Zodiac Academy: The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
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Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti1 book reviewed
Zodiac Academy
The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
LuvemBooks Verdict
Best for: Readers of New Adult and upper YA romantasy who want a dark, high-stakes magical academy with an astrological magic system, enemies-to-lovers tension, explicit romance, and morally grey characters — and who are ready to commit to a twelve-book series from the start.
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- Is it worth reading?
- For readers drawn to dark academy fantasy romance — specifically enemies-to-lovers tension, morally grey characters, elemental magic, and explicit scenes — The Awakening delivers a tonal commitment and world-building depth that has fuelled a genuine BookTok phenomenon. Peckham and Valenti have sold over fifteen million books across their catalogue, and author Raven Kennedy has described the first book as 'dark, spicy, and completely addictive.' The key caveat is structural: as book one of twelve, it is a series launcher rather than a standalone, and readers who prefer resolved narrative arcs will need to commit to the long haul from the outset.
- Similar books
- Readers who enjoy The Awakening's blend of dark romantasy and morally complex characters may also want to explore The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole, which shares the series' taste for high-stakes fantasy with intense romantic tension, and One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, another dark fantasy romance with a brooding, atmospheric edge. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is a frequently cited point of comparison for its Fae world-building and enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and Ruthless Fae — the second book in the Zodiac Academy series by Peckham and Valenti themselves — is the natural next step for readers who want to continue Tory and Darcy's journey.
- Who should read this?
- The Awakening is squarely positioned for upper YA and New Adult readers who enjoy dark academy fantasy romance with elemental magic, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, morally grey characters, and explicit scenes. The strong twin-protagonist dynamic between Tory and Darcy Vega will appeal to readers who like dual perspectives anchoring a large ensemble world. This is not the book for readers who prefer lighter, cosier fantasy or who want a complete narrative in a single volume — but within its target readership, the series has built a massive and devoted following.
- What age is it for?
- The Awakening is best suited to readers aged 17 and up. The book is positioned as upper YA and New Adult fiction — students at Zodiac Academy are explicitly aged eighteen and older — and the content includes a reported heat level of four out of five for explicit romance, alongside a brutally competitive and at times abusive academy environment. Younger or more sensitive teen readers should be aware of the book's deliberately dark, unrelenting tone before picking it up.
- Do I need to read all 12 books?
- Readers do not need to commit to all twelve books before starting, but they should go in knowing that The Awakening is a series launcher rather than a standalone — its primary function is to establish Zodiac Academy's world, hierarchy, and central tensions, with the broader narrative unfolding across the full twelve-book arc. Those looking for a complete, self-contained story within a single volume will find that expectation unmet. For readers who do commit, the series has built a devoted and vocal following that suggests the long-form journey pays off for the right audience.
- Who is the main villain?
- The presiding villain of the Zodiac Academy series is Lionel Acrux, who operates as a threat at both the campus and political level from book one. The authors themselves have described him as giving Voldemort a run for his money in the evil-dictator category, signalling from The Awakening onward that the political stakes are as dangerous as the academy's internal brutality. His presence establishes that the series' conflict extends well beyond rival students and into the power structures of Fae society itself.
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Age & Reading Level
Recommended age
Ages 12–18
Reading level
Young adult
3 content notes · who it suits
Content to know about
Best for: Ages 17 and up — the book is positioned as upper YA and New Adult, with explicit romantic content (reported heat level four out of five) and an unrelentingly brutal, at times abusive academy environment.
Skip if you're looking for a cosy or warm magical-school story with mentorship and found-family comfort.
Editorial Review
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening is the first book in a twelve-part fantasy romance series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, following twin sisters Tory and Darcy Vega as they discover their Fae heritage and fight to survive a cutthroat magical academy where star sign-based powers determine everything. A BookTok phenomenon from Amazon and Wall Street Journal #1 bestselling authors, it earns attention for its sharp blend of elemental magic, dark academy tension, and enemies-to-lovers heat.
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