An Arcane Study of Stars

From breakout star Sydney Shields 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 Heavenly Bodies and The Atlas Six.

When Claudia Jolicoeur is rejected from Cygnus University, a devilish stranger named Dorian appears in her nightmares offering a bargain: he will get her into Cygnus if she learns how to free him from a prison of stars.

With a bite of her soul to seal the deal, Claudia is enrolled, taking the place of Odette, a student who mysteriously passed away.

Her arrival sparks suspicion and Cassius MacLeod – her infuriating academic rival – spreads the rumour that Claudia had a hand in Odette’s death.

Hell bent on clearing her name, Claudia makes a discovery that puts her in direct danger. The only way to protect herself: free Dorian.

By night, she studies the stars, slowly unravelling 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. But Cassius may not be who he says he is, and soon Claudia must decide: will trusting him be the last mistake she ever makes?

‘Utterly transportive and thrilling. Shields is clever as they come, and this the author at her most ambitious and triumphant’ S. T. Gibson 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, author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic

‘An atmospheric and devastating tale. . . This magical, phenomenal novel will keep you guessing until your last second at Cygnus’ Kamilah Cole, USA Today bestselling author of An Arcane Inheritance

‘Gothic, gripping and utterly spellbinding’ Hazel McBride, author of A Fate Forged in Fire

‘Glitters with the lush atmosphere and heart. . . 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