Savage Fae is the second book of the Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac series, the prequel series to Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti.
In Book 2 of RBOTZ, Elise Callisto, after being kidnapped by the Black Card for a ritual, finds herself even deeper in the mysteries behind her brother’s murder which framed as a drug overdose, while trying to guard her heart, resist her own desires and stop herself from falling in love with the four Kings of the Aurora Academy. Elise continues to search for her brother’s killer while making her own rules and threading a dangerous line.
I read Savage Fae after reading Dark Fae, the first book of the Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac. While I’m enjoying the dark academia mixed with a twisted murder mystery, reverse harem and hot romance with fantasy elements of Solaria I love. However, I’m still having trouble connecting with Elise, although there are plenty of kicking-my-feet moments.
Read our full synopsis and review of Ruthless Boys of Zodiac Book 2: Savage Fae in this post.
Savage Fae (Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac)
Description
Shadows in the halls, mysteries lurking around every corner.
Whoever killed him is covering their tracks well.
And now I’m walking a dangerous line between getting close to the four kings for information and wanting to crawl deeper under their skin for my own desires.
I can’t trust anyone.
I can’t let my guard down.
And I must keep the urges of my body separate from my heart.
But I’m starting to break all of my own rules.
I just hope I’m not falling for my brother’s killer.
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 😊
There are some good things going for this series. I liked the character development Leon, Dante, and Ryder went through in this book. I also enjoyed seeing how the different clans of Alestria fit in with the gangs. The thief family dynamics with Roary added to the mix in a way that worked really well.
I’m enjoying the twisted murder mystery and the growing conspiracy around the dark magic and the secret organization, Black Card. I’ve got a few theories about how the dark magic users in this universe might connect to the larger plotline unfolding in Solaria, and I’m curious to see if they pan out.
That said, I still can’t fully connect with Elise, or with some of the dynamics between the characters. The writing, or at least Elise’s POV, feels like it’s trying too hard to be edgy, which sometimes gives the tone a bit of a cringe factor. While I absolutely adore Leon, I’m still not seeing as much depth with the other characters. I’m hoping Gabriel, Dante, Ryder, and Elise herself will get more development in the upcoming books.
Overall, I’m still lukewarm about the series. I like the funny, flirty romantic moments that make me grin. The steamy scenes are definitely delivering. I’m also excited to see how the plot threads connect with the main Zodiac Academy series, but I’m hoping for more character consistency, especially from Elise, as the series continues.
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 👥
There definitely is a bit more character development in this book than the first. I go back and forth quite a bit whether this series needs five books, but I like being rewarded with so many interactions between all the characters.
I still cannot stand Elise 🙁 I love a strong female character, I really do. She’s very “edgy” in her monologuing but like not in an authentic way. I like the bits of grief coming from her. The shadows of Gareth’s death and what she’s gone through occasionally peek through her bravado, and I like seeing her humanized side.
Leon, my sweet golden retriever natural born thief with his amazing sense of humor, natural charisma, animal magnetism and just good nature, is one of my favorite Kings, if not the favorite. I also kind of adore that his story is basically a Lion King retelling with his very own Scar, which makes it all the funnier.
He is by far my favorite character of the whole series, not only because he’s best friends with everyone and is genuinely happy but I thin his top is about blow off (see Gareth’s flashback chapter about the pawn store) when he finds out about Elise’s deceit and I can’t wait. I can’t help it, i love me some drama…
Dante and Ryder ranked up big time this book, with both of them getting a lot more dimension through their back stories. Ryder’s basically the tin man getting emotions for the first time and Dante is a wolf trapped in a dragon’s body.
I like the way the progression of the rival gangs as well and cam excited for to see how the eventual ceasefire will play out. I cannot wait for this tension to break, I bet we’re going to get some pretty good smut I bet when that happens.
Gabriel also got some more character development, although I’m not sure if it’s going in a positive direction. He is very possessive and selfish so far, to be frank he is kind of an ass? Which is very surprising considering how much I liked him in Zodiac Academy. I’m sure he’s about to turn it around, but it’s surprising that he’s at the bottom of my rankings so far.
I’m loving getting to know Gareth through his flashback chapters. I wish there was more of him. He’s giving me major Crescent City character vibes with his jovialness, and I would’ve loved to see him alive with Elise.
I also am going to need Elise to catch up to Cindy Lou much quicker than she is doing at the moment. Girl, come on. She’s clearly at the center of all of this.
Plot 🗺️
I love the weird mix of dark academia, murder mystery, dark romance, and conspiracy this book’s going on. Susanne Valenti and Caroline Peckham have such a unique sense of humor that the very serious plot of high school bully meets secret organization leader with high-stakes type of adventure is very approachable.
At this point I’m pretty convinced that although each King had a reason to hurt Gareth, none of them actually played a part in it.
I have no clue what’s going on with the Black Clan plotline, and it’s keeping me engaged because it can go any direction. I’d love to see it connect to the plot of Shadow Princess. I sure hope that’s where we’re going because we’re getting into talking about Lance Orion (aka Mr. Dark Magic) quite a bit, and I think the events happening here will inform the future.
I can’t help it, I’m such a nerd and I’m beyond excited to see these connect.
My Favorite Quote to Hook You 📣
“And I’d rather have a piece of you than none of you at all.”
Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti, Savage Fae
Writing Style and Narration ✍️
This book continues to be laced with the unique, twisted sense of humor the authors are great at. I love hearing about the Fae version of everyday items (more Faetalian please). The Mindy bit alone? It’s so unserious. I’m giggling and kicking my feet quite often.
What I do wish, though, is that Elise would stop being such a pick me. Like, if Tory wasn’t grounded by Darcy, this is what she’d be like. I want Elise to be a bit less cringe and stop saying super weird stuff like “urges of my body” and other unnatural dialogue.
Every time she starts talking about how she doesn’t want to be tied down and she’s not like the other girls, I can’t stop myself from rolling my eyes.
Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac – Savage 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?
The Aftermath of the Black Clan Ritual
The book picks up right after the end of the first book, when Gabriel Nox saves Elise Callisto from the Black Clan ritual. She wakes up in Gabriel’s secret apartment, hidden deep within Lunar Brotherhood territory. She’s recovering from the aftereffects of being dosed with Killblaze.
Elise runs away from Gabriel’s apartment and finds herself in a Lunar Brotherhood bar run by Scarlett Tide, Ryder’s second-in-command.
The Lunar Brotherhood is planning to take advantage of her, but Elise has them call Ryder Draconis, the gang leader of the Lunar Brotherhood. Ryder, furious and assuming Elise has slept with someone else, picks her up and takes her back to campus.
When she returns to her dorm, Dante Oscura is immediately worried about her. Gabriel shows up shortly after. Both of them get angry with Elise. Frustrated by them, Elise runs to Leon Night’s room, the Nemean Lion shifter, who lets her sleep there for the night.
After she wakes up, Leon listens without judgment and believes her without hesitation. He convinces Elise that she needs to tell someone, and they go see Principal Greyshine.
Principal Greyshine doesn’t believe her and accuses her of being a drug addict. They call Gabriel in to corroborate her story, but Gabriel denies everything, not wanting to put himself in the FIB’s spotlight due to his secretive past.
Elise spends the night in Leon’s room, the sexual tension between them finally breaking into something more.
Elise’s Investigation Continues
While she’s staying in Leon’s room, Elise finds her brother’s burner phone and realizes her brother had been blackmailing Gabriel about his secret identities. She messages Gabriel to see if he knew it was Gareth, thinking this could be his motive. Gabriel replies, confirming he knows Gareth owned the phone. Freaked out by who else might know about his secrets, Gabriel orders his PI, Bill Thompson, to investigate.
Ryder becomes jealous of Leon and Elise’s growing intimacy and lashes out, threatening Elise.
Elise breaks into Ryder’s room to search for evidence. Ryder catches her, and Elise is honest, telling him she’s looking for signs that he might be producing or distributing Killblaze. Ryder reveals that he cannot be poisoned.
At a party, Elise dances with both Dante and Leon. Gabriel becomes jealous and finds it unfathomable that he and Elise are fated mates, yet she’s still seeing other guys.
Elise begins counseling sessions with Miss Nightshade. Her appointment is right after Ryder’s, and she eavesdrops on his session. She learns that Ryder was previously involved with a vampire teacher named Professor King.
Later, Elise follows a Black Card member into a bathroom and beats him up. He reveals that he can’t say anything because he’s taken an oath of silence.
After this altercation, Ryder heals Elise and they make up.
Dante Gets Summoned by Lionel Acrux, Gabriel Finds Out About Elise, Ryder and Elise Get Closer
Dante goes home to his cousin’s birthday. There he finds a letter from Lionel Acrux, Celestial Councilor and the head of thee dragon guild which he scoffs.
Elise finds a payment to Old Sal to from Gareth’s secret bank account. She asks Old Sal about it who tells her about her mother’s plans of selling Elise to her to pay off her gambling debts, but she lefts out the part where she asked for Elise.
Bill Thompson finds Gareth’s family. Gabriel is given a picture of Gareth with his sister, which is Elise. Gabriel confronts Elise about it. Elise in return asks Gabriel if he killed her brother. He denies it but also tells her there is more to the story which he cannot tell her about. Elise decides she wants nothing to do with Gabriel until he tells her the truth.
Elise and Ryder go on a walk in the forest and gets Ryder to open up to her more. She then takes Dante on a job for the Kipling Brothers after which Dante takes Elise flying in his dragon form. Dante tells Elise about his past.
Gabriel promises Elise he’ll help her find her brother’s killer. Elise however can’t get over the fact that he’s not telling her the full truth and that Gabriel does not want her to be with the other guys.
Elise and Ryder go back to being lab partners in potions class.
Miss Nightshade goes into the city and Elise follows her, breaking into her office to find out more about her dealings with the Black Card.
Leon takes Elise home to meet his family. He introduces her as his girlfriend without telling Elise. Realizing her parents and Leon’s brother Roary look down on him, Elise plays along impressing Leon’s family. They steal a car Roary himself has stolen and drive it off into a lake.
Leon and Ryder Fight Over Elise, Cindy Lou Continues to Be Sketchy, and Felix Betrays Dante
In Potions class, Leon and Ryder get into a full-blown fight over who Elise “belongs to.” Elise, once again, makes it clear that she does not belong to anyone.
Afterward, Ryder tells Elise he believes her about what happened at the school dance, and he begins helping her investigate Miss Nightshade.
Cindy Lou Galaxa plants Killblaze in Elise’s bag, which gets Elise sent to detention. Gabriel tries to take the fall for her, but instead, he ends up joining her.
While in detention, Gabriel and Elise break into Dante’s stash in the Kipling Brothers’ cave. There, they find collateral Dante has gathered on everyone, including a video of Ryder and Professor King that Gareth had secretly filmed.
Later, Dante goes out on a job, and Elise insists on joining him. They arrive at a strip club, and while they’re enjoying a rare moment of levity, the Lunar Brotherhood storms the place. Ryder is leading the attack, unaware that Elise is there.
Dante is injured in the attack, and Elise saves his life. Ryder is seconds away from killing Dante, but Elise begs him not to. Ryder spares Dante’s life.
Ryder then reveals that at the end of Book 1, Felix had captured him on his way to visit the Brotherhood and asked him to kill Dante so Felix could take over the Oscura clan.
Felix shows up and stabs Elise. They manage to escape, and Dante declares war on Felix.
Spicy Chapters
How Spicy is Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac: Savage Fae (Book 2): 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Whether you want to get to the heat or want closed-door modifications here’s the list of spicy chapters below.
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 35
- Chapter 36
Tinfoil Hats On: My Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac Book 3 Predictions
- None of the boys killed Gareth.
- The King of the Black Card, is associated somehow with Lionel Acrux
- Elise and the boys will be integral to the events in Shadow Princess onward.
- My baby Lance Orion makes an appearance.
Okay, so to wrap this up, I am still enjoying this series. Yes, it’s a bit cringe and not going to lie, occasionally trashy, but it’s a good time.
I don’t love it as much as I love Zodiac Academy, but I’m very invested in this universe and I’m a huge nerd for figuring out how all the pieces fit together in the bigger picture. Not to mention, the why choose genre’s spice almost always delivers.
I will enthusiastically continue reading and yapping about this. Who doesn’t love hot people doing terrible things?
Did you read Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac? Who’s your favorite King? What do you think the Black Card is up to? Am I crazy for thinking this will all lead back to Lionel Acrux? Let me know in the comments!
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