Shadow Princess (Part 1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]

Zodiac Academy [Dramatized Adaptation] #4, Part 1

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

The shadows are in my blood.

I can feel them crawling through me, slithering under my skin and taking me hostage. But the darkness within me isn't nearly as bad as the darkness that lives around me.

The four Celestial Heirs will stop at nothing to destroy the lives of me and my sister. But they haven't figured out yet, that we're the strongest creatures they've ever known.

And when that secret comes out, we need to be ready to face them as well as any other cruel Fae who rises against us.

It’s us or them. And it damn well won’t be us.

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

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

9 pages, Audiobook

Published May 27, 2025

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 all business inquiries please contact us at>>

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

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Reviews

[Ashley G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fear I am starting to like these. it's all ridiculous and yet I need to know what happens next

[Nikita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok well I officially hate Seth.

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

shot through the heart and I’ll come back again and again 😭

[Fahmida · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly it's my fault. I hated these adaptations from the very first book and already ranted about it but kept going in hopes that maybe I might get used to the horrible casting but NO. This was so not worth it. And frankly, I think these audiobooks are affecting my love for the actual series so I'm just gonna stop right here, right now and wave goodbye.

This series holds a special place in my heart and I don't want something as horrible as this to ruin it for me. The casting went severely wrong and I can't emphasise this enough.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

Add in graphic audios and I'm hooked!
I'm so glad this series is being done in a dramatized version, because it's so addicting!

This continues from where book 3 left off.
We see tension.
We see drama.
And we need to cover innocent ears when listening to this one lol

Here's my review for the book.

[♡karabear♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LITERALLY CANNOT WITH THE HEIRS!! like what are we doing ?! like im running back and forth like what are we gonna do?! what's gonna happen to darcy and orion bc of stupid Seth like I will forever hate him!! and then caleb is literally dry as a desert like what did yall do to my boy and don't even get me started on Max and Geraldine secretly I want them together and why am I LIKING DARIUS???? HELP!!

rtc when I can wrap my head around all this craziness 🤯

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inväntar tålmodigt sista delen kan känna i hela kroppen hur allt kommer bli KAOS när som älskar det

[Wzr013 · Rating 4 out of 5]

its actually getting good now. kinda

[Maï · Rating 5 out of 5]

PAIN

now i remember the way i hated Seth with all my being and i know there’s more to come in part 2 but damn, the rage is so intense, i hate it here 😭

Darius talking about addiction and the problem of not having any chance to choose one, they befall us:

“So what?” I snapped.
“So I won’t let you ignore me, Roxy,” he snarled. “I’ll have your attention even if I have to take it without your permission.”
“Why?” I demanded. “Why not just go after someone else?”
“Because we don’t get to choose our obsessions. And you’re mine.”
hardest line in the whole book period


also,
"So if she wanted us to hate each other then I’d just have to play my part in it. Because I couldn’t keep away from her, that much was becoming abundantly clear. So I’d just have to keep being her villain."

Darcy and Orion have my heart, they’re so hot and i love them. the secrecy games they have in class?? jail me cause i think its so hot and insanely intimate 😮‍💨
like, good for you guys, get it tigers 🥹👍
book 2 we get « Blue » and now book 3, we get « Rose quarts »
ugh, Orion 😩

about the audiobook, i found in this one the same humour i felt when i read the ebooks. somehow it was more difficult for me to find it back in book 1 to 3, although i rmb book 3 being my favorite and one of the funniest alongside book 4, but here?? oh Washer, you’re despicably one of the funniest character 😭
i hate that i can’t wish to never see him again 😭😭😭

anyway, can’t wait to start listening to part 2. i’m sooooo excited . i know a sort of cave or hot spring is coming :3
👀🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️

i could never not recommend this series, everyone should at least have the dramatized audiobooks to just relax and have a fun moment to decompress 🙂‍↕️
(well, now that i say that… book 5 is angsty af, no relaxing 😕) ((but that’s beside the point))

ENJOY !!! 💜

[Charley Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ate part 1 up I’m not going to lie! I don’t know if I would like this series as much as I do if it wasn’t graphic audio. This book has probably been the funniest out of all of them which I appreciate. Obviously it’s not a comedy book but I love humor that is sprinkled about in this series. It definitely helps the “boring” parts be a lot less boring. I’m loving everything about Lance and Darcy, can see why everyone is complaining about Tori (but more so in part 2), I’m really confused why Darius keeps thinking that being an ass will get him Tori even after he does maybe one tiny nice thing for her and then just gives up after it doesn’t work. Like no shit you’ve made her life a living hell it’s gonna take more than that but also agree Tori is also being an ass and not giving him a chance to show who he really is.

[Mandy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure what rating to give this book, I guess it’s only the first half of the book since it’s graphic audio and split in 2 so hopefully it gets better. Still kept my attention and thats hard to do and I finished it quickly, but there wasn’t a lot that was super exciting or that drew the book in a new direction. Same push and pull with Darius and Caleb. Still bullying each other. We’ll see.

Very good production though!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic Plot: Post-Reckoning, Tori and Darcy continue to learn magic, deal with the Heirs, and try to love their lives.

Boy, are the heirs written as utter douche-canoes. I know this is technically only book 4, so there's quite a ways to go yet, but some of these characters seem just downright unredeemable. Yeesh. I continue to enjoy the ride, though, so I look forward to the next.

[liitura · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/5 ⭐️

OMG! This book it really broke my heart. I’m so devastated for Tory and Darius. My heart is crying… This was so emonational rollercoaster I couldn’t bare it most of the times.

[Robin (DocRobReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25🌟

[Calley Clover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one made me actually shed tears.

[Sarah Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Theughost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like there isn’t a book in this series that’s bad. At least so far, I love every twist and turn and it has me in a complete chokehold. 5/5⭐️ and I’d say spice is a 🌶️🌶️🌶️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.

The twins having successfully made it into Zodiac Academy and now officially seen as Fae now have a new problem. Their newfound Phoenix 🐦‍🔥forms haven’t been sen for over a thousand years and if anyone were to find out they’d be killed before they can take the throne. And with relationships both growing and breaking they have to find new paths towards their goal. A goal with darkness swirling at every turn threatening to pull them under. And a certain teacher now held under the power of a student who knows about his and Darcy’s secret meetings outside class hours. Will they make it through it this time or will the heirs succeed in their mission to make sure the twins won’t claim the throne?

This story, the characters, everything just omg I love it! I can’t get enough of this book series and I know I won’t be able to stop. So if you’ve made it this far, hi! 👋 hope you like what you’ve read so far because I sure did! And wow you’re in for a turn in this one. But I can’t wait to see where it takes us!

[Tosiomania · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,8⭐️

~~~

Bro I love this shit.
I want-
need
-more of Lance and Darcy.
I loooooove them.
Adore them.
My favourite relationship ever.
Ever forever.
Ever!

~~~

I to jest takie czasami smutneee.
Nawet bez śmierci.
Po prostu suuuuper.
Nie wiem czy to przez audiobooka i wszystkich aktorów, ale przy każdej sytuacji, w której jedna z bohaterek płacze czy nawet nie powoduje, że też płaczę.
Broooo.

Albo gniew.
Kurde to to czuję całą duszą.
Wyrwałabym kręgosłupy of the heirs.
Fucking torure them, rinse their fucking wounds with salt, torture those motherfuckers again, just to sever their heads from their bodies.
And I would leave Darius as the last dessert, beacuse that piece of shit is the most confusingly, infuriating.
I could be in one moment like: "awww" just to be in the next minute: "THAT MOTHERFUCKING DOUCHEBAG".
Bro, just decide because I need to know whether to hate you or not.
But I gotta admit that this misery is amazing.

~~~

I te audiobooki są takie dobreeee.
Smutno mi, że inne książki nie są jeszcze zrobione.
;(
I need more.
But I also need sleep.
Ehh

~~~

Ahh
Już mnie się podoba, że nie jest to krótka seria.
A bardzooii długa.
Nie mogę sie doczekać.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zodiac Academy will remain my favorite series forever, and the Graphic Audio is improving (the sound effects and music were actually fitting this time), but I still struggle with the casting.

This time, my new issue is with the voice for Gabriel. His voice sounds too nasally and more like a villain than someone who ends up having a major role in the series.

I maintain that Lionel sounds too much like Orion, and I don’t like the voice for either character.

Geraldine still sounds too butch.

And I will never be able to tolerate Gabriel Michael, who is in every Graphic Audio production known to man. I didn’t even hate him as much as I usually do here, which says more about how much I disliked the rest of the cast than about any feelings changing toward him.

On the plus side, Tory and Darcy’s voice actors are great. But can we please have a powwow to collectively decide how everyone will pronounce Xavier? Thanks.

[Kylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is the series kinda cheesy? Yes.
Am I completely hooked and totally invested in the characters HORRIBLE decision making skills? Also, yes.

What I like so far:
• The magic, the world, and entire premise overall
• GERALDINE!!! She's hilarious and I am here for her giving Max a headache cause he is easily my least favorite heir!
• The spice is 👌👌 and Professor Orion is 🤤🤤

What I don't like so far:
• That we're dealing with some pretty intense bullying and public shaming across the board and everyone is just like whatevs because that is how the world works and dominance/power is asserted..

I love love love Darius and Orion!! Caleb has grown on me and makes me laugh. Seth is whiny and occasionally gets on my nerves. And I haaaaaate Max Rigel. He deserves everything Geraldine is throwing his way.

[Jurnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun for me to come back to the sisters! Since I read the Vicious Boys of the Zodiac series before this one, as was the suggested reading order I saw the most, I can say that I HIGHLY enjoyed seeing characters and mentions of things from that series. I can confirm, reading that series before this book is the right way.

All of the drama was wild, and it feels like things are really coming to a head now. The good romance is really great, while the hints from other characters… kinda suck. I’m keeping an open mind, but right now the only guy I support is Orion. I can’t wait for the twins to really give them all hell and I hope that comes in part two.

Geraldine was a RIOT for this entire listen and I adore her! Hilarious! She is my favorite side character for forever now.

[Nene Parsotam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oof. I hope this gets better as this has been my least fave one so far. Darius’ self sabotaging and repetitive behaviour has gotten eye rolling boring, Tory is being a constant d!ck and Darcy has made the almost unforgivable mistake of choosing to protect a man over the close relationship she has with her sister. The character development isn’t slow it’s actually in reverse and using holidays like Halloween to justify quite frankly stupid and immature decision-making.
Sad, but I think this is the book that breaks the spell of this series for me. Hopefully part 2 redeems it.

The audio production is still fire tho.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Paranormal Romantasy
Format(s): Audiobook (Graphic Audio)
Rating: 6/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❄️🗡️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Review: OMG. I absolutely INHALED this book and loved every emotionally exhilarating and devastating moment. I am just, lost for words. I was gasping, giggling, pondering the mysteries, blushing, and tearing my hair out in suspense. From meeting new characters and learning more about this world/existing familiar faces, to the fun Halloween vibes (part 1), winter wonderland setting, and of course the spice all culminating in one giant nail biting cliff hanger (part 2) have me just... shell shocked. I have to move on to the next one ASAP because right now I am NOT okay. So far, this is by far my FAVORITE of the ZA books. It has everything I could want and I am ready for more. 

Final Verdict: Read this... now. 

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sooooo confused when it started…. I thought I missed something from that last book. I do not remember anything about them going into the pit. I even went back and listened to the last two sections of the last book. Characters I swear they changed over time and the author Chanda some of their personalities… it was back to hating Darius… I hen liking him. It was the first book all over again… I don’t recommend this series to others but I’m now invested….

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everytime I find out graphic audio is going to come out with another zodiac academy I make sure to pre-order right away! I have been in a bit of a book slump but as soon as I started listening it inspired me to get back into reading and listening to books! They do such a great job of bringing this series to life with the large variety of characters and the voices for the main characters are perfect! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

[Chelsea Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ good/enjoyed reading but probably won’t read again

idk what to say. These books are like crack. The first book was meh, but they have just gotten better and better. I still don't know if I could get through the physical copies, but the Graphic Audio is so good. Orion and his voice actor are the best part of this series by far, and if at any moment they drop out of this series for some stupid reason, I will likely stop listening.

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Still live this book. 😂 Graphic audio is fabulous… except every time there is a moment of passion the grunts and gasps are ridiculous.
I also find Orion’s voice not quite right. I can’t express exactly what I’m not keen on but it took me quite a few listens to get used to it. The voice doesn’t seem to fit the character - his acting is fine, I think it’s just the casting. Everyone else sounds great.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book is better than the first three but still not as good as the Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac series. The characters are still hazing and bullying each other while the overarching goal of the series is becoming clearer. I can’t wait for the characters to hopefully unit under a common cause.

[Cee Os · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still feels like YA reading but with mature themes. The plot is finally starting to thicken a bit and certain relationships as well. I love Darcy and Orion’s relationship soo much and at first, I couldn’t stand Max but he’s growing on me. My least favorite is Seth. His character is just so annoying.

[maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

giving this an extra star for the graphic audio but otherwise this is a 2. it’s hard to root for characters when you have absolutely no respect for them lol. none of these protagonists are anything short of pathetic