Dark Fae: Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac, Book 1 – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Dark Fae: Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac, Book 1

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2020

32%

WISE Score

4.3

Amazon

A high-stakes 'reverse harem' mystery that's heavy on the magic and even heavier on the 'open-door' explicit content.

Dark Fae: Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac, Book 1

book

2020

32%

WISE Score

4.3

Amazon

A high-stakes 'reverse harem' mystery that's heavy on the magic and even heavier on the 'open-door' explicit content.

4.3

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Screenwise Verdict

Let’s be blunt: this is 'smut' with a fantasy coat of paint. It’s well-loved by its adult audience for being a dark, addictive page-turner, but it has no business being in a middle-schooler's backpack.

The authors don't pull punches with the 'reverse harem' dynamic or the graphic nature of the romance. If you’re an adult looking for a spicy supernatural mystery, you’ll probably devour it. If you're a parent seeing this on your 14-year-old's Kindle, it's time for a very awkward conversation about 'open-door' romance and why this book is headed for the digital return pile.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults (18+). While it's often tagged as 'Teen & Young Adult' in digital stores because of the 'Academy' setting, the explicit sexual content and dark themes put it firmly in the New Adult/Adult category.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The plot is centered on brutal revenge, gang warfare, and a 'reverse harem' dynamic that prioritizes dark, often toxic attraction over healthy emotional modeling.

Imaginative

The Solaria world-building is genuinely dense, featuring a variety of Fae types like Basilisks and Harpies with distinct magical traits and social hierarchies.

Safe

This is 'open-door' adult romance. It contains explicit sexual scenes, graphic violence, and drug use (Killblaze) that make it entirely inappropriate for minors.

Enriching

While it functions as a twisty murder mystery, its primary goal is escapist 'spicy' entertainment rather than cognitive or ethical growth.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The murder mystery hook—trying to figure out which of the four 'kings' killed her brother—is actually quite compelling.
It expands on the popular Zodiac Academy universe, giving fans a deeper look at the darker corners of Solaria.
For adult readers, the fast-paced, multi-POV writing makes it a very quick, addictive read.

⚠

What to Watch For

Extremely explicit sexual content (often referred to as 'high spice') that is not suitable for teens.
Graphic depictions of violence and gang-related brutality within the academy setting.
The 'reverse harem' setup means the protagonist is involved with four men simultaneously, which may not align with all family values.

Conversation Starters

"Why does Elise feel that revenge is the only way to honor her brother?"
"In a world where everyone is a 'ruthless' predator, is it actually possible to trust anyone?"
"How do the different Fae types (like the Basilisk vs. the Dragon) reflect different personality archetypes?"

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