The Zodiac Academy series, penned by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, has taken the Booktok world by storm. The second installment, "Ruthless Fae," continues the saga of Tory and Darcy Vega as they navigate the treacherous waters of Solaria's magical academy. Many fans have turned to the graphic audio version for a more immersive experience.
This article delves into a comprehensive review of the "Ruthless Fae" audiobook, exploring its unique features, character portrayals, and overall impact.
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.
In the second installment in the renowned series, the Vega twins begin to master their craft at the prestigious Zodiac Academy.
Caroline Peckham is a #1 Wall Street Journal and Amazon.com bestselling romance author who has sold over 7 million copies across her bestselling romantasy series, Zodiac Academy, as well as many more copies of her other fantasy and contemporary romance series.
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Susanne Valenti is a #1 Wall Street Journal and Amazon.com bestselling romance author who has sold over 7 million copies across her bestselling romantasy series, Zodiac Academy, as well as many more copies of her other fantasy and contemporary romance series.
What Makes the "Ruthless Fae" Audiobook Stand Out?
Many listeners find that the audio format enhances the already captivating story. The graphic audio version, in particular, elevates the experience to a whole new level.
The Graphic Audio Experience
Oh, Ruthless Fae in Graphic Audio form? Yes, please-pipe the drama, chaos, and inappropriate fae banter directly into my ears like the unhinged fairy tale soap opera it is.
The Graphic Audio format is chef’s kiss-full cast, sound effects, magic blasts, and just enough over-the-top dramatics to make me feel like I was in some ridiculous CW-meets-HBO fantasy series. It turns the whole bully romance/academy drama vibe up to eleven.
I actually prefer this to the standard audio; the narration and cast are so much better.
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Thank you graphic audio for reminding me how funny and addicting this series is 🩷.
This is Zodiac Academy with soundtrack, battle noise, magical crackles, blood-curdling screams, AND smoldering confessions.
With its mix of dark, romance and compelling tropes, this series is worth diving into. If you’re comfortable with the trigger warnings and enjoy rooting for characters to rise and find redemption/revenge, this is a journey you won’t want to miss!
The story telling was fast paced with lots of action, suspense and mystery. I found it absolutely captivating and thrilling and hate I have no wait so long for the next instalment in the graphic audio book so now I am actually trying to track down physical copies to tide me over.
The only thing I’m hoping will happen is the inevitable with Professor Orion - like just cut the crap and get to it already! And as well with regards to the graphic audio book, I freaking loved it - just having the multiple voice actors and the sound effects is just amazing and what I prefer in an audio book.
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I say this book is my favorite. It keeps you guessing.
Multiple Perspectives
In this book we started to get additional POV’s every so often from the four Heirs and Orion which I thought was a nice touch.
It helped add some humane aspects to the characters that we had really been missing from just the twins POV’s.
Character Performances
The voice acting in the "Ruthless Fae" audiobook is a highlight for many listeners. The dramatized narration brings the characters to life in a vivid and engaging way.
I really enjoyed some of the voice actors, though it took me a bit longer to warm up to others.
Tory’s voice actress? UNHINGED ICON. Every snarl, every scream - chef’s kiss.
Darius’s actor? Growls, purrs, grunts = you were sweating.
Caleb’s creepy flirtiness? 100% more feral in your ears.
Lance Orion's low warning tone? Yeah. He could ruin lives.
Geraldine’s dramatized monologues? Instant serotonin.
The vibes were immaculate 😩thank you julian dailey for giving us the darius voice we asked for in this one 🫶🏼.
Story and Themes
“Ruthless Fae” is the exhilarating and explosive next chapter in the Zodiac Academy series, picking up right where we were left off.
The Celestial Heirs have done the unthinkable to the twins, Tory and Darcy. Just when they thought that maybe the Celestial Heirs weren’t so bad, they take things to a whole new level.
One twin is drowned and almost dies, the other is secretly filmed during a tender moment with one of the heirs and their hair crudely hacked off.
They are so tired of the heirs, tired of the harassment and how they are treated. But just when they are ready to give up, they decide enough is enough.
So begins the start of a series of plans whereby the heirs are made to be humiliated, seen as lesser than and slowly isolated from their friends - they are the ones being ridiculed. And boy is it sweet for the twins seeing how the heirs react to all of these things, not so nice now it’s on the other foot hey.
Yet there is an attack on the academy and if the twins and the heirs have any chance at surviving, they need to work together.
Themes that sang through the headphones:
- “Touch her and I’ll kill you” vibes
- Sisterhood as weapon
- Everyone’s broken, horny, and bleeding
- Redemption will come… after more emotional damage
Your ULTIMATE Zodiac Academy Guide
Spice and Tension
The romance in this book is truly a slow burn!
Still mostly tension… but hearing that tension?YEAH. Your earbuds were blushing.
#SmutTags:
- #ToryDariusAudioSmolder
- #GrowledInsultsHitDifferent
- #BathtubSceneWasUnholy
- #EnemiesToLoversWithSoundDesign
- #ScreamFlirtRepeat
Potential Drawbacks
Despite the many positive aspects, some listeners have noted potential drawbacks.
BE WARNED: Graphic Audio have not completed this series. If you start on GA you will then have to wait to progress, switch to reading or switch to audibles completed Dual narrations.
While the sound effects or music can occasionally feel cringey, the overall experience is incredibly fun and immersive in this book.
My only critique is that it was sometimes hard to tell whether I was in Tory’s or Darcy’s POV, as the female narrators had similar tones, and the audiobook didn’t always make that distinction clear.
Trigger Warnings
It's essential to be aware of the trigger warnings associated with the "Zodiac Academy" series.
⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
- Bullying (physical, magical)
- Emotional distress
- Trauma
- Teacher/student inappropriate dynamics
- Violence
- Verbal cruelty
- Obsession themes
To fully appreciate the "Ruthless Fae" audiobook, it's helpful to understand the different types of narration available.
🎧 Narration Explanations 🎧:
- ❌ Single Narration: One narrator voices the entire audiobook, performing all characters and narration.
- ❌ Dual Narration: Two narrators share the storytelling, often alternating chapters or sections, with each performing all the dialogue and action for their assigned parts.
- ✅ Duet Narration: Two narrators perform together throughout the audiobook, each consistently voicing specific characters during both dialogue and narration.
- ✅ Full Cast Narration: A group of narrators performs the audiobook, with each actor voicing a specific character.
- ✅ Dramatized Narration: The audiobook includes voice actors for each character, sound effects, and music, resembling a radio play or audio drama for an immersive experience.