Zodiac Academy Book 2: Ruthless Fae builds on top of the world we were introduced to in the first book with its well-built magic system and great plot lines introduced in Book 1.
Darcy and Tory continue finding their footing in Solaria after the Heirs bring them to brink of hell, trying to find who they are as the Heirs to the throne while continuing to be both bullied by the Celestial Heirs and also trying to separate their feelings for them from their hatred.
Instead of backing down from the pressure Darius Acrux, Caleb Altair, Seth Capella and Max Rigel put on them, they begin plotting their revenge. Not to mention the ever-growing threat of the Nymphs rising on the horizon, the stakes are higher than ever.
My attachment to Zodiac Academy has gone from interested to borderline problematic in the past couple of weeks where I can’t seem to stop reading these. I’ve been jotting down notes to keep up with the updates, summaries, and reviews I’m going to do for you all, but as of right now I’m in the middle of Book 4 and it appears I won’t be able to stop myself from devouring these until I’m done.
Zodiac Academy 2: Ruthless Fae (2)
Description
They tried to break us.
They almost did.
But we’re not going anywhere.
The Celestial Heirs think the stars are on their side. But they don’t know what’s coming. We have to be smart. Fighting them one on one isn’t an option so we have to be stealthy. Remaining under the radar won’t be easy, but if we pull it off, they’ll never suspect our involvement when their lives start falling apart.
Besides, they’ve already taken us to the brink of hell, what more can they really do?
Tropes
- Dark Academia
- Bully Romance
- Enemies to lovers
- Forbidden Love
- Found Family
- Lost Heir
Review
Who's Your Favorite Zodiac Academy Character? ♊
Who's Your Favorite Zodiac Academy Character? ♊
Overall Impressions 😊
I was already pretty excited to start this since Book 1 ended in such a juicy, chaotic cliffhanger, and thankfully I was rewarded. I love when books start with one or two POVs and then expand to others as the world opens up (looking directly at you, Throne of Glass readers), so I was thrilled to hear from a lot more characters this time around.
The writing has noticeably improved, the plotlines get deeper and more layered, and the instant gratification of watching petty, magically overpowered young adults spiral in high-stakes situations makes this an absolute blast to read. I couldn’t wait to jump into Book 3 the second I finished, and honestly? This series is addictive, unexpectedly well-developed, and ridiculously fun.
I keep finding myself surprised that the plot is so good, especially considering that the relationships often feel like half reality show, half early 2000s teen drama. But somehow it works. It’s well thought out, smartly developed, and genre-defining for me in the way it mixes fun urban fantasy vibes with serious high fantasy stakes.
Perfect For Fans Of… 🌟
Do you wish Harry Potter’s adventures in Hogwarts were set with an adult group of people with more elemental magic? Do you wish in Gossip Girl, instead of fighting for Queen Bee position, they were social climbing their way into a throne? Then you should join the whole of Solaria.
Trust me, if you love reality dating shows or any trash television for that matter, and were a Harry Potter kid who lives for other people’s drama, this one’s the perfect read for you.
Characters 👥
Tory and Darcy continue developing this book, and as identical twins their personalities shine individually. Darcy is the calm to Tory’s impulsiveness. I keep trying to figure out who I like more, and I think as of right now I’m leaning Darcy, although it’s a very short difference between the two of them. I’m loving their separate arcs, their sister bond, and everything about their relationship being grounded in one another. Tory occasionally annoys me with her extreme hot-headedness, and Darcy frustrates me as a bit of a Mary Sue from time to time, but I’m actually enjoying that they’re flawed.
The other characters continue to shine for me. The Guardian Bond between Darius and Orion and their individual characters as they land in their MMC spots is fascinating. Like who thought that up? I actually am surprised how thoughtfully the cycle of abuse is handled in Darius’s life and in the story’s message, considering how casual the rest of the content is, and Orion’s dealing with depression and grief is right up there. Caleb is moving up in the ranks of deepened characters for me, especially the continuous rivalry between him and Darius for Tory’s attention. Seth and Max don’t quite have the personality I want to see in them, but we’ve got 9 books total so I’m sure they’ll have their moment.
Oh and Geraldine is the best friend anyone can ask for, and I love her so much. Xavier? Also the same. Protect Xavier and Geraldine at all costs.
Plot 🗺️
The story continues to be fantastic. I love, and I cannot stress this enough, LOVE long-term fantasy development. So I’m really enjoying the world building and slice-of-life school days while the “actual” big plot brews in the background, namely the Nymphs and whatever Lionel Acrux has got going on.
A world this vast, with this many creatures and this many powers needs time to cook, and I’m so glad the Twisted Sisters are letting it cook rather than rushing. I especially appreciate the POV changes where the twins are not present so side character development among the Heirs, Orion, and Xavier can grow.
The twins’ storylines are going where I expected, with Darcy and Orion’s plot and Tory and Darius’s story progressing the way I thought they would. There still aren’t any shocking twists yet, but I consider us to still be world building in Book 2 out of 9, so I’m glad there aren’t any rugs pulled out from under us yet.
The ending sets the stage for what I think might be our first real twist in the next book, with Darcy and Tory’s Orders being hinted at so hard (kind of makes me question Orion’s professor credentials if he doesn’t know it yet), and I’m looking forward to the next turn of events.
My Favorite Quote to Hook You 📣
“Then stop looking at me like that.”
Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti, Ruthless Fae
“Then stop looking back, Lance”
Writing Style and Narration ✍️
After being a little off guard by the casual, almost modern language mixed with some really high-stakes fantasy in the first book, I fully ate it up this time. It makes the book much easier to get into in my opinion, and I really enjoy experiencing this world through the way it’s written.
The tone doesn’t really match the genre, but honestly that’s part of the book’s charm for me. It’s different, it shouldn’t work, and yet it absolutely does. That’s part of what makes this series so addictive and fun to read.
I love the unseriousness of the language: “Yamaharpy,” “Sphinxzuki,” “Hondusa,” “Harley Dragonson,” paired with things like “Faebook” and “Faerarri.” It’s unexpected and funny in a way I adore.
And lastly, my kryptonite is expanded POVs in high fantasy, so I appreciated the additions of Caleb, Orion, and Darius’s perspectives so very much. I cannot wait to read from other characters’ POVs as the story continues.
Closing Thoughts 🧃
Okay, so… I’ve made a mistake waiting this long to read Zodiac Academy. It’s fun. It’s unserious. But somehow, the plot and the magic system are so well thought out and built that it doesn’t feel corny, although it’s wonderfully cheesy. It’s such a good time, and I cannot stop reading this series.
Zodiac Academy Ruthless Fae Full Plot Summary
Time to pick your magical destiny: which Order do you belong to?
Time to pick your magical destiny: which Order do you belong to?
After the Events of Zodiac Academy: The Awakening
Zodiac Academy: Ruthless Fae picks up right after the events of Book 1. Seth has just cut off Darcy’s hair, and Darius and Max nearly drowned Tory. Professor Orion and Darcy arrive, saving Tory and giving them all detention.
The Heirs retreat to the tree house in King’s Hollow, their secret hideout. They feel some guilt about what they did but try to brush it off, claiming it was necessary to get rid of the twins.
Darcy and Tory Vega, feeling defeated, want to return to Chicago. They have no stardust to travel with and no money. They decide to gather both before taking off for good.
Tory breaks into Darius’s room to steal his gold. There, she decides to set his room on fire to teach him a lesson. She presses her hand and palm on various surfaces, and the room sets ablaze. She also takes some of the gold and is surprised to find that the fire feels good against her skin and doesn’t burn her, even the hottest part of the fire.
Darcy blows the lock on Orion’s office and breaks in. She steals stardust, but is caught, and Orion gives her detention alongside the Heirs.
Vega twins reassess and realize they don’t want to run away. Instead, they decide it’s time to start fighting back and they make it their mission to make the Heirs’ life hell.
Siren’s Song, FIB Investigations, and Family Expectations
Tory is awoken from her sleep by a mysterious song. She finds Max sitting in water, singing his Siren’s song. Max reveals that every now and then, a Siren has to sing a song that will attract someone and call them to his side. Until they kiss, neither of them can leave. Tory kisses Max, and instead of him drawing out memories from her, she draws out memories from him and learns that Max is a bastard.
The FIB begins investigating the fire in Darius’s room, mistaking it for a Nymph attack. Tory, who has grabbed a mysterious silver dagger in addition to some of Darius’s gold, calls for Darcy and Geraldine’s help, and they bury the treasure in the Wailing Wood.
Darius returns home and visits his younger brother Xavier, who is under house arrest. Xavier’s Order has emerged. He is a Pegasus (a lilac one, at that). Their father, Lionel Acrux, who is obsessed with power and the purity of their bloodlines, considers extreme measures, including killing Xavier, to prevent his Order from being revealed. Luckily, their mother has blackmailed Lionel into not touching Xavier. Darius promises to find a solution.
Darcy and Orion Get Closer and the Vega Twins Begin Fighting Back
Darcy receives a message on her Atlas from “Lance,” giving her a hint about where she can find a potion to grow her hair back. Darcy realizes Professor Orion’s first name is Lance, and the two of them begin flirting over chat. Orion teases her about coloring her hair blue or green.
Caleb and Tory hook up on and off again. Caleb reveals a hidden insecurity, and Tory takes the opportunity to begin messing with him. Darcy and Tory start a rumor that Caleb is into Pegasuses. They also use an Aquarius Stone to summon fleas and break up Seth’s pack.
Darius’s father wants to take matters into his own hands to deal with the twins, so he invites them to a party at his house. Tory agrees on the condition that Darius teaches her how to use her power.
On the day of tutoring, Darius and Tory share power, and their connection grows. Tory initially struggles to lower her shields to let Darius in, but once she does, their powers mingle organically, making them both ecstatic. Darius teaches Tory how to control her power and feels her up, the situation becoming somewhat sexual.
Darcy grows her hair back but doesn’t dye it yet, much to Orion’s curiosity. The two continue texting back and forth, bordering on inappropriate.
Daddy Acrux Throws a Party and Darcy and Orion Finally Cross the Line
They arrive at the party at the Acrux manor. The tension is palpable and the heart rates are high as the five Celestial Heirs, the Vega twins, and Lance Orion enter the party.
The twins meet Geraldine Grus’s father, Hamish Grus, who is a fervent supporter of the twins.
Tory meets Xavier, Darius’s brother, and instantly likes him. She calls out Lionel Acrux’s nonsense as he keeps insinuating there’s something going on between Darius and Tory. Here, they also meet Mildred, Darius’s betrothed, a not so good looking girl who is a pure-blooded dragon that Lionel wants Darius to marry.
Darius and Tory wander around the manor, and Tory realizes Darius rides bikes just like her. The two of them banter, then agree to race later on. Lionel arrives and insults Tory, who insults him right back, calling him an oversized iguana. Lionel is about to lash out at Tory, but Darius intervenes and deescalates the situation. Darius takes a beating. Tory, unaware that Darius took the hit for her, hooks up with Caleb in a room after they play a hunting game.
Darcy and Orion wander around the manor themselves and arrive at a pool. Orion takes off his clothes and jumps in. He pulls Darcy down with him and creates a pocket of air where they finally give in to their attraction and share their first kiss. Their emotions are high and chemistry is undeniable. They promise to never do it again since Orion is a teacher and Darcy is a student, but neither of them sounds very convincing.
Pitball Game and Ruthless Fae Ending Explained
The twins attend the Pitball game. All four Celestial Heirs are on the team, and so is Geraldine. Orion coaches the Pitball team, having once wanted to go pro himself before Lionel forced the Guardian Bond on him and Darius and got him a position at the academy.
The pranks the twins have been pulling on the Heirs come crashing down. They rub Griffin poop all over Max’s uniform, which they know he’s highly sensitive to, and he breaks out in huge purple rashes. Seth’s pack has left him because he gave them fleas. Caleb is upset that everyone talks about how he’s into Pegasuses after the twins put glitter, riding crops, and even a huge Pegasus-shaped sex toy in his room. Darius thinks his friend Milton has stolen the gold from his room, thanks to Tory’s manipulation, and is thrown off by being betrayed by someone he considered a friend.
They play very poorly on the field, except for Geraldine. Eventually, they lose the game. The captain of the opposing team hits on the Vega twins. The twins joke that if the Heirs play this poorly in a game, maybe they should reclaim their crown.
This is the last straw for the Heirs, and they attack the twins. Four against two, Tory and Darcy lose, and the Heirs lock them up behind a magical barrier in the pit.
However, they can’t worry about escaping because the stadium is attacked by Nymphs.
Darcy and Tory merge their magic, becoming stronger, and get out. They get separated. Orion finds Darcy and tries to get her out, but she refuses to leave without her sister. They begin fighting the Nymphs alongside the Heirs and Orion. Orion receives a mortal wound and tells Darcy to run. Darcy, overcome by primal fear and rage at seeing Orion hurt (ahem, fated mates), taps into herself and unlocks a deep power. She wields blue and red fire that can burn the Nymphs to a crisp.
Darius shifts into his dragon form, fighting off the Nymphs. Tory, separated from Darcy, fights alongside him. Nymphs begin to climb the stadium, and Darius and Tory fight them off. Darius gets hit by a Nymph attack on his back and is injured. Tory, seeing Darius hurt so gravely, also taps into a hidden well of power within her (AHEM, FATED MATES x2) and wields the same strange red and blue fire Darcy has.
The attack is repelled, but Darius is gravely injured. Orion and Darcy arrive. Tory collapses next to Darius, holding him in her arms and crying (MATES, MATES, MATES) and begs Orion to heal him. Orion begins healing him but is nearly tapped out. Both Darcy and Tory offer to share their power so Orion can heal Darius.
In the aftermath, Darius is healed and the Heirs are relatively unscathed. However, Darcy and Tory have proven their worth and demonstrated just how powerful they truly are, making them a serious threat to the Heirs’ claim to the throne. The Heirs consider what to do next, especially if the twins survive The Reckoning.
Spicy Chapters
How Spicy is Zodiac Academy: Ruthless 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 23
- Chapter 25
Tinfoil Hats On: My Zodiac Academy Book 2 Predictions
- The twins are Phoenixes. The blue and red fire is crazy.
- Darcy and Orion are Elysian Mates
- Darius and Tory are Elysian Mates, but they’re going to become Star Crossed Lovers
- Diego is a Nymph.
- Lionel Acrux is working with the Nymphs
That’s everything in Ruthless Fae! I obviously had to skip a bunch of stuff, moments full of emotional depth and delicious tension, packed with teeth, jealousy, and pure hype. I’m currently on Book 4, Shadow Princess, and I cannot stop this train from completely taking over my life, so I’m just enjoying the ride.
Sign up for our newsletter to get updates about when we post the next set of Zodiac Academy recaps and chaos. I have a ton of ideas lined up, including Orders, powers, a full glossary, wild theories, and just about everything Zodiac Academy. And make sure to tell me what your favorite ZA book is so I can emotionally prepare myself.
Leave a Comment