Being in prison gives a person time to think, they say. Clara Graysword has had quite enough of prison though, and once the headmaster of Arcana Academy has decided to release her (for a price, of course), she’s determined to never go back. She’s also determined to get some answers to questions she’s had to hold onto for the year or so she’s been imprisoned: Where is her sister? Is her misfit family alive and well? Who betrayed her?

As you can imagine, our FMC starts this series with a handful of questions, and as the plot grows and the story builds, the questions pile on. Tentative friendships are made and then solidified even as enemies grow in number. In the middle of the mix is the axis on which this whole book (and the series, as a whole) spins: the slow-burn, unlikely-allies, love-to-hate and hate-to-love dynamic between Clara and Kaelis. Some may be tempted to call them enemies-to-lovers, but I strongly disagree. The chemistry between these two is sharp and spicy and the tension burns so nicely. The two of them together are like a guilty pleasure. 

This is a fun, engaging book with a large supporting cast that I feel will be well-utilized in the next book. I like the magic system and how the tarot cards are wielded in the action scenes. The pacing is really great and the plotting is solid. It ends on one heck of a cliffhanger, so watch out for the drop! 4⭐️

I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Academy Setting/Adult Fantasy/Book Series/Fantasy/Romantasy/Spice Level 1