Alright, so you're diving into 'The Zodiac Academy'—good choice, but the order can be a bit of a maze if you're just starting out. The core series you need is straightforward: start with 'The Awakening' (Book 1), then go through 'Ruthless Fae', 'The Reckoning', 'Shadow Princess', 'Cursed Fates', 'Fated Throne', and 'Sorrow and Starlight'. That's the main eight-book arc.
Now, here's where it gets messy—the extended universe. There's 'The Awakening: As Told By The Boys', which is a parallel novel retelling the first book from the Heirs' perspectives. You can read it after Book 1, but honestly, I'd save it for after you finish the main series. It's more of a bonus treat that adds depth once you already know the full story and have strong feelings about those characters. Jumping back and forth might disrupt the pacing.
Also, there's 'The Big A.S.S. Party', a novella set after Book 7. It's fun fluff, but skippable if you're just powering through the plot. My strong recommendation? Stick to the numerical order of the main eight books for your first read. Ignore all the side stuff until you're done. The series is a commitment, and bouncing around can dilute the emotional punches the authors carefully set up. Just plow through from 'The Awakening' to 'Sorrow and Starlight' in a straight line.