Prince of Swords

Sometimes hope is the cruelest thing of all. After the finale of Arcana Academy, Clara finds herself back in the prison she swore never to enter again. But this time, knowing her sister is imprisoned there as well, hope begins to bloom where only despair had existed before. One of the strongest aspects of this installment is Clara’s emotional journey. Her relationship with Kaelis is strained by the deep distrust she carries toward almost everyone except her sister and the members of the Starcrossed Club. Watching her slowly realize that she cannot carry every burden alone, and that trust has to be earned as well as given, felt believable and satisfying. That said, truth seems to be more of a theoretical concept for our protagonists. Clara demands honesty from everyone around her while rarely extending the same courtesy herself. I also struggled with a few of her decisions. Although she has always been morally grey, some actions didn’t quite feel consistent with the character I had come to know. The loss of Kaelis’ futures was absolutely heartbreaking, and the implications of remaking the world make the stakes feel terrifyingly uncertain. Eliza Kovas masterfully builds a sense of unease throughout the final third of the book. I found myself reading slower, almost reluctant to turn the page because I was bracing for betrayal, death, or both. She delivered. And then some. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be staring at the wall while frantically looking up the release date of the final book.