Dearly beloved, this might now officially be a Zodiac Academy website until further notice.
I finally dove headfirst into Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti’s (also known as the Twisted Sisters) dark academia romance that has court schemes, a lot of bullying, questionable school faculty behavior, sizzling romances, and every single magical creature (from vampires to sirens) you can think of, all packed into a series about uncovering secrets and figuring out where fate and destiny will take you.
I didn’t expect to enjoy Darcy and Tory’s aka the Vega twins’ story so much, especially since nearly every page features deeply problematic behavior, and yet, it’s so enrapturing that I cannot wait to dive into the next installment of the series. Read on for my full Zodiac Academy Book 1: The Awakening summary, review, and ending breakdown.
Before we dive in, there are a couple of housekeeping items. The Zodiac Academy universe spans a whopping 25 books at the time of writing this post. We’ve put together a Zodiac Academy Universe Reading Guide to help you dip your toes into Solaria’s shenanigans. There’s also a ton of character development (25 books will do that to you), so we’ll be updating our Zodiac Academy Character Guides at key book intervals, just like our usual book-by-book breakdowns.
And if you’re side-eyeing your bank account about buying 25 books in one go, good news: they’re all available on Kindle Unlimited.
Zodiac Academy
Description
But of course there’s a catch – all I have to do to claim my birth right is prove that I’m the most powerful supernatural in the whole of Solaria. And sure, technically that’s true as I’m the daughter of the Savage King. But the bit they didn’t put in the brochure was that every single Fae in this Kingdom would claim my throne if they could.
The school they’ve sent me to is both dangerous as sh*t and one helluva party. Vampires bite weaker students in the corridors, the Werewolf pack has orgies in the Wailing Wood at every full moon and don’t even get me started on the dark and twisted ways the Sirens use their powers on people’s emotions, or how my sinfully tempting Cardinal Magic teacher hosts detentions that leave people needing therapy.
Classes are totally interesting if you manage to live through them. And that Gemini star sign I mentioned? It now determines my elemental magic and affects my destiny, so learning astrology is essential if I’m going to beat down my classmates – which is actively encouraged by the way.
My biggest problem is the drool worthy Dragon shifter who has his eyes on my throne. He and his three psycho friends are determined to make my time here hell.
All I’ve got to do is survive. But fate might have other ideas.
Dammit, why couldn’t I have gotten a letter to Hogwarts?
***This is a dark, bully romance – don’t go expecting a sweet school for magic with friends around every corner. Fae fight for everything they own and Zodiac Academy is a cutthroat school for students aged 18+ where only the strongest prevail. There’s no Dumbledore here to save anyone’s ass and Lionel Acrux will give Voldemort a run for his money in the evil dictator category. So hold onto your stardust (broomsticks not required) and get ready for a bumpy ride***
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 😊
Zodiac Academy is a dark academia bully romance that kept reminding me what professional-level fanfiction of Gossip Girl x Harry Potter would look like.
It doesn’t take itself very seriously. It’s captivating, fun, outrageous, and just a damn good time. You will absolutely be taken aback by the sheer volume of bullying in this book and wonder how this school doesn’t have an HR department, or how none of these characters are in lifelong therapy. And yet, you won’t be able to stop reading.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t substance here. In fact, it’s kind of staggeringly impressive how much worldbuilding Peckham and Valenti cram into this book. Between the elemental powers, a wide range of magical creatures, in-depth astrology that actually impacts the plot, and some genuinely well-thought-out lore, this book manages to weave in complexity between all the problematic behavior and the parade of attractive men and women who will make you drool while they take classes in what is basically Faerie Hogwarts.
Seriously, this is such a good time. I was expecting to love this considering its popularity, but I didn’t realize just how deep it would sink its claws into me (pun intended, you’ll get this one later 😉). As of writing this, I just wrapped up Book 2, and I am wholly, unabashedly invested in Solaria’s future.
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.
Now I’m a tiny bit cheating as I have finished Book 2: Ruthless Fae at the time I’m writing this, and even if the unserious vibes throw you off, it gets much better.
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 👥
The first book is a lot of worldbuilding and character introductions. Darcy and Tory Vega, the celestial heirs, and their classmates like Geraldine, Sofia, and Diego are front and center. When that big of a group gets introduced, especially in a world with such a complex and elaborate magic system (we have elemental houses plus Orders like vampires and werewolves), you’re already flooded with information, so we don’t get to go too deep.
You might find yourself mixing up characters at first, especially physical descriptions and magical abilities, but stick with it. Eventually they differentiate themselves enough for you to keep up without feeling lost.
This book is definitely the twins’ book (and probably most of them are). Darcy is the quiet, tempered twin, and Tory is the impulsive one. You can almost tell their characters are written by different authors, because their voices feel distinct. Overall, I like them. Darcy is a bit too sensitive, and Tory gives a little too much “I’m not like the other girls,” but as the books go on, they’re definitely going to get deeper.
The Heirs (and their psycho friends) are really hard to root for and get attached to, because they’re just so mean. Like, flat-out, abusive, problematic mean. In the ruthless world of fae, they are by far the most vindictive bullies. But that’s the deal you make with this world. The entire foundation of the universe is built on Fae takes what it wants in their twisted ways, and weaker students at this academy kind of has the deck stacked against them so you kind of have to be on board with that to enjoy these books. If that’s something you can’t make your peace with, even with the promise of a damn good time, this might not be for you.
Plot 🗺️
This was instant gratification from the start. It’s weird to say it this way, but at first I thought it was “so bad” it was good. Then as I kept going, the very casual 2000s high school-style plotlines mixed with the most powerful supernatural beings and dangerous beasts trying to save their world meshed together weirdly well. It’s almost like you need the grounded high school drama of 18-year-olds spiraling to balance out the wide, wild world we’re introduced to. It’s chaotic fantasy, if that was ever a genre.
The pace was great. The bullying and confrontation were nonstop. I didn’t feel like there were any filler chapters, even though the bullying sometimes went way over the top. But I get it. We’re being taught that the Fae are ruthless, regardless of who the Vega twins’ parents are.
Like I said, the plot here is mostly about introducing us to the magic, the beasts, and the stakes of this world, so there weren’t any real twists. But it ended with such a shock, mostly around how far the Heirs were willing to go, that I couldn’t wait to jump into the second book.
My Favorite Quote to Hook You 📣
“Okay this is going from weird to mental asylum real fast.”
Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti, Zodiac Academy: The Awakening
Writing Style and Narration ✍️
When I first started it, I thought the writing style, with its casual Gossip Girl-style tone, was a little cringey for a large fantasy world. It’s weird to read the most powerful supernatural beings in Solaria say things like “Faebook” and “Dammit.” But the world is so big and there’s so much magic happening that, honestly, if this were written in a high fantasy style, it probably would have drowned me.
We’re meeting the main characters and learning about this world’s biggest problems. It would be like reading a fantasy textbook if it wasn’t so fun to learn about them.
The book is told in dual POV and will expand to include other characters in future installments, which is one of my favorite literary devices when it’s done right. I cannot wait to hear from Orion, Darius, Caleb, Seth, and Max in future books as the world opens up around us.
A moment of silence for the concept of Faebook and students running around with iPads. It’s so unserious. I love it.
Closing Thoughts 🧃
All in all, The Awakening was a great introduction to Gossip Girl Hogwarts. I’m so glad I read it. It made me laugh out loud multiple times, and my face actually hurt from grinning at how unserious this whole thing is. I know it gets a lot deeper, so I cannot wait to see how the way it pokes fun at itself also expands as we dive deeper into the world.
If you’re looking for something to escape into, with some good old 2000s high school drama (although they’re adults now, don’t worry), you’re going to have a good time. Just realize that this is a) kind of like a satirical romantasy and b) very much a bully romance. Check your TWs before diving in.
I already devoured the second book in a couple of days, and I’m dying to start the third this week. I’m also planning to read all of their sibling series, so make sure to check out the Zodiac Academy Reading Guide if you’re curious about the order I’m following.
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?
Darcy and Tory Arrive at Zodiac Academy
Darcy and Tory are two orphans who live in Chicago. They grew up in foster care and just turned 18. The book begins with Darcy breaking into their foster parents’ house to steal $2,000 they owe her, while Tory steals bikes to make ends meet. As Darcy runs into an encounter with the police and loses the money in the meantime, she returns home to find a stranger waiting for her.
The stranger is Professor Orion, the cardinal magic professor at the prestigious Zodiac Academy. Darcy, whose real name is Gwendalina Vega, is the daughter of the Savage King, the ruthless ruler of Solaria, the realm of fae, who died when they were babies. Tory, whose real name is Roxanya Vega, shares the Gemini star sign with her sister. The throne of Solaria is their birthright, and if they can graduate from Zodiac Academy, they can claim their inheritance and sit on the throne.
At first, the twins don’t believe him, but Orion uses Coercion to convince them to come with him. They travel to Solaria using stardust, arriving at the academy. Tory and Darcy attend The Awakening as the stars unlock their magical capabilities. Fae usually have one, if not two, elemental abilities. The Savage King held a very unusual three elemental abilities. Darcy and Tory are awakened to find themselves able to wield all four elements: fire, water, earth, and air.
The twins’ return receives mixed reactions. Their father, the Savage King, wasn’t very well liked, and Solaria faces threats from the Nymphs, magical adversaries of the fae who can steal and wield their magic. As the whole realm thought they were dead, the realm was ruled by the Celestial Council, whose four heirs attend Zodiac Academy to train, graduate, and rule Solaria.
Darius Acrux, the fire heir, Caleb Altair, the earth heir, Max Rigel, the water heir, and Seth Capella, the air heir, do not take kindly to the threat the twins pose to their claim to the throne, despite the fact that neither of the girls want the throne, and they swear to run them off the Zodiac Academy.
The school is broken up into Elemental Houses, and each house is very competitive with one another. As Darcy and Tory are the strongest two fae alive, they need to separate their houses.
Darcy joins the Aer House, whose house captain is Seth. During initiation, Seth asks her to jump off the tower or cut her hair. Darcy jumps out the window and lands using her newly awakened Aer magic. Seth swears that she owes him her hair nonetheless.
Tory joins the Ignis House, whose house captain is Darius Acrux, the son of Lionel Acrux. To enter the Ignis House, Tory runs an obstacle course and eventually has to walk a ring of fire, which burns all of her clothes, leaving her naked.
The Vega Twins Begin Acclimating to Zodiac Academy
The twins begin attending classes, including Cardinal Magic taught by Professor Orion, who’s always drinking bourbon and showing up late. They find out that, in addition to wielding elemental magic, each fae belongs to an Order, such as vampires, dragons, pegasi, sirens, werewolves, etc. Each Order replenishes their magic in a different way.
As they start getting to know this new world they’ve been dropped into, they learn that the fae are on the brink of war with the Nymphs. These are the same beings that murdered their birth parents. Nymphs can weaken a fae’s abilities when nearby, wield shadow magic, and steal fae magic to use it for themselves.
Darcy and Tory are given Atlases, digital devices that help them navigate campus, message other students, browse Faebook (the school’s social media), and access other Zodiac Academy-related information. They begin receiving messages from Falling Star, an anonymous informant who warns them to stay away from Orion and Darius.
Tory is bitten by Caleb, who reveals his Order as the Vampire Order, which replenishes its power by drinking blood. Because the fae live in a power-based hierarchy, Caleb is free to bite Tory as he pleases until she can fight him off. Caleb also claims Tory as his Source, making her his exclusive feeding partner.
While sneaking around campus, Tory overhears Orion and Darius talking about killing a mysterious “them” soon. Tory is confused, unsure who “them” refers to, especially since Orion has had plenty of opportunities to kill them before.
At the same time, the girls are assigned liaisons to help teach them about the fae world. Darcy is paired with Orion, while Tory’s liaison instructs her to only communicate via email.
The Celestial Heirs Bully the Twins and a Night Out Turns Dangerous
Darcy and Tory continue acclimating to their new environment. They meet Geraldine Grus, a supporter of the Vega Twins. Geraldine is peculiar and overenthusiastic. She also treats the twins like they are her queens and is a member of the Almighty Sovereign Society (A.S.S.). Tory and Darcy are taken aback that an organization that supports them with the abbreviation ass exists but Geraldine seems genuine and they become friends with her.
The Celestial Heirs continue bullying them as they attend classes to figure out their Orders. Seth reveals himself to be of the Werewolf Order and the alpha of his werewolf pack, who replenishes his magic by running under the full moon, while Max is a Siren who replenishes his magic by sucking on people’s emotions. Darius is a dragon shifter who replenishes his magic by touching dragon gold.
Most fae are taught how to shield themselves against Coercion, something Darcy and Tory were never taught, making them receptive to further bullying. They start practicing and working on basic shields.
One evening, they go out to town with their friends Sofia and Diego. They see Orion with a woman on a date, and Sofia gets drunk, leading Diego to take her home.
The twins receive a message from Falling Star asking to meet them in an alley, which they do. However, Falling Star doesn’t show, citing danger, and they feel an ominous weakened feeling in the alley.
They run into the Celestial Heirs at the bar, who propose a night of truce. They dance together, Darcy with Seth and Tory with Caleb, and Darius becomes intimate. The night ends, however, when a student is attacked by a Nymph and Orion saves her.
Caleb and Seth begin showing interest in Tory and Darcy. Tory and Caleb hook up in a classroom. Seth follows Darcy around like a puppy, leading Darcy to lower her defenses against him.
In their Siren lesson, Max uses his Siren abilities on Darcy and Tory, asking for their biggest fear. Darcy reveals the boy who she lost her virginity to became mean and ghosted her after. Feeling black and blue after being used, Darcy dyed her hair’s tips blue to remind herself not to trust anyone. Tory reveals she and an ex-boyfriend fell into water in his car and he abandoned her, almost letting her drown.
The Awakening Ending Explained
On the night of the school dance, Tory and Darcy are asked by Falling Star to meet them in the Venus Library. Falling Star is revealed to be their Tarot professor, Professor Astrum. He believes some fae worked with Nymphs to get the twins’ parents killed, and their biggest problem is the dragon shifters, namely Lionel Acrux, Darius’ father. Astrum warns that Darius and Orion are not trustworthy either and that the twins should stay away from them.
They return to the dance, and Darcy goes outside for fresh air. She runs into Orion, who warns her to stay away from Seth. To irritate him, Darcy lets Seth get close to her, and they eventually make out. While they’re close, however, Seth holds Darcy down and cuts her hair off. Orion returns and comforts her, but Darcy is devastated.
At the dance, Caleb asks Tory to leave with him, but she refuses. Darius, Max and the others arrive. Darius gives Tory and her twin one last chance to leave the academy, which Tory refuses. Darius uses Coercion to take Tory to the Lunar building and makes her jump into the pool.
The Heirs use their magic to hold Tory under the water, nearly drowning her. Tory passes out. Orion arrives, saving Tory and healing her. Orion gives all of the Heirs detention.
They leave the building with Tory and Darcy shaken, only to find Professor Astrum turned into a pile of ash. Tory feels a tingling, and a Tarot card flies into her hand, carrying a message that says the Shadow has discovered Astrum. The message warns that the answers they’re looking for are hidden between Libra and Leo, and they cannot trust flames.
Spicy Chapters
How Spicy is Zodiac Academy: The Awakening (Book 1): 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Whether you want to get to the heat or want closed-door modifications here’s the list of spicy chapters below.
- Chapter 19
Tinfoil Hats On: My Zodiac Academy Book 2 Predictions
These are my predictions as of Book 1.
- There are concepts of Fated Mates in this series. Darcy and Tory are fated mates with one or more Celestial Heirs + Orion.
- Diego is a nymph. What’s up with the hat?
- Darcy and Tory are a unique type of Order. It’ll make itself known in The Reckoning. I’m kind of hoping they’re different orders.
- Darius’s father is the real villain of the series. He’s working with the Nymphs.
- Orion and Darius are working against Darius’s father
- Sofia is stronger than we think she is. All Pegasi are.
Welcome to Zodiac Academy—where fate is cruel, and the stars decide your destiny. Grab your copy now! ✨📖
That’s the end of book 1! I am wholly, fully committed to Zodiac Academy and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. Want more Zodiac Academy content? Sign up for our newsletter to get notified.
Until next time, be right back, I need to look at my birth chart.
What do you think about Zodiac Academy? Let me know in the comments.
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