Book Review: Zodiac Academy
Imagine Fifty Shades of Grey meets Harry Potter
Last year, I barely managed to read 8 books, but somehow this year, I've devoured 24 (insane). I have to give credit to my friend Becca, who first lured me in with Sarah J. Maas’ ACOTAR and Throne of Glass. She knew exactly what she was doing when she recommended Zodiac Academy to me, a series that, as I teased in my last post, is “fantasy series that has Fifty Shades of Grey level of sex scenes with the plot and world-building of Harry Potter”.
But as I dive deeper into this explosion of romantasy all I can think of is: why do so many of these stories feel so Euro-centric? From the castles and knights to the mythology and landscapes, it seems like most of the worlds are deeply rooted in European or American lore. In a genre as imaginative as fantasy, isn’t it time we explore a more diverse array of myths, cultures, and settings?
*cough* Latin American maybe *cough*
Zodiac Academy certainly has its moments, but as I turn the keep exploring fantasy, I find myself craving worlds that reflect different cultures. So if you have any reco, drop them here please:
Zodiac Academy is the definition of a CW show, but on paper (complimentary).
Zodiac Academy is a fantasy romance that follows twins Tory and Darcy Vega, who find out they're Fae and have to fight for their throne against 4 Heirs. This series is all about challenging fate, the meaning of sibling love, and deep understanding of how your past shapes who you are.
No, bullshit—the writing is atrocious. Painfully rough. But stick with it! After books 1 and 2, the plot takes off. It’s gripping, though it could use a loooooot of editing. The first 3 books? Could’ve easily been one solid 700-pager. On the flip side, it’s easy to follow, and the structure works in its favor.
Each chapter is from a different character’s POV, which might sound confusing, but it’s surprisingly easy. It gives you a clear view of everyone’s motives right from the get go.
It reminds me a lot of the show Fate: The Winx Saga on Netflix. Done right and with a tone similar to this one, I feel like the show can be a hit. A guilty pleasure hit, like Emily in Paris but better.
It’s horny and veeeery graphic
Never in my life have I read young adult book that is this graphic. I love the sex scenes and I do think most of them add a lot to the plot, especially the ones with Tory and MAX (iykyk). I also am obsessed with how they are integrated in a way that feels organic and real, from little details like saying “their cock start bulging when x saw x” to a full blown threesome, it felt like a proper representation of horny teenagers.
I’d give this series: ⭐⭐⭐ and a half.
There are two major takeaways from this series:
The rise of romantasy (romance-fantasy) seems to reflect our collective response to information overload and the chaotic state of the world. I've previously mentioned that society has shifted from valuing "relatability" to craving "authenticity," meaning people are seeking media that speaks truthfully to their desires, either they can relate or not. As Coco Mocoe aptly puts it, "the nicher you go, the faster you grow," which explains the recent popularity of romantasy. People are looking for a form of escapism that allows them to disconnect from the shit state of the world.
Thus isn’t a direct takeaway from this series but something that crossed my mind as I just finished my 4th consecutive fantasy series: What does it say about our culture that most fantasy worlds, at least the ones I’ve read, feel overwhelmingly Eurocentric? At best, these stories occasionally pull in elements from Asian or African cultures when there’s a need for a strategic ally in a war, but I've yet to read any fantasy worlds inspired by Latin American cultures.
To my Venezuelan friends and anyone else reading this with a fantasy story in their mind: I truly believe there's an untapped market here. A story drawing on Latin American myths, legends, and cultures could absolutely be the next New York Times bestseller.