Sorrow and Starlight: Zodiac Academy 8

Darcy is the other protagonist of the Zodiac Academy series. Where her twin is angry and impulsive, Darcy is the kinder and more compassionate of the two. Like Tory, her arc revolves around facing her inner demons, but in a more literal sense than her sister. In Fated Throne, Lavinia cursed her, causing her to transform into a Shadow Beast whenever the Shadow Princess wills it. The curse affects Darcy on a physical, emotional, and psychological level. Even when not taking on the form of the Shadow Beast, her blue-tipped hair is hidden by shadow, and her natural green eyes—along with the silver rings indicating her Elysian mating bond with Orion—are obscured. It also cuts off her ability to access her magic and Order, threatening to turn her mortal. Finally, when she is transformed, she has to fight for control of her own mind and body as the creature’s consciousness threatens to overwhelm her. She spends most of the book terrified that she will hurt everyone she loves, as she does Geraldine and Tory. Lavinia’s intention was not simply to torment Darcy but to erode her sense of self, identity, and morality, forcing her into submission through self-hatred and despair. The Shadow Beast symbolizes Darcy’s shadow self, a Jungian representation of her repressed emotions, violent urges, and darkest impulses.

However, Darcy’s journey toward self-acceptance fundamentally shifts once she finally defeats the Shadow Beast and begins to perceive it as a victim in its own right. She decides not only to spare but also to heal and befriend the Shadow Beast, refusing to leave it behind even when Orion thinks it’s a bad idea. By extending compassion to the creature meant to destroy her, Darcy reclaims her agency from Lavinia. She refuses to be defined by hatred or vengeance, choosing instead to heal through acceptance.

The Celestial Heirs are the firstborn sons of the four Celestial Councillors (Lionel Acrux, Melinda Altair, Antonia Capella, and Tiberius Rigel) who ruled Solaria after the murders of the King and Queen. After Lionel took over, the other three ex-Celestial Councillors ended up with the Vegas and the rebellion. Now, the Celestial Heirs are fractured, with Geraldine referring to the surviving trio of men as “the three mostly irrelevant Heirs to nothing” (754). All four serve as point-of-view characters in Sorrow and Starlight but with reduced narrative importance compared to the prior novels in the series. This is particularly true for Max Rigel, whose role in the story is tied to his romance with Geraldine and his doubts regarding their relationship.

Caleb Altair serves as a source of support for Tory as she deals with the loss of Darius. Caleb swears to help her with her quest for vengeance against the stars, goes with her to the Library of the Lost, saves her from the Shadow Beast during the failed raid on the Palace of Souls, and is the one who finds her note when she leaves R.U.M.P. Though the sexual relationship they previously had is over by this book, they are still close. The closeness, however, is a point of tension between Caleb and Seth Capella. Seth’s tragic romance with Caleb defines his role in the novel. As two of the Celestial Heirs, they are expected to continue their lines separately, something their mothers point out multiple times. Seth acknowledges the impossibility of being together due to their political and familial responsibilities. Still, he cannot help his feelings that border on obsessive, which he describes as a “torturous paradox” (774). At the end of the novel, their relationship is still in flux.

Finally, while Darius Acrux is physically absent until the end, the aftermath of death in Heartless Sky shapes Sorrow and Starlight. For Tory, he is the personification of The Struggle Between Fate and Free Will, as she is willing to sacrifice everything, even her soul, to get him back. When he is resurrected in the third act, it reshapes not only Tory’s trajectory but also that of the entire war effort. He becomes a rallying point and a representation of the victory of personal agency over the constraints of destiny.

Lionel is the novel’s primary antagonist, and his actions and ideology shape the conflict that drives the narrative. As the tyrannical ruler of Solaria, Lionel wields his power with no mercy. His oppressive regime is not only a political force but also a manifestation of the corrupting nature of unchecked authority. He manipulates magic and fear to maintain control over the Fae, demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice lives and bend ancient, sacred laws for his ambition.

At the heart of Lionel’s character is his obsession with power and his need to impose order by any means necessary. He is driven by a deep-seated belief that the world must be molded to his vision, even if that vision is built on deception, manipulation, and brutality. Lionel’s use of forbidden magic, such as Dark Coercion, his alliance with Lavinia, and his experimentation on innocent Fae through Vard, shows his complete disregard for the natural balance of the realm. His oppressive policies and the militaristic strength of his regime create an atmosphere of fear and resistance, uniting the rebels and those who dream of a world free from his grasp. The dynamic is essential to the novel’s tension, as Lionel’s actions catalyze the growth and evolution of the protagonists.

Lionel’s character is also a study in contrasts. While he exudes strength and dominance, his vulnerabilities are hidden beneath arrogance and ruthlessness. He demands perfection from his offspring, casting off or attempting to kill those who aren’t Dragons. However, the attack on Zodiac Academy at the end of the novel happens in response to the Undercover A.S.S.’s repeated humiliation of him in front of the public, whether by covering him in sewage or playing videos showing proof of his crimes. Within the Palace of Souls, Lavinia also possesses significantly more power in their relationship than he does. Despite knowing that she’s a threat to him, and moving to curb her power, he continues to cave to her whims.

Orion is one of the point-of-view characters. While he is Darcy’s love interest, he is also her source of emotional grounding as she struggles to deal with her curse. She grapples with shame and guilt over what she did, but Orion repeatedly reassures her that he will accept any version of her, even one permanently tied to darkness.

However, he is also defined by contradictions. He is protective, resilient, and physically strong yet is powerless for most of the book. At the end of Heartless Sky, he makes a deal with Lavinia that he will be her prisoner for three months in exchange for her freeing Darcy from her curse. Throughout most of Sorrow and Starlight, she tortures him with shadow weapons that wound his body and soul. He is plagued by memories of Darius, guilt-ridden over his survival, and tormented by the knowledge that he cannot shield Darcy from Lavinia’s control, especially once she is also imprisoned in the Palace of Souls. However, he still willingly bleeds and suffers to protect Darcy. Orion refuses to let Lavinia break him. He tells Darcy, “She can’t have anything more from me than pain. I’m all yours. She can’t touch my soul; it’ll be whole and waiting for you when this is over” (256). In saying this, he directly challenges Lavinia’s belief that power can control everything.