Ruthless Fae [Dramatized Adaptation]

Zodiac Academy [Dramatized Adaptation] #2

by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti, Khaya Fraites (Narrator)

They tried to break us.
They almost did.
But we're not going anywhere.

The Celestial Heirs think the stars are on their side. But they don't know what's coming. We have to be smart. Fighting them one on one isn't an option so we have to be stealthy. Remaining under the radar won't be easy, but if we pull it off, they'll never suspect our involvement when their lives start falling apart.

Besides, they've already taken us to the brink of hell, what more can they really do?

Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!

Performed by Khaya Fraites, Jessica Schly, Gregory Linington, Julian Dailey, Ryan Dalusung, Jon Vertullo, Gabriel Michael, Daniel Llaca, Michael Glenn, Karenna Foley, Lydia Kraniotis, Nora Achrati, James Konicek, Lise Bruneau, Kelly Baskin, Stephanie Németh-Parker, Ian Russell, Kit Swann, Terence Aselford, Laura C. Harris, Shravan Amin, Michael John Casey, Tyler Hyrchuk, Crystal Lee, Ken Jackson, Yasmin Tuazon, Christopher Williams, Nanette Savard, Jeri J. Marshall, Kaylee Eluvian, Richard Rohan, Dawn Ursula, Eric Messner, Bradley Foster Smith, Amanda Forstrom, Colleen Delaney, Matthew Bassett, and Christopher Walker.

Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy, Vampires, Romantasy, Romance, Magic, Fae

13 pages, Audiobook

Published November 5, 2024

About the author

I'm a #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Zodiac Academy series. I write all things dark romance, from fantasy to contemporary, high school bully to mafia, there's bound to be a book for you!

Me and my sister Susanne Valenti now write books together and we've built the most amazing, fun, crazy reader group on Facebook which we would LOVE you to join. Be the first to get teasers of upcoming books, plus interact with us daily, asks us questions, make friends with other book junkies and find your reader home.

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For more information, special editions, signed books and more, check out my website here >>

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Reviews

[Maja | MajaicalReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 ⭐️)

God damn, that one scene with Seth’s pack with the Graphic Audio was something else 😳😳

[Dayna | daynas.bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

the vibes were immaculate 😩

thank you julian dailey for giving us the darius voice we asked for in this one 🫶🏼

[Myra · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the dramatization, and the story is becoming quite interesting, can't lie 😬 the great variety of characters contributes to the overall impression, and I will be continuing the series 100%

[alinamariesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

book 2 of Zodiac Academy is still not my favourite.

but the graphic audio version is soo damn amazing that I can't give it anything else but 5 stars.

that's it. onto the next.

[Madyfay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this series!! I think about it all the time all I wanna do is listen to it!!!

I love that Tory and Darcy went from “yeah we’re gonna leave.” to “let’s show these fuckers what we’re made of.” So badass and the way they got those dickheads back was incredible I was literally cackling in the car at what they put them through. Perfection!! And the fact that we’re getting all the guys POV is so good

Shout out to my man Lance oh my god he’s so broody and mean and hot I love him. I really like the whole hunting situation that Tori and Caleb got going on too and how Darius is so damn jealous. I know they’re huge fucking dickheads but I’m not opposed to the girls getting what they need from them.

Honestly loving every moment of this series

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graphic audios are my favorite!!!

Here’s my review for the book https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars ✨
The dramatised adaptations of these are so fun! I had some gardening to do again so it was time for the second one of these and i think it secured my interest much better than the first did. The twins are definitely less annoying in this one and i like that theyre starting to settle into some more of their fae characteristics. I also loved getting the POV’s from the boys in this one - it definitely added a much needed extra layer to the bullying they’ve been heaping on the twins and helped me to understand the world building. Cant wait to find out what order the twins are.

[Theughost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I am absolutely hooked on this series. I am eating it up and I can’t stop. It’s amazing, the narrators are great and the story, the plot, everything I LOVE IT!! 5/5⭐️ and I’d say 🌶️🌶️.5-🌶️🌶️🌶️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ in spice.

The twins deciding to pack their bags and leave form a plan. They just need to do one last thing before leaving Zoriac forever, or? After a meeting with Orion their plans change because they realise this is their home too and they’re not giving it up. But twists and turns test their claim and their refusal to the throne. Only is that really what they want? And as the nymphs grow closer and more dangerous they realise one thing, danger is far from over at Zodiac.

I absolutely loved every second of this book and there was no part I felt was slow or bad and the sprinkle ✨ of spice in it helped a lot. I’m not one to say no to spice. The tension is definitely there and I love seeing the twins growing more into themselves and not get pushed around as much by the heirs. I can’t wait to see where this story goes next!

[jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

relectura 2025: 4⭐️

Me ha gustado igual que la primera vez. Enserio, soy muy feliz leyendo estos libros.
La cantidad de cosas bluelance que he marcado nuevas que no marqué en la primera lectura...que se note que soy una mujer desesperada. También he notado muchísimas cosas en relación a tory/darius que estaban right there!! desde el principio

Es sencillamente maravilloso. Ahora si, ha llegado mi momento más esperado 😙🫡

[❦PoisonApple❦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series deserves so many more than 5 stars! It is awesome 🔥

[Alicia Garber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so happy they came out with dramatized audios of these books. I can’t wait to get to the further ones for some of the scenes. 😂

[Sara Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 3rd re-“read”. The graphic audio is incredible!!!! I’m obsessed!

[Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working my way through the graphic audios for my reread and they are so much fun. Some of the voices I do prefer in the original but I’m enjoying most of the added effects as an extra bit added to the story. Stuff really starts to get good in this one and things finally are starting to heat but between my loves Lance and Darcy. Can’t wait to finish my reread and be in the perfect mood for the new book!

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprised on this one! I was expecting the trope to end differently and I am also wondering why the Twins made that decision towards the end. Guess I’ll have to keep reading to find out! Ps, wtf is up with the teachers at this school? I loved the dinner party portion, it was fun to be out of the school for a while.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

the pool scene was everything I needed and MORE. God talk about the emotional breakdown I went through listening to Lance and Blue first kiss. The Pegasus kink moments, the fleas, the rashes. it's amazing I love this universe so much.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5? Struggled to rate this one because there are some really problematic behaviours and tropes that I don’t really like but on the other hand I was generally having a good time and vibes are important 😵‍💫

[Makenzie Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s nothing I do better than revenge 😈

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this series.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread!! Having the best time listening to the dramatised audios with my boyfriend🥺🫶🏼

[Lauren Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you graphic audio for reminding me how funny and addicting this series is 🩷

[Vera Little Feather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm starting to enjoy this series more and more

[Ssayaxx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than the first one. It was a bit fun, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it. I will read the next one instead of listening to it ( For now I'm #TeamOrion)

[Angela Gillam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, it’s getting better, I hate Seth and max the most currently so I’m assuming this will change the more I read. Excited to keep going 😅

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell! What a ride! This series has me reeled in. Second book better than the first one. I’m not into bullying so the first was hard to get through and yet they still do but now the girls are fighting back so I’m digging it!! Can’t wait to read the rest!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 was even better! I love that Tory and Darcy are starting to take no shit from the heirs and harnessing their magic more.

[Care · Rating 4 out of 5]

More a 3.75

[Lucie V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

✅✅ “What happens at the bottom of the pool stays at the bottom of the pool”
✅ Multiple POVs
✅ Characters
✅ World-building
✅ Pace
✅ Some sexual tension and sexy moments
✅🆗 Plot
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: bullying and child abuse

3.5 stars


I liked this book more than the first one because the mean-girl drama was toned down. There was still bullying, but it remained mostly between the Heirs and the twins, and less between the jealous girlfriends and the twins. The main reason I don’t read series with school/academic settings is because of the stupid mean-girl drama so I was relieved to see that it was not as bad in this book. That being said, life is still not easy for the twins, but at least they started fighting back more aggressively, which was highly satisfying. They had a spine in the first book, but I love how they decided to get their revenge in this book, and make life as annoying as possible for the Heirs.

Plot-wise though, not much was happening besides the daily bullying until the last 10% of the book, which was very action-packed and intense. With that ending, I feel that the political aspect will take more room in the next book. At least that,s what I hope because while I am enjoying the Heirs/twins interactions so far, and this series is weirdly addictive even though the plot is not the best, I can’t see myself reading 9 books only about bullying and getting revenge. I will need something more substantial and more complex to remain interested.

Everyone knows, karma’s a bitch. And today her name was Tory Vega.

Tory and Darcy upped their badass level in this book, and it was AWESOME. They are so resilient and strong, it is admirable really. I love them both a lot as main characters, and there is room for a lot more growth when it comes to their powers, so I am ready for them to become even more badass in the future. I also like how they are getting closer to Geraldine, and how Geraldine is slightly less annoying in this book, but still remains intense in her own refreshing and cute way.

“Iron is made stronger in the hottest part of the fire, Seth. You didn't break me, you forged me.”

Darcy and Tory are being clever about their revenge, which is why I enjoy it so much. It is subtle enough that the Heirs have no idea that they are being targeted, or they have no idea who is behind the pranks/attacks. Their ideas to get their revenge are funny, original, and very entertaining, and I really loved that new spark in them. Their crazy plan also made me smile or laugh many times, which is always good when reading a book.

Caleb Altair 🧛🌱🔥
Caleb started off really well for me because he was actually feeling almost guilty about what the Heirs did to Tory at the end of the first book, but besides being pissed at the Heirs and feeding off them for a while, he didn’t do shit, so he ended up being a little disappointing… I was hoping for some growth, but at least there is potential, there is a little kindness in him, now it’s just a matter of time before it starts to grow I imagine… That being said, he was still nicer to the twins than the other Heirs, and there was some delicious sexual tension between Tory and him, so I like him for that.

Seth Capella 🐺💨🌱
Seth remains a wild card… He and his pack weirded me out a little bit with their casual orgies, but besides that, I just never know how he will react. In the first book, he proved to be vicious and cruel, pretending to be nice and sweet in order to hurt Darcy even more, but in this book, we can see how he’s starting to get stuck in his own game, but it just frustrates him even more, making him more determined to ruin the twins, even if it might hurt him to do so. The situation is becoming more complex when it comes to him, but honestly, I am enjoying the hurt it’s causing him. 😈

Max Rigel 🧜🏽‍♂️💧💨
Honestly, I found him as annoying and obnoxious as in the first book, there was not much change in his character, and I didn’t warm up to him at all. I honestly do not have anything else to say about him. He annoys me and I don’t like him.

“Do you hate me, then?” he asked quietly and for some strange reason it sounded like the idea of that didn’t sit well with him.
“No,” I said and a glimmer of relief spilled through his eyes. “To hate you, I’d have to care about you. And I don’t give one shit about you,” I said coldly.

Darius Acrux 🐉🔥💧
While he kept his bored and cruel façade for most of the book, we discovered a lot about Darius in this sequel. He gained more depth and is more complex than I initially thought. He doesn’t want to be a mean bully because it means being like his father, but he will happily do it if it means protecting his younger brother from their father’s ire. I also sensed some sexual tension between Tory and him, and while I liked Tory and Caleb’s hot scenes, I would love Tory and Darius together even more. There is potential for a great hate-to-love here, and I am really hoping it will happen eventually.

“Shut the fuck up!” Orion shouted. “I'm trying to concentrate here.”
"Watching porn again, sir?" Seth shot at him with a smirk.
"Yeah, your mom's really improved since the last edition," he answered without missing a beat and Seth's face dropped into a scowl as a laugh tore from my throat.

Lance Orion 🧛💨💧
OMG, I really loved Orion’s dry humor and sarcasm in this book. He gives no shit about his job and his students, but I am highly entertained by it. I think the teacher in me is fantasizing about what it would be like to be allowed to do or say anything I wanted to my students.
Now, about the OBVIOUS attraction and sexual tension between Darcy and him… Please tell me that it’s all going somewhere?! Because I would be highly disappointed if they didn’t end up together before the end of the series… My sweet, doomed, and forbidden lovers. I am rooting for them even though there are MANY obstacles in their way.

“Well I hear the King was a bit of a whack job,” I said mildly. “So perhaps it’s better not to live by the way he did things. But if you like the idea of addressing us by those names then why don’t I just call you Barry and we’ll see how you like it?”

Meeting the Celestial council again was interesting, but probably not as “shocking” as it should have been since I met them already in the Ruthless Boys series… I already knew how much of an ass Lionel was, and even though he was only there for a few chapters in this book, I am already fed up with him and I can’t wait for the Heirs and the twins to be rid of him once and for all… But of course, I am expecting him to remain for a while since he’s the main opposition to the twins and the big motivator behind the bullying.

“Are you saying you want to try for your claim after all?” Seth asked, his tone laced with surprise.
“It’s not our claim,” I countered darkly.
“It’s our birthright,” Darcy finished.
“Alright then,” Darius said darkly. “If you want it then you’ll have to fight for it.”
“And crawl up out of the gutter to claim it,” Max added.
“Then strive to keep it every, single, day,” Caleb growled.
“So you’d better be ready,” Seth hissed.

Oh, I am ready! But somebody recommended that I read book 1.5, which is book one from the Heir’s POV before continuing with book 3, so I will be doing that, but I can’t wait to start book 3 and see what will happen at the Reckoning.


0.5 Origins of an Academy Bully ⭐⭐⭐
1. The Awakening [Dramatized Adaptation] ⭐⭐⭐
1.5 The Awakening as Told by the Boys ⭐⭐

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[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Review: Key Points Without Spoilers

The first thing you want to know, as per the title, this is a Dramatized audiobook. Please read the end of this review for an explanation into Single, Dual, Duet, Full and Dramatized narration explanations.

✨ Overall Opinion: A captivating and emotionally charged dark romance series with an engaging story and strong character development. The slow-burn romance, evolving dynamics, and emotionally impactful moments keep you hooked. With its mix of dark, romance and compelling tropes, this series is worth diving into. If you’re comfortable with the trigger warnings and enjoy rooting for characters to rise and find redemption/revenge, this is a journey you won’t want to miss!

✨Completed book series
✨Tropes: Dark Bully, M/F, Enemies to Lovers, Slow-Burn, Paranormal, Fantasy, Steamy, Romance
✨Spice: Increases throughout the series and isn’t fade to black
✨Trigger Warnings
✨BE WARNED: Graphic Audio have not completed this series. If you start on GA you will then have to wait to progress, switch to reading or switch to audibles completed Dual narrations.

✨Story: I’m writing this review while currently on book 3, and I have to say, the further I get into the series, the more captivated I become. I’m fully rooting for the twins to get some well-deserved wins and payback, while also uncovering the guys’ perspectives and the reasons behind their actions. All I can say is, I’m here for the payback and the eventual groveling! If you’re comfortable with the TW’s, stick with it—this story is worth the ride so far!

✨Trigger Warnings: While I personally have no triggers, you might, so I recommend checking them out before diving in. As a dark romance fan, I found the content relatively tame; HOWEVER, the emotional impact of this story hit me hard. Thinking about what the twins endure at the hands of the MMC's left me feeling emotionally crushed at times. It really makes you question: what’s worse—physical pain or emotional pain?

✨Dramatized: These audiobooks tend to divide opinions—you either love them or hate them. For every person who enjoys the sound effects and music, there’s someone who feels these elements interrupt the story. It’s all down to personal preference. Personally, what I love most is that every character has their own voice actor, bringing the story to life in a way that mirrors how I imagine it when reading. This is why I can only listen to Duet, Full Cast, or Dramatized audiobooks. While the sound effects or music can occasionally feel cringey, the overall experience is incredibly fun and immersive in this book.

✨Performance: I really enjoyed some of the voice actors, though it took me a bit longer to warm up to others. If I could, I’d probably switch out a few of the male narrators. That said, as an avid reader, I know it’s nearly impossible for an audiobook to perfectly match the characters I’ve imagined in my head, from their appearance to their voice. It wouldn’t be fair—or realistic—to lower my review based on a mismatch with my personal expectations. What truly matters is the quality of the performance, which was solid overall. My only critique is that it was sometimes hard to tell whether I was in Tory’s or Darcy’s POV, as the female narrators had similar tones, and the audiobook didn’t always make that distinction clear.

📚Main Story:
ZA 1: The Awakening
ZA 2: Ruthless Fae
ZA 3: The Reckoning
ZA 4: Shadow Princess
ZA 5: Cursed Fates
ZA 6: Fated Throne
ZA 7: Heartless Sky
ZA 8: Sorrow and Starlight
ZA 9: Restless Stars

📚Novellas:
ZA 0.5: Origins of an Academy Bully
ZA 5.5: The Big A.S.S. Party

📚Companion Books:
ZA 1.5: The Awakening as Told by the Boys
ZA 8.5: Beyond the Veil
ZA: Live and Let Lionel

🎧 Narration Explanations 🎧:

❌ Single Narration: One narrator voices the entire audiobook, performing all characters and narration.

❌ Dual Narration: Two narrators share the storytelling, often alternating chapters or sections, with each performing all the dialogue and action for their assigned parts. For example, in a chapter from Tory’s POV, her narrator voices not only Tory’s thoughts and narration but also Darius’s dialogue. Similarly, in a chapter from Darius’s POV, his narrator handles all the narration and dialogue, including Tory’s lines.

✅ Duet Narration: Two narrators perform together throughout the audiobook, each consistently voicing specific characters during both dialogue and narration. For example, in a chapter from Aly’s POV, her narrator will handle the narration, but if Josh is speaking to Aly, then Josh’s narrator will voice all of Josh’s spoken dialogue and vice versa.

✅ Full Cast Narration: A group of narrators performs the audiobook, with each actor voicing a specific character. Sometimes voicing multiple characters, but when done well, each voice is distinct enough for the listener to easily differentiate between them.

✅ Dramatized Narration: The audiobook includes voice actors for each character, sound effects, and music, resembling a radio play or audio drama for an immersive experience. Due to the inclusion of these elements, dramatised versions often condense or adapt the original text, resulting in shorter runtime compared to standard audiobooks.

[caffeine reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I loved it.
I actually prefer this to the standard audio the narration and cast are so much better.
I’m not a huge fan of the husband and wife duo that done the standard audio and really struggled to listen because of them.
But this was just soooo good.

I love the story of the twins and their growth in this book and also the side characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Mariah Greeno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I say this book is my favorite. It keeps you guessing