Okay, let’s talk about Cursed Fates (Zodiac Academy Book 5). Cursed Fates went from being a book I wanted to throw across the room to one of the most addictive, drama-filled rollercoasters I couldn’t look away from.

What I Loved

The absolute chaos. This book is drama, drama, drama. Messy emotions, betrayals, heartbreak, impossible choices… it’s basically reality TV for Fae.
The romance. Say what you will, but when the moments of tenderness break through the pain, they hit ten times harder.
The sheer unpredictability. I was constantly clutching the book thinking, “Oh no they didn’t.” Spoiler: they did.

What I Struggled With

The length. It’s a beast. You’ll need caffeine and snacks.
The level of suffering. Every time you think the characters have hit rock bottom, nope, there’s a trapdoor.
That ending… yeah. I’m still recovering.

My Verdict

Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates isn’t perfect, but it is wildly entertaining once you lean into the drama. If you want clean, polished fantasy with neat character arcs, this isn’t it. If you want a messy, over-the-top, emotionally brutal soap opera set in a magical academy — then welcome home.

Absolutely! Molten lava cakes are perfect for Zodiac Academy — gooey, dramatic, and a little dangerous (like Darius, let’s be real). Here’s a recipe dressed up with a fun, academy-themed name:

Book & Bake: Dragon’s Breath Molten Lava Cakes (Zodiac Academy Edition)

These molten lava cakes are rich, indulgent, and filled with a gooey chocolate center that feels just as chaotic as a school assembly at Solaria. They’re dramatic, over-the-top, and impossible to stop at just one — basically the dessert equivalent of Zodiac Academy.

Ingredients (makes 4 cakes):

4 oz (½ cup) unsalted butter
6 oz (1 cup) high-quality dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa)
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp instant espresso powder (optional, but adds depth)
Pinch of salt

Directions:

Prep: Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease 4 ramekins with butter and dust with cocoa powder so nothing sticks (because unlike Lionel, you want a clean exit).
Melt & Mix: In a heatproof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together (microwave in 30-second bursts or use a double boiler). Stir until silky smooth.
Whisk: In another bowl, whisk eggs, yolks, powdered sugar, and espresso powder until light and slightly frothy.
Combine: Stir the melted chocolate mixture into the eggs, then fold in flour and salt until just combined.
Bake: Divide batter evenly into the ramekins. Bake 12–14 minutes — the edges should be firm, but the center still soft and wobbly (like your feelings for Darius and Orion).
Serve: Let rest for 1 minute, then invert onto plates. Slice open and watch the molten chocolate flow out like a volcanic eruption straight out of Solaria.

Serving Ideas

Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy touch (a nod to that iconic Blood & Ash winter scene you mentioned before).
Add a scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream for contrast.
Drizzle with raspberry sauce for a dramatic, bloody finish (because what’s Zodiac Academy without a little carnage?).

Why Dragon’s Breath?

Because the gooey, molten center feels like the dessert version of Darius’s fire magic — hot, dangerous, and impossible to resist.

Molten Lava Not Your Thing? Try Dark Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes

This book is dark, it’s intense, and honestly, it leaves you needing comfort. So the perfect bake? Dark Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes.

They’re rich, bittersweet, and a little dramatic in flavor (kind of like Orion). Plus, the coffee kick will keep you awake through those marathon reading sessions because let’s be honest — you’re not sleeping until you hit that last chapter.

Recipe Vibes:

Moist chocolate cupcakes with a shot of espresso baked right in
Espresso buttercream swirled on top
Optional sprinkle of crushed chocolate-covered espresso beans for extra crunch

Think of it as your survival snack for surviving Cursed Fates.

Zodiac Academy Survival Kit (Cursed Fates Edition)

Because you’re not going to get through this book unscathed. Here’s what you’ll need:

A box of tissues (you’ll cry, probably multiple times).
Snacks — cupcakes are a great start, but maybe also something salty for balance.
A playlist full of angry, moody songs (Halsey, Imagine Dragons, Lorde — you’re welcome).
A friend to scream/text in all caps when things go off the rails.
A blanket fort. Trust me, it helps.

Reading Cursed Fates was like willingly diving into emotional quicksand — painful, messy, but also impossible to resist. With dark chocolate cupcakes in one hand and a playlist blasting in the background, I survived. Barely.

Happy Reading!

Taylor