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Arcadia Academy #1
An Arcane Education
Magic. Wealth. Beauty. Reputation.
Here, all of them amount to the one thing everyone desires: Power.
Welcome to Arcadia Academy. Trust no one.
The day I’m attacked is the day I discover magic is real – and I have the power to wield it.
Two days after the incident, I receive an invitation to the graduate program at Arcadia Academy, an elite, mysterious school of magic hidden on an island somewhere off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. With the courage to finally leave behind the mundane life of responsibility I never asked for, I enroll at the prestigious institution, determined to find my place and prove myself.
Unfortunately, my goal isn’t as simple as it seems. New to the world of magic, years behind my classmates, and struggling to control my powers, I’m barely surviving – until the strict, enigmatic, and devastatingly handsome Professor Alaric Vale offers to tutor me. But the longer we spend together, the harder it becomes to deny the forbidden spark burning between us.
Furthermore, not everything is as it seems at Arcadia Academy, with its crawling ivy, ancient stone buildings, and dense forests shrouded in fog. Everyone has secrets to hide, some darker than others. Darker still are the strange plant aberrations occurring in the depths of the forest – ones seemingly related to Professor Vale’s suspicious top-secret research.
When my personal investigations lead to me becoming the talk of campus as a primary suspect in another student’s death, I’m forced to prove my innocence, all while learning to control my magic, concealing the secrets I share with Professor Vale, and uncovering a shocking mystery related to my own past.
An Arcane Education is a dark academia romance with fantasy elements, a slow burn professor/student relationship, atmospheric gothic vibes, and found family. Perfect for fans of Keri Lake's Nocticadia, RuNyx's Gothikana, and Autumn Woods' Nightshade.
Here, all of them amount to the one thing everyone desires: Power.
Welcome to Arcadia Academy. Trust no one.
The day I’m attacked is the day I discover magic is real – and I have the power to wield it.
Two days after the incident, I receive an invitation to the graduate program at Arcadia Academy, an elite, mysterious school of magic hidden on an island somewhere off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. With the courage to finally leave behind the mundane life of responsibility I never asked for, I enroll at the prestigious institution, determined to find my place and prove myself.
Unfortunately, my goal isn’t as simple as it seems. New to the world of magic, years behind my classmates, and struggling to control my powers, I’m barely surviving – until the strict, enigmatic, and devastatingly handsome Professor Alaric Vale offers to tutor me. But the longer we spend together, the harder it becomes to deny the forbidden spark burning between us.
Furthermore, not everything is as it seems at Arcadia Academy, with its crawling ivy, ancient stone buildings, and dense forests shrouded in fog. Everyone has secrets to hide, some darker than others. Darker still are the strange plant aberrations occurring in the depths of the forest – ones seemingly related to Professor Vale’s suspicious top-secret research.
When my personal investigations lead to me becoming the talk of campus as a primary suspect in another student’s death, I’m forced to prove my innocence, all while learning to control my magic, concealing the secrets I share with Professor Vale, and uncovering a shocking mystery related to my own past.
An Arcane Education is a dark academia romance with fantasy elements, a slow burn professor/student relationship, atmospheric gothic vibes, and found family. Perfect for fans of Keri Lake's Nocticadia, RuNyx's Gothikana, and Autumn Woods' Nightshade.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2026
About the author
Lyla Andrews
15 books130 followersLyla Andrews is a romance author who writes steamy stories with relatable heroines. She has a B.S.Ed in English Education and a M.S. in Instructional Design.
When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, baking, gardening, or working on one of her many art projects.
Lyla currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and their feisty black cat. You can find her on social media at @LylaAndrewsAuthor
When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, baking, gardening, or working on one of her many art projects.
Lyla currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and their feisty black cat. You can find her on social media at @LylaAndrewsAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
July 25, 2026
4,5⭐
"If you don't believe magic is real, then you're never going to be looking for signs of it and may even actively ignore them."
This book was a real discovery. Now I need more dark academias and more plants, because it turns out I absolutely love it when you put plants into the mix.🌱
"It's always been fascinating to me how the same plants can be medicinal, magical, or lethal depending on how they're used."
The way it starts makes you already want to keep reading right away and once the main character, Vivian, arrives at Arcadia Academy, I was completely immersed in everything, even the classes, and some of them reminded me of the stress of university exams.😅
The whole vibe of the Academy is a fantasy itself; I constantly wanted Vivian to discover new corners of the buildings and the island. The mistery surrounding it, along with the things she goes discovering about her father, adds that dark, unsettling touch of dark academia I love so much.
I also love the aspect of the different Affinities of magic. We see Vivian working on her Affinity, Naturalism, in a bit more depth, and I would have liked to learn more about the others, though I imagine we'll see about that in the upcoming books.
"Magic is dangerous, and the world at large isn't ready for the knowledge that it exists. Those of us entrusted with this power have a responsability to protect that secret."
I was totally living for the relationship between Vivian and Alaric, literally all the time, and when something finally happened, there I was all happy for them. It's true that I would have liked to see one or two chapters from his point of view, even if I loved Vivian's pov.
Furthermore, the friendship that goes on between the five girls is really lovely, they are the perfect group together; I really loved that found family touch.
"If you don't believe you can do something, it'll become a self-fulfilling prophecy. As simple as it sounds, trust yourself to succeed and the rest will come easier."
Finally, I did see all the plot twists coming from the start, except for one, though that didn't make the experience any less intense for me.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what becomes of all of them during the next months on the Academy and what else we'll discover; and to learn more about Max, since she's one of my favourite characters.
Thanks to the author, Lyla Andrews, for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
"If you don't believe magic is real, then you're never going to be looking for signs of it and may even actively ignore them."
This book was a real discovery. Now I need more dark academias and more plants, because it turns out I absolutely love it when you put plants into the mix.🌱
"It's always been fascinating to me how the same plants can be medicinal, magical, or lethal depending on how they're used."
The way it starts makes you already want to keep reading right away and once the main character, Vivian, arrives at Arcadia Academy, I was completely immersed in everything, even the classes, and some of them reminded me of the stress of university exams.😅
The whole vibe of the Academy is a fantasy itself; I constantly wanted Vivian to discover new corners of the buildings and the island. The mistery surrounding it, along with the things she goes discovering about her father, adds that dark, unsettling touch of dark academia I love so much.
I also love the aspect of the different Affinities of magic. We see Vivian working on her Affinity, Naturalism, in a bit more depth, and I would have liked to learn more about the others, though I imagine we'll see about that in the upcoming books.
"Magic is dangerous, and the world at large isn't ready for the knowledge that it exists. Those of us entrusted with this power have a responsability to protect that secret."
I was totally living for the relationship between Vivian and Alaric, literally all the time, and when something finally happened, there I was all happy for them. It's true that I would have liked to see one or two chapters from his point of view, even if I loved Vivian's pov.
Furthermore, the friendship that goes on between the five girls is really lovely, they are the perfect group together; I really loved that found family touch.
"If you don't believe you can do something, it'll become a self-fulfilling prophecy. As simple as it sounds, trust yourself to succeed and the rest will come easier."
Finally, I did see all the plot twists coming from the start, except for one, though that didn't make the experience any less intense for me.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what becomes of all of them during the next months on the Academy and what else we'll discover; and to learn more about Max, since she's one of my favourite characters.
Thanks to the author, Lyla Andrews, for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
July 8, 2026
Damn. I hadn’t read a book in 10 days, even though I usually read every day and then I devoured this in less than 16 hours. This reminded me exactly why I love dark academia.
I absolutely loved Vivian’s character growth. She went from putting everyone else first to finally choosing herself and standing up for herself and i absolutely love that for her. I also adored the little found family she built with the girls and AJ. They were completely ride or die for each other and I was literally smiling by the end because of their friendship.
As for Alaric, give me more academic MMCs. In a world full of morally grey shadow daddies, I need more intellectual plant daddies. He had just the right amount of mystery surrounding him and I found myself eager to learn more. I’d never read a professor x student romance before but their relationship developed naturally and I never felt like he had took advantage of his position. The tension was definitely tensioning.
One of the biggest reasons I love dark academia is the underlying mystery and this book absolutely delivered. Without spoiling anything, there was a murder and several disappearances spanning a couple decades. While we got some answers, the central mystery is still very much alive and I’m already compiling theories about what’s really happening at Arcadia.
I also really enjoyed the magic system. I loved that both main characters had plant based magic and the worldbuilding was fantastic. Lyla’s knowledge of botany really shines through, whether it’s from personal passion or extensive research. It made the magic and story feel unique and believable.
It doesn’t end on a brutal cliffhanger, but it definitely left me eager to see where this story goes next.
I absolutely loved Vivian’s character growth. She went from putting everyone else first to finally choosing herself and standing up for herself and i absolutely love that for her. I also adored the little found family she built with the girls and AJ. They were completely ride or die for each other and I was literally smiling by the end because of their friendship.
As for Alaric, give me more academic MMCs. In a world full of morally grey shadow daddies, I need more intellectual plant daddies. He had just the right amount of mystery surrounding him and I found myself eager to learn more. I’d never read a professor x student romance before but their relationship developed naturally and I never felt like he had took advantage of his position. The tension was definitely tensioning.
One of the biggest reasons I love dark academia is the underlying mystery and this book absolutely delivered. Without spoiling anything, there was a murder and several disappearances spanning a couple decades. While we got some answers, the central mystery is still very much alive and I’m already compiling theories about what’s really happening at Arcadia.
I also really enjoyed the magic system. I loved that both main characters had plant based magic and the worldbuilding was fantastic. Lyla’s knowledge of botany really shines through, whether it’s from personal passion or extensive research. It made the magic and story feel unique and believable.
It doesn’t end on a brutal cliffhanger, but it definitely left me eager to see where this story goes next.
July 12, 2026
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I’m going to be honest, I usually let indie Romantasy books gain some traction before I pick them up, as I’ve been disappointed A LOT. I read the synopsis about this one though, and I don’t know, I didn’t want to wait. I’m so glad I didn’t! I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
This is a dark academia Romantasy with a unique magic system, lyrical writing, solid world building, and a professor/student forbidden romance. It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, but not a devastating one. Still, I’m excited for book two.
What I liked so much about this was the mystery aspect. This book takes you in a lot of directions, but they’re all tied together at the end, which I really liked. At first I kind of thought, “mmm… this may be too much”, but once it all came together, it worked. Then, you have the characters. I liked them all and the “found family” aspect. I also can’t wait to find out more about some of the shadier professors. I really want to understand the hostility, because I feel like there’s going to be a twist there…
My only complaint, and it’s small to be honest, but it kept me from rating it 5 stars, was the romance. I LOVE the professor/student trope, and while I liked both the FMC and MMC in this book, I really wanted more tension and the “fighting against their feelings” kind of intensity here. That’s the best part in a forbidden romance. This one came together in a more… wholesome way… I guess that would be the only way I could describe it. It wasn’t bad, but I would have liked more here. This is single POV and maybe that made it more difficult to really extend the characters’ torment. 🤷🏼♀️
Overall, this was a super enjoyable read and I can’t wait for book 2!
4 stars!
This is a dark academia Romantasy with a unique magic system, lyrical writing, solid world building, and a professor/student forbidden romance. It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, but not a devastating one. Still, I’m excited for book two.
What I liked so much about this was the mystery aspect. This book takes you in a lot of directions, but they’re all tied together at the end, which I really liked. At first I kind of thought, “mmm… this may be too much”, but once it all came together, it worked. Then, you have the characters. I liked them all and the “found family” aspect. I also can’t wait to find out more about some of the shadier professors. I really want to understand the hostility, because I feel like there’s going to be a twist there…
My only complaint, and it’s small to be honest, but it kept me from rating it 5 stars, was the romance. I LOVE the professor/student trope, and while I liked both the FMC and MMC in this book, I really wanted more tension and the “fighting against their feelings” kind of intensity here. That’s the best part in a forbidden romance. This one came together in a more… wholesome way… I guess that would be the only way I could describe it. It wasn’t bad, but I would have liked more here. This is single POV and maybe that made it more difficult to really extend the characters’ torment. 🤷🏼♀️
Overall, this was a super enjoyable read and I can’t wait for book 2!
4 stars!
August 15, 2026
Sadly, this one did not hit for me in the ways I thought it would.
To start with the good, I did think this book nailed the academia vibes. Our FMC actually cared about her studies, we got to see her actually attend classes, there was effort put into making this a dark academia book where the character actually carries out the academia part of the story rather than spending a lot of time doing anything but.
The idea of the magic systems in this book were also promising and I think if they had been explored more I would have had a lot of enjoyment with it.
I also really appreciated Vivian, our FMCs, views of herself and pushing to do things that benefitted her rather than others, the way she had been forced to. She had real eldest daughter energy and I thought it was conveyed well.
I also think the friendship group in this had a good bit of potential, though there was not as much backstory or personality given to the characters as I would have liked to see. The foundations are there for it though.
Beyond these elements however I just really struggled to care what was happening in this book. A lot of the romance growth happened off page and we went through this book with chapters skipping days/weeks at a time. It really killed any interest I had in the potential romance and just had me annoyed when the big confessions came as it felt grounded in nothing.
I will also say, for me, the actual plot just felt a bit lacking. A large portion of this book has nothing happening beyond going to glasses and the FMC asking the same questions over and over and then a lot kicking of in the last 20 or so % of the book. Which really threw me off.
I think this book would work well for people who like books with academia vibes, female friend circles and a slower, lower stakes mystery.
To start with the good, I did think this book nailed the academia vibes. Our FMC actually cared about her studies, we got to see her actually attend classes, there was effort put into making this a dark academia book where the character actually carries out the academia part of the story rather than spending a lot of time doing anything but.
The idea of the magic systems in this book were also promising and I think if they had been explored more I would have had a lot of enjoyment with it.
I also really appreciated Vivian, our FMCs, views of herself and pushing to do things that benefitted her rather than others, the way she had been forced to. She had real eldest daughter energy and I thought it was conveyed well.
I also think the friendship group in this had a good bit of potential, though there was not as much backstory or personality given to the characters as I would have liked to see. The foundations are there for it though.
Beyond these elements however I just really struggled to care what was happening in this book. A lot of the romance growth happened off page and we went through this book with chapters skipping days/weeks at a time. It really killed any interest I had in the potential romance and just had me annoyed when the big confessions came as it felt grounded in nothing.
I will also say, for me, the actual plot just felt a bit lacking. A large portion of this book has nothing happening beyond going to glasses and the FMC asking the same questions over and over and then a lot kicking of in the last 20 or so % of the book. Which really threw me off.
I think this book would work well for people who like books with academia vibes, female friend circles and a slower, lower stakes mystery.
July 10, 2026
4.5🌟
This one absolutely tickled my fancy.
The eerie dark academia vibes were immaculate. I swear I could feel the cold, wet, rainy Pacific Northwest atmosphere seeping through the story. The academy itself gave me the perfect mix of Wednesday and Harry Potter, but with its own unique identity. The descriptions were so vivid that the beauty of the school came alive in my head.
The pacing was fantastic. Fast enough to keep me completely hooked while still taking the time to build the world and immerse you in every detail.
I absolutely adored the FMC. She felt so genuine and relatable, especially during her vulnerable moments. She was strong without being overpowered, humble without feeling weak, and her maturity in the way she handled everything really stood out. It was so refreshing to read.
And the spice? Whew… it had me panting. It definitely was quality over quantity, and I loved that.
Now I desperately need book two. I can’t wait to unravel all the mysteries this story has set up, but if I’m being honest, what I’m most excited about is getting another romance between two of the other MMCs. I am so here for it.
Thank you to the author for this ARC, I couldn’t put it down 🪴
This one absolutely tickled my fancy.
The eerie dark academia vibes were immaculate. I swear I could feel the cold, wet, rainy Pacific Northwest atmosphere seeping through the story. The academy itself gave me the perfect mix of Wednesday and Harry Potter, but with its own unique identity. The descriptions were so vivid that the beauty of the school came alive in my head.
The pacing was fantastic. Fast enough to keep me completely hooked while still taking the time to build the world and immerse you in every detail.
I absolutely adored the FMC. She felt so genuine and relatable, especially during her vulnerable moments. She was strong without being overpowered, humble without feeling weak, and her maturity in the way she handled everything really stood out. It was so refreshing to read.
And the spice? Whew… it had me panting. It definitely was quality over quantity, and I loved that.
Now I desperately need book two. I can’t wait to unravel all the mysteries this story has set up, but if I’m being honest, what I’m most excited about is getting another romance between two of the other MMCs. I am so here for it.
Thank you to the author for this ARC, I couldn’t put it down 🪴
July 20, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this ARC.
I enjoyed this story and the unique magic of the main character. The concept of having plant magic and the main character trying to learn her powers throughout the book was realistic. I liked how she is not insanely powerful and instead grows to learn more about herself and magic. One negative is that I wished there was a bit more knowledge and magic throughout the book. I also liked how the setting takes place in a dark Academia setting with a creepy forest. It really fits the plot and the mystery of the story. Something that I need to know more about is Vivian's father and her grandparents. I feel like there are so many hidden secrets waiting to be resolved and I honestly just want to bring Vivian's father back to life to learn all of them.
I enjoyed this story and the unique magic of the main character. The concept of having plant magic and the main character trying to learn her powers throughout the book was realistic. I liked how she is not insanely powerful and instead grows to learn more about herself and magic. One negative is that I wished there was a bit more knowledge and magic throughout the book. I also liked how the setting takes place in a dark Academia setting with a creepy forest. It really fits the plot and the mystery of the story. Something that I need to know more about is Vivian's father and her grandparents. I feel like there are so many hidden secrets waiting to be resolved and I honestly just want to bring Vivian's father back to life to learn all of them.
July 25, 2026
Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Ok I GOBBLED THIS UP. This was the best book I’ve read in a long while, absolute god-tier for me (and this is coming from someone who’s extremely conservative with high ratings). ⭐️🍂
The setting was dreamy with the old, dark academia buildings, constant fog and rain and a spooky forest - all surrounded by a moody ocean! Didn’t hurt that the weather here in Iceland has been similar while I was reading this - so I absolutely felt like I was at a magical school myself!
The slow burn, slightly forbidden romance felt realistic and honestly just perfect. The spice was so well written and actually a logical part of the story, not just “spice for spice’s sake”. The mysteries and secrets were brimming underneath the surface the entire book - you could sense them being just outside of your grasp and it was infuriating yet intoxicating. There were many moments where I gasped outloud and I am now telling all my friends to read this so we can discuss 🫣
I feel incredibly lucky that this is the first ARC I’ve ever read/received - and it happens to be this gem of a book! 😍 I usually don’t reread, but I have a feeling that I’ll be reading this one again some day. It is that good.
The only thing I could possibly nitpick is that the ending felt slightly rushed to me - I feel like an extra 50 or so pages would have been perfect to wrap things up. But admittedly, maybe I’m simply being selfish here because I absolutely did not want this book to end.
I will be waiting eagerly like a kid at Christmas for book nr. 2 in this series and desperately hoping one of the fantasy book subs picks this up, because this deserves a beautiful, exclusive, fancy edition!
Ok I GOBBLED THIS UP. This was the best book I’ve read in a long while, absolute god-tier for me (and this is coming from someone who’s extremely conservative with high ratings). ⭐️🍂
The setting was dreamy with the old, dark academia buildings, constant fog and rain and a spooky forest - all surrounded by a moody ocean! Didn’t hurt that the weather here in Iceland has been similar while I was reading this - so I absolutely felt like I was at a magical school myself!
The slow burn, slightly forbidden romance felt realistic and honestly just perfect. The spice was so well written and actually a logical part of the story, not just “spice for spice’s sake”. The mysteries and secrets were brimming underneath the surface the entire book - you could sense them being just outside of your grasp and it was infuriating yet intoxicating. There were many moments where I gasped outloud and I am now telling all my friends to read this so we can discuss 🫣
I feel incredibly lucky that this is the first ARC I’ve ever read/received - and it happens to be this gem of a book! 😍 I usually don’t reread, but I have a feeling that I’ll be reading this one again some day. It is that good.
The only thing I could possibly nitpick is that the ending felt slightly rushed to me - I feel like an extra 50 or so pages would have been perfect to wrap things up. But admittedly, maybe I’m simply being selfish here because I absolutely did not want this book to end.
I will be waiting eagerly like a kid at Christmas for book nr. 2 in this series and desperately hoping one of the fantasy book subs picks this up, because this deserves a beautiful, exclusive, fancy edition!
July 23, 2026
This is a review of an ARC provided by NetGalley
This book feels like the love child between Nocticadia and Nightshade and I’m IN LOVE.
Literally, this book had no right being this good. I was insanely hooked from the get-go. I read 50% of it in one sitting which is INSANE for me for an eyeball read!
There were so many aspects of this book I loved that I barely know where to start. So let’s start with the characters. Vivian’s character development is fantastic! I love when a character goes from being a caretaker to taking care of themselves. Ugh! I love the freedom for them! And she explains the guilt that comes with freedom so well! I felt like I related so much as far as freedom while being a parent even though they’re sort of different situations.
Do. Not. Get me started on our professor 😍👏🏻 yall, I’m a SUCKER for a student x prof trope which is why I picked up this book in the first place, and it absolutely delivered! He is mysterious, aloof, strict, and sliiiightly flirtatious. And don’t forget brilliant 😍 I love the reason for them being in forced prox. SUCH an organic plot move!
And the PLOT! Sheeesh the plot was plotting! So much mystery to it and I was sucked in so badly! I truly believe I could’ve read this in one sitting if I had the time. And the setting was so perfectly eerie.
Absolutely, entirely recommend! If you love student x prof, dark academia, mystery, and magic! This is for you!
This book feels like the love child between Nocticadia and Nightshade and I’m IN LOVE.
Literally, this book had no right being this good. I was insanely hooked from the get-go. I read 50% of it in one sitting which is INSANE for me for an eyeball read!
There were so many aspects of this book I loved that I barely know where to start. So let’s start with the characters. Vivian’s character development is fantastic! I love when a character goes from being a caretaker to taking care of themselves. Ugh! I love the freedom for them! And she explains the guilt that comes with freedom so well! I felt like I related so much as far as freedom while being a parent even though they’re sort of different situations.
Do. Not. Get me started on our professor 😍👏🏻 yall, I’m a SUCKER for a student x prof trope which is why I picked up this book in the first place, and it absolutely delivered! He is mysterious, aloof, strict, and sliiiightly flirtatious. And don’t forget brilliant 😍 I love the reason for them being in forced prox. SUCH an organic plot move!
And the PLOT! Sheeesh the plot was plotting! So much mystery to it and I was sucked in so badly! I truly believe I could’ve read this in one sitting if I had the time. And the setting was so perfectly eerie.
Absolutely, entirely recommend! If you love student x prof, dark academia, mystery, and magic! This is for you!
July 25, 2026
This is perfect and I need more! It was everything I wanted out of a dark academia with witchy vibes. I can not wait for book 2!
August 19, 2026
Book described in Emojis:
🌿🏛️🔮📚🖤🔍🩸
Spice:
🌶️🌶️ (open door)
Reading Mood Check:
Read this when you’re craving an eerie magical academy, unusual plant based magic, a murder mystery, found family, and a forbidden professor/student romance.
Quick Summary:
Vivian has spent years putting her family’s needs ahead of her own. After discovering she possesses magic, she accepts an invitation to attend Arcadia Academy, a secluded graduate school filled with powerful magic, secretive professors, and mysteries connected to her own past. 🔮 Already behind her classmates, Vivian begins working closely with Professor Alaric Vale while unsettling events reveal that Arcadia may be hiding far more than anyone will admit. 👀
Worldbuilding, Characters, Plot and Pacing:
The author absolutely nailed the dark academia atmosphere. Arcadia felt eerie, secretive, and immersive, and I loved discovering the academy alongside Vivian. The plant based magic was one of my favorite parts because it gave the world something distinctive while fitting the setting perfectly. 🌱 I really loved Vivian and watching her finally start choosing herself after spending so much of her life taking care of everyone else. I also adored the little found family she created at Arcadia. The murder mystery had me questioning everyone, and I loved how the author slowly built up to it without giving too much away. This book was seriously addictive, I finished it in two days because I could not stop reading. 🔍
So, if I loved it and it was addictive why the 4 stars? My biggest issue was that parts felt clunky and rushed, especially the romance. For a forbidden professor/student relationship, I expected way more tension, but too much of their development happened off page. I liked them together; I just wanted more buildup before they crossed that line. ❤️🔥
Tropes/What to Expect:
🖤 Dark academia
🏛️ Magical academy
👨🏫 Professor/student romance
🚫 Forbidden romance
🔍 Murder mystery
🌿 Plant based magic
👁️ Single POV
😬 Mild cliffhanger
Final Thoughts:
This was a really good, incredibly addictive beginning to the series. Although the pacing and romance felt rushed in places, the atmospheric setting, Vivian’s character growth, unique magic, and unfolding murder mystery kept me completely invested.
Perfect for readers who love:
Dark academia with an actual academic setting, magical schools filled with secrets, botanical magic, murder mysteries, loyal female friendships, and forbidden professor/student romance.
🌿🏛️🔮📚🖤🔍🩸
Spice:
🌶️🌶️ (open door)
Reading Mood Check:
Read this when you’re craving an eerie magical academy, unusual plant based magic, a murder mystery, found family, and a forbidden professor/student romance.
Quick Summary:
Vivian has spent years putting her family’s needs ahead of her own. After discovering she possesses magic, she accepts an invitation to attend Arcadia Academy, a secluded graduate school filled with powerful magic, secretive professors, and mysteries connected to her own past. 🔮 Already behind her classmates, Vivian begins working closely with Professor Alaric Vale while unsettling events reveal that Arcadia may be hiding far more than anyone will admit. 👀
Worldbuilding, Characters, Plot and Pacing:
The author absolutely nailed the dark academia atmosphere. Arcadia felt eerie, secretive, and immersive, and I loved discovering the academy alongside Vivian. The plant based magic was one of my favorite parts because it gave the world something distinctive while fitting the setting perfectly. 🌱 I really loved Vivian and watching her finally start choosing herself after spending so much of her life taking care of everyone else. I also adored the little found family she created at Arcadia. The murder mystery had me questioning everyone, and I loved how the author slowly built up to it without giving too much away. This book was seriously addictive, I finished it in two days because I could not stop reading. 🔍
So, if I loved it and it was addictive why the 4 stars? My biggest issue was that parts felt clunky and rushed, especially the romance. For a forbidden professor/student relationship, I expected way more tension, but too much of their development happened off page. I liked them together; I just wanted more buildup before they crossed that line. ❤️🔥
Tropes/What to Expect:
🖤 Dark academia
🏛️ Magical academy
👨🏫 Professor/student romance
🚫 Forbidden romance
🔍 Murder mystery
🌿 Plant based magic
👁️ Single POV
😬 Mild cliffhanger
Final Thoughts:
This was a really good, incredibly addictive beginning to the series. Although the pacing and romance felt rushed in places, the atmospheric setting, Vivian’s character growth, unique magic, and unfolding murder mystery kept me completely invested.
Perfect for readers who love:
Dark academia with an actual academic setting, magical schools filled with secrets, botanical magic, murder mysteries, loyal female friendships, and forbidden professor/student romance.
July 22, 2026
Thanks to Lyla Andrews for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
It’s an ordinary world, until it isn’t. Vivian discovers this the hard way. Thrust into a magical university with no prior knowledge of how to do magic, she is disadvantaged in comparison to other students – all of whom spent their entire lives around magic. Forced to take tutoring lessons, who better to get them from than the hot, mysterious professor she may have accidentally flirted with before learning who he is? Oh and, her dad, who she knows nothing about? Turns out people at Arcadia Academy know far more than she does.
If you were one of those kids sad when you didn’t get a letter to Hogwarts when you turned eleven, this one is for you. At times, it really feels like Harry Potter for adults – a magical school, dead parent, and an outsider who somehow finds things that nobody else can. It’s well written and fun, enjoyable, and I couldn’t put it down. I liked the dynamic between Vivian and Alaric, but the side characters are what really brings the story to life.
The ending felt like it could’ve been better executed, but after reading so many pages of a story you’re genuinely enjoying, it’s something that you can look past, and keep an eye out for the sequel!
August 1, 2026
"You've brought light into my life that I hadn't even realised was missing”
Wow, the twists and turns in this book! It was such a well-written dark academia story. I will be needing to read more in this genre now! The setting was amazing, the world building was vivid and very picturesque!
I liked the different Affinities of magic, grouping them into different sections. I think it was a great starting point of a series, where we hopefully learn more about the other characters (I love Max!), Affinities and magical abilities as the books continue.
I loved the found family vibes within the friendships of the girls. The character growth of the FMC Vivian was gorgeous, her learning to love herself enough to put herself first and even standing up for herself.
The dynamic and relationship between Vivian and Alaric was well written. Even though it was professor x student, it was more wholesome and I really enjoyed that rather than him taking advantage of the relationship situation.
Towards the end I found myself wanting more pages and I will be eagerly awaiting book 2! Thanks Lyla for the opportunity to arc read this one.
Wow, the twists and turns in this book! It was such a well-written dark academia story. I will be needing to read more in this genre now! The setting was amazing, the world building was vivid and very picturesque!
I liked the different Affinities of magic, grouping them into different sections. I think it was a great starting point of a series, where we hopefully learn more about the other characters (I love Max!), Affinities and magical abilities as the books continue.
I loved the found family vibes within the friendships of the girls. The character growth of the FMC Vivian was gorgeous, her learning to love herself enough to put herself first and even standing up for herself.
The dynamic and relationship between Vivian and Alaric was well written. Even though it was professor x student, it was more wholesome and I really enjoyed that rather than him taking advantage of the relationship situation.
Towards the end I found myself wanting more pages and I will be eagerly awaiting book 2! Thanks Lyla for the opportunity to arc read this one.
July 23, 2026
4.5 stars.
🍄"It's important to remember that your value does not lie in what you can provide for others."🍄
📕An Arcane Education
✍️Lyla Andrews
🗣 Indie
📅July 21st, 2026
🪴SYNOPSIS🪴
An Arcane Education is a dark academia romance with fantasy elements, a slow burn professor/student relationship, atmospheric gothic vibes, and found family. Perfect for fans of Keri Lake's Nocticadia, RuNyx's Gothikana, and Autumn Woods' Nightshade.
🧠My Thoughts🧠
Aside from few inconsistencies and repetitive statements, this was a really great story. As a caregiver, a lot of the things our MC says or thinks really hit me. I enjoyed the nature talk but I think my favorite part was the beautiful friend group that developed. In the end... all I truly have to say is THERE BETTER BE A 2ND BOOK!!
⛧Thank you to @netgalley and @lylaandrewsauthor for the advance ebook! All thoughts are my own.
💬ⓆⓄⓉⒹ: If you had a chance to go to college for free what would you study?
#anarcaneeducation #lylaandrews #indie #netgalley #bookreview
🍄"It's important to remember that your value does not lie in what you can provide for others."🍄
📕An Arcane Education
✍️Lyla Andrews
🗣 Indie
📅July 21st, 2026
🪴SYNOPSIS🪴
An Arcane Education is a dark academia romance with fantasy elements, a slow burn professor/student relationship, atmospheric gothic vibes, and found family. Perfect for fans of Keri Lake's Nocticadia, RuNyx's Gothikana, and Autumn Woods' Nightshade.
🧠My Thoughts🧠
Aside from few inconsistencies and repetitive statements, this was a really great story. As a caregiver, a lot of the things our MC says or thinks really hit me. I enjoyed the nature talk but I think my favorite part was the beautiful friend group that developed. In the end... all I truly have to say is THERE BETTER BE A 2ND BOOK!!
⛧Thank you to @netgalley and @lylaandrewsauthor for the advance ebook! All thoughts are my own.
💬ⓆⓄⓉⒹ: If you had a chance to go to college for free what would you study?
#anarcaneeducation #lylaandrews #indie #netgalley #bookreview
August 17, 2026
3,75⭐️
Parto subito con il dire che è stata una lettura piacevole. La scrittura è scorrevole, non risulta pesante nonostante sia un fantasy. Il world building per ora è molto semplice da comprendere, e lo reputo ben scritto.
La parte romance è presente, ma non è messa in primo piano. Infatti, alcune cose sembrano un po’ affrettate, ma sicuramente verrà affrontato in modo più approfondito nei prossimi volumi (spero), siccome questo è solo il primo di una serie!
Proprio a proposito di questo, come primo volume non mi è dispiaciuto, è stato molto introduttivo sia per quanto riguarda i personaggi che per quanto riguarda la trama, che si prospetta già molto intricata.
La parte mystery è quella che più mi interessa, infatti ammetto che continuerò a leggere la saga con piacere.
Mi sarebbe piaciuto qualche pov diverso da quello di Vivian, soprattutto qualche capitolo dal pov di Alaric.
Parto subito con il dire che è stata una lettura piacevole. La scrittura è scorrevole, non risulta pesante nonostante sia un fantasy. Il world building per ora è molto semplice da comprendere, e lo reputo ben scritto.
La parte romance è presente, ma non è messa in primo piano. Infatti, alcune cose sembrano un po’ affrettate, ma sicuramente verrà affrontato in modo più approfondito nei prossimi volumi (spero), siccome questo è solo il primo di una serie!
Proprio a proposito di questo, come primo volume non mi è dispiaciuto, è stato molto introduttivo sia per quanto riguarda i personaggi che per quanto riguarda la trama, che si prospetta già molto intricata.
La parte mystery è quella che più mi interessa, infatti ammetto che continuerò a leggere la saga con piacere.
Mi sarebbe piaciuto qualche pov diverso da quello di Vivian, soprattutto qualche capitolo dal pov di Alaric.
July 14, 2026
ARC Review-
I was intimidated by it being a “dark academia” book, as it’s not a genre I’m overly familiar with, but I was so happy to get this opportunity! I’m so glad I took it because this book is so great in every way, the storyline had me hooked from the very beginning. I resonate with Vivian so much, myself being a recovering people pleaser, and her self discovery and ability to choose herself is so inspiring!
I was intimidated by it being a “dark academia” book, as it’s not a genre I’m overly familiar with, but I was so happy to get this opportunity! I’m so glad I took it because this book is so great in every way, the storyline had me hooked from the very beginning. I resonate with Vivian so much, myself being a recovering people pleaser, and her self discovery and ability to choose herself is so inspiring!
July 26, 2026
I picked this up because it was suppose to be a dark romantasy. This is not a dark romantasy, this is an academy setting with a myster plot.
The romance felt rushed and not genuine.
I definitely think people out there will like, this just not for me.
The romance felt rushed and not genuine.
I definitely think people out there will like, this just not for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
📚🖊️📖An Arcane Education: A Dark Academia Romantasy 🖤 by Lyla Andrews 📓✏️🎓
Genre: Dark Academia Romantasy 🖤🎓🌲
If you are obsessed with elite magical schools, forbidden romance, and dangerous secrets, you need to add An Arcane Education by Lyla Andrews to your TBR immediately! 📚✨
Here is why this dark academy romance completely reels then hooks you in:
🏛️ Welcome to an Arcadia Academy 🤫
As soon as the story starts, we’re introduced to Vivian Harver our MFC, her mother Vivian, special needs brother Christopher, 12 y/o brother Matty and stepdad, Dave. Vivian works in a nursery with plants, although she has a bachelor’s degree and botany and would love to be doing something more. Unfortunately, her obligations with helping out her family take precedence. Now Imagine discovering magic is real only after you are suddenly attacked. 💥 That is exactly what happens to our MFC! Two days after the incident, she receives a mysterious invitation to the elite graduate program at Arcadia Academy—a prestigious, hidden school located on an island somewhere off the coast of the Pacific Northwest.
🌊🌲 Leaving her mundane life behind, she enrolls to find her place and prove her worth. But in a world where magic, wealth, and reputation equal power. 💎💸
🔥 The Forbidden Spark & The Enigmatic Professor 🖤
Being years behind her classmates means our heroine is barely surviving—until the strict, enigmatic, and devastatingly handsome Professor Alaric Vale steps in to tutor her. 🥵🧪 The chemistry is absolute perfection! The longer they spend together, the harder it becomes to deny the forbidden spark burning between them.
Vivian makes some friends which seems to have been hard for her back home with all of her responsibilities. Her first friend AJ who is a flirt, but harmless, her roommate Max and the other girls: Callista, Delilah, Avery form her friend circle. I just love a strong and loyal group of friends. We defiantly have the classic mean girl thrown in there, because we simply can’t have an academy story without one.
🌲 Secrets, and Plant Aberrations 🥀
The atmosphere in this book is top-tier dark academia. Think ancient stone buildings on an isolated island, Creepy forest on one side and rock & cliff faced beach on the other. 🌫️🏰 But underneath the beautiful facade lies serious danger:
• Some people on campus are hiding dark secrets. 🤫
• Strange, terrifying plant aberrations are occurring deep in the forest. 🌿⚠️
• Creepiest of all? These bizarre mutations seem directly related to Professor Vale’s suspicious, top-secret research... 👀🧬
• Who is or was Vivians father, really?
🕵️♀️ Murder, Mystery, and a Shocking Past 🩸
Just when things couldn't get more intense, a student is found dead—and our heroine's personal investigations land her right at the top of the suspect list! 😱 She is then forced to play a high-stakes game:
1. Prove her absolute innocence to the school and council. ⚖️
2. Conceal the deep secrets she now shares with Professor Vale and roommate. 🤫❤️
3. Uncover a shocking mystery that links the academy directly to her own past! 🔍🧩
This is a true academy story. It focuses on Vivians classes and her daily life at the academy, learning and controlling her magic, navigating classes, making new friends, uncovering secrets connecting to her father and finding out who she is as a person and what she wants out of life without being a caregiver for her brother Christopher. If you’re looking for a nonstop thrill, ride, full of conspiracies and murder or hot & steamy romance in the first half of the book then you won’t find it here.
However…….. hear me out!
Around the 50% mark you start to get into the flirtatious tension between our MFC and MMC. Yes, there are sexual scenes for those naughty readers lol. But that’s not all we’ve got. There are a few mysteries and conspiracies going on. It really kicks into high gear around the 70% mark and at that point I couldn’t stop turning the pages in rapid succession.
📝 Final Verdict a strong 3.8 stars⭐⭐⭐✨
An Arcane Education delivers a delightfully atmospheric, suspenseful, and romance-packed ride! If you love a good "student-teacher" forbidden tension trope mixed with a thrilling murder mystery and creepy magical botany, you will devour this. 📖🖤 the book ends on a mild cliffhanger, so I’m not dying without jumping right into the next book, but I am eagerly anticipating it.
I received an advanced readers copy directly from the Office sign-up page. I'm so glad to have discovered Layla Andrews. I'm now curious about her other books.
Genre: Dark Academia Romantasy 🖤🎓🌲
If you are obsessed with elite magical schools, forbidden romance, and dangerous secrets, you need to add An Arcane Education by Lyla Andrews to your TBR immediately! 📚✨
Here is why this dark academy romance completely reels then hooks you in:
🏛️ Welcome to an Arcadia Academy 🤫
As soon as the story starts, we’re introduced to Vivian Harver our MFC, her mother Vivian, special needs brother Christopher, 12 y/o brother Matty and stepdad, Dave. Vivian works in a nursery with plants, although she has a bachelor’s degree and botany and would love to be doing something more. Unfortunately, her obligations with helping out her family take precedence. Now Imagine discovering magic is real only after you are suddenly attacked. 💥 That is exactly what happens to our MFC! Two days after the incident, she receives a mysterious invitation to the elite graduate program at Arcadia Academy—a prestigious, hidden school located on an island somewhere off the coast of the Pacific Northwest.
🌊🌲 Leaving her mundane life behind, she enrolls to find her place and prove her worth. But in a world where magic, wealth, and reputation equal power. 💎💸
🔥 The Forbidden Spark & The Enigmatic Professor 🖤
Being years behind her classmates means our heroine is barely surviving—until the strict, enigmatic, and devastatingly handsome Professor Alaric Vale steps in to tutor her. 🥵🧪 The chemistry is absolute perfection! The longer they spend together, the harder it becomes to deny the forbidden spark burning between them.
Vivian makes some friends which seems to have been hard for her back home with all of her responsibilities. Her first friend AJ who is a flirt, but harmless, her roommate Max and the other girls: Callista, Delilah, Avery form her friend circle. I just love a strong and loyal group of friends. We defiantly have the classic mean girl thrown in there, because we simply can’t have an academy story without one.
🌲 Secrets, and Plant Aberrations 🥀
The atmosphere in this book is top-tier dark academia. Think ancient stone buildings on an isolated island, Creepy forest on one side and rock & cliff faced beach on the other. 🌫️🏰 But underneath the beautiful facade lies serious danger:
• Some people on campus are hiding dark secrets. 🤫
• Strange, terrifying plant aberrations are occurring deep in the forest. 🌿⚠️
• Creepiest of all? These bizarre mutations seem directly related to Professor Vale’s suspicious, top-secret research... 👀🧬
• Who is or was Vivians father, really?
🕵️♀️ Murder, Mystery, and a Shocking Past 🩸
Just when things couldn't get more intense, a student is found dead—and our heroine's personal investigations land her right at the top of the suspect list! 😱 She is then forced to play a high-stakes game:
1. Prove her absolute innocence to the school and council. ⚖️
2. Conceal the deep secrets she now shares with Professor Vale and roommate. 🤫❤️
3. Uncover a shocking mystery that links the academy directly to her own past! 🔍🧩
This is a true academy story. It focuses on Vivians classes and her daily life at the academy, learning and controlling her magic, navigating classes, making new friends, uncovering secrets connecting to her father and finding out who she is as a person and what she wants out of life without being a caregiver for her brother Christopher. If you’re looking for a nonstop thrill, ride, full of conspiracies and murder or hot & steamy romance in the first half of the book then you won’t find it here.
However…….. hear me out!
Around the 50% mark you start to get into the flirtatious tension between our MFC and MMC. Yes, there are sexual scenes for those naughty readers lol. But that’s not all we’ve got. There are a few mysteries and conspiracies going on. It really kicks into high gear around the 70% mark and at that point I couldn’t stop turning the pages in rapid succession.
📝 Final Verdict a strong 3.8 stars⭐⭐⭐✨
An Arcane Education delivers a delightfully atmospheric, suspenseful, and romance-packed ride! If you love a good "student-teacher" forbidden tension trope mixed with a thrilling murder mystery and creepy magical botany, you will devour this. 📖🖤 the book ends on a mild cliffhanger, so I’m not dying without jumping right into the next book, but I am eagerly anticipating it.
I received an advanced readers copy directly from the Office sign-up page. I'm so glad to have discovered Layla Andrews. I'm now curious about her other books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars out of 5.
2 peppers out of 5 spice.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Genre: Dark Fantasy Academia
Single-POV
First Person (Present tense)
Tropes:
Dark Academia
Magical Academy
Student x Professor (She's 24)
Forbidden Romance
Slow Burn
Found Family
First Thoughts:
I devoured this book, and it was only interrupted by sleep that really screwed up my sleep schedule. I skipped working out for this book. I definitely wish it was longer, and I really wish I would get more of the FMC and the MMC, but the next book is going to be from another characters POV - both fortunately and unfortunately. I loved this book, with some minor issues that are hopefully corrected in the published copy. I am not knocking off half a star due to this discrepancies, but I firmly believe this book could have been longer, and things we time skipped could have been written out in scenes. I would have preferred to be at those scenes than being told about them after they happened - I also would have liked more time and yearning between the FMC and MMC, especially since this is advertised as a forbidden romance.
Spice:
This is a slow burn, and the pacing of the book is fast. This includes the spice. This also means the yearning is sort of present, but not really because the book keeps moving. This is open door spice. It includes time skips, so we're told about the yearning, but we don't really experience it ourselves.
Writing Style:
The writing style is easy to read. I personally am not used to reading in present tense, so it was a slight adjustment, but I quickly came around. The pacing is fast, and scenes can be really short, even if you want them to be longer and more in depth.
Characters:
I liked our FMC. She was incredibly relatable, and sometimes reminded me of myself. I loved that relatability, and it helped me with connecting to her and her experiences. She wasn't headstrong or naturally powerful and having everything handed to her. Her strengths relied on her empathy, rationalization and thought process, and her relationships she built. I would of liked more time with the other characters, and as I said before, I wish this book was longer and more drawn out. I would of liked more time with the MMC, and I'm kind of bitter that the next book won't be between him and the FMC. Maybe book twos FMC POV will give us some more insight into them. I'm also open for bonus chapters.
World Building:
The world building feels familiar, it's nothing overly complicated and stays contained within the story. Fans of magical school settings will feel at home, and people new to the genre will easily be able to understand everything going on without feeling overwhelmed.
Story:
The story follows the FMC as she is introduced to the supernatural world. The majority of this book acts as an introductory to the world and works to set up the overall story of the series. Without spoilers, the ending leaves us curious as to how the rest of the series is going to develop, as most of those elements are introduced in the final few chapters. Some elements are present throughout the entire story, creating mystery and intrigue, and I wish they got answered, but I guess I'll do my best to be patient for book two... or book five.
Positives:
-This story hit a ton of my favorite tropes, sometimes feeling familiar in a way to some of my favorite books, but also being a story I've been waiting to read for years. I can't figure out why.
-Relatable FMC (No Mary Sues here!)
-Women supporting women
-I'm still reeling from missing the MCs that I'm struggling to come up with positives, but they're there.
Negatives:
-Fast paced in a way that feels you wanting more. Almost like the ending came too soon. And not in a way that the rest of the books will be able to fill.
-Time skips that could of included scenes, so sometimes you felt like you were being told something happened instead of being there when it does.
-A few minor errors that hopefully get edited out, but otherwise do not interfere with the plot in any way - and might give you some insight into the authors writing process, making the author more personable.
-Not enough yearning or stolen moments between the FMC and MMC. That was a bit unsatisfactory.
-Some clichés that are a bit predictable or disappointing to see.
Recommend:
Definitely recommend for fans of magical academies or people curious about the genre. It is incredibly friendly to people curious about the genre. While I will rate it as a favorite, since it hit a ton of my favorite tropes, I can't hold it against people expecting more from the story.
2 peppers out of 5 spice.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Genre: Dark Fantasy Academia
Single-POV
First Person (Present tense)
Tropes:
Dark Academia
Magical Academy
Student x Professor (She's 24)
Forbidden Romance
Slow Burn
Found Family
First Thoughts:
I devoured this book, and it was only interrupted by sleep that really screwed up my sleep schedule. I skipped working out for this book. I definitely wish it was longer, and I really wish I would get more of the FMC and the MMC, but the next book is going to be from another characters POV - both fortunately and unfortunately. I loved this book, with some minor issues that are hopefully corrected in the published copy. I am not knocking off half a star due to this discrepancies, but I firmly believe this book could have been longer, and things we time skipped could have been written out in scenes. I would have preferred to be at those scenes than being told about them after they happened - I also would have liked more time and yearning between the FMC and MMC, especially since this is advertised as a forbidden romance.
Spice:
This is a slow burn, and the pacing of the book is fast. This includes the spice. This also means the yearning is sort of present, but not really because the book keeps moving. This is open door spice. It includes time skips, so we're told about the yearning, but we don't really experience it ourselves.
Writing Style:
The writing style is easy to read. I personally am not used to reading in present tense, so it was a slight adjustment, but I quickly came around. The pacing is fast, and scenes can be really short, even if you want them to be longer and more in depth.
Characters:
I liked our FMC. She was incredibly relatable, and sometimes reminded me of myself. I loved that relatability, and it helped me with connecting to her and her experiences. She wasn't headstrong or naturally powerful and having everything handed to her. Her strengths relied on her empathy, rationalization and thought process, and her relationships she built. I would of liked more time with the other characters, and as I said before, I wish this book was longer and more drawn out. I would of liked more time with the MMC, and I'm kind of bitter that the next book won't be between him and the FMC. Maybe book twos FMC POV will give us some more insight into them. I'm also open for bonus chapters.
World Building:
The world building feels familiar, it's nothing overly complicated and stays contained within the story. Fans of magical school settings will feel at home, and people new to the genre will easily be able to understand everything going on without feeling overwhelmed.
Story:
The story follows the FMC as she is introduced to the supernatural world. The majority of this book acts as an introductory to the world and works to set up the overall story of the series. Without spoilers, the ending leaves us curious as to how the rest of the series is going to develop, as most of those elements are introduced in the final few chapters. Some elements are present throughout the entire story, creating mystery and intrigue, and I wish they got answered, but I guess I'll do my best to be patient for book two... or book five.
Positives:
-This story hit a ton of my favorite tropes, sometimes feeling familiar in a way to some of my favorite books, but also being a story I've been waiting to read for years. I can't figure out why.
-Relatable FMC (No Mary Sues here!)
-Women supporting women
-I'm still reeling from missing the MCs that I'm struggling to come up with positives, but they're there.
Negatives:
-Fast paced in a way that feels you wanting more. Almost like the ending came too soon. And not in a way that the rest of the books will be able to fill.
-Time skips that could of included scenes, so sometimes you felt like you were being told something happened instead of being there when it does.
-A few minor errors that hopefully get edited out, but otherwise do not interfere with the plot in any way - and might give you some insight into the authors writing process, making the author more personable.
-Not enough yearning or stolen moments between the FMC and MMC. That was a bit unsatisfactory.
-Some clichés that are a bit predictable or disappointing to see.
Recommend:
Definitely recommend for fans of magical academies or people curious about the genre. It is incredibly friendly to people curious about the genre. While I will rate it as a favorite, since it hit a ton of my favorite tropes, I can't hold it against people expecting more from the story.
July 27, 2026
⭐️ ARC REVIEW ⭐️
Vivian's life revolves around taking care of everyone else. She lives with her mother and stepfather, helps raise her half-brother with special needs, and rarely has time for herself, except when she's hiking.
Everything changes the day she's attacked on a trail.
Magic bursts from within her, the forest answering her call as trees rise to protect her... and kill her attacker.
Soon after, Vivian is invited to the prestigious Arcadia Academy, where she discovers a hidden magical world and begins learning to master her newfound powers.
On her very first night, she meets Alaric, an handsome man who shares her passion for botany. She's excited to see him again... until she realizes he's one of her professors. While most of the students seems captivated by him, Alaric only cares about his research. But as he becomes Vivian's tutor, their connection slowly deepens, just as a darker threat begins to emerge around the academy.
As the first book in a series, this novel focuses on building the world and laying the foundations for what's to come. The beginning gave me strong Harry Potter vibes, although with a much darker opening scene, before evolving into an academy story with new friendships, discoveries, and magic of course.
I especially loved Vivian and Alaric's relationship. Their bond felt genuine, with Vivian struggling with her insecurities while Alaric tried to maintain professional boundaries as her teacher, all while doing everything he could to protect her.
The darker mystery surrounding the academy also caught my attention, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds.
My reservation is that many of the side characters still felt more like introductions than fully developed people. I hope they'll gain the same depth as the two main characters in the next installment.
Overall, a promising start to a magical series with a sweet romance, an intriguing mystery, and a world I'm eager to return to.
✨ Magical academy
🌿 Botany magic
🖤 Teacher/student romance
📚 Slow burn
🌶️ Light spice
⭐️ 4/5
⭐️ CHRONIQUE ARC ⭐️
Vivian consacre sa vie aux autres. Elle vit avec sa mère et son beau-père, participe à l'éducation de son demi-frère en situation de handicap et n'a presque aucun temps pour elle, si ce n'est lors de ses randonnées.
Jusqu'au jour où elle est agressée en pleine forêt.
La magie se manifeste alors pour la première fois : les arbres répondent à son appel et tuent son agresseur.
Peu après, Vivian est invitée à intégrer la prestigieuse Académie Arcadia, où elle découvre un monde magique dont elle ignorait l'existence et apprend à maîtriser ses pouvoirs.
Dès sa première soirée, elle rencontre Alaric, un homme aussi séduisant que passionné de botanique comme elle. Elle espère rapidement le revoir... avant de découvrir qu'il est en réalité l'un de ses professeurs. Alors que la moitié des étudiantes semblent sous son charme, Alaric ne s'intéresse qu'à ses recherches. Mais lorsqu'il devient le tuteur de Vivian, leur relation évolue peu à peu, tandis qu'une menace grandit au sein de l'académie.
Ce premier tome pose efficacement les bases de la série. Le début m'a beaucoup fait penser à Harry Potter, malgré une scène d'ouverture bien plus sombre, avant d'évoluer vers un roman d'académie mêlant découvertes, amitiés et apprentissage de la magie.
J'ai particulièrement apprécié la relation entre Vivian et Alaric. Leur lien paraît sincère et naturel, chacun devant composer avec ses propres peurs tout en apprenant à faire confiance à l'autre.
L'intrigue plus sombre autour de l'académie m'a également donné envie d'en découvrir davantage.
Mon bémol concerne les personnages secondaires, qui donnent l'impression d'être présentés plus que réellement développés. J'espère qu'ils gagneront en profondeur dans les prochains tomes.
Au final, un bon début de série, avec un univers magique prometteur, une romance touchante et une intrigue qui donne envie de découvrir la suite.
✨ Académie de magie
🌿 Botanique magique
🖤 Romance professeur/étudiante
📚 Slow burn
🌶️ Peu de spice
⭐️ 4/5
Vivian's life revolves around taking care of everyone else. She lives with her mother and stepfather, helps raise her half-brother with special needs, and rarely has time for herself, except when she's hiking.
Everything changes the day she's attacked on a trail.
Magic bursts from within her, the forest answering her call as trees rise to protect her... and kill her attacker.
Soon after, Vivian is invited to the prestigious Arcadia Academy, where she discovers a hidden magical world and begins learning to master her newfound powers.
On her very first night, she meets Alaric, an handsome man who shares her passion for botany. She's excited to see him again... until she realizes he's one of her professors. While most of the students seems captivated by him, Alaric only cares about his research. But as he becomes Vivian's tutor, their connection slowly deepens, just as a darker threat begins to emerge around the academy.
As the first book in a series, this novel focuses on building the world and laying the foundations for what's to come. The beginning gave me strong Harry Potter vibes, although with a much darker opening scene, before evolving into an academy story with new friendships, discoveries, and magic of course.
I especially loved Vivian and Alaric's relationship. Their bond felt genuine, with Vivian struggling with her insecurities while Alaric tried to maintain professional boundaries as her teacher, all while doing everything he could to protect her.
The darker mystery surrounding the academy also caught my attention, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds.
My reservation is that many of the side characters still felt more like introductions than fully developed people. I hope they'll gain the same depth as the two main characters in the next installment.
Overall, a promising start to a magical series with a sweet romance, an intriguing mystery, and a world I'm eager to return to.
✨ Magical academy
🌿 Botany magic
🖤 Teacher/student romance
📚 Slow burn
🌶️ Light spice
⭐️ 4/5
⭐️ CHRONIQUE ARC ⭐️
Vivian consacre sa vie aux autres. Elle vit avec sa mère et son beau-père, participe à l'éducation de son demi-frère en situation de handicap et n'a presque aucun temps pour elle, si ce n'est lors de ses randonnées.
Jusqu'au jour où elle est agressée en pleine forêt.
La magie se manifeste alors pour la première fois : les arbres répondent à son appel et tuent son agresseur.
Peu après, Vivian est invitée à intégrer la prestigieuse Académie Arcadia, où elle découvre un monde magique dont elle ignorait l'existence et apprend à maîtriser ses pouvoirs.
Dès sa première soirée, elle rencontre Alaric, un homme aussi séduisant que passionné de botanique comme elle. Elle espère rapidement le revoir... avant de découvrir qu'il est en réalité l'un de ses professeurs. Alors que la moitié des étudiantes semblent sous son charme, Alaric ne s'intéresse qu'à ses recherches. Mais lorsqu'il devient le tuteur de Vivian, leur relation évolue peu à peu, tandis qu'une menace grandit au sein de l'académie.
Ce premier tome pose efficacement les bases de la série. Le début m'a beaucoup fait penser à Harry Potter, malgré une scène d'ouverture bien plus sombre, avant d'évoluer vers un roman d'académie mêlant découvertes, amitiés et apprentissage de la magie.
J'ai particulièrement apprécié la relation entre Vivian et Alaric. Leur lien paraît sincère et naturel, chacun devant composer avec ses propres peurs tout en apprenant à faire confiance à l'autre.
L'intrigue plus sombre autour de l'académie m'a également donné envie d'en découvrir davantage.
Mon bémol concerne les personnages secondaires, qui donnent l'impression d'être présentés plus que réellement développés. J'espère qu'ils gagneront en profondeur dans les prochains tomes.
Au final, un bon début de série, avec un univers magique prometteur, une romance touchante et une intrigue qui donne envie de découvrir la suite.
✨ Académie de magie
🌿 Botanique magique
🖤 Romance professeur/étudiante
📚 Slow burn
🌶️ Peu de spice
⭐️ 4/5
July 22, 2026
Content Warning: death
World Building: Vivian is invited to attend Arcadia Academy where she finds out magic is real and she has it. She has plant powers. The academy is on an island and students of different species and magic attend the school, and though Vivian is a Freshman because she just learned about magic, she is a graduate student as well. Vivian has always been a caretaker of her sibling so she’s never really had time to herself but at the academy she learns to make friends, and even go to a party or two – but then she finds out her dad (who died before she could meet him) went to that academy and learns that not all is as it seems on campus. But for the first 20% of this book it is just world building and learning about the classes and academy.
Characters: I like Vivian, she’s a graduate student but has to learn the basics of magic. She has a difficult time controlling her magic so she takes the initiative to seek help for that. Living away from home is also a challenge, especially because her roommate is a grumpy vampire named Max. Vivian is a good student, a good person, and smart. She does make a few friends eventually but I would love to know more about them. Alaric is the hot professor on campus and he’s hiding a few secrets but he and Vivian are drawn to one another.
Romance: There is a student/professor romance in this one that I thought for the most part was pretty good. I wish there was a little more chemistry between them but maybe because it’s Alaric’s personality – he’s focused on academics and doesn’t display much emotion. There is spice and things are more interesting because of their status as student and professor, but there were some things I questioned about Alaric. Spice - 🌶️🌶️.
Story: This is a slow moving story, especially the first 25% where it’s world-building. I felt like most of the story in the was about Vivian going to school, being in class, and making friends and not much was happening. Even after finishing it I thought the mystery about what Alaric is studying and keeping secret is way too vague. He just tells Vivian he can’t tell her for sake of her safety but I wanted to know something, just even a crumb of information to keep me interested. After Vivian starts settling into campus life she does take on the mystery of her father being a student once at the academy and she tries to do an investigation but again, it really doesn’t go anywhere. This story is easy to read and it is atmospheric – it definitely gives the dark academia vibes, something sinister is happening but we just have no clue as to what – which was the frustrating part for me. Also, the names Clarissa and Callista had me confused in one scene because she talked to these girls one after the other and I had to re-read that section. 😅
Final Thoughts:
If you like dark academia you will enjoy this one, but for me, I just needed a little more from it. It’s almost got a cozy vibe to it but all the dark academia elements are there also, which I enjoyed. I wanted more information about Vivian’s dad and Alaric’s research but since this is a series, it’s probably being drawn out. Even though I found some parts of this to be too slow for me, I did like how it was easy to read, and love the new friend group for Vivian. The romance was spicy and enticing because of the forbidden aspect of student and professor but even with their relationship I wanted a little more chemistry – but maybe it’s just Alaric’s personality. Overall, a solid start to a series.
Read if you like:
dark academia
mystery
student/professor romance
World Building: Vivian is invited to attend Arcadia Academy where she finds out magic is real and she has it. She has plant powers. The academy is on an island and students of different species and magic attend the school, and though Vivian is a Freshman because she just learned about magic, she is a graduate student as well. Vivian has always been a caretaker of her sibling so she’s never really had time to herself but at the academy she learns to make friends, and even go to a party or two – but then she finds out her dad (who died before she could meet him) went to that academy and learns that not all is as it seems on campus. But for the first 20% of this book it is just world building and learning about the classes and academy.
Characters: I like Vivian, she’s a graduate student but has to learn the basics of magic. She has a difficult time controlling her magic so she takes the initiative to seek help for that. Living away from home is also a challenge, especially because her roommate is a grumpy vampire named Max. Vivian is a good student, a good person, and smart. She does make a few friends eventually but I would love to know more about them. Alaric is the hot professor on campus and he’s hiding a few secrets but he and Vivian are drawn to one another.
Romance: There is a student/professor romance in this one that I thought for the most part was pretty good. I wish there was a little more chemistry between them but maybe because it’s Alaric’s personality – he’s focused on academics and doesn’t display much emotion. There is spice and things are more interesting because of their status as student and professor, but there were some things I questioned about Alaric. Spice - 🌶️🌶️.
Story: This is a slow moving story, especially the first 25% where it’s world-building. I felt like most of the story in the was about Vivian going to school, being in class, and making friends and not much was happening. Even after finishing it I thought the mystery about what Alaric is studying and keeping secret is way too vague. He just tells Vivian he can’t tell her for sake of her safety but I wanted to know something, just even a crumb of information to keep me interested. After Vivian starts settling into campus life she does take on the mystery of her father being a student once at the academy and she tries to do an investigation but again, it really doesn’t go anywhere. This story is easy to read and it is atmospheric – it definitely gives the dark academia vibes, something sinister is happening but we just have no clue as to what – which was the frustrating part for me. Also, the names Clarissa and Callista had me confused in one scene because she talked to these girls one after the other and I had to re-read that section. 😅
Final Thoughts:
If you like dark academia you will enjoy this one, but for me, I just needed a little more from it. It’s almost got a cozy vibe to it but all the dark academia elements are there also, which I enjoyed. I wanted more information about Vivian’s dad and Alaric’s research but since this is a series, it’s probably being drawn out. Even though I found some parts of this to be too slow for me, I did like how it was easy to read, and love the new friend group for Vivian. The romance was spicy and enticing because of the forbidden aspect of student and professor but even with their relationship I wanted a little more chemistry – but maybe it’s just Alaric’s personality. Overall, a solid start to a series.
Read if you like:
dark academia
mystery
student/professor romance
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of An Arcane Education in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Lyla Andrews for the opportunity to read your deeply atmospheric and magical book. Books like this desperately make me wish places like Arcadia Academy and magic existed in real life. We are treated to a deep and immersive world, where magic is alive and thriving, hidden away from the world as we know it. We follow Vivian along her journey as the curtain is violently thrown back, and she discovers that everything is not what it seems.
:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.: °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･
ꕥ Lyla excels at creating atmospheres and environments that we want to immerse ourselves in. I wanted to echo Vivian’s steps as she embarked on her journey into the hallowed halls of Arcadia Academy. The dark and intriguing ambience is deeply entrenched in this story like ivy embedding itself into the very bricks and mortar of these pages. There is a sinister energy that lurks just below the surface, that permeates An Arcane Education’s world with unease and uncertainty. It was easy to find myself lost in this book, gazing across the vast and churning sea that is Vivian’s new reality.
ꕥ An Arcane Education is a story of perseverance and self-discovery at its core. Vivian is a caretaker within her home. She was born into responsibilities that have weighed her down her whole life. She bears the brunt of her family's reliance, and has done so for so long she doesn’t realise its weight upon her shoulders. Circumstances outside her family's control have led them to lean on Vivian heavily for support. They don’t see the way it anchors her to a life stripped of choice. Due to her magic’s sudden awakening, she is granted the opportunity to step back and uncover who she is, free of the guilt and burden of others' expectations. Bearing witness to Vivian’s journey was satisfying and exciting. I couldn’t wait for her to see how exciting life can be, when she no longer has to worry about anything other than what she wants.
ꕥ My criticisms lie within the pacing of this book and the inner monologue. I love being privy to a character's inner thoughts, but I felt as if the narrative got marginally bogged down by Vivian’s inner ruminations. Where I yearned to learn more about this secret academy full of magical beings and the supernatural, we churned in inescapable cycles of the inner workings of Vivian’s mind. We were told there was a brand-new world for us to explore but weren’t gifted as much time to fully do so.
ꕥ Personally, I felt as if some major plots and their subsequent emotions were prescribed to us, rather than presented in ways for us to experience organically as a reader. I believe a book this atmospheric would allow us to ride this wave of a fantastic new world, with undercurrents of something sinister, more naturally. I hoped that the words would act as our guide, instead of inner dialogue mandating how we felt and when. This is a personal preference of mine, so please don’t let this deter you! I still enjoyed my time with this book.
ꕥ This story is perfect for people who love dark academia! The setting of a mysterious, gothic magic school is perfectly encapsulated within Lyla’s world building and descriptive language. There are themes of darkness and mystery that pair fantastically with dark academia. I enjoyed the themes of found family and self-exploration massively, and think these are strong selling points for An Arcane Education. I look forward to seeing what Lyla Andrews creates next!
:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.: °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･
ꕥ Lyla excels at creating atmospheres and environments that we want to immerse ourselves in. I wanted to echo Vivian’s steps as she embarked on her journey into the hallowed halls of Arcadia Academy. The dark and intriguing ambience is deeply entrenched in this story like ivy embedding itself into the very bricks and mortar of these pages. There is a sinister energy that lurks just below the surface, that permeates An Arcane Education’s world with unease and uncertainty. It was easy to find myself lost in this book, gazing across the vast and churning sea that is Vivian’s new reality.
ꕥ An Arcane Education is a story of perseverance and self-discovery at its core. Vivian is a caretaker within her home. She was born into responsibilities that have weighed her down her whole life. She bears the brunt of her family's reliance, and has done so for so long she doesn’t realise its weight upon her shoulders. Circumstances outside her family's control have led them to lean on Vivian heavily for support. They don’t see the way it anchors her to a life stripped of choice. Due to her magic’s sudden awakening, she is granted the opportunity to step back and uncover who she is, free of the guilt and burden of others' expectations. Bearing witness to Vivian’s journey was satisfying and exciting. I couldn’t wait for her to see how exciting life can be, when she no longer has to worry about anything other than what she wants.
ꕥ My criticisms lie within the pacing of this book and the inner monologue. I love being privy to a character's inner thoughts, but I felt as if the narrative got marginally bogged down by Vivian’s inner ruminations. Where I yearned to learn more about this secret academy full of magical beings and the supernatural, we churned in inescapable cycles of the inner workings of Vivian’s mind. We were told there was a brand-new world for us to explore but weren’t gifted as much time to fully do so.
ꕥ Personally, I felt as if some major plots and their subsequent emotions were prescribed to us, rather than presented in ways for us to experience organically as a reader. I believe a book this atmospheric would allow us to ride this wave of a fantastic new world, with undercurrents of something sinister, more naturally. I hoped that the words would act as our guide, instead of inner dialogue mandating how we felt and when. This is a personal preference of mine, so please don’t let this deter you! I still enjoyed my time with this book.
ꕥ This story is perfect for people who love dark academia! The setting of a mysterious, gothic magic school is perfectly encapsulated within Lyla’s world building and descriptive language. There are themes of darkness and mystery that pair fantastically with dark academia. I enjoyed the themes of found family and self-exploration massively, and think these are strong selling points for An Arcane Education. I look forward to seeing what Lyla Andrews creates next!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
4.5 stars! The half-star demerit is really due to my own preferences and not anything inherently wrong!
Tropes and details:
👨🏫👩🎓Professor/student (she's in grad school)
🪄🔮Magical academy
🗝Mystery/whimsyish dark academia PNW setting
🔥Slow burn, medium angst
🌶LOW spice (3 scenes total)
🩷Found family/girlfriends vibes
🌿Herbology vibes
✨️SINGLE POV (FMC)
🙄SOME (minimal) OWD
First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the prose of this book. It was beautifully written, easy to understand, great descriptions and visualization, and overall world building and setting was paced well.
One of the things that can sometimes be annoying, is the overuse of certain adjectives or descriptions. Or the complete novelty and never any repetition of something that matters. The author balanced this really well. Nothing was overly descriptive to the point of boring, yet you could gauge what was important or critical by having some repetition.
Another high praise I will give is in all of the characters. There was ample time devoted to introducing the FMC and once we saw the MMC, plenty of time to get to know him as well. She did introduce friends of the FMC and did so in a way that actually made sense for the plot and that you could appreciate each character. And with that, every character, but especially the MMC and FMC are complex with realistic personalities for their ages and roles. Suffice it to say, I loved both of them.
This is a much slower burn and much less spicy than I typically go for, so I would have probably liked a couple more scenes of spice! That said I did read this book in about 48 hours. I don't want to say it gives Harry Potter vibes (bc f*ck JK) but it's reminiscent of The Whimsy of first discovering your magic. I also really loved the relatability of the FMC especially as it pertains to her caring for others all of the time. And I loved how the MMC was not only sensitive to that but was emotionally intelligent. A+. We also get a little bit of tension with our FMC and her roommate at first, which again I think was paced well as they unfold their relationship. It feels well-earned and well-timed and adds complexity that's appreciated in the plot.
There is a bit of other woman drama that I didn't feel was necessary to the characters nor the plot. I understand why it was put in there, but I don't feel it gave really any additional dimension and could have been done another way for what I believe was the goal (of tension between MMC and FMC). Thankfully it wasn't too bad! Just a little frustrating at times. I would have preferred that those scenes would have been devoted to them participating in "activities" 🤣
I would say this is definitely a more plot driven book with strong characters, world building, and setting. This does end on a cliffhanger and the Mystery will be unfolded throughout all five books. Because of that, there is resolution to a certain degree between the FMC and MMC, however I wish there would have been a little more traditional HEA that wasn't so implied, but I get *why* it ends this way. So I am guessing we will see more of this couple in future books even though I believe the next book centers on a different FMC and MMC within the group that we have been introduced to. HOPEFULLY, there'll be a really cool epilogue!
All in all, a wonderful read and I'm excited for the next book!!!
Tropes and details:
👨🏫👩🎓Professor/student (she's in grad school)
🪄🔮Magical academy
🗝Mystery/whimsyish dark academia PNW setting
🔥Slow burn, medium angst
🌶LOW spice (3 scenes total)
🩷Found family/girlfriends vibes
🌿Herbology vibes
✨️SINGLE POV (FMC)
🙄SOME (minimal) OWD
First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the prose of this book. It was beautifully written, easy to understand, great descriptions and visualization, and overall world building and setting was paced well.
One of the things that can sometimes be annoying, is the overuse of certain adjectives or descriptions. Or the complete novelty and never any repetition of something that matters. The author balanced this really well. Nothing was overly descriptive to the point of boring, yet you could gauge what was important or critical by having some repetition.
Another high praise I will give is in all of the characters. There was ample time devoted to introducing the FMC and once we saw the MMC, plenty of time to get to know him as well. She did introduce friends of the FMC and did so in a way that actually made sense for the plot and that you could appreciate each character. And with that, every character, but especially the MMC and FMC are complex with realistic personalities for their ages and roles. Suffice it to say, I loved both of them.
This is a much slower burn and much less spicy than I typically go for, so I would have probably liked a couple more scenes of spice! That said I did read this book in about 48 hours. I don't want to say it gives Harry Potter vibes (bc f*ck JK) but it's reminiscent of The Whimsy of first discovering your magic. I also really loved the relatability of the FMC especially as it pertains to her caring for others all of the time. And I loved how the MMC was not only sensitive to that but was emotionally intelligent. A+. We also get a little bit of tension with our FMC and her roommate at first, which again I think was paced well as they unfold their relationship. It feels well-earned and well-timed and adds complexity that's appreciated in the plot.
There is a bit of other woman drama that I didn't feel was necessary to the characters nor the plot. I understand why it was put in there, but I don't feel it gave really any additional dimension and could have been done another way for what I believe was the goal (of tension between MMC and FMC). Thankfully it wasn't too bad! Just a little frustrating at times. I would have preferred that those scenes would have been devoted to them participating in "activities" 🤣
I would say this is definitely a more plot driven book with strong characters, world building, and setting. This does end on a cliffhanger and the Mystery will be unfolded throughout all five books. Because of that, there is resolution to a certain degree between the FMC and MMC, however I wish there would have been a little more traditional HEA that wasn't so implied, but I get *why* it ends this way. So I am guessing we will see more of this couple in future books even though I believe the next book centers on a different FMC and MMC within the group that we have been introduced to. HOPEFULLY, there'll be a really cool epilogue!
All in all, a wonderful read and I'm excited for the next book!!!
August 16, 2026
Rating: 4.25/5 ⭐
Well apparently, I've discovered another very specific weakness: dark academia with plant magic. 🌱
An Arcane Education completely immersed me in Arcadia Academy. From the moment Vivian arrived, I wanted to explore every classroom, corridor, forest path and hidden corner alongside her. The foggy, isolated academy setting has exactly that slightly unsettling atmosphere I want from dark academia, where everything is beautiful but you know there are secrets lurking underneath it.
I really enjoyed the magic system, particularly the different Affinities. Vivian's Naturalism gives us a deeper look at plant-based magic, and the botanical detail made it feel genuinely distinctive. I would have happily learned even more about the other Affinities, but I'm hoping that's something the series explores as it continues.
Vivian herself was one of my favourite parts of the book. She's spent so much of her life putting everyone else's needs before her own, so watching her slowly realise that she's allowed to choose herself was incredibly satisfying. I loved seeing her become more confident, stand up for herself and build a life that actually belongs to her.
And her found family! 🥹 The friendship between Vivian, Max and the other girls, with AJ thrown into the mix, made me ridiculously happy. By the end, their ride-or-die energy had me sitting there smiling. Max is already one of my favourites and I desperately want more of her.
Then we have Professor Alaric Vale.
Apparently, in a world filled with morally grey shadow daddies, what I actually needed was an intellectual plant daddy. 😂🌱 He's intelligent, mysterious, slightly aloof and shares Vivian's love of botany. I really liked the way their professor/student relationship developed without making me uncomfortable about the power dynamic. I did, however, want a little more forbidden tension and yearning between them. I also think one or two Alaric POV chapters could have added another layer because I desperately wanted inside that man's head.
The underlying mystery really sealed this one for me. There are disappearances, death, secrets surrounding Vivian's father and plenty of unanswered questions about Arcadia itself. I predicted several reveals, but one managed to catch me completely off guard. More importantly, the bigger mystery remains tantalisingly unresolved.
There's no soul-destroying cliffhanger, but there are absolutely enough dangling threads to have me already wanting book two.
If magical schools, eerie dark academia, botanical magic, found family, ongoing mysteries and a slow-burn professor/student romance sound like your particular bookish catnip, put this one on your list.
Thank you so much to Lyla Andrews and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Well apparently, I've discovered another very specific weakness: dark academia with plant magic. 🌱
An Arcane Education completely immersed me in Arcadia Academy. From the moment Vivian arrived, I wanted to explore every classroom, corridor, forest path and hidden corner alongside her. The foggy, isolated academy setting has exactly that slightly unsettling atmosphere I want from dark academia, where everything is beautiful but you know there are secrets lurking underneath it.
I really enjoyed the magic system, particularly the different Affinities. Vivian's Naturalism gives us a deeper look at plant-based magic, and the botanical detail made it feel genuinely distinctive. I would have happily learned even more about the other Affinities, but I'm hoping that's something the series explores as it continues.
Vivian herself was one of my favourite parts of the book. She's spent so much of her life putting everyone else's needs before her own, so watching her slowly realise that she's allowed to choose herself was incredibly satisfying. I loved seeing her become more confident, stand up for herself and build a life that actually belongs to her.
And her found family! 🥹 The friendship between Vivian, Max and the other girls, with AJ thrown into the mix, made me ridiculously happy. By the end, their ride-or-die energy had me sitting there smiling. Max is already one of my favourites and I desperately want more of her.
Then we have Professor Alaric Vale.
Apparently, in a world filled with morally grey shadow daddies, what I actually needed was an intellectual plant daddy. 😂🌱 He's intelligent, mysterious, slightly aloof and shares Vivian's love of botany. I really liked the way their professor/student relationship developed without making me uncomfortable about the power dynamic. I did, however, want a little more forbidden tension and yearning between them. I also think one or two Alaric POV chapters could have added another layer because I desperately wanted inside that man's head.
The underlying mystery really sealed this one for me. There are disappearances, death, secrets surrounding Vivian's father and plenty of unanswered questions about Arcadia itself. I predicted several reveals, but one managed to catch me completely off guard. More importantly, the bigger mystery remains tantalisingly unresolved.
There's no soul-destroying cliffhanger, but there are absolutely enough dangling threads to have me already wanting book two.
If magical schools, eerie dark academia, botanical magic, found family, ongoing mysteries and a slow-burn professor/student romance sound like your particular bookish catnip, put this one on your list.
Thank you so much to Lyla Andrews and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 🌟 for this wonderful read, so I'll round up.
Pub: 20/07/2026
An Arcane Education is a dark academia romantasy, but I feel that it sits more in the YA category with only a few spicy scenes thrown in. Something I really enjoyed about this story was the magical system, but I feel it missed a lot of the raw need and yearning of the teacher/student desire trope that I look for in a dark romance. The story is almost wholesome in the sisterhood, or found family trope, that our FMC finds, the development of relationships, and their loyalty. The way it has been written is more for a slightly younger crowd, newly dabbling into darker reading, but, really enjoyable nonetheless, and I cannot wait to see more of our ghoulfriend Max.
• The outcome of a devastating attack leaves Vivian Harver with more questions than answers, when the greenery around her comes alive to save her life. The eldest of 3 children, Vivian is raised by her mother and stepfather, after her father dies before she's even born. Having so much responsibility in hard times as the oldest sibling, Vivian is shocked when she is offered a full scholarship Masters degree at Arcadia Academy...unfortunately there's no information on the school that she can locate or track down. Will this school answer her questions about what happened that day of the attack? Will she finally get the answers to her questions about her father, and why no one seems to know anything about him?
And why does she feel so drawn to the only professor who seems to be clouded by secrecy?
•Dr Alaric Vale knew something malicious was going on at Arcadia, that's why he decided to transfer to teach there. Without knowing any of the staff he can easily blend in to teaching life without drawing too much attention to himself. Accept for the fact that he's really fucking hot - and no one can seem to keep their eyes off him.
When a promising student starts the semester having no magical experience until only a month ago, he offers to help tutor her to get caught up with all the other students. Afterall, they share the same affinity, it only makes sense that he should be the one to get her up to speed. What he doesn't bargain for is that she may be the person at the very center of the ominous things he knows are going on behind closed doors at Arcadia. He certainly never thought she'd also be the reason he's willing to lose everything to find out what those ominous things are. Then, when a student is found dead on campus and she's accused, he's willing to put everything in the line to get to the bottom of it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory for the ARC.
Pub: 20/07/2026
An Arcane Education is a dark academia romantasy, but I feel that it sits more in the YA category with only a few spicy scenes thrown in. Something I really enjoyed about this story was the magical system, but I feel it missed a lot of the raw need and yearning of the teacher/student desire trope that I look for in a dark romance. The story is almost wholesome in the sisterhood, or found family trope, that our FMC finds, the development of relationships, and their loyalty. The way it has been written is more for a slightly younger crowd, newly dabbling into darker reading, but, really enjoyable nonetheless, and I cannot wait to see more of our ghoulfriend Max.
• The outcome of a devastating attack leaves Vivian Harver with more questions than answers, when the greenery around her comes alive to save her life. The eldest of 3 children, Vivian is raised by her mother and stepfather, after her father dies before she's even born. Having so much responsibility in hard times as the oldest sibling, Vivian is shocked when she is offered a full scholarship Masters degree at Arcadia Academy...unfortunately there's no information on the school that she can locate or track down. Will this school answer her questions about what happened that day of the attack? Will she finally get the answers to her questions about her father, and why no one seems to know anything about him?
And why does she feel so drawn to the only professor who seems to be clouded by secrecy?
•Dr Alaric Vale knew something malicious was going on at Arcadia, that's why he decided to transfer to teach there. Without knowing any of the staff he can easily blend in to teaching life without drawing too much attention to himself. Accept for the fact that he's really fucking hot - and no one can seem to keep their eyes off him.
When a promising student starts the semester having no magical experience until only a month ago, he offers to help tutor her to get caught up with all the other students. Afterall, they share the same affinity, it only makes sense that he should be the one to get her up to speed. What he doesn't bargain for is that she may be the person at the very center of the ominous things he knows are going on behind closed doors at Arcadia. He certainly never thought she'd also be the reason he's willing to lose everything to find out what those ominous things are. Then, when a student is found dead on campus and she's accused, he's willing to put everything in the line to get to the bottom of it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory for the ARC.
August 3, 2026
Book Review: An Arcane Education by Lyla Andrews
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the moment I saw the eerie, atmospheric cover of An Arcane Education, I sensed I was in for something special. As someone who rarely picks up romance novels these days, and even more rarely awards a five-star rating to fiction, this book completely captivated me. It reignited my passion for the genre, especially when it’s steeped in the dark, alluring world of academia and secrets.
The story unfolds at Arcadia Academy, an elite and secretive school hidden on a fog-shrouded island in the Pacific Northwest. Here, magic, power, beauty, and reputation intertwine in a dangerous dance. After a frightening attack, Vivian discovers she has magical abilities she never knew existed. Leaving behind her mundane life, she enrolls in the graduate program at Arcadia but quickly finds herself struggling to catch up with classmates who have years of experience ahead of her. Enter Professor Alaric Vale, a strict, enigmatic, and undeniably handsome tutor whose offer to help Vivian sparks a slow-burning and forbidden attraction beneath the academy’s gothic ivy-covered walls.
What truly makes An Arcane Education stand out is its rich, immersive atmosphere. The ancient stone buildings, shadowy forests filled with strange plant aberrations, and secrets whispered through the fog create a hauntingly beautiful setting. As Vivian digs deeper into a fellow student’s mysterious death, one that soon casts suspicion on her, the tension ramps up. She must balance mastering her magic, navigating a forbidden romance, and unraveling dark secrets about both the academy and herself.
Lyla Andrews expertly blends fantasy with the classic dark academia vibe. The characters feel real and relatable, bonded by friendship and shared struggles, while the world-building is detailed and vivid without ever overwhelming the story. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the slow-burning romance to develop naturally alongside the unfolding mysteries. The “heat” between Vivian and Professor Vale is perfectly calibrated—not too intense to overshadow the plot, but enough to keep the pages turning.
In short, *An Arcane Education* is a spellbinding journey into power, passion, and peril. A must-read for fans of gothic romance with a magical twist. I’m already eagerly awaiting the next installment to return to this intoxicating world.
⚠️This review reflects my personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual tastes may vary⚠️
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the moment I saw the eerie, atmospheric cover of An Arcane Education, I sensed I was in for something special. As someone who rarely picks up romance novels these days, and even more rarely awards a five-star rating to fiction, this book completely captivated me. It reignited my passion for the genre, especially when it’s steeped in the dark, alluring world of academia and secrets.
The story unfolds at Arcadia Academy, an elite and secretive school hidden on a fog-shrouded island in the Pacific Northwest. Here, magic, power, beauty, and reputation intertwine in a dangerous dance. After a frightening attack, Vivian discovers she has magical abilities she never knew existed. Leaving behind her mundane life, she enrolls in the graduate program at Arcadia but quickly finds herself struggling to catch up with classmates who have years of experience ahead of her. Enter Professor Alaric Vale, a strict, enigmatic, and undeniably handsome tutor whose offer to help Vivian sparks a slow-burning and forbidden attraction beneath the academy’s gothic ivy-covered walls.
What truly makes An Arcane Education stand out is its rich, immersive atmosphere. The ancient stone buildings, shadowy forests filled with strange plant aberrations, and secrets whispered through the fog create a hauntingly beautiful setting. As Vivian digs deeper into a fellow student’s mysterious death, one that soon casts suspicion on her, the tension ramps up. She must balance mastering her magic, navigating a forbidden romance, and unraveling dark secrets about both the academy and herself.
Lyla Andrews expertly blends fantasy with the classic dark academia vibe. The characters feel real and relatable, bonded by friendship and shared struggles, while the world-building is detailed and vivid without ever overwhelming the story. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the slow-burning romance to develop naturally alongside the unfolding mysteries. The “heat” between Vivian and Professor Vale is perfectly calibrated—not too intense to overshadow the plot, but enough to keep the pages turning.
In short, *An Arcane Education* is a spellbinding journey into power, passion, and peril. A must-read for fans of gothic romance with a magical twist. I’m already eagerly awaiting the next installment to return to this intoxicating world.
⚠️This review reflects my personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual tastes may vary⚠️
July 23, 2026
📚Book: An Arcane Education
✍🏼Author: Lyla Andrews
⭐️Rating: 4/5
😀Genre: Dark Academic
🌶Spice Level: 2/5
⏰When Read: July 2026
📝Review: Vivian is an incredibly selfless character. As one of the main caretakers for her younger brother, she takes on many household responsibilities because her mother and stepfather are often away working. Despite everything she carries, Vivian remains caring and strong. She has always wanted to know more about her biological father, but the only connection she has to him is a single photograph. After a life-changing attack reveals that she possesses magic, Vivian’s world completely changes. She is invited to attend Arcadia Academy, a university for magical beings, where she begins uncovering more about herself and her mysterious past.
I really enjoyed Vivian as a main character because of her determination and resilience. She has a deep love for nature, especially plants, which makes her stand out. Even though she is inexperienced with magic, she never lets that stop her. Watching her struggle, learn, and continue pushing forward made her a character I wanted to root for. I always appreciate a FMC who refuses to give up, and Vivian embodies that perfectly.
Professor Alaric Vale was one of the most intriguing characters in the story. From the moment he and Vivian meet, he gives off a mysterious, gentle, yet slightly cold energy that immediately made me want to know more about him. When Vivian struggles with her magic, Professor Vale steps in to guide and help her. Their connection slowly develops throughout the story, and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow. I only wish we had gotten more insight into his thoughts, background, and motivations because his character had so much potential.
The mystery and eerie atmosphere of Arcadia Academy were some of my favorite parts of the book. The campus feels magical yet unsettling, especially during Vivian’s visits to the forest. Every time she enters the forest, there is a sense that something is watching or waiting, which kept me curious and eager to uncover the secrets hidden within the story.
I also loved the found family aspect. As Vivian settles into life at Arcadia Academy, she builds friendships with people who genuinely care for and protect one another. Their bond adds warmth to the story and gives Vivian a support system she has never really had before. I’m excited to see how their relationships continue to develop in future books.
✍🏼Author: Lyla Andrews
⭐️Rating: 4/5
😀Genre: Dark Academic
🌶Spice Level: 2/5
⏰When Read: July 2026
📝Review: Vivian is an incredibly selfless character. As one of the main caretakers for her younger brother, she takes on many household responsibilities because her mother and stepfather are often away working. Despite everything she carries, Vivian remains caring and strong. She has always wanted to know more about her biological father, but the only connection she has to him is a single photograph. After a life-changing attack reveals that she possesses magic, Vivian’s world completely changes. She is invited to attend Arcadia Academy, a university for magical beings, where she begins uncovering more about herself and her mysterious past.
I really enjoyed Vivian as a main character because of her determination and resilience. She has a deep love for nature, especially plants, which makes her stand out. Even though she is inexperienced with magic, she never lets that stop her. Watching her struggle, learn, and continue pushing forward made her a character I wanted to root for. I always appreciate a FMC who refuses to give up, and Vivian embodies that perfectly.
Professor Alaric Vale was one of the most intriguing characters in the story. From the moment he and Vivian meet, he gives off a mysterious, gentle, yet slightly cold energy that immediately made me want to know more about him. When Vivian struggles with her magic, Professor Vale steps in to guide and help her. Their connection slowly develops throughout the story, and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow. I only wish we had gotten more insight into his thoughts, background, and motivations because his character had so much potential.
The mystery and eerie atmosphere of Arcadia Academy were some of my favorite parts of the book. The campus feels magical yet unsettling, especially during Vivian’s visits to the forest. Every time she enters the forest, there is a sense that something is watching or waiting, which kept me curious and eager to uncover the secrets hidden within the story.
I also loved the found family aspect. As Vivian settles into life at Arcadia Academy, she builds friendships with people who genuinely care for and protect one another. Their bond adds warmth to the story and gives Vivian a support system she has never really had before. I’m excited to see how their relationships continue to develop in future books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book literally cured my reading slump
the goods:
spice 2.5/5
professor x student
magic (ofc)
strong character development
Let me start by getting my only 2 grievance with the book out of the way: I felt like there were big time jumps in the book that felt important for the plot development. Something would happen between our MC’s and then the chapter ends and the start of the next one is weeks later. I feel like small jumps would have been tolerable and unnoticeable but several weeks jumping at a time felt a little off.
The second simply being I wished some of our secondary characters got a little more spotlight. I understand they are secondary characters for a reason and not everyone is super important in the story, but it seemed like everyone directly affected our FMC pretty heavily and a little more “screen time” for them would have been nice to see.
NOW let me tell you everything I loved and devoured in this book:
Our MC’s are so interesting - Vivian is a late bloomer when it comes to magic and comes to learn she has it pretty tragically. Since she came to having magic later in life obviously she’s behind compared to her peers. Which, I am SO glad the author didn’t instantly make her amazing at magic and made it feel so realistic with the ups and downs of her trying, failing and succeeding. - Alaric is a lil shady at the beginning but you instantly start to swoon for him nonetheless. He’s very “nerdy” in a sense but in a charming way.
I also particularly love how well all of the scenery is portrayed, it genuinely felt like i was just watching a movie instead of reading which how graphic and well described everything was. From the stoney cold castles, to the coast and to the library, everything was perfectly illuminated for us readers to get an exact image in our heads.
I was kept on the edge of my seat when the mystery of Vivian’s father came into play! It came completely out of left field for me and pleasantly surprised me. It felt like a puzzle piece sliding into place to fully understand everything going on.
With that mystery and all of the other plot twists that happen throughout the story, it thankfully and annoyingly leaves us on a bit of a cliffhanger. Thankfully because we get more of our MC’s and get to dive back into this cold stoney academic setting but annoyingly because now we have to wait for it!
the goods:
spice 2.5/5
professor x student
magic (ofc)
strong character development
Let me start by getting my only 2 grievance with the book out of the way: I felt like there were big time jumps in the book that felt important for the plot development. Something would happen between our MC’s and then the chapter ends and the start of the next one is weeks later. I feel like small jumps would have been tolerable and unnoticeable but several weeks jumping at a time felt a little off.
The second simply being I wished some of our secondary characters got a little more spotlight. I understand they are secondary characters for a reason and not everyone is super important in the story, but it seemed like everyone directly affected our FMC pretty heavily and a little more “screen time” for them would have been nice to see.
NOW let me tell you everything I loved and devoured in this book:
Our MC’s are so interesting - Vivian is a late bloomer when it comes to magic and comes to learn she has it pretty tragically. Since she came to having magic later in life obviously she’s behind compared to her peers. Which, I am SO glad the author didn’t instantly make her amazing at magic and made it feel so realistic with the ups and downs of her trying, failing and succeeding. - Alaric is a lil shady at the beginning but you instantly start to swoon for him nonetheless. He’s very “nerdy” in a sense but in a charming way.
I also particularly love how well all of the scenery is portrayed, it genuinely felt like i was just watching a movie instead of reading which how graphic and well described everything was. From the stoney cold castles, to the coast and to the library, everything was perfectly illuminated for us readers to get an exact image in our heads.
I was kept on the edge of my seat when the mystery of Vivian’s father came into play! It came completely out of left field for me and pleasantly surprised me. It felt like a puzzle piece sliding into place to fully understand everything going on.
With that mystery and all of the other plot twists that happen throughout the story, it thankfully and annoyingly leaves us on a bit of a cliffhanger. Thankfully because we get more of our MC’s and get to dive back into this cold stoney academic setting but annoyingly because now we have to wait for it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Big thank you to Lyla Andrews for giving me the opportunity to read this book ahead of time!!
One thing about me is, I love a dark academia with a professor x student relationship. The setting in this book was immaculate. Nothing beats a gloomy, gothic academy where magic and secrets are the norm. I'm going to try to do this with no spoilers so here we go.
Let's start with the character breakdown:
• Vivian: our FMC. Vivian lived a very normal life putting everybody's needs ahead of her own including being the primary caregiver of her developmentally delayed brother. After an incident on a hike, Vivian discovers she has magic and is invited to attend Arcadia Academy. Vivian is obviously confused because she never applied, but decided she had to put herself first for once and decided to attend. While there, she learns that she is a Naturalist, meaning she has a magical affinity for nature. Vivian feels behind because she is a grad student who discovered she had magic in her twenties, which is not normal. We follow Vivian's journey as she navigates her master's program, learning basic magic, and balancing new friendships and a relationship along the way.
• Alaric: our MMC. Alaric is our sexy, secretive professor that teaches one of Vivian's master's classes. He meets Vivian early on while he is in the greenhouse working on his "secret research". Unfortunately, this book is single POV, so we don't get to really know his thoughts but I still loved him.
• Max: Max is a vampire & also an empath. She is Vivian's roommate and is very cold at first. Vivian soon finds out the reason Max is standoffish is because, as an empath, she feels everything and Vivian stresses her out with unregulated emotions. They end up being great friends.
• AJ: Vivian's first friend at Arcadia. He's our goofy, fun-loving side character that you can't help but love.
• Callista: she's a siren and becomes another of Vivian's best friends. This girl is FUN and she will always have Vivian's back.
Beyond the relationship between Vivian & Alaric, I love how this book explored the friendship between Vivian, Max, Callista, AJ, and 2 other side characters: Avery & Delilah. If you are looking for a world with a fun magic system, gothic academy, beautiful relationships, and a million secrets, this is for you. Immediately signing up for book 2.
One thing about me is, I love a dark academia with a professor x student relationship. The setting in this book was immaculate. Nothing beats a gloomy, gothic academy where magic and secrets are the norm. I'm going to try to do this with no spoilers so here we go.
Let's start with the character breakdown:
• Vivian: our FMC. Vivian lived a very normal life putting everybody's needs ahead of her own including being the primary caregiver of her developmentally delayed brother. After an incident on a hike, Vivian discovers she has magic and is invited to attend Arcadia Academy. Vivian is obviously confused because she never applied, but decided she had to put herself first for once and decided to attend. While there, she learns that she is a Naturalist, meaning she has a magical affinity for nature. Vivian feels behind because she is a grad student who discovered she had magic in her twenties, which is not normal. We follow Vivian's journey as she navigates her master's program, learning basic magic, and balancing new friendships and a relationship along the way.
• Alaric: our MMC. Alaric is our sexy, secretive professor that teaches one of Vivian's master's classes. He meets Vivian early on while he is in the greenhouse working on his "secret research". Unfortunately, this book is single POV, so we don't get to really know his thoughts but I still loved him.
• Max: Max is a vampire & also an empath. She is Vivian's roommate and is very cold at first. Vivian soon finds out the reason Max is standoffish is because, as an empath, she feels everything and Vivian stresses her out with unregulated emotions. They end up being great friends.
• AJ: Vivian's first friend at Arcadia. He's our goofy, fun-loving side character that you can't help but love.
• Callista: she's a siren and becomes another of Vivian's best friends. This girl is FUN and she will always have Vivian's back.
Beyond the relationship between Vivian & Alaric, I love how this book explored the friendship between Vivian, Max, Callista, AJ, and 2 other side characters: Avery & Delilah. If you are looking for a world with a fun magic system, gothic academy, beautiful relationships, and a million secrets, this is for you. Immediately signing up for book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I always felt dispensable, like a background character that was sometimes entertaining but never essential."
"You've brought light into my life that I hadn't even realized I was missing."
3.5⭐️ rounded up
Thank you to the author, Lyla Andrews, for providing me with this ARC.
Publication date: July 20, 2026
Tropes
🌿 Magical academy
🌿 Professor x student
🌿 Underlying mystery
🌿 Found family
🌿 Dark academia
Spice 2🌶️
This was an enjoyable read. The worldbuilding and magic system was simple enough to understand and I liked seeing Vivian grow as a person and also in her magical abilities over the course of the book. There is this sense of eeriness you get throughout the course of the book that I think was done really well. We know that something is wrong but never get a clear answer what the threat actually is and the mystery of that definitely kept me reading.
What keeps this from being a true four stars is the general lack of depth in terms of the characters and plot. I wish there was more dialogue between characters and more showing instead of telling.
I loved the bonds she formed with Max, Callista, Delilah, Avery. I found out that each book in this series is actually going to focus on a different character from this friend group so I'm interested in getting to know them better in future books! I also liked the friendship between Vivian and AJ (ngl I kinda wanted something to happen between them 🫣).
The first half of the book focuses more on Vivian adjusting to school and classes, learning how to control her magic, forming new friendship and trying to uncover the secrets surrounding her father's past. If you're looking for romance, you won't get much of it until the second half of the book.
While I liked Vivian and Alaric together, I needed more tension and yearning!! It felt like a lot of their relationship developed "behind the scenes" and I didn't really get to see their chemistry develop so when they declared their love for each other, it was a little hard for me to believe it.
There are still many lingering questions, secrets, and so much of this world left to explore in future books. I'm interested to see how everything will unfold!
"You've brought light into my life that I hadn't even realized I was missing."
3.5⭐️ rounded up
Thank you to the author, Lyla Andrews, for providing me with this ARC.
Publication date: July 20, 2026
Tropes
🌿 Magical academy
🌿 Professor x student
🌿 Underlying mystery
🌿 Found family
🌿 Dark academia
Spice 2🌶️
This was an enjoyable read. The worldbuilding and magic system was simple enough to understand and I liked seeing Vivian grow as a person and also in her magical abilities over the course of the book. There is this sense of eeriness you get throughout the course of the book that I think was done really well. We know that something is wrong but never get a clear answer what the threat actually is and the mystery of that definitely kept me reading.
What keeps this from being a true four stars is the general lack of depth in terms of the characters and plot. I wish there was more dialogue between characters and more showing instead of telling.
I loved the bonds she formed with Max, Callista, Delilah, Avery. I found out that each book in this series is actually going to focus on a different character from this friend group so I'm interested in getting to know them better in future books! I also liked the friendship between Vivian and AJ (ngl I kinda wanted something to happen between them 🫣).
The first half of the book focuses more on Vivian adjusting to school and classes, learning how to control her magic, forming new friendship and trying to uncover the secrets surrounding her father's past. If you're looking for romance, you won't get much of it until the second half of the book.
While I liked Vivian and Alaric together, I needed more tension and yearning!! It felt like a lot of their relationship developed "behind the scenes" and I didn't really get to see their chemistry develop so when they declared their love for each other, it was a little hard for me to believe it.
There are still many lingering questions, secrets, and so much of this world left to explore in future books. I'm interested to see how everything will unfold!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First, thank you to BookFunnel and the author for the ARC!
Dark academia is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres. There's just something about the whole vibe. Fantasy, but make it creepy and mysterious enough that you're always waiting to see what's around the next corner. That said, this definitely leaned more cozy than dark, which I still enjoyed. If I had to compare it to gaming, this is the cozy game you binge for hours, not too intense or complex.
I really did enjoy the story overall, but it was also...pretty damn predictable.
Since this is an ARC, I always expect a few typos and there were a couple. No big deal. There was also a character name mix-up though, and those are the ones that always annoy me because they should've been caught. It's little stuff like that that pulls me out of the story, so I always mention it in ARC reviews.
The bigger thing for me was the reveals.
The professor romance immediately gave me Zodiac Academy vibes...and that's not a compliment.
Then you've got Vivian acting absolutely floored that Alaric is fae. Girl...who else did you think was going to the academy where they literally told you the fae tend to go? We already knew fae existed. We already knew where they generally attended school. We already knew Alaric was from there. We already knew about the whole truth-telling thing. And then he's described looking exactly how you'd picture a fae. Literally no one reading this was surprised except Vivian.
Same with when she acts shocked about his...size...when they finally sleep together. Ma'am. You already had it in your mouth. Why are we acting like this is brand new information?
Those moments just made her feel less observant than she should've been, and it kind of took me out of it because none of it felt like a genuine reveal.
All that said...I still burned through this in a day, and I'm currently reading another series, so that's saying something. I really liked Vivian's friend group, the writing was easy to get into, and it was just a fun, cozy fantasy read. Predictable? Sure. But still enjoyable enough that I'd absolutely read the next book.
Dark academia is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres. There's just something about the whole vibe. Fantasy, but make it creepy and mysterious enough that you're always waiting to see what's around the next corner. That said, this definitely leaned more cozy than dark, which I still enjoyed. If I had to compare it to gaming, this is the cozy game you binge for hours, not too intense or complex.
I really did enjoy the story overall, but it was also...pretty damn predictable.
Since this is an ARC, I always expect a few typos and there were a couple. No big deal. There was also a character name mix-up though, and those are the ones that always annoy me because they should've been caught. It's little stuff like that that pulls me out of the story, so I always mention it in ARC reviews.
The bigger thing for me was the reveals.
The professor romance immediately gave me Zodiac Academy vibes...and that's not a compliment.
Then you've got Vivian acting absolutely floored that Alaric is fae. Girl...who else did you think was going to the academy where they literally told you the fae tend to go? We already knew fae existed. We already knew where they generally attended school. We already knew Alaric was from there. We already knew about the whole truth-telling thing. And then he's described looking exactly how you'd picture a fae. Literally no one reading this was surprised except Vivian.
Same with when she acts shocked about his...size...when they finally sleep together. Ma'am. You already had it in your mouth. Why are we acting like this is brand new information?
Those moments just made her feel less observant than she should've been, and it kind of took me out of it because none of it felt like a genuine reveal.
All that said...I still burned through this in a day, and I'm currently reading another series, so that's saying something. I really liked Vivian's friend group, the writing was easy to get into, and it was just a fun, cozy fantasy read. Predictable? Sure. But still enjoyable enough that I'd absolutely read the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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