Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac Series by Caroline Peckham -> Restarting August 6th, 2024

[Grace]

Also this is clearly RH. I wonder how (view spoiler)[this entire Elysian Mates thing works. Are they all her mates? Is one of them the mate and the other just there in the relationship? Does she have to choose all of them or she won't get them or can she pick and choose? Are they mates together as well or just her? Is it possible to have this many Elysian Mates? Will they all be called by the stars at the same time? And they're all possessive men, the bond makes them all more possession, imagine 4 Elysian Mates fighting and feeling possessive over her lol, and how can she tell it's this bond if she feels the same for all 4? (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

I think the biggest one for me thinking there is some (view spoiler)[ relation with Gabriel and Tory/Darcy is that his mom was a Harpy. But he can't remember anything up until he was 5 so I'm guessing some magic was involved. But also wouldn't that also explain why he doesn't get close to anyone and has danger around him. Because people think or know he's related to the kings family? I mean the Vega's got thrown into the human world and then Gabriel should've probably gone to ZA but finds himself at this one instead? Something's fishy to me lol (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Grace wrote: "And and 🥹
Did you see the Lance and Falling Star mentions? 🥹🥹"

Yes and I haven't seen anything with Falling Star in the ZA yet. I've only see you talk about it 😂. I'm not sure what book that comes into play but it wasn't through book 3, which is all I've read so far, lol

[Grace]

Falling Star is book 1 The Awakening! you've met him and heard so much that that should have been your biggest clue for Gabriel!!!

[Grace]

Jamie wrote: "I think the biggest one for me thinking there is some [spoilers removed]"

I knew you'd pick up on the hints when you came across them 🥹
Tho not everything is spot on but yeyyyyy we're on the same theory

[Jamie]

Grace wrote: "Falling Star is book 1 The Awakening! you've met him and heard so much that that should have been your biggest clue for Gabriel!!!"

Are you sure it was 1 and not the one told by the boys POV? I'll have to go back and look, because I don't remember it at all

[Grace]

yes yes yess, he's not mentioned in the boys POV, or maybe just once when Lance makes Darcy read the message about him from FS in front of the whole class. but the boys don't know about FS.
He was (view spoiler)[Prof Astrum the astrology professor who Gabriel will replace in book 4. and he was giving them cryptic messages, and he kept sending them messages on the tarot cards of their mother. He was found dead and burned after he saw them in the library right after the Heirs drowned Tory and cut Darcy's hair. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

I'm enjoying the pissing contest between the kings 😂
=> chp 18
(view spoiler)[The dynamics are interesting, and particularly that of Leon and Dante. They seem friends? Like Leon gives Dante gold and there's no animosity between them. And when Leon was asking Elise to the dance he didn't quite object to taking her WITH Dante.
But I can't figure out how this plays out of king dynamics.
And I am just wondering whether there's another king still, someone related to Black Card.

This is progressing nicely, I am not sure we'll get a Divine Moment in this book but maybe it would leave us hanging at the end without an answer? But I suppose they all have to go through a lot more things before then.

I'm also waiting to see who will pick up on Elsie's needs and her relation to Gareth since at least 2 of them have crossed path with him.
It would be epic if Leon calls her Ella and she reacts to that. Honestly I live for these clichés if they're written correctly, and The Twisted Sisters seem to know how to write these moments. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

=> chp 25
I am wondering how Cindy(view spoiler)[ went from being giggly girly to bitchy. Was she always like that? Does she have anything to do with Gareth's death? (hide spoiler)]

On the kings' front (view spoiler)[seems like Dante, Ryder, and Gabriel are possessive by nature. It would seem that Leon being a lion would also be possessive, but he seems the most willing to share, as if it's not even an idea for him to have Elise for himself alone, the thought of sharing has always been there “She’s mine too.”

I feel Gabriel is in the background a bit. Probably cz he really doesn't want to be in Elise's attention. Maybe if we get more of his POV we'd see his lingering presence in the shadows. He's there but not there too.

Though my heart sang when he got her the soda and told her “Because you shouldn’t want for anything.” But I spoke too fast apparently 😂 that only backfired.
Now Leon is catching up to Elise's needs, and I just hope Ryder drops his ego a bit to start seeing things cz he's losing now.

Elise seems so alive when she is with the boys and I like that on the counterside of being so grim and grieving when she's alone and searching for her brother's murder.
I am told Ryder has the biggest character development and I look forward for that. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Grace wrote: "yes yes yess, he's not mentioned in the boys POV, or maybe just once when Lance makes Darcy read the message about him from FS in front of the whole class. but the boys don't know about FS.
He was ..."

OMG...I don't know how I forgot that, LOL. These books are starting to bleed together I think and I'm having a hard time keeping everything together clearly.

[Grace]

Jamie wrote: "OMG...I don't know how I forgot that, LOL. These books are starting to bleed together I think and I'm having a hard time keeping everything together clearly...."

They told are bleeding together. And there's so much happening in each book. I wonder if there's a guide or cheat sheet with the main events of each book lol

[Grace]

I finished....
I am more reined in so I probably will jump to Does It Hurt? before going into

(view spoiler)[I have zero clues who killed Gareth lol.
I don't suppose it's one of the boys, because Elise would never forgive them even if they're her Elysian Mates.
It is obvious it's not Gabriel and I am glad he stepped up by the end. I hope he will be more present in book 2.

I think Felix Oscura wants Ryder to kill Dante so he can take over the clan. So I also don't think it has anything to do with Elise.

I think Cindy Lou is after something and she is involved in Gareth's death. I just can't put my finger on it to say if she's "The King" or she just works for him.
I feel maybe, maybe, maybe, it has something to do with Bryce Corvus - Ryder's second in command. He seems so jealous of Ryder and wanting the title of King and in a perfect position to be that.
He also really dislikes Elise, so makes sense he wants her dead. I think he's the King, just not sure how to tie Cindy to him.
She also didn't mention him when she said the faces she saw, and I feel that's completely intentional to mislead us.

And tho the Kiplings are shady, I don't think they're in this type of business for more than 1 reason.

It's odd how Dante just left Elise at the end. Like where did he go? And where did Leon disappear?

okay by the end of writing this I feel like jumping immediately in the book lol, I misjudged my ability but I will try. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Dark Fae: Ch 13-18 (view spoiler)[Well that was a fun little end to chapter 18. They are all trying to win her and that was funny as hell. The tags on this one are RH so I'm guessing they are all her mates. Now, how that will all work will be interesting I'm sure. I'm also kind of liking that instead of the bullying we get in ZA, we get them trying to win her more in this one. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Um, could (view spoiler)[Titan be Elise's dad??? (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

hmmm he's no vampire though.
he's quite affectionate towards her, but I guess that's just it

[Jamie]

Grace wrote: "hmmm he's no vampire though.
he's quite affectionate towards her, but I guess that's just it"

I guess what got me thinking that was when he was telling her she looked just like his daughter. I know her dad left and I thought that she said she didn't know who her dad was, so my brain was running away for a sec, lol

[Jamie]

I feel like there is something with Cindy Lou. I'm not sure what, but the fact that she is so (view spoiler)[anti Elise and seemed to like Gareth, I'm starting to wonder if she had something to do with his death. I don't think any of the kings had anything to do with it. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Wait, wait, wait....Cindy Lou is the one that sent Darius the fan letter, in Ruthless Fae, right?!?!?

So maybe my theory on her is all wrong. She might just be a mean, jealous girl and nothing more.

[Grace]

lol I completely forgot about Cindy-Lou's letter to Darius!!! but yeahh!!!
I am with you on that theory btw, just haven't figured it out yet

[Grace]

In all honesty, I am currently in chp 9 of

I promised myself just 1 or 2 chapters after the ending... but they hooked me again... and I am still trying to make sense of things

[Grace]

I wana pick your brain on something Dante says to Elise in chp 32 in Dark Fae

(view spoiler)[He says about Ryder "Him and my dad were Astral Adversaries. The stars had bound them to clash forever until it ended in blood. Ryder and I have inherited their star bond.”

I think he's wrong.
I think for the boys to all be Elise's Elysian Mates they have to be Nebula Allies. That's what will make the bond work for them all.
What do you think? (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

Jamie wrote: "Grace wrote: "hmmm he's no vampire though.
he's quite affectionate towards her, but I guess that's just it"

I guess what got me thinking that was when he was telling her she looked just like his d..."

That made me stop for a sec. I mean in fantasy it's very rare that a character is mentioned without intention or such things are said without them being linked to some foreshadowing. I like Titan, but I don't think he's related to her.

[Jamie]

Dark Fae: Ch 19-24 (view spoiler)[ These boys are hilarious. They all clearly have a pull towards her. I'm wondering which one will be next on her list to sleep with. I'm still not getting any real vibes on who could've killed Gareth. I don't think any of the Kings had anything to do with it. That's partially because we know this is a RH and clearly all 4 of these guys are getting pulled towards her, so I just think it's a decoy to make us think it's one of the Kings. I'm starting to wonder if it's a teacher??? (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Grace wrote: "In all honesty, I am currently in chp 9 of

I promised myself just 1 or 2 chapters after the ending... but they hooked me again... and I am still trying to make sens..."

LOL...

I really thought I would have this one done, but I would read a couple of chapters and then jump onto another book I needed to get done. It had nothing to do with not liking this, because I'm loving this world, but I can see this series pulling me and I do really have to get some other ones done too.

I'm hoping to finish it today though. I'm guessing I will probably start up the next one right away and then pause to start another book. I do hate dual reading though, haha

[Jamie]

Dark Fae: Ch 25-30 (view spoiler)[ I have so many thoughts on who it could be that caused Gareth's death. There was a hint it could be Gabriel, and then another hint that it could be Ryder. I don't believe it though. I don't think that Elise could ever forgive whoever it was, so I'm standing firm on it not being one of the Kings. Maybe the principal?? (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

so I am in chp 13 in Savage Fae
and that just fucked with my brain.... and I am not sure what to think after chapter 12 and 13....

[Grace]

Jamie wrote: "I feel like there is something with Cindy Lou. I'm not sure what, but the fact that she is so [spoilers removed]"

So Cindy Lou is alive 5 years later if she sends Darius a letter. Meaning she's not the one who killed Gareth.
But... there's something so off about her....
I am just in chp 14 in Savage Fae and she's behaving very like not suspicious but fishy and odd and I just can't place it....

[Jamie]

Yeah, I don't like that girl at all!

[Grace]

I just met the FMC of Darkmore Penitentiary at from Gareth's POV, and she's everything
I already met her in Cursed Fates too.
That girl is fire at all ages apparently

[Grace]

Important quick question.
So The Ruthless Boys is set in Alestria.
And the entire kingdom is Solaria?
Where is ZA situated?
Is it like Solaria the name of the planet like Earth? Or the name of the kingdom and there are other smaller kingdoms? I remember the queen, mother of Tory and Darcy, was from another kingdom? Is that part of Solaria or what?
I need to situate myself geographically and know what's the name of the region where ZA is, because I don't remember them saying anything other than Solaria.

[Grace]

[image error]

[Grace]

Found these maps, not sure why I couldn't upload here

https://pin.it/5UbDc85JP

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...

[Jamie]

So those maps definitely give a better idea. If I'm reading it right, everything is in Solaria.

[Jamie]

Dark Fae: Ch 31-36 Holy crap that ending! And of course we wouldn't get any real clues on who was involved. I am curious though about (view spoiler)[Ryder and who they wanted him to kill. Hoping he didn't do a magic handshake before he found out the name. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

did you check my comment about chp 32 and what Dante said?

[Grace]

Jamie wrote: "So those maps definitely give a better idea. If I'm reading it right, everything is in Solaria."

So the queen was from the kingdom of Voldrakia, which as it looks is a kingdom within Solaria. So it seems Solaria is a big kingdom and it has different areas and kingdoms?

[Grace]

Grace wrote: "I finished....
I am more reined in so I probably will jump to Does It Hurt? before going into

I have zero clues who killed Gareth lol.
I don't supp..."

Also here are my thoughts for the end of book 1

Here

[Jamie]

Grace wrote: "did you check my comment about chp 32 and what Dante said?"

Yeah, I think you are probably onto something with that. I think that (view spoiler)[they were told things that will come out as not being true and that's what has pinned them as enemies. I'm also starting to think that Dante's uncle is going to want Ryder to kill Dante. I'm hoping that maybe this will be what gets them to start working together, because we already know that Dante doesn't agree with what his uncle is doing. Well and obviously they both are going to end up with Elise. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

agreed

[Grace]

agreed

[Jamie]

Grace wrote: "Also here are my thoughts for the end of book 1...."

LOL, we have almost the same feelings on Dante's uncle. I also think you might be onto something with Cindy Lou. God I hate her, and after reading Gareth's POV and how she treats Elise, I'm convinced she is involved somehow.

[Grace]

New possible theory
=> chp 23 Savage Fae
With the number of times Eugene Dipper (view spoiler)[ has said, "I am pretty powerful," I am starting to wonder if he's the king after all.... like if his performance and anxiety are okay when he's hiding his identity under a cloack....
But that wouldn't explain why Elise was drugged and almost killed... so maybe I'll stick by the theory it's Bryce for now. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

=> 31 Savage Fae

Every time I form a theory on what the heck is going on I feel I hit a wall. I am not sure who it is!!!!
My latest suspicion is (view spoiler)[Lionel Acrux. I had it when Gabriel saw the cloaked figure use Dark Coercion, and it's obvious it's someone very powerful and power-hungry, and now the person used stardust.... (hide spoiler)]

As for the boys, (view spoiler)[
- I like this side we are seeing of Ryder, and I love that he was the one who figured out Elise needed the money and kinda in a way set her up with the Kiplings! I expected the person to figure it out to be Gabriel or Leon or Dante, so I am pleasantly surprised.

- I also like how this push-pull with all but also the internal push-pull for each of them is written. Susanne and Caroline are doing a wonderful job. And I feel they are warming up to each other which is quite nice. (hide spoiler)]

I really hope we get a Divine Moment in the next book

[Jamie]

I just started Savage Fae. Please tell me Elise gets smarter as the book goes on and doesn't do stupid shit like she just did, because I may need to step away and read something different if she does. Because I really thought this girl was supposed to be tough and honestly, she's just being completely and utterly stupid walking into that bar, just because Gabriel said something she didn't like. I can't read another book with a FMC that does stupid shit but we are supposed to look at her as tough and strong.

[Grace]

Jamie wrote: "I just started Savage Fae. Please tell me Elise gets smarter as the book goes on and doesn't do stupid shit like she just did, because I may need to step away and read something different if she do..."

They all grow one way or another. That was stupid of her alight😂, but she does smarter things down the book don't worry.

[Jamie]

So I think I'm starting to get that feeling I get when I binge or read the same author too much.

I'm picking up things that might not usually irritate me but are getting under my skin.

Just two pages ago, Elise is all I don't need anyone's help. I can do everything on my own. which clearly she can't. Gabriel rescued her, Ryder rescued her, Leon gave her a safe place to stay. Now she's in the principals office and Gabriel isn't backing her up, and she literally says "I don't know why I convinced myself I'd be able to rely on you for help. Either of you."

Um....she literally just said I DON'T NEED ANY HELP FROM ANYONE!!!! It's shit like this that's starting to get under my skin. It's making me look at her character and really starting to dislike her.

So I think I'm going to take a break after a couple of chapters if it doesn't get better and maybe read a different book or reread a favorite to try and get my mind to forget.

Or maybe I'll go and start TOG because Celena is one of my favorite FMC because that girl is very bad ass!

[Grace]

The way Elise is behaving with Gabriel specifically is irritating me. Like yes he's not relling her much but HE IS TRYINg to help her. She's just being stubborn with him.
She's loosening up with the others but also I think a big part of her is falling for them and she's afraid that she'll have to kill one of them and not be able to.

Maybe do take a break if you feel like it. This is a really long series anyway. I am so eager to go back to ZA but this disconnection is helpful to be able to process the info and the multiple events happening.

[Jamie]

I just finished chapter 12. I'm starting to wonder about (view spoiler)[Nightshade. That phone call was a little suspect. Even with everything the authors are trying to through out about Gabriel to make us think he had something to do with Gareth's death, I still don't buy it. But I am curious to see which one figures out she's related to him first. I'm back and forth between Gabriel and Leon. (hide spoiler)]

I do really like this series even though I was complaining earlier. And this is a good break from ZA to get me thinking about other characters. :)

[Grace]

I finished Savage Fae

I am so proud of all the boys for their development.
I am pissed at Elise for how she continues to have this cold-hot with Gabriel but proud of her in other ways.
And I still have zero clues who killed Gareth though my theories are wild atm 😂

[Grace]

I'm gona start Vicious Fae and apparently there's crossover with Zodiac Academy and I just cannot wait to see Lance in this!!!! Plus I think ZA is important for Gabriel so I want to see how this plays out!