I am very sorry to say that I DNFed this book. It was recommended by the publisher because I liked Arcana Academy by Elise Kova, but this doesn’t even come close to that book.

Ellsbeth botched her Arcanus test which is of the utmost importance if you want to study more about Arcane arts. Within the first few chapters it becomes clear that she wants the professor of Newlyn to accept her anyway, without the proper test scores but for her brilliance on this subject alone. She emails the professor directly and pleads her case, which should be fine if not for the flirtatious nature of the emails.

Professor Rawlings is getting bored and rusted in place with what he’s teaching and what he’s willing to share. He doesn’t want to accept Ellsbeth in his program but she is compelling and seems to be very smart indeed. She’s even pretty, but that would be a road he doesn’t want to go down to.

When Ellsbeth is accepted after numerous emails and an in person meet, she tells the professor what she wants to study.. Writ magic which is forbidden. But with a few kinks in the law you can actually still study and finetune it, if a person where to try it on a willing participant.

The banter between professor and Ellsbeth keeps growing, so he’ll be going down that road soon enough..

Not much happening within the first 40% aside from the flirtation and eventually romance.. The course for a forbidden magic was the only thrilling thing. It just wasn’t for me.