“Zodiac Academy: The Awakening” is the first book in Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti’s popular paranormal academy series. The story introduces twins Darcy and Tory Vega, who discover they’re not ordinary humans but Fae royalty with elemental powers and rightful heirs to the throne of Solaria. This is the beginning of their story. Want to know what happens in Book 1 of the Zodiac Academy series? Read on!
Fair warning: This is a FULL SPOILER RECAP of the first book. If you haven’t read it yet, turn back now unless you’re ready for all the major twists and reveals!
The Awakening Book Recap – Book 1 of Zodiac Academy Series
The Awakening follows 18-year-old twins Darcy and Tory Vega, who grew up in the mortal world, unaware of their true identities. When they learn they are Fae princesses and heirs to the throne of Solaria, they’re thrust into a magical world full of danger, power, and secrets. Attending Zodiac Academy, they must awaken their powers, navigate deadly rivalries, uncover the mystery of their parents’ murder, and survive the brutal tactics of the four Celestial Heirs who see them as a threat.
Life in the Mortal World
Darcy and Tory are struggling to get by after being kicked out of their last foster home. Darcy sneaks back into the home to steal back the money they had saved, only to lose it during a near-arrest. Tory, in turn, steals a bike to earn cash from a black-market dealer. Both are barely scraping by in Chicago until a man named Professor Orion shows up.
Orion reveals their true identities: they are the long-lost daughters of King and Queen Vega of Solaria, switched with human babies and hidden in the mortal world after their parents were murdered by Nymphs. Now that they’ve turned 18, their magical signatures have surfaced, and they must return to Solaria to awaken their powers and claim their inheritance. Though skeptical, the girls are coerced by Orion and transported to Solaria using stardust.
The Awakening Ceremony
Upon arrival at Zodiac Academy, the twins join a group of new students for the Awakening ceremony led by Professor Zenith. Most Fae manifest one or two Elements based on their Zodiac signs. But to everyone’s shock, both Darcy and Tory awaken all four Elements—air, fire, water, and earth—a feat not seen in thousands of years.
This unprecedented power instantly paints a target on their backs.
Meeting the Heirs
At The Orb, the central hall of Zodiac Academy, the girls meet Principal Nova, who confirms their royal lineage. They’re introduced to the Celestial Heirs: Darius Acrux (Dragon/Firebase), Caleb Altair (Vampire/Earth), Max Rigel (Siren/Water), and Seth Capella (Werewolf/Air). These elite students are heirs to the powerful elemental families and current frontrunners for the throne.
The Heirs are hostile and view the Vega twins as usurpers. Almost immediately, they begin orchestrating dangerous pranks and humiliations to drive them away.
House Selection & Initiation
The twins must join different houses to maintain balance due to their immense power. Tory joins Ignis (Fire) under Darius; Darcy joins Aer (Air) under Seth. During initiation, Tory burns her clothes walking through a literal wall of fire. Darcy is forced to choose between cutting her hair or jumping from a rooftop—she jumps and survives using her Air power.
They both meet allies: Sofia Cygnus, a kind Pegasus in Ignis, and Diego Polaris, a friendly Air Elemental. They also encounter Geraldine Grus, a passionate royalist who leads the Almighty Sovereign Society (A.S.S.), a student group dedicated to helping the Vega twins reclaim the throne.
Classes & Coercion
The twins begin lessons in Cardinal Magic, Elemental training, and Order Enhancement—though their Order remains unknown. In Professor Orion’s class, they receive a mysterious message from “Falling Star,” an anonymous ally warning them of Orion’s secrecy.
In class, Orion forces the twins to endure magical coercion to build mental shields. Nova assigns Orion as Darcy’s Liaison and Professor Prestos to Tory. Both girls begin private training.
Darcy starts developing a complicated connection with Orion, while Tory is pulled into a dangerous dynamic with Darius and Caleb. Caleb feeds on her magic, claiming her as his Source.
Bullying, Blackmail & Power Struggles
The Heirs escalate their attacks:
- Darcy is humiliated by being coerced to kiss Seth and later has her blue-dyed hair cut off by him.
- Tory is nearly drowned in a frozen pool by Darius and Max after being forced to face her deepest fear: deep water.
- Tory is also blackmailed with leaked photos and blood-fed on by Caleb.
Despite this, the girls slowly begin to fight back. Tory publicly humiliates a student who leaked her photos. Darcy and Tory both start standing their ground against the Heirs’ manipulations.
Night Out Gone Wrong
The twins sneak out with Diego and Sofia to a bar. They spot Orion on a date and eavesdrop on a suspicious conversation suggesting he’s planning something deadly. Later, they follow a tip from Falling Star to meet in an alley, where they’re attacked by a shadowy Nymph-like creature that blocks their powers.
They escape and run into the Heirs at a bar. A temporary truce is called, and both girls share intimate dances—Darcy with Seth and Tory with Darius and Caleb. But the night ends in chaos: Geraldine is attacked and nearly killed. Orion is covered in blood, leading the twins to initially suspect him, but it’s later revealed he saved Geraldine.
Secrets & Revelations
Professor Astrum, their Tarot teacher and the mysterious Falling Star, reveals that the twins’ parents were likely murdered in a conspiracy involving the Acrux family. He warns them not to trust the flames and tells them that the answers they seek lie “between Leo and Libra.”
The twins also learn more about their father, Hail Vega, known as the Savage King, feared for his brutality.
The Dance: Betrayal & Violence
At the Academy dance:
- Seth tricks Darcy, kisses her, and cuts off her hair, humiliating her publicly.
- Tory is coerced by Darius to jump into a pool despite her trauma. Max and Darius freeze the surface, trapping her underwater until she nearly drowns.
Orion and Darcy arrive just in time. Orion saves Tory and reprimands the Heirs, but he’s limited in punishment due to their high status.
Outside The Orb, a massive fire reveals the burned corpse of Professor Astrum. A magical Tarot card (Death) floats to the twins, bearing a final message: “The Shadow found me. The answers are between Leo and Libra. Do not trust the flames. Claim your throne.”e to the twins with a final message warning them about “The Shadow,” telling them to “not trust the flames,” and urging them to “claim their throne.”
Interested what happened next? Check our book recap for Ruthless Fae, Book 2 in the Zodiac Academy series.
Where the key characters are at the end of The Awakening:
At the scene of Astrum’s death, still recovering from her near-drowning. She’s in possession of the Death tarot card from Astrum’s corpse with its cryptic warning.
Standing outside The Orb in shock after Professor Astrum’s murder. She’s emotionally devastated from Seth’s betrayal, having been tricked, kissed, and had her meaningful blue-tipped hair cut off as a trophy.
Last seen storming out of the pool area after being given detention, telling Orion to “go fuck himself.”
Saves Tory from drowning, gives everyone detention, shocks by Astrums death.
Cuts off Darcy’s hair and wears it as a trophy around his wrist.
Stands by as Darius and Max drown Tory in the pool.
Tries to drown Tory in the pool as the school watches.
Recovering after being attacked by a Nymph.
Unknown, probably still at the Ball.
Unknown, probably still at the Ball.
Books in the Zodiac Academy Series:
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