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An Arcane Study of Stars
From Sydney J. 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 Atlas Six and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
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?
504 pages, Hardcover
First published April 28, 2026
About the author
Sydney J. Shields
3 books1,276 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 967 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you to netgalley and orbit books for the arc!
my first 5 star read of april!! 🥹🫶 i’m so happy that it was this! i genuinely can’t express how amazing this book was and made me feel, i was immersed from the first couple of chapters. the romance, plot, scenery, and writing was everythingg ✨
magical universities with academic rivals to lovers will always be a reason i pick up a book 🤭 i was blown away by the unique magic system it was so cool and refreshing.
one of my favourite parts was being able to “sit in” on the classes and learn along with claudia was so fun to me.
claudia and cassius go from hate at first sight to the most passionate lovers i fear i have ever read (that’s saying something) 🥵
tropes:
dark academia 📚
celestial magic ✨
rivals to lovers ♥️
found family 🫶
my first 5 star read of april!! 🥹🫶 i’m so happy that it was this! i genuinely can’t express how amazing this book was and made me feel, i was immersed from the first couple of chapters. the romance, plot, scenery, and writing was everythingg ✨
magical universities with academic rivals to lovers will always be a reason i pick up a book 🤭 i was blown away by the unique magic system it was so cool and refreshing.
one of my favourite parts was being able to “sit in” on the classes and learn along with claudia was so fun to me.
claudia and cassius go from hate at first sight to the most passionate lovers i fear i have ever read (that’s saying something) 🥵
tropes:
dark academia 📚
celestial magic ✨
rivals to lovers ♥️
found family 🫶
May 19, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up
Overall enjoyed this dark academia STANDALONE
I do think it would have benefited from a second book to help develop the relationship more (the fast burn was a bit jarring … to bdsm 🤣)
Overall enjoyed this dark academia STANDALONE
I do think it would have benefited from a second book to help develop the relationship more (the fast burn was a bit jarring … to bdsm 🤣)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ★— Stars, gods, and a heroine trying to make her way into the magical university she’s been dreaming of her whole life... this book attempted a lot, but kind of left me floundering for most of its duration.
I am a fiend for dark academia, so I can say that I ate a lot of this up! The aesthetics and vibes of it all worked. What didn’t work for me were the heroine and the development of the romance, which are important parts of the narrative and understandably dragged my rating down.
I’ll start with my problems with Claudia. She’s a fish out of water for most of this book, someone who’s disadvantaged and has less knowledge than her peers, but in my opinion, the story didn’t really do a good job of building out her journey into becoming the eventual academic weapon she strives to be. I felt like, because the magic and the school aspects were so vague, I didn’t really get a proper sense of her growth as a student. This also affected her academic rival, Cassius, who we are supposed to believe is her enemy-turned-lover.
I thought the book did their dynamic such a disservice by not actually building up their antagonistic relationship and instead relying on telling rather than showing their rivalry, before, boom, suddenly declaring that they’ve always been attracted to each other, with very little of this progression actually shown on page. This was especially noticeable with Cassius, whose attraction to Claudia felt like it came out of nowhere, with side characters remarking on it before the book had actually taken the time to develop it.
Furthermore, Claudia (at 23) often came across more like a child than a woman, in a way that just didn’t resonate with me. Whenever she was tasked with doing something important to save herself, she acted naively, while also failing to stand by her own decisions and mistakes, which made her frustrating to read. She felt like someone easily swayed, which can be an interesting trait, but here it didn’t feel like intentional characterization by the author and more like a result of underdevelopment.
I’ll also say that the book features some BDSM dynamics between Cassius and Claudia that I thought felt overdone, cliché, and ultimately unearned, because of the lack of proper setup between them. I could have enjoyed this, but not with how much these two together lacked romantically.
I think this could work for people who prefer atmosphere and aesthetics over more tightly developed plot and romance. There is a lot of fun to be had here, but this definitely isn't the next great dark academia story that will knock you off your feet.
🎧 Audiobook Notes
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo
⭐ Listener Rating: 5/5
I thoroughly enjoyed the narration of the audiobook and thought that the different characters were given their own unique voices that really matched the tone of the story. I also just loved how girlish the narrator managed to go with Claudia, which made a lot of her moments work more for me!
________________
Thank you to Orbit for the ARC and to Hachette Audio for the ALC.
I am a fiend for dark academia, so I can say that I ate a lot of this up! The aesthetics and vibes of it all worked. What didn’t work for me were the heroine and the development of the romance, which are important parts of the narrative and understandably dragged my rating down.
I’ll start with my problems with Claudia. She’s a fish out of water for most of this book, someone who’s disadvantaged and has less knowledge than her peers, but in my opinion, the story didn’t really do a good job of building out her journey into becoming the eventual academic weapon she strives to be. I felt like, because the magic and the school aspects were so vague, I didn’t really get a proper sense of her growth as a student. This also affected her academic rival, Cassius, who we are supposed to believe is her enemy-turned-lover.
I thought the book did their dynamic such a disservice by not actually building up their antagonistic relationship and instead relying on telling rather than showing their rivalry, before, boom, suddenly declaring that they’ve always been attracted to each other, with very little of this progression actually shown on page. This was especially noticeable with Cassius, whose attraction to Claudia felt like it came out of nowhere, with side characters remarking on it before the book had actually taken the time to develop it.
Furthermore, Claudia (at 23) often came across more like a child than a woman, in a way that just didn’t resonate with me. Whenever she was tasked with doing something important to save herself, she acted naively, while also failing to stand by her own decisions and mistakes, which made her frustrating to read. She felt like someone easily swayed, which can be an interesting trait, but here it didn’t feel like intentional characterization by the author and more like a result of underdevelopment.
I’ll also say that the book features some BDSM dynamics between Cassius and Claudia that I thought felt overdone, cliché, and ultimately unearned, because of the lack of proper setup between them. I could have enjoyed this, but not with how much these two together lacked romantically.
I think this could work for people who prefer atmosphere and aesthetics over more tightly developed plot and romance. There is a lot of fun to be had here, but this definitely isn't the next great dark academia story that will knock you off your feet.
🎧 Audiobook Notes
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo
⭐ Listener Rating: 5/5
I thoroughly enjoyed the narration of the audiobook and thought that the different characters were given their own unique voices that really matched the tone of the story. I also just loved how girlish the narrator managed to go with Claudia, which made a lot of her moments work more for me!
________________
Thank you to Orbit for the ARC and to Hachette Audio for the ALC.
May 26, 2026
This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine
4.5 stars
Well, Sydney J. Shields just reached for the stars and actually fucking grabbed them, because An Arcane Study of Stars is honestly everything a dark academia fantasy romance should be and then so much more. Like, not just aesthetic libraries and some pretentious navel gazing, but an actually epic, deep, mysterious, unhinged, queer, and boldly ambitious star-soaked fever dream drenched in desire that is way more dangerously addictive than it has any right to be.
“Goodness itself is a moralistic, oppressive myth. It’s a surrender. It conditions you to be content with less than you deserve. There is no honor in denying yourself pleasure or suppressing your darkest urges. Desire is the only noble pursuit. You can be good, or you can be one of the greats. You cannot be both.”
From the very first page, An Arcane Study of Stars just seduced me with its darkly alluring historical gothic aesthetics and it honestly never let me go. I can’t even say I was immediately attached to Claudia because the third person narration kept me at a slight distance emotionally, but somewhere along the way I became obsessed with her relentless freak energy and loved seeing her fight and claw her way into this magical world through sheer desire and bad decisions. Like, how could I not respect the hell out of a woman with a pet snake who knows exactly what she wants and will do anything to get it, even if it means letting some terrifying celestial entity take a bite out of her soul? It sounds insane, and it is insane, but Claudia is ANYTHING but dumb, trust me. Morally questionable? Absolutely. But stupid? Never.
“If ignorance is bliss, intelligence is madness. Claudia will choose the latter every time.”
Now, the pacing does slow down after the chaotic opening, and I loved how An Arcane Study of Stars really goes hard on the rhetoric classes, philosophical debates, magical theory, and endless academic posturing without it ever becoming insufferable or boring. There’s just this constant sense of foreboding and tension hanging over every scene as Claudia becomes the main suspect in a murder mystery, celestial witches are dying, creepy diary pages keep appearing, and nobody at Cygnus University seems mentally stable in the slightest. What a vibe, I was living for it.
But let’s be real, the thing that truly had me in a chokehold here was the delicious rivals to lovers set-up between my disaster bisexuals Claudia and Cassius. And it’s weird because I usually prefer romances that are more emotionally driven, but even if I did not fully believe in their progression of huge feelings by the end, I was somehow just SO on board for the lust-fueled attraction between these two because they truly matched each other’s freak in every possible way. Their entire dynamic is just dangerous battle of wits after dangerous battle of wits, and the way Shields flirts with BDSM dynamics without making it super explicit aside from one hella hot scene? Yeah apparently that works really well for me, who knew.
“She wants to tell him how she really feels— not just good, but perfect. Not just happy, but elated. Not just lustful, but viscerally ravenous for touch. She wants to tell him that if she could, she’d burrow into his skin like a parasite and live there forever. But there’s no normal way to say that to another person without sounding completely mad. Maybe she is mad. Maybe he likes that about her.”
I do think their psychosexual academic warfare slightly overshadowed the development side cast, and I would have loved for the unconventional found family vibes to get more room to breathe because I loved these messy queer weirdos. Also, I don’t know what this says about me spiritually, but I desperately wanted more scenes with Dorian too. I mean, a toxic possessive godlike entity trapped in a celestial prison who is way too hot to live is honestly the kind of red flag that looks pink under romantic lighting, sorry not sorry.
Anyway, speaking of those gods, the world building in An Arcane Study of Stars truly had me starstruck. The Grecian inspiration felt so refreshing to me in how it pulls more from epic storytelling, philosophy, and rhetoric than straightforward mythology retellings, and I loved how deeply the theme of desire is not just baked into the romance, but into the divine lore, the celestial magic, the history, everything. Did I understand every rhetoric debate or fully grasp how all the magic worked? Oh, absolutely not, but the logic seemed to be logicking for the characters and I honestly loved how brutally bold and clever this book is.
“Through art, even grief and gore can be delightful. Poetry turns pain into metaphor. It makes it mean something.”
An Arcane Study of Stars had me so bewitched that I read the last 300 pages in one mad frenzy, and I genuinely did not even care that the ending was maybe a bit rushed because at that point I was too busy screaming over the wild revelations, emotional devastation, and beautifully twisted bittersweetness of it all. I just adore how this book fully embraces its unhinged, dramatic, tragic, Grecian heart, and while I think it is a perfect standalone, I will be first in line and ready to sell my soul immediately if we get more. What a wildly ambitious dark delight of a book.
4.5 stars
Well, Sydney J. Shields just reached for the stars and actually fucking grabbed them, because An Arcane Study of Stars is honestly everything a dark academia fantasy romance should be and then so much more. Like, not just aesthetic libraries and some pretentious navel gazing, but an actually epic, deep, mysterious, unhinged, queer, and boldly ambitious star-soaked fever dream drenched in desire that is way more dangerously addictive than it has any right to be.
“Goodness itself is a moralistic, oppressive myth. It’s a surrender. It conditions you to be content with less than you deserve. There is no honor in denying yourself pleasure or suppressing your darkest urges. Desire is the only noble pursuit. You can be good, or you can be one of the greats. You cannot be both.”
From the very first page, An Arcane Study of Stars just seduced me with its darkly alluring historical gothic aesthetics and it honestly never let me go. I can’t even say I was immediately attached to Claudia because the third person narration kept me at a slight distance emotionally, but somewhere along the way I became obsessed with her relentless freak energy and loved seeing her fight and claw her way into this magical world through sheer desire and bad decisions. Like, how could I not respect the hell out of a woman with a pet snake who knows exactly what she wants and will do anything to get it, even if it means letting some terrifying celestial entity take a bite out of her soul? It sounds insane, and it is insane, but Claudia is ANYTHING but dumb, trust me. Morally questionable? Absolutely. But stupid? Never.
“If ignorance is bliss, intelligence is madness. Claudia will choose the latter every time.”
Now, the pacing does slow down after the chaotic opening, and I loved how An Arcane Study of Stars really goes hard on the rhetoric classes, philosophical debates, magical theory, and endless academic posturing without it ever becoming insufferable or boring. There’s just this constant sense of foreboding and tension hanging over every scene as Claudia becomes the main suspect in a murder mystery, celestial witches are dying, creepy diary pages keep appearing, and nobody at Cygnus University seems mentally stable in the slightest. What a vibe, I was living for it.
But let’s be real, the thing that truly had me in a chokehold here was the delicious rivals to lovers set-up between my disaster bisexuals Claudia and Cassius. And it’s weird because I usually prefer romances that are more emotionally driven, but even if I did not fully believe in their progression of huge feelings by the end, I was somehow just SO on board for the lust-fueled attraction between these two because they truly matched each other’s freak in every possible way. Their entire dynamic is just dangerous battle of wits after dangerous battle of wits, and the way Shields flirts with BDSM dynamics without making it super explicit aside from one hella hot scene? Yeah apparently that works really well for me, who knew.
“She wants to tell him how she really feels— not just good, but perfect. Not just happy, but elated. Not just lustful, but viscerally ravenous for touch. She wants to tell him that if she could, she’d burrow into his skin like a parasite and live there forever. But there’s no normal way to say that to another person without sounding completely mad. Maybe she is mad. Maybe he likes that about her.”
I do think their psychosexual academic warfare slightly overshadowed the development side cast, and I would have loved for the unconventional found family vibes to get more room to breathe because I loved these messy queer weirdos. Also, I don’t know what this says about me spiritually, but I desperately wanted more scenes with Dorian too. I mean, a toxic possessive godlike entity trapped in a celestial prison who is way too hot to live is honestly the kind of red flag that looks pink under romantic lighting, sorry not sorry.
Anyway, speaking of those gods, the world building in An Arcane Study of Stars truly had me starstruck. The Grecian inspiration felt so refreshing to me in how it pulls more from epic storytelling, philosophy, and rhetoric than straightforward mythology retellings, and I loved how deeply the theme of desire is not just baked into the romance, but into the divine lore, the celestial magic, the history, everything. Did I understand every rhetoric debate or fully grasp how all the magic worked? Oh, absolutely not, but the logic seemed to be logicking for the characters and I honestly loved how brutally bold and clever this book is.
“Through art, even grief and gore can be delightful. Poetry turns pain into metaphor. It makes it mean something.”
An Arcane Study of Stars had me so bewitched that I read the last 300 pages in one mad frenzy, and I genuinely did not even care that the ending was maybe a bit rushed because at that point I was too busy screaming over the wild revelations, emotional devastation, and beautifully twisted bittersweetness of it all. I just adore how this book fully embraces its unhinged, dramatic, tragic, Grecian heart, and while I think it is a perfect standalone, I will be first in line and ready to sell my soul immediately if we get more. What a wildly ambitious dark delight of a book.
May 6, 2026
❛❛ɪᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴀʟʟ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀs ᴛʀᴜᴇ ᴀs sʜᴇ'ᴅ ʜᴏᴘᴇᴅ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀs ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴀs sʜᴇ ғᴇᴀʀᴇᴅ.❜❜
˗ˏˋ 𝐀𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 ˎˊ˗
ᯓ an arcane study of stars was published on april 28, 2026!!
⤿ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 4 sᴛᴀʀs! ★★★★☆
⤿ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜɪs ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ: ʀɪᴠᴀʟs ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs, ᴅᴀʀᴋ ᴀᴄᴀᴅᴇᴍɪᴀ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴇʟᴇsᴛɪᴀʟ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ!
ᯓ ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ || premise:
⤿ Claudia Joliceur has always been a dreamer, but nothing compares to her wish to attend the occult university, Cygnus. Despite her rejection, she is powerful enough to catch the attention of a demon and make a deal with him. Claudia can go to Cygnus in exchange for the demon’s freedom. Standing in the way is Cassiuss MacLeod, an arrogantly intelligent student, and an ancient rivalry.
ᯓ ⊹ ࣪ ˖🕰️୭˚. | | all my thoughts:
⤷ This was exactly the kind of dark academia and fantasy book that I adore. It is stuffed full of secrets, mysteries, late night study sessions, magic and nightmares.
The magic system in this book is super unique. There are several with one mainly based upon rhetoric and language, another on astronomy and the alignment of the stars, others on mathematics, music, and botany. I was especially fascinated by the power given to language, it almost felt like something that we could achieve ourselves with enough time and patience.
The worldbuilding is so cool. Imagine being swept off to a different world to study magic at university! I liked all the descriptions, it made me feel a little better about my own obsessive study habits.
The pacing goes quick in this one, it felt like we barely stopped for anything. The beginning is incredibly fast, as Claudia is whisked away into another world. The middle lulls a bit as Claudia uncovers the mysteries and focuses on her studies - but the ending is another whirlwind.This book is so short and it flies by!
I really appreciate how the author makes an effort to include diversity in love. It made the book much more unique and interesting. Additionally, this is not the young-adult novel I initially believed it was (Not sure why I thought it - it is not even marketed as such). I was definitely in for a big surprise. (I believe that author stated it is BDSM.) I would have been much more triggered (and upset), but the author does a nice job of describing consent and setting boundaries.
❛❛sʜᴇ'ᴅ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴀ ɢʀᴀᴠᴇ ᴍɪsᴛᴀᴋᴇ - ᴄᴏɴғᴜsɪɴɢ ᴀ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴇsᴛɪɴʏ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀʟᴍᴏsᴛ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ.❜❜
ᯓ ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ | | characters:
⤷ Claudia Joliceur. A dreamer sometimes socially awkward, but determined to get what she wants at any cost.
⤷ Cassius MacLeod. A clever academic rival, Cassius has everything he could possibly want - except for one thing.
ᯓ ⊹ ࣪ ˖🕰️୭˚. | | overall thoughts:
This was a really fun book, it delivered everything that I expected it would plus a little bit more. The characters and setting were super compelling. It was the exact dark academia novel that I needed.
I also think that this would make a very good addition to my bookshelf!
ᯓ ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ | | rating:
⤿ 3.75 stars ★★★★☆
ᯓ ⊹ ࣪ ˖🕰️୭˚. | | read if you enjoyed:
⤿ a study in drowning (ava reid)
⤿ curious tides (pascalle lacelle)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰
☕️|| preread :
⤿ im so excited to start this book! after finishing katabasis i am definitely in the mood for more dark academia!!
‧𓍢ִ໋🖋️ ׂ 𓈒 ⋆ ۪. || reading updates:
➤ 41% - so this isn’t the ya book i thought it was 😅😅
➤ 62% - claudia don’t make the mistake i think you’re about to make!!
➤ 100% - pleasantly surprised by that one 😄
˗ˏˋ 𝐀𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 ˎˊ˗
ᯓ an arcane study of stars was published on april 28, 2026!!
⤿ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 4 sᴛᴀʀs! ★★★★☆
⤿ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜɪs ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ: ʀɪᴠᴀʟs ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs, ᴅᴀʀᴋ ᴀᴄᴀᴅᴇᴍɪᴀ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴇʟᴇsᴛɪᴀʟ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ!
ᯓ ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ || premise:
⤿ Claudia Joliceur has always been a dreamer, but nothing compares to her wish to attend the occult university, Cygnus. Despite her rejection, she is powerful enough to catch the attention of a demon and make a deal with him. Claudia can go to Cygnus in exchange for the demon’s freedom. Standing in the way is Cassiuss MacLeod, an arrogantly intelligent student, and an ancient rivalry.
ᯓ ⊹ ࣪ ˖🕰️୭˚. | | all my thoughts:
⤷ This was exactly the kind of dark academia and fantasy book that I adore. It is stuffed full of secrets, mysteries, late night study sessions, magic and nightmares.
The magic system in this book is super unique. There are several with one mainly based upon rhetoric and language, another on astronomy and the alignment of the stars, others on mathematics, music, and botany. I was especially fascinated by the power given to language, it almost felt like something that we could achieve ourselves with enough time and patience.
The worldbuilding is so cool. Imagine being swept off to a different world to study magic at university! I liked all the descriptions, it made me feel a little better about my own obsessive study habits.
The pacing goes quick in this one, it felt like we barely stopped for anything. The beginning is incredibly fast, as Claudia is whisked away into another world. The middle lulls a bit as Claudia uncovers the mysteries and focuses on her studies - but the ending is another whirlwind.This book is so short and it flies by!
I really appreciate how the author makes an effort to include diversity in love. It made the book much more unique and interesting. Additionally, this is not the young-adult novel I initially believed it was (Not sure why I thought it - it is not even marketed as such). I was definitely in for a big surprise. (I believe that author stated it is BDSM.) I would have been much more triggered (and upset), but the author does a nice job of describing consent and setting boundaries.
❛❛sʜᴇ'ᴅ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴀ ɢʀᴀᴠᴇ ᴍɪsᴛᴀᴋᴇ - ᴄᴏɴғᴜsɪɴɢ ᴀ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴇsᴛɪɴʏ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀʟᴍᴏsᴛ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ.❜❜
ᯓ ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ | | characters:
⤷ Claudia Joliceur. A dreamer sometimes socially awkward, but determined to get what she wants at any cost.
⤷ Cassius MacLeod. A clever academic rival, Cassius has everything he could possibly want - except for one thing.
ᯓ ⊹ ࣪ ˖🕰️୭˚. | | overall thoughts:
This was a really fun book, it delivered everything that I expected it would plus a little bit more. The characters and setting were super compelling. It was the exact dark academia novel that I needed.
I also think that this would make a very good addition to my bookshelf!
ᯓ ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ | | rating:
⤿ 3.75 stars ★★★★☆
ᯓ ⊹ ࣪ ˖🕰️୭˚. | | read if you enjoyed:
⤿ a study in drowning (ava reid)
⤿ curious tides (pascalle lacelle)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰
☕️|| preread :
⤿ im so excited to start this book! after finishing katabasis i am definitely in the mood for more dark academia!!
‧𓍢ִ໋🖋️ ׂ 𓈒 ⋆ ۪. || reading updates:
➤ 41% - so this isn’t the ya book i thought it was 😅😅
➤ 62% - claudia don’t make the mistake i think you’re about to make!!
➤ 100% - pleasantly surprised by that one 😄
Read
March 19, 2026Hello friends! I've been informed that unfortunately my author's note with content warnings was mistakenly left out of the first print run. I am so sorry for this. I can confirm the eBook and second print run will include it. The content warnings have always been up on my website, but I wanted to share here as well: This is a dark academia fantasy novel with gothic themes, gore, and explicit sexual content. It explores grief, suicidality, alcohol and drug abuse, and mental health struggles. Reader discretion is advised.
More specific CW here: https://www.sydneyjshields.com/an-arc...
More specific CW here: https://www.sydneyjshields.com/an-arc...
March 24, 2026
Thank you so much Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit for the arc!
„You‘re the witch with no way in. I’m the devil with no way out. We are each other’s only chance, Starling.“
✨ academic rivals
🏛️ magic university setting
✨ celestial magic
🏛️ murder mystery
What I liked:
- The magic system. Using star constellations to create spells based on different combinations. One example is Orion, the Hunter, and Sagitta, the Arrow, which in combination create a protective spell. The magic is fickle because the constellations are imaginary and open to interpretation. It’s also finite and the light of a star can be abused and burn out as a consequence. Such an interesting system, especially in combination with an academic setting.
What I didn’t like:
- The protagonist lacks a bit of emotional depth, sometimes even realistic emotions in general. She behaves far too nonchalantly for someone who killed her father, especially since she had never been violent before. She arrives at a new place covered in blood and doesn’t really seem to care about it. Even if you didn’t like your father, killing someone should provoke some kind of emotional turmoil. The author also constantly tells us that she sees herself as good, obedient and quiet, but she never acts that way. She’s mouthy, quick to lose her temper, slaps people and even threatens teachers… without ever seeming conflicted about it or spending more than a second thought on it.
- The diary entries felt way too convenient and unrealistic. The protagonist’s pet snake finds, eats and then coughs up a piece of a diary in which the girl who previously lived (and died) in her room confesses that someone is trying to kill her. The protagonist doesn’t even have to search for clues herself, her snake does it for her. I couldn’t take it seriously. Overall, the diary entries that appear throughout the story, filled with far too much convenient information, feel like a lazy way to move the plot forward and give the protagonist an upper hand.
„Desires create Doorways, and those who dream of escape will always find somewhere to run.“
✍🏻 Writing style: 2,5/5
👥 Characters: 2,5/5
🌍 Worldbuilding: 5/5
📝 Story & Plot: 3,5/5
✨ Vibes: 5/5
„You‘re the witch with no way in. I’m the devil with no way out. We are each other’s only chance, Starling.“
✨ academic rivals
🏛️ magic university setting
✨ celestial magic
🏛️ murder mystery
What I liked:
- The magic system. Using star constellations to create spells based on different combinations. One example is Orion, the Hunter, and Sagitta, the Arrow, which in combination create a protective spell. The magic is fickle because the constellations are imaginary and open to interpretation. It’s also finite and the light of a star can be abused and burn out as a consequence. Such an interesting system, especially in combination with an academic setting.
What I didn’t like:
- The protagonist lacks a bit of emotional depth, sometimes even realistic emotions in general. She behaves far too nonchalantly for someone who killed her father, especially since she had never been violent before. She arrives at a new place covered in blood and doesn’t really seem to care about it. Even if you didn’t like your father, killing someone should provoke some kind of emotional turmoil. The author also constantly tells us that she sees herself as good, obedient and quiet, but she never acts that way. She’s mouthy, quick to lose her temper, slaps people and even threatens teachers… without ever seeming conflicted about it or spending more than a second thought on it.
- The diary entries felt way too convenient and unrealistic. The protagonist’s pet snake finds, eats and then coughs up a piece of a diary in which the girl who previously lived (and died) in her room confesses that someone is trying to kill her. The protagonist doesn’t even have to search for clues herself, her snake does it for her. I couldn’t take it seriously. Overall, the diary entries that appear throughout the story, filled with far too much convenient information, feel like a lazy way to move the plot forward and give the protagonist an upper hand.
„Desires create Doorways, and those who dream of escape will always find somewhere to run.“
✍🏻 Writing style: 2,5/5
👥 Characters: 2,5/5
🌍 Worldbuilding: 5/5
📝 Story & Plot: 3,5/5
✨ Vibes: 5/5
June 19, 2026
This is just a prestigious political manifesto disguised as a romantic fantasy.
If I pick up a dark academia fantasy novel, I expect an escape into a magical world, not a thinly veiled political commentary. Unfortunately, this book completely forgets to be a fantasy book and instead serves as a megaphone for the author’s real-world political leanings. Every single social and political issue is shoehorned into the narrative, making it impossible to immerse yourself in the world of Cygnus University.
Reading this, I couldn’t help but think of the author's bio, which notably mentions graduating magna cum laude and having a British partner. Whether intentional or not, the entire book feels like a massive flex of superior intelligence aimed at us simpletons. The narrative constantly waxes poetic about complex, niche subjects that none of us "peasants" could possibly understand, only to immediately switch into a condescending tone to explain it down to the reader, and polishes it off by simultaneously preaching real-world politics.
While I usually adore academic settings, this book highlights the absolute worst, most insufferable aspects of higher education. The writing and dialogue are aggressively condescending and pretentious. The students are magically expected to be complete experts on subjects before they even set foot in a classroom, meaning there is zero actual learning taking place. Instead, the classroom scenes consist of arrogant characters sitting in a room, using an exhausting amount of purple prose to sound brilliant while contributing absolutely nothing of substance. The secondhand embarrassment was so acute I was cringing through every single lecture.
As for the rivals-to-lovers romance? I’m surprised my teeth didn’t shatter from the sheer cringe. The dialogue and actions that Cassius and Claudia swoon over are deeply unsettling. If anyone spoke or acted like this in real life, you wouldn’t fall in love, you would file an immediate restraining order (or at least I would hope). It wasn't romantic. It was a repulsive, toxic dynamic that had me physically recoiling.
This book isn't about magic, danger, or a thrilling demonic bargain. It’s just a bunch of people who think they are smart getting together to use big words, act superior, and engage in a deeply off-putting romance. If you want a genuine fantasy escape, look elsewhere. This was an absolute chore to get through, and I’m genuinely surprised this was an Allurial pick.
If I pick up a dark academia fantasy novel, I expect an escape into a magical world, not a thinly veiled political commentary. Unfortunately, this book completely forgets to be a fantasy book and instead serves as a megaphone for the author’s real-world political leanings. Every single social and political issue is shoehorned into the narrative, making it impossible to immerse yourself in the world of Cygnus University.
Reading this, I couldn’t help but think of the author's bio, which notably mentions graduating magna cum laude and having a British partner. Whether intentional or not, the entire book feels like a massive flex of superior intelligence aimed at us simpletons. The narrative constantly waxes poetic about complex, niche subjects that none of us "peasants" could possibly understand, only to immediately switch into a condescending tone to explain it down to the reader, and polishes it off by simultaneously preaching real-world politics.
While I usually adore academic settings, this book highlights the absolute worst, most insufferable aspects of higher education. The writing and dialogue are aggressively condescending and pretentious. The students are magically expected to be complete experts on subjects before they even set foot in a classroom, meaning there is zero actual learning taking place. Instead, the classroom scenes consist of arrogant characters sitting in a room, using an exhausting amount of purple prose to sound brilliant while contributing absolutely nothing of substance. The secondhand embarrassment was so acute I was cringing through every single lecture.
As for the rivals-to-lovers romance? I’m surprised my teeth didn’t shatter from the sheer cringe. The dialogue and actions that Cassius and Claudia swoon over are deeply unsettling. If anyone spoke or acted like this in real life, you wouldn’t fall in love, you would file an immediate restraining order (or at least I would hope). It wasn't romantic. It was a repulsive, toxic dynamic that had me physically recoiling.
This book isn't about magic, danger, or a thrilling demonic bargain. It’s just a bunch of people who think they are smart getting together to use big words, act superior, and engage in a deeply off-putting romance. If you want a genuine fantasy escape, look elsewhere. This was an absolute chore to get through, and I’m genuinely surprised this was an Allurial pick.
May 11, 2026
If she was a good person before she came here, this school is making her bad. If she was already bad, she’s getting so much worse.
oh i DEVOURED this!! a dark academia for a university of magic with a creative, unique magic system, enemies/rivals to lovers, stars and magic and deals with gods, a grecian epic. dark, mysterious, eerie and yet intensely clever and striking.
claudia is a perfectly imperfect protagonist who has flaws but fights and claws her way into this new world to claim the place she desires in it. the chemistry between her and cassius is INSANE, when they realize that the venom between them is really sparks for something greater 🤌🏼
“...if I can’t keep you safe, I don’t deserve to keep you at all.”
CASSIUS IS NEW TOP TIER BOOK BF OMG.
it was refreshing to read something very inspired by grecian epics more than its mythology, even extending to greek philosophy and rhetoric. it does give you a run for your money to sit in claudia and cassius's rhetoric class and try to keep up with the logic philosophy, but it's also so rewarding when it all comes together. the magic systems and the lore of the gods was so clever and innovative.
engaging, exciting, fantastical, i was racing through this hungry to see what would happen next, constantly kept on my toes at turns.
“What is the greatest reason for punishing the gods?” “Punishment is a cure. Without it, gods become devils.”
i think the end fits the grecian epic theme so perfectly but oh i would love there to be another book !!!
an honest arc review ✎ (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈) ༉‧ ♡*.✧
oh i DEVOURED this!! a dark academia for a university of magic with a creative, unique magic system, enemies/rivals to lovers, stars and magic and deals with gods, a grecian epic. dark, mysterious, eerie and yet intensely clever and striking.
claudia is a perfectly imperfect protagonist who has flaws but fights and claws her way into this new world to claim the place she desires in it. the chemistry between her and cassius is INSANE, when they realize that the venom between them is really sparks for something greater 🤌🏼
“...if I can’t keep you safe, I don’t deserve to keep you at all.”
CASSIUS IS NEW TOP TIER BOOK BF OMG.
it was refreshing to read something very inspired by grecian epics more than its mythology, even extending to greek philosophy and rhetoric. it does give you a run for your money to sit in claudia and cassius's rhetoric class and try to keep up with the logic philosophy, but it's also so rewarding when it all comes together. the magic systems and the lore of the gods was so clever and innovative.
engaging, exciting, fantastical, i was racing through this hungry to see what would happen next, constantly kept on my toes at turns.
“What is the greatest reason for punishing the gods?” “Punishment is a cure. Without it, gods become devils.”
i think the end fits the grecian epic theme so perfectly but oh i would love there to be another book !!!
an honest arc review ✎ (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈) ༉‧ ♡*.✧
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh my god.
special thanks to the author and netgalley for an arc!
special thanks to the author and netgalley for an arc!
April 14, 2026
I am such a sucker for any kind of dark academia. I love it, it’s one of my first loves and my truest. It has so rarely let me down. The idea of magic and school together… SOLD. And this one starts out strong with a truly unique magic system based on schools of study, ruled by gods and kept secret except to those with the ability to perceive them. It’s rigorous and scholarly, so much so that some of the class lectures detailed for the Rhetoric group had my head spinning. It was refreshing to see a different magic system than the usual go-tos when it comes to dark academia.
Unfortunately that is where it fell apart for me. While the magic system was truly different, the rest of the narrative isn’t as well-thought out. The main character, Claudia, was a particular issue for me. I couldn’t decide whether I liked her or hated her. And honestly, I’m not sure the author was sure either. She would be cold and almost heartless in one scene, and then filled with lust in another. She was unpredictable, but also borderline unstable. It made it difficult to relate to her and want her to succeed in her task. In fact, it seemed like everyone in this book is more unhinged than not. The back and forth/hot and cold of the characters took away from my enjoyment of the book.
There was a large component of the relationship between Claudia and Cassius that bothered me. They went from hating each other's guts, literally wanted the other dead to entering into a dom/sub relationship within a chapter. One conversion around boundaries (which I noted did include the addition of a safe word that neither one of them discussed or agreed to prior to entering into this relationship) does not model a healthy, kink-positive lifestyle. There’s a huge level of trust and love that has to be present in that type of relationship, you’re holding someone at a vulnerable point and they are trusting that when they say to stop, you will. You can’t bring hate or even loathing into it or it becomes abuse. Full stop. I’m all for kink inclusiveness and sex-positivity in books, but please, if you’re going to portray this type of relationship, make it correct. It really bothered me, and while I realize it may not be a sticking point for some, it might matter a lot for others.
And I’ll say this, I am a mood reader. Sometimes the right book hits at the right time, and it works. Sometimes it’s the right book and the wrong time. That may be the case for this one, and I’m open to trying it again in the future. It could very well be the right time and right book for you.
An Arcane Study of Stars hits shelves April 28.
Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for the eARC and opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately that is where it fell apart for me. While the magic system was truly different, the rest of the narrative isn’t as well-thought out. The main character, Claudia, was a particular issue for me. I couldn’t decide whether I liked her or hated her. And honestly, I’m not sure the author was sure either. She would be cold and almost heartless in one scene, and then filled with lust in another. She was unpredictable, but also borderline unstable. It made it difficult to relate to her and want her to succeed in her task. In fact, it seemed like everyone in this book is more unhinged than not. The back and forth/hot and cold of the characters took away from my enjoyment of the book.
There was a large component of the relationship between Claudia and Cassius that bothered me. They went from hating each other's guts, literally wanted the other dead to entering into a dom/sub relationship within a chapter. One conversion around boundaries (which I noted did include the addition of a safe word that neither one of them discussed or agreed to prior to entering into this relationship) does not model a healthy, kink-positive lifestyle. There’s a huge level of trust and love that has to be present in that type of relationship, you’re holding someone at a vulnerable point and they are trusting that when they say to stop, you will. You can’t bring hate or even loathing into it or it becomes abuse. Full stop. I’m all for kink inclusiveness and sex-positivity in books, but please, if you’re going to portray this type of relationship, make it correct. It really bothered me, and while I realize it may not be a sticking point for some, it might matter a lot for others.
And I’ll say this, I am a mood reader. Sometimes the right book hits at the right time, and it works. Sometimes it’s the right book and the wrong time. That may be the case for this one, and I’m open to trying it again in the future. It could very well be the right time and right book for you.
An Arcane Study of Stars hits shelves April 28.
Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for the eARC and opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 7, 2026
I was into this, until the two main characters all of a sudden stop being being enemies and are just randomly thrown into a BDSM relationship together? lol what was that??
May 14, 2026
I'm too old for this
May 12, 2026
Review of advance Digital copy received from NetGalley
thank you to netgalley and orbit books for the arc!
Okay , The story begins with the MFC, who faces several problems , including the loss of her mother and a father who is a gambler, has lost all his money, and is in debt. He wants to force his 23-year-old daughter to marry a 60-year-old man to solve his financial problems .She loves books, but since she can't afford to buy them, she goes to the library from time to time to read another chapter. One day, she is drawn to a book as if it were calling to her, and the woman who owns the library, whose brother recently passed away, She tried to convince the elderly woman that she desperately wanted to buy the book, and after some persuasion, she was agrees to give it to her In one case only, which is if she apply to Cygnus University, and from here her world begins to change.
I loved the first quarter of the book but then I becomes a little confusing from a world ruled by gods and magic, the characters weren't convincing to me, and I disliked the MFC relationship with MMC. She intensely hated the MMC, then in the blink of an eye, lust and desire consumed her, and she desperately wanted him. She doesn't mind violence, humiliation, or choke , if you know what I mean.(this is not for me )
Also, the characters' conversations were very philosophical, which bored me and made me lose interest.
There were good elements in the story, but it became a bit chaotic for me.
What this book contains: A blend of dark academia, dark romance, and magic.
thank you to netgalley and orbit books for the arc!
Okay , The story begins with the MFC, who faces several problems , including the loss of her mother and a father who is a gambler, has lost all his money, and is in debt. He wants to force his 23-year-old daughter to marry a 60-year-old man to solve his financial problems .She loves books, but since she can't afford to buy them, she goes to the library from time to time to read another chapter. One day, she is drawn to a book as if it were calling to her, and the woman who owns the library, whose brother recently passed away, She tried to convince the elderly woman that she desperately wanted to buy the book, and after some persuasion, she was agrees to give it to her In one case only, which is if she apply to Cygnus University, and from here her world begins to change.
I loved the first quarter of the book but then I becomes a little confusing from a world ruled by gods and magic, the characters weren't convincing to me, and I disliked the MFC relationship with MMC. She intensely hated the MMC, then in the blink of an eye, lust and desire consumed her, and she desperately wanted him. She doesn't mind violence, humiliation, or choke , if you know what I mean.(this is not for me )
Also, the characters' conversations were very philosophical, which bored me and made me lose interest.
There were good elements in the story, but it became a bit chaotic for me.
What this book contains: A blend of dark academia, dark romance, and magic.
May 14, 2026
Every once in a while I read a book and I'm reminded why I love the fantasy genre so much - this is that kind of book. The writing was exceptional and magical while also being dark and gritty. These characters were written as complex, flawed individuals that had me questioning my feelings for them at every turn. The dark academia delivers on both aesthetics and vibes as well as the secrets, murder mystery and touches of secret society that I love. The magic system was unique and interesting with aspects of astronomy, language, music, mathematics, botany and more.
I did enjoy the rivals to loves romance however, the romance is also why this isn't getting 5 stars from me. The inclusion of some light bdsm and dom/sub dynamic was a welcome surprise for me but it fell short in its execution. I loved the idea of these scholarly rivals engaging in some debauchery behind closed doors however, it did feel out of place and random and I felt there was no consistency in this supposed dynamic. The inclusion of bdsm felt half-baked and I wish the author would have fully committed.
I *think* this is a standalone and the ending did feel a bit abrupt for me, I would have liked just a little more but I'm sure this was intentional to leave things open for the reader. Having a more definitive ending is just personal preference.
"Is this a dream? she asks. The voice presses itself to her ear and warms the side of her face. "This is a nightmare, which is always more exciting, isn't it?"
Highly recommend this one!
I received an eARC from Orbit books via Netgalley. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
I did enjoy the rivals to loves romance however, the romance is also why this isn't getting 5 stars from me. The inclusion of some light bdsm and dom/sub dynamic was a welcome surprise for me but it fell short in its execution. I loved the idea of these scholarly rivals engaging in some debauchery behind closed doors however, it did feel out of place and random and I felt there was no consistency in this supposed dynamic. The inclusion of bdsm felt half-baked and I wish the author would have fully committed.
I *think* this is a standalone and the ending did feel a bit abrupt for me, I would have liked just a little more but I'm sure this was intentional to leave things open for the reader. Having a more definitive ending is just personal preference.
"Is this a dream? she asks. The voice presses itself to her ear and warms the side of her face. "This is a nightmare, which is always more exciting, isn't it?"
Highly recommend this one!
I received an eARC from Orbit books via Netgalley. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
June 1, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
i have conflicting feelings about this!
on one hand, i genuinely found the plot, the setting, the academic elements, etc. to be compelling throughout. i also, as an academic girlie, appreciated the interdisciplinary aspects that were introduced later.
however, the romance...was not my cup of tea. it begins as enemies (which felt a little extra imo) and then they enter into a BDSM relationship randomly, which was incredibly jarring. their progression into their relationship didn't feel organic, so i didn't find myself rooting for them much.
however, i genuinely really liked the ending of this. overall, a cool read that im glad i experienced.
**thank you to Orbit for the ARC copy**
i have conflicting feelings about this!
on one hand, i genuinely found the plot, the setting, the academic elements, etc. to be compelling throughout. i also, as an academic girlie, appreciated the interdisciplinary aspects that were introduced later.
however, the romance...was not my cup of tea. it begins as enemies (which felt a little extra imo) and then they enter into a BDSM relationship randomly, which was incredibly jarring. their progression into their relationship didn't feel organic, so i didn't find myself rooting for them much.
however, i genuinely really liked the ending of this. overall, a cool read that im glad i experienced.
**thank you to Orbit for the ARC copy**
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
May 20, 2026
This was incredible! It was such a cool dark academia romance-fantasy.
This book reminds me a lot of "To Shape a Dragon Breath" in terms of pacing, exploration of the magic system, and the school setting. I love that the author chose to explore the magic system from an academic perspective instead of simply having characters wield magic without understanding its foundational principles. It takes a lot of work to become a strong and knowledgeable witch.
Even though the book is somewhat predictable and I knew who the villain was, I thought the reveal was exceptionally well done and clever, without falling into the trap of a typical villain monologue.
The rivals-to-lovers romance was executed brilliantly. I felt so many emotions while reading about these two characters. I also appreciated that the intimate scenes were a thoughtful representation of BDSM, handled with care, respect, and boundaries.
All the side characters had distinct personalities. They weren't just background figures; they felt like main characters in their own right. They reminded me of the characters in "The Secret History."
The audiobook experience enhanced it even more, so thank you to Hachette Audio for the audiobook ARC!
This book reminds me a lot of "To Shape a Dragon Breath" in terms of pacing, exploration of the magic system, and the school setting. I love that the author chose to explore the magic system from an academic perspective instead of simply having characters wield magic without understanding its foundational principles. It takes a lot of work to become a strong and knowledgeable witch.
Even though the book is somewhat predictable and I knew who the villain was, I thought the reveal was exceptionally well done and clever, without falling into the trap of a typical villain monologue.
The rivals-to-lovers romance was executed brilliantly. I felt so many emotions while reading about these two characters. I also appreciated that the intimate scenes were a thoughtful representation of BDSM, handled with care, respect, and boundaries.
All the side characters had distinct personalities. They weren't just background figures; they felt like main characters in their own right. They reminded me of the characters in "The Secret History."
The audiobook experience enhanced it even more, so thank you to Hachette Audio for the audiobook ARC!
Did Not Finish
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!!
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.
May 6, 2026
I really loved this one. The magic system was SO cool, it’s tied to constellations and celestial magic, and it felt really unique without ever being confusing.
I also loved how the book handled philosophy. There are a lot of deeper discussions and references woven in, but it never felt overwhelming or like it slowed the story down. It actually made everything more interesting and added a layer of depth I don’t usually get.
The academy setting was done really well too and we actually see them learning, competing, and existing in that space, which made it feel super immersive.
And the romance?? SO GOOD. The tension was there, the rivals-to-lovers hit perfectly, and just a heads up, it’s definitely spicy and that ENDING!!!!
Overall, such an addictive read with a unique magic system, strong dark academia vibes, and characters. I was fully invested in this one.
Audiobook update! Yes I did a reread already with the audiobook it was nicely done.
I also loved how the book handled philosophy. There are a lot of deeper discussions and references woven in, but it never felt overwhelming or like it slowed the story down. It actually made everything more interesting and added a layer of depth I don’t usually get.
The academy setting was done really well too and we actually see them learning, competing, and existing in that space, which made it feel super immersive.
And the romance?? SO GOOD. The tension was there, the rivals-to-lovers hit perfectly, and just a heads up, it’s definitely spicy and that ENDING!!!!
Overall, such an addictive read with a unique magic system, strong dark academia vibes, and characters. I was fully invested in this one.
Audiobook update! Yes I did a reread already with the audiobook it was nicely done.
February 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing an early copy of this book.
This one took me a little while to fully settle into. I wasn’t completely hooked until around the 25% mark, but once it grabbed me, it really grabbed me. From that point on, I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading the majority of it in a 24-hour span.
The writing is genuinely beautiful — atmospheric, lyrical, and immersive. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was compelling and added strong emotional tension throughout the story. The character interactions were one of my favorite parts once the pacing found its rhythm.
That said, I do wish the atmosphere — especially the school setting — had been expanded on more. The foundation was there for something incredible, and honestly, this would have made an excellent series. There was so much potential in the world and academic environment that I would have loved to see explored more deeply.
The spice level was a bit overwhelming for my personal preference as a reader. I skipped most of those scenes, which didn’t detract from the overall plot for me, but it’s worth noting for readers who are sensitive to that element.
Overall, once the story hit its stride, it was hard to step away from. Beautiful prose, strong romantic tension, and a gripping second half made this a memorable read for me.
This one took me a little while to fully settle into. I wasn’t completely hooked until around the 25% mark, but once it grabbed me, it really grabbed me. From that point on, I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading the majority of it in a 24-hour span.
The writing is genuinely beautiful — atmospheric, lyrical, and immersive. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was compelling and added strong emotional tension throughout the story. The character interactions were one of my favorite parts once the pacing found its rhythm.
That said, I do wish the atmosphere — especially the school setting — had been expanded on more. The foundation was there for something incredible, and honestly, this would have made an excellent series. There was so much potential in the world and academic environment that I would have loved to see explored more deeply.
The spice level was a bit overwhelming for my personal preference as a reader. I skipped most of those scenes, which didn’t detract from the overall plot for me, but it’s worth noting for readers who are sensitive to that element.
Overall, once the story hit its stride, it was hard to step away from. Beautiful prose, strong romantic tension, and a gripping second half made this a memorable read for me.
May 1, 2026
✨️ Dark Academia
🐍 Found Family
✨️ Rivals to Lovers
🐍 Witches + Gods
✨️ Celestial Magic
My feelings about this book are somewhat conflicted because there were aspects and elements in the story that completely captivated me, while others fell short. Overall, it was a great Dark Academia read with just a hint of spice.
Claudia is caught between a rock and a hard place. She lives with a father who gambled away everything they own after the loss of her mother, and now she will be forced to marry an old decrepit man so her father can be rid of her. She strikes a bargain with a mysterious demon on the night before her wedding to gain acceptance to Cygnus University—the school of her dreams—that had previously denied her admission.
First of all, I adore an animal sidekick and Bishop steals the show—I love him. I loved the celestial magic aspect, as well as the historic dark academia vibe. There's murder mystery, rivalry, forbidden magic and a little bit of spice all blended into this story. Some segments had me feeling completely captivated—like I was turning the pages quickly, and other segments felt like they had a bit of a lull in the story development.
I loved the mystery elements but felt that some plot developments were too easily resolved, cheapening my previous excitement and feeling anticlimactic. While I enjoyed the character dynamics, the relationships between the characters sometimes felt stilted. There was a little bit of a D/S dynamic here that had me screaming, but it does come a little bit out of left field (Although, NGL it had me glued to the page). The love story itself feels a bit forced.
Going off the vibes alone, this is a 4-star read. If I start to think too hard about the dynamics and plot rollout it doesn't have that same grit.
Also, we need to talk about the ending because honestly, I am crashing out. I need to know ASAP whether this is going to be expanded or if it's a standalone but either way, I'm invested.
Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC of this book. All thoughts and feedback contained within this review are my own.
🐍 Found Family
✨️ Rivals to Lovers
🐍 Witches + Gods
✨️ Celestial Magic
My feelings about this book are somewhat conflicted because there were aspects and elements in the story that completely captivated me, while others fell short. Overall, it was a great Dark Academia read with just a hint of spice.
Claudia is caught between a rock and a hard place. She lives with a father who gambled away everything they own after the loss of her mother, and now she will be forced to marry an old decrepit man so her father can be rid of her. She strikes a bargain with a mysterious demon on the night before her wedding to gain acceptance to Cygnus University—the school of her dreams—that had previously denied her admission.
First of all, I adore an animal sidekick and Bishop steals the show—I love him. I loved the celestial magic aspect, as well as the historic dark academia vibe. There's murder mystery, rivalry, forbidden magic and a little bit of spice all blended into this story. Some segments had me feeling completely captivated—like I was turning the pages quickly, and other segments felt like they had a bit of a lull in the story development.
I loved the mystery elements but felt that some plot developments were too easily resolved, cheapening my previous excitement and feeling anticlimactic. While I enjoyed the character dynamics, the relationships between the characters sometimes felt stilted. There was a little bit of a D/S dynamic here that had me screaming, but it does come a little bit out of left field (Although, NGL it had me glued to the page). The love story itself feels a bit forced.
Going off the vibes alone, this is a 4-star read. If I start to think too hard about the dynamics and plot rollout it doesn't have that same grit.
Also, we need to talk about the ending because honestly, I am crashing out. I need to know ASAP whether this is going to be expanded or if it's a standalone but either way, I'm invested.
Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC of this book. All thoughts and feedback contained within this review are my own.
May 11, 2026
Words can’t do justice to how lush, intense and gorgeously atmospheric this was!
From the mysterious gods, the occult university they preside over and the secrets surrounding missing god, Sidarphion. To the chemistry laden dynamics between Claudia (our FMC), her rival Cassius, and demon Dorian (who she bargains with.) Sydney J. Shield’s prose had me utterly obsessed!
If you love university settings or Dark Academia aesthetics, then you’ll be pleased to know both are explored really well here. Adding a simmering level of tension to our characters (their experiences, motivations and emotional struggles) that I found so immersive.
There’s a hint of Ninth House and The Atlas Six in the secret society aspects. As well as Babel (in its academic dialogue and rivalries) and Addie LaRue (in Claudia’s Faustian bargain) which, when combined, made this such a layered and compelling read.
I especially loved exploring Claudia’s character and how quickly she had to adapt to this new, more challenging environment. But I was slightly disappointed we didn’t delve as deeply into her past or the magical disciplines (beyond Rhetoric and Astrologia) as I would’ve liked. But, I did enjoy seeing her build friendships and learn what trust, love and support can feel like.
The mystery aspect was really good too. But as an enemies to lovers fan, I adored Claudia and Cassius’s dynamics the most (though her ties to the ever lurking Dorian were also intriguing.) And what starts as an intense rivalry, soon becomes a swoon-worthy relationship tied to their darker desires (of power, submission and dominance). I was hooked!
Overall, an insatiably complex and addictive read (with an ending that has me eager for more) that fans of Historical, Dark Academia Fantasy, or the enemies to lovers trope (who don’t mind a little BDSM) should consider giving a try. But do check TWs first.
Also, thanks to Nazia & Orbit UK for the stunning HB copy.
From the mysterious gods, the occult university they preside over and the secrets surrounding missing god, Sidarphion. To the chemistry laden dynamics between Claudia (our FMC), her rival Cassius, and demon Dorian (who she bargains with.) Sydney J. Shield’s prose had me utterly obsessed!
If you love university settings or Dark Academia aesthetics, then you’ll be pleased to know both are explored really well here. Adding a simmering level of tension to our characters (their experiences, motivations and emotional struggles) that I found so immersive.
There’s a hint of Ninth House and The Atlas Six in the secret society aspects. As well as Babel (in its academic dialogue and rivalries) and Addie LaRue (in Claudia’s Faustian bargain) which, when combined, made this such a layered and compelling read.
I especially loved exploring Claudia’s character and how quickly she had to adapt to this new, more challenging environment. But I was slightly disappointed we didn’t delve as deeply into her past or the magical disciplines (beyond Rhetoric and Astrologia) as I would’ve liked. But, I did enjoy seeing her build friendships and learn what trust, love and support can feel like.
The mystery aspect was really good too. But as an enemies to lovers fan, I adored Claudia and Cassius’s dynamics the most (though her ties to the ever lurking Dorian were also intriguing.) And what starts as an intense rivalry, soon becomes a swoon-worthy relationship tied to their darker desires (of power, submission and dominance). I was hooked!
Overall, an insatiably complex and addictive read (with an ending that has me eager for more) that fans of Historical, Dark Academia Fantasy, or the enemies to lovers trope (who don’t mind a little BDSM) should consider giving a try. But do check TWs first.
Also, thanks to Nazia & Orbit UK for the stunning HB copy.
May 21, 2026
This story is everything you want from a dark academy fantasy! The magic and god hierarchy is interesting and unique, the mystery over the students being murdered is intriguing, and the characters are both likable as well as suspiciously dislikable.
The narrator was fantastic with her storytelling. There were times she made the main character seem whiny, but I think that was because the character had immature moments. There was a lot growth as the story went on that had you cheering for the characters as well as clenching your chest worried for their outcome and choices.
Highly recommend!
The narrator was fantastic with her storytelling. There were times she made the main character seem whiny, but I think that was because the character had immature moments. There was a lot growth as the story went on that had you cheering for the characters as well as clenching your chest worried for their outcome and choices.
Highly recommend!
May 17, 2026
[3.5 stars]
An Arcane Study of Stars took me completely by surprise. I had a silly fun time with it and also raised my blood pressure multiple times through out the book. Deliciously sexy and lush world. That ending though? Diabolical. Praying and on my knees for a sequel!
An Arcane Study of Stars took me completely by surprise. I had a silly fun time with it and also raised my blood pressure multiple times through out the book. Deliciously sexy and lush world. That ending though? Diabolical. Praying and on my knees for a sequel!
April 28, 2026
Firstly, thank you so much to Sydney, NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for this ARC ✨
5 is not enough stars for this book in all honesty.
I came into it with an open mind and an open heart, and it absolutely did not disappoint, Sydney has such a way with words, and every twist and turn I really did not see coming (which, as a fantasy reader, is quite a feat).
The mixture of the academia, the magic, the spice (hello??!) and the heart wrenching feeling of lost and love, in all forms… it was all portrayed so beautifully and I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it since I read the first page.
The FMC was smart, strong, and didn’t lose any of who she was along the way - something I tend to find in a lot of romantasy - and it was really refreshing to see and read.
I’ve already preached to my book club about how great this is, and I’m absolutely not going to stop - it’s the top read of the year for me so far.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 is not enough stars for this book in all honesty.
I came into it with an open mind and an open heart, and it absolutely did not disappoint, Sydney has such a way with words, and every twist and turn I really did not see coming (which, as a fantasy reader, is quite a feat).
The mixture of the academia, the magic, the spice (hello??!) and the heart wrenching feeling of lost and love, in all forms… it was all portrayed so beautifully and I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it since I read the first page.
The FMC was smart, strong, and didn’t lose any of who she was along the way - something I tend to find in a lot of romantasy - and it was really refreshing to see and read.
I’ve already preached to my book club about how great this is, and I’m absolutely not going to stop - it’s the top read of the year for me so far.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 12, 2026
3.5 🌟
Dark academia had me instantly interested. It was pretty good, but not quite what I hoped for.
The magic was unique, but the romance was not. The relationship went from we hate each other to we can't possibly be separated with the turn of a page. I won't yuck anyone's yum, but the activities they dally in did not feel authentic to me.
The pace was a little on the slower side and the ending felt abrupt. It was an interesting twist that I wish there was more of.
The audio was done really well. Even if the book itself isn't quite for me I thought the narrator kept a great pace and had enough emotion and pitch changes to separate characters.
Thank you Hatchette audio for the gift.
Dark academia had me instantly interested. It was pretty good, but not quite what I hoped for.
The magic was unique, but the romance was not. The relationship went from we hate each other to we can't possibly be separated with the turn of a page. I won't yuck anyone's yum, but the activities they dally in did not feel authentic to me.
The pace was a little on the slower side and the ending felt abrupt. It was an interesting twist that I wish there was more of.
The audio was done really well. Even if the book itself isn't quite for me I thought the narrator kept a great pace and had enough emotion and pitch changes to separate characters.
Thank you Hatchette audio for the gift.
May 3, 2026
| rating: 3.75 ★
what do you mean this is a standalone?? after THAT ending??
--
Claudia Joliceur longs for a life away from her controlling father. A bright young woman, she has always dreamed of going to a university, but instead her hand is sold in marriage to a wealthy old man. A chance encounter at her favorite bookstore introduces her to Cygnus Academy, a school where talented minds learn to harness their desires into magic. Claudia, who has always had a connection with the stars, applies for a place in the Astrologia department, but is rejected after learning that Astrologia has been denounced as a discipline.
Still desperate for an escape, Claudia makes a deal with a man she meets in the Realm of Nightmares, a devil who takes a bite out of her soul for their bargain. Dorian will help her get into Cygnus, if she can use what she learns to help him escape the Realm of Nightmares. Claudia learns that Cygnus isn’t as enchanting as she thought. Faced with the judgment of her peers, Claudia struggles to fit in at Cygnus, especially with her newfound rival, Cassius MacLeod, breathing down her neck.
An Arcane Study of Stars doesn’t redefine the fantasy dark academia subgenre. In fact, it is an almost messy amalgamation of R.F. Kuang’s Babel, Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, and M.L. Rio’s If We Were Villains. There was a lot of potential and the execution wasn't the best, but I find that the good outweighed the bad.
The magical systems were so interesting. The rhetoric system reminded me a little bit of Babel, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like the astrology one before. The concept of combining constellations, which have specific meanings, to create spells was frankly ingenious. I wish we had a little more time actually learning magic. There was a lot of communing with the gods and long monologues discussing rhetoric ideas, but not a lot of casting spells and learning how to cast spells.
This is also incredibly focused on the romance aspect of the book, which I don’t particularly mind. However, the random discussions of BDSM kind of took me out of the story a little bit.
Character-wise, they were interesting but not particularly fleshed out. Claudia is your typical gifted and talented burnout, who finds out she’s completely out of her league when she starts at Cygnus. Cassius is the rich smart guy who doesn’t actually hate her and has a tragic background. Dorian is the evil guy who is supposed to occupy the same niche as the Darkling from Shadow and Bone—that is, the bad boy romantic interest who is actually evil but also capable of love/obsession.
Overall, I think it was a healthy mix of new/innovative and incredibly cliche. I really enjoyed it and I hope that this isn’t just a standalone. I liked the concept of humans ascending into gods and I want to know more about Dorian and the original gods!
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for the e-ARC!
what do you mean this is a standalone?? after THAT ending??
--
Claudia Joliceur longs for a life away from her controlling father. A bright young woman, she has always dreamed of going to a university, but instead her hand is sold in marriage to a wealthy old man. A chance encounter at her favorite bookstore introduces her to Cygnus Academy, a school where talented minds learn to harness their desires into magic. Claudia, who has always had a connection with the stars, applies for a place in the Astrologia department, but is rejected after learning that Astrologia has been denounced as a discipline.
Still desperate for an escape, Claudia makes a deal with a man she meets in the Realm of Nightmares, a devil who takes a bite out of her soul for their bargain. Dorian will help her get into Cygnus, if she can use what she learns to help him escape the Realm of Nightmares. Claudia learns that Cygnus isn’t as enchanting as she thought. Faced with the judgment of her peers, Claudia struggles to fit in at Cygnus, especially with her newfound rival, Cassius MacLeod, breathing down her neck.
An Arcane Study of Stars doesn’t redefine the fantasy dark academia subgenre. In fact, it is an almost messy amalgamation of R.F. Kuang’s Babel, Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, and M.L. Rio’s If We Were Villains. There was a lot of potential and the execution wasn't the best, but I find that the good outweighed the bad.
The magical systems were so interesting. The rhetoric system reminded me a little bit of Babel, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like the astrology one before. The concept of combining constellations, which have specific meanings, to create spells was frankly ingenious. I wish we had a little more time actually learning magic. There was a lot of communing with the gods and long monologues discussing rhetoric ideas, but not a lot of casting spells and learning how to cast spells.
This is also incredibly focused on the romance aspect of the book, which I don’t particularly mind. However, the random discussions of BDSM kind of took me out of the story a little bit.
Character-wise, they were interesting but not particularly fleshed out. Claudia is your typical gifted and talented burnout, who finds out she’s completely out of her league when she starts at Cygnus. Cassius is the rich smart guy who doesn’t actually hate her and has a tragic background. Dorian is the evil guy who is supposed to occupy the same niche as the Darkling from Shadow and Bone—that is, the bad boy romantic interest who is actually evil but also capable of love/obsession.
Overall, I think it was a healthy mix of new/innovative and incredibly cliche. I really enjoyed it and I hope that this isn’t just a standalone. I liked the concept of humans ascending into gods and I want to know more about Dorian and the original gods!
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for the e-ARC!
May 17, 2026
a little unsure on this, my feelings are a bit contradicting
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