Review: ‘Zodiac Academy: Shadow Princess’ by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Shadow Princess
by Caroline Peckham, Susanne ValentiSeries: Zodiac Academy #4
Published by Self-Published on January 13, 2020
SubGenres: New Adult Romance, Paranormal Romance
Format: eBook
Pages: 684
Source: Kindle Unlimited
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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...
I thought the last book put me through the wringer. Nope. This one made me want to throw my damn kindle against the wall. I didn’t, so don’t worry, but I will be getting the actual book, so if I re-read in the future, I’ll be able to throw the physical book. I’m so mad, especially with that ending. My heart hurts. No spoilers, I promise.
Storyline/My Thoughts: Shadow Princess is the fourth book in the Zodiac Academy series. Tory and Darcy have to keep their Order hidden because if Lionel finds out what they are, he will have them killed. On top of it, they have to learn to deal with the fifth element since it was forced on them. It will take them getting assistance from Orion and Darius to deal with the shadows. Tory is not happy about working with Orion and Darius, especially Darius. In the last book, she is not over what Darius let happen to her and her sister. She has to understand, though, why he couldn’t help. She frustrated me in this book, especially with how she treated Darcy and let the shadows get to her. Darcy meant to tell her the truth, but something that happened in this book prevented her from telling Tory her secret. I felt terrible for Darcy in this book.
Orion and Darcy’s relationship is getting risky, but these two are determined to be together. Some adorable moments between these two left me wanting more. Unfortunately, fate has other plans for these two, and I’m ticked off what happened to them in this book. This is one of the reasons I wanted to throw my kindle. Caroline and Susanne, how could you let that happen to them. My heart can’t take it.
Tory and Darius’s relationship is beyond complicated in this book. Since book one, I’ve wanted them to admit they have feelings for each other. Even Orion confronts Darius about it, but Darius blows him off. Tory has so much hate for Darius that she would rather hurt him than admit she has feelings, too. Darius is constantly hurting her, even though he doesn’t want it. It’s frustrating. They do eventually have some steamy moments in this book. Clothes are ripped, fingernails are used, and blood is drawn.
Darius tries to be nice to Tory, too, and she refuses to believe him. Then the unthinkable happens at the end of this book, which made my blood boil over. My heart hurts for Darius, but I also understand why Tory did it. He put her through so much, but really, did you have to be a b*tch about it. My heart dropped at what she decided.
The heirs are still trying to figure out how to ruin the twins, and they try in this book, but it backfires on them. I loved how it backfired. It was about time that they realized these twins were not going down without a fight.
Two things that drove me crazy in this book involve two heirs. Seth is the biggest jerk, proving it several times in Shadow Princess. I can’t stand what he put Darcy, though. I could understand Darcy’s hatred for him.
Caleb drove me crazy with Tory and how he was ticked off that she wouldn’t be with him. I hope their relationship is sizzling out because I want Tory to be someone else, even though it may never happen. Boo!
The princesses visit the Palace of Souls in this book, which is where their mother and father lived. Tory and Darcy will finally have a home to go to and find out more about their parents.
My favorite person in this book is Geraldine. I adored her character, especially how she puts Max Rigel in his place. Max has never been told no, and he is obsessed with winning Geraldine over. Even the other heirs can’t believe that Max can’t pursue her for a second time. She’s a badass!
Overall, this book receives 3.5 stars. It may not be my favorite, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy certain aspects. I really hope Darcy and Orion eventually get a HEA, but I know mentally it’s not going to happen any time soon. The authors have proven so many times not to get my hopes up. Why do I torture myself with the Zodiac Academy series? Because both authors keep me invested with these unforgettable characters and the addicting storylines.
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Zodiac Academy series, and I highly recommend reading in order.
Steaminess: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy a dark and twisted Paranormal Bully Romance, this book/series is for you. Forewarning, both authors will rip out your heart and stomp on it several times with what she has her characters go through. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
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About Caroline Peckham
I'm a #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Zodiac Academy series. I write all things dark romance, from fantasy to contemporary, high school bully to mafia, there's bound to be a book for you!
Me and my sister Susanne Valenti now write books together and we've built the most amazing, fun, crazy reader group on Facebook which we would LOVE you to join. Be the first to get teasers of upcoming books, plus interact with us daily, asks us questions, make friends with other book junkies and find your reader home.
About Susanne Valenti
I am Susanne Valenti and I write all kinds of Romance with my sister and co-author Caroline Peckham and you’ve just looked at a bunch of pictures of our faces 🖤
I live in England with the Queen and the red buses and all that jazz. We’re down in the south east, kinda near London but far enough out to be able to look at fields all wistfully and shit if the mood takes me.
I’m married to a dude I met when I was 17 who seemed like a keeper so I held on tight. We have two gorgeous kiddies, a girl and a boy who are in that mental toddler stage so that keeps me busy a lot with jumping in muddy puddles and cutting and sticking and roll playing as a monster (why do I always have to be the t-rex?? But also, why do I always volunteer for the roll? 🤔)
I like to run (alright, like is a bit strong, but I do get my ass out of the house and run while pushing a running buggy with a little boy on board who likes to shout at me to go faster because Daddy is getting away – rude, right?)
My parents are the best, they are super supportive with all of this writing madness me and Caroline have embarked upon and also dive in five hundred percent when my kids demand fairy hunts in the garden, an imaginary tea party or even a millionth rendition of Old McDonald Had A Farm and it’s thanks to them that I get the time to get any writing done at all 💖
I’ve got two cats who are always up to something and a few fish in a tank who seem to be living their best lives…and I think I’m out of interesting facts there….
My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
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