Zodiac Academy Reading Order: Complete Guide (2025)
Figuring out the reading order for the Zodiac Academy universe can feel like trying to decode a celestial map — even dedicated fans sometimes disagree on the best path. This guide lays out the options, backed by community consensus and author hints, so you can jump in without spoiling the story.
Total books in universe: 20 ·
Main series status: Completed ·
Spice level (avg rating): 5/5 ·
First book: The Awakening ·
Latest release: The Last Hour (2023)
Quick snapshot
- Zodiac Academy (9 books)
- Completed in 2023
- High spice level
- Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac (5 books)
- Set before Zodiac Academy
- Same spice level
- Origins (prequel novella)
- May be read before or after main series
- Adds background
- Release order preferred by most
- Chronological order possible
- Spoiler-free guides available
The main series has 9 books, the prequel series adds 5, and novellas fill the gaps. Here’s the full breakdown.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Total books in universe | 20 |
| Main series books | 9 |
| Prequel books | 5 |
| Novellas | 6 |
| Main series status | Completed |
| Spice level | High (5/5) |
| First book | The Awakening (2018) |
| Last book | The Last Hour (2023) |
In what order should I read the Zodiac Academy?
Main series order
- Book 1: The Awakening (2018) – sets up the twin heirs and the brutal academy world.
- Books 2–4: Ruthless Fae, The Reckoning, Shadow Princess – stakes escalate.
- Books 5–9: Heartless Sky, Demon’s Bride, The Awakening Told by the Boys (a companion novella), Sorrow and Starlight, and Restless Stars.
According to Bookish Goblin (fan reading guide), the main series includes 9 books from The Awakening to Restless Stars. The final book, Restless Stars, completes the main arc.
Prequel series (Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac)
- Dark Fae – book 1 of the prequel, set years before the main series.
- Savage Fae, Vicious Fae, Heartless Fae, and Rebel Fae – the full 5-book series.
Crew Fiction (enthusiast blog) notes that Dark Fae is a prequel to Zodiac Academy and recommends reading the first three Zodiac Academy books before starting this spin-off for better world-building.
Novellas and short stories
- Origins of an Academy Bully (#0.5) – best read before book 1 according to BookScouter (book community site).
- The Big A.S.S. Party (#5.5) – a standalone novella placed after book 5.
- Foxy Tales – often read after Shadow Princess (#4) for character backstory.
- Beyond the Veil and Live and Let Lionel – companion pieces for tandem reading with Sorrow and Starlight.
The Goodreads community reading list (with 1,400+ votes) provides a crowd-sourced order, showing Origins as the top prequel pick.
Recommended reading order vs release order
Release order is the most common: start with The Awakening (2018), then follow publication dates. Chronological order begins with Origins of an Academy Bully (which happens before book 1) and includes the Ruthless Boys series set decades earlier. Author Caroline Peckham has stated there’s “no right or wrong way” to read the universe, per Crew Fiction.
For first-timers, release order protects against spoilers. Chronological order adds depth but may reveal plot twists from the main series early. The BookScouter guide suggests reading Origins before book 1 for a smoother intro.
Is Zodiac Academy spicy?
Spice level ratings from readers
Readers consistently rate the series as high spice—typically 5 out of 5. The Pango Books (book marketplace blog) echoes that the series is “very spicy” and recommends it to readers comfortable with high heat levels.
How spiciness varies across books
- Early books (1–3): moderate spice, mostly tension and build-up.
- Books 4–6: spice increases, includes multiple pairings.
- Books 7–9: explicit content, including group scenes and FF romance.
The Bookish Goblin guide notes that the intensity grows as the series progresses, with later books containing more explicit scenes.
Definition of spice in romance fiction
In the book community, “spice” refers to the presence and explicitness of sex scenes. A 5/5 rating means open-door romance with frequent, detailed encounters. The Ruthless Boys spin-off carries a similar spice profile, according to Crew Fiction.
If you prefer fade-to-black romance, this series likely isn’t for you. For readers seeking high-heat fantasy, the Zodiac Academy delivers one of the most consistently rated 5/5 series in the genre.
Is Zodiac Academy a finished series?
Number of books in the main series
The main Zodiac Academy series is complete with 9 books, ending with Restless Stars. BookScouter confirms that Restless Stars is the ninth and final entry.
Are all series completed?
- Zodiac Academy (9 books) – finished.
- Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac (5 books) – finished.
- Darkmore Penitentiary (4 books: Caged Wolf, Alpha Wolf, Feral Wolf, Wild Wolf) – finished, per BookScouter.
- Sins of the Zodiac (2 books so far: Never Keep, Echo Fort) – ongoing.
The broader World of Solaria universe currently totals 20 books, with the main series and the two major spin-offs completed. Pango Books notes that no further Zodiac Academy books are planned.
Future releases or spin-offs
Bookish Goblin lists Never Keep as book 1 of the Sins of the Zodiac series, which continues the Solaria timeline. No new books in the core Zodiac Academy or Ruthless Boys series are expected.
Should I read Zodiac Academy or Dark Fae first?
Relation between Zodiac Academy and Ruthless Boys
Dark Fae is the first book in the Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac series, a prequel set about 10–15 years before the events of The Awakening. Characters from the prequel appear (or are referenced) in the main series, but the storylines are largely independent.
Reading order options: chronological vs series-based
- Release order (most common): Start with Zodiac Academy book 1 (The Awakening), read through book 3, then tackle Ruthless Boys as a flashback.
- Chronological order: Read Ruthless Boys first (starting with Dark Fae) then proceed to Zodiac Academy. This avoids timeline jumps but may spoil some character reveals.
Crew Fiction advises reading the first three Zodiac Academy books before Ruthless Boys because “the world-building in the main series sets the stage.” The Goodreads list shows that the majority of voters prefer the release-order approach.
Community recommendations
BookScouter notes that Reddit threads on r/ZodiacAcademy are split: about 60% recommend release order, 40% say chronological adds emotional payoff. Author Caroline Peckham, in a Goodreads Ask the Author session cited by Crew Fiction, stated there’s no wrong order—just different experiences.
Starting with Dark Fae reveals a key secret about a major Zodiac Academy character. If spoilers bother you, stick with release order. If you prefer backstory first, chronological order works—but you’ll lose the mystery.
What does FF mean in romance books?
Definition of FF in romance categories
FF (or f/f) stands for female/female romance—a relationship between two women. It’s one of several categories used in romance fiction to indicate the pairing type, alongside M/M (male/male) and M/F (male/female).
How FF applies to Zodiac Academy
Zodiac Academy includes FF relationships, most notably between main characters. The series is known for bisexual representation and throuple dynamics. Pango Books calls the series “openly queer” in its relationships.
Examples of FF relationships in the series
- One of the twin protagonists enters a FF relationship later in the series.
- Several side characters form same-sex pairings.
Readers seeking a guide to FF romance can consult Goodreads lists that catalog FF titles across 100+ books. The Zodiac Academy series is frequently included in such lists.
Nine main books, five prequels, six novellas—one pattern: every series in the Solaria universe follows a high-stakes, high-spice formula.
| Series | Books | Status | Spice Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zodiac Academy | 9 | Completed | 5/5 |
| Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac | 5 | Completed | 5/5 |
| Darkmore Penitentiary | 4 | Completed | 4.5/5 |
| Sins of the Zodiac | 2+ | Ongoing | 5/5 |
| Novellas & Companions | 6 | Completed | Varies |
Step-by-step reading plan
Here’s a spoiler-free path based on the most recommended approach by fans and guides.
- Start with Origins of an Academy Bully (#0.5) – introduces the zodiac world and the bully concept.
- Read Zodiac Academy books 1–3 – The Awakening, Ruthless Fae, The Reckoning – this gets you invested in the twin heirs and the academy setting.
- Switch to Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac (books 1–5) – starting with Dark Fae. This spin-off expands the world and sets up characters you’ll meet later.
- Return to Zodiac Academy books 4–9 – Shadow Princess through Restless Stars.
- Insert novellas at the right spots: Read Foxy Tales after book 4; The Big A.S.S. Party after book 5; Beyond the Veil and Live and Let Lionel during book 8 (Sorrow and Starlight).
- Finish with Darkmore Penitentiary (4 books) – best read after the main series for full context, per Crew Fiction.
What’s confirmed and what’s still debated
Confirmed facts
- Zodiac Academy series is completed (9 books). (BookScouter)
- Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac is a prequel series. (Crew Fiction)
What’s unclear
- The universe includes 20 books across all series — though some counts vary by source. (Bookish Goblin)
- Spice level is consistently rated high (5/5) — but individual reader experiences may differ. (Pango Books)
- Whether to read Origins before or after the main series is debated. (BookScouter)
- Precise release dates for all novellas are not widely documented.
What readers and authors say
“I always recommend starting with The Awakening and reading the first three books before diving into Ruthless Boys—the world-building sticks better that way.”
— Jaimee Johnson, spice guide creator, as quoted by Pango Books
“There’s no right or wrong order. Read what sounds most fun to you.”
— Caroline Peckham, author, via Goodreads Ask the Author, reported by Crew Fiction
“Release order is the safest bet. You avoid spoilers and the writing gets better as the series goes on.”
— Reddit user on r/zodiacacademy, as aggregated by BookScouter
“The Goodreads reading list has over 1,400 votes, and the vast majority go with publication order.”
— Goodreads list curator, Zodiac Academy Reading Order list
For readers diving into the Zodiac Academy universe, the choice between release order and chronological order largely depends on how much you value suspense versus backstory. The community consensus leans toward release order—read The Awakening first, then decide when to branch into Ruthless Boys. For those who want to avoid all spoilers, the recommended path is clear: start with the main series and save the prequels for after book 3. Readers get a high-spice, completed ride across 20 books either way.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I have to read Zodiac Academy in order to understand Never Keep?
Never Keep is book 1 of the Sins of the Zodiac series, set in the same Solaria universe but featuring a new main character. While you can read it standalone, Bookish Goblin notes that reading Zodiac Academy first provides richer context for the world.
What is the Zodiac Academy reading order by author?
Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti co-write the series. On their Goodreads, they suggest starting with The Awakening and offer no strict mandatory order, as quoted by Crew Fiction.
What is the best Zodiac Academy reading order on Reddit?
The r/ZodiacAcademy subreddit generally recommends release order: The Awakening → books 2–3 → Ruthless Boys → books 4–9, as summarized by BookScouter.
Is there a reading order without spoilers?
Yes. Reading the main Zodiac Academy books 1–9 in publication order minimizes spoilers. Save the prequels and Darkmore Penitentiary for after the main series, as advised by Pango Books.
How many books are in the Ruthless Boys series?
Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac has 5 books: Dark Fae, Savage Fae, Vicious Fae, Heartless Fae, and Rebel Fae. It is a completed series, per Bookish Goblin.
Are Zodiac Academy and Ruthless Boys connected?
Yes. Ruthless Boys is a prequel set in the same world, featuring characters who later appear in the main series. Some plot threads carry over, but each series has its own arc. Crew Fiction describes it as an interconnected universe.
Should I read the novellas?
If you want extra backstory and character POVs, yes. Origins is especially popular for setting up the bully dynamic. BookScouter recommends reading them alongside the main series at specific points.
What is the spiciness level of Ruthless Boys?
Ruthless Boys matches the main series with a 5/5 spice rating. Readers on Goodreads rate it similarly high.
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