4books
Sins of the Zodiac
romantasy
Series · fantasy romance
Zodiac Academy
The Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham has 13 books and is best read in publication order, starting with The Awakening (2019).
- Books
- 10 novels + 3 novellas
- First published
- 2019
- Status
- completed
- Last checked
Start here: The Awakening (2019) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The order the books were released — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
The Awakening
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Awakening - Book 2:
Ruthless Fae
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Ruthless Fae - Book 3:
Origins of an Academy Bully
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Origins of an Academy Bully - Book 4:
The Reckoning
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Reckoning - Book 5:
Shadow Princess
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Shadow Princess - Book 6:
Cursed Fates
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cursed Fates - Book 7:
The Big A.S.S. Party
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Big A.S.S. Party - Book 8:
Fated Throne
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fated Throne - Book 9:
The Awakening as Told by the Boys
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Awakening as Told by the Boys - Book 10:
Heartless Sky
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Heartless Sky - Book 11:
Sorrow and Starlight
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Sorrow and Starlight - Book 12:
Beyond the Veil
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Beyond the Veil - Book 13:
Restless Stars
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Restless Stars
The order the story's events happen in, novellas slotted where they belong.
- Book 1:
Origins of an Academy Bully
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Origins of an Academy Bully - Book 2:
The Awakening
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Awakening - Book 3:
The Awakening as Told by the Boys
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Awakening as Told by the Boys - Book 4:
Ruthless Fae
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Ruthless Fae - Book 5:
The Reckoning
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Reckoning - Book 6:
Shadow Princess
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Shadow Princess - Book 7:
Cursed Fates
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cursed Fates - Book 8:
The Big A.S.S. Party
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Big A.S.S. Party - Book 9:
Fated Throne
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fated Throne - Book 10:
Heartless Sky
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Heartless Sky - Book 11:
Sorrow and Starlight
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Sorrow and Starlight - Book 12:
Beyond the Veil
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Beyond the Veil - Book 13:
Restless Stars
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Restless Stars
Our shelf-tested path for first-time readers.
- Book 1:
The Awakening
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Awakening - Book 2:
The Awakening as Told by the Boys
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Awakening as Told by the Boys - Book 3:
Ruthless Fae
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Ruthless Fae - Book 4:
The Reckoning
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Reckoning - Book 5:
Shadow Princess
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Shadow Princess - Book 6:
Cursed Fates
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cursed Fates - Book 7:
The Big A.S.S. Party
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Big A.S.S. Party - Book 8:
Fated Throne
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fated Throne - Book 9:
Origins of an Academy Bully
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Origins of an Academy Bully - Book 10:
Heartless Sky
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Heartless Sky - Book 11:
Sorrow and Starlight
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Sorrow and Starlight - Book 12:
Beyond the Veil
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Beyond the Veil - Book 13:
Restless Stars
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Restless Stars
About the Zodiac Academy series
Zodiac Academy follows twins Tory and Darcy Vega, broke and scraping by in the mortal world, who discover they are Fae — and not just any Fae, but the lost heirs to the throne of Solaria. Enrolled at Zodiac Academy, a school where power is everything and mercy is weakness, they immediately collide with the four Celestial Heirs: ruthless, privileged young men raised to inherit the throne the twins' existence now threatens. What the Heirs deliver is not rivalry but outright warfare, and the series never pretends otherwise.
This is bully romance at maximum voltage, wrapped in an astrology-flavored magic system where star signs and elemental Orders shape each Fae's power. Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti write long, escalating books that shift from academy cruelty to kingdom-level war, with a sprawling cast, brutal cliffhangers, and a willingness to hurt beloved characters that has become the series' calling card — one mid-series twist is infamous across BookTok.
Expect explicit content, dark themes, and enemies-to-lovers arcs that take entire volumes to turn. It suits readers who want their romantasy soapy, savage, and enormous: nine main books, several novellas, and a connected universe of spin-offs. Newcomers should commit to at least three books — the slow-burn structure is the point.
How to read this series
Start with The Awakening and read the nine main books in numbered order — the story is one continuous arc with heavy cliffhangers, ending in Restless Stars. The extras are optional but placed for maximum effect: The Awakening as Told by the Boys retells book one from the Heirs' point of view (read after book one); The Big A.S.S. Party is a short piece best slotted after Cursed Fates; Origins of an Academy Bully is a prequel novella most enjoyable once you know its subject, around book six or seven; and Beyond the Veil (8.5) should only be read after Sorrow and Starlight. Spin-offs like Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac and Darkmore Penitentiary can wait until you finish the main series.
Frequently asked questions
How many books are in the Zodiac Academy series?
Nine main books, from The Awakening (2019) to Restless Stars (2024), plus several extras: the prequel novella Origins of an Academy Bully, the companion The Awakening as Told by the Boys, the short The Big A.S.S. Party, and the novella Beyond the Veil.
What order should I read Zodiac Academy in?
Read the nine numbered books in order: The Awakening, Ruthless Fae, The Reckoning, Shadow Princess, Cursed Fates, Fated Throne, Heartless Sky, Sorrow and Starlight, Restless Stars. Slot the novellas in where their numbering suggests — most importantly, read Beyond the Veil (8.5) only after Sorrow and Starlight.
Is Zodiac Academy finished?
Yes — Restless Stars (2024) concluded the twins' story. The authors continue to publish in the same universe, including the Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac and Darkmore Penitentiary spin-off series.
Do I need to read the spin-off series too?
No. Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac and Darkmore Penitentiary enrich the world and share some characters, but the main nine books tell a complete story on their own. Many fans read Ruthless Boys alongside or after the main series.
Is Zodiac Academy YA?
No — despite the academy setting it is firmly adult, with explicit romance, violence, and dark bullying themes. It is generally recommended for readers 18+.
Reading order last verified .