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, Vampires, Romance, Magic, 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 more information, special editions, signed books and more, check out my website here >>

www.kingshollow.co.uk

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 🤯

[Madyfay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has my heart I love it so fucking much. The boys are so desperate for the girls attention and all so pathetically smitten in the best way!! I’m eating it alllll up this series is like crack I’m addicted!

Lance admitting to Darcy that he believes they’re mates ahhhhhhh yes gimmie all of them all the time please I love them so much. Lance is my #1 man in this series. So fucked that Seth caught them and is now using it to his advantage I hope Darcy fucking destroys him.

Darius and Tory are so hot and cold but I am loving their relationship turmoil and what they’re going through. They honestly are perfect for each other and Caleb is a sorry excuse for a fling. Kinda happy she kicked his ass to the curb. He’s gonna be pissed when Tory finally gets with Darius 😂

The scene at the club for Lances birthday was the funniest thing I’ve ever listened to. I was dying over how jealous Darius is of Knox (love him too btw)

Also Geraldine brushing off Max is hilarious he’s so pathetically pinning after her and she’s just like “meh you were just okay, I’m good.” Absolutely hilarious 😂 I died

[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 · 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.

[Rachel Kwiatkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Screaminggggg

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the dramatized versions on Audible.

[Sarah Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Lucie V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’d been born to rule over this kingdom and the strength of our father and love of our mother ran through our veins.

✅ Main characters (mostly Darcy in this one TBH)
✅ Sweet and awesome secondary characters
✅ Romance and sexual tension
✅ Smut 🔥🔥
✅ Multiple POVs
✅ World-building
✅ Pace and plot
✅ Villain that we hate
✅ Magic and faes
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: bullying and child abuse

4.5 stars

OMG
That ending was cruel.

“It was our Order,” Roxy said grimly. “Apparently our fire can burn right through bullshit.”

After the explosive ending of The Reckoning, I couldn’t wait to jump into this fourth book and see how Darcy and Tory would deal with the revelation of their order and their new shadow powers. The nymphs are still a threat to the Realm, and the Heirs are more determined than ever to get rid of the Vegas now that they know they could pose a real threat to “their” throne. Add to that the fact that the twins and Orion now believe that Clara is still alive but stuck in the shadow realm and they made it their mission to find a way to rescue her and let’s just say that poor Darcy and Tory didn’t have time to catch their breath.

The plot is good, and for a 700 pages book, the pace is surprisingly good and steady throughout the book. Even when nothing really important was happening, I was compelled to continue reading, simply because I needed to know more, and I needed to know what would happen to the twins and their love or potential love interests.

“Because we’re the same you and me. Both fucked up, broken pieces on a game board that’s bigger than we can cope with. Both hoping to find some way of winning despite the odds being stacked against us all the damn time. Both addicted to things that push our boundaries and make us feel alive. Because at the end of the day, even feeling the worst of things is better than feeling nothing at all.”

Tory Vega 🦜💧🌱💨🔥 & Darius Acrux 🐉🔥💧
Tory and Darius’ relationship continues to be a great mix of hate, anger, and sexual tension, and it reaches new heights in this book. It was so intense at times, and I loooooooooved it! The ending though? It killed me a little bit. While I fully understand Tory’s reasoning, I wanted to slap her repeatedly because I feel that most of her decision comes from a logical place, but a part of it also comes from her tendency to sabotage herself and that annoys me. She kept pushing people away in this book and she was her own enemy. On the other hand, this will definitely add some angst between her and Darius in the next book (who am I kidding, A LOT OF ANGST), and the angst-lover in me is very excited about that. Darius showed that he was not 100% an asshole, and while he was super mean to the twins, I believe he deserves much better than his life right now.

“You made the last few months the happiest of my life, Darcy Vega. I’m sorry for being an asshole when we first met – biggest regret of my life.”

Darcy Vega 🦜💧🌱💨🔥 & Lance Orion 🧛💨💧
While Tory annoyed me, I fell even more in love with Darcy. She was so strong and grew a lot in the book’s second half. She was pushed to her limits, always fought back, and found a way to remain strong. I am not saying that Tory wasn’t strong here, but from the start, Tory has been the one who was louder and who was standing up more often for her sister and herself, so it was nice to see that Darcy also has that fire and that determination in her when she is pushed. Also, her relationship with Lance is adorable. I really like them together, and while I know they have a hard road in front of them, I also know that they will end up being okay because there is no way these two don’t end up together with a HEA right? RIIIIIIIGHT???????

“I don’t have a better answer than that right now, it’s just speculation. But I’ll look into it.”
“In your little book of black magic?” Tory taunted and he pursed his lips.
“Yeah I keep it with my Ouija board and voodoo dolls,” Orion deadpanned.


“Keep going!” Orion called to the pitch. “I’ll be back with a pissed off Vega Twin in thirty seconds.”
He disappeared with a flash of his Vampire speed and I bit down on my lip to hold back a laugh as he raced out of the stadium. Tory was not gonna appreciate that.
(...)
A huge crash sounded, followed by the sound of splintering wood and I screamed as my eyes snapped open and my door was blasted right off of its hinges. I scrambled upright, throwing a shield of air up around me in a panic just as a blur shot into my room.
“You’re late for cheer practice, Miss Vega!” Orion boomed, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he looked down at me.
“What the fuck?” I gasped as I scrambled upright and yanked my headphones off. “Are you insane?”
“It has been suggested before,” he agreed with a dark laugh.

Also, Orion starting to warm up to Tory is cute. I desperately want them to become friends, which might be hard for now since Lance is still being an asshole to every student except Darcy and Darius, but we'll get there someday. I NEED them to become friends. Tory would benefit from having another true and reliable friend, and Lance needs more friends too.

We all started laughing just as a flash of movement caught the corner of my eye. A pineapple hit Seth square in the face and knocked him flying off of his seat with a curse. Darius got up and offered him a hand as laughter rang out around the room.
“Detention, Capella!” Orion barked. “You were warned.”


“We could ask him.”
“Yeah, I don’t think he’d tell me jack shit,” Seth said. “He just broke my nose with a pineapple.”

And the award for teacher of the year goes to..... Man, I love it when he's abusive with his students. He literally threw a pineapple in Seth's face and nobody gave a shit. 😂

Seth Capella 🐺💨🌱
Oh Seth... It’s a good thing he’s a fictional character because otherwise, I would have the obligation to find him just so I could kick him in the nuts. He’s always been a jerk to the twins and was taking pleasure in making them miserable, but he pushed it even further in this book and I HATE him for it. Still, I feel potential for a good redemption arc for him because we can see that he’s starting to feel bad for the things he’s doing to Darcy… he has a looooooooooooong way to go for me to start to tolerate him, but I am honestly hoping he will be heading this way, because once he stops his shit, I have a feeling that he could be a good ally to Darcy since a part of him obviously cares a tiny bit for her, and he has the werewolf protective side. It’s just tough on my poor heart because every time I see his regret, I want to be empathetic, but then he turns around and starts being an ass again and he ruins everything.

“Did you just call your vagina Lady Petunia?” I choked.
Darcy covered her mouth to hold back her laughter and Sofia was actually crying real tears.
“Alas I did. And she’s a real predator when she sets her gaze on a tempting piece of banana drama,” Geraldine admitted.

Geraldine Grus 🐕💧🌱 & Max Rigel 🧜🏽‍♂️💧💨
Geraldine. Is. Hilarious.
We got to see Max’s softer side a few times in this book thanks to his new obsession with Geraldine, and I like this side of him. He could do so much good with his order gift, and it was hinted in the boys’ retelling that he was sweet deep down, but had to put up the jerk façade because he was an heir, even if he didn’t like how it made him feel. Seeing him running after Geraldine and seeing Geraldine flip him off with her weird insults was AMAZING. I was smiling like a mad woman every time she put him back in his place and reminded him that just because he's a sexy Heir, doesn’t mean he can get whomever he wants. Geraldine is such a great secondary character, I like her almost as much as Darcy, and I like that the twins (ok, mostly Darcy) are realizing how lucky they are to have such a devoted and true friend that will always have their back and fight to the end for them no matter what.

Caleb Altair 🧛🌱🔥
I am not sure what will be happening to him now that he will be forced to get over Tory… While he never implied that he is bi, they keep bringing up the kiss between Seth and him that happened a few months ago, and Seth definitely wouldn’t be opposed to having “something” going on with Caleb, so maybe this is where it’s going to end up… I hope he finds someone that makes him happy because while he was also a jerk to the twins, he tried his best to stay out of it, most of the time. I am not saying that he is blameless, just that he seems to care a little bit more about the twins… Well okay, he cares more about Tory because she’s his source and he’s banging her, but still… I have a feeling that he is more compassionate than he lets on.


0.5 Origins of an Academy Bully ⭐⭐⭐
1. The Awakening [Dramatized Adaptation] ⭐⭐⭐
1.5 The Awakening as Told by the Boys ⭐⭐
2. Ruthless Fae [Dramatized Adaptation] ⭐⭐⭐.5
3. The Reckoning (part 1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
3. The Reckoning (part 2 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] ⭐⭐⭐⭐.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!

[Jey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like a turning point. The rivalries that once felt fueled by pride and power start to evolve into something far more complicated. The emotional tension is relentless—loyalties are tested, secrets come to light, and the lines between love and hate blur in ways that make every interaction feel charged. The relationships in this installment are messy, passionate, and sometimes heartbreaking, but that’s what makes them so compelling.

What stood out most to me was the growth of the characters. They’re no longer just reacting to cruelty or competition—they’re making choices that carry real weight. The stakes extend beyond the academy walls, and there’s a looming sense of danger that adds urgency to every scene.

The romance intensifies in this book, and the emotional payoffs—both good and painful—feel earned. There were moments that genuinely hurt to read, balanced by scenes that made me root fiercely for certain pairings and outcomes.

Overall, Shadow Princess is dramatic, addictive, and packed with emotional highs and lows. It deepens the world, raises the stakes, and sets the stage for even bigger conflicts ahead. By the end, I was completely invested—and absolutely not okay in the best way.

[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!