Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy 4)

The Zodiac Academy series from the Twisted Sisters and Amazon and Wall Street Journal #1 bestselling authors Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti is a Booktok phenomenon. This print re-issue includes an exclusive bonus chapter, brand new world map, and a new cover. As well as the stunning interior chapter pages which were included in the previous edition.

The shadows are in my blood.

I can feel them crawling through me, slithering under my skin and taking me hostage.

But the darkness within me, isn't nearly as bad as the darkness that lives around me.

The four heirs will stop at nothing to destroy the lives of me and my sister.

Perfect for fans of:
Slow burn romance
Dark Academia
Enemies to lovers
Found family
Elemental powers
Morally grey characters
Bully romance
Fated/Rejected mates
Dragons, Vampires, Werewolves, Sirens, Pegasus and more
Forbidden Love

But they haven't figured out yet, we're the strongest creatures they've ever known...

Caroline Peckham is a #1 WSJ and Amazon bestselling author who co-writes with her sister, Susanne Valenti. Known to their fans as the ‘Twisted Sisters’, the duo has sold over 15 million books, building a reputation for heart-stopping cliffhangers, dark humour and ‘love to hate’ characters.

With over 50 novels spanning dark romance and fantasy, including the viral sensation Zodiac Academy and Ruthless Boys series, they are masters of the ‘happily ever after’ that makes you suffer first.

Based in the UK, the author duo co-own a publishing house called King's Hollow and are often cooking up twisted cliffhangers, fierce FMCs and dark, broody MMCs in their writing cave nestled in the English countryside.

Why not join the Twisted Sisters' mailing list for exclusive teasers at: kingshollow.co.uk

Or head over to their reader group where you can be the first to hear about all of their upcoming projects: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1969723189953113

TikTok: @carolinepeckham
Instagram: @carolinepeckham

Susanne Valenti is a #1 WSJ and Amazon bestselling author who co-writes with her sister, Caroline Peckham. Penned the ‘Twisted Sisters’ by their fans together, they have captivated a global audience with over 15 million books sold, earning a reputation for devious cliffhangers, razor-sharp dark humour and the kind of ‘love to hate’ characters that keep readers up all night.

With a 50 book legacy spanning fantasy and dark romance, including the viral sensation Zodiac Academy and Ruthless Boys series, they are the queens of making you fall in love with the characters just before they tear your heart out, only to piece it back together by the final page.

Based in the UK, the author duo co-own a publishing house called King's Hollow and are often cooking up twisted cliffhangers, fierce FMCs and dark, broody MMCs in their writing cave nestled in the English countryside.

Why not join the Twisted Sisters' mailing list for exclusive teasers at: kingshollow.co.uk

Or head over to their reader group where you can be the first to hear about all of their upcoming projects: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1969723189953113

TikTok: @susannevalenti
Instagram: @susanne_valenti

Shadow Princess by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti (Zodiac Academy 4) continues the brutal, addictive saga of Tory and Darcy Vega as they are pushed further toward their destiny as the rightful rulers of Solaria while being crushed under the weight of grief, betrayal, and relentless danger. The story picks up after the devastating events of the previous book, when the twins suffer losses that leave them emotionally shattered and furious. Their world has become darker and harsher, and both sisters are forced to confront how fragile life is in a kingdom ruled by corruption and fear. The title “Shadow Princess” hints most directly at Darcy’s evolving magic and inner darkness, but it also reflects the twins’ situation: they are princesses whose power is growing, yet they are kept in the shadows, undermined at every turn, and treated as if they are better off dead than crowned.

Tory, the wild, defiant twin, is driven more than ever by rage and a refusal to submit. The cruelty they have endured at Zodiac Academy—from the Heirs, from the staff, and from the ruling elite—has hardened her. She no longer wants simply to survive; she wants to fight back, even if that means burning the old system down. Her relationship with Darius Acrux, the dragon shifter heir to the most dangerous family in Solaria, becomes one of the book’s most intense emotional threads. The two of them are bound by a deep, undeniable attraction, but torn apart by divided loyalties. Darius is tied to his ruthless father Lionel and the oppressive order that has long ruled the kingdom. Tory is the symbol of change that Lionel wants to destroy. Between them, there is heat, hatred, trust, and betrayal all tangled together. Darius keeps hurting her in the name of duty, then turning around and protecting her in the name of love. Tory keeps swearing she’s done with him, yet finds herself drawn back whenever his softer side breaks through. Their bond constantly oscillates between breaking and strengthening, and that emotional turbulence fuels much of Tory’s growth as she tries to decide how much of herself she is willing to risk for someone who might never fully stand on her side.

Darcy, who started the series as the more gentle, uncertain twin, steps deeper into darker territory in this installment. She has always struggled with feeling overshadowed by Tory’s fierce nature, but now she begins to claim her own identity, one that is tied to shadow magic, forbidden love, and increasingly dangerous choices. Her relationship with Professor Orion, the brooding, morally gray mentor who should never have become her lover, is more precarious than ever. Orion has been branded a traitor and is hunted, and Lionel’s grip on the kingdom makes their secret relationship a constant threat to both their lives. Still, Orion is the one person who truly sees Darcy’s strengths and refuses to let her hide from her power. Their connection gives Darcy a sense of belonging and passion, but also puts her in direct opposition to the laws and expectations that bind the academy and the royal court. Throughout the book, Darcy wrestles with the clash between her heart and her duty, knowing that every step toward Orion is another step toward treason in the eyes of those who rule Solaria.

The political landscape of Solaria grows more twisted and volatile in “Shadow Princess.” Lionel Acrux tightens his hold on power, manipulating the Celestial Council and twisting public opinion to maintain his dominance. The Vega twins’ very existence threatens him, because their royal blood and combined powers mark them as the rightful queens who could overturn his regime. Rather than acknowledge their claim, he works to paint them as unstable, dangerous, and unfit to rule. The Celestial Council, supposedly a neutral governing body, is shown to be deeply corrupt and self-serving, more interested in maintaining the current hierarchy than in justice or balance. Tory and Darcy learn, again and again, that the game is rigged against them. Even when they try to follow rules, they are punished. When they resist, they are branded rebels. That relentless pressure forces them to confront a painful truth: they may not be able to win by playing nice with a system built to crush them. This realization slowly shifts them from reluctant heirs to active revolutionaries, even if they are not fully ready to admit that yet.

Life at Zodiac Academy, far from being a normal school experience, becomes more vicious and deadly. The trials, classes, and magical challenges the twins face grow increasingly lethal, designed to expose their weaknesses or break their spirit. Their elemental powers—tied to their star signs and heritage—continue to evolve, sometimes in ways they don’t fully understand or control. Darcy’s connection to shadow magic becomes a major focus, giving her a new kind of strength but also hinting at potential danger if that darkness consumes her. Tory’s aggressive, fiery nature pairs with her lethal gifts, making her a threat to anyone who underestimates her. They are learning to harness their abilities, but every success comes with consequences: punishment from the academy, backlash from the Heirs, and increased scrutiny from the Council and Lionel’s loyalists.

The twins’ friendships are both a lifeline and a source of tension. Geraldine, Sofia, and other allies bring humor, loyalty, and emotional refuge amid all the cruelty. These friends help the sisters remember who they are beneath the bruises, threats, and grief. They train together, plot, and sometimes clash over methods and risks. Trust becomes a central issue: in a world where betrayal is common and secrets are deadly, even tight-knit groups are tested. Some characters prove themselves repeatedly; others reveal hidden agendas or deep fears that push them in directions that hurt the twins. These relationships, full of banter, affection, and arguments, prevent the book from becoming purely dark, but they also underscore that the twins cannot fight a kingdom alone—even if sometimes they feel as though they must.

Romantic subplots remain central, but they are far from light or easy. Tory and Darius’s connection is constantly threatened by Lionel’s expectations and Darius’s own internal war between honor and love. Their stolen moments are intense and often overshadowed by looming catastrophe. Darcy and Orion’s forbidden love is fraught with secrecy, fear of discovery, and guilt. They both know that being together could destroy not just their lives, but the fragile balance of power at the academy. Yet separating is nearly impossible. These romances anchor the emotional core of the book while reflecting its larger theme: in Solaria, nothing meaningful comes without risk, and love can be as dangerous as any spell or blade.

Magic itself, especially in its darker forms, plays a bigger role here. Shadows, curses, ancient forces, and forbidden knowledge weave through the plot, suggesting that the political battle for Solaria is only one layer of a deeper, older conflict. Darcy’s shadow powers hint at hidden histories and unexplored realms of magic. The line between “good” and “evil” grows increasingly blurry, as characters we thought were monsters show cracks of vulnerability, and those we believed virtuous reveal harsh edges and limits. This complexity forces Tory and Darcy to question their instincts about who to trust, who to fight, and what kind of rulers they might become if they survive long enough to claim the throne.

By the end of Shadow Princess Tory and Darcy have taken real strides toward embracing their roles as queens, but the cost has been immense. They bear new scars—physical and emotional—and carry more responsibility than ever. Each small victory triggers a violent response from their enemies, and the path forward is soaked in danger. The twins are no longer just misfit students scrambling to pass classes; they are emerging leaders in a kingdom that would rather break them than bow to them. Their powers are stronger, their relationships deeper and more complicated, and the threats against them more personal and vicious. The book leaves the sisters standing on the edge of a larger war, shadowed by loss and rage, yet more determined than ever to fight for the future of Solaria—even if it means embracing the darkness inside themselves as much as the light.