The Awakening (Dramatized Adaptation)

Zodiac Academy, Book 1

De: Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

Narrado por: Lydia Kraniotis, Daniel Llaca, Gregory Linnington, Khaya Fraites, Nora Achrati, Jessica Schly, Karenna Foley, Julian Dailey, Ryan Dalusung, Gabriel Michael, Full Cast

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.

Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!

Performed by Khaya Fraites, Jessica Schly, Gregory Linnington, Julian Dailey, Jon Vertullo, Ryan Dalusung, Gabriel Michael, Karenna Foley, Daniel Llaca, Lydia Kraniotis, Nora Achrati, Kelly Baskin, Stephanie Németh-Parker, Crystal Lee, Dawn Ursula, Lise Bruneau, Kaylee Eluvian, Marissa Clay, Bradley Foster Smith, Michael John Casey, Ken Jackson, Tyler Hyrchuck, Donald Guzzi, Yasmin Tuazon, Jerri J. Marshall, Laura C. Harris, Karen Novack, Eric Messner, Scott McCormick, Drew Kopas, and James Konicek.

* This audio production was updated on 10-14-2024 with new voice actors for Darius and Caleb. Reviews posted before that date are about the older version.

©2019 Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti (P)2024 Graphic Audio LLC

Ugh. The male voices

Why does Orion sound like Raymond holts husband on Brooklyn 99? You know.. the actor who wears suits with professor pads. He sounds like he’s 62 years old and not at ALL sexy. Like. At all.
Don’t even get me started on Darius. Wtf IS that?! His voice is like that of a gravely elderly man. Like. Come on. These are the two main guys. And you mess it up.

Max’s voice is obviously my fave (Xaden is all I can hear) but why couldn’t he be the voice of Darius?

I’m just annoyed. There’s not enough distinction between Tory and Darcy’s voices so sometimes I had to rewind to check who was speaking.

Geraldine’s voice I couldn’t take seriously.

Diego… well Diego sounds super hot.

To be frank, I really hope they reevaluate the cast’s voices like they did with Tairn in part two of fourth wing. I don’t know if I’ll listen to the rest if they stick with this cast.

I love this story so much and was looking forward to it coming to life. It fell very flat.

First time zodiac reader and Loved it!!

GA did a great job on this! It was my first time reading zodiac academy and I thought it was fun, addictive and very well performed. I will be anxiously waiting for the next one (but will probably read it while I wait).

They did Geraldine DIRTY

Love love looooove ZA and got the dramatized adaptation as a reread. Most of the actors are spot on, but they ruined Geraldine. She’s supposed to be more of a sexy character and seems more of a “southern” style type character. The actor for this was not it.

Orion also sounds too old. He’s technically supposed to be 25 but actor sounds close to 40/50.

First graphic audio listen

I have never listened to a graphic audio book before. I really enjoyed this and loved how I could visualize the story being told with a full cast. I didn’t mind the cast for the main characters. Some were a little annoying but I also felt the character their self was annoying so the voice fit. I will get the second book.

loved the voices for Tori, Darcy and Max

Geraldine's voice is horrible- she sounds like an ugly, squat, masculine woman- no one would believe Max would be attracted to someone who sounds that way. Geraldine is supposed to be a strong, kick ass woman, tough as nails loyalist supporter of the true queens! - Dear lord please do better for the next books, im praying this was taken care of in book 2, fingers crossed!

The above is why I gave the performance a 3, thats how upsetting the voice is for Geraldine! ugh

Liked

First time listening to a graphic audio and I had a good time. The music was a little distracting at times but over all fun. The book I’m not sure if it would’ve been as interesting if it wasn’t a graphic audio so I’m sure glad that I went this route. I had previously read the prequel series before starting zodiac Academy and did not care for those books so I am glad that I’m enjoying this.

Wild

Insane, I was super nervous jumping into this series and I was almost instantly hooked. Super mad about one of the boys though, I was really rooting for him 🥲

Voices

In my mind some voices didn’t fit descriptions and it became hard for me to envision someone looking the way described when the voice sounded like the complete opposite in my mind. Voices also sound very young and I’m hoping they mature in sound as the series progresses.

y'all ruined Geraldine

I am now a fan of the basic audio instead of the dramatized version due to how you absolutely SLAUGHTERED Geraldine. Geraldine is NOT a goofy character who sounds like a chubby unintelligent 14 year old boy who grew up in the sticks. I haven't heard a character be so slaughtered before. The real Geraldine is very much like Charlotte "Lottie" La Bouff in "The Princess and the Frog." I'm not sure why y'all went a completely different direction, but y'all totally destroyed her. Shame on you. Out of 500+ audio books, this is the ONLY that I have felt that strongly about leaving a review for. I hope you fix it with future recordings.

Good but not Great

I listened to this on audible. It was a solid 3 🌟 for me. I struggled with the changing of the two mfc's. The narrators sounded way too similar. There was no warning when it switched from one to the other, making it very confusing to listen to. The storyline was just okay for me. I was bored a lot and found it kind of predictable. I hope the series improves.