Zodiac Academy 8: Sorrow and Starlight Paperback – December 12, 2022

I don't know how to create words right now. I feel so many things...I feel SO happy and also REALLY scared. I feel irritated but also fulfilled. I feel like we came so far but also didn't go anywhere. I'm thoroughly enamored with this series, these characters and this world. This book is the kind of read where you specifically take your time and read slow so that it doesn't end. You know its a good story if you're doing that to keep these people around for as long as possible. A triumph in the series, Bravo to the sisters on this epic journey. I am SO THRILLED we get one more book.****SPOILERS****Starting this book was HARD, because of where we ended with the last one. I was so emotional, I chose to hope stepping into it that we would meet Darius again, I DID NOT give up. I wouldn't give up. And I have to say as the chapters went on and on I started losing hope. At one point when another chapter came and went and he wasn't back I was so upset I started balling uncontrollable muttering things like "I just don't understand" and "why is this happening, why would they do this?"Darcy and Orions torture was extremely tough to read BUT...I was content in a way because they had each other. Obviously there were times I wanted to hurdle through the pages and bitch slap anyone who was hurting them but again...they had each other and Tory didn't have Darius OR Darcy. When Tory finally made it to Darcy I was so sad for her that Darcy decided to stay but honestly I was happy with that decision. I think 1. it was the correct thing for Darcy to stay with her mate during and 2. it gave Tory the push she needed to complete her mission. It stung yes, but I believe in my heart of hearts its what both the twins needed to continue.Why was I irritated throughout this book you ask?! Yet again its another ENTIRE book where Seth and Caleb don't just express their true feelings to each other. Its INFURIATING! Their inner dialogue needs to become actual words because I swear if I have to listen to them yearning for each other without admitting it again I will RIOT! There were so many times I was like "this is it....finally they're going to admit their love!" and NOPE! If they don't get Elysium mate status I swear I will lose my absolute mind.I was happy mostly with everyone else, I was extremely happy that Xavier got his wings back. I thought the sisters wrote his trauma of losing his brother and mother really well, very relatable.There was so much trauma in this book, but that was expected because we lost such strong characters in the last book. There was a perfect amount of comic relief to go with that trauma. The balance was so well done.I enjoyed the secondary characters chapters, breaking up the main characters dialogue was needed in this book more than ever purely because of the stuff they were all going through.When Tory finally made it to Darius I was an absolute sobbing mess of a person. Then he bowed to her and I was shaking I was crying so hard...then they danced and it seemed like all was lost and this was the actual last time they would see each other and I was inconsolable, It was midnight and I was crying so hard my husband woke up to see if I was okay. He had to help me put my kindle down on the nightstand I was so upset. THEN...badass f-ing Tory, she fricken did it! And all of a sudden they were back and I was jumping up and down. The biggest FU to the stars ACCOMPLISHED! So much tension lifted off my shoulders. I know its a book but these people are a part of me now.The ending, back at the Academy, all the nostalgia was executed perfectly. The battle was intense and crazy and perfect. But then right as Darius walked up to everyone the twins were taken away and trapped in that damn place. DAMMIT! I needed the heirs reunion, I needed Xavier reunion, I NEEDED ORION AND DARIUS REUNION! I know we need a cliffhanger but COME ON!This book is special, this series is astounding and I am a happier human for having found it to read.

I was so angry when I found out this wouldn’t be the last book. However, I really enjoyed it! I am only giving this 4 stars (which is still good) BECAUSE some of the plot is just dragging the hell on. At this point, I’m not certain that the next book will be the last. But there were some truly lovely moments in this book as well as some funny scenes. Nothing too heartbreaking!***SPOILERS****•The quest to drag Darius back from death. I’m in the middle on this one. Part of me is ecstatic that he’s back! I can also see how bringing him back showcases just how far Tory will go for ones she loves, especially him; how dark she is willing to become. But part of me thinks that it would’ve been better if his death was final and she returned without him. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Would it have been sad? Yes. Would it have been an HEA- maybe if at the end of this series she joined him in death where he was waiting for her?•Seth and Caleb have moved forward a step just to take 2 steps back. It’s honestly just annoying at this point to drag it on like this.•Darcy and Orion were terrific as always. And holy hell Stella’s sacrifice. My **only** issues with it is that it seems like Stella only pulled through BECAUSE she realized that Lionel wanted nothing but to use her. So, what was Stella really giving up since she had nothing? That’s my logical thought process. Emotionally, though, it tugged at my heartstrings- since emotions aren’t always logical.•I had guessed it but was so happy to finally know who the man with the painted smile was!•The giant nest idea- brilliant!It’s really nice to see everyone come together. The book wasn’t flawless and it could’ve certainly been 3/4 the length (though I enjoy chonky books). And I’m still mad this isn’t the end. But it was a delightful read!

Zodiac Academy Sorrow and Starlight is the eight book in the Beasts and Bullies series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. I really enjoyed this book, in fact, I binge read it in one day.ZA7 left us with quite the cliffhanger. I really enjoyed ZA8 and can appreciate the pacing and build up to arc resolution. I think that the Twisted Sisters concluded several of the prophecies brilliantly and in ways that I did not anticipate. I adore the characters in the Zodiac Academy series and enjoyed seeing more depth and development as they were all forced to fight.***spoilers below***I loved the conclusion arc of Darcy’s curse. The dove that became a hunter = Stella saving Orion and Darcy. Heartbreaking. Redeeming. The fight scene that followed with the Shadow Princess was chef’s kiss and I cannot wait to see how the shadow dog companion plays out.Tory left me in awe. Her arc to save Darius was stunning. The scenes of their reunion and her defiance of the stars was emotional, well written, and beautiful.The twins reunion and promise to always be there for each other:“I’ll always love you as you are right now, and I know you’ve been through a lot. I want to know this new you… When I look at you, I will always see the firl who took on the whole world for me, even when we were skinny little orphans with nothing and no one to love us. We loved each other, and that kind of love is greater than all else. It’ll never die, no matter who we become. No matter who else we love now too. At our core, we’re still us.”When the sisters were finally reunited and crowned, recognized as Queens. Amazing. Their sacrifice though in regards to breaking the curse on their family and returning the star… The book ending left me with worries. I know there is only supposed to be one more book in the series. I am glad that Tory and Darcy are reunited. I worry that there are a lot of loose ties to pull together in one last book.