Editors Reads Verdict
Cursed Fates is where the series earns its 'dark' descriptor in full — emotional stakes are brutally high, the plot moves faster than any previous instalment, and the ending is the kind that sends readers immediately to book six.
What We Loved
- The plot accelerates significantly after the slower world-building of book four
- Emotional stakes reach their highest point — beloved characters face real consequences
- The prophecy comes into focus in ways that reframe the entire series
Minor Drawbacks
- Genuinely dark — readers who prefer lighter fantasy should be aware
- Ends on a cliffhanger that demands immediate continuation
Key Takeaways
- → The prophecy surrounding the Vega twins has consequences that cannot be escaped
- → Betrayal from unexpected sources reshapes the alliances the series has built
| Author | Caroline Peckham |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Self-Published |
| Pages | 510 |
| Published | August 4, 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Dark Fantasy, New Adult, Romantasy, Paranormal Romance |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Best For | Series readers at book 5. Not a starting point under any circumstances. |
Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates is generally considered the darkest entry in the main series and one of the most plot-intensive. By the fifth book, the world is fully established, the relationships are complex and emotionally loaded, and Peckham and Valenti can focus on pushing events to their most dramatic extremes.
The central prophecy surrounding the Vega twins comes into sharper focus here, and its implications for the characters readers have followed across five books are significant. The book also delivers on the series’ promise of genuine consequences — the “dark” in dark academy fantasy stops being atmospheric and starts meaning something specific for characters the reader is invested in.
The pacing is notably faster than Shadow Princess — the world-building phase of the series is complete, and Cursed Fates moves. It ends on a cliffhanger that most readers report makes Fated Thrones an immediate read.
Series readers only. Begin with The Awakening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates" about?
The darkest instalment yet — as the prophecy surrounding the Vega twins comes into sharper focus, betrayals shake the alliances they have built, and the battle for Solaria approaches.
Who should read "Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates"?
Series readers at book 5. Not a starting point under any circumstances.
What are the key takeaways from "Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates"?
The prophecy surrounding the Vega twins has consequences that cannot be escaped Betrayal from unexpected sources reshapes the alliances the series has built
Is "Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates" worth reading?
Cursed Fates is where the series earns its 'dark' descriptor in full — emotional stakes are brutally high, the plot moves faster than any previous instalment, and the ending is the kind that sends readers immediately to book six.
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