Taylor Hondos

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⭐ Rating: 4/5 stars
✨ Favorite Character: Darius Acrux (officially obsessed)

Shadow Princess took me on such a rollercoaster that I’m still catching my breath. The tension, the politics, the heartbreak….it’s everything I love about this series, but this time, my heart completely belonged to Darius. Don’t get me wrong, I still have a soft spot for Orion/Darcy, but honestly… Tory and Darius own my soul now. The chemistry? Off the charts. The banter? Perfectly cutting. The vulnerability? Stab me right in the heart.

This book also gave us moments of real gut-punch emotion. Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti are masters at pulling you in, making you feel like part of the Vega twins’ fight, and then casually wrecking your emotions when you least expect it. I think that’s why this one hit so hard, it’s not just action and romance, it’s the unraveling of loyalty, love, and destiny all tangled together.

If you’ve been on the fence about continuing the series, let me just say—this book is a turning point. The stakes are higher, the world-building richer, and the characters? Well… I’m officially claiming Darius for myself. Sorry, Tory.

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Favorite Character Moment

Darius’s walls coming down. I won’t say when or why, but you’ll feel it in your bones when it happens. He’s broody, infuriating, and yet so protective in a way that makes you believe him. It’s peak “touch her and die” energy, and I ate it up like it was my last meal.

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Books & Bakes Moment

If Shadow Princess were a dessert, it would be something dark, rich, and a little dangerous. So today we’re making Midnight Mocha Brownies (nut-free, of course). Perfect for stress-eating while yelling at fictional characters.

Midnight Mocha Brownies
Serves: 12 | Time: 45 min

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp instant coffee or espresso powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
3. Sift in flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir until just combined.
4. Fold in chocolate chips.
5. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes. The center should be fudgy but set.
6. Cool slightly before cutting. Pair with coffee… preferably while plotting fictional revenge.

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Would you like me to also make this into a printable recipe card so it’s cute enough to post on your blog alongside the review? That way your readers could save it or print it for their own kitchen.

Would I recommend?
Absolutely. But be prepared for heartbreak, jaw-clenching tension, and to walk away with a new fictional crush.

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Tell me: Who’s your ride-or-die Zodiac Academy couple? Are you Team Orion/Darcy forever, or has Darius completely ruined you too?

Happy Reading!

Taylor

Because sometimes your book taste is as telling as your lunch order…

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I firmly believe your favorite fast food order says so much about you… and yes, it can tell me exactly what book you should be reading. So grab your fries, your milkshake, and your next read. Let’s match your drive-thru craving to your perfect book boyfriend-filled, plot-twist-laden adventure.

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1. Chick-fil-A — Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren

Warm, comforting, and just a little bit sweet—like waffle fries and a peach milkshake. Second-chance romance with heart? Absolutely.

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2. Taco Bell — The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Chaotic, hilarious, and full of “how did we get here?” moments—exactly like your 2 a.m. taco run.

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3. McDonald’s — The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Classic. Comforting. Nostalgic. McDonald’s fans know the beauty of a soft-serve cone and a story that makes you feel sixteen again. Belly’s summers with Conrad and Jeremiah are your literary version of a Happy Meal toy you’ll never throw away.

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4. Panera Bread — Book Lovers by Emily Henry

You’re cozy-core. You like soups, sandwiches, and stories that feel like warm blankets. Nora and Charlie’s banter-filled, slow-burn romance is perfect for the type of reader who’d happily camp out in Panera with a cinnamon crunch bagel and a novel.

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5. Starbucks — Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

You love the slow mornings, the cozy aesthetics, and the cinnamon-scented joy of life. This cozy fantasy about an orc opening a coffee shop will give you all the latte art vibes you crave.

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6. Chopt — Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Fresh, romantic, and just the right balance of sweet and healthy. Perfect for when you want your heart fed and your reading list refreshed.

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7. Wingstop — Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Spicy, addictive, and you will absolutely keep coming back for more, even when it’s a little intense.

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8. Domino’s — Zodiac Academy: The Awakening by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

If you’re a Domino’s lover, you thrive on indulgence. This is not the place for moderation — we’re talking drama, tension, and addictive plot twists that keep you up until 3 a.m. like a late-night pizza binge.

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9. Subway — Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

You like to mix-and-match your favorites into something personalized. This sweet romance, set in Paris, has all the charm and slow-burn magic of your favorite sandwich creation.

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10. Dairy Queen — The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

You’re fun, flirty, and a little magical. This witchy rom-com is as sweet and slightly chaotic as a Blizzard on a summer night.

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Book & Bite Moment:
If you want the ultimate bookish snack pairing, try making beach picnic sandwiches for your next reading day. My nut-free, cozy reader-approved combo: soft hoagie rolls, honey turkey, provolone, lettuce, tomato, a swipe of mayo, and a drizzle of honey mustard. Wrap it up, toss in a cooler, and take your current read to your favorite sunny spot.

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Cozy Beach Picnic Sandwich

(Makes 2 sandwiches)

Ingredients

• 1 small baguette or 2 crusty sandwich rolls
• 4 slices roasted turkey or chicken breast
• 2 slices mild provolone or Havarti cheese
• 4–6 slices cucumber
• 2–3 roasted red pepper strips (from a jar or roasted at home)
• Handful of fresh spinach or baby arugula
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prep your bread – Slice your baguette/rolls in half lengthwise. If you’re packing them for later, scoop out a little of the soft middle to make a “pocket” for fillings (helps prevent sliding).
2. Mix your spread – In a small bowl, stir together the mayo and Dijon. Spread evenly on both halves of the bread.
3. Layer smartly – Start with turkey/chicken on the bottom, then cheese, then roasted red peppers, cucumbers, and greens.
4. Drizzle & season – Lightly drizzle olive oil over the greens, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
5. Wrap tight – Wrap sandwiches in parchment paper or foil if you’re taking them to-go. This helps them “meld” without getting soggy. (my favorite parchment paper )

Happy Reading!

Taylor

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If you’ve made it to book three in Zodiac Academy, first of all, congratulations. You’ve survived the emotional whiplash, the insults, the chaos, and the utter madness that is being a student at Solaria’s most dangerous university. Give yourself a gold star. Or, you know, a stiff drink.

The Reckoning is where everything really starts to burn — sometimes literally. The trials crank up to eleven, the secrets start tumbling out like candy from a busted piñata, and everyone’s loyalties get messier than my kitchen when I “try” to bake macarons. (Spoiler: the macarons do not survive. Neither did my sanity reading this book.)

What I Loved:

• Character growth (and regression… looking at you, Darius): Some characters finally start peeling back those frosty walls, while others double down on the jerk energy. But it’s progress… kind of.
• The drama: I’m talking soap opera-level twists. At one point I literally yelled “NO THEY DIDN’T” at the page like I was watching reality TV.
• The trials: High stakes, high magic, high amounts of me gripping the book so hard I left fingernail dents.

What Drove Me Slightly Bananas:

• The back-and-forth with certain relationships. I swear, these people could solve 70% of their problems if they just talked to each other instead of brooding in dark corners.
• The cliffhanger. Oh, the cliffhanger. I had to resist immediately buying the next book at 1 a.m. (Spoiler: I failed.)

My Mood Reading This:

50% “I am not okay.”
30% “Oh my gosh, finally!”
20% “WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!”

Final Thoughts:

The Reckoning is like eating spicy food: you know it’s going to hurt, but you keep going back for more because it’s just that good. If you’ve made it this far in the series, you’re already hooked — so buckle up, buttercup. The drama’s not slowing down.

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Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning — Survival Kit

Reading this book is an experience. And by experience, I mean you’re going to need emotional support snacks, caffeine, and possibly a weighted blanket. Here’s everything I recommend having within arm’s reach before you crack this bad boy open:

Snacks for Stress-Eating

• Dark chocolate-covered pretzels — sweet, salty, and perfect for when Darius is being infuriating but also hot.
• Gummy bears — to rip apart during tense scenes (yes, it’s aggressive, but so is this book).
• Popcorn — easy to eat in giant handfuls when things get real during The Reckoning trial.

Beverage of Choice

• Orion’s Midnight Latte (decaf optional): espresso (or strong coffee), oat milk, honey, and a dash of cinnamon. Cozy enough for Vega twin downtime, strong enough to keep you awake through the chaos.

Playlist for Maximum Drama

• War of Hearts — Ruelle (for Orion & Darcy angst)
• Enemy — Imagine Dragons (for the heirs)
• Bury a Friend — Billie Eilish (for the darker Reckoning scenes)
• Believer — Imagine Dragons (for the “I am powerful” moments)

Comfort Items

• Weighted blanket
• Your favorite hoodie for when the tension gets chilly
• A notebook to jot down your theories… and the curse words you scream at certain characters

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Final tip: Do not — I repeat, DO NOT — read this book in public. Unless you want strangers to watch you gasp, yell, and maybe tear up like a total maniac.

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Happy Reading!

Taylor