You know that feeling when you finish a book and just stare at the wall for twenty minutes wondering why you do this to yourself? That’s Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates. If you’ve made it this far into Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti’s brutal world of Solaria, you already know they don't do "happy endings" in the middle of a series. But Book 5 is different. It’s the pivot point. It is where the "bully romance" tag starts to feel a bit too small for the sheer scale of the misery and magic happening.
Honestly, it’s a lot.
The Vegas sisters—Tory and Darcy—spent the first four books just trying to survive the heirs. By the time we hit Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates, the stakes have shifted from "will they pass their classes" to "will the entire kingdom collapse into shadow and starlight." It is messy. It is loud. It is heartbreakingly unfair.
The Massive Shift in Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates
The thing about this specific installment is how it handles the fallout of the Reckoning. If Book 4 was the climb, Book 5 is the freefall. We see the Vega twins finally stepping into their power, but it comes at a cost that feels almost too high to pay. The authors have this specific way of dangling hope in front of you—like a carrot—only to replace it with a rusty nail.
Most people talk about the romance. Sure, the "will they, won't they" between Tory and Darius or Darcy and Orion is the engine of the fan base. But in Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates, the actual world-building takes a massive leap forward. We learn more about the stars. We see the actual mechanics of the curse.
Wait. Let’s talk about the stars for a second.
In Solaria, the stars aren't just pretty lights; they are sentient, manipulative, and kind of jerks. The way destiny is written in this book makes you realize that the protagonists aren't just fighting the Celestial Heirs—they are fighting the universe itself.
Why the Ending of Book 5 Still Hurts
If you haven't finished it, turn back. Seriously.
The Divine Moment. Those three words haunt the Reddit threads and Discord servers dedicated to this series. The authors, often called the "Twisted Sisters," earned that nickname largely because of the choices Tory makes at the end of this book. It’s polarizing. Half the fans think Tory was being true to her independent, "I won't be owned" nature. The other half want to throw the book across the room because why can't we just have one nice thing?
It’s a masterclass in character consistency over fan service. Tory Vega has been burned by every authority figure her entire life. Why would she suddenly trust the stars when they tell her she's "meant" to be with the guy who literally drowned her in Book 1? It makes sense. It just hurts.
Breaking Down the Elemental Magic and Politics
The magic system in Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates gets significantly more complex here. We move past basic elemental spells into "Order" forms. Watching Darcy navigate her Pegasus form while dealing with the shadow of the Nymphs provides a needed contrast to Tory’s fire-and-brimstone approach.
The politics of the Council are also falling apart.
- Lionel Acrux is no longer just a "mean dad." He is a full-scale villain.
- The tension between the Heirs is fracturing.
- The Nymph threat is moving from the background to the front door.
This isn't just a school story anymore. It's a war story. The school setting of Zodiac Academy starts to feel claustrophobic, which is intentional. The characters are outgrowing their cages, but the world outside is on fire.
The Orion and Darcy Dynamic
While Tory and Darius are busy blowing things up, Darcy and Orion provide the emotional anchor of Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates. Their relationship is forbidden—not in the "oh no, my parents will be mad" way, but in the "you will literally go to prison and lose your magic" way.
The stakes for them are internal. Orion’s struggle with his past and his loyalty to the crown versus his love for a Vega twin is one of the more nuanced arcs in the series. It’s less about the "steam" (though there is plenty) and more about the sacrifice.
Realities of the "Twisted Sisters" Writing Style
Susanne Valenti and Caroline Peckham don't write "clean" books. They are long. Sometimes they feel like they need an editor to take a weed-whacker to the subplots. But that length is also why the emotional payoffs—or betrayals—land so hard. You spend 700+ pages living in these characters' heads. By the time the final act of Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates hits, you aren't just a reader; you’re a victim of the plot.
Sentence structure in these books often mirrors the chaos of the characters' minds. High-speed action sequences followed by internal monologues that go on for pages. It shouldn't work. On paper, it sounds bloated. In practice? It’s addictive.
Common Misconceptions About Book 5
One big mistake new readers make is thinking the "bully" aspect remains the primary focus. By Book 5, the "bullying" has largely transformed into a complex web of trauma, regret, and forced alliances. Darius Acrux is no longer the guy you love to hate; he’s a guy you just feel bad for, even when he’s being an idiot.
Another misconception: that the "stars" are a metaphor. They aren't. In Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates, the stars are active participants in the ruin of these people’s lives. If you’re looking for a series where the characters win through the power of friendship and grit alone, you’re in the wrong place. They need the stars on their side, and the stars are notoriously fickle.
What You Should Actually Do After Reading
If you’ve just finished Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates and you’re feeling that post-book depression, you aren't alone. The cliffhanger is notorious.
- Don't skip the novellas. While you might want to rush into Book 6, The Big A.S.S. Party and Origins of an Academy Bully (though read earlier) provide context that makes the later political shifts make way more sense.
- Check the "As Told By The Boys" versions. If you're struggling to understand Darius's motivations during the Divine Moment, seeing the POV from the other side helps bridge the gap between "he's a monster" and "he's a product of his environment."
- Join the community but watch for spoilers. The Zodiac Academy fandom is massive on TikTok and Facebook. It’s a great place to vent, but because there are nine books in the main series (plus spin-offs), spoilers for the end of the series are everywhere.
- Prepare for Book 6. If you thought Book 5 was the peak of the emotional rollercoaster, you’re wrong. It’s just the first drop. Get your tissues and maybe a stress ball.
The path forward for the Vega twins is paved with more thorns than roses. Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates is the moment the series grows up, shedding its YA-adjacent skin for something much darker and more ambitious. It’s not a perfect book, but it is an unforgettable one.
Actionable Insight: Before starting the next book, map out the current alliances. The shift in loyalties at the end of Book 5 is so significant that if you don't have a firm grasp on who stands where—specifically regarding the Heirs' relationship with their parents—the opening of Book 6 will be confusing. Focus on the shift in the "Aries" and "Leo" dynamics, as these drive the military strategy moving forward.
