Worthy of Fate (Realms in Peril)
A.N. Caudle
4.2
An Arcane Study of Stars
by Sydney J. Shields
Published Apr 28, 2026
Category
About this book
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?
Available Formats
Audiobook: $0.00 Paperback: $14.59
What readers are saying
Leilani6 Star dark academia × paranormal romance
"6 stars, hands down. Ever since I heard Sydney Shields was coming out with another book, I have been crossing my fingers, toes, legs, and praying to get it in my earbuds as quickly as possible. She has this way of writing that makes me pause - and its no easy feat. My mind is usually nonstop, and I multitask while listening to audiobooks. I locked in because every single word is important. This book cast a spell on me - I felt entranced by Jane Fox's voice, her cadence, inflection, and passion she breathed into these characters & university. She didnt just deliver the lines, she made me feel EVERYTHING. An Arcane Study of Stars is essentially a spell book, a grimoire, set in a fog cloaked academy, where time stands still and moss coats the cobblestones. It is poetry and yearning and madness. We have magic, a murder mystery, found family, and witty banter...holy STARS, the banter. This book made me wish I had a better vocabulary. I understood the words, but I definitely dont speak this way. It was simply beautiful. If you are a lover of intelligent banter, you are going to appreciate this book. I loved every single thing about this audiobook. I need to know what happens next. Some of my favorite quotes: 🌌"Nothing is as transformative as the right book at the right time." 🌌"Because Cassius thinks shes a [....] and worse... an idiot." 🌌"He doesnt answer, because he is a snake. Useless. Adorable, but useless." 🌌"But you dont believe in the stars"..... "I believe in you." 🌌"You think i dont want to tell you? I'd rip my heart out if you wanted to hold it. There's nothing in this world I want to keep from you. I want you to know me the way a writer knows their favorite poem. The way a poet knows their darkest desires." 🌌"You confuse good with perfect. Goodness is an intention. Perfection is an impossibility. Mistakes and failures do not erase your morality. They shape it and serve as a map to your truest self. You are good [...] because you want to be." ........... As always, make sure you check content warnings before you dive in... protect your heart first. (Also, I know this is chaotic.... thats where my brain is in the moment) ["
April 29, 2026
RavenousReadera beautiful gothic fantasy
"This book is rather brilliant. The magic system is unique, the protagonist is compelling and the love triangle fascinating. Claudia is desperate to escape her father and his mechanizations. She applies to Cygnus university to study a magic based on constellations and the stars only to be rejected. Then Dorian a dark and dangerous figure enters her life with a deal with a devil she cannot refuse. She will be allowed into the university but she must free him from his cage. Of course she accepts, finding herself entering late into the year and on the heals of a tragic death. She of course is suspected by many and cruelly treated by Cassius MacLeod, the High Sage's apprentice. She must navigate this world of magic and desire and find instruction to master a dead magic to fulfill her bargain. Because if she doesn't she risks madness and death. This world is rich and dark, beautiful and titillating. It is well written and worth the read. ["
May 17, 2026
