ARC REVIEW: “Arcana Academy” by Elise Kova

“Break or die. It’s one or the other in Halazar Prison. I refuse to do either.”

I absolutely LOVED this story. It was such an exciting and compelling concept. Using the tarot as the power system isn’t all that new but the way it was utilised, with each card having a unique power - whether that be defensive, offensive, physical, or mental. I also love that the ability to ink cards isn’t just something everyone can do. The whole thing made for such an interesting story I had trouble putting it down!

While Clara was independent and determined to not allow Kaelis to run her life, I did like that wasn’t the defining part of her character. She used him just as much as he used her, and though her own drive for revenge and to find out what had happened to her loved ones had her going against him a lot, she wasn’t silly about it, and was able to recognise when to let him lead and when to go her own way. 

The tension between Clara and Kaelis was steamy… I loved it. There was the right amount of banter, and that enemies-to-lovers build up that just hooked me right in my soul. 

I NEED more of this now. It was such a great read and I haven’t recovered!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review this incredible book! The review is so late, and for that I apologise!