Dark Fae by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti is the first book of the Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac series, a prequel that takes place five years before the Zodiac Academy series. The plot follows Elise Callisto, a vampire who decides to attend Aurora Academy to get revenge for her brother Gareth’s death.
The city of Alestria is torn in half during a war between two gangs, The Oscura Clan and the Lunar Brotherhood. Although her brother supposedly died from a Killblaze overdose, a dangerous drug, Elise knows there is more to the story.
Her four suspects are the Kings of Aurora Academy: Gabriel Nox, a harpy and the most powerful fae at the school; Dante Oscura, a storm dragon and leader of the Oscura Clan; Ryder Draconis, a cold-blooded basilisk and leader of the Lunar Brotherhood; and Leon Night, a thief and arrogant lion shifter. Elise’s mission is to get close to the Kings and find the truth, but she doesn’t expect to start catching feelings for them along the way.
I read Dark Fae after Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning as part of the recommended reading order. This mafia romance meets dark academia with a twisted murder mystery is set in the world of Zodiac Academy and is one of my favorite twists on the romantasy genre, a reverse harem series with bite and full of lust and hot romance.
Read my full summary and review of Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac: Dark Fae here. This post contains spoilers!
Dark Fae (Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac)
Description
Me.
Elise Callisto. Vampire. Angel of vengeance. And a girl on a mission to destroy one of them for murdering my brother. I just don’t know which one did it yet.
When I kicked the ass of a Werewolf who was high on a new and dangerous drug called Killblaze, his final words painted a dark reality for me. The King of Aurora Academy killed my brother. The trouble is, there’s four kings at that school and each of them have motive and cutthroat natures.
Aurora Academy isn’t a place for the faint of heart. To put it lightly, my town is the asshole of Solaria where the dodgiest Fae in the kingdom reside. The school itself is divided by the two gangs who run this town. The Lunar Brotherhood and the Oscura Clan. And guess what? Two of the kings run the gangs at the school, their hatred for each other so fierce I hear a day doesn’t go by without blood being spilled in the halls.
I might be a petite, lilac-haired girl who looks like a fragile doll, but they haven’t been introduced to my fangs yet. And they don’t know why I’m really here. Or that I’ll do whatever it takes to bring down the Fae who took my flesh and blood from me.
I don’t believe in fate, but I do know this… the King who killed my brother is a dead man walking. And I’m prepared to sacrifice my heart, body and soul to ensure I get my revenge.
This is a reverse harem series set in the world of Zodiac Academy four years before the Vega Twins were Awakened. Expect some character cross-over, dark and hot romance, and a twisted murder mystery which will leave your head spinning.
Tropes
- Dark Academia
- Reverse Harem (RH/Why Choose)
- Found Family
- Murder Mystery
Review
Who is your favorite King?
Who is your favorite King?
Overall Impressions 😊
I really didn’t want to stop reading Zodiac Academy. I actually even started Shadow Princess, but after realizing I wasn’t going to be able to stop, I decided to follow the reading guide and switched gears.
As a result, I don’t think I was in the right headspace to enjoy this as much as I could have.
I found the pacing a bit clunky, and the plot dragging, especially because Elise’s motivations and behavior don’t quite match up.
I did love seeing the world of Solaria from a different perspective. It was genuinely funny that all of the dodgiest fae go to the same school. Aurora Academy truly is the pristine institution of the criminally wealthy.
I’m invested in the murder mystery, but I’d like to see more character development. Right now, everyone feels one-note and shallow.
For now, I’m neutral about the book. I’m not dying to keep reading, but I’m also not willing to stop. My completionist nature won’t let me.
It feels like just every other reverse harem: one girl, a bunch of guys, and everyone looking past each other’s glaring flaws. Here’s to hoping we see some growth.
Perfect For Fans Of… 🌟
This is a pretty decent mix of romance, fantasy, murder mystery, dark academy, and reverse harem.
If you like the world of Solaria, this series adds a dash of mafia romance to the chaos.
I love the Twisted Sisters’ writing so much, and this does carry that trademark Zodiac Academy sense of humor. Everyone is just a little poorer and not quite as childish.
If you enjoyed the cutthroat nature of the fae, and want to see the world from the point of view of the biggest asshole of Solaria, like I did, you’ll probably enjoy this one too.
Characters 👥
The characters were one of the weakest parts of this book for me.
Unfortunately, Elise is kind of insufferable. The lilac-haired girl and self-proclaimed angel of vengeance gives major pick me energy. I understand she’s meant to be flawed, but her inner monologue is so edgy it’s hard to take her seriously.
To me, she feels like Tory taken to an extreme, and I have a lot of trouble rationalizing her behavior. She has moments of relatability, but in general, I don’t care for her.
The boys, I kind of like. The book didn’t have enough time to really build them up and give them distinct personalities, but there’s potential.
Leon is funny,
Dante is charming,
Gabriel is moody,
Ryder is edgy.
Sure. That’s a start.
I enjoyed seeing glimpses of each of them, but their relationships with Elise felt like they developed way too fast. I’m guessing they’re going to end up being fated mates or something, so maybe there’s a built-in connection, but it still felt rushed.
The most fleshed-out relationship dynamic was the mutual hatred between Dante and Ryder. Their fathers were enemies, and the dark reality of their story is that they truly hate each other. I’m actually looking forward to seeing how that rivalry plays out.
Overall, the cast is what you’d expect from a reverse harem: one very average pick-me girl, and a bunch of powerful dudes who are inexplicably obsessed with her, despite the fact that she’s a walking red flag.
It’s very par for the course in the genre, but I think I’ve been spoiled by the character development in Zodiac Academy, and I’m hoping we get more of that in the next few books.
Plot 🗺️
I’m kind of digging the story. I love a good whodunit murder mystery, and honestly, what’s not to love about the world of Solaria?
I really enjoyed seeing the cutthroat natures of the fae from a different perspective than the Vega twins. Everyone in this world knows exactly how life works, and the fae world is definitely not for the faint of heart.
The lore of Solaria is one of my favorite magic systems. The rich worldbuilding I loved in Zodiac Academy is getting expanded here, and that’s a huge plus.
I loved seeing Orders I’ve already grown attached to, like werewolves, and getting to know new ones, like basilisks and Tibetan rats.
I’m also very invested to see how the rival gangs are going to get to truce (I mean come on) and the inevitable character cross-over (The legendary Lance Orion of the Zodiac Academy pitball team can be mentioned so many times before he shows up).
Right now, I have no idea who killed Gareth, and I don’t fully understand who even has a motive, although all four Kings definitely might. I can’t wait to find out who the true king of Aurora Academy is and how deep this mystery really goes. Whoever it is a dead man walking of course but i can’t wait to see how fate and the stars tie into all of this. Elise is going to uncover the truth behind her brother’s death while collecting a bunch of Elysian Mates which to me is perfection.
My Favorite Quote to Hook You 📣
“But the earth would still turn whether the moon was watching or not. Maybe she likes the company though.”
Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti, Dark Fae
Writing Style and Narration ✍️
Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti’s unique writing style where they deliver inappropriate jokes alongside soul-crushing trauma continues to be an impeccable reading experience. In it’s essence it’s wonderfully weird.
I absolutely love how the story makes fun of itself. I’m still laughing at the Faeto diet. That kind of ridiculous, self-aware humor is exactly why I keep coming back to this world.
We get multiple points of view in this book: Elise a badass vampire, the Kings of the school, and even flashback chapters from Gareth’s point of view.
I really enjoyed those chapters, especially because they let you piece together the mystery from different angles. The structure definitely keeps things interesting, even when the pacing drags a little.
Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac – Dark Fae Synopsis
Time to pick your magical destiny: which Order do you belong to?
Time to pick your magical destiny: which Order do you belong to?
Elise Callisto Arrives at Aurora Academy
Elise Callisto, a vampire fae who is a Libra and can wield air magic, is grieving the murder of her brother Gareth Tempa, the closest member of her family. Elise’s mom is a stripper working for Old Sal, a Siren who tried to convince her to sell Elise to her to pay off her gambling debts. The story behind her pegasus shifter brother’s death is that he died from an overdose of Killblaze, an addictive drug. However, Elise knows that her brother would never take drugs.
She hunts down potential suspects, including Lorenzo Oscura, a Killblaze user and Dante Oscura’s cousin. Lorenzo doesn’t comply with Elise’s interrogation, telling her that it’s not worth risking the King of Aurora’s wrath, and kills himself.
Elise enrolls into Aurora Academy with the sole goal of uncovering her brother’s murder. At the academy, she meets Leon King, a Nemean Lion shifter who gives a tour of the school. Elise is also sharing a room with Gabriel Nox, a harpy who is blessed with the Sight, which can show him the future and is the strongest fae in the school, Dante Oscura, the leader of the Oscura Clan and a heartless dragon shifter, and Laini, a sphinx.
In her first few days, Elise meets Ryder Draconis in potion class, a basilisk shifter who is immune to poison and the leader of the Lunar Brotherhood.
Elise Begins Uncovering the Truth Behind Gareth’s Murder and Sinks Her Fangs into Trouble
Elise breaks into Leon’s room, who Gareth used to be roommates with. There, she finds a diary where Gareth recalls events from the past.
Gareth had been blackmailing Gabriel Nox, and doing jobs for both Dante and Ryder. He had also stolen a crystal from Leon. While the flashbacks reveal that Gareth made a deal to pay off their mother’s debt with monthly installments to Old Sal to keep Elise from following in their mother’s footsteps, Elise remains unaware of the deal.
Meanwhile, Elise joins the Pitball team as an Airstriker, where Dante and Leon also play. She begins getting closer to all four Kings.
She makes out with Leon, and becomes friends with Dante and Ryder. Although she doesn’t move further with any of them, it’s clear her chemistry is palpable. She’s reluctant to choose between the Lunar Brotherhood and the Oscura Clan, and wants to stay out of both.
One night, she sleeps with Gabriel. Afterward, Gabriel receives a vision from The Sight, showing Elise as his Elysian Mate. Fearing the consequences of their connection, Gabriel swears to stay away from her.
Elise starts investigating a mysterious club on campus called Black Card. This secretive group meets behind hidden passages and seems to dabble in dark magic, including rituals that involve cutting their own flesh. Elise doesn’t get very far into uncovering the truth, but her suspicion grows.
Using Gareth’s diaries, Elise continues trying to piece the past together.
She also makes an enemy: Cindy Lou Galaxa, a centaur shifter who seems obsessed with Dante. From Gareth’s flashback chapters, we learn that Cindy Lou and Gareth used to be together.
School Dance, Black Card Ritual, and Dark Fae Ending Explained
Leon asks Elise to the school dance, and she agrees. When she attends, they have a great time together.
Cindy Lou confronts Elise, and they get into a fight. During the chaos, someone doses Elise with Killblaze.
Under the influence of the drug, Elise is dragged into the woods, where the members of Black Card have gathered. Figures in robes chant while one of the students dies, consumed by the effects of Killblaze. The Black Card members siphon magic from his body.
It’s Elise’s turn next, but Gabriel arrives just in time, guided by a vision from the Sight. He rescues Elise and flies her away, saving her life thanks to the stars’ warning.
Spicy Chapters
How Spicy is Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac: Dark Fae (Book 1): 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Whether you want to get to the heat or want closed-door modifications here’s the list of spicy chapters below.
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 25
Tinfoil Hats On: My Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac Book 2 Predictions
- None of the boys are responsible for Gareth’s death.
- Dante’s uncle is behind everything.
- Elise is Elysian mates with all of them — duh.
- Next book, Elise gets together with at least one of the boys, Leon maybe??
Sink your fangs into this murder mystery🧛♀️🔪
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