BOOK REVIEW OF
Shadow Princess
Zodiac Academy (Book 4)
Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Reviewed by Ella Law (with Gemini & NotebookLM)
Published January 31, 2026
Table of Contents
Content Rating
CSR Rating: CSR-4 (Explicit & Dark Themes – Adult Readers Only)
Content Warnings (CW):🩸 Violence/Torture, 🚨 Sexual Assault/Coercion, 🧠 Mental Health, 💊 Addiction/Substance Abuse, ⚰️ Death & Grief
This book earns a CSR-4 rating due to the combination of sexual themes and dark, coercive situations. The text contains explicit content. Furthermore, the non-consensual drugging of the protagonists to manipulate their behavior and the forced torture of a minor character by a parent figure push this firmly into mature territory.
📖 Introduction & Why This Book Matters
Zodiac Academy: Shadow Princess delves deep into the friction between destiny and free will, exploring whether we are defined by the stars or by our choices. It transcends fantasy romance into a character study on the crushing weight of expectations. We see characters like Darius who feel forced to become villains because they believe redemption is out of reach. The emotional core of this book lies in the bond between the Vega sisters, Tory and Darcy, as they navigate a world that wants to break them. It matters because it dismantles the trope of the “perfect hero,” showing us instead broken individuals trying to find light—or fire—in the encroaching darkness. The story asks a pivotal question: can you trust someone who has hurt you, even if they are trying to save you?
✍️ Plot Summary
Tory and Darcy Vega are no longer just surviving the brutal halls of Zodiac Academy; they are awakening to their true potential. Revealed to be Phoenixes, the sisters possess a fire capable of burning all matter, a power that even the strongest dragons cannot withstand. But as their order forms rise, so do the shadows. Darcy battles to control a dark magic that threatens to consume her, seeking help from the unlikeliest of allies.
Tensions with the Heirs reach a boiling point. Darius Acrux, trapped by his father’s cruelty and his own mistakes, struggles to navigate his intense connection to Tory, while the Heirs launch calculated attacks to break the sisters’ spirits. Amidst the chaos of Nymph attacks and secret societies, the twins uncover ancient family visions suggesting that the fate of Solaria rests entirely on their ascension to the throne. With hidden enemies lurking in the shadows and forbidden romances igniting, the Vegas must decide if they can forgive the past to secure their future—or if they will burn it all down.
💡 Key Takeaways & Insights
1. We Become What Others Expect of Us The psychological toll of expectations is a major theme. Darius explicitly decides to live up to Tory’s expectations of him as a villain because he believes he has painted himself into a box where forgiveness is impossible. This highlights a tragic self-fulfilling prophecy: when we believe others only see the worst in us, we often stop trying to show them our best.
2. Trauma Shapes Our Capacity for Trust The contrast between the two sisters, Tory and Darcy, serves as a fascinating study on trauma responses. When discussing whether to trust Orion and Darius, Darcy argues that people can change and that the Heirs did everything they could to help them at the end of Book 3, whereas Tory maintains that wanting to help isn’t the same thing as helping. This demonstrates how grief and past betrayal can fundamentally alter one’s worldview, making trust a dangerous gamble rather than a comforting safety net.
3. Destiny Offers Potential, Not Guarantees The book introduces the concept of “Elysian Mates,” a fated bond that promises everlasting true love for the pair if accepted. However, the narrative subverts the typical “fated mates” trope by showing that destiny requires consent. The stars may call for a union, but personal pain and lack of trust can lead a character to reject that destiny, proving that free will remains the ultimate power.
4. The Shadows of the Past Are Literal and Figurative The “shadows” in the book represent both a magical threat and the lingering effects of hidden family history. From Darcy passing out due to shadow magic to the discovery of a “fifth coffin” in a vision (implying the Vega twins have a lost sibling), the past is constantly intruding on the present. The characters cannot move forward without physically and emotionally confronting the darkness of their lineage.
🤯 The Most Interesting or Unexpected Part
The most shocking twist occurs during the Christmas revelation regarding the Vega family’s past. Tory and Darcy view a vision from their deceased mother, which shows five coffins instead of the expected four (parents plus twins). This vision, combined with the image of their professor smuggling a small, dark-haired boy out of the castle, strongly implies the existence of a secret brother. This fundamentally changes the stakes of the series, suggesting the “four heirs” dynamic is built on a lie and that the Vega line has another survivor waiting in the wings.
🏛️ How This Book Applies to Real Life
While set in a fantasy world, Shadow Princess tackles the very real difficulty of forgiveness in toxic relationships. It forces the reader to ask: At what point is an apology too late? Can you love someone who has fundamentally disrespected you? It also addresses the struggle of hidden identities—specifically through the character of Orion, who must hide his nature and family secrets to survive in a hostile political environment.
Who should read Shadow Princess?
Readers who enjoy Enemies-to-Lovers tropes where the “enemies” phase has genuine, painful consequences.
Fans of Complex Magic Systems involving elemental powers and astrological lore.
People interested in Sisterhood Dynamics and how siblings navigate shared trauma differently.
📚 Final Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
This installment is a powerhouse of emotional development and lore expansion. The introduction of the Phoenix heritage and the heartbreaking rejection of the mate bond elevate the stakes significantly. The pacing is relentless, balancing “hilarious scenes” like the bagel committee with gut-wrenching moments of betrayal and torture, creating a deeply engaging reading experience.
🎯 Should you read it? Yes. If you have made it this far in the series, you cannot give up now. This book is the tipping point where the "bullies" become three-dimensional and the "victims" become powerhouses. However, be prepared for significant emotional turmoil; this installment refuses to offer easy resolutions to the romantic or political conflicts, with the main characters often choosing heartbreak over the difficult work of forgiveness and redemption.
🔥 Final Thought In a world where fire can burn all matter and shadows can swallow souls, the most dangerous thing remains a broken heart that refuses to heal.