This school looked like a combination of the world of Winx and Harry Potter. But much sexier and with bullies everywhere.
*COULD CONTAIN MILD SPOILERS*
“The most important thing I’d learned in life? You can’t trust people. And you especially can’t trust boys with wicked smiles and equally wicked intentions.”
–Caroline Peckham
What Is It About?
You have been selected to attend Zodiac Academy, where your star sign defines your destiny.
If you're one of the Fae, elemental magic is in your blood. And apparently, it's in ours. As twins born in the month of Gemini, we're a rare breed even in this academy of supernatural a-holes.
Changelings were outlawed hundreds of years ago but I guess our birth parents didn't get the memo. Which means we're totally unprepared for the ruthless world of Fae.
Air. Fire. Water. Earth.
Our fates are intertwined, but they want us gone. They've only got until the lunar eclipse to force us out and they'll stop at nothing to succeed.
We never knew we had a birthright to live up to but now that we do, we intend to claim our throne.
Today's horoscope: totally screwed.
My Opinion
4/5⭐
Imagine a school where magic intertwines with endless fun, a mix between the world of Winx (the fairy cartoon) and Harry Potter. Now, add a heavy dose of smut. Oh, but also don't forget to add a massive dose of bullying when the twins arrive at their new school (trust me, it's borderline excessive). Now you have Zodiac Academy 1: The Awakening.
I have no idea why I didn't read these books sooner… but hey, better late than never, right? This series had me hooked fast and hard. It's addictive AF, and I'm waving my recommendation flag high. Since I read ACOTAR and ToG about two years back, I've been chasing that high of SJM's incredible writing (JLA coming really close).
I've come across some decent reads in the past few years, but nothing that screamed, "Hey, devour me like there's no tomorrow" (well, except for FBAA and Shatter Me). But guess what? Finally, a series trapped me so badly, that I'm basically living and breathing it. My entire personality screams Zodiac Academy.
Since page one, Tory and Darcy's story had me hooked. They find out they are the lost daughters of the late King of Solaria, a ruthless man. They are taken to the prestigious Zodiac Academy, where the 4 sons of the Celestial Counselors go too – yep, the Heirs. These guys? Not exactly a fan of the twins, because the throne "belongs to them", not to the Vega twins. The Heirs behave so childishly that they hardly come across as grown men.
At this academy, your zodiac sign and birth chart define your power and what kind of elemental magic you'll have. How cool is this, right? But life at ZA isn't all rainbows and unicorns (although there ARE unicorns!!). The twins quickly realize how brutal and heartless the Fae world can get. It's like a cosmic showdown between the Heirs, destined for the throne, and Tory and Darcy, the legit heirs. Pranks go too far (way too far), and things are done to break them down and do whatever it takes to make them leave ZA.
Full disclosure, though: there were moments when the bullying felt like a bit much. If you're sensitive to that sort of thing, I'm not sure how well this book would be your cup of tea. The problem with bullying is I've dealt with bullying myself back in the day, so this kinda hits close. I've worked a lot in therapy and have blocked most of those memories. Still a bit of a sore spot, you know? So, reading about the Heirs being jerks to the Vega twins was a bit sensitive for me.
Will I forgive what Darius, Caleb, Seth, and Max have done to Tory and Darcy? Hell no. What they have done is unforgivable. But we shall see how things change in the following books. But so far these four guys (plus Orion) are top-notch jerks.
On the other hand, I couldn't stop laughing out loud. I constantly had to cover my mouth so as not to wake up my family. Some of these characters were hilarious!! Their dynamics were something that fascinated me. So, yeah, I really loved this book! Devoured it, and now I'm itching for the next book in the series.
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