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Cover of Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy, #4)

Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy, #4)

by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️steamy·Zodiac Academy #4
4.3 on MoodReads (4 ratings)4.3 on Goodreads (281,751)

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Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

You'll experience deliciously painful angst and become obsessed with characters who are equal parts toxic and irresistible.

Synopsis

After the events of the Lunar Eclipse, Tory and Darcy must learn to deal with the darkness which shadows their lives. With a secret binding them to Darius and Orion, they must find a way to all work together for the greater good. But some things are easier said than done...

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

Book four is where Zodiac Academy stops pulling its punches—the secrets Darius and Orion have been keeping explode in the back half and the fallout is genuinely brutal in the best way. The spice jumps significantly here with multiple on-page scenes including the infamous throne scene. Peckham and Valenti lean harder into the darkness, and the ending will have you grabbing book five before you've finished processing what just happened. Geraldine putting Max Rigel in his place is also a cultural moment.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.27 ★ (281.8k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

724 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2020

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Romantasy

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

M/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

Dual POV

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Slow Burn

CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.

reveal ending

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

Yes

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

GraphicAudio (full Cast + SFX)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

GraphicAudio Full Cast

Narrator Count

Full Cast

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
bully romancedark romanceacademy romanceblood feud romancefated mateslove trianglesecret relationshipforbidden loveteacher/student (adult)
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

darkintenseangstyemotionalsuspensefulbroodingatmosphericferal

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

edgydramaticimmersivebanter-heavyemotional

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

fast

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

heavy

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

medium

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

fae courts and politicsforbidden desire

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

reluctant chosen onemorally gray FMCsurvivorwarrior/fighter

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

morally gray MMCpossessive alphadark/tortured soulfae prince

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

enemies to loversforbidden lovefated matespush and pullhe falls firstpossessive love interestmorally gray x morally gray

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
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🌶️
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Spice Level 4

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

intense / passionaterough / aggressive styletension / anticipation focus

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

possessive/protectivewall pinningjealous/possessive during intimacytensionanticipationmine declarationsgrowling / possessive sounds

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

possessivemarkingclaimingdominancerough/aggressive intimacybonding/claiming/markingmagic-infused intimacy
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (14)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
self-harmsexual assault (referenced)emotional abuseviolenceparental abuseaddictionbullyinggaslightingblooddruggingsuicidal ideationtoxic relationshipsgriefcaptivity
Browse books by content warning →

World & Setting

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

academy / schoolurban fantasy

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

academy / campus

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

faedragonsshifterselementals

RepresentationIdentity representation in the book. LGBTQ+, race/ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence, body type, age and more.

bisexual MC

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

the angst deliveredferal brain activatedaddictive readbook hangoveradrenaline rush

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

anytime

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

vacationcan't sleeplazy Sundaysick day

Zodiac Academy

Origins of an Academy Bully (Zodiac Academy, #0.5)

#0.5 Origins of an Academy Bully (Zodiac Academy, #0.5)

The Awakening (Zodiac Academy, #1)

#1 The Awakening (Zodiac Academy, #1)

The Awakening as Told by the Boys (Zodiac Academy, #1.5)

#1.5 The Awakening as Told by the Boys (Zodiac Academy, #1.5)

The Reckoning (Zodiac Academy, #3)

#3 The Reckoning (Zodiac Academy, #3)

Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy, #4)

#4 Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy, #4)

Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates

#5 Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates

Fated Throne (Zodiac Academy, #6)

#6 Fated Throne (Zodiac Academy, #6)

Zodiac Academy 7: Heartless Sky

#7 Zodiac Academy 7: Heartless Sky

Sorrow and Starlight (Zodiac Academy, #8)

#8 Sorrow and Starlight (Zodiac Academy, #8)

Beyond the Veil

#8.5 Beyond the Veil

Restless Stars

#9 Restless Stars

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Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️steamy
PagesHow long the commitment is.724
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2020
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.27 ★ (281.8k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Zodiac Academy #4
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