Book Review: “Zodiac Academy: The Awakening; As Told By The Boys” By Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

I was trying to follow a specific reading order but I clearly did not check the reading order before continuing the series after the 3rd book. I was supposed to read “The Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac” Series next before moving onto the novellas for this series but completely skipped those before moving on so I have thrown all plans out the window.

I am not too upset by this because I feel like if I deviated away from the main series at this point in time I would struggle to keep going. I am interested in this series but the writing isn’t as great as I would like to see so I am scared that reading a separate series between would make it hard for me to find the motivation to return, especially because it is 5 total books before I can come back and I can really only get 4-5 books done a month realistically.

So maybe all this was a happy accident?

“If only real life bullies could be hot, brooding men with dark back stories who worked through their inner demons for the sake of true love.”

Caroline Peckham, The Awakening as Told by the Boys

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Other Zodiac Academy Reviews

Origins of an Academy Bully: Book 0.5

The Awakening: Book 1

Ruthless Fae: Book 2

The Reckoning: Book 3

Shadow Princess: Book 4

Cursed Fates: Book 5

The Big A.S.S. Party: Book 5.5

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Spoilers are ahead if you have not read the books up till this point! Proceed with caution.

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Synopsis

The Vega twins are alive.

Those five words circle in my mind like an oncoming storm. They change everything about the future we thought had been set in stone. They challenge everything we were raised to be and the stability of the entire kingdom.

They’re coming to our academy looking for the life that was stolen from them, but we can’t let them take it back.

So much hangs in the balance and we can’t risk the arrival of two naïve princesses destroying everything we worked so hard for.

I have trained in dark magic, overcome all challenges and stood in the shadow of Lionel Acrux for far too long already. I won’t let them come between me and his downfall.

Which means they have to go before they discover how powerful they truly are.

This is a retelling of the first book in the Zodiac Academy series from the point of view of Orion and the Heirs and should be read after you have finished the original story. It includes scenes from alternative points of view as well over 50k words of additional content and scenes which have never before been revealed. So prepare to step into the dark minds of the Zodiac boys and watch out for the heartbreak and carnage that will ensue.

Synopsis From Goodreads

“But just as the stars ripped me into their grasp, I thought of her. The girl with the fire in her soul and the power to destroy all I was. When the stars spat me back out of their embrace, I didn’t find myself in my own room. I found myself in hers.”

Caroline Peckham, The Awakening as Told by the Boys

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Review

Darius and Orion are for sure my favorite male characters in this series and with each and every additional book I read they only get better! I normally don’t love miscommunication in books but I think it works well here cause the boys can’t really tell the Vegas how they feel due to their horrible circumstances. So yes, this may be a slow burn romance, but I think it will truly pay off in the end.

Overall, This series only keeps getting better as I go and I can not wait to see where it goes!

“Fuck, if her hate makes me this savage, one drop of her love would corrupt me to my core.”

Caroline Peckham, The Awakening as Told by the Boys

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QOTD: Who is your favorite dark and Broody MMC?

“I felt useless. Because what was the point in rules and codes and morals if they meant jack shit to the people ruling the world?”

Caroline Peckham, The Awakening as Told by the Boys