Dark Fae: Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac, Book 1
4.3 | 39,150 ratings
Price: 20.15
Last update: 02-26-2026
Product details
- Book 1 of 5 : Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac
- Listening Length : 14 hours and 13 minutes
- Author : Caroline Peckham, see all
- Narrator : Keira Stevens, see all
- Publication date : December 24, 2020
- Language : English
- Publisher : Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
- ASIN : B08R82T3KB
- Version : Unabridged
- Program Type : Audiobook
- Best Sellers Rank:#445 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
- Fantasy for Teens
- Teen & Young Adult Fantasy
- Customer Reviews:4.34.3 out of 5 stars(38,880)
Top reviews from the United States
- Liz K5 Stars – I dare you to read it only onceI judge a 5-star book by the following criteria:
• It draws me in on the initial reading where I don’t feel compelled to skim any parts and I feel that nervous energy while reading where you are so enthralled with what is happening and the characters that you feel genuinely excited to be a voyeur into their world
• When I can’t stop thinking about it after I’ve read it
• When I buy it. I read a lot from KU but if I turn around and buy the book, it’s a 5-star
• When I search almost daily for the next release like an obsessed person (cause I am ????)
• When I find truly unique elements to a story. Regardless of the genre most concepts seem to just repeat (again and again and again) with minor tweaks but nothing really fresh or new. I LOVE when I stumble upon a truly new take on something.
I read a lot, but I wouldn’t say that I come across the experience above all that often (unfortunately ☹). IMO, there are a lot of good books but not a lot of GREAT. I’m here to tell you that Dark FAE is among the greats for the following reasons (and more).
• Fantastic writing (low/no distracting grammatical errors),
• Story building and flow (this book moves between points of view and timelines but it does it flawlessly where you never lose track of where you are or who you are with – that takes some serious skill!)
• Pacing (sometimes books move too slow or two fast, this one is perfectly paced)
• Character development – too often books don’t take the time to really warm you up to the characters so you end up being invested only in one or two (or none). That is not the case with this book. These characters are going to intrigue you and capture you and not let you go.
• A real plot! While we all enjoy the heat and steam of a romance, a five-star book needs a real story to keep your attention. This one has a gripping story. One of loss and heartbreak, not just for the fmc but also for several of the other characters. There are multiple stories within this story but you will quickly see how they are blending into one larger story that will keep you guessing and hoping with just the perfect amount of humor, angst and excitement
• Perfect amount of steam, heat and building romance – cause let’s be honest, most of us reading in this genre are also looking for the thrill, heat and steam of characters that spark off each other in the smexiest of ways…
Quick intro to the primary characters
• Elise (fmc) – IMHO, Elise is one of the most perfectly balanced fmc’s I have read in a long time. I hate fmc’s that are victims. I much prefer a strong fmc who knows her mind and does not bow easily. Elise is fierce but not proud, she is badass but also vulnerable. You can really feel in this book that she has a focused mission and outside of that she has drifted into an apathetic state about life and her future beyond exacting vengeance for the tragic loss of her brother. Seeing life to start to spark in her again as the story progresses is beautiful.
• Gareth (Elise’s brother) – Gareth is such an interesting character. Technically by the start of the book you already know that Gareth is dead. You might logically assume that since he is dead, that’s where his story ends and you won’t come to know or feel much for him. This is where these authors did something truly unique. Gareth is a significant character in this book and he tells his own story along the way. You are going to genuinely like Gareth as you come to know him (you may even start to love him). Gareth is so real in this story that your heart is going to break over and over when you remind yourself that he is gone. As the story progressed, I started to become both impressed and seriously miffed that these authors made me fall in love with someone that has no HEA. Still have to give it to these ladies for doing something unexpected that really makes you feel.
• General thoughts on the males - this is an RH with four potential guys as the love interests – Leon, Dante, Ryder, Gabriel. What is super interesting about the men in the story is that they are so very different. Each of them affects Elise in a very different way. These are not your standard trope males typically found in an RH. They are each so “real” with their own story to tell as part of this bigger story. I usually quickly begin to favor one or two guys above the rest but in this book at least, there is so much character development with each guy and they are so very different from each other (with blazing chemistry sparking off of the fmc as well as each other (not in an m/m way but more in a adversaries or friendship way – still gripping chemistry though), I think you will have a hard time establishing favorites in this first book.
• Leon – Adjectives for Leon are funny, sweet (and hot – of course all of the guys are ????). This guy is surprisingly funny, not just in his jokes but in how he thinks and how he acts. He’s not trying, he is just genuinely hilarious. He is going to change Elise as much as she will change him. He will bring light into her world and she will bring a bit of reality into his. You’re going to love this guy. Trust me.
• Dante – Adjective is Sexy. OMG… check out chapter 22 and then check your pulse. Side note, Dante speaks a fair amount of Italian phrases in this book and the authors don’t translate them (which I surprisingly LOVED!) Each time I would find a phrase in the book I would go out to google and translate it. Translating these phrases was like finding unexpected treasures in the book.
• Ryder – Adjectives are Intense and DARK. I read a fair bit of dark in my novels and RYDER is a different type of dark than I have ever seen in one of the lead males in an RH before.
• Gabriel – Adjective is Mysterious. You’re going to have a bit of whiplash from this character and likely you won’t know what to think of him by the end of the book.
A few of my favorite quotes (I have dozens)
“Shit Leo, you’re gone be one fat old man,” I commented as I watched the weird display unfolding. [Elise]
“It’s my Lion charisma,” he complained halfheartedly. “It makes women crazy for me, I can’t help it. Call it animal magnetism. I can’t switch it off, it just works.” [Leon]
“Not on me,” I disagreed, though I had to admit that I was drawn to him. That came with zero desire to start folding his undies into neat stacks or feeding him by hand. [Elise]
………………………………………..
“You…splendi piu luminoso di tutte le stelle nel cielo, bella,” he said with a smile that made my stomach do a backflip even though I didn’t know what it meant. [Dante speaking to Elise]
“Stop eye-effing my date, man” Leon teased, thumping Dante squarely in the bicep and drawing his attention away from me. “And don’t use that foreign pantie dropping crap on her either.” [Leon speaking to Dante]
Conclusion
If you like romance with a strong story and characters that really grab you and don’t let go, click this book. If you’ve been on the fence at all for reading this book either because it is an RH and that’s not your thing or you don’t go in for fantasy, I encourage you to put aside those thoughts. Read even just the first two chapters and I dare you to stop. - LeeshGreat start to this series???? Book Review and Audio : "Dark Fae" by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti ????
"Dark Fae" delves into a world where shadows whisper secrets and alliances are as fickle as the moonlight. Within the halls of Aurora Academy, Elisa Callisto prowls, seeking vengeance for her brother's demise, while navigating a perilous dance with the enigmatic kings and the dangerous underworld that surrounds them. Peckham and Valenti spin a tale brimming with mystery, romance, and the pulsating pulse of urban fantasy.
????????♀️ Elise 'Ella' Callisto
Elisa emerges as a compelling protagonist, her journey marked by resilience and a thirst for justice. Her complexity is mirrored in her relationships with the four kings, each encounter crackling with tension and desire. As she navigates the treacherous waters of Aurora Academy, Elisa's strength and vulnerability make her a heroine worth rooting for.
???? Leon Night
Leon Night exudes charm and mischief, his golden exterior hiding a heart of fire. His interactions with Elisa are charged with electricity, each moment brimming with the promise of passion and peril. As one of the four kings, Leon's presence looms large, his actions shaping the fate of those around him.
???? Dante Oscura
Dante Oscura commands attention with his brooding intensity and formidable power. As the leader of the Oscura Clan, his influence extends far beyond the walls of Aurora Academy. His dynamic with Elisa crackles with tension, their encounters a clash of wills and desire that leaves sparks in their wake.
???? Gabriel Nox
Gabriel Nox is a study in contradictions, his stoic facade masking a tempest of emotion. As the only Fae with two elements, his power is unmatched, his presence a constant reminder of the shifting tides of fate. His dynamic with Elisa is a delicate balance of attraction and animosity, each encounter a dance of light and shadow.
???? Ryder Draconis
Ryder Draconis exudes danger and intrigue, his cold-blooded nature a stark contrast to Elisa's fiery spirit. As the leader of the Lunar Brotherhood, his influence is felt throughout Aurora Academy. His dynamic with Elisa is a dance of danger and desire, each encounter a tantalizing glimpse into the depths of his soul.
???? Overall Impressions ????
"Dark Fae" is a spellbinding journey into a world of darkness and desire, where alliances are forged in shadows and love is a weapon to be wielded. Peckham and Valenti have crafted a tale that will leave readers breathless, their hearts racing as they navigate the twists and turns of Aurora Academy. With its richly drawn characters and gripping narrative, "Dark Fae" is sure to cast a spell that lingers long after the final page. #DarkFae #UrbanFantasy #BookReview ????????
????️ Narration Review:
Troy Duran and Kiera Stevens breathe life into the characters, their voices painting vivid portraits of the dark and alluring world of "Dark Fae." Duran's deep timbre captures the intensity and allure of the male characters, while Stevens' portrayal of Elisa is both fierce and captivating. Their seamless narration draws listeners deeper into the intricate web of deceit and desire, making it impossible to look away. - KunauntubbeeUm Yes PleaseThis book was so good! I loved everything! The story, the characters, the banter, spice, just everything! Susanne Valenti and Caroline Peckham do not disappoint! I could not put it down! If you love dark fantasy romance with heat this is for you! Oh and revenge! Yes please! I’m already on to the next! Keira Stevens and Troy Duran did an amazing job! Loved it! Maybe they will come out with a full cast I would love to hear that! Amazing!
- paula rejasSimple writing, simple story (book 1 only)Simple writing. I read ACOTAR, Fourth wing, Kingfisher prior to this series and my bottom line is, this is simple writing with 2D characters who lack depth similar to Kingfisher, unlike the other 2. I had to get over it in order to move forward with the story. Having said that, the story is pretty well organized, interesting and easy to read. The authors go around all 5 main characters to describe the story from their perspective which adds an element of variety to a very simple story. The perspectives don't have their own voice, no real personality but are simply a different perspective. I am hoping book 2 gets better cuz I am enjoying the story and my desire to read this series is becuz it's supposed to build the characters in the Zodiac Academy.