A woman who wields magical tarot cards lands herself in a false engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy in this first installment of an enthralling romantasy series from the bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King . Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic. After a job gone awry, Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards-a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy. Just when it seems her luck has run dry, the academy''s enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her an escape-for a price. Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king and use it to re-create an all-powerful card long lost to time. In order to conceal her identity and keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first-year student and his bride-to-be. Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world-and her heart? Or will she take it for herself?

Autorentext
Elise Kova is a #1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author. She enjoys telling stories of fantasy worlds filled with magic and deep emotions. She lives in Florida and, when not writing, can be found playing video games, drawing, chatting with readers on social media, or daydreaming about her next story.

Klappentext

Claim your destiny in the hottest new Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling fantasy romance, in which a magical tarot card wielder lands herself in a fake engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy.

Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of magic. But when she is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for illegally inking tarot cards, it seems her luck has finally run out.

Until Prince Kaelis offers her an escape - for a price.

In exchange for her life, Clara must pose as Kaelis' bride-to-be and a student of the elite Arcana Academy. There, she and Kaelis will conspire to steal a powerful card from the king and use it to bring his tyrannical rule to an end.

Clara soon discovers that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world . . . and heart? Or will she steal the magic for herself?

TROPES
Fake engagement
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Magical school
Morally gray
Girlboss x cold royal x

READERS ARE OBSESSED
'A stellar start to the series'
**'Absolutely wrecked me, in the best way'
'Let me tell you, this romance does BURN'
'**This was so well crafted, and **had me turning page after page'**
'A fresh voice in an an oversaturated world of dark academia romantasy'