Already finished The Awakening, Ruthless Fae, and The Reckoning and want to know what happens next to Vega sisters? Zodiac Academy: Shadow Princess is the fourth book in the Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. Want to know what happens in Book 4 of the Zodiac Academy series? Read on!
Fair warning: This is a FULL SPOILER RECAP of the fourth book. If you haven’t read it yet, turn back now unless you’re ready for all the major twists and reveals!
Shadow Princess Book Recap – Book 4 in Zodiac Academy Series
Initial Aftermath & Phoenix Revelation
Following a confrontation with Lionel Acrux, where he forced the Vega twins into a pit of shadows, Tory and Darcy emerge transformed. Their true Order form is revealed to be the legendary Phoenix, not Fire Harpies as previously believed. This revelation is momentous, as Phoenixes haven’t been seen in Solaria for over a thousand years. Darius takes them to a treehouse sanctuary at King’s Hollow, where they discover that the shadows have infected not only the twins but also Darius and Lance (Orion). The group decides to keep the twins’ true nature secret, recognizing that Phoenixes could be more powerful than any current Fae.
Phoenix Powers & New Allies
As the twins begin to understand their Phoenix abilities, they learn their powers are extraordinary: they can draw fire directly from the sun, destroy all matter, sever magical spells, and are immune to all types of fire, including Dragon fire. They can even harm traditionally fire-resistant Orders like Dragons, Manticores, and Hydras. A new ally appears in Gabriel Nox, the new Tarot teacher, who reveals he had visions of the twins as Phoenixes. Gabriel becomes their secret tutor, helping them understand their powers while avoiding regular Harpy Order Enhancement classes. The twins also discover they have natural resistance to psychological magic, including Coercion and memory probing.
Shadow Magic & Training
The aftermath of Lionel’s attack leaves the twins infected with shadow magic, requiring secret training sessions with Orion and Darius at Air Cove. They learn that shadow magic is addictive and euphoric, requiring an anchor (someone with a strong emotional connection) to practice safely. The twins choose to anchor each other rather than work with Darius or Orion. Meanwhile, dark revelations emerge about shadow magic: it’s made of souls, and the Acrux family regularly practices it. Diego reveals his own family’s connection to dark magic, including his grandmother’s soul being bound to his hat and his uncle’s work for Lionel Acrux.
Relationships & Complications
Throughout the story, relationships become increasingly complex. Darcy and Lance/Orion develop their secret romantic relationship, while Tory and Darius maintain a volatile antagonistic dynamic despite underlying attraction.
Tory goes to a Halloween party dressed as a pegasus, which finally leads Caleb to break up their intimate relationship. Seth discovers Darcy and Lance’s relationship and uses it for blackmail. This causes a serious rift between sisters as Seth forbids Darcy to tell her sister about her secret affair. Tory is feeling left alone and for the first time in her life, without her sister to reply on. Orion fights with Darius over the twins and is unable to ask for his help with Seth. In that moment, Darcy and Orion are forced to do Seth bidding.
The Halloween party at Earth Caverns becomes a turning point when the Heirs execute a plan against the twins, using potions to cause hallucinations and altered behavior (Darcy speaks to ravens, while Tory sensually dances with many guys). This leads to damaged reputations and strained relationships, though the twins eventually counter the negative press successfully thanks to Tyler Corbin.
Clara’s Return & Palace Politics
A major revelation occurs when Darcy and Diego make contact with Clara, Lance’s supposedly dead sister, in the Shadow Realm. She reveals herself as the “Shadow Princess” and asks for help to escape.
Meanwhile, the twins return to the Palace of Souls for Christmas, where they discover their mother’s rooms and mysterious artifacts, including two rings and a Tarot card suggesting palace secrets. Political tensions emerge during the holiday celebrations the twins are forced to host for the ruling heirs and their families, with Lionel suggesting the twins should abdicate their claim to the throne.
The situation becomes more complicated when a Nymph attack forces the twins to reveal their Phoenix powers publicly.
Tragic Conclusion
The story culminates in two parallel events. First, Tory and Darius experience their Divine Moment during a snowstorm, where the stars align their constellations (Leo and Gemini) for their fated meeting. Despite Darius’s pleas and confessions, Tory chooses to reject the fated bond, resulting in them becoming Star Crossed, marked by black rings around their pupils.
Simultaneously, Darcy and Lance attempt to rescue Clara from the Shadow Realm. Though they succeed in bringing her back, Clara, now a vessel for shadows, attacks Lance, draining his blood and mortally wounding him before escaping into the night. The book ends with Darcy desperately trying to save Lance’s life, while he makes her promise to work with the Heirs and claim the throne.
Lance’s fate hangs in the balance, Clara’s transformation poses a new threat, Tory and Darius must deal with the consequences of becoming Star Crossed, and the future of Solaria’s throne remains uncertain. The twins’ journey has evolved from simply surviving at the academy to potentially becoming the realm’s future queens, though at a devastating personal cost.
Interested what happened next? Check our book recap for Cursed Fates Book 5 in the Zodiac Academy series.
Where the key characters are at the end of Shadow Princess:
Has just rejected her Divine Moment with Darius, becoming Star Crossed and marked with black rings around her pupils. She’s chosen solitude over a fated bond with someone who hurt her, though this decision clearly pains her. Her Phoenix powers are now public knowledge after the Nymph attack.
Desperately trying to save Lance’s life after Clara’s attack. She’s drained of magic from the shadow bridge ritual and dealing with both physical and emotional exhaustion. Has promised Lance to work with the Heirs and claim the throne, potentially changing her entire approach to Solarian politics.
Left devastated in the snow after Tory’s rejection during their Divine Moment. Also marked as Star Crossed, he must now face the consequences of his past actions toward Tory while dealing with the political fallout of the twins’ Phoenix revelation.
Fighting for his life after being attacked by his sister Clara. Mortally wounded from both blood loss and a stab wound, his fate hangs in the balance. His last actions were to make Darcy promise to work with the Heirs and claim her rightful place.
Had been using his knowledge of Darcy and Lance’s relationship for blackmail, but his plans were somewhat derailed by the twins’ successful PR counter-campaign. His relationship with Caleb has shown hints of developing beyond friendship.
Has ended his physical relationship with Tory and shown growing closeness to Seth. He’s demonstrated increasing doubt about the Heirs’ treatment of the twins, particularly during the Halloween party incident.
Continues his persistent pursuit of Geraldine despite her immunity to his powers. His usual confidence has been shaken by her consistent rejection, forcing him to consider genuine approaches rather than relying on his abilities.
Maintains her immunity to Max’s powers and continues to reject his advances, though there are hints of underlying attraction. She’s become an unexpected ally to the twins, helping them navigate palace politics.
Maintains secret communication with Xavier Acrux, providing him a connection to the outside world while he remains essentially a prisoner in his own home. Her Pegasus form makes her a unique confidante.
His complex family connections to dark magic have been revealed, including his grandmother’s soul in his hat and his uncle’s work for Lionel Acrux. His loyalty remains somewhat ambiguous, though he helped reveal Clara’s existence in the Shadow Realm.
Has returned to the physical world after years trapped in the Shadow Realm, but as a changed being – now a vessel for shadows with no blood of her own. After attacking her brother Lance and nearly killing him, she’s escaped into the night, posing a significant new threat.
The new Tarot teacher who has been helping the twins understand their Phoenix powers. His connection to the mysterious Falling Star and his visions about the twins suggest he’ll play a crucial role in future events. He’s also revealed to be Orion’s Nebular Ally.
Has discovered the twins are Phoenixes, not Fire Harpies, potentially changing his political strategy. Continues to maintain control over his family, particularly Xavier, while pushing for the twins to abdicate their claim to the throne.
Remains under his father’s strict control but showed a moment of defiance during Christmas by transforming into his Pegasus form. Maintains secret communication with Sofia, showing growing resistance to his father’s influence.
Books in the Zodiac Academy Series:
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