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The 13th Zodiac
The world is about to learn about Jupiter Black.
For three years, Jupiter has operated in the shadows of New York City, a secret weapon for the Assembly. With eyes that have seen too much blood, and a soul that's tired of hiding, she’s survived the monsters that humans can't see. But now, the Assembly is moving her from the streets to the elite, cutthroat halls of Dominion Academy.
Dominion isn't just a school. It's a fortress for zodiac warriors in training. It’s a place of ancient hierarchies, lethal curriculums, and the Nightfall Shield. Four of the most powerful, arrogant warriors the academy has ever produced. Percy, Aiden, Draco, and Eris have been waiting for an axis to complete them, but they aren't looking for a wildcard. They certainly aren't looking for her.
Jupiter is the 13th Zodiac, a designation that breaks every rule of magic. In a world where balance is everything, Jupiter is the chaos. And at Dominion Academy, chaos is a death sentence. But the Nightfall Shield had better watch their backs, because they're not the only warriors interested in bonding with Jupiter Black.
This is book one of a new reverse harem academy series. TW for enemies to lovers, hurt and heartbreak, alphaholes, SPICE and physical violence.
For three years, Jupiter has operated in the shadows of New York City, a secret weapon for the Assembly. With eyes that have seen too much blood, and a soul that's tired of hiding, she’s survived the monsters that humans can't see. But now, the Assembly is moving her from the streets to the elite, cutthroat halls of Dominion Academy.
Dominion isn't just a school. It's a fortress for zodiac warriors in training. It’s a place of ancient hierarchies, lethal curriculums, and the Nightfall Shield. Four of the most powerful, arrogant warriors the academy has ever produced. Percy, Aiden, Draco, and Eris have been waiting for an axis to complete them, but they aren't looking for a wildcard. They certainly aren't looking for her.
Jupiter is the 13th Zodiac, a designation that breaks every rule of magic. In a world where balance is everything, Jupiter is the chaos. And at Dominion Academy, chaos is a death sentence. But the Nightfall Shield had better watch their backs, because they're not the only warriors interested in bonding with Jupiter Black.
This is book one of a new reverse harem academy series. TW for enemies to lovers, hurt and heartbreak, alphaholes, SPICE and physical violence.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2026
About the author
Penn Cassidy
49 books532 followersI spend 95% of my life huddled in my little office, at my little desk, vividly hallucinating about characters and scenarios that don't exist. Then I write it all down for you to enjoy!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
March 16, 2026
i finished this in one sitting so i guess i really liked it!
fmc has a good head on her shoulders and is really likable (i also love noodles!). i wish we could’ve seen her suffer a bit more (yes im a sadist) from all the ow contact… this part i feel like it was a bit rushed
i really liked the mmcs! they all sound and feel like different people with different ways, tastes and personalities which is a must. i also liked how the enemies to lovers trope didnt last long and tbf i wouldnt consider this book as enemies to lovers…
regarding world building, i like the whole concept of the zodiac and the bane, but i wished it was better explained? like i get the main points but idk, i feel like the powers of each sign, the more intricate details were kinda missing
a few points which i loved about this book:
• fmc has healthy relationships with her mom and dad
• pre existing friends that went with her to the academy so she’s not friendless and dick centered (mostly)
• fmc has a good head on her shoulders and is not annoying
• she IS leaving their sorry asses for london which is so fucking good!!!
all in all, this is a solid 4 star.
it does need some typo review but other than that, great.
fmc has a good head on her shoulders and is really likable (i also love noodles!). i wish we could’ve seen her suffer a bit more (yes im a sadist) from all the ow contact… this part i feel like it was a bit rushed
i really liked the mmcs! they all sound and feel like different people with different ways, tastes and personalities which is a must. i also liked how the enemies to lovers trope didnt last long and tbf i wouldnt consider this book as enemies to lovers…
regarding world building, i like the whole concept of the zodiac and the bane, but i wished it was better explained? like i get the main points but idk, i feel like the powers of each sign, the more intricate details were kinda missing
a few points which i loved about this book:
• fmc has healthy relationships with her mom and dad
• pre existing friends that went with her to the academy so she’s not friendless and dick centered (mostly)
• fmc has a good head on her shoulders and is not annoying
• she IS leaving their sorry asses for london which is so fucking good!!!
all in all, this is a solid 4 star.
it does need some typo review but other than that, great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2026
4.5⭐️ I quite literally stayed up all night binging this LMAO. Whenever i see a why choose romance with mate bonds in an academic setting with a baddie FMC.. I RUN. But, when you throw in astrology and references to the zodiac signs at a war college with magiccc?! STOP, this was so unique, and I quite literally was in a reading slump but this pulled me right on out of it! I loved Jupiter and how strong she was like her magic 👀, come onnnnn and I love Noodle LMAO. I liked the burn of the romance in this too, like it wasn’t too fast or too slow, but i know that GROVEL better be something serious come the next book! im also really intrigued by that epilogue causeeeee🤭🤭 but the plot, romance, spice, like this was such a good setup to a series. I’m sat!
May 5, 2026
Honest review (chaos, cringe & emotional damage)
Spoilers ahead!!!!!
I went into this book thinking: interesting plot, something different, maybe it just needs time to develop. I came out of it feeling like I had just survived the Cringe Olympics — blindfolded, against my will, and somehow still losing.
Let’s start with the basics. The premise? Genuinely interesting. Refreshing, even. I was ready for intrigue, tension, world-building… Instead I got dropped into confusion with zero explanations, like the book assumed I had already read three prequels that do not exist. Things happen, people react, bonds bond… and I was just there, flipping pages like “sure, I guess this makes sense.”
Our FMC, Jupiter, is incredibly powerful, super rare, mysterious… and that’s about it. Personality-wise, we’re working with “she’s special” and not much else. I know more about her snake than about her — and honestly, Noodle (the black mamba) carried every scene he was in. At this point I would read a spin-off just about the snake. At least he has presence.
Now, the love interests — or as I like to call them, The Council of Questionable Decisions™:
Percy: walking red flag, professional jerk, full-time emotional hazard. The fact that everyone wants him needs to be studied scientifically.
Draco: big, white hair, not aggressively awful — which automatically crowns him king. Standards are on the floor. Possibly underground.
Eris: Irish and… kind of nice? That’s it. That’s the entire résumé.
Aiden: chaotic manwhore energy with the emotional depth of a puddle.
Collectively, they have the chemistry of coworkers forced into a group chat they all muted.
The relationships? I’m still searching. No growth, no buildup, no depth — just instant intensity with zero foundation. One minute they barely tolerate each other, the next we’re supposed to believe in deep emotional bonds. I’ve seen stronger development in elevator small talk.
By the second half, I was cringing so hard I could’ve qualified for a medal. It stopped being a book and started being a personal challenge: how much secondhand embarrassment can one person handle before losing sanity?
And the spice scenes… I wish I could unread them. Confusing, illogical, emotionally empty, and so painfully awkward I had to pause multiple times just to recover. No tension, no build-up — just vibes, bad decisions, and me staring at the page like I had been personally attacked.
HOWEVER. Just when I was fully ready to DNF this entire series forever… the plot decided to wake up.
The whole situation with the manipulated bond? Suddenly interesting. The betrayal? Even better. These idiots really went and tried to cheat on her, and for the first time I felt something other than cringe — actual curiosity. Add Jupiter’s pain, the drama, and the possibility of a new group (a new shield?? more men??? why are we multiplying them like this??), and now I’m… intrigued.
Will they replace the current disaster lineup? Probably not. Will they make everything messier? Absolutely. And somehow, that’s the most compelling part of the entire book.
So yes, I was ready to quit. But now? I might read book two — if only to see how much worse (or better?) this chaos can get. Worst case scenario, I’ll just skip the spice and survive.
Final verdict: I came for the plot, suffered through the romance, stayed for the betrayal.
Stay tuned… unfortunately.
Spoilers ahead!!!!!
I went into this book thinking: interesting plot, something different, maybe it just needs time to develop. I came out of it feeling like I had just survived the Cringe Olympics — blindfolded, against my will, and somehow still losing.
Let’s start with the basics. The premise? Genuinely interesting. Refreshing, even. I was ready for intrigue, tension, world-building… Instead I got dropped into confusion with zero explanations, like the book assumed I had already read three prequels that do not exist. Things happen, people react, bonds bond… and I was just there, flipping pages like “sure, I guess this makes sense.”
Our FMC, Jupiter, is incredibly powerful, super rare, mysterious… and that’s about it. Personality-wise, we’re working with “she’s special” and not much else. I know more about her snake than about her — and honestly, Noodle (the black mamba) carried every scene he was in. At this point I would read a spin-off just about the snake. At least he has presence.
Now, the love interests — or as I like to call them, The Council of Questionable Decisions™:
Percy: walking red flag, professional jerk, full-time emotional hazard. The fact that everyone wants him needs to be studied scientifically.
Draco: big, white hair, not aggressively awful — which automatically crowns him king. Standards are on the floor. Possibly underground.
Eris: Irish and… kind of nice? That’s it. That’s the entire résumé.
Aiden: chaotic manwhore energy with the emotional depth of a puddle.
Collectively, they have the chemistry of coworkers forced into a group chat they all muted.
The relationships? I’m still searching. No growth, no buildup, no depth — just instant intensity with zero foundation. One minute they barely tolerate each other, the next we’re supposed to believe in deep emotional bonds. I’ve seen stronger development in elevator small talk.
By the second half, I was cringing so hard I could’ve qualified for a medal. It stopped being a book and started being a personal challenge: how much secondhand embarrassment can one person handle before losing sanity?
And the spice scenes… I wish I could unread them. Confusing, illogical, emotionally empty, and so painfully awkward I had to pause multiple times just to recover. No tension, no build-up — just vibes, bad decisions, and me staring at the page like I had been personally attacked.
HOWEVER. Just when I was fully ready to DNF this entire series forever… the plot decided to wake up.
The whole situation with the manipulated bond? Suddenly interesting. The betrayal? Even better. These idiots really went and tried to cheat on her, and for the first time I felt something other than cringe — actual curiosity. Add Jupiter’s pain, the drama, and the possibility of a new group (a new shield?? more men??? why are we multiplying them like this??), and now I’m… intrigued.
Will they replace the current disaster lineup? Probably not. Will they make everything messier? Absolutely. And somehow, that’s the most compelling part of the entire book.
So yes, I was ready to quit. But now? I might read book two — if only to see how much worse (or better?) this chaos can get. Worst case scenario, I’ll just skip the spice and survive.
Final verdict: I came for the plot, suffered through the romance, stayed for the betrayal.
Stay tuned… unfortunately.
May 1, 2026
Feeling conflicted about this one. I liked the beginning and the set up but it’s very undeveloped and isn’t very immersive. The scenes in the beginning are fun though and I had a crazy busy week so I needed something easy to read. Then everything starts to feel so rushed. The relationship between the four guys and the h moved way too quickly for me and I was not feeling things between them. Honestly I was really bored there in the middle. Then the betrayal happened and it made sense why the author needed the relationships to move so fast. Honestly, I’m not all that mad at the guys though. They hardly know her, have questioned why the bond that was supposed to be temporary was so intense since the beginning and the evidence against the h was very damning. I was questioning their feelings as much as they questioned if those feelings were real?!? So like how can I be mad at them for believing the emails that say the h is manipulating their emotions and bond, etc etc?!? So is this poorly written or was this all by design? 🤣😅
I wasn’t going to continue on with this series but now I’m curious about how things are going to go at this new school, how things are going to go with the new guys, what’s going to happen to the hs current bond mates and are any of these 9 relationships going to actually be developed?!?
Overall: 2.5 rounded up because I’m really liking the hs snake familiar and the hs magic. I thought the action scenes were well done also.
I wasn’t going to continue on with this series but now I’m curious about how things are going to go at this new school, how things are going to go with the new guys, what’s going to happen to the hs current bond mates and are any of these 9 relationships going to actually be developed?!?
Overall: 2.5 rounded up because I’m really liking the hs snake familiar and the hs magic. I thought the action scenes were well done also.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2026
Don't mind me, I technically DNFd this but am still marking it as read bc of how much I read and because I can. Sometimes I just need a trashy asf academy romance that follows a tried and true formula but also has something unique like a 13th zodiac magic and this did exactly that.
I don't necessarily recommend It, but I will be reading the second book when it drops tomorrow to hopefully see these assholes suffer when she adds to her group of men.
‼️ Spoilers
Yes they bond her and then drop her when they believe a lie about her without a second thought and then CHEAT on her many multiple times over 3 weeks with anyone around them trying to erase her except they can't get it up for anyone but her (which only tells me they were magically forced to not go all the way instead of choosing it), and she can FEEL every time they let another woman touch, kiss, suck, rub, try to fuck, etc., and it makes her sick and in pain.
She left their asses and already has plans to find a new group to bond after finding out how to break this bond (sadly she ends up with all 9, the book says though), so I'm here for the suffering that's coming. I'd better see crying, screaming, throwing up, similar to how she ended up in her room in private every day while they tried to move on with other women knowing she could feel it. Hopefully they get a front row seat to watch it all in person too. Don't let me down 🤞🏽
I don't necessarily recommend It, but I will be reading the second book when it drops tomorrow to hopefully see these assholes suffer when she adds to her group of men.
‼️ Spoilers
Yes they bond her and then drop her when they believe a lie about her without a second thought and then CHEAT on her many multiple times over 3 weeks with anyone around them trying to erase her except they can't get it up for anyone but her (which only tells me they were magically forced to not go all the way instead of choosing it), and she can FEEL every time they let another woman touch, kiss, suck, rub, try to fuck, etc., and it makes her sick and in pain.
She left their asses and already has plans to find a new group to bond after finding out how to break this bond (sadly she ends up with all 9, the book says though), so I'm here for the suffering that's coming. I'd better see crying, screaming, throwing up, similar to how she ended up in her room in private every day while they tried to move on with other women knowing she could feel it. Hopefully they get a front row seat to watch it all in person too. Don't let me down 🤞🏽
June 2, 2026
This is entertaining but pretty poorly written. It's not typos, it's more just the writing itself.
April 23, 2026
Oh, I can't wait for book two.❤️🔥
4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3🌶🌶🌶
Tropes
✅️Academy
✅️Zodiac Based Magic
✅️Fated Mates
✅️Rejected Mates
✅️Why Choose
✅️Multiple POV
✅️Animal Companion
Triggers
☑️Death
It's so refreshing when you have a main character that actually has a functioning family. Sure, Jupiter has been thoroughly trained since her powers manifested, and she's no stranger to violence, but she's also vulnerable enough to cry in her mother's arms when she's at her limit.
Interesting concept of having an Academy that trains students whose powers are based on their Zodiac signs. Is it anything like Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckman and Susanne Valenti? Meh, kind of but not really. The 13th Zodiac is a why choose with a reject mate twist and the evil they need to banish are basically space zombies...I don't know how else to describe them because they are pretty creepy. Also, the Academy is very high stakes...so people die.
Oh, and Jupiter has a familiar that's a black mamba named Noodle, who I for sure thought was a cat for the first couple of pages. 😅 But despite being a snake, Noodle is super cool.
4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3🌶🌶🌶
Tropes
✅️Academy
✅️Zodiac Based Magic
✅️Fated Mates
✅️Rejected Mates
✅️Why Choose
✅️Multiple POV
✅️Animal Companion
Triggers
☑️Death
It's so refreshing when you have a main character that actually has a functioning family. Sure, Jupiter has been thoroughly trained since her powers manifested, and she's no stranger to violence, but she's also vulnerable enough to cry in her mother's arms when she's at her limit.
Interesting concept of having an Academy that trains students whose powers are based on their Zodiac signs. Is it anything like Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckman and Susanne Valenti? Meh, kind of but not really. The 13th Zodiac is a why choose with a reject mate twist and the evil they need to banish are basically space zombies...I don't know how else to describe them because they are pretty creepy. Also, the Academy is very high stakes...so people die.
Oh, and Jupiter has a familiar that's a black mamba named Noodle, who I for sure thought was a cat for the first couple of pages. 😅 But despite being a snake, Noodle is super cool.
May 20, 2026
Updated after the book 2 release:
This is not the story I’ve been dreaming of, so I’m lowering it down to 3 stars.
I’m not lowering it to my usual 1 star trigger flag for cheating only because the FMC allegedly gets adequate revenge in book 2. I have to be honest, I’m not actually interested enough in the story to read it if I’m not chasing my dream. I do appreciate the revenge, at least.
I’ll just continue to pine for the unachievable gold-standard FMC. One who will just throw her shitty harem in the trash. One day, the groveling will not be good enough. I’ll never stop hoping.
———————————-
Original review:
Ok so this deserves either 1 star or 5 stars. There’s no chance that it’s anything in between. For now, I’m hoping for the best but expecting the worst.
It’s possible, just barely possible, that this is my white whale. That singular RH that I’ve been chasing for years now. I’d honestly assumed it would never happen. That no author would hear the begging and pleading. The hoping. The praying.
I am not alone in my desperation for one FMC to ditch her fucking harem and go get a new one.
Is that so much to ask?
So, I’m pretty obsessed with book safety and this one is not safe. If the author doesn’t deliver justice I will be returning here to change my score to express my wrath. But with great risk comes great reward.
So, spoilers.
**** There is cheating, which happens to be my mega trigger. The author loses major points for calling this “OW drama” in the CW. I need to schedule a TED talk about that passion project, titled “The Term ‘OW Drama’ Is Not An Adequate Descriptor For Cheating”. ****
Anyways.
My definition of cheating is: any sexual activity (including kissing, groping, etc) that happens outside of the main couple after sexual activity has happened between said couple. Especially if commitments have been made or bonds have been formed.
So, these 4 guys have a complete bond with this girl. It just hasn’t been announced. 3 out of 4 of them have had full sexual intercourse with her. The fourth guy has abstained only if you don’t consider oral to be sexual intercourse.
They come across info that makes them think she’s been deceiving and manipulating them. These geniuses don’t bother to ask even one single question (major plot hole, but this thing can be Swiss cheese if it will just deliver my hopes and dreams). They immediately start attempting to fuck every girl in school. The only reason that they don’t is that they can’t get erections. I’m sorry, if a girl has your dick in her mouth, it doesn’t have to be hard for it to count as cheating.
The FMC has access to their thoughts and feelings and is tortured by this for 3 weeks.
Under normal circumstances, I would’ve thrown the book at the wall and stormed over here to present my aforementioned passion project.. to the void that is the internet.
Some supernatural force allowed me to rage read long enough to meet a new group of guys though. The dream is being dangled in front of my eyes. This girl might actually get to transfer from her school, move to London, and find someone new.
I might not have to stew in unmitigated fury. I might not have to swallow sub par groveling in book 2.
Why are authors so reluctant to let love interests go? I don’t care one bit about these guys. To be honest, the character development hasn’t been great. I’m not really attached to anyone. I don’t need perfection here though.
What gives me hope? The fact that the FMC tricked that fourth guy into thinking she cared, fucked him, and then walked out the door with a “just kidding” which was truly beautiful work.
This went from a one star to a five star at the final yard line. That has to be a record.
My usual disclaimer: I’m an emotional and lazy reader. My scores do not reflect the book’s technical quality. I care little for plot holes or accuracy of any sort. I want to be told a good story. This particular book isn’t amazing literature. It’s entertaining but not terribly unique. I like the FMC though and I’m fully engaged in what will happen next. That checks my 5 star boxes for now.
This is not the story I’ve been dreaming of, so I’m lowering it down to 3 stars.
I’m not lowering it to my usual 1 star trigger flag for cheating only because the FMC allegedly gets adequate revenge in book 2. I have to be honest, I’m not actually interested enough in the story to read it if I’m not chasing my dream. I do appreciate the revenge, at least.
I’ll just continue to pine for the unachievable gold-standard FMC. One who will just throw her shitty harem in the trash. One day, the groveling will not be good enough. I’ll never stop hoping.
———————————-
Original review:
Ok so this deserves either 1 star or 5 stars. There’s no chance that it’s anything in between. For now, I’m hoping for the best but expecting the worst.
It’s possible, just barely possible, that this is my white whale. That singular RH that I’ve been chasing for years now. I’d honestly assumed it would never happen. That no author would hear the begging and pleading. The hoping. The praying.
I am not alone in my desperation for one FMC to ditch her fucking harem and go get a new one.
Is that so much to ask?
So, I’m pretty obsessed with book safety and this one is not safe. If the author doesn’t deliver justice I will be returning here to change my score to express my wrath. But with great risk comes great reward.
So, spoilers.
**** There is cheating, which happens to be my mega trigger. The author loses major points for calling this “OW drama” in the CW. I need to schedule a TED talk about that passion project, titled “The Term ‘OW Drama’ Is Not An Adequate Descriptor For Cheating”. ****
Anyways.
My definition of cheating is: any sexual activity (including kissing, groping, etc) that happens outside of the main couple after sexual activity has happened between said couple. Especially if commitments have been made or bonds have been formed.
So, these 4 guys have a complete bond with this girl. It just hasn’t been announced. 3 out of 4 of them have had full sexual intercourse with her. The fourth guy has abstained only if you don’t consider oral to be sexual intercourse.
They come across info that makes them think she’s been deceiving and manipulating them. These geniuses don’t bother to ask even one single question (major plot hole, but this thing can be Swiss cheese if it will just deliver my hopes and dreams). They immediately start attempting to fuck every girl in school. The only reason that they don’t is that they can’t get erections. I’m sorry, if a girl has your dick in her mouth, it doesn’t have to be hard for it to count as cheating.
The FMC has access to their thoughts and feelings and is tortured by this for 3 weeks.
Under normal circumstances, I would’ve thrown the book at the wall and stormed over here to present my aforementioned passion project.. to the void that is the internet.
Some supernatural force allowed me to rage read long enough to meet a new group of guys though. The dream is being dangled in front of my eyes. This girl might actually get to transfer from her school, move to London, and find someone new.
I might not have to stew in unmitigated fury. I might not have to swallow sub par groveling in book 2.
Why are authors so reluctant to let love interests go? I don’t care one bit about these guys. To be honest, the character development hasn’t been great. I’m not really attached to anyone. I don’t need perfection here though.
What gives me hope? The fact that the FMC tricked that fourth guy into thinking she cared, fucked him, and then walked out the door with a “just kidding” which was truly beautiful work.
This went from a one star to a five star at the final yard line. That has to be a record.
My usual disclaimer: I’m an emotional and lazy reader. My scores do not reflect the book’s technical quality. I care little for plot holes or accuracy of any sort. I want to be told a good story. This particular book isn’t amazing literature. It’s entertaining but not terribly unique. I like the FMC though and I’m fully engaged in what will happen next. That checks my 5 star boxes for now.
April 2, 2026
13th zodiac
It's been awhile since I read something uniquely good. And my attention was immediately snagged the moment I picked up this book. I love the whole idea of this book. I will say I was a little let down on how rushed the sex with each other felt. Our jup gets down with pretty much all the guys in one way or another with in two pages. I think some connections could have waited and didn't need to be rushed. I was also intrigued and confused on the familiar? Not understanding why jup had one, do others zodiacs have them? And what's the purpose? But besides these small issues, the storyline was seriously captivating. I can't wait to read what happens next, definitely a most read.
It's been awhile since I read something uniquely good. And my attention was immediately snagged the moment I picked up this book. I love the whole idea of this book. I will say I was a little let down on how rushed the sex with each other felt. Our jup gets down with pretty much all the guys in one way or another with in two pages. I think some connections could have waited and didn't need to be rushed. I was also intrigued and confused on the familiar? Not understanding why jup had one, do others zodiacs have them? And what's the purpose? But besides these small issues, the storyline was seriously captivating. I can't wait to read what happens next, definitely a most read.
April 23, 2026
Pace: fast
Spice: 1
POV: 1st person, multiple
Tropes: rejected bond, magic, forced proximity, hurt/heartbreak,war college, slight instant love
Relationship: why choose
Was a fun and interesting read. The world building was good, we get enough info to understand the world but not too much to make it feel complicated for someone new to fantasy or someone who wants the fantasy world but not the info dump to understand the plot. Speaking of plot to me the book was heavy on the romance and a splash of plot, which I don’t mind.
The pacing was fast, so there were some inconsistencies like one character would say something along the lines of “it’s been 4 days being here” while another character would say “you’ve been here 2 days” and it happened about 3 times so I was confused at first but it was something I could over look. Since the pacing is fast the relationship was a touch on the instant love side. There is no bullying especially not from the MMCs, I wouldn’t call it enemies to lovers but strangers to lovers. The MMCs are distrustful of the FMC but not enough to go out of their way to bully her or make her life miserable (in the beginning).
Overall good story, interesting characters, and I can’t wait for the groveling and new love interests!
Spice: 1
POV: 1st person, multiple
Tropes: rejected bond, magic, forced proximity, hurt/heartbreak,war college, slight instant love
Relationship: why choose
Was a fun and interesting read. The world building was good, we get enough info to understand the world but not too much to make it feel complicated for someone new to fantasy or someone who wants the fantasy world but not the info dump to understand the plot. Speaking of plot to me the book was heavy on the romance and a splash of plot, which I don’t mind.
The pacing was fast, so there were some inconsistencies like one character would say something along the lines of “it’s been 4 days being here” while another character would say “you’ve been here 2 days” and it happened about 3 times so I was confused at first but it was something I could over look. Since the pacing is fast the relationship was a touch on the instant love side. There is no bullying especially not from the MMCs, I wouldn’t call it enemies to lovers but strangers to lovers. The MMCs are distrustful of the FMC but not enough to go out of their way to bully her or make her life miserable (in the beginning).
Overall good story, interesting characters, and I can’t wait for the groveling and new love interests!
May 16, 2026
OKAYYYYY. yes, i read this in one day. no, i am not okay.
whatever this was, i need more of it. it was hot, it was messy, but best of all it kept me hooked.
book two and three need to be in my hands NEOW.
whatever this was, i need more of it. it was hot, it was messy, but best of all it kept me hooked.
book two and three need to be in my hands NEOW.
March 30, 2026
Good
Almost a 5 star read.
New author unlocked
Very neat and new story for me
I loved all the MCs.
Loved the FMC'S familiar Noodle, though coming from someone whose daughter raises snakes the poor thing needs a habitat- js.
The fmc's solid parents, solid besties were great & I loved that, it loved her confidence in herself.
I wanted more angst between the Mcs emotionally, I felt that they all fell hard for her very fast.
The spice was ok. Main thing that bugged me honestly was the lack of foreplay. Like ZERO.
All the guys just "enter". Only 1 goes down on the FMC mid fuq. This was very disappointing to say the least especially since this chick is going to end up with 9 men. And thus far several got on page bj's, several times thru out the book.
As for the betrayal & mid break up(not a spoiler it's listed right there in the tws)
Her never forgiving the guys? Idk. Even the faculty was fooled by the phony "evidence". It wasn't done by a student it was professionally done to look authentic. But Draco was the least diabolical out of the 4. I really felt bad for him.
Almost a 5 star read.
New author unlocked
Very neat and new story for me
I loved all the MCs.
Loved the FMC'S familiar Noodle, though coming from someone whose daughter raises snakes the poor thing needs a habitat- js.
The fmc's solid parents, solid besties were great & I loved that, it loved her confidence in herself.
I wanted more angst between the Mcs emotionally, I felt that they all fell hard for her very fast.
The spice was ok. Main thing that bugged me honestly was the lack of foreplay. Like ZERO.
All the guys just "enter". Only 1 goes down on the FMC mid fuq. This was very disappointing to say the least especially since this chick is going to end up with 9 men. And thus far several got on page bj's, several times thru out the book.
As for the betrayal & mid break up(not a spoiler it's listed right there in the tws)
Her never forgiving the guys? Idk. Even the faculty was fooled by the phony "evidence". It wasn't done by a student it was professionally done to look authentic. But Draco was the least diabolical out of the 4. I really felt bad for him.
May 7, 2026
2 stars. Sad I can't rate this higher because academy + magic + reverse harem is a great combo, but the writing is just so poor, it reads like a debut novel (but surprisingly isn't).
Everything happens soooo fast and is so surface-level. I don't mind the initial bond happening fast, that brings an interesting angle of 'how will they handle an unplanned, unwanted bond' - except all the characters change their tunes about each other immediately. You have one chapter each from Percy and Aiden complaining about the idea of bonding with Jupiter, and being rude towards her and then like 2 chapters later they are flirting with her openly, and then they get to obsession in no time. And same with Jupiter - it seems like she's this strong, independent woman with her own mind, who doesn't want to be forced into a bond, which is great. But she immediately falls for them for no discernible reason.
Why? Because these men have no distinct personalities. It's all surface. Percy is like... angry? Eris is... Scottish. Draco has white hair and is more quiet, and Aidan is.... I don't even know. He blends together with Eris a lot. There's nothing to these men. No real personalities.
And they have maybe a total of like 4 conversations? And those conversations are all, you guessed it, surface. They know nothing about each other. But suddenly she loves them?
Instead of the author actually showing yearning and attraction and getting to know one another, they default to just talking about the passage of time --> like saying "We spent the next two weeks training closely yada yada yada we talked about our pasts yada yada". So we're just told they spend time together, we see basically none of it. And then once spice is introduced it's like straight spice for 3 chapters or so, and it's not done well.
The world is so flimsy and any other characters are either annoying stereotypes (really, the catty jealous girl, we're still doing that?), or basically non-existent (do I know anything about her two friends except it's a guy and a girl and the guy is tall? Nope). And the magic / zodiac system? Is that really explained? No. I understand so little of what their powers are and why some people are shields and others are an axis.
So to sum it all up - everything is surface-level, it moves way too fast, it's all tell no show. The best part is the snake named Noodle and his little commentary.
And it's sad, because there could be something interesting here, cause reverse harem books can be so addicting - I'm tempted to check out book 2 in the hopes it gets better, but we'll see.
Everything happens soooo fast and is so surface-level. I don't mind the initial bond happening fast, that brings an interesting angle of 'how will they handle an unplanned, unwanted bond' - except all the characters change their tunes about each other immediately. You have one chapter each from Percy and Aiden complaining about the idea of bonding with Jupiter, and being rude towards her and then like 2 chapters later they are flirting with her openly, and then they get to obsession in no time. And same with Jupiter - it seems like she's this strong, independent woman with her own mind, who doesn't want to be forced into a bond, which is great. But she immediately falls for them for no discernible reason.
Why? Because these men have no distinct personalities. It's all surface. Percy is like... angry? Eris is... Scottish. Draco has white hair and is more quiet, and Aidan is.... I don't even know. He blends together with Eris a lot. There's nothing to these men. No real personalities.
And they have maybe a total of like 4 conversations? And those conversations are all, you guessed it, surface. They know nothing about each other. But suddenly she loves them?
Instead of the author actually showing yearning and attraction and getting to know one another, they default to just talking about the passage of time --> like saying "We spent the next two weeks training closely yada yada yada we talked about our pasts yada yada". So we're just told they spend time together, we see basically none of it. And then once spice is introduced it's like straight spice for 3 chapters or so, and it's not done well.
The world is so flimsy and any other characters are either annoying stereotypes (really, the catty jealous girl, we're still doing that?), or basically non-existent (do I know anything about her two friends except it's a guy and a girl and the guy is tall? Nope). And the magic / zodiac system? Is that really explained? No. I understand so little of what their powers are and why some people are shields and others are an axis.
So to sum it all up - everything is surface-level, it moves way too fast, it's all tell no show. The best part is the snake named Noodle and his little commentary.
And it's sad, because there could be something interesting here, cause reverse harem books can be so addicting - I'm tempted to check out book 2 in the hopes it gets better, but we'll see.
May 17, 2026
3.5 quick and fun. had a nice time,
May 3, 2026
I’m so torn up about this book. I wanted to like it soooo bad, which is why I didn’t DNF even when the book started to get utterly ridiculous lol. First off, this book needs some more editing. Some parts of the book gave us information and descriptions but then completely changed it when mentioned later on (ie., her hair suddenly going to butt-length when it was previously mentioned it stopped at her waist). Also, why is everything written so surface level? I kind of assumed this was a debut novel because of the (sorry) somewhat poor writing and grammar mistakes (I recall like two sentences not ending with a period, and some were missing commas.) I’m usually not a stickler about stuff like that, but everything else about the book was so mediocre that I couldn’t help but hyper fixate on the writing too. Then I find out this author has written LOADS OF BOOKS!!! I was like, girl?? Surely one’s writing style would have leveled up from 2012 wattpad tier after writing a bunch of books already, but I digress.
Now, the story… I will say that the premise about zodiacs and them essentially being aliens to earth intrigued me very much! It was refreshing (albeit scarce) world building. But again, it was all surface level!! The things we know about their world in space are theories, and the things about the zodiacs themselves feel carelessly put together that I was just confused all throughout reading. Maybe it’s a me problem???
Another reviewer pointed out that the fast paced romance and smut might have been deliberate to have the first 4 male leads (yes..first 4 because the series supposedly ends with NINE!!! MALE LEADS!!!) question their own feelings. It kind of got me thinking and made me less frustrated about how the third-act breakup, but I guess we’ll see if it really was on purpose or not when the next book comes.
Overall:
Overarching plot: 3/5
Romance: 2/5
Smut: 1/5
World building/anything to do with the zodiacs: 2/5
Writing: 1/5
Truthfully don’t think I’d tune in for the second book with how disappointed this one left me. I’m actually kind of shocked by the amount of positive reviews considering how much errors and confusion I’ve been met with while reading. Friendly reminder that these are all my opinions and anyone reading this is absolutely encouraged to give the book a go for yourselves. Just totally not for me
Now, the story… I will say that the premise about zodiacs and them essentially being aliens to earth intrigued me very much! It was refreshing (albeit scarce) world building. But again, it was all surface level!! The things we know about their world in space are theories, and the things about the zodiacs themselves feel carelessly put together that I was just confused all throughout reading. Maybe it’s a me problem???
Another reviewer pointed out that the fast paced romance and smut might have been deliberate to have the first 4 male leads (yes..first 4 because the series supposedly ends with NINE!!! MALE LEADS!!!) question their own feelings. It kind of got me thinking and made me less frustrated about how the third-act breakup, but I guess we’ll see if it really was on purpose or not when the next book comes.
Overall:
Overarching plot: 3/5
Romance: 2/5
Smut: 1/5
World building/anything to do with the zodiacs: 2/5
Writing: 1/5
Truthfully don’t think I’d tune in for the second book with how disappointed this one left me. I’m actually kind of shocked by the amount of positive reviews considering how much errors and confusion I’ve been met with while reading. Friendly reminder that these are all my opinions and anyone reading this is absolutely encouraged to give the book a go for yourselves. Just totally not for me
April 8, 2026
Lucky 13
Penn has done it again y'all!!! Ugh 😩 Great plot, and our FMC is amazing as a take no crap from anyone. I'm loving the cliffy and apparently I will now get to suffer until October!!!
Penn has done it again y'all!!! Ugh 😩 Great plot, and our FMC is amazing as a take no crap from anyone. I'm loving the cliffy and apparently I will now get to suffer until October!!!
May 15, 2026
W.O.W.
The multiple POV 👌
The plot and storyline ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The spice 🌶️🌶️.5
The trying to guess what’s going to happen, and only just getting it right, right before it happens. Heck! I’m not usually one for a third act breakup, bunt damn this one was epic and the FMC ended up handling it like a boss. Truly, chefs kiss! The cliff hanger ending has me impatiently waiting for the second book. 1/01 recommend. Such a fantastic read!
The multiple POV 👌
The plot and storyline ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The spice 🌶️🌶️.5
The trying to guess what’s going to happen, and only just getting it right, right before it happens. Heck! I’m not usually one for a third act breakup, bunt damn this one was epic and the FMC ended up handling it like a boss. Truly, chefs kiss! The cliff hanger ending has me impatiently waiting for the second book. 1/01 recommend. Such a fantastic read!
May 28, 2026
The 13th Zodiac is the first instalment in Penn Cassidy's new reverse harem academy series.
I haven't read something that played around with the zodiac concept with an academy setting, so I was excited to finally pick this up. For the most part, I think this was a fun read which I managed to get through pretty quickly.
The main flaws that stuck with me was the lack of relationship development, and the lack of character development for the MMCs. I feel like they felt like the same man with different looks and names. I didn't find myself getting attached to them and even found them quite annoying at times.
However, this was well-written and like I said, it was nice to see a FMC that doesn't immediately forgive when she has been wronged.
I haven't read something that played around with the zodiac concept with an academy setting, so I was excited to finally pick this up. For the most part, I think this was a fun read which I managed to get through pretty quickly.
The main flaws that stuck with me was the lack of relationship development, and the lack of character development for the MMCs. I feel like they felt like the same man with different looks and names. I didn't find myself getting attached to them and even found them quite annoying at times.
However, this was well-written and like I said, it was nice to see a FMC that doesn't immediately forgive when she has been wronged.
May 2, 2026
It’s a no from me dawg. Not continuing the series, especially after these pricks were trying to purposely get with other women because they knew she could feel it. BYE.
May 7, 2026
More
4.5 stars. I want Jupiter to thrive in the next book. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more.
4.5 stars. I want Jupiter to thrive in the next book. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more.
May 24, 2026
thank god she didn't take them back at the end.
May 29, 2026
I am begging authors, especially RH authors, to properly and thoroughly describe what people look like and a few reminders of who tf is who along the way wouldn’t go amiss too.
March 22, 2026
100% Recommend!
This is a must read! It's so good
Jupiter is a badass & I hope she gets her hea. I'm obsessed with the storyline it's so well written & I NEED book 2 in my life ASAP. I've not come across a book like it!
This is a must read! It's so good
Jupiter is a badass & I hope she gets her hea. I'm obsessed with the storyline it's so well written & I NEED book 2 in my life ASAP. I've not come across a book like it!
March 29, 2026
im obsessed 😍
Im totally obsessed and cant wait to see what happens next. I would love to see her bond with this new team they seem like they will be good for her and help heal her. Then once the others get their shit together it would be awesome if she ended up with hoth teams shes powerful enough i feel she would need more than one team to keep her stable anyways. I will definitely be rereading this it was so good i couldn’t put it down and finished it in one day.
Im totally obsessed and cant wait to see what happens next. I would love to see her bond with this new team they seem like they will be good for her and help heal her. Then once the others get their shit together it would be awesome if she ended up with hoth teams shes powerful enough i feel she would need more than one team to keep her stable anyways. I will definitely be rereading this it was so good i couldn’t put it down and finished it in one day.
May 21, 2026
This one made me mad, maybe because it started ok. Maybe because it was so hyped. She keeps talking about the academy, maybe the book could’ve began there so the author could’ve shown us instead of vaguely telling us. FMC has no personality other than being the most speshul. The constant time jumps- something happens, we jump several days and don’t discuss what happened or the fall out in any meaningful way.
I read romance to see the romance develop. One of the mmc spends one evening with FMC. That’s it. Then the mmcs do a 180 on how they treat FMC with little explanation. I guess little explanation is the theme of this book. There is no depth to any of the characters. Then the physical romance gave me whiplash and I’m so tired of acting like a kiss then one thrust is even close to appealing or would be enough foreplay to make that anything but miserable for the FMC (there are very few circumstances I would find that acceptable writing, usually it means the chemistry/lead up was intense, these scenes were not intense, there was no chemistry. Alternatively when the pain is the point it at least makes sense to be written that way.)
I ended up DNF at 68% and I’m aware it takes a turn after that but there is just nothing that could redeem this book for me.
I read romance to see the romance develop. One of the mmc spends one evening with FMC. That’s it. Then the mmcs do a 180 on how they treat FMC with little explanation. I guess little explanation is the theme of this book. There is no depth to any of the characters. Then the physical romance gave me whiplash and I’m so tired of acting like a kiss then one thrust is even close to appealing or would be enough foreplay to make that anything but miserable for the FMC (there are very few circumstances I would find that acceptable writing, usually it means the chemistry/lead up was intense, these scenes were not intense, there was no chemistry. Alternatively when the pain is the point it at least makes sense to be written that way.)
I ended up DNF at 68% and I’m aware it takes a turn after that but there is just nothing that could redeem this book for me.
March 30, 2026
Page turner
Read in one sitting, pretty rare for me since i'm a slow reader. How I know if the book is that good is when i re-read sentences multiple times.Can't wait for book 2 to come out!
Read in one sitting, pretty rare for me since i'm a slow reader. How I know if the book is that good is when i re-read sentences multiple times.Can't wait for book 2 to come out!
May 9, 2026
Deep and Angsty
I have been in a total book slump since I read the 2nd book of Elizabeth dears newest book. A complete book hangover, and my normal authors weren’t doin it for me, then I stumbled across this one by accident!
Wow! This had everything I enjoy in a series. A badass fmc, knows her worth, backbone of steel, while still being able to crumble in the comforts of her own home. Showing a brave face to the world while everyone talked about her, whether it was in the face of adversity towards her 13th zodiac sign that was supposedly a myth, her fighting skills, her magic and even the group of guys that were basically forced on her. Then to top it off, they didn’t believe her when she said she never written any of those soul destroying emails. I’m actually super proud of how she handled it all. My heart broke but I feel she served up revenge in the best way possible before leaving to go to another academy.
Best character ever tho is her familiar, Noodle. A black mamba. He didn’t have enough scenes in my thoughts. I seriously can’t wait for the next book!
I have been in a total book slump since I read the 2nd book of Elizabeth dears newest book. A complete book hangover, and my normal authors weren’t doin it for me, then I stumbled across this one by accident!
Wow! This had everything I enjoy in a series. A badass fmc, knows her worth, backbone of steel, while still being able to crumble in the comforts of her own home. Showing a brave face to the world while everyone talked about her, whether it was in the face of adversity towards her 13th zodiac sign that was supposedly a myth, her fighting skills, her magic and even the group of guys that were basically forced on her. Then to top it off, they didn’t believe her when she said she never written any of those soul destroying emails. I’m actually super proud of how she handled it all. My heart broke but I feel she served up revenge in the best way possible before leaving to go to another academy.
Best character ever tho is her familiar, Noodle. A black mamba. He didn’t have enough scenes in my thoughts. I seriously can’t wait for the next book!
March 14, 2026
So different but yet incredible.
The book was incredible. The FMC is so strong no matter what was thrown at her. I loved her familiar. I kept giggling when he would talk to her. I did like the mcs none of them stood out too much because we didn’t really get to know them just more of the dynamic of the bonds and training. More so I hope the next book does more of that. I know more characters are coming as well which is super exciting. She definitely deserves so much more than what she got towards the end.
The book was incredible. The FMC is so strong no matter what was thrown at her. I loved her familiar. I kept giggling when he would talk to her. I did like the mcs none of them stood out too much because we didn’t really get to know them just more of the dynamic of the bonds and training. More so I hope the next book does more of that. I know more characters are coming as well which is super exciting. She definitely deserves so much more than what she got towards the end.
March 28, 2026
Amazing
I loved this book from start to finish. I will be waiting anxiously for the nect one. Love the cover as well
I loved this book from start to finish. I will be waiting anxiously for the nect one. Love the cover as well
March 28, 2026
Enjoyable
This was a really enjoyable introduction to an interesting world and I’m interested to see what London brings and how the 2 shields will eventually join.
This was a really enjoyable introduction to an interesting world and I’m interested to see what London brings and how the 2 shields will eventually join.
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