Confession time: I read all nine books of the Zodiac Academy series in a week. Yes, you read that right. Seven days, thousands of pages, countless hours of flipping digital and physical pages, and a rollercoaster of emotions that left me reeling long after the final chapter.
If you’re here because you’ve been considering diving into the chaotic, magical, and downright addictive world of Zodiac Academy, this is your sign to do it—just maybe not all at once like I did (unless you’re prepared for a week of emotional whiplash). Oh, and before we continue, this post will include spoilers, so proceed with caution.
First Impressions: Falling Into the Zodiac Academy Rabbit Hole
I stumbled upon the Zodiac Academy series after months of seeing it pop up on BookTok and Instagram reels. I wasn’t sure what to expect—was it just another overhyped fantasy series? Or was this going to be my next obsession? Spoiler alert: it was the latter. From the moment I started The Awakening, I was hooked. The world of Solaria, the trials of the Vega twins, and the morally grey, brooding Heirs all combined into a cocktail of fantasy, drama, and spice that I couldn’t resist.
But what made it so addictive? For starters, the series does an excellent job of balancing humor, heartbreak, and high-stakes action. It’s essentially a mashup of Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and your favorite angsty YA romance—only with more grit, more spice, and, dare I say, more soul.
Day 1-2: The Obsession Begins
I started The Awakening with no intention of binge-reading the entire series, but the Vega twins, Tory and Darcy, quickly became my new fictional best friends. Watching them get thrown into the cutthroat world of Solaria, where everyone seems to be out to get them, was both infuriating and exhilarating.
The premise is simple yet compelling: two sisters find out they’re the lost heirs to a magical throne, and they’re forced to navigate the treacherous world of fae royalty while fending off a group of power-hungry Heirs who want them gone. Oh, and did I mention the Heirs are ridiculously attractive, morally ambiguous, and completely infuriating?
By the time I finished The Awakening, I knew I wasn’t going to stop anytime soon. The blend of fast-paced action, biting humor, and sizzling chemistry made it impossible to put down. Ruthless Fae was queued up before I even had time to process what had just happened.
Day 3: Falling for the Heirs (Against My Better Judgment)
Let’s talk about the Heirs: Darius, Caleb, Max, and Seth. They’re the kind of characters you love to hate (and eventually just love). At first, their treatment of Tory and Darcy made my blood boil. The bullying? The manipulation? The endless schemes to undermine the twins? Unacceptable. And yet…there’s something about these four that made me root for them anyway.
Darius, with his tragic backstory and tortured soul, quickly became one of my favorite characters. Caleb’s devil-may-care attitude and charm had me swooning, while Max and Seth added layers of complexity (and occasional comic relief) to the story. The way their relationships with the Vega twins evolve over the series is one of the most satisfying slow burns I’ve ever read.
By the end of Ruthless Fae, I was already emotionally invested in the Heirs—and not just as love interests, but as complex characters in their own right.
Day 4-5: The Emotional Carnage of Mid-Series
If I thought the first few books were intense, the middle of the series completely destroyed me. Without diving too deep into spoiler territory (but remember, you were warned!), books like Fated Throne and Cursed Fates broke my heart and pieced it back together—only to shatter it again.
What stands out about the Zodiac Academy series is its willingness to take risks. Characters you love will make terrible decisions. Heartbreaking losses will hit you when you least expect them. And just when you think things are about to calm down, a new twist will throw everything into chaos.
For me, one of the most memorable moments was [spoiler moment here—skip this if you want to go in blind!]: when Lionel Acrux’s schemes take an especially dark turn, and the stakes for the Vega twins reach a horrifying new level. This was the point where I realized just how high the stakes were in Solaria. No one is safe, and the authors, Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, are masters of keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
Day 6: Power Through the Pain
By the time I hit the final books, I was emotionally drained but completely hooked. Zodiac Academy is one of those series that gets under your skin—you can’t stop reading, even when it hurts. And trust me, it hurts.
The character development in these later books is phenomenal. Tory and Darcy transform from fish-out-of-water protagonists into true queens-in-the-making. They’re flawed, fierce, and entirely relatable. Their bond as sisters is the emotional core of the series, and watching them navigate their powers, their relationships, and their destinies was an absolute joy.
Of course, it wasn’t just the twins who kept me glued to the page. The Heirs’ personal growth—especially Darius—added so much depth to the story. The romance, the betrayals, the alliances…it all came to a head in a way that felt both satisfying and utterly devastating.
Day 7: The Final Stretch
When I finally closed the last book, Sorrow and Starlight, I felt like I had run an emotional marathon. Finishing the Zodiac Academy series in a week was exhilarating but also bittersweet. These characters and their world had consumed my life for seven days straight, and saying goodbye was harder than I expected.
Was it worth it? Absolutely. This series isn’t perfect—it’s messy, over-the-top, and sometimes downright infuriating. But that’s part of its charm. Zodiac Academy is unapologetically itself, and that’s what makes it so special.
Why You Should Read Zodiac Academy
If you’re still on the fence about picking up this series, let me leave you with a few reasons why it’s worth your time (and emotional investment):
- Complex Characters: Love them or hate them, every character in Zodiac Academy has layers. From the fiercely loyal Vega twins to the morally grey Heirs, everyone feels real, flawed, and compelling.
- High-Stakes Drama: This series doesn’t shy away from taking risks. The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end.
- Romance with Depth: The relationships in Zodiac Academy are slow-burn, messy, and deeply emotional. If you’re a fan of angsty, complicated romances, this series delivers in spades.
- Unforgettable World-Building: Solaria is a world you won’t want to leave. The magic system, the politics, and the lore are all rich and immersive.
- A Wild Ride: Above all, Zodiac Academy is pure entertainment. It’s the kind of series that will make you laugh, cry, and throw your book across the room in frustration (only to pick it back up five seconds later).
A Few Tips for Surviving the Series
- Take breaks: I didn’t, and my sleep schedule paid the price.
- Prepare for heartbreak: No spoilers, but let’s just say Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti don’t pull punches.
- Find a support group: Whether it’s BookTok, a Facebook fan group, or your best friend, you’ll want someone to vent to about all the twists and turns.
Final Thoughts
Reading the Zodiac Academy series in a week was an intense, emotional, and utterly unforgettable experience. If you’re a fan of fantasy, romance, and drama, this series deserves a spot on your TBR. Just be prepared to lose sleep, shed some tears, and fall head over heels for Solaria and its unforgettable cast of characters.
So, are you ready to enroll in the Zodiac Academy? Trust me, you won’t regret it—just don’t say I didn’t warn you about the emotional carnage.
