- Goodreads
- 3.8
- pages
- 436
- July
- 2019
Book one of Zodiac Academy. Twin sisters Tory and Darcy Vega learn they are Fae princesses with a claim to Solaria's empty throne, and the four Celestial Heirs at Zodiac Academy want them gone before the lunar eclipse.
What is Zodiac Academy: The Awakening about?
Tory and Darcy Vega thought they were normal human twins until the day they found out they're fae princesses with a claim to a stolen throne. They get shipped off to Zodiac Academy to learn what they are, but someone doesn't want them there, namely, the four most powerful guys at the school: the Celestial Heirs, who've been groomed to keep any challenge to their power from existing. So they bully the twins ruthlessly, trying to intimidate them into submission. Except Tory and Darcy don't submit easily. What starts as survival becomes something thornier: attraction, power, identity, and the messy reality of wanting the people who've been trying to destroy you.
Read it if you want
The world is complex, Peckham and Valenti build a full magical academy with genuinely complex lore, multiple paranormal types, and a mythology that matters. The twin dynamic is the emotional core; watching Tory and Darcy deal with betrayal and belonging together gives the romance weight beyond just the guys. The enemies-to-lovers tension sings. The series has sparked BookTok obsession for a reason: the writing is addictive, the stakes feel real, and the romance is hot enough to match the intrigue.
Who it is for
If you loved Fourth Wing's academy setting and enemy dynamics, start here. If you want a reverse harem-adjacent romance where both twins have their own love interests, this series is built for that. If you want dark academia mixed with paranormal stakes and genuine mystery, grab book 1. Skip if you need everything to be light or standalone.
Content warnings
Show the content warnings
Bullying is a central plot element. Sexual content increases later in the series (S3 in book 1, escalates). Violence is present but not graphic. Themes of trauma and manipulation in the larger plot.
Full plot and ending (spoilers)
The anonymous informant Falling Star turns out to be Professor Astrum, the Tarot teacher. He tells the twins that certain fae conspired with the Nymphs to kill their parents, and that the biggest threat is Lionel Acrux, Darius's father. He also warns them not to trust Darius or Professor Orion. Then the school dance goes fully feral. Seth gets close to Darcy, pins her down, and cuts off her hair. The Heirs give Tory one last chance to leave, and when she refuses, Darius uses Coercion to force her into the pool at Lunar Terrace, where they hold her underwater until she passes out. Orion pulls her out and heals her. That's the ending, no redemption arc yet, just proof of how far the Heirs will go. The enemies-to-lovers payoff and the fated mates reveals come much later in the series.
Where it sits in Zodiac Academy
Book 1 of a 9-book main series, running from The Awakening (2019) through Restless Stars (2024), with optional companion books like The Awakening As Told By The Boys. Nothing here is standalone. The story builds continuously and book 1 ends on a gut punch, so have book 2 (Ruthless Fae) ready. If you love the academy setting, this is the deep end of it.
- 1Zodiac Academy: The Awakening2019
- 2Zodiac Academy: Ruthless Fae2019
- 3Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning2019
- 4Zodiac Academy: Shadow Princess2020
- 5Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates2020
- 6Zodiac Academy: Fated Throne2020
- 7Zodiac Academy: Heartless Sky2021
- 8Zodiac Academy: Sorrow and Starlight2022
- 9Zodiac Academy: Restless Stars2024
- +Zodiac Academy: Beyond the Veil2023
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening: FAQ
How spicy is Zodiac Academy: The Awakening?
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening is rated 3 out of 5 on our heat scale, which we call spicy. The Spice Guide explains what each level means. Spice Guide
Is Zodiac Academy: The Awakening a standalone?
No. Zodiac Academy: The Awakening is book 1 in the Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti. It is the place to start. Zodiac Academy: Ruthless Fae comes next. Zodiac Academy reading order
What are the content warnings for Zodiac Academy: The Awakening?
Bullying is a central plot element. Sexual content increases later in the series (S3 in book 1, escalates). Violence is present but not graphic. Themes of trauma and manipulation in the larger plot.
How long is Zodiac Academy: The Awakening?
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening is 436 pages. At an average pace that is roughly 10 hours of reading.
When was Zodiac Academy: The Awakening published?
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening was first published on July 13, 2019.
Is Zodiac Academy: The Awakening OK for teens?
No, it is written for adults. At 3 out of 5 it has explicit scenes on the page.
What should I read after Zodiac Academy: The Awakening?
If you liked it, try House of Beating Wings, A Court of Honey and Ash or A Fate of Wrath and Flame. They share the tropes that make Zodiac Academy: The Awakening work. House of Beating Wings, A Court of Honey and Ash, A Fate of Wrath and Flame
