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An Arcane Study of Stars

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What to expect

From Sydney J. Shields, the breakout author of The Honey Witch, comes An Arcane Study of Stars, a historical dark academia fantasy filled with ancient secret societies, a swoon-worthy rivals-to-lovers romance, and dangerous deals made after dark. Perfect for fans of The Atlas Six and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

When Claudia Jolicoeur is rejected from Cygnus University, a devilish stranger named Dorian appears in her nightmares and offers her a bargain: he will get her into Cygnus if she learns how to free him from a prison of stars. He takes a bite of her soul to seal the deal, and Claudia wakes to a letter from the High Sage of Cygnus stating she will take the place of Odette Dufort, a Rhetoric student who passed away.

Her arrival raises suspicions, rumors that she had a hand in Odette's death spread like wildfire, and Cassius MacLeod, the High Sage’s apprentice and Claudia's fellow Rhetoric student, seems hellbent on humiliating her. Determined to clear her name, she searches for any evidence that could prove her innocence. When someone—or something—starts slipping her pieces of Odette’s diary, Claudia uncovers a horrifying truth: over the last century, celestial witches at Cygnus have been murdered. Odette was one of them, and Claudia could be next. For her own protection, Claudia needs to free Dorian—and fast. 

By night, she studies the stars, slowly unraveling the mystery of Dorian's prison. By day, she and Cassius wage rhetorical war as debate partners in class. What begins as a fierce rivalry devolves into something deeper, darker, and dangerously sensual. As Claudia inches closer to the truth, she must decide: would trusting Cassius be the last mistake she ever makes?

Critics Review

“A fearless celebration of desire in all its forms, An Arcane Study of Stars is utterly transportive and thrilling. Not since childhood have I wanted to run away into a magical university quite so much! Shields is clever as they come, and this the author at her most ambitious and triumphant.”—S. T. Gibson, International bestselling author of A Dowry of Blood
"An Arcane Study of Stars is a deal with the devil like you’ve never read before. Sharp, clever, spicy; this is the blueprint for dark academia romantasy."—Breanne Randall, New York Times bestselling author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic
"An atmospheric and devastating tale of the quest for independence and the price of power, Sydney J. Shields is at her finest in An Arcane Study of Stars. This magical, phenomenal novel will keep you guessing until your last second at Cygnus."—Kamilah Cole, USA Today and National Indie bestselling author of An Arcane Inheritance
"Putting the 'D' in 'Dark Academia', Shields has constructed the magical university of dreams - or possibly nightmares. This story is gothic, gripping and utterly spellbinding. Outstanding."—Hazel McBride, international bestselling author of A Fate Forged in Fire
"While Shields' sophomore novel glitters with the lush atmosphere and heart that have become her signature talents, An Arcane Study of Stars shines brightest in its academic prowess. Here is a truly Good dark academia novel, with classroom scenes that beg to be annotated and rivals-to-lovers who will have you screaming into your fists, all written in prose so sharp it sinks its teeth into you and takes a bite out of your soul."—Callie Rowland, author of Fields of Asphodel
"A vast web of tantalizing mysteries...The elaborate worldbuilding, persistent protagonist, simmering enemies-to-lovers romance between Claudia and Cassius, and twist-filled plot keep the pages turning."—Publishers Weekly
"Reading The Honey Witch is like dreaming in a fragrant sunlit garden while bees sing around you. It's a gorgeous book, with a lovely cottagecore ambience and a heart-warming sapphic romance intertwined with unique magic that enchants the imagination. I was so charmed by this impressive debut." 
 —India Holton, international bestselling author on The Honey Witch
"The Honey Witch is a sweet feast, brimming with whimsy, magic, and tender longing. Shields' world is sugar-glazed and heart-warming and thoroughly enjoyable." —Rachel Gillig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Knight and the Moth on The Honey Witch
"The Honey Witch is a tale that deserves to be savored but begs to be devoured. Enchanting, whimsical, and firmly rooted in finding yourself after loss, this novel will break your heart and then soothe it with magic honey. Full of friendship and beauty at every turn of the page, The Honey Witch will heal you and help you feel seen in equal measure. Pour yourself a cup of tea, drizzle in some local honey, and let this decadent book transport you." —Breanne Randall, New York Times bestselling author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic on The Honey Witch

"As sweet and warm as honeyed tea. Shields’ debut deftly explores love, loss, and loneliness—and the joy of seeing magic in all things, however small. With charming characters and a lush setting, The Honey Witch will delight fans of cozy fantasy."

—Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic on The Honey Witch
"As effervescent as a bottle of sparkling mead, The Honey Witch charms with every sentence. Shields writes with a fierce, uncynical honesty that will have you believing in soulmates, uncovering magic everywhere, and embracing your own wildness."—S. T. Gibson, author of A Dowry of Blood on The Honey Witch
"The Honey Witch will charm you with its setting, its appealing characters, both young and old, and its love for all things natural—especially bees! This tale of a young witch dealing with a curse and a battle between dark magic and light, with her romance in the balance, is one all fans of witches and folk magic will love."—Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches on The Honey Witch
“For anyone who has ever known what the mundane world wants them to be isn’t possible or even desirable, The Honey Witch takes a luminous, divergent path." —Willa Reece, author of Wildwood Magic on The Honey Witch
"Shields has written a cozy confection of a book—full of whimsy, spice, and heart. With characters whose warmth and charm are irresistible, The Honey Witch is an ode to love, and just how sweet it can be." —Maiga Doocy, author of Sorcery and Small Magics on The Honey Witch
"With beautiful prose, a cozy setting filled with magic and honey, and a swoon-worthy sapphic romance, The Honey Witch delivers a gorgeous story of love, loss, and the perils of loneliness. This fantastic debut by Sydney J. Shields is an instant favorite." —Rebecca Thorne, author of Can't Spell Treason Without Tea on The Honey Witch
“Debut author Shields spins a lush web of family, lore, and love in this coming-of-power fantasy set in 1831 England […] luxuriating in atmosphere and introspection as Marigold comes into her own.”—Publishers Weekly on The Honey Witch

"[A] warmhearted fantasy [that] will satisfy readers of sapphic romances who love the alternate historical world of Bridgerton or who grew up watching Halloweentown and Practical Magic."

—BookPage on The Honey Witch

"Readers interested in a tale that sits at the intersection of witchy relationship fiction and sapphic historical romance will enjoy this charming, slow-paced tale of love triumphing over evil."

—Booklist on The Honey Witch
"The Honey Witch evokes pure glee and sadness while also giving the reader a gorgeous setting to explore... This story will draw in its audience with imagery and heal their souls with queer love. After reading Shields's novel, even those without a sweet tooth will be left craving honey."—Daily Bruin on The Honey Witch
Author Sydney J. Shields
Narrator Jane Fox
Duration 18 hours and 9 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781668655252
Format Audiobook
Publisher Hachette Audio
Genre Dark fantasy, Fantasy romance, Historical fantasy, Occult fiction
Availability US

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