Zodiac Academy Reading Order
By the Ember team · Updated July 2026
The Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti has 9 main books out as of July 2026, with book 10 releasing in October 2026. Start with Origins of an Academy Bully (optional prequel) or jump straight to The Awakening (book 1), then read in publication order. The series also includes companion novellas and spin-off series set in the same world.
This is a why choose romance with multiple interconnected love interests. If you need one pairing per character, this may not be for you. Each book ends on a cliffhanger, and the emotional stakes climb with every installment. Once you start, you will not want to stop.
Short answer
The Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti has 9 main books out as of 2026, with book 10 releasing October 2026. Start with Origins of an Academy Bully (optional prequel), then The Awakening, and read in publication order. The series also includes companion novellas and related series.
Zodiac Academy books in order
Origins of an Academy Bully
Released July 2019
A prequel novella following one of the Heirs before the Vegas arrive. Optional but adds context to character motivations.
The Awakening
Released August 2019
Tory and Darcy Vega discover they are the true heirs to the Solarian throne and are forced to attend Zodiac Academy, where the Celestial Heirs will do anything to keep them from claiming their birthright.
Ruthless Fae
Released September 2019
The Vegas fight to survive brutal trials and the Heirs' escalating attacks as they navigate zodiac powers, forbidden attraction, and deadly academy politics.
The Reckoning
Released October 2019
Alliances shift and secrets surface as the Vegas gain power and the Heirs realize their enemies might be more dangerous than they thought.
Shadow Princess
Released January 2020
The war for the throne intensifies. Loyalties are tested, and the Vegas must decide how far they will go to claim what is rightfully theirs.
Cursed Fates
Released May 2020
The stakes climb higher as ancient curses and dark magic threaten to destroy everything the Vegas have fought for. Relationships fracture under the pressure.
Fated Throne
Released December 2020
The Vegas face their most impossible choices yet. Power comes at a cost, and the throne demands sacrifices no one is prepared to make.
Heartless Sky
Released December 2021
With the kingdom on the brink of collapse, the Vegas and Heirs must confront enemies both external and internal. Trust is a luxury they can no longer afford.
Sorrow and Starlight
Released December 2022
The war reaches its breaking point. Allies become enemies, enemies become allies, and the Vegas discover that winning the throne may mean losing everything else.
Restless Stars
Released April 2024
The ninth installment continues the high-stakes battle for Solaria. The Vegas and Heirs fight for survival in a world where magic, power, and destiny collide.
On the Cursed Day of Christmas
Releasing October 2026
The tenth Zodiac Academy book. Release details and plot are under wraps, but fans are bracing for another emotional rollercoaster.
Companion novellas and spin-offs
The Zodiac Academy universe extends beyond the main series. Here is where the novellas and related series fit.
The Awakening As Told By The Boys
Retells book 1 from the Heirs' perspectives. Read after Fated Throne (book 6) for maximum emotional impact.
Beyond the Veil
Bonus novella set after Sorrow and Starlight (book 8). Fills in gaps and adds closure to certain storylines.
Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac Series
Prequel series set before the Vegas arrive. Can be read before or after Zodiac Academy, but reading after gives you the full emotional context.
Darkmore Penitentiary Series
Spin-off series set in the same Solarian world. Standalone but richer if you have read Zodiac Academy first.
What to read after Zodiac Academy
If you have finished all available Zodiac Academy books and need something to fill the void while waiting for the next release, these are the reads that hit similar notes.
If you loved the brutal academy competition, dragon bonds, and enemies-to-lovers tension, Fourth Wing delivers the same high-stakes fantasy romance energy.
Fae romance with forbidden love, hidden identities, and a slow-burn reveal of magic and power. The emotional payoff hits as hard as Zodiac Academy.
Explore more academy fantasy romance with elemental magic, why choose dynamics, and enemies-to-lovers angst.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Zodiac Academy reading order?
The Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti has 9 main books out as of 2026, with book 10 releasing October 2026. Start with Origins of an Academy Bully (optional prequel), then The Awakening, and read in publication order. The series also includes companion novellas and related series.
Should I read Origins of an Academy Bully first?
Origins of an Academy Bully is an optional prequel novella. Most readers start with The Awakening and read Origins later for extra context on one of the Heirs. If you prefer to read prequels first, go for it. But it is not required to understand the main series.
How many books are in the Zodiac Academy series?
Zodiac Academy has 9 main books out as of mid-2026, with book 10 (On the Cursed Day of Christmas) releasing October 2026. The series also includes companion novellas like The Awakening As Told By The Boys and Beyond the Veil. The authors have not confirmed how many books the series will have total.
Is Zodiac Academy reverse harem?
Yes. Zodiac Academy features why choose romance, also called reverse harem. The Vegas each have their own endgame pairings, but the dynamic shifts throughout the series. If you need one male love interest per FMC, this may not be for you.
What should I read after Zodiac Academy?
After finishing the main Zodiac Academy series, try the companion series set in the same Solarian world: Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac (prequels) and Darkmore Penitentiary (spin-off). If you want something similar outside this universe, try Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (dragon academy enemies-to-lovers), From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout (fae fantasy romance), or other books like Zodiac Academy with academy settings, elemental magic, and intense romances.
Sources
Series order and release dates verified as of July 2026.
- FictionDB Zodiac Academy SeriesUsed for complete Zodiac Academy series order and release dates.
- Goodreads Zodiac AcademyUsed for series context and reader reviews.
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