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Hello to the ultimate Zodiac Academy reading order! If you’ve found yourself completely spellbound by the Zodiac Academy series, welcome to the club! Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti have created one of the most addictive, emotional, and downright chaotic fantasy worlds ever. Say hello to the World of Solaria!
With multiple intertwined series (yes, we’re looking at you, Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac and Darkmore Penitentiary), deciding the best reading order can feel like trying to survive a class with a cardinal magic teacher under a full moon. – Yeah, I’m not apologising for the in-jokes you’ll find as you read through!!
But don’t panic! I’ve put together this complete guide so you’ll know exactly what order to read the Zodiac Academy books in for the ultimate Solaria experience!
So What Is the Zodiac Academy Series About?
Set in a magical academy where elemental magic rules and fae princesses battle destiny (and their feelings), Zodiac Academy follows twin sisters Darcy Vega and Tory Vega.
Straight away, they’re thrown headfirst into the world of the Celestial Heirs. The arrogant, powerful senior students led by Lionel Acrux’s son, Darius. The Vega twins are the rightful heirs to the throne of Solaria… but the Heirs have other plans.
Expect dark romance, dark magic, buttery bagels (yes, really), and some helluva parties – big a.s.s. party! It’s emotional, steamy, very spicy and packed with devastating events that will have you sobbing one chapter and laughing the next.
The Complete Zodiac Academy Reading Order
The Main Zodiac Academy Books
The Zodiac Academy world isn’t just one series. It’s a whole connected universe full of elemental magic, heartbreak, and fierce fae energy. Here’s how to read everything in real-time order across all the Solaria books by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti, with a peek at what makes each one unmissable.
1. Zodiac Academy: The Awakening
This is where it all begins! Twin sisters Darcy and Tory Vega discover they’re the lost heirs to the Solarian throne — and suddenly find themselves thrown into a brutal magical academy run by the Celestial Heirs. Expect shocking twists, dark romance, and the start of an unforgettable journey through the Zodiac Academy world.
2. Zodiac Academy: Ruthless Fae
The Vega twins are back and the senior students aren’t making life any easier. Secrets deepen, enemies grow bolder, and a full moon might just change everything. There’s more dark magic, more banter, and plenty of those buttery bagel moments fans adore.
3. Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning
The infamous Reckoning finally arrives — the ultimate test for students of the Academy. Power struggles, elemental magic, and devastating events collide as the Vegas fight to prove they belong among the most powerful supernaturals. It’s intense, emotional, and absolutely gripping.
4. Zodiac Academy: Shadow Princess
Darkness creeps across Solaria as the Vegas face their biggest problem yet – themselves! Loyalties are tested, love is complicated, and Lionel Acrux’s plans cast a long shadow over everyone. A story of resilience, heartbreak, and strength that will leave you breathless.
5. Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates
Buckle up — this one’s a rollercoaster of dark plot twists and emotional chaos. The curse takes hold, love and loyalty are tested to breaking point, and every decision carries a lunar eclipse level of tension. It’s one of the most talked-about books in the series for good reason.
6. Zodiac Academy: Fated Throne
The Vegas rise stronger than ever, determined to reclaim their throne and destiny. With alliances forming and enemies closing in, this book delivers epic fae princess energy and a helluva party of emotions. Expect romance, power, and plenty of tears.
7. Zodiac Academy: Heartless Sky
One of the most emotional instalments in the series. Darcy Vega and her friends face devastating events that change everything. It’s dark, heart-wrenching, and full of those twisted ways that make this world so addictive. Grab tissues. Lots of them.
8. Zodiac Academy: Sorrow and Starlight
Picking up after the heartbreak of Heartless Sky, this book explores grief, recovery, and the power of love in a world torn apart. The true queens of Solaria must rise, even as darkmore penitentiary looms and war brews across the realm. It’s raw, powerful, and beautifully written.
8.5. Zodiac Academy: Beyond the Veil
Every thread comes together as Solaria’s fate hangs in the balance.
Taken before our time: a savage king and queen, a betrayed son, a wronged brother, a scorned wife, and more. We watch the living struggle beneath the stars, their answers so close – yet forever out of reach.
But what if we could reach back? And what would it cost?
9. Zodiac Academy: Restless Stars
The false king’s shadow spreads like oil, staining the kingdom. No one is untouched.
The crowns are within reach, if they dare claim them. As the final battle dawns, every soul’s fate hangs in the balance.
When the last sword falls, only one side will stand. At first light, the Starfall Legion charges, the destiny riding with them.
All hail the True Queens.
Companion & Connected Books in the World of Solaria
To truly experience the whole of Solaria, you’ll want to include the companion stories and side series that fill in different perspectives.
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening As Told By The Boys
**This is a retelling of book 1 of Zodiac Academy from the perspective of Orion, Darius, Caleb, Seth and Max**
The Vega twins are alive.
Those five words thunder in my mind, upending the future we thought was certain and shaking the kingdom’s foundations.
They’re coming to the academy to reclaim what was stolen, but we can’t let them. Too much is at stake to risk two sheltered princesses unravelling everything we’ve built.
I’ve mastered dark magic, survived every trial, and endured Lionel Acrux’s shadow for too long. Nothing will stand between me and his fall.
The twins must be stopped before they realise the true extent of their power.
Zodiac Academy: Live And Let Lionel
This is a bonus content novella to celebrate the series coming to a close and contains 100k words of bonus content from the Zodiac Academy Series.
- Savage – a short story about Hail and Merissa Vega’s love story
- The Shimmering Springs – that night Caleb and Seth did or didn’t kiss…
- The moment Geraldine first saw the twins
- Seth on the Moon – one Werewolf’s wanderings on the moon
- Night – that time the twins met the Ruthless Boys – with a never-before-published chapter!
- Orion ‘blue’ alternate POV – BRAND NEW
- Orion ‘Fairy Fair’ alternate POV
- Darius ‘throne room’ alternate POV
- Darius ‘Stars’ alternate POV – BRAND NEW
- Featuring the never-before-seen map of Solaria!
- Each chapter is introduced by Lionel Acrux, looking back on how his enemies have thwarted him and how he overcame their insufferable rebellion – BRAND NEW
Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac
Set before Zodiac Academy, this dark, emotional, and seriously addictive series delves into the lives of the werewolf pack, fae princes, and the most powerful supernaturals in Solaria. Each book is packed with drama, romance, and plenty of twists, making it a must-read for anyone wanting the full Zodiac Academy experience.
- Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac: Dark Fae
The journey begins as Elise Callisto arrives in Aurora Academy determined to solve her mother’s murder. She’s quickly drawn into the dangerous world of the fae, where secrets, power struggles, and forbidden attraction set the stage for everything to come. - Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac: Savage Fae
Elise’s investigation deepens, forcing her to navigate deadly rivalries and hidden agendas. The bonds between Elise and the four ruthless boys grow stronger, but so do the threats lurking in the shadows. - Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac: Vicious Fae
Tensions reach new heights as Elise uncovers shocking truths about her family and the academy. Loyalties are tested and danger is everywhere, making trust a rare commodity. - Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac: Broken Fae
With hearts and alliances shattered, Elise and her pack must confront painful losses and impossible choices. This installment is full of emotional punch and reveals the true cost of survival in Solaria. - Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac: Warrior Fae
The series finale brings epic battles, fierce loyalty, and powerful magic. Elise faces her destiny, and every secret and sacrifice comes to a head in a gripping conclusion.
This series not only delivers a ton of emotional impact but also provides essential backstory for Zodiac Academy. It’s perfect for readers who love immersive worlds and complex characters.
Darkmore Penitentiary Series
Welcome to a grittier, darker corner of the Solaria world. Where psycho friends, twisted secrets, and unforgettable inmates might just steal your heart. This series is perfect for readers who love morally grey characters and a dash of danger with their romance.
The series is set in Solaria, five years after Zodiac Academy and ten years after Dark Fae. Book one was originally published under the title Darkmore Penitentiary.
There are a few crossover characters, but each series can be read as a standalone without spoilers. The female lead also has multiple love interests.
Darkmore Penitentiary 1: Caged Wolf
Caged Wolf (Darkmore Penitentiary Book 1) is a dark, fast-paced paranormal romance set inside Darkmore Penitentiary, a brutal prison for supernatural criminals. The story kicks off as our heroine finds herself sentenced to Darkmore Penitentiary, a supernatural prison where survival is anything but guaranteed. Here, she encounters a cast of unpredictable inmates and learns that trust can be as dangerous as betrayal. It follows Rosalie “Rosa” Oscura, a dangerous, sharp-witted inmate who’s sent to Darkmore and immediately finds herself caught in a violent power struggle between rival factions inside the prison. As she fights to survive the politics, punishments, and constant threats, she also becomes entangled with a group of powerful men. Including Ethan Shadowbrook, a feared Alpha, leading to intense, morally grey relationships, shifting loyalties, and a bigger mystery around what Rosa’s really capable of (and what she’s hiding).
Darkmore Penitentiary 2: Alpha Wolf
Alpha Wolf (Darkmore Penitentiary Book 2) continues straight on from Caged Wolf, with Rosa even deeper in the brutal politics of Darkmore Penitentiary. As tensions rise between the prison’s power players, she’s forced into riskier alliances and more dangerous games. Both to protect herself and to keep the people she’s becoming tied to alive. Ethan and the other men around her push harder for control (and for Rosa), while secrets about Rosa’s past and her true strength start surfacing, making her a bigger target inside the prison. The book ramps up the violence, the loyalty tests, and the intensity of the relationships, ending with higher stakes and a strong cliffhanger into book 3.
Darkmore Penitentiary 3: Feral Wolf
Feral Wolf (Darkmore Penitentiary Book 3) pushes Darkmore into all-out chaos as Rosa’s position in the prison becomes more volatile and more powerful than ever. With rival factions closing in and the authorities tightening their grip, Rosa is forced to lean harder into her instincts to survive, protect her allies, and stay one step ahead of the traps being set for her. Her bonds with Ethan and the others intensify under pressure, but so do the betrayals and brutal consequences, as bigger truths come to light and the fight for control of Darkmore turns increasingly savage, driving the series toward its most dangerous turning point yet.
Darkmore Penitentiary 4: Wild Wolf
Wild Wolf (Darkmore Penitentiary Book 4) continues the fallout from the escalating war inside Darkmore, with Rosa facing the most dangerous phase yet of prison politics, punishments, and shifting alliances. As control of the penitentiary becomes even more unstable, Rosa has to make bolder moves to survive and to protect the men she’s tied to. While new threats and revelations raise the stakes beyond the usual inmate rivalries. The relationships intensify, loyalties are tested to breaking point, and the story drives toward a high-tension showdown.
If you love morally grey characters, high-stakes drama, and a world where nothing is as it seems, you’ll devour this series. I absolutely love it!
This series is a dark fantasy romance where the female character will end up with more than one love interest. It’s a twisted cocktail of rejected mates, age gap romance, enemies to lovers, violence and steamy scenes recommended for readers aged 18+
How to Read Everything in the World of Solaria (Recommended Real-Time Order)
Here’s the best reading order if you want to follow the Solaria timeline as it unfolds:
- Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac (Books 1–5)
- Zodiac Academy
- Darkmore Penitentiary (Books 1–3)
Optional extras and short stories can slot in anywhere once you’ve met your favourite slippery salmons (you’ll get it when you read!).
Why You’ll Love Reading in This Order
Reading in timeline order means you’ll experience every dark plot twist, every lunar eclipse, every big a.s.s. party in real time, exactly as events unfold across Solaria.
You’ll see how characters grow. From the weaker students finding their power to the true queens of the academy taking charge. Plus, you’ll understand the emotional depth behind every devastating event and buttery bagel shared.
My Final Thoughts
If you’re new to the Zodiac Academy universe or re-reading to spot all those hidden details, following the complete reading order helps you experience the most powerful supernatural world the way Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti intended.
So grab your favourite drink, find your people’s emotions playlist, and prepare for one wild, magical, and heartbreakingly beautiful ride through Solaria.
And remember – it might take a long time to get through all the books, but trust me, it’s worth every page under the full moon!!!!
You’ll have to let me know which Zodiac Academy book is your favourite!
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