Zodiac Academy: The Awakening

De: Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

Narrado por: Bridget Bordeaux

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 birthright 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 droolworthy 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.

©2019, 2020 Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti (P)2024 Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

This is not ‘hot bullying’

This is not my first bully romance by any means, however the bullying in this gets progressively worse and irritating. In other bully romances, yes the guy is horrible and cruel but they show moments of kindness, there’s some balance. This story had very few such moments.... The twins are the victims yet you can’t help but dislike them too. I’m not looking for a Mary Sue but dang can’t they learn more? The authors barely talked about them practicing at all! We don’t have to be at the point where we can kick the celestial heir’s bums but not even their minions? Seriously? And apparently it’s like that until the 5th book, Not sure if I can hang on long enough even though I love the story’s premise and astrology.

It’s okay..

I’m very dyslexic so I read and listen to my books at the same time.. the audio book is veryyyyy different from the physical. SEVERAL sentences and paragraphs left out completely, things said completely wrong.. I had to keep pausing the audio book to read because that’s how much was left out. It hardly matched and was overall frustrating.

Maybe I’m just old?

To preface, I’m 30. I started reading adult fiction recently; I loved FBAA and ACOTAR. I also love Harry Potter. I’m not the biggest fan of fantasy that heavily converges with our world, and this novel felt more focused on high school drama than plot. Sometimes it’s nice to let world building occur without interpersonal relationships overshadowing it / driving it. I’m going to give the second book a chance, hoping that the characters mature, but it is quite juvenile for me. I rolled my eyes many, many times. I heard great things about this series, I suppose I should’ve checked the ages of those raving about it! The narration is great, they fit the characters well.

It’s ok

Definitely YA, story line was a little all over the place and predictable. I think a younger audience would enjoy though.

I have trauma now

this whole series gave me ptsd. while it was good and just the type of spicy that I love to read about, nothing ever went well. I eventually lost all hope around book three. anytime something could go horribly wrong it did and in the worst ways. it wasn't predictable and I stopped hoping things would work out. I had to separate myself from the characters completely to get as far in the series as I did and still couldn't bring myself to finish it. if you want your heart and soul wrenched from your chest to be stomped and spit on and shattered into a million pieces then this is the series for you. I will never recover from this.

Obsessed!

I've been binge-listening to the series the past few days. I hesitated starting after reading some negative reviews. They are way off base.

Some say there are triggers. The only trigger I can think of is if you were severely bullied. There's no real abuse to the MCs. This is a BULLY romance, so figure that out before listening.

Some didn't like the lusting after a professor. I can understand if it's not your thing, but this is a college setting, not high school. It's pretty common in the real world.

This isn't YA, so there's some smexy scenes.

Tropes: enemies to lovers, grump and sunshine, forbidden romance, fated lovers

I was waiting for a little more

I kept wanting a little more from out FMCs. I was really hoping that, at least one of them, would grow a backbone and teach these dumb boys a lesson. Overall it was entertaining though and the world building is decent. I'll keep reading.

Loved every page!

Listening to this book was like watching a movie. I loved every second of this and cannot wait to start the next one!

Hilarious and narrated so well

I absolutely love Caroline & Susanne’s books and their character building as well as their world building. There’s just enough of everything in each of their works. However, listening to Jake and Bridget Bordeaux bring these characters to life is pure gold and good for the soul and ears. Their interpretations of these characters is everything I could imagine, especially for Geraldine. Can’t wait to finish the whole series with them narrating.

Narrator

I like the story. Girls coming into power but the narrator does not sound natural. Almost forced and choppy. These are 18 year old women not pathetic 15 year old victims. They are survivors!