Title: Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy #4)
Authors: Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
Publisher: Independent Publisher
Publication Dates: January 13, 2020
ISBN: 9798601223492
Synopsis:
After the events of the Lunar Eclipse, Tory and Darcy must learn to deal with the darkness which shadows their lives. With a secret binding them to Darius and Orion, they must find a way to all work together for the greater good. But some things are easier said than done…
The next book in the Zodiac Academy series has me absolutely HOOKED! This is a unique story in the number of perspectives we as readers get to experience and I’m here for it. Primarily centering around the Vega twins, the story explores the two sisters coming to terms with the aftermath of the Lunar Eclipse. Everything has changed and they must now try to understand who they are and to begin to master their powers.
The romances take it to the next level throughout this entire book. I’ve come to love most of the heirs (Seth excepted. Can’t see a redemption arc in site for this thorn in my side) as we begin to see their honest feelings emerge, and with it, their softer sides. It’s much easier to empathize with them and their stories–not that it excuses their terrible actions all along–but it becomes much easier to root for them to find redemption as we begin to see the fae beneath their masks.
Two top characters who are winning this book: Geraldine and Lance, without a doubt. Lance’s growth is profound in this story, and if he and Darcy don’t end of as elysian mates some way, somehow, I’ll be crushed. The reader gets to know him intimately–his past, his current friendships, his profound love for Darcy. Everything about him is heart-melting and he definitely wins MMC of the book. In contrast, Geraldine rises as one of the best comic relief characters
Tory takes a turn in this story that is a bit hard to stomach. I have loved Tory from the beginning. Her no-nonsense attitude, her unapologetic nature, and her killer attitude for fighting back has made her one of the most interesting FMCs in a romantasy series. Known for being the harder Vega twin, first one to put up resistance and having a tough-as-nails exterior, I found that she struggled uncharacteristically throughout this entire book. It’s almost as if the authors have lost sight of who she really is in this book, and I can only say that the reason might be to try and drive the plot in very specific ways, but IMO it does Tory a huge disservice. My two biggest critiques are, first, her inability to intuit that her sister, Darcy, would not keep secrets from her willingly, and then respond in anger rather than attempting to have any level of empathy; and second, her inability to drop her walls with Darius who is actively working to show her his remorse and his internal struggle. Tory walks through this story in willful ignorance, refusing to acknowledge that anyone outside of herself can have any level of motivation for their actions, even if their actions are not always the positive choice.
In contrast, Darcy really comes into her own with this story. While she struggles along the way, I’ve got to admit that girl’s got grit. Her love and desire to protect the person who may just be her one true love is admirable. She is one of the only characters in the book to be truly well-adjusted and to develop healthy and thriving relationships. She arguable grows the most out of any of the characters in this story and I can’t wait to see where she takes us in the subsequent book.
Now to wait for my next hold to come from Libby and I’ll be waiting eagerly to push through to the next book. Hopefully by the time you’re reading this, I’ll be well-entrenched in book 5.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 