Never Keep returns readers to the chaotic, magic-drenched world first introduced in Zodiac Academy, following a new cast navigating power, loyalty, and survival within a brutal supernatural hierarchy. Secrets simmer beneath every interaction, alliances shift quickly, and danger lurks behind both romance and rivalry as characters struggle to define who they are in a world that rarely rewards softness.
Coming back to this universe felt a little like revisiting a hometown you once loved — familiar streets, recognizable energy, and flashes of why you fell for it in the first place. The worldbuilding still carries that addictive, dramatic edge Peckham and Valenti are known for, and stepping back into the Zodiac Academy realm was easily the highlight of this reading experience for me.
Unfortunately, the execution made it difficult to fully sink in.
The most immediate hurdle was the editing. Errors appeared frequently enough that they pulled me out of the story again and again, and it became increasingly hard to glance past them while trying to stay immersed. When pacing and emotional investment already feel fragile, those disruptions stand out even more.
Another ongoing frustration was the characterization. The protagonists may technically be in their twenties, but many of their decisions, reactions, and interpersonal conflicts felt rooted in a high-school mindset. The immaturity didn’t read as intentional character flaws so much as repetitive behavioral patterns, which made emotional stakes harder to take seriously.
Pacing also worked against the novel. The majority of the book felt stretched thin, lingering on moments that didn’t always deepen character or plot. Then, almost abruptly, the final third accelerated into a full sprint — major developments arriving in rapid succession with little breathing room. The imbalance created a strange reading rhythm: long stretches of disengagement followed by a sudden narrative blitz.
Because of this, I struggled to form strong attachments to the characters. I never quite reached the point where I needed to know what happened to them next, which is usually where this writing duo shines. The emotional hooks just didn’t land as deeply this time around.
That said, the nostalgia factor is real. Being back inside the Zodiac Academy universe carried enough intrigue to keep me turning pages, even when the story itself wasn’t fully clicking. Fans invested in the world may still find enjoyment simply from returning to its familiar magic and chaos.
Devour or Nibble?
Nibble.
Best suited for committed Zodiac Academy fans curious about expanding the universe. If you’re hoping for tight pacing, polished editing, or deeply compelling character work, this one may feel more frustrating than addictive — but for readers craving a return to familiar magical territory, it still offers moments worth tasting.
literary gluttony 
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