kind of book that rewards readers who enjoy lingering in an immersive setting rather than racing through the plot.
Overall, An Arcane Study of Stars is a strong choice for fans of dark academia, magical universities, and slow-burn tension wrapped in celestial intrigue. I’m very interested to see where this world and these characters go next.
Claudia is a compelling protagonist—driven, intelligent, and deeply determined to earn her place at Cygnus University. The mystery surrounding her sudden admission and the rumors tied to a student’s death add a constant undercurrent of unease that kept me turning pages. The setting truly shines here: shadowed halls, whispered accusations, and magic rooted in astronomy give the story a rich, moody vibe.
The magic system is one of the book’s strongest elements. Its connection to star lore feels original and thoughtfully constructed, and it enhances both the academic atmosphere and the overall mystery. The romantic tension adds another layer to the narrative, balancing ambition and danger with emotion and vulnerability.
While the pacing can feel dense at times, the worldbuilding and character dynamics more than make up for it. This is the kind of book that rewards readers who enjoy lingering in an immersive setting rather than racing through the plot.
Overall, An Arcane Study of Stars is a strong choice for fans of dark academia, magical universities, and slow-burn tension wrapped in celestial intrigue. I’m very interested to see where this world and these characters go next.
November 27, 2025
Thank you to Orbit Books for the advanced copy of this book!
It's hard to even put into words how much I loved this book, but I'm going to try my best here. I fell in love with Sydney's writing in The Honey Witch, and this book has really solidified her as a favorite author for me. Her prose is just so lyrical and paints such beautiful imagery, and I can't get enough.
An Arcane Study of Stars was an absolute treat of dark academia that I wanted to both devour and savor at the same time. Our main character, Claudia, is stubborn, dramatic, messy, and I would follow her to the ends of the earth. I love an FMC who embraces her darkness a bit, and we really got to see this with both her desire for not only power, but also power play. The rivals/hate-to-lovers dynamics created such delicious tension that had me beggggiinnnggggg for more, if you know what I mean 😏
The magic system that Sydney created was also so unique and intriguing, and I really enjoyed learning it alongside Claudia. You can tell that so much research and creativity went into it, and I just had so much fun with it! I truly wish this was a series because I was just not ready to leave this world and these characters by the end.
This is definitely making it into the top reads of the year for me, and I will be recommending this one to EVERYONE who will listen!
It's hard to even put into words how much I loved this book, but I'm going to try my best here. I fell in love with Sydney's writing in The Honey Witch, and this book has really solidified her as a favorite author for me. Her prose is just so lyrical and paints such beautiful imagery, and I can't get enough.
An Arcane Study of Stars was an absolute treat of dark academia that I wanted to both devour and savor at the same time. Our main character, Claudia, is stubborn, dramatic, messy, and I would follow her to the ends of the earth. I love an FMC who embraces her darkness a bit, and we really got to see this with both her desire for not only power, but also power play. The rivals/hate-to-lovers dynamics created such delicious tension that had me beggggiinnnggggg for more, if you know what I mean 😏
The magic system that Sydney created was also so unique and intriguing, and I really enjoyed learning it alongside Claudia. You can tell that so much research and creativity went into it, and I just had so much fun with it! I truly wish this was a series because I was just not ready to leave this world and these characters by the end.
This is definitely making it into the top reads of the year for me, and I will be recommending this one to EVERYONE who will listen!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An Arcane Study of Stars is a beautifully written, enemies-t0-lovers, dark-academia fantasy. Despite her natural inclination and her continued pleading, Claudia is ultimately rejected from Cygnus University - her only chance at freedom. Facing her worst nightmare, Claudia makes a deal with a demon, resulting in her acceptance to the University, as well as her debt to the demon. Upon entering Cygnus, Claudia is faced with more than she expected. Several students blame her for the death of a previous student (the one she so happens to be taking the place of), and they are determined to make her pay. Who is Claudia's ultimate enemy - the powerful demon trapped among the stars that she made a deal with or the amazingly good-looking, arrogant-as-hell fellow student who hates her? Either or both will be her undoing.
An Arcane Study of Stars is a truly atmospheric, gorgeously written romantasy. The world building is excellent, and the characters are well-developed. In particular, I absolutely loved Cassius. The book is full of hope, betrayal, drama, angst, and romance (so much going on!). It is fast-paced and can easily be read in one or two sittings. While I normally prefer series, An Arcane Study of Stars is a standalone; with that said, it is an epic standalone! I will definitely be recommending this book. Easy 5 stars!
An Arcane Study of Stars is a truly atmospheric, gorgeously written romantasy. The world building is excellent, and the characters are well-developed. In particular, I absolutely loved Cassius. The book is full of hope, betrayal, drama, angst, and romance (so much going on!). It is fast-paced and can easily be read in one or two sittings. While I normally prefer series, An Arcane Study of Stars is a standalone; with that said, it is an epic standalone! I will definitely be recommending this book. Easy 5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved this book! It kept me engaged in the plot, introduced characters seamlessly, and I enjoyed the FMC Claudia. She really was enjoyable because she’s a relatable character in her right. She’s independent, self aware, and kind with a very loud internal voice. Cassius, the MMC, was a great fit as well I enjoyed the descriptions of their relationship as it progressed naturally and how she felt about him, how she stated he challenged her and made her better. I enjoyed the second male love interest, Dorian, a little more than the main due to him being a more complex character. He helped progressed the story forward and gave Claudia much to think about towards the end.
I adored the dark academia background to the story and the way Cygnus came to life through the pages. I just wish we had more detail and backstory to the world and to the gods. It felt very brief and it wasn’t cohesive. There were two separate worlds and the distinction between them wasn’t well done.
Also I felt the timeline was all over the place, I did not know what season, what month, what day it was in the story. The pacing of the calendar was unclear.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m excited for everyone to meet these characters!
I adored the dark academia background to the story and the way Cygnus came to life through the pages. I just wish we had more detail and backstory to the world and to the gods. It felt very brief and it wasn’t cohesive. There were two separate worlds and the distinction between them wasn’t well done.
Also I felt the timeline was all over the place, I did not know what season, what month, what day it was in the story. The pacing of the calendar was unclear.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m excited for everyone to meet these characters!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Let me start by saying I love the authors debut and had high hopes going into this.
What started off as a strong story with an interesting main character quickly became hard to read. While the author writes beautifully, the dialogue felt out of place on several occasions. You are in one world one second and a completely different one the next and not in a good way. There were too many ideas trying to take place and none of them were flushed out completely. It was a lot of jumping around from problem to problem, bad guy to bad guy.
I’m not sure if we are supposed to like Claudia- shes insufferable, bratty, full of herself. She threatens people to get what she wants simple because she wants it. She has no compassion or care about anyone else unless it aids her. Let’s not forget to mention her love hate relationship with Cassius. It’s a mess and has no real place. It honestly feels like another plot the author wanted to try to squeeze in.
The shining star was Dorian. He was the most interesting plot and character. His world should have been explored more instead of the insta lust wanna be plot.
I rated a 3 because it had potential to be good. The celestial magic was complex and interesting.
What started off as a strong story with an interesting main character quickly became hard to read. While the author writes beautifully, the dialogue felt out of place on several occasions. You are in one world one second and a completely different one the next and not in a good way. There were too many ideas trying to take place and none of them were flushed out completely. It was a lot of jumping around from problem to problem, bad guy to bad guy.
I’m not sure if we are supposed to like Claudia- shes insufferable, bratty, full of herself. She threatens people to get what she wants simple because she wants it. She has no compassion or care about anyone else unless it aids her. Let’s not forget to mention her love hate relationship with Cassius. It’s a mess and has no real place. It honestly feels like another plot the author wanted to try to squeeze in.
The shining star was Dorian. He was the most interesting plot and character. His world should have been explored more instead of the insta lust wanna be plot.
I rated a 3 because it had potential to be good. The celestial magic was complex and interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2026
6/5 stars. From start to finish, this book captivates your entire soul. Infinity out of five stars, honestly.
Claudia was such an interesting FMC, and I really enjoyed following her story. At times, her attitude could be a bit much, like come on girl, get it together, but isn't that the point of character growth? Same thing with Cassius, I loved how our girl never let up on his ass. Their rivalry was so intense, I was sat the entire time.
The story was so entertaining that I could not put it down. Im falling more and more in love with historical fiction + fantasy and witches, give me all of it. The writing style was so beautiful. I feel like I learned quite a bit after finishing this book. It makes me want to learn more about Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle.
The twists truly came out of nowhere for me. Everything about the magic system was so unexpected and whimsical. I loved how vivid and life-like the world-building was. I really enjoyed the constellation and all the mind-bending poetry. The concept of the entire book really had my jaw on the floor. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit Books, and Sydney J. Shields for this incredible arc.
Claudia was such an interesting FMC, and I really enjoyed following her story. At times, her attitude could be a bit much, like come on girl, get it together, but isn't that the point of character growth? Same thing with Cassius, I loved how our girl never let up on his ass. Their rivalry was so intense, I was sat the entire time.
The story was so entertaining that I could not put it down. Im falling more and more in love with historical fiction + fantasy and witches, give me all of it. The writing style was so beautiful. I feel like I learned quite a bit after finishing this book. It makes me want to learn more about Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle.
The twists truly came out of nowhere for me. Everything about the magic system was so unexpected and whimsical. I loved how vivid and life-like the world-building was. I really enjoyed the constellation and all the mind-bending poetry. The concept of the entire book really had my jaw on the floor. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit Books, and Sydney J. Shields for this incredible arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Exceptional!
The recital chapter inspired by Iphigenia with the poetry and intermingling of Cassius and Claudia’s story was perfection. Dolericym is said to use magic to make the audience feel whatever the goddess wants them to feel but, really, it was the author who did that!
The type of magic and religion used could get cheesy but I was enveloped in the world enough not to mind. This book also showcases some of the best infusion of into character actions of any of the romantasy genre that I’ve read. It’s unconcerned with propriety and long introductions where necessary and really demonstrates each main character’s desires.
Doesn’t shy away from weirdness and informal tone, which makes the book approachable against its heady academic setting. The ties to Classical references are sometimes tight, fresh, and imaginative; other times the world-building leaves gaps but the clever system overall outshines any minor perceived incompleteness.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
The recital chapter inspired by Iphigenia with the poetry and intermingling of Cassius and Claudia’s story was perfection. Dolericym is said to use magic to make the audience feel whatever the goddess wants them to feel but, really, it was the author who did that!
The type of magic and religion used could get cheesy but I was enveloped in the world enough not to mind. This book also showcases some of the best infusion of into character actions of any of the romantasy genre that I’ve read. It’s unconcerned with propriety and long introductions where necessary and really demonstrates each main character’s desires.
Doesn’t shy away from weirdness and informal tone, which makes the book approachable against its heady academic setting. The ties to Classical references are sometimes tight, fresh, and imaginative; other times the world-building leaves gaps but the clever system overall outshines any minor perceived incompleteness.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was such a fun romantasy rollercoaster from start to finish. I absolutely loved the concept - it had all the ingredients I’m weak for: magic, found family, and romance.
The story moves at a fast pace and never really lets you get bored, which makes it an exciting read. That said, the magic system and worldbuilding felt a bit overwhelming at times. There was so much happening that many of the finer details were only briefly touched on, leaving me wishing certain elements had been explored more deeply.
While the plot definitely kept things moving, as someone who thrives on strong character development, I felt that aspect was a little lacking. I wanted more time inside the characters - more growth, more depth, more moments to really connect with them.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, fast-paced romantasy with a lot of heart and potential, especially for readers who love action-forward stories with found family vibes.
The story moves at a fast pace and never really lets you get bored, which makes it an exciting read. That said, the magic system and worldbuilding felt a bit overwhelming at times. There was so much happening that many of the finer details were only briefly touched on, leaving me wishing certain elements had been explored more deeply.
While the plot definitely kept things moving, as someone who thrives on strong character development, I felt that aspect was a little lacking. I wanted more time inside the characters - more growth, more depth, more moments to really connect with them.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, fast-paced romantasy with a lot of heart and potential, especially for readers who love action-forward stories with found family vibes.
January 13, 2026
Okay, the magical academia is a big fat yes from me. It reminds me of Ninth House and Babel, and there’s a great mix of the darkness, the mystery (which was just a littlee too obvious), and the magic system.
I was not a huge fan of the relationship between Cassius and Claudia. I think it was strong in some aspects but weak in others. I just feel like their development was inconsistent and very fast considering how they were for the majority of the book. But I think they’re sweet, and I’d be interested in seeing how their dynamic will go in the future.
I feel like the story was pretty strong throughout, but the ending felt rushed. I like how it ended, but the pacing just pushed us through moments we really should have had more time with (particularly for the characters to react to these crazy info drops??).
But I am very invested, and I can’t wait to read more from this universe in the future!
I was not a huge fan of the relationship between Cassius and Claudia. I think it was strong in some aspects but weak in others. I just feel like their development was inconsistent and very fast considering how they were for the majority of the book. But I think they’re sweet, and I’d be interested in seeing how their dynamic will go in the future.
I feel like the story was pretty strong throughout, but the ending felt rushed. I like how it ended, but the pacing just pushed us through moments we really should have had more time with (particularly for the characters to react to these crazy info drops??).
But I am very invested, and I can’t wait to read more from this universe in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There was a lot going on here in the span of a single novel so I’m really going to just make a big pro-con list.
Pros:
- Love love love the premise of a magic school and the idea of Claudia taking Odette’s place after she was murdered (reminds me of another book but I can’t place my finger on it)
- Some of the twists weren’t predictable (my favorite kind of twists)
Cons:
- I would’ve been much happier with the twists if there was even a little bit of foreshadowing, but…honestly? there wasn’t much
- The romance??? I think that it could’ve been more developed had this taken place over the course of multiple books, but in its current state it felt shallow (added in just to fit the “romantasy” genre)
- There was an almost insane pivot (in the nicest way possible) from normal magic-school plot to explicit sexual content. Normally I don’t really comment on this but in this case it felt tacked on just to have some in it (if that makes sense?)
Thank you for Net Galley for sending me an e-ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Pros:
- Love love love the premise of a magic school and the idea of Claudia taking Odette’s place after she was murdered (reminds me of another book but I can’t place my finger on it)
- Some of the twists weren’t predictable (my favorite kind of twists)
Cons:
- I would’ve been much happier with the twists if there was even a little bit of foreshadowing, but…honestly? there wasn’t much
- The romance??? I think that it could’ve been more developed had this taken place over the course of multiple books, but in its current state it felt shallow (added in just to fit the “romantasy” genre)
- There was an almost insane pivot (in the nicest way possible) from normal magic-school plot to explicit sexual content. Normally I don’t really comment on this but in this case it felt tacked on just to have some in it (if that makes sense?)
Thank you for Net Galley for sending me an e-ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for this book in exchange for this honest review
I read Sydney's Honey Witch, so I was really excited to read this book.
I’m going to start with what I liked: I liked the characters. Yes, they were impulsive, but I enjoyed the really big cast. It added something to this romantasy genre to have more than just the love interest front and center. I also liked the concept of the magic system—it was different, and I could wrap my head around it. I even enjoyed the romance parts.
I didn’t really like the plot, though. It was mostly confusing and dragged in places. There were parts I flew through, but it got lost in trying to explain the magic system/plot. I didn’t like how easily the information came to the main character. At one point, a snake gives her a diary entry that feels like a court report—it even has full dialogue. Every couple of pages, something happens that pulls me out of the story.
I read Sydney's Honey Witch, so I was really excited to read this book.
I’m going to start with what I liked: I liked the characters. Yes, they were impulsive, but I enjoyed the really big cast. It added something to this romantasy genre to have more than just the love interest front and center. I also liked the concept of the magic system—it was different, and I could wrap my head around it. I even enjoyed the romance parts.
I didn’t really like the plot, though. It was mostly confusing and dragged in places. There were parts I flew through, but it got lost in trying to explain the magic system/plot. I didn’t like how easily the information came to the main character. At one point, a snake gives her a diary entry that feels like a court report—it even has full dialogue. Every couple of pages, something happens that pulls me out of the story.
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