Prince of Swords

Arcana Academy #2

by Elise Kova

Welcome back to Arcana Academy. Tarot magic, forbidden desire, battle, and betrayal collide for the power to change the world in the thrilling second book of this New York Times bestselling fantasy romance series.

I am terrified. Yet my heart skips a beat. This man might be a monster, but he is my monster.

Clara Graysword is Oricalis’s most wanted. Hunted and cornered, not even her mastery of tarot can save her this time . . . until the mysterious Worldkeepers appear. This secretive order may hold the key to changing Clara’s fate. If she dares to trust them.

But the most dangerous alliance of all is one she’s already deeply ensnared Prince Kaelis.

Kaelis, second-born prince of Oricalis and headmaster of Arcana Academy, is the one man she can’t escape—maybe she doesn’t want to escape. Ruthless, dangerous, and bound to Clara by destiny and desire, Kaelis tests her heart as much as her loyalty. Together, they grow closer to the most powerful secrets of the tarot . . . and to the truths they both hide that could destroy the passion that they no longer deny.

Hidden in plain sight within Arcana Academy, Clara walks the dagger’s edge. Revelations about Oricalis threaten everything she thought she knew, and every choice she makes is the difference between salvation and ruin.

To change the world, Clara must risk everything—her power, her beliefs, and her heart.

Book Two in The Arcana Academy Series

Don't miss any of Elise Kova's enthralling Arcana Academy Series!
ARCANA ACADEMY PRINCE OF SWORDS

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

560 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 21, 2026

About the author

Join Elise's mailing list to never miss a giveaway, release, sale, and more: https://elisekova.com/subscribe/

ELISE KOVA is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys telling stories of fantasy worlds filled with magic and deep emotions. She lives in Florida and, when not writing, can be found playing video games, drawing, chatting with readers on social media, or daydreaming about her next story.

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Reviews

[Suirene]

wdym I have to wait until July to see Kaelis burn this world down for her????

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince of Swords (Arcana Academy #2) by Elise Kova

Book Blurb: I am terrified. Yet my heart skips a beat. This man might be a monster, but he is my monster.
Clara Graysword is Oricalis’s most wanted. Hunted and cornered, not even her mastery of tarot can save her this time . . . until the mysterious Worldkeepers appear. This secretive order may hold the key to changing Clara’s fate. If she dares to trust them.

Rating: *****
Feels: Invested, Excited, Pleased, Surprised
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Dark Academia, Romance, Adult, Fantasy Romance
First published July 21, 2026 : 560 pages

Themes & Setting: I just love this setting soo much. First off I love a dark academia vibes and having it blended with tarot magic is just wild fun. Being able to collect tarot cards to remake the world, a secret societies protecting that information and all the drama of a charged political environment makes for an entirely amazing cant put down read !!!
FMC: Clara is true, fascinating and in search of a world that gives her what she is looking for ....
MMC: Kaelis - The devotion, the darkness .. delicious. No notes.
Conclusion: I’m blown away again by this book series. This is the kind of book that keeps me up late at night reading and puzzling for days after. I love the intricate use of magic through tarot cards and how it’s used for every day things, healing , fighting and even spice !! Clara is such a strong true character and I loved seeing her continue her adventure and find out more about herself and her history. Kaelis is just such a mesmerizing person to play across from her. His obsession with her as well as their complex relationship makes the read so very fascinating. I am totally enraptured by all the amazing side characters that i may be a bit too attached to a few of them !! This read was magical and I don’t know what I’m going to do having to wait for book 3.

Favorite Quote: This man offers me my enemies still alive so that I may bring them death. That's how I know he loves me.

This book has:
Enemies to Lovers
Slow Burn
Morally Grey MMC
Forced Proximity
Rebellion
Academic Setting
Unique Magic System (Its sooooo cool)
Political Intrigue
Touch her and die
Found Family
Hidden Identity

[naz]

𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ❀*･ THE WAY I AM SO EXCITED Kaelis is so hot - if anyone sees anime and watches Witch Hat Atelier this literally has the same concept but romantasy and they draw play/tarot cards!!

thank you Del Rey for my eARC!

[Genevieve (GenLikesToRead)]

Take me back to Arcana Academy!

[Noi (in & out)]

oh would you look at that

[Kyli · Rating 3 out of 5]

“𝓘 𝔀𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓭𝓮𝓯𝔂 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓷𝔂 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾.”

I had super high expectations going into this because I adored Aracana Academy, and unfortunately Prince of Swords didn’t quite match up.

It starts and we immediately get thrust back into the action which I appreciate! But then it seemed to stall or start to get repetitive. It didn’t really start to cook until around the 60% mark, then I was invested! It’s just a shame it felt like work to get there.
The tarot card magic system continues to feel cool and unique, and there are a lot of moving pieces to this plot.

“𝓘𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓴 𝓸𝓯?”
“𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓲𝓽 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾? 𝓝𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓯𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓸𝓫𝓼𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷.“

Clara.. kind of annoyed me. Mainly because of the sibling storyline and the way her words and actions didn’t align.

“𝓕𝓸𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓾𝓵𝓰𝓮 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓲𝓻𝓮.”

Kaelis can forever do no wrong in my eyes. I love how intelligent and arrogant he is, combined with this brief moments of doubt and hurt. It felt like we got to know who he is a little better (he’s still a secretive tortured soul though!)

Overall, not bad but just not the follow up I was hoping for. But UGH that cliffhanger ending!!

Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC read!

[Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cliffhanger!!! What?!?

I cannot get over that cliffhanger!!🤯 Wondering what direction the author will go with for book 3. The story picks up right where we left off in book 1 and keeps you hooked. There are some jaw dropping reveals and heavy losses. There is a lot more spice in this book too. 👀

We get to see a more vulnerable side to Kaelis in this book and we get to see just how powerful he is too. My jaw dropped!!

Clara literally and figuratively has the world on her shoulders. She must make the vessel card, find the secret ingredient for the ink, do everything she can to erase her real name, keep Prince Ravin off of her trail, help her sister remember herself, help the Woldkeepers and figure out her relationship with Kaelis. The list goes on. With her identity known she must go through some very intense changes in order to hide in plain sight in the halls of the academy. With every loss, every decision and every secret, Clara can barely recognize herself anymore. The battles are endless.

Thank you to the author, @delrey and @netgalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Arie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was exactly the kind of sequel I hope for. 80 chapters flew by, and I felt like I could easily devour 80 more. The story keeps unfolding in unexpected ways, and the author is constantly laying pieces in place without ever making the twists feel obvious.

The tarot-based magic remains one of the coolest systems I’ve come across. It feels fresh, distinct, and the imagery is absolutely stunning.

The romance leveled up in every way. Seeing more of the MMC’s softer side made me love him even more, and the trust these two built felt completely earned.

The FMC continues to be the heart of this series for me. She’s sharp as a blade, impossible to outmaneuver, and carries her scars in a way that feels believable rather than performative.

The ending had my jaw on the floor. There were moments where I started questioning everything and wondering if we’d been looking at the villains all wrong, but the actual reveal still blindsided me. I immediately flipped back and reread it because there was no way that just happened.

Some sequels maintain the momentum of the first book. This one took everything I loved about Arcana Academy and made it even better.

Thank you to Del Rey, Elise Kova, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Cyd’s Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.5 stars rounded to 5.

I’m still obsessed with the use of tarot in this story, how dark and enlightening the cards can be depending on the wielder and their intentions. In book 2 our characters are scrambling to reach their end goal for the world, but we begin the story in such a dark place and all feels lost for Clara. The story builds upon its foundation of loss and familial ties that cost our FMC so much along the way, but there’s also this bright hope and desperation that seems to keep her going despite it all. Her unfolding romance with Kaelis is so intoxicating and it’s hard to tell who’s yearning for who here.

As we get into the depths of the second of half of this read we are faced with revelations that unnerve our main characters and so much sacrifice it’s hard to see how anyone could bounce back from these choices. The end had me sitting up cause what the helly, we can’t just leave it there?? Book 3 needs to be on my kindle asap.

[Tyler Hancsak · Rating 5 out of 5]

now THIS is how you write a sequel. It is a tornado of action, adventure, development (MASSIVELY) and emotions. Literally ZERO NOTES - this was out of the world amazing!!!

[🧸🎀Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. AM. SHOOKETH OMG. okay. just… WHEW! alright, I’m not gonna even lie, this book had me dropping everything else to read it because I was THAT addicted. seriously, the utter & complete 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 this had on me should be studied because I literally absolutely hated having to put it down. when I wasn’t reading it, I was wishing I was reading it, it is THAT phenomenal I swear. y’all are gonna go absolutely FERAL for this book & tbh it deserves all the love because just DAMN🤯🤌🏼

Kaelis & Clara. they are EPIC in this one! like I can’t count how many times I highlighted what Kaelis said or did because the number is infinite, it does not exist. Kaelis is going in my top 5 all time favorite mmc’s, and seeing Clara start to grow into who she is was incredible, too.

This book gave me heart eyes, it had me sobbing at 3AM, & it had me waking my papaw up because I gasped so hard. I love this more than Arcana Academy, & that’s saying a lot bc Arcana Academy was a 5 star for me. This is in my top reads of the year, y’all are gonna eat. this. UP! the only thing about reading arcs is that I’m dyingggg for book 3 & this one hasn’t released yet lol.

🃏⚔️TROPES IN THIS SERIES:
✧.* true enemies to lovers
✧.* deadly trials / competition
✧.* slow burn
✧.* dark academia
✧.* complex magic system
✧.* touch her & die
✧.* political intrigue
✧.* hidden identity

5⭐️
3.5🌶️

🫶🏼 thank you so much @delreybooks for this #gifted copy!

[Briony (briohnee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longtime fans of Elise Kova will love the next instalment in Arcana Academy as Elise hits us with every weapon in her arsenal for the sensational sequel, Prince of Swords.

After the cliffhanger of book one, Prince of Swords picks up right where we left off. Everything is going to hell we have so many unanswered questions that may or may not be answered by the end of this book. Homework for readers going in is - Remember your cards, remember the magic, remember the stakes.

Clara and Kaelis’s relationship in this book is somewhat more complex. Without going deeply into any spoilers, we know that the world can be rewritten and so the foundation of their relationship is built both on the dynamic established book one but also different timelines that we have not experienced. Because of this, their relationship can feel Insta-lovey at times. HOWEVER. Kaelis is truly a man obsessed and would legitimately rewrite time and space for the love of his life and there is never a time I will not be about that.

With a lot of this genre, it can feel like the sequel is being stretched out unnecessarily. Whereas, I actually wished we had a whole other book to more deeply explore some of the dynamics that we see on page in Prince of Swords.

The expanding cast of side characters in this story are always fascinating and that is something I always love about Elise’s writings

The magic system is again as always phenomenally done and Elise just has such a fantastic way to help you understand the checks and balances of the magic within the world in a way that is not too dense.

This book took me a lot longer than I was anticipating to read but that is not the books fault. There were several external factors that impacted my reading experience and I have recently realised that reading e-books is not the best format for me.

Thank you to Hachette and Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Taylor M · Rating 5 out of 5]

So unfortunately Elise I’m going to lock in and have the third instalment written yesterday

[Madison Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. I can’t believe what I read. Need book 3 ASAP.

[Olivia | SpilltheTBR · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 | 2.5 🌶️

Thank you DelRey Books and NetGalley for the eARC, I am so grateful to have this chance. What follows is my honest review!

The story literally picks up from the last line of Arcana Academy. No, I mean, literally not a beat goes by before we are launched in the action. The stress is real high and you know in your heart that it’s going to be heartbreaking too. Prepare yourselves because this one has some dark themes and low moments, but with those low moments, there are highs as well. Check your trigger warnings— your well being is always the most important thing. With that being said, let’s chat my thoughts on characters and plot.

Clara is still one of the most stubborn and strong willed characters I’ve ever had the great fortune of meeting. She makes some questionable decisions in this book. Her quick temper and inability to think before she takes action does bite her in the butt one too many times. Be kind to our girl though because she’s been through a lot, and is trying to piece back all the different aspects of her life together while holding on to some major secrets. Our girl is forced to completely change her identity (no really and it’s gruesome), take care of her sister (poor Arina), navigate 3 separate alliances, AND somehow change the world. Oh and let’s not forget Kaelis, who is the definition of a stage 5 yearner. I love this man so much even with all his secrets. He also has a lot going on and is willing to do anything to stay with Clara— even if that means reshaping the world.

I’ll admit some of the plot development/pacing for me in the beginning of the book was hard to get through. Yes a lot was going on, and it was very heavy, but I struggled with grasping the magnitude of what was happening. Some of the plot choices to me, felt very questionable and convenient, which frustrated me in someway. There were many moments where I wanted to shake Clara and say “girl why aren’t you questioning things a bit more? What happened to think before you leap?!” Then again, it wouldn’t be a Romantasy without that specific trope.

Towards the end, I found myself skimming some of the pages because I was losing steam. This is a BIG book and I personally felt like some of the slice of life moments could have been cut. The ending though definitely set up for a fantastic book 3. I wish I could say I was surprised by the ending, but I was not. I found it to be very predictable. Which makes me feel like a genius because I predicted a lot of this in book one! Boy it’s nice to be right for once 😂 (but I didn’t want it all to be true 😭).

So should this spill into your TBR?
If you were a fan of Arcana Academy, I would definitely dive into this book. I wish I could say it hit the perfect mark for me for a sequel, but it did not in my opinion. However, I am a fan and will be continuing the series because I need to know what happens. Speaking of that and I have booked three now please?? Thanks!

[Rebecca Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great book by Elise Kova — written in a way only she can. This is the 2nd book from Arcana Academy, which follows a magic school based on tarot deck. It follows Clara (a prisoner disguised as student engaged to the Prince) & Kaelis the Prince who runs the magic academy trying to obtain all the cards to change the world. He must find a way to obtain this goal, find all the majors, and figure out what happened to Clara & how Ravin is fully involved in everything.

A beautiful quote that I loved from this book, “ The World only truly ever answers to fate, not mortal hands. Beware the Fool who would try to contain it.” And another lovely quote, “Keep your name; I’ll give you mine, should you want another. Keep your secrets; give me enough of your days, and I’ll earn them. All I need to go on is the promise of your heart.”

What I love about this book series is the contemplation of wishing for different paths, different circumstances, and how each decision has the possibility of the ripple effect. We never know what changing even the most minor thing can impact in the world and who we have become because of those minor things.

Prince of Swords picks up where the first book left off after so many secrets were revealed while trying to uncover more. Clara finds herself more fully understanding how every decision has a cost, magic will take its tax for its use. She has to discover who is friend or foe after being outted as the traitorous prisoner the end of book 1.

She has to discern between things she grew up learning from her mom and choosing to love one she always thought as an enemy. It’s the kind of life lessons you learn only by living life with experience.

Literal & figurative changes she makes to herself in this installment to hide in plain sight will make us question who we are in our heart & what makes each of us who we are at our core. The beauty in pain & how pain shapes each of our lives is also a great core thing that is explored!

I don’t want to go into too much detail of specific plots, characters or things going on so as not to ruin anything..

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat… feet kicking… screaming, laughing, crying, and maybe even cursing Elise in parts… the best kind of book! The kind you both want to make last forever but also realize you consumed in hours because you couldn’t put it down! Another masterpiece by Elise..

The parts I love about this is it really takes to heart the lessons of tarot - both characteristic/attributes of the cards and if you’re familiar with the cards you’ll see the nuances (both positive/negative) to give the characters & cards associated with it deeper meaning. If you’re unfamiliar with the cards, you’ll still be able to follow perfectly but the more you study certain you cards, you’ll see the genius behind certain character development & situations or uses of the magic system.

I cannot recommend this book enough! I just wish I could read it for the first time again… it’s taken me a while to write this review because I really wanted to sit with it before reviewing & if you’re screaming Elise’s name while reading, you know she wrote the bestest book! And it’s going to be WAY TOO LONG [a wait] before the next book for an inpatient arc reader! 😂

Thank you to Elise, Del Ray, and NetGalley for the ability to get an advanced copy to read/review!

[Paulina · Rating 3 out of 5]

“𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪? 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙗𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣”

i was so, so excited for this book, and i think i might have gone into it with expectations that were just a little too high

the story itself was still interesting, and i enjoyed seeing the world expand as we learned more about the magic system and got to know some of the characters on a deeper level. but overall, it felt like something was missing. while there were a few moments that genuinely caught me off guard, i found the main plot quite predictable, and i was left wanting a bit more depth throughout

the romance between clara and kaelis also didn’t quite hit the same way it did in book one. it felt a little flat to me, and i just needed more of those emotional moments that made me root for them in the first place 🥹

that ending, though… i definitely knew something was brewing, but i never expected that to happen. i was completely shocked, and now we’re left with a huge cliffhanger that’s definitely going to have me picking up the next book to see how everything unfolds

“𝙞 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙮 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪”

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do I even begin after this rollercoaster of an ending??

First off, there is so much more we learn about Kaelis in this continuation of book one. On top of that, Clara has so much on her shoulders: make the needed card (and also find the needed ingredients), help her sister find herself again, help the group her mother led, and also find out what to do with Kaelis. Oh, yeah, and save the world! That is an awful lot for someone to handle. She also has to work through changing who she is as she is a wanted person of interest.

Throughout it all, she has her friends, her stubbornness, and her goals to keep her going.

The magic system is just as I remember it from book one, but a bit more extensive here. I thoroughly encourage seeing it used more in this academic world.

And then there is the insane cliffhanger at the end. I mean, what?! And now the wait for book 3.

[Arealmofbooks_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

That ending.

In true Elise Kova fashion that ending was illegal lol but no seriously, I love how we learned more about certain characters and their relationship with Clara and added more into the world and its history that we didn’t know from book 1

Can’t wait for Book 3!!

[Ozzy☆ |ozzysbooknook|]

GIRL. JULY 2026?!?!?!?!?!???!

[Zoe I.L.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My jaw is on the floor. Elise Kova is a master in plotting, lore building, and character development, and this book proves that in spades, or should I say swords?

I genuinely did not see that ending coming, and I KNEW there was going to be a third book!!! But my god, I never saw that coming. My heart is BREAKING, I am SCREAMING, and I thank Elise Kova wholeheartedly for it. Arcana Academy was excellent and truly one of my favorite books from last year. Prince of Swords was even better, and I do not say that lightly.

I'm just going to stare at a wall for a bit and weep.

6/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley, Del Rey, and especially Elise Kova, for giving me the privilege of reading and sharing my honest opinion for Prince of Swords.

[Jamie Loves Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I had such high hopes going in after loving Arcane Academy so much. The characters were strong, the magic system was deep and intricate, and the world felt alive in a way that kept me hooked from start to finish.

So it breaks my heart to say I did not enjoy this sequel at all. I found myself not wanting to pick it up or push through, which is never a good sign. For a 560-page book, I don’t know how virtually nothing happens. It’s a continual spiral of the same beats over and over, and by the halfway point I was just waiting for something to change.

The characters became dull and lost everything that made them special in the first book. The wit, the depth, the relationships that felt so earned all of it seemed to disappear. The romance fell completely flat and felt like it was going through the motions rather than building toward anything meaningful. I was left feeling hollow and disappointed. To top it off, the ending didn’t feel like a surprise or a reward for slogging through it. It felt unearned, and it left me not wanting to continue in this series.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, Prince of Swords thrusts us straight back into the captivating world established in Arcana Academy, and it does not let go. This sequel expands on everything I loved about the first book while deepening the characters, relationships, mysteries, and dangers surrounding them.

Clara’s development is one of the strongest elements of the story. Her sheer strength and power repeatedly shock those around her, leaving you to wonder whether she has always been capable of such brutality and merely kept it hidden, or whether desperation has forced her to dig deeper than ever before. She has become unwavering in the pursuit of her goals, willing to make difficult and sometimes ruthless choices to protect those she loves and shape the future she believes in. It is a fascinating evolution from the Clara we first met.

Family also plays a significant role, particularly Clara’s relationship with her sister. These moments add another emotional layer to the story and provide greater insight into Clara’s past, her motivations, and everything she is fighting for. Her fear of losing the people she loves continues to influence her choices, even as she becomes increasingly powerful.

Trust remains at the heart of the story. Clara is surrounded by secrets, half-truths, conflicting motivations, and deception at every turn. She must constantly question who she can rely on while learning to trust her own intuition. As a reader, I found myself second-guessing events alongside her, never entirely certain which revelations could be believed or what might still be hidden.

The romance between Clara and Kaelis also deepens beautifully. Their relationship continues to develop through vulnerability, patience, and the gradual dismantling of the barriers between them. The slow burn remains incredibly rewarding, particularly as they confront their secrets and determine whether their motivations and hopes for the future can truly align.

There is no shortage of action, with the Stellis and the King’s Orders creating increasingly dangerous confrontations. The latter portion of the book escalates rapidly as mysteries begin to unravel, loyalties are tested, and earlier details fall into place. What initially appears to be careful groundwork becomes essential to the explosive final act.

Once again, Elise Kova’s creative use of tarot is a standout. The cards and their interpretations are woven seamlessly into battles, strategy, magic, and everyday life. The system continues to feel unique and thoughtfully constructed, with each reading offering possibilities that can shift depending on perspective and intent.

Prince of Swords is an exceptional sequel filled with action, romance, family, deception, and unforgettable revelations. It builds upon the foundations of Arcana Academy while raising the stakes in every possible way. The ending left me stunned, full of questions, and desperate to see how the story will conclude in Book Three.

Five stars, without question.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Penguin Random House for providing the ARC.

[Korynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book certainly took me on a ride. And the ending has me terrified for how the story will wrap up in the third installment.

Prince of Swords picks up right where Arcana Academy leaves off and doesn’t give any sort of worldbuilding hints to remind the reader of the story in the first book, so make sure you remember what has happened so far or you’ll be a bit lost at first like I was.

While we did get a lot of cool fight scenes in this book featuring tarot magic, the real gem here was the addition of so much more lore and history of this world. I loved seeing the setting or Oricalis being made even richer by all these details; rich worldbuilding is one of my favorite aspects of any fantasy novel.

I really enjoyed the characters in this installment. My new favorite character is Sorza, and I also loved finally getting to know Arina. Clara was fine if not a little too headstrong at times, but that’s what makes her an interesting protagonist. I also really liked the addition of Sophie Veillgar (if you know, you know).

I thought this book was good overall as far as the plot and pacing and character development were concerned, but also there were far too many—and too detailed—spicy scenes for my liking. I had thought Arcana Academy was the spiciest book by Elise Kova, but Prince of Swords definitely tops it. I don’t prefer spice in my novels, so this was disappointing for me, but I know many fans will love this aspect of the story (especially considering Clara and Kaelis experiment with adding even more excitement to these scenes through tarot magic).

One other thing I didn’t like was that the ending was devastating! And I don’t mean that in a good way. After doing a lot of searching through the ebook of the first novel, I can see much foreshadowing for how this book ended, but it was not overt to me in the moment, and I think a lot of readers will have the same shocked reaction that I did upon turning the final page. I honestly have no idea how Kova will turn things around in the final installment, but I will nervously read it and find out when it’s released.

Prince of Swords is a fast-paced novel that has lots of unexpected reveals and plot developments. For the most part, I enjoyed the story, and I think Kova’s writing has gotten so much stronger since she wrote her first series. Fans of unique magic systems, tarot cards, academy settings, romantasy novels, and emotional damage will enjoy reading the Arcana Academy series. Although if you have yet to start it, I would suggest just waiting until the third and final book comes out and then bingeing the books back-to-back because you are not going to want to wait between installments; the cliff hangers are brutal.

I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Bobbie-Leigh (thefairybooksqueen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars ✨⭐️💫

Where do I start, if you thought you couldn’t love Clara and Kaelis anymore, this book will prove that wrong. The second book in the arcana academy series is defiantly more romantasy, but is still heavily plot driven and has such an intricate plot throughout I think it’s the perfect romantasy for those who crave high fantasy too. Kaelis YEARNS so much in this book, and it ends up having my most favourite trope in it in a romantasy but I can’t write it in the review as it’s a spoiler! But wow I’m so so happy we got so much more depth into their relationship in this book.

I won’t lie, there’s some heavy stuff in this one. People die, crazy stuff happens, there’s a lot of triggering subjects and Clara is seriously put through it! I love her character so much more now, you see so much more into who she is at her core, and that’s loyal to the bone!!!!

It took me a while to get fully into it hence the - 0.5 of a star but it’s just because it’s very back and forth & heavy stuff but once I got to 50% I was flying through it! It felt a lot bigger than 560 pages!

You get a hell of a lot more insight into the magic system and you get a much better understanding of the history of the academy and the world in general! I love the way Elise weaves her intricate world, the way she’s laid Easter eggs throughout the first book that makes you say ahhhhh in this one. I highlighted this book so much too I haven’t highlighted a book this much in so long!

This is your sign to read this tarot card magic system fantasy, it’s everything you need for a deeply plot driven, found family that will break your heart and bonds that will stick with you forever!!!! Female rage like you’ve never seen it & a romance that will have you second guessing everything!! It also deals with grief, and as someone grieving the loss of a parent, I cannot tell you how comforting this book was for that part of me, grief isn’t always tears. It can be so much more. Ily Clara 🫶🏻

“Pain can break us. But it can also make us. We are not just pain and not just joy. What makes us as people is the combination of both. Losing either completely is a dangerous thing.”

“It’s not that I think you need me. It is that I don’t know any other way. Every instinct, every beat of my heart tells me to protect you, as if it was the true and singular purpose I was made for.”

[Alexandra Foldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley team for the e-ARC copy of this book!

This is the second book in the Arcana Academy trilogy, and based on the ending (yeah.... another cliffhanger), the third book'll be full of action and excitement!

This book is packed with action, there are some revelations but we're left with many more questions. The ending is nerve wrecking, so I'd recommend waiting for the next book before jumping in :D waiting another year to finally see this story through... it'll be a challenge!
I really liked the action, the supporting characters and the story arc. Many 2nd books in a trilogy struggle to hold the attention because their only purpose is building towards the third book, but not in this case, and I loved it for this! You can't forget the high stakes and tension for a minute, and there're so many things accomplished (huge part of it was in vain as it turns out, but hey we need action for the third book as well).
The only downside of this story was, well, the MCs themselves. Clara is like some kind of superwoman at this point, she can overpower anyone, even if she's tortured for a few days/weeks. I know, this is a magical world, but her recoveries are too miraculous for my liking. I liked her character development, she really tried to let go of the constant trust issues and hatred, I really liked arc for her. On the other hand, her relationship with Kaelis is a bit one-sided.... I'm sorry, but sometimes she acts shitty, with all the lies and scheming.
I'd be really interested in some Kaelis POV chapters, we get closer to him in this book and get a glimpse into his mind and past, but I couldn't get rid of the feeling that something fishy is going on with him (yeah he reveals some secrets but there's something more in the background I think). And his unwavering devotion is just bleah at some points, like WHY ARE YOU STILL PUTTING UP WITH CLARA??? Clara and Kaelis' problems are swept under the rug on many occasions because 'they love each other' and this is enough it seems. Well, it isn't enough for me, hence the 4 stars.

All in all, this book pulls you in and holds your attention until the end, it's fast paced and a high stakes story, so there won't be any boring parts, even though it's the lead-up to a grand finale. Looking forward to the conclusion of this story, let's see what their 'new world' will be :)

[Read.With.Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

👑⚔️ ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕊𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕤 ⚔️👑

If I could define my summer reading TBR in one phrase, it would be The Summer of Sequels.

One of my anticipated books on that list was Prince of Swords. And as the weather gets brighter, the Arcana Academy series gets darker.

Picking up almost exactly where book one left off, this sequel wastes no time throwing readers back into the action. One of the things I love most about the world Kova has created is the magic system and its epic tarot card battles. The stakes feel higher than ever here, and the tension running throughout the story makes the events of book one feel almost like child's play in comparison.

The darker tone allows both the characters and the world to evolve in interesting ways. Even when things seem to be going smoothly, there's an underlying sense of unease. You just know the peace is an illusion.

A major focus of this installment is the evolution of Clara and Kaelis's relationship as they circle each other, trying to figure out what's real, what's a lie, and how to navigate the fiery (and 🔥🔥🔥) enemies-to-lovers tension between them.

I will admit there were moments when things became a little unclear, and after one unexpected twist, I found myself questioning where the story was headed. But I trusted the process and was rewarded with an ending that made this feel like a true continuation of the series rather than a bridge book meant to get us from one major event to the next.

And. That. Cliffhanger. 😱😱😱

I love it because it's so good, and hate it for exactly the same reason.

If you've started the series, I strongly suggest doing a reread before diving in. Or you can be like me and find yourself online searching for recaps to keep track of all the previous twists. Either way, fans can rest easy. Prince of Swords keeps the momentum going, raises the stakes, and delivers an ending that will leave you desperate for book three.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey Publishing for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Evelyne Marcil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, NetGalley.

After thoroughly enjoying the first book—especially the realistic depiction of grief, the fantastic "found family" dynamic, and the charming reality of Clara and Kaelis competing for Priss the cat’s affection, I was incredibly eager to dive back into this universe.

What I liked: Elise Kova completely caught me off guard with this installment. The stakes have been raised significantly, and the deaths in this book genuinely surprised me; the author does not pull her punches, and I absolutely love that kind of bold storytelling. The pacing really accelerates toward the climax, culminating in a series of ending twists that left me absolutely shocked. I am left with so many burning questions for the next book: What is actually going on with Kaelis' bloodline? And what on earth did Naethor mean by "what she wanted"? The lines have blurred so beautifully that I no longer know who is an ally and who is a foe, which makes for a brilliantly gripping read.

What I didn't care for as much: On the downside, I wasn't a huge fan of the narrative redoing the same fundamental storyline from book one. Having the plot rely heavily on fake identities and pretending/hiding within the academy felt a bit repetitive. Additionally, while the core cast remains strong, the book introduces a massive roster of side characters. Unfortunately, almost everyone outside of our main characters feels very two-dimensional and could have used a lot more fleshing out to make them truly distinct.

Overall Thoughts: Despite the slight repetition in the plot structure and a crowded room of side characters, this sequel absolutely delivers on tension, high stakes, and massive reveals. If you enjoyed the complex world-building and the dangerous depths of the first book, the ending of this one will leave you desperate for the third installment. I certainly am!

[Michele with Book Nook Buzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince of Swords somehow manages to raise the stakes in every possible way, and now I'm left desperately needing book three! Elise Kova has once again delivered a fantasy romance that is absolutely impossible to put down, and she knows exactly how to end a book so you're immediately begging for the next installment.

This sequel is packed with nonstop action, high-stakes twists, incredible character development, and just the right amount of spice. Every chapter pulled me deeper into the story, and the intensity never let up. I could feel Clara's fear, anxiety, determination, and inner conflict throughout the entire book, which made every decision and every battle hit that much harder.

One of my favorite things about this series is how unique the magic system is. Tarot magic feels so fresh and different in the fantasy genre, and Elise Kova continues to expand it in fascinating ways. The world-building is immersive without ever slowing down the story, and every new revelation left me wanting to know more.

I also couldn't stop thinking about how cinematic this book felt. The action sequences, the emotional moments, the dramatic reveals—I could vividly picture so many scenes playing out on the big screen. This series has all the ingredients for an incredible adaptation.

If you're a fan of fantasy romance like Fourth Wing or Shield of Sparrows but are looking for something that feels fresh and original, Arcana Academy deserves a spot on your TBR. The blend of tarot magic, political intrigue, forbidden romance, and relentless action makes this series stand out in the genre.

I honestly can't believe more people aren't talking about this series. It's one of the most exciting fantasy romances I've read, and I'm already planning a reread before book three releases because I know there are details I'll want to catch the second time around.

Thank you to Del Rey & NetGalley for providing this exciting eARC!  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Posted on Book Nook Buzz

[❤️Tina❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓."

Class is finally back in session!!
Arcana Academy was up there as one of my favourite reads last year so I have been (impatiently) waiting for this book to drop and I was lucky enough to get an ALC and dove straight in!

I still love the unique magic system in this series with the use of tarot cards! We even get a break down of all the cards and their abilities at the start which was really helpful. They're used for so many things throughout this book, healing, fighting, agility and even maybe for a little spicy time 😉

We're thrown straight back into the story where we left off after THAT ending in book one! Book two takes us on a wild ride with more action, more twists, more secrets revealed and most importantly more Kaelis "I would defy destiny for you" Oricalis 🥵

Clara is such a strong FMC, I loved her in book one but she's even better in book two! She takes no prisoners and will fight for those she loves, and boy does she have to fight! She's so strategic and as public enemy number one, she will try anything to complete her objectives whilst remaining undetected!

We also get to see a more vulnerable side of Kaelis in this one, we learn more about his past but also finally get to see just how powerful he really is!! The romance between him and Clara definitely goes up a notch in this book and I am here for it 🙌🏻 It feels like they're sending off enemies from all angles but they work so well together and I love their relationship!

"𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒖𝒑 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒆𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏"

I was gripped throughout this story as Elise throws twist after twist at us but that ending?? What does this mean for book three? How am I supposed to just wait?

Honestly if you haven't already, read these books! Thank you so much to Hodderscape for the ALC for my honest review 🫶🏻