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

Zodiac Academy [Dramatized Adaptation] #4, Part 2

by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

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, Vampires, Romance, Romantasy, Magic, Enemies To Lovers

9 pages, Audiobook

Published July 21, 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 >>

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Reviews

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

emotional damage just got ✨graphic✨

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh... if only I could change the ending of this book

I get it... if the ending of this book was different, the series would probably have ended sooner than the billion books that follow this one (I know it's only like 6, but it feels like 1000 🤣), but MAN... the ending is torturous!

I still need to read books 7 and on, but I'm SOOOOO happy graphic audios are coming out for this series, because it has lived rent-free in my head for YEARS!

Love the audio!!!

Here's my review for the book.

[♡karabear♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

there are never enough words to describe these books!! but id have to say this one is my favorite so far 🤭 but I still need more info on the star-crossed lovers thing bc the whole tory romance thing is literally confusing me 💀 BUT.. once again they know how to keep me addicted so onto the next..

[Madyfay · Rating 5 out of 5]

WELL THIS BOOK GOT ME CRYING BECAUSE IF LANCE DOESN’T SURVIVE IM GOING TO RIOT!!!! I fucking knew Clara was up to some fuck shit she was giving such bad vibes… I predict that she is gonna go right back to Daddy Acrux

Oh my god Tory rejecting Darius and their mating bond holy shit I actually feel so bad for him the way his voice was just pleading for her to give them a try… heartbreaking. They’re gonna find a way out of being star crossed though they have to end up together!!

I really loved the part with the girls and heirs getting a long and having fun together they could all be such a good team if they put all their bullshit aside.

Starting the next book immediately because I need to know if my man makes it…

[Minaa07 · Rating 5 out of 5]

liked the book, hate the ending, getting frustrated at this point about all the impossible love matches 🤣

[Kayleigh-Ann Pullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

the ending has me shooketh... nah

[Kristi Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️
This book is my favorite one so far! The plot was more substantial in this book, and the graphic audio cast really makes these books amazing. I just love Orion and Darcy so much and refuse to accept that he is dead. I was so distraught by Tory rejecting Darius, but I understand her reasoning. This is my trash tv book series that I love sprinkling in between books and really helps to get out of a reading slump.

[Michelle Routhier · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY!? Why do Tory and Darius have to be star-crossed?! I saw it coming but thought it was too predictable, and that the twist would be that she DOES choose him, but OMG! I didn't think she would actually stay that mad! She absolutely loves him back. She is so stubborn! They have to find a way back to each other.

Orion better not be dead. Darcy deserves her love story, too!

I am glued to these pages and LIVING in this world. I don't think I can ever leave.

[Maï · Rating 5 out of 5]

too much to say but not enough order going on in my head so i’ll just say this book and the next are owned by darius, period. (also darcy next book tbh)
if you’re here, you know about the voice actor’s deep and low voice right? HOW, i repeat, how come he sounded so fragile and broken during their divine moment 😭😭😭💔💔
reading the book i was kinda on tory’s side but hearing the PAIN in his voice???? oh now i’m not so sure 😭
the man is literally broken hearted and the moment of horror when he realizes it’s a done deal, watching tory’s eyes encircled in black??? naaah that moment was too good to be true.
like i said in another review of these ZA dramatized audiobooks, the quality is soooo so good.

i’m loving rediscovering this series like this and i’m low-key excited for book 5. the audiobook make it so much easier bc let me tell you, book 5 was hard to get through for me😵
hopefully it’ll be easier now :P

have a great listening party ! ♊️

[Ra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

As a queer person, I don’t appreciate the fake homo erotic scenes presented in the back half of this instalment. As always though, good production quality and voice acting. I truly want the story to progress and wish that the characters would slow down with their dalliances. Since I’m not a smut reader and actually started this series not knowing that from the start, I feel that I’m already invested in the magic system and lore. Wishing it would move along faster!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helt klart bästa boken hittills i serien! Skulle ge 4,5 stjärnor enbart för del 2. Lite förutsägbar i vissa plot twists men sjukt underhållande

[Mariah Greeno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is my favorite

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one, can’t wait for the next!

[Allie Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I’m still in it…didn’t LOVE the ending because it felt odd and out of the blue but it could lead to a good storyline. Guess I’m gonna keep reading!

[Olivia Jaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a wild ride holy heck


I spent the last 20 minutes nodding and agreeing with decisions that were made 🙂‍↕️

[Shelby Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

You’ve got to be freaking kidding me. Nobody talk to me right now.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth continuing the books, it gets better and better.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tory still pissed me off this second read through 🙄

[Jonathon Gollop · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half was a little repetitive but the ending was fire, literally 🔥

[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
4. The Shadow Princess (part 1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

[Cee Os · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still feels like YA reading but with mature themes. The plot finally kicks in (about time). There was a bit of fluff but finally there was some action and lots of emotions. The authors did a good of leaving the readers hanging with the end of this book. it makes people want to know what happens/ need to know what comes next.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic Plot: The twins learn more about their background while studying shadow magic and juggling difficult personal relationships and the Heirs.

Holy dramatic ending with a cliffhanger to boot, Batman. That ending was a lot. There were some slowish moments here. They seemed to be trying to build suspense for the dramatic ending, but being as the authors are smart enough to be true to their characters, the character-based interactions are easy to see coming. It's when outside factors get involved that their lives go odd the rails. I have no idea why I'm enjoying these books (ok, dramatized graphic audios) and their general angst so much, but I am. Can't wait for the next one.

[Barb Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tory, c’mon… She pissed me off the entire book (and not just the ending). Really hoping there’s redemption later and she’s not just the insufferable twin.

Also, that ending gave me so much anxiety 😩

[Kimmi by the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

good for her, honestly. 💅

[Frida Edberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jag är förbannad, ledsen arg sur nu vill inte jag lyssna mer, TORY KROSSAR MITT HJÄRTA okej så de är ju första ggn i slottet å fan blir attackerade direkt såklart anyways det jag bara kan tänka på nu är hur FAN LYCKLIG jag var när Tory och Darius var mates MEN NEJ! TORY SA NEJ!? Asså okej jag backar ändå asså hon är verkligen girl power som tackar nej till dedär giftet men jag är så kär så vet inte va jag ska säga, i mean från hans perspektiv så vet han ju bara inte hur han ska hantera allt. Tory måste fan step up the game asså, eller så har hon ba gett upp at this point i don’t know. Asså jag vet inte vart jag ska ta vägen MEN det jag får leva på är att jag hoppas de hittar varann sen asså BÄST FÖR DE!? Och förlåt men hur dumma är inte Darcy och Lance like bro, vafan trodde de själva skulle hända? Dendär brudar har vart borta i typ fem år!?!? I ett jävla skuggland och tror hon ska va normal?!? Eeee glöm å dröm idioter, anyways jag tror inte han kommer dö för isf WTF? Så nej…

Vart fall hoppas man får se mer av Xavier för han verkar ändå chill med sin gay häst, typ ändå smash. Och att de dödar sen dumma fan farsan asså, vem tror han att han är. Är också så förbannad för nu fick han ju som han ville, han ville ju att Tory skulle krossa hans hjärta… BRA JOBBAT TORY, BRA FKN JOBBAT.

Varför jag gav en femma va för det händer fan mkt nu och man börjar lära känna karaktärerna mer också första gången Tory och Darius smash i boken jag börja gråta, andra gången också tror jag Hahahahah. Vart fall asså vet inte vad jag ska säga var så mkt som hände men blir bra att läsa the ruthless boys eller om det är efter nästa bok, iaf jag älskar allt med uppbyggnad av värld och att alla är så starka karaktärer hejdå

[Kia · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Small spoilers* My initial feeling was that this book was 4 stars at best, but when I sat back and thought about it longer, it occurred to me that I felt that way because this book ripped me open and made me feel all kinds of emotions and I literally could not pry the earbuds from my ears until I had devoured it. With the way the book ended, my final emotions were angry and frustrated, primarily with Tory. I wanted to scream and shot at her for being so stupid and never able to get out of her own way and I was reeling and mad. However, after reflecting on it, I can understand her feelings much more and think the book would have been cliche if she just said yes without her stubbornness getting in the way because that’s not who she is. I hope her growth is coming, but at this moment in her story, it hasn’t happened yet and she hasn’t been given the glimpses into Darius’s mind like we have. With all that being, I’m giving this book 5 stars for making me feel to savagely and pulling me in so completely.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This will forever be my favorite book series. Of all the forms I’ve consumed it (regular audio, kindle, hard copy, and Graphic Audio), the Graphic Audio version is the most frustrating.

At this point, I know I need to get over the casting choices, and I’m getting used to most of them except Geraldine. If the narrator isn’t a 52 year old lesbian with an affinity for softball or field hockey, she would be perfectly cast for that role. There were some parts where Orion didn’t sound like himself, so it seemed inconsistent (but he actually sounded better, so how do we get that version instead?). And I just wanted to give Clara a drink of water the entire time she was speaking.

I really wish the whole cast could get on the same page with pronunciations. Darius pronounced “Clara” and “Elysian” differently from the other characters. And Tory pronounces the X in Xavier.

There was a part, where Darcy was heading to the cave, when the background music seemed like an odd choice.

These books are such a good time, but on my next reread, I’ll go back to the original audiobook.

[Theughost · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOOO! It can’t just end like that!😩😭I’m absolutely obsessed with this series and I can’t stop listening to it. But that cliffhanger?! Noooo! 5/5⭐️ and I’d say spice is a 🌶️🌶️.5/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.

The twins now getting ready to dive even deeper into their lives at Zodiac academy face problem after problem and at some glimmer of hope the stars choose to take a different route. Finally getting to visit the castle and see where they come from they expect everything to finally feel remotely fine. But their party gets crashed and their plan to rescue Orion’s sister doesn’t go as planned. Will the Vega twins make it out this time?

I absolutely love how this story is written and how the characters grow the more we get to know about them. But it’s a rollercoaster of emotions for sure and I can’t recommend this series enough!

[Brittni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe where we were left with certain characters at the end of this book!

I’ve been eating these books up. They’re so enjoyable. I find myself laughing and smiling at many parts (in a good way) but there’s still deeper parts as well.

I’m following a reading order that puts the Origins of Academy Bullies, then The Awakening from the Boys POV and can’t believe I’m making myself wait, especially since I’m listening to the Graphic Audios and book 5 isn’t supposed to release until October but i guess that gives me time to make it through the novellas and get some books off of my TBR. We’ll see if I can stick it out or just download the ebook!

[Dona · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second part of Shadow Princess was definitely better than the first one. But boy, do cliffhangers like that drive me crazy.

The first part was very dark which at one point was becoming too much for me. Thank god, the second one was balanced out by some positive resolutions finally. And the moments at the palace were so heart warming.

When it comes to the relationships, I do like a slow burn but man, this got beyond enjoyable. And the love-hate encounters did become repetitive at one point. However, even though, I was a bit disappointed by the ending for one of the couples, after the moment of shock passed, it made complete sense and I am actually finding it satisfying.