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Emily C

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Emily is Currently Reading

Emily C is currently reading

Shadow Reaper

by Lynette Noni (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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(75%)
— Jul 27, 2026 05:39AM

Jul 18, 2026 09:52AM

Emily C is currently reading

Arcana Academy (Arcana Academy, #1)

by Elise Kova (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 3rd time

read in June 2025

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Emily C said: " 5 STARS!! I have many thoughts and feelings after finishing this book, at the forefront of which is what sorcerer do I need to bribe, or tarot card do I need to wield (lol) in order to fast forward in time to when book 2 is available? This book was s 5 STARS!! I have many thoughts and feelings after finishing this book, at the forefront of which is what sorcerer do I need to bribe, or tarot card do I need to wield (lol) in order to fast forward in time to when book 2 is available? This book was so good, it has me questioning my love of reading ARCs, because it means I have to wait that much longer for the next installment (but I will gladly wait with my grubby little hands held out for when the second book is ready, do your thing and cook, Ms. Kova).

Thank you NetGalley and Del Ray for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Arcana Academy is about our female main character, Clara, with a traumatic past, who is brought from prison to magic academy under the guise of a student and bride-to-be to the second prince (and our morally grey main male character) Kaelis; but she has her own reasons to accept this deal, as she is trying to uncover the truth about the death of a loved one. If there is one thing to know about me, I love a magic academy and a morally grey MMC; it eats every time, and this was no exception.

The thing I loved most about this book was definitely the magic system; this was one of the most unique worlds of magic I have read about. The magic is based in tarot, which I knew next to nothing about, but which has always been of interest (although you need neither knowledge nor prior interest in order to thoroughly enjoy this magic system); each suit has a tie to an element and "type" of magic, and also has major and minor arcana cards, that can be cast by arcanists (both legally through the university, and illegally outside of it), but only certain people can access the higher magics, and all magic seemingly comes with a cost that can change your future. Also, each suit's users have their own distinct personality traits (think Hogwarts houses), and you bid for a spot in a house during your first year at the university, as well as go through some cut-throat trials in order to become a full-fledged student. There are also clans, and some other intricacies that you learn along the way, but this was an all around amazing magic system, and I looked forward to learning what each card did as they came up, as well as the backstory of how the magic came to be.

Also, we need to take a moment to talk about the forbidden romance aspect between our main characters and the tension that was built throughout (I yelled "just kiss already!" multiple times). Clara and Kaelis had me pulling my hair with frustration and kicking my feet and giggling, both in the same chapters sometimes. I love a "they fall for each other but are too stubborn to admit it and the forces of the world are keeping them apart" trope, and Kaelis had me feral with his smirks, one liners, protective nature, and seemingly out-of-pocket admissions of affection.

Lastly, the plot of this book was unreal. Never did I know what was happening next, and there were times that I audibly gasped at a plot twist. Also, that last line/plot twist? Criminal. You're telling me I have to wait at least a year to find out what happens? I'm crashing out.

Overall, this book deserves all of the stars, and I cannot wait for it to release, so that I can go buy my trophy copy (I need those inside cover arts like, yesterday) and support this author/series! ...more "

progress:

(30%)
— Jun 30, 2026 01:43PM

Oct 23, 2025 08:35AM · see review