The Awakening by Susanne Valenti, Caroline Peckham

The Awakening (Zodiac Academy, #1)

by Susanne Valenti and Caroline Peckham

I’m a Gemini. Impulsive. Curious. Headstrong. A twin. Heir to a throne I know nothing about. And it turns out, I’m Fae.

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***

Reviewed by anastasia on

5 of 5 stars

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Full Review on my blog!

This is by far my favourite start to a series.  This book is absolutely fantastic and I enjoyed reading it, I literally devoured it in a day.

Zodiac Academy: The Awakening is a whole new take on the zodiac and mythological creatures. I loved all the different aspects of the book. It was brilliant, the characters have so much depth, the pace is great, the world is absolutely beautiful and so unique and fresh.. I wish I lived in this world.. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a fae, who can also wield one or more of the elements (Air. Fire. Water. Earth.) and can also be possibly be a vampire, werewolf, dragon shifter, hydra, medusa, etc. Ooo wee! This book literally has it all. It wasn't too much and definitely wasn't too little, it was the perfect combinations of all those things. 

We meet the main characters, Tory and Darcy when professor Orion basically forces them into a world they never knew existed but even with no preparation for what they have to endure they cope really well. It’s a hard, ruthless world they have to navigate.  For real! Tory and Darcy are both brilliant, relatable main characters. I really liked the differences and individuality between them even though they are twins. I'll try not to give too much away but the twins are the rightful heirs to Solaria, but the 4 current heirs (Darius, Caleb, Max and Seth) go to great lengths to make them make uncomfortable and try to scare them, but all the twins want is there inheritance and nothing to do with the crown. 

And of course the cliffhanger, these two authors definitely know how to keep people hanging in suspense for the next book! Haha

This book is absolutely fantastic, exciting, thrilling, terrifying, and soooo addicting. The characters are complex and the storyline is great! I can’t wait for the next book~
I highly recommend it!

*a copy was provided by the authors for review purposes*

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Zodiac Academy: Origins of an Academy Bully | Review
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening | Review
Zodiac Academy: Ruthless Fae | Review
Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning | Review


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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 17 July, 2019: Finished reading
  • 17 July, 2019: Reviewed