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Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac #1
Dark Fae
What do a heartless Dragon Shifter, a cold-blooded Basilisk, an arrogant Lion Shifter and a brooding, tattooed Harpy have in common...?
Me. Elise Callisto. Vampire. Angel of vengeance. And a girl on a mission to destroy one of them for murdering my brother. I just don't know which one did it yet.
When I kicked the ass of a Werewolf who was high on a new and dangerous drug called Killblaze, his final words painted a dark reality for me.
The King of Aurora Academy killed my brother.
The trouble is, there's four kings at that school and each of them have motive and cutthroat natures.
Aurora Academy isn't a place for the faint of heart. To put it lightly, my town is the asshole of Solaria where the dodgiest Fae in the kingdom reside. The school itself is divided by the two gangs who run this town. The Lunar Brotherhood and the Oscura Clan. And guess what? Two of the kings run the gangs at the school, their hatred for each other so fierce I hear a day doesn't go by without blood being spilled in the halls.
I might be a petite, lilac-haired girl who looks like a fragile doll, but they haven't been introduced to my fangs yet. And they don't know why I'm really here. Or that I'll do whatever it takes to bring down the Fae who took my flesh and blood from me.
I don't believe in fate, but I do know this... the King who killed my brother is a dead man walking. And I'm prepared to sacrifice my heart, body and soul to ensure I get my revenge .
This is a reverse harem series set in the world of Zodiac Academy four years before the Vega Twins were Awakened. Expect some character cross-over, dark and hot romance, and a twisted murder mystery which will leave your head spinning.
Me. Elise Callisto. Vampire. Angel of vengeance. And a girl on a mission to destroy one of them for murdering my brother. I just don't know which one did it yet.
When I kicked the ass of a Werewolf who was high on a new and dangerous drug called Killblaze, his final words painted a dark reality for me.
The King of Aurora Academy killed my brother.
The trouble is, there's four kings at that school and each of them have motive and cutthroat natures.
Aurora Academy isn't a place for the faint of heart. To put it lightly, my town is the asshole of Solaria where the dodgiest Fae in the kingdom reside. The school itself is divided by the two gangs who run this town. The Lunar Brotherhood and the Oscura Clan. And guess what? Two of the kings run the gangs at the school, their hatred for each other so fierce I hear a day doesn't go by without blood being spilled in the halls.
I might be a petite, lilac-haired girl who looks like a fragile doll, but they haven't been introduced to my fangs yet. And they don't know why I'm really here. Or that I'll do whatever it takes to bring down the Fae who took my flesh and blood from me.
I don't believe in fate, but I do know this... the King who killed my brother is a dead man walking. And I'm prepared to sacrifice my heart, body and soul to ensure I get my revenge .
This is a reverse harem series set in the world of Zodiac Academy four years before the Vega Twins were Awakened. Expect some character cross-over, dark and hot romance, and a twisted murder mystery which will leave your head spinning.
536 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2019
About the author
Caroline Peckham
88 books22.2k followersI'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.
Join here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/19697...
Sign up to our newsletter here >>
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
For all business inquiries please contact us at>>
mail@kingshollow.co.uk
For more information, special editions, signed books and more, check out my website here >>
www.kingshollow.co.uk
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.
Join here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/19697...
Sign up to our newsletter here >>
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
For all business inquiries please contact us at>>
mail@kingshollow.co.uk
For more information, special editions, signed books and more, check out my website here >>
www.kingshollow.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,406 reviews
December 11, 2021
1.5 star - dnf 66%
I am tired and done with life so this review will just be quick summaries on the heroes and why they are shit. You're welcome.
"Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac" they said. My pinky finger is more ruthless than these idiots. I don't know know how the authors have the audacity to call these Teletubby looking asses ruthless after presenting us with the heirs ← whom by the way I really miss right about now.
All they did was talk talk talk about how amazingly menacing, dangerous and cold they are. I wish I could love this book as much as these men hyped themselves up.
Spoiler alert - they didn't live up to it.
[All the character names mentioned from Zodiac Academy will be linked to the series itself as to not confuse anyone]
RYDER all I feel is Pain & lust🤪 DRACONIS (A Basilisk shifter)
^Since I am not a very aesthetic person and absolutely suck at mood boards, I'll just put random gifs that represent the characters fairly well in my opinion😊
He was the biggest drama queen EVER.
This guy:
➥ Is a gang leader
➥ Stood in hallways rolling razor blades between his fingers
➥ Beat up random people for the fucks of it
➥ Has a shaved head
➥ Sadist
➥ Masochist
➥ Got PAIN and LUST tattooed on his knuckles which he mentions about every 5 seconds
➥ Drinks blood of virgins
➥ Reigns over hell and all its creatures
➥ Butchers puppies in his free time.
Okay those last three might've been a lie but you'd never guess with the way this man was a giant walking stereotype.
Oh wait.....did I mention he likes pain and lust??
Oh hey Ryder! I'm gonna go tattoo the words NO ONE on my right knuckles and CARES on my left so you can finally shut the fuck up.
Why he gotta be so annoying🤣🤣🤣Okay Mr "I only tongue fuck" calm down.
DANTE mommy says I'm special🥺 OSCURA (A dragon shifter)
Dante was literally the Italian version of Diego😭😭 He kept speaking in half English/half Italian dialogue and it wasn't doing anything for me. I think I might have liked Diego more, even if he was a weak pussy but at least he owned it. Dante acted like such big shit, much like Ryder, flexing left and right (esp abt his super rare dragon powers) but never living up to his awesomeness.
Honey, Darius would eat you alive.
LEON the lion with the star sign leo🙀 NIGHT (I know this one might come as a shock but.....A lion shifter)
I don't even know why he was there. Oh wait, I do know, it's because he is blonde. I'm not even gonna bother describing blonde heroes in RH anymore BECAUSE BESIDES BEING ALL THE SAME THEY ARE ALSO ALL USELESS. His only purpose in this book was to yawn and be serviced by his Mindys.
He couldn't even get his ass up to fetch a bottle of water. I don't know about you people but I don't find lazy heroes attractive in the least.
He actually kinda reminds me of Chanel from Scream Queens with all her minions.
GABRIELLE highschool was my emo faze🚬🗿 NOX (A harpy)
Gabrielle. You were my biggest disappointment. His personality was so different here than it was in Zodiac Academy. WHERE ARE HIS FLAVOURS?? WHERE IS THE SPICE????
At first, his quietness followed by LONG STARES INTO NOTHINGNESS were cute and mysterious but then I realised he just has no personality.
I don't know if his character develops in the following books or if the humour we've witnessed in ZA hasn't made an appearance in his Academy years yet. My guess is his character simply doesn't stay true to himself since in ZA he preached about the holiness of the Elysian Mate bond, but in here he continuously pushes Elise away so she rejects him in the future.....
Either way I will never find out because no way in hell am I sitting through 5 books of this series. Knowing the authors it will drag on forever and all the angst, misery, ruthlessness, drama, blood, sweat and tears are too absent to keep my attention for that long.
PS: If I read one more 1-3 star book I am going to lose it.
I am tired and done with life so this review will just be quick summaries on the heroes and why they are shit. You're welcome.
"Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac" they said. My pinky finger is more ruthless than these idiots. I don't know know how the authors have the audacity to call these Teletubby looking asses ruthless after presenting us with the heirs ← whom by the way I really miss right about now.
All they did was talk talk talk about how amazingly menacing, dangerous and cold they are. I wish I could love this book as much as these men hyped themselves up.
Spoiler alert - they didn't live up to it.
[All the character names mentioned from Zodiac Academy will be linked to the series itself as to not confuse anyone]
RYDER all I feel is Pain & lust🤪 DRACONIS (A Basilisk shifter)
^Since I am not a very aesthetic person and absolutely suck at mood boards, I'll just put random gifs that represent the characters fairly well in my opinion😊
He was the biggest drama queen EVER.
This guy:
➥ Is a gang leader
➥ Stood in hallways rolling razor blades between his fingers
➥ Beat up random people for the fucks of it
➥ Has a shaved head
➥ Sadist
➥ Masochist
➥ Got PAIN and LUST tattooed on his knuckles which he mentions about every 5 seconds
➥ Drinks blood of virgins
➥ Reigns over hell and all its creatures
➥ Butchers puppies in his free time.
Okay those last three might've been a lie but you'd never guess with the way this man was a giant walking stereotype.
Oh wait.....did I mention he likes pain and lust??
Fear didn’t exist in me. I lived between two emotions. Pain and lust. Those two feelings were all I needed and both were printed across my knuckles to remind everyone else in the world of that.
Oh hey Ryder! I'm gonna go tattoo the words NO ONE on my right knuckles and CARES on my left so you can finally shut the fuck up.
I didn’t have hard limits. Unless you counted cuddling, spooning and heaven fucking forbid canoodling . Frankly, anything that ended with an ing that didn’t start with fuck was a solid no from me. I didn’t kiss, I tongue-fucked. I didn’t caress, I clawed. I didn’t go down on girls, I feasted on them.
Why he gotta be so annoying🤣🤣🤣Okay Mr "I only tongue fuck" calm down.
DANTE mommy says I'm special🥺 OSCURA (A dragon shifter)
Dante was literally the Italian version of Diego😭😭 He kept speaking in half English/half Italian dialogue and it wasn't doing anything for me. I think I might have liked Diego more, even if he was a weak pussy but at least he owned it. Dante acted like such big shit, much like Ryder, flexing left and right (esp abt his super rare dragon powers) but never living up to his awesomeness.
Honey, Darius would eat you alive.
LEON the lion with the star sign leo🙀 NIGHT (I know this one might come as a shock but.....A lion shifter)
I don't even know why he was there. Oh wait, I do know, it's because he is blonde. I'm not even gonna bother describing blonde heroes in RH anymore BECAUSE BESIDES BEING ALL THE SAME THEY ARE ALSO ALL USELESS. His only purpose in this book was to yawn and be serviced by his Mindys.
“You know I hate to shout, Mindy.”
“It’s Lillia-“
“Shhhh Mindy.” I called them all Mindy. Made it miles easier to remember.
He couldn't even get his ass up to fetch a bottle of water. I don't know about you people but I don't find lazy heroes attractive in the least.
He actually kinda reminds me of Chanel from Scream Queens with all her minions.
GABRIELLE highschool was my emo faze🚬🗿 NOX (A harpy)
Gabrielle. You were my biggest disappointment. His personality was so different here than it was in Zodiac Academy. WHERE ARE HIS FLAVOURS?? WHERE IS THE SPICE????
At first, his quietness followed by LONG STARES INTO NOTHINGNESS were cute and mysterious but then I realised he just has no personality.
I don't know if his character develops in the following books or if the humour we've witnessed in ZA hasn't made an appearance in his Academy years yet. My guess is his character simply doesn't stay true to himself since in ZA he preached about the holiness of the Elysian Mate bond, but in here he continuously pushes Elise away so she rejects him in the future.....
Either way I will never find out because no way in hell am I sitting through 5 books of this series. Knowing the authors it will drag on forever and all the angst, misery, ruthlessness, drama, blood, sweat and tears are too absent to keep my attention for that long.
PS: If I read one more 1-3 star book I am going to lose it.
April 9, 2022
– 2.25 stars
Why does this book have such high rating? In general, why do books with reverse harem always have such high ratings compared to other books 😭🤚
Buddy read with Darcyorion's child Penny. Loved how we only missed the Zodiac Academy characters more after reading this. 💀
The reason why I started this series to begin with: to see young Lance Orion crumbs since this series takes place 5 years prior to Zodiac Academy: The Awakening.
Here is the Orion crumb I got:
Wow, I can't believe I made it through this 500 page reverse harem book for this tiny crumb...why am I living like this. It's honestly insulting to even call that a crumb, but whatever, I need something positive to come out of this. 🥴
🧛🏻♀️ Elise Callisto 🧛🏻♀️
Elise has that tough on the outside, soft on the inside personality going for her, but the more I read about her the less I could relate to her. She transferred to Aurora Academy to find her brother's killer. That's the only plot this book has and I get that she wanted to get closer to the four Kings of the school (Gabriel, Leon, Dante & Ryder) to get more information about Gareth's death. But those guys-in her eyes-are still suspects for the murder and what does Elise do? She goes and fucks them quite literally. What kind of sister is that? Every time Elise comes close to any of the guys, she suddendly forgets about her only mission of finding out what happened to her brother. Am I the only one who finds this kind of weird? Beyond that I don't really care for Elise that much. Her and her brother seemed close and what I saw from their bond was cute, but too bad he is dead.
🦅 Gabriel Nox 🦅
Before diving into this book, I was completely biased towards Gabriel as a character since he was such a great side character in Zodiac Academy. But objectively speaking, just from reading this book there is nothing about this man that I can stan. The Gabriel in Dark Fae and the Gabriel in Zodiac Academy are two completely different persons and good for him for that character development, I guess, but boy did he get on my nerves.
Gabriel and Elise are the first to have sex (at 30%!!! where are the slowburn authors that took 3 or 4 books for the couples to get it on?!) and after that Gabriel gets a vision of Elise being his Elysian Mate. For whatever dumb reason he doesn't want to let anyone get close and starts being a total asshole to Elise. From there on every time Gabriel is on page he flings some juvenile insult at Elise to stay away from him, when he is actually the one who is stalking her and is everywhere she is 🤡 His hot and cold attitute was getting ~~lowkey~~ annoying since we all know he will not be able to resist the pull of the stars and will end up with Elise one way or another.
Despite shitting on him in this review Gabriel stays my favorite from all the guys so far even tho there is not one reason based on this book, cause I'm biased and that's how irrelevant / dumb I find the other guys.
🐍 Ryder Draconis 🐍
The most interesting thing about this guy is that he is a Basilisk Shifter and can project thoughts into someone's mind when they look directly into his eyes. What's not so cool is how he tries to be so dark and torturous with his "blood and lust" thoughts. I don't know if Ryder is suppose to be the kinky one out of all four guys, because every time Elise looks at him he projects these weird sex scenarios into her head where he has sex with her while grabbing her throat. I guess it's suppose to be hot, but I don't know this man. In every other book I'd love characters like him, but Ryder tried way too hard.
🦁 Leon Night 🦁
So this guy is a Nemesian Lion and super charismatic since all the girls only have to look at him and want to feed him grapes, wash his dishes, comb his hair and whatever. I'm kind of surprise how he survived this long, cause homeboy doesn't have to do shit. He has a Mindy (that's how he calls every girl, cause he can't even remember their names aw). Even tho I think he's pretty useless, he gives me Seth vibes, bc of how dorky he is. Out of all the four guy he's probaly the sweetest one and maybe even the one I like Elise the most with.
🐉 Dante Oscura 🐉
His most interesting attribute is being a dragon born into a family of werewolves. I think it was funny to see how different Dante and Darius are despite both being dragons, but nurture is playing a major role here. Out of all the guys I'm most indifferent towards him, cause I don't like him nor do I dislike him. But I'm intrigued how Dante and Ryder are going to bond, since they hate each other so much right now due to their rivalry with their clans. He has his asshole-ish moments, but in many scenes with Elise he was actually pretty sweet too.
Conclusion
Dark Fae was pretty meh, but what I have to say is that the authors did a good job of differentiating each guy, something that's super important in a RH. Plot-wise we know these authors are not the best since nothing happened and the next few books are all going to revolve about finding Gareth's murderer (yay), but will I continue with this mess? Yes, there are approximately 90 days left until the release of Heartless Sky so I have enough time to bridge. I came here for Orion crumbs and I'm not leaving before I get them. 😤
┍━━━━━━━━━━━━━┑
RUTHLESS BOYS (where tho) OF THE ZODIAC SERIES
#1 Dark Fae – 2.25 stars
#2 Savage Fae – 2 stars
#3 Vicious Fae – 2.75 stars
#4 Broken Fae – 2.5 stars
#5 Warrior Fae – depends on how much I hate myself
┕━━━━━━━━━━━━━┙
Why does this book have such high rating? In general, why do books with reverse harem always have such high ratings compared to other books 😭🤚
Buddy read with Darcyorion's child Penny. Loved how we only missed the Zodiac Academy characters more after reading this. 💀
The reason why I started this series to begin with: to see young Lance Orion crumbs since this series takes place 5 years prior to Zodiac Academy: The Awakening.
Here is the Orion crumb I got:
Dante was a solid Airsentry and though he was no Lance Orion from Zodiac Academy.
Wow, I can't believe I made it through this 500 page reverse harem book for this tiny crumb...why am I living like this. It's honestly insulting to even call that a crumb, but whatever, I need something positive to come out of this. 🥴
🧛🏻♀️ Elise Callisto 🧛🏻♀️
Elise has that tough on the outside, soft on the inside personality going for her, but the more I read about her the less I could relate to her. She transferred to Aurora Academy to find her brother's killer. That's the only plot this book has and I get that she wanted to get closer to the four Kings of the school (Gabriel, Leon, Dante & Ryder) to get more information about Gareth's death. But those guys-in her eyes-are still suspects for the murder and what does Elise do? She goes and fucks them quite literally. What kind of sister is that? Every time Elise comes close to any of the guys, she suddendly forgets about her only mission of finding out what happened to her brother. Am I the only one who finds this kind of weird? Beyond that I don't really care for Elise that much. Her and her brother seemed close and what I saw from their bond was cute, but too bad he is dead.
🦅 Gabriel Nox 🦅
Before diving into this book, I was completely biased towards Gabriel as a character since he was such a great side character in Zodiac Academy. But objectively speaking, just from reading this book there is nothing about this man that I can stan. The Gabriel in Dark Fae and the Gabriel in Zodiac Academy are two completely different persons and good for him for that character development, I guess, but boy did he get on my nerves.
Gabriel and Elise are the first to have sex (at 30%!!! where are the slowburn authors that took 3 or 4 books for the couples to get it on?!) and after that Gabriel gets a vision of Elise being his Elysian Mate. For whatever dumb reason he doesn't want to let anyone get close and starts being a total asshole to Elise. From there on every time Gabriel is on page he flings some juvenile insult at Elise to stay away from him, when he is actually the one who is stalking her and is everywhere she is 🤡 His hot and cold attitute was getting ~~lowkey~~ annoying since we all know he will not be able to resist the pull of the stars and will end up with Elise one way or another.
Despite shitting on him in this review Gabriel stays my favorite from all the guys so far even tho there is not one reason based on this book, cause I'm biased and that's how irrelevant / dumb I find the other guys.
🐍 Ryder Draconis 🐍
The most interesting thing about this guy is that he is a Basilisk Shifter and can project thoughts into someone's mind when they look directly into his eyes. What's not so cool is how he tries to be so dark and torturous with his "blood and lust" thoughts. I don't know if Ryder is suppose to be the kinky one out of all four guys, because every time Elise looks at him he projects these weird sex scenarios into her head where he has sex with her while grabbing her throat. I guess it's suppose to be hot, but I don't know this man. In every other book I'd love characters like him, but Ryder tried way too hard.
🦁 Leon Night 🦁
So this guy is a Nemesian Lion and super charismatic since all the girls only have to look at him and want to feed him grapes, wash his dishes, comb his hair and whatever. I'm kind of surprise how he survived this long, cause homeboy doesn't have to do shit. He has a Mindy (that's how he calls every girl, cause he can't even remember their names aw). Even tho I think he's pretty useless, he gives me Seth vibes, bc of how dorky he is. Out of all the four guy he's probaly the sweetest one and maybe even the one I like Elise the most with.
🐉 Dante Oscura 🐉
His most interesting attribute is being a dragon born into a family of werewolves. I think it was funny to see how different Dante and Darius are despite both being dragons, but nurture is playing a major role here. Out of all the guys I'm most indifferent towards him, cause I don't like him nor do I dislike him. But I'm intrigued how Dante and Ryder are going to bond, since they hate each other so much right now due to their rivalry with their clans. He has his asshole-ish moments, but in many scenes with Elise he was actually pretty sweet too.
Conclusion
Dark Fae was pretty meh, but what I have to say is that the authors did a good job of differentiating each guy, something that's super important in a RH. Plot-wise we know these authors are not the best since nothing happened and the next few books are all going to revolve about finding Gareth's murderer (yay), but will I continue with this mess? Yes, there are approximately 90 days left until the release of Heartless Sky so I have enough time to bridge. I came here for Orion crumbs and I'm not leaving before I get them. 😤
┍━━━━━━━━━━━━━┑
RUTHLESS BOYS (where tho) OF THE ZODIAC SERIES
#1 Dark Fae – 2.25 stars
#2 Savage Fae – 2 stars
#3 Vicious Fae – 2.75 stars
#4 Broken Fae – 2.5 stars
#5 Warrior Fae – depends on how much I hate myself
┕━━━━━━━━━━━━━┙
October 22, 2024
4 stars ⭐️
⤷ spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
what crack did the twisted sisters put in these books because i’m seriously addicted 🤨🤨🤨
this was probably my first time reading RH, and i had such a fun time.
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ elise 🧛🏻♀️
it was so iconic how elise had all 4horny alpha males kings completely wrapped around her finger. they were down BAD for her 🤭 i liked her and her thirst for vengeance, but i do wish she had more self-restraint. let’s be real, she knew that any 1 of them could’ve been her brother’s murderer, yet she became sexually involved with all of them 🤦🏻♀️ she also presents herself as a capable, independent badass, but the number of times she was rescued by the kings made her seem vulnerable and defenceless.
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ leon 🦁
leon the lion was hilarious, i couldn’t help but cackle every time he opened his mouth 😭 although he can be scary as shit whenever he’s mad, he’s playful and a sweetheart at heart.
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ dante 🐉⛈️
it’s interesting how dante’s a dragon shifter born in a family of werewolves and also the leader of the oscura (werewolf) clan. i love how he’s actually a softie beneath his tough and seemingly heartless exterior.
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ ryder 🐍
ryder’s sadistic behaviour kinda scares me, but i do love me a ‘who hurt you?’ type of guy 😙
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ gabriel 🪽🖤
gabriel was mysterious and brooding, and even though he had the least amount of ‘screen time’, he’s my favourite so far.
“You’re so beautiful, Elise Callisto.”
“I didn’t know you’d ever even looked at me before now.”
“I haven’t stopped looking at you from the moment you walked into our dorm. I’ve seen your pain, your sorrow, your light and your fire. And it isn’t enough. You captivate me.”
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ gareth 🦄
i felt a wave of sadness each time gareth’s pov came up. he seemed like such a sweet boy who just wanted to protect his sister 😭
overall, i really enjoyed the RH and murder mystery elements of this book. i have a feeling that all 4 kings were involved in gareth’s death, but none intended for him to die 🤷🏻♀️ anyway, onto the next book!!
pre-read ⚖️💜:
i’m excited to read about a whole new set of characters from the world of solaria ~ (i lowkey need a break from ZA)
⤷ spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
what crack did the twisted sisters put in these books because i’m seriously addicted 🤨🤨🤨
this was probably my first time reading RH, and i had such a fun time.
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ elise 🧛🏻♀️
it was so iconic how elise had all 4
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ leon 🦁
leon the lion was hilarious, i couldn’t help but cackle every time he opened his mouth 😭 although he can be scary as shit whenever he’s mad, he’s playful and a sweetheart at heart.
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ dante 🐉⛈️
it’s interesting how dante’s a dragon shifter born in a family of werewolves and also the leader of the oscura (werewolf) clan. i love how he’s actually a softie beneath his tough and seemingly heartless exterior.
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ ryder 🐍
ryder’s sadistic behaviour kinda scares me, but i do love me a ‘who hurt you?’ type of guy 😙
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ gabriel 🪽🖤
gabriel was mysterious and brooding, and even though he had the least amount of ‘screen time’, he’s my favourite so far.
“You’re so beautiful, Elise Callisto.”
“I didn’t know you’d ever even looked at me before now.”
“I haven’t stopped looking at you from the moment you walked into our dorm. I’ve seen your pain, your sorrow, your light and your fire. And it isn’t enough. You captivate me.”
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ gareth 🦄
i felt a wave of sadness each time gareth’s pov came up. he seemed like such a sweet boy who just wanted to protect his sister 😭
overall, i really enjoyed the RH and murder mystery elements of this book. i have a feeling that all 4 kings were involved in gareth’s death, but none intended for him to die 🤷🏻♀️ anyway, onto the next book!!
pre-read ⚖️💜:
i’m excited to read about a whole new set of characters from the world of solaria ~ (i lowkey need a break from ZA)
August 23, 2024
I hate myself for putting this series off for so long because I JUST DEVOURED THAT!!! Are we surprised? Honestly no because the twisted sisters know how to suck me in. I swear they put drugs in their books.
Zodiac academy is one of my favorite series of all time and reading this felt so nostalgic!! I missed this world so much it felt like coming home. Though I know this series won’t compare to ZA for me, I’m still OBSESSED!!
The world building is essentially non existent and I literally couldn’t care less. I can already tell this series is going to be very character driven which I love! But I also love the murder mystery plot we’ve got going on! I honestly have no clue what’s going to happen AND I NEED ANSWERS!! The magic system in this isn’t really explained at all but having read ZA academy that really didn’t matter to me.
I’m obsessed with Elise! She’s so strong and sure of herself and I love that she instantly has these men wrapped around her finger! No surprise Gabriel is already my favorite… there’s just something about the quiet, guarded, emo boys that instantly have my heart.
Honestly one of my favorite things about the Twisted sisters is how they never fail to make me laugh, the humor is so stupid but gets me every single time. Whenever Leon opens his mouth I cackle.
I’m really liking how they do reverse harem so far. It really doesn’t seemed forced at all and I like that there’s some tension and rivalry between some of the guys. Although I will admit I wouldn’t hate if Elise said FU to everyone but Gabriel… but I know that’s not how it goes but I can dream.
Writing…. Trash. And I simply don’t care, I’m have the best time and am ready to binge the hell out of this series!
Zodiac academy is one of my favorite series of all time and reading this felt so nostalgic!! I missed this world so much it felt like coming home. Though I know this series won’t compare to ZA for me, I’m still OBSESSED!!
The world building is essentially non existent and I literally couldn’t care less. I can already tell this series is going to be very character driven which I love! But I also love the murder mystery plot we’ve got going on! I honestly have no clue what’s going to happen AND I NEED ANSWERS!! The magic system in this isn’t really explained at all but having read ZA academy that really didn’t matter to me.
I’m obsessed with Elise! She’s so strong and sure of herself and I love that she instantly has these men wrapped around her finger! No surprise Gabriel is already my favorite… there’s just something about the quiet, guarded, emo boys that instantly have my heart.
Honestly one of my favorite things about the Twisted sisters is how they never fail to make me laugh, the humor is so stupid but gets me every single time. Whenever Leon opens his mouth I cackle.
I’m really liking how they do reverse harem so far. It really doesn’t seemed forced at all and I like that there’s some tension and rivalry between some of the guys. Although I will admit I wouldn’t hate if Elise said FU to everyone but Gabriel… but I know that’s not how it goes but I can dream.
Writing…. Trash. And I simply don’t care, I’m have the best time and am ready to binge the hell out of this series!
April 28, 2022
What just happened?! Wtf is that ending?! 😭😭 I am so confused and I need answers.
I did not expect this book to be SO GOOD. But I was hooked from the first chapter. The characters are likable and the reverse harem is written so well🤌 The plot is good, am curious to find out how this plays out. I did however thought that Elise's focus did shift from her brother to the four guys a bit too much than I would've liked. It should've been more balanced.
I enjoyed the main characters POV but when it switched to Gareth's flashbacks it kind of dulled the environment for me. I get why it's vital to the story but Gareth doesn't have much of personality. I found myself compelled to skim through his POV.
I'm looking forward to see more of Gabriel and Elise. Ryder, Leon and Dante are great but Gabriel is just built different 👀
I do have a question though why don't we have Basilisks in Zodiac Academy? Ryder's character seems so cool, I mean for me Basilisks seem better than Sirens😂
Overall, I give it four stars 🌟
I did not expect this book to be SO GOOD. But I was hooked from the first chapter. The characters are likable and the reverse harem is written so well🤌 The plot is good, am curious to find out how this plays out. I did however thought that Elise's focus did shift from her brother to the four guys a bit too much than I would've liked. It should've been more balanced.
I enjoyed the main characters POV but when it switched to Gareth's flashbacks it kind of dulled the environment for me. I get why it's vital to the story but Gareth doesn't have much of personality. I found myself compelled to skim through his POV.
I'm looking forward to see more of Gabriel and Elise. Ryder, Leon and Dante are great but Gabriel is just built different 👀
I do have a question though why don't we have Basilisks in Zodiac Academy? Ryder's character seems so cool, I mean for me Basilisks seem better than Sirens😂
Overall, I give it four stars 🌟
September 26, 2023
✅ Sexual tension and some spicy moments
✅ Strong badass MC
✅ Love interests
✅ Pace
✅ Plot
✅ Magical creatures and powers
✅🆗 Academy setting
🆗 Stereotypical "mean girl" 🙄
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: mentions of torture, murders, and drug use
Strong 4 stars
Ok... I'm not usually into Academy settings, but this one sounded really interesting, and it's a RH too so I had to give it a chance...🤷♀️
After the death of her brother one month ago, Elise Callisto decided to join the Aurora Academy, where her brother used to go. She never believed that he died of a Killblaze overdose as the police say, and she even has reasons to believe that he was killed by one of the 4 kings of the Academy. Elise’s plan is simple: figure out which of the 4 kings killed her brother and get her revenge. She soon realizes that her plan might not be that simple though with the evergoing war between the Oscura clan and the Lunar brotherhood, the fact that the 4 kings are all insanely attractive, and there is obvious chemistry and sexual tension between Elise and them. They are all dangerous too though, so as she tries to get closer to each one of them without taking a side in the gang war, she ends up with more questions than answers.
The pace is good because there is snark and banter, and the dialogues are entertaining, but there is not that much action. It’s more about Elise being a badass and taking no shit from the kings, and the building of the sexual tension between her and them that will lead to the reverse harem in the next books.
There were some flashbacks, and I am usually not a fan of flashbacks in books, but there were not a lot of them, and since they were from Gareth’s (Elise’s brother) point of view, it added up mystery and uncertainty to the plot so I enjoyed the few flashbacks. They gave us just enough information about his relationship with the 4 kings to keep us guessing about which one might have killed him. They all seem to have a reason to be angry at him, and the identity of his killer is still a mystery (and will remain one until the end of the series if I remember correctly).
I thought at first that this series was classified as “fantasy”, so when they started talking about Faeflix, Faebook, and even Taylor Swift’s songs I was a little shocked, but I really like how it turned out. It’s an urban fantasy with a lot of elemental magic and magical creatures.
I like how the different species can mingle together and reproduce, and how they had two forms. A vampire could have a kid with a centaur, and the child would end up being a vampire or a centaur. The faes in this series have an Order Form, which is their regular “human-looking” form, and they also have their secondary form that they can usually change into. Each individual also has an elemental ability depending on their astrological sign, so it creates so many possibilities between the secondary forms and the elemental abilities, and I liked all the magic and “uniqueness” it brought to the story.
Elise is a strong, self-sufficient, and badass vampire who wants to avenge her brother and find a way to be free and happy after that (if there is an after). She lacks self-preservation when it comes to finding her brother’s killer, and she pushed the limits again and again with the 4 kings. I was sure that sooner or later, things would become violent, but somehow she managed to navigate between the four of them without sparking a new war or having anyone discover her true identity and the reason she enrolled at the academy.
The Oscura Clan and the Lunar Brotherhood are the two gangs controlling the city Elise lives in, and the same goes for Aurora Academy. Each gang has its turf, and fights between them are normal at the academy. They are highly competitive and prone to violence and murder, yet Elise manages to have both leaders wrapped around her pinky finger after a few interactions with them.
She also manages to catch the attention of the other 2 kings of the academy, and I like the fact that the 4 of them almost all hate each other. I’ve read a few RH series before, but it’s usually a woman meeting a group of men who already have a dynamic together. Now she is in the middle of 4 strong and very jealous men, and I still don’t see how they will possibly find a way to make it work for the 5 of them, but I love this uncertainty.
🐉 🌩️ Dante Oscura is a powerful Storm Dragon, and the future leader of the Oscura clan. He is a typical alpha male, and he is an asshole at first when he realizes that Elise will not obey him simply because of who he is. That being said, even though he can be aggressive and an ass at times, I also really enjoyed his friendship with Leon, one of the other kings. They bonded because they are both on the Pitball team, and while Dante gets very jealous whenever Elise is giving attention to the other kings, he tolerates her interactions with Leon. It also made me smile to see how Dante’s roommate, Gabriel, would annoy him on purpose because he was not afraid of him, and how easily Dante gets riled up whenever Gabriel talks or does something to annoy him.
🐍 Ryder Draconis is a Basilisk and the future leader of the Lunar Brotherhood. He is THE bad boy of the Aurora Academy. He thrives on emotional and physical pain, has no friends (only subordinates and soldiers who obey him), and is used to getting everything he wants (except the death of every member of the Oscura Clan, obviously). He is a big bad dude, but at the same time, I think there is potential for a softer side, that will come hand in hand with his possessive feelings when it comes to Elise. As the story progresses, we can see that he is more than just a big brute, and he surprised me many times. Of course, there is also the whole “who did this to you” moment that gained him a few points.
🦁 Leon Night is a Nemean Lion Shifter. He is not part of the Oscura clan or Lunar brotherhood but comes from a renowned family of thieves that is so powerful that Leon is also considered a king of Aurora Academy. Being a lion shifter, Leon has a very charismatic aura when it comes to ladies, and he’s always followed by a few women who are there to hold his things, bring him food, and anything else he might need. He is a sweet and funny dude (although he can also be dangerous and vicious), but at the same time, he seemed like such a jerk because he expected the women to do everything for him, and he couldn’t even bother to learn their names because there were too many of them. He just called them all “Mindy”. I know he’s not really a jerk, and it’s more because that’s what he’s always been used to, but it annoyed me to see him behave this way… At the same time, he is the funny and mischievous guy who’s always there to prank others and make Elise smile, while also trying to get in her pants.
🦅🔮 Gabriel Nox is a harpy, and he is also the most powerful Fae of the academy because he has two elemental abilities, on top of being gifted with the Sight. He is dark, brooding, and the most mysterious of the 4 kings. He is full of secrets and is used to pushing people away to protect them, but it’s still unclear what he’s trying to protect them from. I loved his intense and angsty relationship with Elise (it was the definition of a hot and cold relationship), and I hope they will have more time together in the next book.
I admit that I was pleasantly surprised by this book, despite being wary of the Academy setting. There was, of course, the cliché jealous mean girl and her pose of stupid followers, but overall I enjoyed this book, and besides the stereotypical mean girl that got on my nerves (not because she was mean, but because somehow there is ALWAYS this cliché gorgeous and jealous girl who thinks she owns the gorgeous man and bullies the MC because she wants to show her who's the "boss"), I did have a good time reading this one.
I have to say though, that those teachers are the absolute worst... I mean, they allow students to bully and attack each other and don't do anything to prevent it, they give points to Elise because she was ruthless and kicked someone in the balls, and they just let anything go by as long as it does not affect them directly... I know it is necessary for the story, and it goes with the whole gang war, but it was just ridiculous at some point how useless the teachers were.
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✅ Strong badass MC
✅ Love interests
✅ Pace
✅ Plot
✅ Magical creatures and powers
✅🆗 Academy setting
🆗 Stereotypical "mean girl" 🙄
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: mentions of torture, murders, and drug use
Strong 4 stars
Ok... I'm not usually into Academy settings, but this one sounded really interesting, and it's a RH too so I had to give it a chance...🤷♀️
Joining the school Pitball team hadn’t actually been on my to-do list. That went more like this…
1. Find out who killed Gareth.
2. Kill that motherfucker. Slowly.
3. Figure out the rest of my life (presuming said murderer doesn't kill me first and I don’t get caught).
After the death of her brother one month ago, Elise Callisto decided to join the Aurora Academy, where her brother used to go. She never believed that he died of a Killblaze overdose as the police say, and she even has reasons to believe that he was killed by one of the 4 kings of the Academy. Elise’s plan is simple: figure out which of the 4 kings killed her brother and get her revenge. She soon realizes that her plan might not be that simple though with the evergoing war between the Oscura clan and the Lunar brotherhood, the fact that the 4 kings are all insanely attractive, and there is obvious chemistry and sexual tension between Elise and them. They are all dangerous too though, so as she tries to get closer to each one of them without taking a side in the gang war, she ends up with more questions than answers.
The pace is good because there is snark and banter, and the dialogues are entertaining, but there is not that much action. It’s more about Elise being a badass and taking no shit from the kings, and the building of the sexual tension between her and them that will lead to the reverse harem in the next books.
There were some flashbacks, and I am usually not a fan of flashbacks in books, but there were not a lot of them, and since they were from Gareth’s (Elise’s brother) point of view, it added up mystery and uncertainty to the plot so I enjoyed the few flashbacks. They gave us just enough information about his relationship with the 4 kings to keep us guessing about which one might have killed him. They all seem to have a reason to be angry at him, and the identity of his killer is still a mystery (and will remain one until the end of the series if I remember correctly).
Every Fae born in Solaria was gifted with power over the Element connected to their star sign, so as a Libra my magic was air. Some of the more powerful Fae were gifted control over multiple Elements because they were linked to constellations too, but I’d never met anyone that strong.
I thought at first that this series was classified as “fantasy”, so when they started talking about Faeflix, Faebook, and even Taylor Swift’s songs I was a little shocked, but I really like how it turned out. It’s an urban fantasy with a lot of elemental magic and magical creatures.
I like how the different species can mingle together and reproduce, and how they had two forms. A vampire could have a kid with a centaur, and the child would end up being a vampire or a centaur. The faes in this series have an Order Form, which is their regular “human-looking” form, and they also have their secondary form that they can usually change into. Each individual also has an elemental ability depending on their astrological sign, so it creates so many possibilities between the secondary forms and the elemental abilities, and I liked all the magic and “uniqueness” it brought to the story.
“No,” I breathed. “I don’t remember what it was like before. Sometimes I think I do but... everything is tainted with this pain now.”
“Look a little closer, Dante, I’m not a nice girl. And being a Callisto was never a walk in the park either. Your father may have forged you into the man you are, but I built myself up into the woman I am. Each cut and every scar only toughened my skin. Every break and fracture only steeled my determination. And everything I’ve lost has only strengthened my soul. I won’t flinch at the worst of you because there is no best of me anymore.”
Elise is a strong, self-sufficient, and badass vampire who wants to avenge her brother and find a way to be free and happy after that (if there is an after). She lacks self-preservation when it comes to finding her brother’s killer, and she pushed the limits again and again with the 4 kings. I was sure that sooner or later, things would become violent, but somehow she managed to navigate between the four of them without sparking a new war or having anyone discover her true identity and the reason she enrolled at the academy.
Ryder grinned darkly, leaning in to Elise’s ear. “Well my option doesn’t expire. If you get bored of Mufasa’s kid and fancy a taste of Scar, you can come to my room. And all over my room too. I’ll wait to hear about the safe word.”
The Oscura Clan and the Lunar Brotherhood are the two gangs controlling the city Elise lives in, and the same goes for Aurora Academy. Each gang has its turf, and fights between them are normal at the academy. They are highly competitive and prone to violence and murder, yet Elise manages to have both leaders wrapped around her pinky finger after a few interactions with them.
She also manages to catch the attention of the other 2 kings of the academy, and I like the fact that the 4 of them almost all hate each other. I’ve read a few RH series before, but it’s usually a woman meeting a group of men who already have a dynamic together. Now she is in the middle of 4 strong and very jealous men, and I still don’t see how they will possibly find a way to make it work for the 5 of them, but I love this uncertainty.
“Maybe we can come here and be alone together sometimes.”
“Alone together,” I echoed with a smile pulling at my mouth. “I like the sound of that, bella.”
🐉 🌩️ Dante Oscura is a powerful Storm Dragon, and the future leader of the Oscura clan. He is a typical alpha male, and he is an asshole at first when he realizes that Elise will not obey him simply because of who he is. That being said, even though he can be aggressive and an ass at times, I also really enjoyed his friendship with Leon, one of the other kings. They bonded because they are both on the Pitball team, and while Dante gets very jealous whenever Elise is giving attention to the other kings, he tolerates her interactions with Leon. It also made me smile to see how Dante’s roommate, Gabriel, would annoy him on purpose because he was not afraid of him, and how easily Dante gets riled up whenever Gabriel talks or does something to annoy him.
“Fuck, Elise, you’re so broken,” he groaned, his lips brushing against my ear. Somehow that didn’t seem like an insult coming from him and half a laugh escaped me as more tears fell.
“You don’t know anything about what I want.”
“Yes I do. And you’re not after something to blot out that pain in you, Elise. You’re looking for something to make you feel alive.”
🐍 Ryder Draconis is a Basilisk and the future leader of the Lunar Brotherhood. He is THE bad boy of the Aurora Academy. He thrives on emotional and physical pain, has no friends (only subordinates and soldiers who obey him), and is used to getting everything he wants (except the death of every member of the Oscura Clan, obviously). He is a big bad dude, but at the same time, I think there is potential for a softer side, that will come hand in hand with his possessive feelings when it comes to Elise. As the story progresses, we can see that he is more than just a big brute, and he surprised me many times. Of course, there is also the whole “who did this to you” moment that gained him a few points.
She laughed cheekily, standing up and I stared after her, lost for words. What the fuck just happened? Did I just enjoy getting kicked in the nuts?
🦁 Leon Night is a Nemean Lion Shifter. He is not part of the Oscura clan or Lunar brotherhood but comes from a renowned family of thieves that is so powerful that Leon is also considered a king of Aurora Academy. Being a lion shifter, Leon has a very charismatic aura when it comes to ladies, and he’s always followed by a few women who are there to hold his things, bring him food, and anything else he might need. He is a sweet and funny dude (although he can also be dangerous and vicious), but at the same time, he seemed like such a jerk because he expected the women to do everything for him, and he couldn’t even bother to learn their names because there were too many of them. He just called them all “Mindy”. I know he’s not really a jerk, and it’s more because that’s what he’s always been used to, but it annoyed me to see him behave this way… At the same time, he is the funny and mischievous guy who’s always there to prank others and make Elise smile, while also trying to get in her pants.
“I can see how sad you are even when you aren’t crying,” he breathed. “You don’t have to hide your tears from me.”
🦅🔮 Gabriel Nox is a harpy, and he is also the most powerful Fae of the academy because he has two elemental abilities, on top of being gifted with the Sight. He is dark, brooding, and the most mysterious of the 4 kings. He is full of secrets and is used to pushing people away to protect them, but it’s still unclear what he’s trying to protect them from. I loved his intense and angsty relationship with Elise (it was the definition of a hot and cold relationship), and I hope they will have more time together in the next book.
Greyshine went on, “Eugene Dipper is still stuck in his Tiberian Rat form in the U-bend of the men’s toilet after he was accidentally flushed down there so try to tie a knot in it if you need a tinkle between classes. Never fear though - we are still sending him air regularly to keep him alive. Unfortunately, he tried to shift back into his Fae form in the early hours of this morning and it went spectacularly badly so let’s all send positive thoughts his way today and cross our fingers and toes that he manages to wriggle his way free lickety split.”
I admit that I was pleasantly surprised by this book, despite being wary of the Academy setting. There was, of course, the cliché jealous mean girl and her pose of stupid followers, but overall I enjoyed this book, and besides the stereotypical mean girl that got on my nerves (not because she was mean, but because somehow there is ALWAYS this cliché gorgeous and jealous girl who thinks she owns the gorgeous man and bullies the MC because she wants to show her who's the "boss"), I did have a good time reading this one.
I have to say though, that those teachers are the absolute worst... I mean, they allow students to bully and attack each other and don't do anything to prevent it, they give points to Elise because she was ruthless and kicked someone in the balls, and they just let anything go by as long as it does not affect them directly... I know it is necessary for the story, and it goes with the whole gang war, but it was just ridiculous at some point how useless the teachers were.
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September 27, 2022
Leonie darling recommended this to me, saying that this will help me -and I quote- scratch my (ZA) Reverse Harem itch.
Well...consider that particular itch properly scratched 🥵
Well...consider that particular itch properly scratched 🥵
February 13, 2022
3.75✨
glad that even if this is a reverse harem book, the authors didn’t take the opportunity to invent a fuck-a-thon (srsly, more like blue-balls-a-thon for everyone)
i liked it. this is a prequel to the ZA series, set on solaria, so even though i’ve only read the first book) i was already pretty familiar w/ the world. this book happened 4 years before the vega twins were awakened, so orion was mentioned as this pitball star from the Zodiac Academy (not that i have any clue how old Lance is, but considering this was a prequel, i have a feeling they’re at the same age. what i also remember was, on Zodiac Academy: The Awakening there were mentions about him as a Pitball-player-failure? which was why he became a teacher? so.. at this time, he’s still on school right? i wunna see that so bad but not really bcs no darcy). my point's i promise if he shows up later on in this series, i’ll continue on w/ ZA. y’all are my witness.
anyway i liked this one better than ZA and it’s not just cuz it's RH (i hate love triangle like in ZA between Caleb-Tory-Darius), this one’s actually pretty hilarious, the boys’s interactions & their jealousy for when another got Elise’s attention were hilarious, and i liked Elise w/ em all (on the exception of Gabriel. these two’s relationship doesn’t make any sense)
ᴘʟᴏᴛ :
⤷ elise is a libra vampire and her element’s air (no idea why i remembered these kinds of detail). her brother’s dead. she believes someone killed him, and so she went to attend his school, the Aurora Academy. the only clue she got about his murderer is that it’s one of the ‘kings’ there (2 of them hated each other, Oscura and The Lunar Brotherhood) :
⤷ dante : a scorpio flirt, leader of the oscura clan, a dragon shifter born in a family of werewolves. i liked him, he’s pretty funny at times, his povs especially
⤷ leon : a bubbly leo (ik), who’s also a lion shifter. (ps. his mindys were hilarious. his pov was prob the funniest one)
⤷ ryder : a grumpy anti social cap, leader of the the lunar clique, a basilisk shifter, the sadist/masochist yk the usual. he’s kinda cliche but i love cliches
⤷ gabriel : a quiet keep-to-himself cancer, also a harpy shifter, supposedly the most powerful fae in the entire school (cuz he has 2 elements lmao). kay the first time we met him, he was interesting w/ his mysteriousness and his introvert self but then they slept together all of a sudden just bcs she cried and they called it a ‘vulnerable’ night. i, however, couldn’t feel any connection whatsoever. their chem was lacking if being compared to the other guys, but he was the first one she agreed to sleep with?
⤷ now, w/ RH, i have conditions, one of the most important one is that : u gotta make each one of the harem’s character fleshed out. their characterization just couldn’t blend in or else it’d’ve been boring. it’d be like the girl was getting together w/ one person on multiple different bodies. that’s such a waste of time and i’d rather read a monogamous relationship. anyway my point’s the boys in this book couldn’t be less different from one another, their behaviors, their relationships w/ the h, and even their appearance etc, they’re their own individuals and i loved that
like this one scene where they all asked her to go w/ them to the spring formal dance (or whatever the fuck). leon bribed her w/ chocolate, dante gave her his golden ring [he a dragon. they suck power from golds], and ryder his blade 😂
⤷ imma just say tho, the plot’s not really the main focus on this book. for people who’s the opposite of me, this book’s probably not for you. cuz elise was more often than not got distracted by the dicks rather than focusing on her mission. she got physical & caught feelings over her brother’s potential murderers. but i personally don’t mind that cuz i loved a character driven book (only if i liked the characters enough tho). i actually prefer it than plot-driven ones (tends to bore me). so. this works just fine for my craving
ᴅᴀɴᴛᴇ & ᴇʟɪsᴇ
1. She huffed, sitting up to get out and waiting for me to move.
“Oh no, carina, I don’t move for anyone.”
She ran her tongue across her fangs in warning. “Perhaps I’ll stop for a drink on the way.”
“Perhaps my hands will slide up your skirt on the way,” I countered and she pouted.
“No drinking.” She held out her pinkie and I snared it with mine.
“No ass grabbing,” I confirmed and she smirked, throwing her long leg over me and shimmying across to get out.
2. “My father trained me in everything I’d need to survive in my role as the leader of my people. The things I’ve done aren’t the kinds of things nice girls want to hear about.”
I looked up at him in surprise, wondering if he was really so blind that that was all he saw when he looked at me.
“Look a little closer, Dante, I’m not a nice girl. And being a Callisto was never a walk in the park either. Your father may have forged you into the man you are, but I built myself up into the woman I am. Each cut and every scar only toughened my skin. Every break and fracture only steeled my determination. And everything I’ve lost has only strengthened my soul. I won’t flinch at the worst of you because there is no best of me anymore.”
ʟᴇᴏɴ & ᴇʟɪsᴇ
’I wasn’t really sure how Leon managed to spark joy in me like that so easily. When he wasn’t around, I didn’t really feel like there was anything like that left in me at all. Like I wasn’t capable of feeling anything but grief and pain and loss. But every now and then, Leon dug right through it all without even seeming to try. He made me feel joy and light and laughter and I just wanted to drink it all in and never let it go.’
ᴛʜᴇ ғᴜɴɴɪᴇsᴛ ᴅᴜᴏ ʟᴇᴏɴ & ᴅᴀɴᴛᴇ
”Be careful, this face worth a lot.”
“Not enough to afford that long of a look at my chest, Leon. Do you also stare at Dante’s tits like that, or is it just the female members of the team you perv on?” [Elise said]
“I don’t need to look, he lets me fondle them in the locker room.”
ᴏɴᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛ ɪɴ ʟɪғᴇ : ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴇsᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴏғ sᴏᴍᴇ ᴊᴜᴠᴇɴɪʟᴇ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ɢɪʀʟ ɪɴ ᴀ ʜɪɢʜ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ. ᴍᴏsᴛʟʏ ᴀᴛ ʟᴇᴀsᴛ
”You’re one of those girls who acts like she’s one of the boys,” her friend, Amira, added, twisting a lock of bushy hair around her finger. “Apart from the bit where you wear skirts that are too short and spend all of your time alone with them on your knees with your mouth wide open.”
I rolled my eyes. When your mom was a stripper, slut shaming was kinda like calling me a sissy. It didn’t hit the mark. Sex was sex. Everyone did it. If you were good at it then you enjoyed it. If you were great at it, even better. And though I was hardly doing the things they were accusing me of, I wouldn’t be the least bit embarrassed if I was.
“Well you know what they say about blowjobs right?” I asked. “Give three a week and you won’t get wrinkles.” I pushed my tongue into my cheek a few times to add to my point and Cindy Lou’s gaze darkened.
ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ
anyway, i didn’t liked ZA enough to pay attention, but : cafaeteria, faetography club, faebook, faeflix account, fae hard movie (fae bruce willis? i couldnt imagine), faeulosis, faeker? clever
so, minus 0.15 points cuz i did get bored at times (especially Gareth & Gabriel’s povs). but the other makes up for it. essentially i loved this
”Temptation is irrelevant if your will is strong enough, Ryder. And mine’s made of iron. So no matter how tempted I am…” Her hand sailed down my chest and over my waistband to press against my hard-on which was straining against my pants. I released a breathy groan as she squeezed once then stepped away with a teasing grin. “I won’t cave.”
glad that even if this is a reverse harem book, the authors didn’t take the opportunity to invent a fuck-a-thon (srsly, more like blue-balls-a-thon for everyone)
i liked it. this is a prequel to the ZA series, set on solaria, so even though i’ve only read the first book) i was already pretty familiar w/ the world. this book happened 4 years before the vega twins were awakened, so orion was mentioned as this pitball star from the Zodiac Academy (not that i have any clue how old Lance is, but considering this was a prequel, i have a feeling they’re at the same age. what i also remember was, on Zodiac Academy: The Awakening there were mentions about him as a Pitball-player-failure? which was why he became a teacher? so.. at this time, he’s still on school right? i wunna see that so bad but not really bcs no darcy). my point's i promise if he shows up later on in this series, i’ll continue on w/ ZA. y’all are my witness.
anyway i liked this one better than ZA and it’s not just cuz it's RH (i hate love triangle like in ZA between Caleb-Tory-Darius), this one’s actually pretty hilarious, the boys’s interactions & their jealousy for when another got Elise’s attention were hilarious, and i liked Elise w/ em all (on the exception of Gabriel. these two’s relationship doesn’t make any sense)
ᴘʟᴏᴛ :
⤷ elise is a libra vampire and her element’s air (no idea why i remembered these kinds of detail). her brother’s dead. she believes someone killed him, and so she went to attend his school, the Aurora Academy. the only clue she got about his murderer is that it’s one of the ‘kings’ there (2 of them hated each other, Oscura and The Lunar Brotherhood) :
⤷ dante : a scorpio flirt, leader of the oscura clan, a dragon shifter born in a family of werewolves. i liked him, he’s pretty funny at times, his povs especially
⤷ leon : a bubbly leo (ik), who’s also a lion shifter. (ps. his mindys were hilarious. his pov was prob the funniest one)
⤷ ryder : a grumpy anti social cap, leader of the the lunar clique, a basilisk shifter, the sadist/masochist yk the usual. he’s kinda cliche but i love cliches
⤷ gabriel : a quiet keep-to-himself cancer, also a harpy shifter, supposedly the most powerful fae in the entire school (cuz he has 2 elements lmao). kay the first time we met him, he was interesting w/ his mysteriousness and his introvert self but then they slept together all of a sudden just bcs she cried and they called it a ‘vulnerable’ night. i, however, couldn’t feel any connection whatsoever. their chem was lacking if being compared to the other guys, but he was the first one she agreed to sleep with?
⤷ now, w/ RH, i have conditions, one of the most important one is that : u gotta make each one of the harem’s character fleshed out. their characterization just couldn’t blend in or else it’d’ve been boring. it’d be like the girl was getting together w/ one person on multiple different bodies. that’s such a waste of time and i’d rather read a monogamous relationship. anyway my point’s the boys in this book couldn’t be less different from one another, their behaviors, their relationships w/ the h, and even their appearance etc, they’re their own individuals and i loved that
”So what will it be? A night in Psycho the Snake’s funhouse, a ride on a Dragon who threw you out a window, or a night with a mighty Lion who will bring you more chocolate before and after the ball.” Bribery was a winner. Not something I’d actually used before, but I could see she was tempted.”
like this one scene where they all asked her to go w/ them to the spring formal dance (or whatever the fuck). leon bribed her w/ chocolate, dante gave her his golden ring [he a dragon. they suck power from golds], and ryder his blade 😂
⤷ imma just say tho, the plot’s not really the main focus on this book. for people who’s the opposite of me, this book’s probably not for you. cuz elise was more often than not got distracted by the dicks rather than focusing on her mission. she got physical & caught feelings over her brother’s potential murderers. but i personally don’t mind that cuz i loved a character driven book (only if i liked the characters enough tho). i actually prefer it than plot-driven ones (tends to bore me). so. this works just fine for my craving
ᴅᴀɴᴛᴇ & ᴇʟɪsᴇ
1. She huffed, sitting up to get out and waiting for me to move.
“Oh no, carina, I don’t move for anyone.”
She ran her tongue across her fangs in warning. “Perhaps I’ll stop for a drink on the way.”
“Perhaps my hands will slide up your skirt on the way,” I countered and she pouted.
“No drinking.” She held out her pinkie and I snared it with mine.
“No ass grabbing,” I confirmed and she smirked, throwing her long leg over me and shimmying across to get out.
2. “My father trained me in everything I’d need to survive in my role as the leader of my people. The things I’ve done aren’t the kinds of things nice girls want to hear about.”
I looked up at him in surprise, wondering if he was really so blind that that was all he saw when he looked at me.
“Look a little closer, Dante, I’m not a nice girl. And being a Callisto was never a walk in the park either. Your father may have forged you into the man you are, but I built myself up into the woman I am. Each cut and every scar only toughened my skin. Every break and fracture only steeled my determination. And everything I’ve lost has only strengthened my soul. I won’t flinch at the worst of you because there is no best of me anymore.”
ʟᴇᴏɴ & ᴇʟɪsᴇ
’I wasn’t really sure how Leon managed to spark joy in me like that so easily. When he wasn’t around, I didn’t really feel like there was anything like that left in me at all. Like I wasn’t capable of feeling anything but grief and pain and loss. But every now and then, Leon dug right through it all without even seeming to try. He made me feel joy and light and laughter and I just wanted to drink it all in and never let it go.’
ᴛʜᴇ ғᴜɴɴɪᴇsᴛ ᴅᴜᴏ ʟᴇᴏɴ & ᴅᴀɴᴛᴇ
”Be careful, this face worth a lot.”
“Not enough to afford that long of a look at my chest, Leon. Do you also stare at Dante’s tits like that, or is it just the female members of the team you perv on?” [Elise said]
“I don’t need to look, he lets me fondle them in the locker room.”
ᴏɴᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛ ɪɴ ʟɪғᴇ : ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴇsᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴏғ sᴏᴍᴇ ᴊᴜᴠᴇɴɪʟᴇ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ɢɪʀʟ ɪɴ ᴀ ʜɪɢʜ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ. ᴍᴏsᴛʟʏ ᴀᴛ ʟᴇᴀsᴛ
”You’re one of those girls who acts like she’s one of the boys,” her friend, Amira, added, twisting a lock of bushy hair around her finger. “Apart from the bit where you wear skirts that are too short and spend all of your time alone with them on your knees with your mouth wide open.”
I rolled my eyes. When your mom was a stripper, slut shaming was kinda like calling me a sissy. It didn’t hit the mark. Sex was sex. Everyone did it. If you were good at it then you enjoyed it. If you were great at it, even better. And though I was hardly doing the things they were accusing me of, I wouldn’t be the least bit embarrassed if I was.
“Well you know what they say about blowjobs right?” I asked. “Give three a week and you won’t get wrinkles.” I pushed my tongue into my cheek a few times to add to my point and Cindy Lou’s gaze darkened.
ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ
anyway, i didn’t liked ZA enough to pay attention, but : cafaeteria, faetography club, faebook, faeflix account, fae hard movie (fae bruce willis? i couldnt imagine), faeulosis, faeker? clever
so, minus 0.15 points cuz i did get bored at times (especially Gareth & Gabriel’s povs). but the other makes up for it. essentially i loved this
September 27, 2024
3.75⭐️!! rtc :)
October 21, 2019
ARC received in exchange for an honest review - thank you!
EDIT: The author contacted me to say she edited a line which made me uncomfortable in my ARC copy, and now the hero no longer gets a blowjob from an OW! It's up to a 4-star rating now.
This was going to be a 4-star read AND THEN OW DRAMA APPEARED. I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE DISAPPOINTED IN MY LIFE.
Literally, everything was going pretty much spectacularly until the 95% mark. The heroine Elise is a really bitchy amazing vampire, who's enrolled at her older brother's school to discover his killer. (Cliche, yes, but whatever). There are four 'kings' of the school, two of whom are mortal enemies with each other - Dante, a dragon shifter, and Ryder, a basilisk shifter. The other two are Gabriel, a harpy who keeps to himself and is massive loner, and lastly we have Leon, a lion shifter who's very charming and laid-back.
So yes, like I said, everything began so well. It's true Elise experienced lust for the boys a bit earlier than I expected her to, considering her suspicions that they were her brother's murderers, but she balanced that out by being very dismissive of their feelings while the heroes chase after her. I love this dynamic, so I overlooked my doubts.
I now feel a bit like someone who was driving a car along an icy road, and for 95% of the journey the car is going so smoothly that you think you'll arrive home safely - and at that very moment, you skid and crash, because you forgot that until you're actually home you can never consider yourself safe. I can't believe that in basically the last chapter, the OW incident appeared OUT OF BLOODY NOWHERE! What happens is that hero Dante (who has been flirting aggressively with the heroine for the whole book, kissed her and made her come, even shown her his secret hideouts) GETS A BLOWJOB FROM AN OW. Yeah, you heard me right. A BLOWJOB. It just felt so inconsistent with his character, which is one of the big reasons I feel so shocked right now. In these authors' other series set in the same universe, there is no OW drama whatsoever, so I really felt like I trusted them :/
I guess I'm going to continue this series because I like Elise, and the world of the Zodiac, but I don't really feel like I can recommend this book in good conscience to Gimme and other safety-conscious friends. I only gave it 3 stars because of Elise - I'm so disappointed I could have given it lower. I really, really hope that this little throwaway line about the hero's blowjob is removed from the book before publication because then it would honestly get 4 stars from me.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
EDIT: The author contacted me to say she edited a line which made me uncomfortable in my ARC copy, and now the hero no longer gets a blowjob from an OW! It's up to a 4-star rating now.
This was going to be a 4-star read AND THEN OW DRAMA APPEARED. I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE DISAPPOINTED IN MY LIFE.
Literally, everything was going pretty much spectacularly until the 95% mark. The heroine Elise is a really bitchy amazing vampire, who's enrolled at her older brother's school to discover his killer. (Cliche, yes, but whatever). There are four 'kings' of the school, two of whom are mortal enemies with each other - Dante, a dragon shifter, and Ryder, a basilisk shifter. The other two are Gabriel, a harpy who keeps to himself and is massive loner, and lastly we have Leon, a lion shifter who's very charming and laid-back.
So yes, like I said, everything began so well. It's true Elise experienced lust for the boys a bit earlier than I expected her to, considering her suspicions that they were her brother's murderers, but she balanced that out by being very dismissive of their feelings while the heroes chase after her. I love this dynamic, so I overlooked my doubts.
I now feel a bit like someone who was driving a car along an icy road, and for 95% of the journey the car is going so smoothly that you think you'll arrive home safely - and at that very moment, you skid and crash, because you forgot that until you're actually home you can never consider yourself safe. I can't believe that in basically the last chapter, the OW incident appeared OUT OF BLOODY NOWHERE! What happens is that hero Dante (who has been flirting aggressively with the heroine for the whole book, kissed her and made her come, even shown her his secret hideouts) GETS A BLOWJOB FROM AN OW. Yeah, you heard me right. A BLOWJOB. It just felt so inconsistent with his character, which is one of the big reasons I feel so shocked right now. In these authors' other series set in the same universe, there is no OW drama whatsoever, so I really felt like I trusted them :/
I guess I'm going to continue this series because I like Elise, and the world of the Zodiac, but I don't really feel like I can recommend this book in good conscience to Gimme and other safety-conscious friends. I only gave it 3 stars because of Elise - I'm so disappointed I could have given it lower. I really, really hope that this little throwaway line about the hero's blowjob is removed from the book before publication because then it would honestly get 4 stars from me.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
April 20, 2022
Genre: high fantasy, romance
Tropes: enemies to lovers, RH, magic academy, rival gangs, :who did this to you?"
Series: Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac #1
Cliffhanger: Yes
Spice: 2/5 🌶
Rating: 5 ⭐
"Joining the school Pitball team hadn’t actually been on my to-do list. That went more like this…
1. Find out who killed Gareth.
2. Kill that motherfucker. Slowly.
3. Figure out the rest of my life (presuming said murderer doesn't kill me first and I don’t get caught)."
Let me start by saying I'm no fan of RH novels. That simply doesn't work for me. But this one was golden. I actually liked it. Even though, in all honesty, so far it wasn't really a RH. More like a love triangle (or whatever geometrical shape you get when there's one girl and 4 guys).
I started reading this because I absolutely loved Zodiac Academy and I wasn't ready to leave Solaria behind and, even though they aren't on the same level, I actually liked this one. The fact that Gabriel Nox is part of the story, definitely helped. (For those who didn’t read Zodiac Academy, Gabriel plays an important part there too)
“Or maybe I want to see if you can be tamed.”
“What if I can’t?”
“Then maybe I wanna know what it’s like to run free with you.”
An important observation before properly starting this review is that, if you want to read all the three series set in Solaria, this would be the proper order: Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac, Zodiac Academy and Darkmore Penitentiary. I started with Zodiac Academy and I now I remember there were mentions of the characters from this series there too.
》》The Plot《《
“Aren’t you supposed to say something about how pretty I look?” She coiled a lock of lilac hair around her finger, swinging her hips as she put on an overly girlish expression.
“You don’t look pretty,” I growled and her expression slammed into bitch gear, but I didn’t give a shit. “You look like the most lethal poison I’ve ever seen. It’s fucking divine.”
Elise Callisto joins Aurora Academy with one goal in mind: find which one of the four Kings of the Academy was responsible for her brother's death and take her revenge. Her plan? Use the fact that none of them is aware she's Gareth's sister, get close to them, figure out who's guilty and kill them. While dealing with school. And staying out of the fight between the Oscura Clan and the Lunar Brotherhood, the two gangs that run the town and the Academy.
I can't say there's a lot of action, but you get mystery and romance, snarky comments from brooding and non-brooding Fae, a smarasss female MC, some spice and a few gang fights. The chapters are shared between Elise, Leon, Gabriel, Dante and Ryder, with flash backs from Gareth's perspective before his death. I liked this present-past combination, which definitely adds up to the mystery.
》》Characters and Relationships《《
“Come to the Spring Formal with me,” I said. “It’ll be fun.”
“Pah,” Ryder spat behind my hand but I ignored him. “As if she’s into dancing at pathetic school parties with pathetic fucking Lions.”
“Not that that’s any of your business, Ryder.”
“If I decide it’s my business, it fucking is.”
“So?” I asked hopefully, leaning forward in my seat.
Gabriel was walking by and he halted with a terse frown on his face. “Did you just ask Elise Callisto to the Spring Formal?”
Dante appeared, looking over her shoulder. “What’s going on? Did you just ask Elise to the ball Leon?”
“Oh fuck my life,” Elise muttered.
Teasing, snarkiness, brooding and spice are the main things that come to mind while talking about these characters. And I definitely love that.
🧛🏻♀️ Elise 'Ella' Callisto
"Besides, I didn’t want to live my life believing it was all mapped out for me. I wanted to be free, wild, make wrong choices and learn from them or not. Become my own person with my own flaws and own the responsibility for whoever I was, not blame any of my failings on fate."
She's a total badass Vampire, with air magic and a powerful will. Determination and lack of fear, paired with a hot-headed tendency to act and a troubled past make her quite interesting and definitely enjoyable to watch through this revenge quest. I like how she's definitely attracted to the four Kings, but she keeps her head clear even when she indulges herself here and there. One of the things I found remarkable? She got Dante Oscura and Ryder Draconis to be her Sources.
“He’s my Source!”
“Then I’m your Source too.”
Jealousy really does drive men to do crazy stuff. As Aelin Galathynius would roll her eyes and comment: "territorial Fae bastards".
🦁 Leon Night - Nemean Lion Shifter and part of a very powerful family of renowned thieves
"Leon started telling me about the pranks he’d pulled in school so far and he’d only been here a month. He’d swapped sugar into Ryder Draconis’s morning eggs instead of salt, causing Ryder to hit his minion so hard he went to the ward, he told Dante Oscura a dark-eyed woman was out to kill him so he broke up with two girlfriends and glared at any dark eyed girl until she left him the hell alone. He’d convinced Gabriel Nox he was moulting by scattering black feathers behind him wherever he went, and he set off the fire alarm more times a day than was even funny anymore."
Well, Leo the Lion is totally fun. And he's captain of the Pitball team. He's charming and sweet in a mischievous way, used to have girls ('Mindys') falling at his feet and doing all the work for him and giving me strong cinnamonroll vibes. But a cinnamonroll who could definitely kill you.
“Well aren’t you just a strawberry dipped in yoghurt?” I said to a strawberry dipped in yoghurt as Mindy placed it in my mouth.
See? Definitely cinnamonroll vibes.
🐲 Dante Oscura- Storm Dragon and leader of the Oscura Clan
“He does that when he’s turned on,” Gabriel spoke his first words of the day and I could have punched him for them as a smirk danced around his mouth.
“And happy,” Laini added.
“And being an asshole, so it never really stops,” Gabriel said and the new girl laughed.
Powerful Dragon born from a family of werewolves, Alpha male with Air powers and definitely dangerous. I loved how he, Elise, Laini and Gabriel Nox share a dorm. It gave some really nice scenes between his infatuation with Elise and his teasing and animosity with Gabriel.
“Gabriel!” he barked at me. “You do it on purpose. Admit it. Just fucking admit it.”
“Define admit,” I said, mocking him. Not rising to meet his arguments was the best tactic to piss him off. It was hilarious.
“By the stars, I hate you,” Dante growled.
While he clearly hates Ryder and is rather predisposed to fighting with Nox, Dante has a sort of friendship with Leon, both of them being in the Pitball team.
🦅 Gabriel Nox - Harpy and gifted with the Sight, the only Fae at Aurora with two Elements (air and water)
“Funny how you only hear the things that interest you, isn’t Gabriel?”
“Why would I take an interest in things that don't interest me? That’s fucking moronic.”
He's such a brooding Fae I can't help but laugh. He's a really asshole compared to how I've seen him in Zodiac Academy and I love how he's one of the most powerful Fae at the academy. He doesn't really talk much and everyone is used to that and when he does talk he tends to be rather teasing and it's usually to piss Dante off. Or anyone who looks at Elise for too long.
I glanced around a little nervously and my gaze caught on Gabriel who just happened to be right behind my shoulder.
“What are you staring at?” he snapped and my lips parted in surprise.
“I’m not entirely sure,” I replied icily. “But my best guess would be the result of a turkey mating with an asshole.”
His relationship with her was a proper hot and cold game, giving us a proper show between spicing things up and fighting, sweet and snarky, mean or pure gentleness.
“You’re so beautiful, Elise Callisto,” he said seriously, his thumb brushing over my lips.
“I didn’t know you’d ever even looked at me before now,” I teased, unsure how to react to his intensity.
“I haven’t stopped looking at you from the moment you walked into our dorm. I’ve seen your pain, your sorrow, your light and your fire. And it isn’t enough. You captivate me.”
I know from Zodiac Academy that Nox has found his Elysian Mate, but I also know from there that Dante has a wife so now I'm overall confused and I just can't wait to see how this love situation will develop.
🐍 Ryder Draconis - cold blooded Basilisk and leader of the Lunar Brotherhood
Ryder:
Is Cinderella planning on giving me a twirl on the bleachers before the ball?
Elise:
I’m no princess. And I don’t twirl for anybody.
Ryder:
Blame that last message on autocorrect. It meant to say: Is the shit-hot vampire planning on sinking her teeth into my veins before the ball?
He's the one that screams danger from miles away. His element is Earth and his Order is super rare. Add a daredevil attitude, a blood feud as well as a personal hatred for Dante, a well known emotional range limited to pain and lust and a social life limited to followers and not friends and you've got his main portrayal. He's deep on a level that has yet to be discovered and I definitely wait to see more of his layers.
“Why? Do you wanna make this rendezvous a regular occurrence?” he asked roughly, his eyes scraping over me in a way that shouldn’t have been legal.
“Are you offering to be my Source?”
“How about we make a trade?” Ryder asked, a glimmer in his eye. “I’ll let you keep sucking on my neck, so long as you start sucking on some of my other body parts too.”
His entire interaction with Elise is interesting and she's definitely not what he was expecting, surprising him constantly. And you know the "who did this to you?" trope? It's here, you guys!!!
“Why are you crying?” he asked, his voice a dangerous growl. “Who hurt you?”
See? Told ya.
》》Highlights《《
1) I loved the Zodiac Academy references.
"Dante was a solid Airsentry and though he was no Lance Orion from Zodiac Academy, we still might have had a shot at beating their asses if we were all on top form in our next match against them."
2) "Define yours."
3) The strip club with a Lionel Acrux impersonation number.
4) The banter between the boys and the constant competition.
“You should watch your tongue,” Ryder snarled when he couldn’t get through. Ha.
“Oh I do. I watched it pretty well as it slid into Elise’s mouth the other day actually.”
“Leon,” Elise snapped, baring her fangs at me.
“Surely that’s not actually true?” Ryder demanded of her, incredulous. I wasn’t sure I’d seen that emotion on his face before.
“It was just a kiss, who cares?” She focused back on her work and I continued to grin.
“I care. Ryder clearly cares. That’s over sixty percent of us. Majority wins.”
5) Cindy Poo
6) The everyday announcements by the Principle
7) Ryder entrancing people and making them live all those visions
》》Conclusion《《
I'm definitely reading the next book. I'm intrigued, I really want to know how it ends and I am willing to go through with this series despite it being a reverse harem. It's fast paced, in that enjoyable and catchy way Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti manage to entrance us. It has spice, violence and a bit of bullying, so make sure to check the triggers first.
"I’d looked into the Devil’s eyes and lived to tell the tale. I wouldn’t be caught out the next time. And there would be a next time. Because I was closing in on the answers I sought. And I wouldn’t stop digging until I unveiled them and their guilty blood was spilled."
Tropes: enemies to lovers, RH, magic academy, rival gangs, :who did this to you?"
Series: Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac #1
Cliffhanger: Yes
Spice: 2/5 🌶
Rating: 5 ⭐
"Joining the school Pitball team hadn’t actually been on my to-do list. That went more like this…
1. Find out who killed Gareth.
2. Kill that motherfucker. Slowly.
3. Figure out the rest of my life (presuming said murderer doesn't kill me first and I don’t get caught)."
Let me start by saying I'm no fan of RH novels. That simply doesn't work for me. But this one was golden. I actually liked it. Even though, in all honesty, so far it wasn't really a RH. More like a love triangle (or whatever geometrical shape you get when there's one girl and 4 guys).
I started reading this because I absolutely loved Zodiac Academy and I wasn't ready to leave Solaria behind and, even though they aren't on the same level, I actually liked this one. The fact that Gabriel Nox is part of the story, definitely helped. (For those who didn’t read Zodiac Academy, Gabriel plays an important part there too)
“Or maybe I want to see if you can be tamed.”
“What if I can’t?”
“Then maybe I wanna know what it’s like to run free with you.”
An important observation before properly starting this review is that, if you want to read all the three series set in Solaria, this would be the proper order: Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac, Zodiac Academy and Darkmore Penitentiary. I started with Zodiac Academy and I now I remember there were mentions of the characters from this series there too.
》》The Plot《《
“Aren’t you supposed to say something about how pretty I look?” She coiled a lock of lilac hair around her finger, swinging her hips as she put on an overly girlish expression.
“You don’t look pretty,” I growled and her expression slammed into bitch gear, but I didn’t give a shit. “You look like the most lethal poison I’ve ever seen. It’s fucking divine.”
Elise Callisto joins Aurora Academy with one goal in mind: find which one of the four Kings of the Academy was responsible for her brother's death and take her revenge. Her plan? Use the fact that none of them is aware she's Gareth's sister, get close to them, figure out who's guilty and kill them. While dealing with school. And staying out of the fight between the Oscura Clan and the Lunar Brotherhood, the two gangs that run the town and the Academy.
I can't say there's a lot of action, but you get mystery and romance, snarky comments from brooding and non-brooding Fae, a smarasss female MC, some spice and a few gang fights. The chapters are shared between Elise, Leon, Gabriel, Dante and Ryder, with flash backs from Gareth's perspective before his death. I liked this present-past combination, which definitely adds up to the mystery.
》》Characters and Relationships《《
“Come to the Spring Formal with me,” I said. “It’ll be fun.”
“Pah,” Ryder spat behind my hand but I ignored him. “As if she’s into dancing at pathetic school parties with pathetic fucking Lions.”
“Not that that’s any of your business, Ryder.”
“If I decide it’s my business, it fucking is.”
“So?” I asked hopefully, leaning forward in my seat.
Gabriel was walking by and he halted with a terse frown on his face. “Did you just ask Elise Callisto to the Spring Formal?”
Dante appeared, looking over her shoulder. “What’s going on? Did you just ask Elise to the ball Leon?”
“Oh fuck my life,” Elise muttered.
Teasing, snarkiness, brooding and spice are the main things that come to mind while talking about these characters. And I definitely love that.
🧛🏻♀️ Elise 'Ella' Callisto
"Besides, I didn’t want to live my life believing it was all mapped out for me. I wanted to be free, wild, make wrong choices and learn from them or not. Become my own person with my own flaws and own the responsibility for whoever I was, not blame any of my failings on fate."
She's a total badass Vampire, with air magic and a powerful will. Determination and lack of fear, paired with a hot-headed tendency to act and a troubled past make her quite interesting and definitely enjoyable to watch through this revenge quest. I like how she's definitely attracted to the four Kings, but she keeps her head clear even when she indulges herself here and there. One of the things I found remarkable? She got Dante Oscura and Ryder Draconis to be her Sources.
“He’s my Source!”
“Then I’m your Source too.”
Jealousy really does drive men to do crazy stuff. As Aelin Galathynius would roll her eyes and comment: "territorial Fae bastards".
🦁 Leon Night - Nemean Lion Shifter and part of a very powerful family of renowned thieves
"Leon started telling me about the pranks he’d pulled in school so far and he’d only been here a month. He’d swapped sugar into Ryder Draconis’s morning eggs instead of salt, causing Ryder to hit his minion so hard he went to the ward, he told Dante Oscura a dark-eyed woman was out to kill him so he broke up with two girlfriends and glared at any dark eyed girl until she left him the hell alone. He’d convinced Gabriel Nox he was moulting by scattering black feathers behind him wherever he went, and he set off the fire alarm more times a day than was even funny anymore."
Well, Leo the Lion is totally fun. And he's captain of the Pitball team. He's charming and sweet in a mischievous way, used to have girls ('Mindys') falling at his feet and doing all the work for him and giving me strong cinnamonroll vibes. But a cinnamonroll who could definitely kill you.
“Well aren’t you just a strawberry dipped in yoghurt?” I said to a strawberry dipped in yoghurt as Mindy placed it in my mouth.
See? Definitely cinnamonroll vibes.
🐲 Dante Oscura- Storm Dragon and leader of the Oscura Clan
“He does that when he’s turned on,” Gabriel spoke his first words of the day and I could have punched him for them as a smirk danced around his mouth.
“And happy,” Laini added.
“And being an asshole, so it never really stops,” Gabriel said and the new girl laughed.
Powerful Dragon born from a family of werewolves, Alpha male with Air powers and definitely dangerous. I loved how he, Elise, Laini and Gabriel Nox share a dorm. It gave some really nice scenes between his infatuation with Elise and his teasing and animosity with Gabriel.
“Gabriel!” he barked at me. “You do it on purpose. Admit it. Just fucking admit it.”
“Define admit,” I said, mocking him. Not rising to meet his arguments was the best tactic to piss him off. It was hilarious.
“By the stars, I hate you,” Dante growled.
While he clearly hates Ryder and is rather predisposed to fighting with Nox, Dante has a sort of friendship with Leon, both of them being in the Pitball team.
🦅 Gabriel Nox - Harpy and gifted with the Sight, the only Fae at Aurora with two Elements (air and water)
“Funny how you only hear the things that interest you, isn’t Gabriel?”
“Why would I take an interest in things that don't interest me? That’s fucking moronic.”
He's such a brooding Fae I can't help but laugh. He's a really asshole compared to how I've seen him in Zodiac Academy and I love how he's one of the most powerful Fae at the academy. He doesn't really talk much and everyone is used to that and when he does talk he tends to be rather teasing and it's usually to piss Dante off. Or anyone who looks at Elise for too long.
I glanced around a little nervously and my gaze caught on Gabriel who just happened to be right behind my shoulder.
“What are you staring at?” he snapped and my lips parted in surprise.
“I’m not entirely sure,” I replied icily. “But my best guess would be the result of a turkey mating with an asshole.”
His relationship with her was a proper hot and cold game, giving us a proper show between spicing things up and fighting, sweet and snarky, mean or pure gentleness.
“You’re so beautiful, Elise Callisto,” he said seriously, his thumb brushing over my lips.
“I didn’t know you’d ever even looked at me before now,” I teased, unsure how to react to his intensity.
“I haven’t stopped looking at you from the moment you walked into our dorm. I’ve seen your pain, your sorrow, your light and your fire. And it isn’t enough. You captivate me.”
I know from Zodiac Academy that Nox has found his Elysian Mate, but I also know from there that Dante has a wife so now I'm overall confused and I just can't wait to see how this love situation will develop.
🐍 Ryder Draconis - cold blooded Basilisk and leader of the Lunar Brotherhood
Ryder:
Is Cinderella planning on giving me a twirl on the bleachers before the ball?
Elise:
I’m no princess. And I don’t twirl for anybody.
Ryder:
Blame that last message on autocorrect. It meant to say: Is the shit-hot vampire planning on sinking her teeth into my veins before the ball?
He's the one that screams danger from miles away. His element is Earth and his Order is super rare. Add a daredevil attitude, a blood feud as well as a personal hatred for Dante, a well known emotional range limited to pain and lust and a social life limited to followers and not friends and you've got his main portrayal. He's deep on a level that has yet to be discovered and I definitely wait to see more of his layers.
“Why? Do you wanna make this rendezvous a regular occurrence?” he asked roughly, his eyes scraping over me in a way that shouldn’t have been legal.
“Are you offering to be my Source?”
“How about we make a trade?” Ryder asked, a glimmer in his eye. “I’ll let you keep sucking on my neck, so long as you start sucking on some of my other body parts too.”
His entire interaction with Elise is interesting and she's definitely not what he was expecting, surprising him constantly. And you know the "who did this to you?" trope? It's here, you guys!!!
“Why are you crying?” he asked, his voice a dangerous growl. “Who hurt you?”
See? Told ya.
》》Highlights《《
1) I loved the Zodiac Academy references.
"Dante was a solid Airsentry and though he was no Lance Orion from Zodiac Academy, we still might have had a shot at beating their asses if we were all on top form in our next match against them."
2) "Define yours."
3) The strip club with a Lionel Acrux impersonation number.
4) The banter between the boys and the constant competition.
“You should watch your tongue,” Ryder snarled when he couldn’t get through. Ha.
“Oh I do. I watched it pretty well as it slid into Elise’s mouth the other day actually.”
“Leon,” Elise snapped, baring her fangs at me.
“Surely that’s not actually true?” Ryder demanded of her, incredulous. I wasn’t sure I’d seen that emotion on his face before.
“It was just a kiss, who cares?” She focused back on her work and I continued to grin.
“I care. Ryder clearly cares. That’s over sixty percent of us. Majority wins.”
5) Cindy Poo
6) The everyday announcements by the Principle
7) Ryder entrancing people and making them live all those visions
》》Conclusion《《
I'm definitely reading the next book. I'm intrigued, I really want to know how it ends and I am willing to go through with this series despite it being a reverse harem. It's fast paced, in that enjoyable and catchy way Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti manage to entrance us. It has spice, violence and a bit of bullying, so make sure to check the triggers first.
"I’d looked into the Devil’s eyes and lived to tell the tale. I wouldn’t be caught out the next time. And there would be a next time. Because I was closing in on the answers I sought. And I wouldn’t stop digging until I unveiled them and their guilty blood was spilled."
November 30, 2022
I liked it! It was a solid introduction book. Every single one of the guys are written really well, I went into it of course biased bc of ZA and Gabriel was already my favorite but by the end I really do like all of them and am so curious how it will play out.
I will say Leon had me in stitches! Dude is seriously funny. (Audiobook narrator is GOLD btw)
Dante is funny, sexy, cool. Really dig his vibe.
Ryder is probably the most interesting/mysterious. He has the most potential for really good character development.
Gabriel is still my favorite bc obviously.
Gareth, I really like him and am so bummed that we know his fate.
Elise, honestly, she's fine. I don't have strong opinion about her either way. She feels like a watered down Tory tbh.
It doesn't have the magic the ZA does but it's still really entertaining and I like seeing another side of Solaria.
Number of times my husband Lance Orion was mentioned= 1 (and yes, I totally squealed, no shame!)❤️
I will say Leon had me in stitches! Dude is seriously funny. (Audiobook narrator is GOLD btw)
Dante is funny, sexy, cool. Really dig his vibe.
Ryder is probably the most interesting/mysterious. He has the most potential for really good character development.
Gabriel is still my favorite bc obviously.
Gareth, I really like him and am so bummed that we know his fate.
Elise, honestly, she's fine. I don't have strong opinion about her either way. She feels like a watered down Tory tbh.
It doesn't have the magic the ZA does but it's still really entertaining and I like seeing another side of Solaria.
Number of times my husband Lance Orion was mentioned= 1 (and yes, I totally squealed, no shame!)❤️
August 22, 2023
Awesome dark paranormal reverse harem!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚❤️💜
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎🌍
Character development: 🤓😉☺️😍🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine: Elise Callisto - her brother Gareth was dead, and she was determined to find out who was responsible. Elise is a vampire with the element of air and she knew her brother never did drugs but died from doing killblaze so she went after people who might know what happened to him while he was attending Aurora Academy. She was told it was the king of the academy, so she hacks into the database and gets her brothers scholarship assigned to herself so she can attend the academy and find out which of the four kings killed Gareth.
The Heroes: Leon Night, Dante Oscura, Gabriel Nox, Ryder Draconis - Leon is a nemean lion shifter, he is tall with long blond hair and looks like a surfer. He comes from a line of thieves and is an expert pickpocket. His element is fire. Dante is a storm dragon shifter and the head of the Oscura clan gang at the school. His element is air. Gabriel was a harpy and has two elements (water and earth) and has the strongest magic in the school, he also has the sight. He walked around half shifted so his wings were out and was tattooed all over. Ryder is a basilisk and is head of the Lunar brotherhood at Aurora (a rival gang to Oscura). He loves pain and lust and looking into his eyes can hypnotize a person into seeing things.
The Story: Elise goes to the Academy mid semester, so she has to play catch up. Luckily, she is a great hacker and was able to get one of the girls in the dorm room she wanted kicked out of the school. The dorm rooms held four people in each room and were co-ed. She ended up rooming with Dante Oscura, Gabriel Nox and a girl named Lanie. She met Leon as soon as she got to the school, so was on her way to getting into the good graces of all four of her targets.
The four kings of the academy were not friends, even though Gabriel and Dante roomed together, they hated each other, and Dante and Ryder were heads of rival gangs. Leon was a ladies' man, kind of on his own, but always surrounded by a pride of women who loved to do things for him. Though Elise was different, she was a vampire, so his natural lion charm didn’t work on her.
I liked that there were chapters told from Gareth’s point of view, so we could see his life before he died. He was a good brother whose foremost thoughts were to protect his little sister. He, like Elise was trying to walk a tightrope between the gangs at the school and was doing his best to pay off a debt that his mother owed to some bad guys, who said they would use Elise as a stripper at their club if Gareth couldn’t pay the debt.
Elysian mates (or fated mates) were different in this story than in many others. When the stars aligned just right after coming into contact with your fated mate, you will end up in a divine moment with them. You will be drawn from your bed when the stars are aligned and you will have a choice to be with your mate, and then both mates will get a white ring around the irises of their eyes, if you choose not to be mated, both will get a black ring around the iris and will be forever star crossed.
The audiobook was told in multiple points of view via dual narration. It was narrated by Troy Duran and Kiera Stevens. Troy is my favorite male narrator; he has a deep sexy voice and I love just about everything he does. Though I have to admit, I like reverse harem romance audiobooks best when they have a different narrator for each male character. Kiera Stevens also has a great voice and was perfect for Elise, her voice sounded age appropriate, and I liked her quite a bit. There were some parts of this book that were hilariously funny.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚❤️💜
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎🌍
Character development: 🤓😉☺️😍🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine: Elise Callisto - her brother Gareth was dead, and she was determined to find out who was responsible. Elise is a vampire with the element of air and she knew her brother never did drugs but died from doing killblaze so she went after people who might know what happened to him while he was attending Aurora Academy. She was told it was the king of the academy, so she hacks into the database and gets her brothers scholarship assigned to herself so she can attend the academy and find out which of the four kings killed Gareth.
The Heroes: Leon Night, Dante Oscura, Gabriel Nox, Ryder Draconis - Leon is a nemean lion shifter, he is tall with long blond hair and looks like a surfer. He comes from a line of thieves and is an expert pickpocket. His element is fire. Dante is a storm dragon shifter and the head of the Oscura clan gang at the school. His element is air. Gabriel was a harpy and has two elements (water and earth) and has the strongest magic in the school, he also has the sight. He walked around half shifted so his wings were out and was tattooed all over. Ryder is a basilisk and is head of the Lunar brotherhood at Aurora (a rival gang to Oscura). He loves pain and lust and looking into his eyes can hypnotize a person into seeing things.
The Story: Elise goes to the Academy mid semester, so she has to play catch up. Luckily, she is a great hacker and was able to get one of the girls in the dorm room she wanted kicked out of the school. The dorm rooms held four people in each room and were co-ed. She ended up rooming with Dante Oscura, Gabriel Nox and a girl named Lanie. She met Leon as soon as she got to the school, so was on her way to getting into the good graces of all four of her targets.
The four kings of the academy were not friends, even though Gabriel and Dante roomed together, they hated each other, and Dante and Ryder were heads of rival gangs. Leon was a ladies' man, kind of on his own, but always surrounded by a pride of women who loved to do things for him. Though Elise was different, she was a vampire, so his natural lion charm didn’t work on her.
I liked that there were chapters told from Gareth’s point of view, so we could see his life before he died. He was a good brother whose foremost thoughts were to protect his little sister. He, like Elise was trying to walk a tightrope between the gangs at the school and was doing his best to pay off a debt that his mother owed to some bad guys, who said they would use Elise as a stripper at their club if Gareth couldn’t pay the debt.
Elysian mates (or fated mates) were different in this story than in many others. When the stars aligned just right after coming into contact with your fated mate, you will end up in a divine moment with them. You will be drawn from your bed when the stars are aligned and you will have a choice to be with your mate, and then both mates will get a white ring around the irises of their eyes, if you choose not to be mated, both will get a black ring around the iris and will be forever star crossed.
The audiobook was told in multiple points of view via dual narration. It was narrated by Troy Duran and Kiera Stevens. Troy is my favorite male narrator; he has a deep sexy voice and I love just about everything he does. Though I have to admit, I like reverse harem romance audiobooks best when they have a different narrator for each male character. Kiera Stevens also has a great voice and was perfect for Elise, her voice sounded age appropriate, and I liked her quite a bit. There were some parts of this book that were hilariously funny.
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September 17, 2021
3 stars ✨ | BR with the lovely @Phuong
the way i started this basically for lance orion crumbs... and all i got was this one quote about him:
me = 🤡🤡🤡
anyway. this was alright, not great or anything, but entertaining enough. what happens in this book? not much, but basically, Elise (h) transfers into her dead brother's academy to look into his murder, cause they told her he overdosed but she senses there's more to it than that. and of course, her four suspects are also the """kings""" (gonna use that term very loosely..) of this school: Ryder, Dante, Leon and Gabriel (Hs). yes, this is RH and no, i don't know why i'm reading it either when i don't like the trope lmao
♎ Elise is an okay heroine. she basically has Tory's attitude, and she's a libra vampire like a character who i shall not name again... but she would make a terrible detective. despite thinking that one of these guys could be her brother's k i l l e r, girl does nothing but hang out with them, get attached to them, kiss some of them and screw one. every couple of chapters it's like she remembers she's in this academy for a reason and tries to look for more hints, but the plot is so underwhelming and she doesn't look desperate enough for answers :/ and the fact that she could be kissing/fucking her brother's killer and she constantly forgets about it... she's more of a 🤡 than me
now... regarding the guys. what's great about them is that they are all so different from each other, aside from the fact that they are all pretty arrogant lol. but they all had different powers and personalities so i never once felt that i was reading about the same guy multiplied by four (though why anyone in her right mind would want to be with four men is beyond me... one is already exhausting enough 😭). i sort of liked them all anyway, so that was great.
♊ Dante was lowkey my favorite, even though i'm not sure why.. but give me an Italian-speaking hero and i'm trash 😭 all those mafia romances ruined me. dante is the only dragon born in a family of wolves, he's charming af and he's always calling elise "carina" or "bella" 🥰
how elise manages to resist him for so long, i'm not sure, but kudos to her for making him her personal source of blood in the meantime.. dude was whipped af and would take anything elise would give him lol.
♌ Leon was hilarious. he reminds me a little bit of Seth from ZA, but a slightly less childish version.
Leon is definitely the less intense of the four. he's always joking around and has this group of fangirls he calls Mindy's (like.. to all of them 💀) that do everything for him, cause he's a lion and these girls are drawn to that and they want to serve him for some reason 💀 things include carrying his books, doing his homework, feeding him, etc. but when he realizes he has to work his ass off to charm elise? it was so funny
♏ I was biased towards Gabriel, cause we already know him from Zodiac Academy and i like him a lot there. so i was kind of rooting for him from the beginning
i love that gabriel is always doing his own thing, not getting involved in any of that gang bullshit Dante and Ryder have going on and being the most powerful fae in this academy 💅🏻 guy really doesn't give a shit, cause he has other stuff to worry about. it broke my heart to see him so lost about who he is, but i think the truth about his parents is revealed in the Zodiac Academy series so i'm not sure whether this plot will go anywhere in this series.. 🥴
however, while i was shipping him really hard with elise in the beginning, he started getting on my nerves around the 40%ish mark. because gabriel sees a vision about elise and him becoming elysian mates, and since he doesn't want anything to do with that starts to antagonize her in the most stupid ways, just so that she doesn't get any ideas and doesn't get too close to him or whatever. for instance, one of the things he does is throw a soda at her 💀 wtf bro. but then, of f u c k i n g course, he also can't stay away and becomes all jealous and possessive everytime he sees elise with the rest of the boys. make up your damn mind 😭
♑ finally, Ryder. this review is never-ending, cause there are so many boys 😭 but i saved the worst for last lol. Ryder has the coolest order, cause he can turn into a basilisk and hypnotize people/make them see things just by looking into their eyes. however, also because of that [and childhood traumas] he gets his strength from "pain", so every one of his chapters basically consists of him saying how he needs pain to survive, how he always needs pain during sex, how he needs to compromise with girls cause no one is into the stuff he likes, etc etc etc. he even has the words "pain" and "lust" tattooed on his knuckles, cause those are the only thing he truly ~feels 💀
it came to a point i thought his story with elise would go into bdsm territory, cause he was soooo insistent about the pain. however, at some point he starts pushing visions into elise of the two of them fucking and the only thing he does is bite her leg and sliiiightly grab her throat... um sorry but you're not as kinky as you believe you are lmao. he wanted to make me believe he was christian grey, but all he did was annoy me ✌🏻
he started to grow on me a little bit as the story went on. he's just so lonely and grumpy, so it was lowkey cute that he'd perk up anytime elise would give him some attention during classes or lunch, but didn't want to admit it. and i laughed a lot everytime he interacted with leon, cause that guy annoyed him so much💀
🌺 why three stars? i had fun reading about elise interacting with the boys, but nothing else happens in this book. it would be better if she just flat out admitted she doesn't care who the "killer" is, cause it doesn't seem like she's too concerned half of the time 💀
plus... even though i have my preferences, the fact that this is reverse harem kinda prevents me from getting too much into one ship, cause i know that no matter what this girl will be with the three others 😔 so it's fun and everything, but i'm not getting too attached to any couple. in summary: there's no orion+darcy ship that makes me overlook the lack of plot here 😭
the way i started this basically for lance orion crumbs... and all i got was this one quote about him:
Dante was a solid Airsentry and though he was no Lance Orion from Zodiac Academy, we still might have had a shot at beating their asses if we were all on top form in our next match against them. Maybe. Okay, probably not. But I was a major optimist.
me = 🤡🤡🤡
anyway. this was alright, not great or anything, but entertaining enough. what happens in this book? not much, but basically, Elise (h) transfers into her dead brother's academy to look into his murder, cause they told her he overdosed but she senses there's more to it than that. and of course, her four suspects are also the """kings""" (gonna use that term very loosely..) of this school: Ryder, Dante, Leon and Gabriel (Hs). yes, this is RH and no, i don't know why i'm reading it either when i don't like the trope lmao
♎ Elise is an okay heroine. she basically has Tory's attitude, and she's a libra vampire like a character who i shall not name again... but she would make a terrible detective. despite thinking that one of these guys could be her brother's k i l l e r, girl does nothing but hang out with them, get attached to them, kiss some of them and screw one. every couple of chapters it's like she remembers she's in this academy for a reason and tries to look for more hints, but the plot is so underwhelming and she doesn't look desperate enough for answers :/ and the fact that she could be kissing/fucking her brother's killer and she constantly forgets about it... she's more of a 🤡 than me
now... regarding the guys. what's great about them is that they are all so different from each other, aside from the fact that they are all pretty arrogant lol. but they all had different powers and personalities so i never once felt that i was reading about the same guy multiplied by four (though why anyone in her right mind would want to be with four men is beyond me... one is already exhausting enough 😭). i sort of liked them all anyway, so that was great.
♊ Dante was lowkey my favorite, even though i'm not sure why.. but give me an Italian-speaking hero and i'm trash 😭 all those mafia romances ruined me. dante is the only dragon born in a family of wolves, he's charming af and he's always calling elise "carina" or "bella" 🥰
“When you finally give in to this waiting storm between us and agree to be mine, I’m gonna make you scream my name until you lose your voice,” he breathed in my ear and I could only bite my lip in response.
how elise manages to resist him for so long, i'm not sure, but kudos to her for making him her personal source of blood in the meantime.. dude was whipped af and would take anything elise would give him lol.
“Maybe we can come here and be alone together sometimes.”
“Alone together,” I echoed with a smile pulling at my mouth. “I like the sound of that, bella.”
♌ Leon was hilarious. he reminds me a little bit of Seth from ZA, but a slightly less childish version.
“Leon the Lion?” I teased, a smirk hooking my lips up. I’d laughed out loud when I’d read it in his file during my research before coming here. His star sign was Leo too, it was too fucking funny.
“My mom thought it was cute.”
“It is,” I agreed, still teasing. “Very cute for a little lion cub.”
Leon is definitely the less intense of the four. he's always joking around and has this group of fangirls he calls Mindy's (like.. to all of them 💀) that do everything for him, cause he's a lion and these girls are drawn to that and they want to serve him for some reason 💀 things include carrying his books, doing his homework, feeding him, etc. but when he realizes he has to work his ass off to charm elise? it was so funny
I reached into my pocket, taking out what I hoped would buy me a yes to my coming question. I placed the large chocolate bar down, sliding it across the table, a rush going through me as I did one of the first things I’d ever done for another person. Look at me all generous.
♏ I was biased towards Gabriel, cause we already know him from Zodiac Academy and i like him a lot there. so i was kind of rooting for him from the beginning
“Listen, vampira,” I snarled. “There’s two sides in this school, Oscura Clan or Lunar Brotherhood.” I spat on the floor to get the taste of that name out of my mouth. “You’re either with us or with them.”
“Or you can be your own person,” Gabriel chipped in as he mentally came back to the room.
i love that gabriel is always doing his own thing, not getting involved in any of that gang bullshit Dante and Ryder have going on and being the most powerful fae in this academy 💅🏻 guy really doesn't give a shit, cause he has other stuff to worry about. it broke my heart to see him so lost about who he is, but i think the truth about his parents is revealed in the Zodiac Academy series so i'm not sure whether this plot will go anywhere in this series.. 🥴
however, while i was shipping him really hard with elise in the beginning, he started getting on my nerves around the 40%ish mark. because gabriel sees a vision about elise and him becoming elysian mates, and since he doesn't want anything to do with that starts to antagonize her in the most stupid ways, just so that she doesn't get any ideas and doesn't get too close to him or whatever. for instance, one of the things he does is throw a soda at her 💀 wtf bro. but then, of f u c k i n g course, he also can't stay away and becomes all jealous and possessive everytime he sees elise with the rest of the boys. make up your damn mind 😭
“I think you were meant to end up in my arms tonight,” he agreed in a deep growl though I wasn’t sure if he sounded happy about it.
♑ finally, Ryder. this review is never-ending, cause there are so many boys 😭 but i saved the worst for last lol. Ryder has the coolest order, cause he can turn into a basilisk and hypnotize people/make them see things just by looking into their eyes. however, also because of that [and childhood traumas] he gets his strength from "pain", so every one of his chapters basically consists of him saying how he needs pain to survive, how he always needs pain during sex, how he needs to compromise with girls cause no one is into the stuff he likes, etc etc etc. he even has the words "pain" and "lust" tattooed on his knuckles, cause those are the only thing he truly ~feels 💀
it came to a point i thought his story with elise would go into bdsm territory, cause he was soooo insistent about the pain. however, at some point he starts pushing visions into elise of the two of them fucking and the only thing he does is bite her leg and sliiiightly grab her throat... um sorry but you're not as kinky as you believe you are lmao. he wanted to make me believe he was christian grey, but all he did was annoy me ✌🏻
“To everyone else you’re like this perfect little doll, but I can see how fractured and torn apart you are inside,” he breathed. “I can see the cracks in the perfection. I can see the poison that’s tainting your essence. And every break, every scar and burn and fissure in your soul only makes it more beautiful. Only makes you more perfect to me. This pain is strength. This agony is beauty.”
he started to grow on me a little bit as the story went on. he's just so lonely and grumpy, so it was lowkey cute that he'd perk up anytime elise would give him some attention during classes or lunch, but didn't want to admit it. and i laughed a lot everytime he interacted with leon, cause that guy annoyed him so much💀
Ryder’s foot slammed between ours and he smacked a hand down onto the desk as he leaned forward with a snarl. “I’m not going to ask nicely again, Simba. Stop playing footsie with my girl and fuck off.”
Leon yawned like Ryder was boring him and I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.
🌺 why three stars? i had fun reading about elise interacting with the boys, but nothing else happens in this book. it would be better if she just flat out admitted she doesn't care who the "killer" is, cause it doesn't seem like she's too concerned half of the time 💀
plus... even though i have my preferences, the fact that this is reverse harem kinda prevents me from getting too much into one ship, cause i know that no matter what this girl will be with the three others 😔 so it's fun and everything, but i'm not getting too attached to any couple. in summary: there's no orion+darcy ship that makes me overlook the lack of plot here 😭
September 21, 2023
Rating: 5 stars
Note: I have not read the Vega Twins story.
One awesome heroine
Four -literally- fantastic men
A lot of sexual tension
Plenty of laugh-out-loud moment
Dark Fae was simply amazing and I had just so much fun reading it.
I loved everything about it. While the plot rides the cliches, the characters and the world-building were just incredible. It was original, deep and multi-layered, and just damn engrossing.
Elise has one thing in mind: get revenge on her brother's murder. To achieve her goal, she enrolled at the Academia. She has four targets: Dante, Ryder, Leon, and Gabriel, the Kings of the school. Because one of them is a murderer.
Well... they probably all are, as they basically are all massive psychos. And Elise fits right in; she is as mentally unstable as the lot of them and just wants to crucify the one that killed her most precious person.
With its settings, Dark Fae should have been a tale of loss, pain, and anger but the cast made it so much more. Between the mamma's boy all-powerful dragon, the lazy lion, and all four men competing for Elise's attention, the book has plenty of warm moments, of hilarious situations, of panty-melting jealousy, of cock blocking and dick measuring. It's fun, it's tragic, it's dark but most of all, it's just right.
> No MM
> No FF
> multiple POVs
> Who falls first?
booked.unicorn
Note: I have not read the Vega Twins story.
One awesome heroine
Four -literally- fantastic men
A lot of sexual tension
Plenty of laugh-out-loud moment
Dark Fae was simply amazing and I had just so much fun reading it.
I loved everything about it. While the plot rides the cliches, the characters and the world-building were just incredible. It was original, deep and multi-layered, and just damn engrossing.
Elise has one thing in mind: get revenge on her brother's murder. To achieve her goal, she enrolled at the Academia. She has four targets: Dante, Ryder, Leon, and Gabriel, the Kings of the school. Because one of them is a murderer.
Well... they probably all are, as they basically are all massive psychos. And Elise fits right in; she is as mentally unstable as the lot of them and just wants to crucify the one that killed her most precious person.
With its settings, Dark Fae should have been a tale of loss, pain, and anger but the cast made it so much more. Between the mamma's boy all-powerful dragon, the lazy lion, and all four men competing for Elise's attention, the book has plenty of warm moments, of hilarious situations, of panty-melting jealousy, of cock blocking and dick measuring. It's fun, it's tragic, it's dark but most of all, it's just right.
> No MM
> No FF
> multiple POVs
> Who falls first?
booked.unicorn
November 19, 2021
You know that feeling when you start watching kdramas and everything feels weird and after a while you’re hooked and everything makes perfect sense, the acting is perfect, the plot is amazing, nothing can compare to it...?
The same happened to me with RH books. At first everything felt weird, and now I don’t know if I just got used to the genre or if this book was actually pretty fucking spectacular???
Nonetheless, I had a lot of fun, I love the main character and all the boys in her harem. In particular, I love how they aren’t friends and I can’t wait to see them come together for her.
Also, this book is massive! But it’s very fast paced so you don’t even notice you read almost 500 pages like it was nothing lol
The same happened to me with RH books. At first everything felt weird, and now I don’t know if I just got used to the genre or if this book was actually pretty fucking spectacular???
Nonetheless, I had a lot of fun, I love the main character and all the boys in her harem. In particular, I love how they aren’t friends and I can’t wait to see them come together for her.
Also, this book is massive! But it’s very fast paced so you don’t even notice you read almost 500 pages like it was nothing lol
November 18, 2019
4/5 Stars
"My thirst for vengeance was even sharper than my thirst for blood. And I'd get it no matter the cost."
Elise Callisto, a badass vampire is on a mission to destroy the person who killed her brother. All she knows is that it was The King of Aurora Academy. But there are four kings within the academy and Elise must get close to them all to figure out who is behind the death of her brother. Each king has a motive and cutthroat natures. The school is divided by two gangs run by two of the kings with hatred so fierce that there is not a day the blood is not being spilled in the halls. Elise must survive the academy as well as sacrifice everything to get her revenge.
⤷ This series is a prequel of the Zodiac Academy books and set four years before. I was so thrilled when I heard that these authors were creating more books within this world. I absolutely love the Zodiac books and whenever characters from the other books were mentioned in this book, I would freak out!
⤷ At times I was a bit confused with small aspects of the book even with having read the Zodiac Academy. So, this book would be confusing at times for those who aren't familiar with the world already!
⤷ I'm actually a fan of reverse-harem books. I like the fact there aren't any love triangles and the heroine ends up with all of the love interests. But, with all the books I've read the heroes have been friends or mutuals yet in this book two of the kings are sworn enemies which will be an interesting dynamic to see play out!
⤷ The two kings that are mortal enemies are Dante, a dragon shifter and Ryder, a basilisk shifter. The other two kings are Leo, a lion shifter and Gabriel, who is a harpy. My favorite kings are Dante and Ryder, especially Ryder who is cold-blooded, craves pain and a bit weird which makes him so interesting to read about!
⤷ The only issue I had with this book was Elise got involved with the boys more earlier than I expected. Which was a bit sudden considering that Elise is suspicious that one of the kings is behind the murder of her brother. Yet, saying that she didn't give in even when the boys would chase her around so in a way the romance is still a slow-burn!
"You think you know nightmares?"
"You haven't even met me yet."
This book was super enjoyable and can't wait to read the others! I would definitely recommend this to all my RH lovers!
Thank you, Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, for providing a copy of this book for an honest review! :)
"My thirst for vengeance was even sharper than my thirst for blood. And I'd get it no matter the cost."
Elise Callisto, a badass vampire is on a mission to destroy the person who killed her brother. All she knows is that it was The King of Aurora Academy. But there are four kings within the academy and Elise must get close to them all to figure out who is behind the death of her brother. Each king has a motive and cutthroat natures. The school is divided by two gangs run by two of the kings with hatred so fierce that there is not a day the blood is not being spilled in the halls. Elise must survive the academy as well as sacrifice everything to get her revenge.
⤷ This series is a prequel of the Zodiac Academy books and set four years before. I was so thrilled when I heard that these authors were creating more books within this world. I absolutely love the Zodiac books and whenever characters from the other books were mentioned in this book, I would freak out!
⤷ At times I was a bit confused with small aspects of the book even with having read the Zodiac Academy. So, this book would be confusing at times for those who aren't familiar with the world already!
⤷ I'm actually a fan of reverse-harem books. I like the fact there aren't any love triangles and the heroine ends up with all of the love interests. But, with all the books I've read the heroes have been friends or mutuals yet in this book two of the kings are sworn enemies which will be an interesting dynamic to see play out!
⤷ The two kings that are mortal enemies are Dante, a dragon shifter and Ryder, a basilisk shifter. The other two kings are Leo, a lion shifter and Gabriel, who is a harpy. My favorite kings are Dante and Ryder, especially Ryder who is cold-blooded, craves pain and a bit weird which makes him so interesting to read about!
⤷ The only issue I had with this book was Elise got involved with the boys more earlier than I expected. Which was a bit sudden considering that Elise is suspicious that one of the kings is behind the murder of her brother. Yet, saying that she didn't give in even when the boys would chase her around so in a way the romance is still a slow-burn!
"You think you know nightmares?"
"You haven't even met me yet."
This book was super enjoyable and can't wait to read the others! I would definitely recommend this to all my RH lovers!
Thank you, Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, for providing a copy of this book for an honest review! :)
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
March 11, 2020So. This is an unpopular opinion. I do not doubt in the slightest that a lot of people I know will love this and should probably try it. In fact, I saw some good reviews from friends who've already read it. And I was hopeful but nope. This contains every trope I hate.
1. Heroine whose brain is located in her vagina.
"Imma avenge my brother who was more than likely killed by these people or at least killed by association and was also assaulted and bullied by these people.... Ooooooh a shiny dick!"
2. Sexual harassing love interests that Aren't That Bad and Get Better Later.
I'm sure they're Not That Bad and just Misunderstood tropes. But not to me. They get their shits and giggles using women as sex dolls and slaves. and also beating the ever living shit out of people just because they touched a section of grass they pissed on.
If someone actually did any of this to you, would you actually become a vagina mush puddle or stay the fuck away?
3. Might Makes Right and Amazons Who Want Hercules trope. but Hercules in the actual classical sense where he's just a giant dumb brute who runs around murdering people in a rage.
Meaning that strength and violence makes you attractive and having to constantly prove your toughness that you're actually tough. And that chicks lose themselves over it. yep. beat that person up harder for stepping on a chunk of your grass. Sooooo sexy.
So I stopped reading it while I was ahead. lmfao but yeah if any of this is up your alley i'm pretty sure you should try the book.
1. Heroine whose brain is located in her vagina.
"Imma avenge my brother who was more than likely killed by these people or at least killed by association and was also assaulted and bullied by these people.... Ooooooh a shiny dick!"
2. Sexual harassing love interests that Aren't That Bad and Get Better Later.
I'm sure they're Not That Bad and just Misunderstood tropes. But not to me. They get their shits and giggles using women as sex dolls and slaves. and also beating the ever living shit out of people just because they touched a section of grass they pissed on.
If someone actually did any of this to you, would you actually become a vagina mush puddle or stay the fuck away?
3. Might Makes Right and Amazons Who Want Hercules trope. but Hercules in the actual classical sense where he's just a giant dumb brute who runs around murdering people in a rage.
Meaning that strength and violence makes you attractive and having to constantly prove your toughness that you're actually tough. And that chicks lose themselves over it. yep. beat that person up harder for stepping on a chunk of your grass. Sooooo sexy.
So I stopped reading it while I was ahead. lmfao but yeah if any of this is up your alley i'm pretty sure you should try the book.
June 14, 2022
This was.... addicting to read. It’s a reverse harem fantasy romance series, and the RH part was what definitely sold me. It’s set at this college academy (thank god it’s not high school) for paranormal creatures! I actually enjoyed this 1st book a lot. I mean, the writing isn’t exactly the best, but I enjoyed the characters and loved the concept of the world.
We have a vampire heroine and her four heroes, the 'kings' at their school. There’s a dragon shifter, a basilisk, a lion shifter, and a harpy – and I'm all for this PNR diversity, lol. Elise has an ulterior motive for attending the academy: she wants to track down her brother’s murderer, and the four heroes are her top suspects. We get all five main characters' POV, and a few in the brother’s POV, which honestly I skimmed over, but whatever. I’m invested in the romance and the plot at this point and want to eventually finish the series.
We have a vampire heroine and her four heroes, the 'kings' at their school. There’s a dragon shifter, a basilisk, a lion shifter, and a harpy – and I'm all for this PNR diversity, lol. Elise has an ulterior motive for attending the academy: she wants to track down her brother’s murderer, and the four heroes are her top suspects. We get all five main characters' POV, and a few in the brother’s POV, which honestly I skimmed over, but whatever. I’m invested in the romance and the plot at this point and want to eventually finish the series.
October 2, 2022
Was this good? no.
Was there real plot? kinda.
Did i still highly enjoy myself? for sure.
Was there real plot? kinda.
Did i still highly enjoy myself? for sure.
January 14, 2025
tbh it was good but i was expecting MORE 3.5
RTC
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ starting 2025 WITH THIS SERIES!!!! hopefully I finish it and it doesn't emotionally traumatized me (i'm jk obviously is going to, it's the twisted sisters LOL)
RTC
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ starting 2025 WITH THIS SERIES!!!! hopefully I finish it and it doesn't emotionally traumatized me (i'm jk obviously is going to, it's the twisted sisters LOL)
November 19, 2021
2.75*
Meh – picked this up to tide me over till the next ZA book is released next month so that I can stay in this world and see how Noxy & Dante become the characters we meet in the twins series.
I’ve never been drawn to RH or mafia/gangland type reads before so wasn’t expecting to be bowled over by this and while I like Elise as an MC I honestly cannot see why these boyos are panting after her so much…is it cos she doesn’t fall at their feet while also sorta kinda swooning for them? 🤷
Leon the Leo Lion is possibly the most interesting as he has the most fun interactions on page and is such a giant cat with the games he plays & laziness he approaches certain things – such a cheeky chappy…a more likeable Seth 🤔 .
I have little time for Ryder rn, altho being a Basilisk Shifter that can “hypnotise”/project visions to those who lock eyes with him is intriguing. His air of “bAd bOi” is predictable & boring – why do authors have to give bad boys an out with hints of a tragic backstory…if you want to write a sadistic asshole COMMIT and then craft a redemption arc if you must 🙄
Dante is middle of the road interesting so far, he’s walking a fine line between fun/sweet/asshole in his “mafia” boss role in the school – being a rare Storm Dragon born to Werewolves creates interesting contrasts & nature vs nurture debate when compared with other Dragon Shifters we’ve met in the sister series. The West Side Story’esque brawl in the playground made me laugh way more than it was probably meant to #Beat-It 🤭
Gabriel is the biggest reason I reached for this, alongside hinted at ZA crossovers, his emo tortured sad boi is so far from the character we’ve met that I am curious to keep reading to see how he gets there. Other crossover breadcrumbs in the forms of Eugene Dipper and the Triple Ks are fun Easter eggs and I am mildly curious about the murdered brother/Black Card cult storyline. I do enjoy a dual timeline and was pleasantly surprised to get those chapters – even if some of this dudes decisions have me rolling my eyes at the stupidity…learn to cover your tracks better moron, you’re begging to get caught in your shenanigans 🤦
I know I need to be less superficial…but have y’all seen the PINK/PURPLE covers that this series was initially released under? 🤢 🤮
Who decided those were a good idea?!
Sorry not sorry, I’m petty enough to admit that I’d prob have steered clear of this series if they hadn’t made new covers altho I am also not the biggest fan of the new ones either as I do not love covers with “real” people on them 🙈 🙊
All this said, yes I am going to keep reading as I enjoy the magic/set up of this world and want to see if my theories pan out 😈 … plus what other way will I pass the time while I wait to be destroyed by whatever these sister authors do to the twins next 🤗 😅
Buddy Read once more with the awesome @Franlopedia who is a 😇 to put up with my nonsensical waffle fests!
Meh – picked this up to tide me over till the next ZA book is released next month so that I can stay in this world and see how Noxy & Dante become the characters we meet in the twins series.
I’ve never been drawn to RH or mafia/gangland type reads before so wasn’t expecting to be bowled over by this and while I like Elise as an MC I honestly cannot see why these boyos are panting after her so much…is it cos she doesn’t fall at their feet while also sorta kinda swooning for them? 🤷
Leon the Leo Lion is possibly the most interesting as he has the most fun interactions on page and is such a giant cat with the games he plays & laziness he approaches certain things – such a cheeky chappy…a more likeable Seth 🤔 .
I have little time for Ryder rn, altho being a Basilisk Shifter that can “hypnotise”/project visions to those who lock eyes with him is intriguing. His air of “bAd bOi” is predictable & boring – why do authors have to give bad boys an out with hints of a tragic backstory…if you want to write a sadistic asshole COMMIT and then craft a redemption arc if you must 🙄
Dante is middle of the road interesting so far, he’s walking a fine line between fun/sweet/asshole in his “mafia” boss role in the school – being a rare Storm Dragon born to Werewolves creates interesting contrasts & nature vs nurture debate when compared with other Dragon Shifters we’ve met in the sister series. The West Side Story’esque brawl in the playground made me laugh way more than it was probably meant to #Beat-It 🤭
Gabriel is the biggest reason I reached for this, alongside hinted at ZA crossovers, his emo tortured sad boi is so far from the character we’ve met that I am curious to keep reading to see how he gets there. Other crossover breadcrumbs in the forms of Eugene Dipper and the Triple Ks are fun Easter eggs and I am mildly curious about the murdered brother/Black Card cult storyline. I do enjoy a dual timeline and was pleasantly surprised to get those chapters – even if some of this dudes decisions have me rolling my eyes at the stupidity…learn to cover your tracks better moron, you’re begging to get caught in your shenanigans 🤦
I know I need to be less superficial…but have y’all seen the PINK/PURPLE covers that this series was initially released under? 🤢 🤮
Who decided those were a good idea?!
Sorry not sorry, I’m petty enough to admit that I’d prob have steered clear of this series if they hadn’t made new covers altho I am also not the biggest fan of the new ones either as I do not love covers with “real” people on them 🙈 🙊
All this said, yes I am going to keep reading as I enjoy the magic/set up of this world and want to see if my theories pan out 😈 … plus what other way will I pass the time while I wait to be destroyed by whatever these sister authors do to the twins next 🤗 😅
Buddy Read once more with the awesome @Franlopedia who is a 😇 to put up with my nonsensical waffle fests!
November 28, 2022
Well... I did it!
I finished this beast!
Everyone was saying that I should be reading this series before continuing with book 6 of ZA , and considering that this series is complete, it was a done deal.
It's a good start of a RH... The h is strong and the guys are all different and two of them are gang rivals.
But so far, Gabriel Nox is the only common figure between the two series.
I'm moving to book two, I also felt like the story dragged too much here. Lots of random scenes that didn't added to anything but the length of the book.
Let's hope for happiness before book 5 😂
I finished this beast!
Everyone was saying that I should be reading this series before continuing with book 6 of ZA , and considering that this series is complete, it was a done deal.
It's a good start of a RH... The h is strong and the guys are all different and two of them are gang rivals.
But so far, Gabriel Nox is the only common figure between the two series.
I'm moving to book two, I also felt like the story dragged too much here. Lots of random scenes that didn't added to anything but the length of the book.
Let's hope for happiness before book 5 😂
August 22, 2022
3.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Review to come tomorrow!
I have to say I adored both Gabriel and his angsty ass and Dante. I like Elise so far but I'm still not very attached to her as I am to Tory and Darcy.
I haven't former an attachment much to half of the characters and I'm glad the authors took the time to develop the relationship between Elise and the four Kings of Aurora Academy.
There were certain chapters that I found to be a bit boring and I was missing some action.
I definitely still prefer Zodiac Academy over this but let's see if this will possibly change by the time I finish it. Highly doubt it but you never know.
I've been dying for Lance Orion crumbs and was served a teeny tiny one only. He's half the reason why I was tempted to read this series.
Review to come tomorrow!
I have to say I adored both Gabriel and his angsty ass and Dante. I like Elise so far but I'm still not very attached to her as I am to Tory and Darcy.
I haven't former an attachment much to half of the characters and I'm glad the authors took the time to develop the relationship between Elise and the four Kings of Aurora Academy.
There were certain chapters that I found to be a bit boring and I was missing some action.
I definitely still prefer Zodiac Academy over this but let's see if this will possibly change by the time I finish it. Highly doubt it but you never know.
I've been dying for Lance Orion crumbs and was served a teeny tiny one only. He's half the reason why I was tempted to read this series.
October 24, 2024
I liked the plot and I honestly ADORED all the characters but this was such a weak intro to the series imo
I was BORED out of my mind. Every time I thought I'd made a dent & then I looked at the page count and it said that I had only read like 10 pages I wanted to set myself on fire
This book DRAGGED. I wish I could scream at them to hurry tf up. I wanted to cry everytime it switched to Gareth's flashback pov because no offense but I do NOT care about seeing what happened to you through your pov just let me know in the PRESENT
Also the instalust ALMOST lost me but this book was mainly flirty banter and sensual glances except for that one time but that's ok because it turned angsty
I have faith in the next books tho because I genuinely like the characters (LONG LIVE RYDER I HATE SNAKES BUT I'LL MAKE AN EXCEPTION FOR YOU BZZT BZZT BITCH) and Elise had my dream hair from 2015 (I didn't end up with lilac hair but I did have pastel pink hair so CLOSE ENOUGH)
And this book had some cool moments too and those kept me going but the cool moments and boring shit ratio is kinda ass in this I am sorry
This also had one of my fav moments ever in an academy setting like this with the shower scene... I was like I would love her forever if she did *THIS* instead of the usual route authors go through (this particular shower scene is popular in this genre and usually the authors have the MMCs save the fmc or some bullshit like that)
BUT NOT IN THIS!! Elise actually did what I hoped she would do and honestly I was impressed
I was BORED out of my mind. Every time I thought I'd made a dent & then I looked at the page count and it said that I had only read like 10 pages I wanted to set myself on fire
This book DRAGGED. I wish I could scream at them to hurry tf up. I wanted to cry everytime it switched to Gareth's flashback pov because no offense but I do NOT care about seeing what happened to you through your pov just let me know in the PRESENT
Also the instalust ALMOST lost me but this book was mainly flirty banter and sensual glances except for that one time but that's ok because it turned angsty
I have faith in the next books tho because I genuinely like the characters (LONG LIVE RYDER I HATE SNAKES BUT I'LL MAKE AN EXCEPTION FOR YOU BZZT BZZT BITCH) and Elise had my dream hair from 2015 (I didn't end up with lilac hair but I did have pastel pink hair so CLOSE ENOUGH)
And this book had some cool moments too and those kept me going but the cool moments and boring shit ratio is kinda ass in this I am sorry
This also had one of my fav moments ever in an academy setting like this with the shower scene... I was like I would love her forever if she did *THIS* instead of the usual route authors go through (this particular shower scene is popular in this genre and usually the authors have the MMCs save the fmc or some bullshit like that)
BUT NOT IN THIS!! Elise actually did what I hoped she would do and honestly I was impressed
February 19, 2023
Considering that I was going into this book with super high expectations as Zodiac Academy is one of my favourite series, this was such a good read ! And a super fun one as well !
Just like ZA, these books seem to be filled with drugs and I simply cannot get enough.
I was also scared that this book was going to be a copy and paste of ZA but it wasn't! The murder mystery part of it was amazing and I don't usually like reverse harems but damn these boys change everything!
I think my favourite for this first book is Gabriel but I'm completely biased because of ZA ( and also because je is the biggest sweetheart in this book )
Read it in a day, adored it, already addicted to this series.
Just like ZA, these books seem to be filled with drugs and I simply cannot get enough.
I was also scared that this book was going to be a copy and paste of ZA but it wasn't! The murder mystery part of it was amazing and I don't usually like reverse harems but damn these boys change everything!
I think my favourite for this first book is Gabriel but I'm completely biased because of ZA ( and also because je is the biggest sweetheart in this book )
Read it in a day, adored it, already addicted to this series.
October 26, 2019
A Zodiac Academy Spin off series! Book 1 releases Friday 25th October - Pre-order now!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z91XV2X
A reverse harem bully romance with all the magic of Zodiac Academy at an even darker school...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z91XV2X
A reverse harem bully romance with all the magic of Zodiac Academy at an even darker school...
December 10, 2023
4.5/5 ⭐️
Amazing. I was so invested in this book that I didn’t even stop to write my thoughts down as I went for this review. I was instantly hooked and loved every second of this. I love all the characters and the storyline itself. I can’t wait to see where it leads. I had no trouble at all understanding this world and how the powers work, probably because I read zodiac academy first. I cannot wait to start book 2 and see where the story goes.
Amazing. I was so invested in this book that I didn’t even stop to write my thoughts down as I went for this review. I was instantly hooked and loved every second of this. I love all the characters and the storyline itself. I can’t wait to see where it leads. I had no trouble at all understanding this world and how the powers work, probably because I read zodiac academy first. I cannot wait to start book 2 and see where the story goes.
October 5, 2024
3.5 stars
I read this after ZA #3 and totally understand why people recommend to read the first 3 Zodiac books before starting this series. The worldbuilding in ZA really prepared me well, so I was able to immediately slip into the world of Aurora Academy.
Our FMC Elise really is that bitch, the way she's keeping all FOUR of these men on their toes is iconic. I also love her dark, bloodthirsty, revenge side. Reading from everyone's different POV's is also real fun. Gabriel however, has sneakily been climbing to top spot when it comes to the male characters and I'm not even surprised.
The ending had me immediately grabbing the second book to figure out what the hell is going on at that Academy. I've also never read a reverse harem before, but I'm liking the way this is playing out.
I read this after ZA #3 and totally understand why people recommend to read the first 3 Zodiac books before starting this series. The worldbuilding in ZA really prepared me well, so I was able to immediately slip into the world of Aurora Academy.
Our FMC Elise really is that bitch, the way she's keeping all FOUR of these men on their toes is iconic. I also love her dark, bloodthirsty, revenge side. Reading from everyone's different POV's is also real fun. Gabriel however, has sneakily been climbing to top spot when it comes to the male characters and I'm not even surprised.
The ending had me immediately grabbing the second book to figure out what the hell is going on at that Academy. I've also never read a reverse harem before, but I'm liking the way this is playing out.
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