Nikki Anderson

Exciting Story of Awakened Powers

The Zodiac AcademyBy Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti5 StarsZodiac Academy is considered a Romantasy (Dark Fantasy Romance), it’s also considered a Paranormal Romance. This series consists of 9 core books, but a total of 15 books total. I easily rated the first book - Zodiac Academy: The Awakening - 5 Stars. I am looking forward to the rest of this series!This book is titled The Awakening because the Vega twins learn that they are Fae, and their powers are awakened with the rest of the Freshman Class of Zodiac Academy. Prior to this, the Vega sisters didn’t know anything about Fae, let alone being Fae themselves. They thought themselves humans orphaned and tossed through the Foster Care System until Professor Orion arrives and takes them to Solaria. The girls struggle to fit in and find their place, but this story is excellently told and is worth all of the hype it has been given.Sisters, Peckham & Valenti, wrote this series together. I love that! They have written a perfect fantasy plot that is well developed with amazing characters to go with it. In this installment the reader is still learning the fantasy world and rules but they are beginning to have a good grasp on some of the characters. The reader is seeing that the characters are multi-layered with a lot of depth. I really haven’t found a fault in this story.Check for Trigger Warnings and get ready to enter Zodiac Academy! I know I’m excited to keep reading and I think you will be too!Ver más

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Cattle Pillar

5 de abril de 2021

Addicting Series

This is a review of books 1-4 in this series, not just the first book. I liked book 1 but I love the next 3 so stick with it even if you are on the fence with the first book. Very addicting. Spoilers ahead:What I like:The twins, Darcy and Tory, are very different characters so you do get a unique perspective with each chapter. They are not clones of one another at all. The Heirs all have distinct voices too, as well as teachers and friends. The characters are very well developed in this series and if you put the book down and come back later in the middle of a chapter, it's easy to tell whose POV it is.Darcy and Tory are not instantly good at everything and nothing comes easy to them. They have to fight against a lot of adversity and also learn magic and explore their potential capabilities without being miraculously fantastic at everything, unlike many other book characters in other stories. The struggle is real, and fantastic to read about.The bullies are actual bullies. Super nasty. No false bullying, this is the real deal and you really feel for the girls and HATE the guys at certain points.The world building is great, and it is a dog eat dog world that isn't going to change to suit the needs of the main characters. They have to change perspective to navigate their surroundings as they are.Darcy and Orion. Hot hot hot!What I don't like:Darcy and Tory aren't very motivated to learn beyond what is being introduced to them by teachers despite being tormented every single day. If I was being harassed by more powerful beings but knew I was intrinsically more powerful, I would be spending every waking moment figuring out how to best them. Instead they are learning what first years learn and that's it. I wish they showed more initiative to practice and learn skills so they aren't so easy to bully.The hot and cold with Darius, Seth, Max, and Caleb can be tiring. One day they are besties with the girls and other days they are so cruel. It's not as consistent as it should be one way or another. This goes beyond their well laid plans to con the girls. That I understand with the hot/cold thing because they are planning horrible things that demand gaining a level of trust. But beyond that, they have days where they are friendly and days where they are absolute enemies so it's a little odd.Lack of critical thinking skills and cleverness. There are solutions to the issues between the Heirs and the Royals than just doing what the Heir parents want them to do. The Heirs don't even want to do half of what they do, but they can't seem to think their way out of the box. Orion is the only one who seems to troubleshoot in any way about how they could all make their situation work to everyone's advantage. Along these same lines, the Heirs do know that Darcy and Tory are going to be very powerful beings to reckon with, but they alienate them over and over again. Poking the bear so to speak doesn't seem like the best strategy when you know that your power will pale in comparison in the years to come. How do they think they will actually hold onto their seats as heirs when they will be outclassed in a short amount of time? Teamwork is the obvious best option. If they couldn't pull teamwork off, a long deception would be a better strategy than the inconsistent bullying. I have the feeling that the characters will get there eventually, but it is taking a long time for them to puzzle this all out.I don't want to give too much away but I highly recommend starting this series. I have lost sleep because I can't put down the books and I am so glad I gave it a chance. It has some issues, but you just have to roll with it and enjoy the story. All the drama! Definitely superbly entertaining.Ver más

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KaitorTot

23 de febrero de 2025

A bit of a slow burn

This was a bit of a slow burn for me—not in the romance sense, but in actually getting into the writing style and rhythm of the story. It took me a minute to fully immerse myself, but once I did, I found myself really intrigued by the world-building. The different Fae orders and abilities? So cool. I love a magic system with depth, and this one has a lot of potential.Now, let’s talk bully romance—I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it going in, and honestly, I’m still on the fence. Some moments worked, others had me side-eyeing my Kindle. But Tory and Roxy? Loved their personalities. Their dynamic is fun, fiery, and exactly the kind of chaos I look for in sister duos.And then there’s Lance Orion. Listen. I get it. He’s that guy. Officially adding him to my ever-growing book boyfriend list.Also, the FaeBook references? They kill me. In a way that I kind of love?? The humor in this book caught me off guard in the best way.On a more serious note, Diego is suspicious as hell. Did he drug Sofia?? Something about him is off, and I’m definitely side-eyeing every interaction he has.Overall, The Awakening was a bit of a mixed bag for me. Some parts dragged, but the world kept me interested, and I’m curious enough to keep going. On to the next one!Ver más

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Kindle Customer

25 de junio de 2026

Zodiac Academy

I'll admit, this was on my tbr for awhile before I took the plunge, and I'm glad I waited until the series was complete because it is totally binge worthy. In this first book, the Vega twins learn they are not only Fae, but Fae royalty. They must learn to harness their magic if they are going to survive the ruthless Academy where Fae torture each other in a survival of the fittest. Tory is tough as nails, she takes no stuff and dishes it out when she can. Darcy tends to more glass half full and takes less risks but she will do whatever she needs to for loved ones. The Vega twins are in for a rude awakening after The Heirs let them know they are not welcome at the academy or on the throne. You will hate them but hopefully they redeem themselves because I'm still trying to figure out which twin will end up with who. My gut says Orion the hottie professor with an attitude has his hat in the romantic ring too. This book isn't about the romance, it's about the sisterly bond and how you can get through anything when you have their type of love for one another. Great first book. Only 11 more to go and I can't wait!Ver más

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Christina

10 de julio de 2026

Great world building.

I love a character-heavy book, and this one delivered. The world-building was amazing, and I could easily visualize the author’s descriptions. I did, however, have a love-hate relationship with the story.The plot is good, but the excessive bullying against Darcy and Tory was a bit much, especially when the faculty pretty much condone it. Another aspect I liked was that everyone is a Faye who harnesses a different type of elemental magic, and they all belong to a different order, which gives you a multitude of mythical creatures, something I’ve never come across in other fantasy novels.The premise is good, and I’m intrigued to see how the rest of the series comes together, given everything these girls have already been through in just the first book.Ver más

1 persona la encontró útil

Crystal Jensen

1 de agosto de 2026