An Arcane Study of Stars by Sydney Shields
An Arcane Study of Stars by Sydney Shields is a dark academia fantasy romance about Claudia, whose rare celestial magic draws her into a bargain with a demon and the secrets of an occult university. Expect a rivals-to-lovers thread, an ancient curse and a gothic, dangerous atmosphere.
At a glance
- Historical dark academia fantasy with occult university themes and celestial magic.
- Centres on a bargain between Claudia and a demon, a mystery involving a prison of stars and a dangerous rivalry with academic Cassius MacLeod.
- The listing describes the romance as rivals-to-lovers and the story as gothic, dark and sensual.
Reference price: £22.00
Price checked: 12 Nov 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- Combines an occult-university setting, a supernatural mystery and a central romantic rivalry.
- A 512-page print length gives room for an extended fantasy story.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | Orbit |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 28 April 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 512 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0356522563 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0356522562 |
| Weight listed | 450 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15.4 x 4.6 x 23.8 cm |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers seeking dark academia fantasy romance with a gothic atmosphere.
- Fans of rivals-to-lovers plots, occult secrets, celestial magic and morally dangerous bargains.
Less suited to
- Readers looking for a light or low-stakes romance, based on the listing's dark themes and dangerous plot.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
30% 30% - 4 stars
30% 30% - 3 stars
28% 28% - 2 stars
9% 9% - 1 star
3% 3%
Customer feedback highlights an engaging story, unexpected plot turns and an appealing rivals-to-lovers romance, with characters also receiving praise. Writing-style feedback is mixed. This may suit readers drawn to the book's supernatural mystery and romantic tension, but the overall rating distribution is varied rather than uniformly positive.
Positive themes
- Customers praise the engaging story and its unexpected twists.
- The rivals-to-lovers romance, characters and plot receive positive feedback.
Mixed feedback
- Writing style feedback is mixed.
Frequently asked questions
What is An Arcane Study of Stars about?
Claudia, rejected by the occult university Cygnus, accepts a demon's offer of admission in exchange for his freedom. She investigates his starry prison while navigating a rivalry with academic Cassius and an ancient curse.
What kind of romance does the book feature?
The listing presents a rivals-to-lovers romance between Claudia and the academic star of Cygnus, Cassius MacLeod.
How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 512 pages.
What language is the book in?
The listed language is English.
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