Summary

Lyra Solenne moves through the humming halls of Astra Academy with a routine that’s almost a trap: study, duel, befriend the misfits who don’t fit in yet, and pretend the academy’s ancient secrecy won’t devour them. When a forbidden artifact surfaces, Lyra is drawn into a tangle of loyalties where allies double as rivals and mentors guard their own agendas. A misread signal, a stolen memory, a doorway that should have stayed closed—these stakes make every classroom an edge, and every corridor a running room for a choice that will outlive them all.

The Astra Academy series sits within Shami Stovall's expansive weave of character-driven magic and school-yard intrigue. It has been embraced for its brisk pacing, sharp banter, and a protagonist whose choices ripple through a sprawling, peril-laced world. Critics have highlighted its balance of intimate, personal stakes with larger, corridor-thick threats, earning a steady fanbase and steady industry attention without breaking from its YA roots.

Awards & Recognition (4)

Academy Arcanist

Dragon Award

2023 Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel Nominee

Death Lord Arcanist

Dragon Award

2024 Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel Nominee

Locus Poll Award

2025 Best Young Adult Book Nominee

Labyrinth Arcanist

Dragon Award

2025 Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel Nominee

Main Titles

Book number 1
Academy Arcanist
In 'Academy Arcanist,' young Elara Maxine embarks on her journey within the towering walls of Astra Academy, a haven for gifted mages and aspiring arcanists. As she navigates the complexities of...
Book number 4
Death Lord Arcanist
In 'Death Lord Arcanist,' Elara's adventure takes a darker turn as she faces a formidable new adversary shrouded in death magic. The once-stable grounds of Astra Academy are now haunted by spectral...
Book number 5
Labyrinth Arcanist
'Labyrinth Arcanist' propels Elara into a labyrinthine landscape of illusions and twisted realities. After her battles with necromancy, she is drawn into an otherworldly realm where nothing is as...