Shades of Ruin and Magic Series by Meg Xuemei X

The gods are dead.At least, that’s what everyone else seems to think.I, however, know the truth. My father, the God of Ruin, is coming, and with him, everything will fall.Hiding out at this dangerous academy can only protect me for so long, even if I am disguised as a boy to avoid the brutal Bride Trials.One of the cruel princes of the school, Killian, watches me from the shadows.Waiting.Biding his time.I fear that when he catches me, he’ll either be my salvation…Or my downfall.

I have no intention of being anyone’s bride, let alone fighting tooth and nail to get there.All the vicious catfights in the school nauseate me. I have bigger things to worry about, like being hunted by my father, who’s getting closer every day.Yet no one leaves me alone. The princes believe I’m playing hard to get, so they pursue me fiercely. When they realize that I’m not as ambitious or smitten as the other girls, they place a bet—whoever claims my virginity takes it all... moreI have no intention of being anyone’s bride, let alone fighting tooth and nail to get there.All the vicious catfights in the school nauseate me. I have bigger things to worry about, like being hunted by my father, who’s getting closer every day.Yet no one leaves me alone. The princes believe I’m playing hard to get, so they pursue me fiercely. When they realize that I’m not as ambitious or smitten as the other girls, they place a bet—whoever claims my virginity takes it all.Their stupid vanity game paints a target on my back—all the bride candidates join forces to come after me, cleverly planning my demise. I might be an apex predator, but I’m one against a thousand of the meanest “coyotes.”To make sure I live through the game, Killian offers to train me. The chemistry between us cuts through every obstacle and tears down our own defenses.We should know what’s good for us. We should stay the hell away from each other. He’s still the forbidden fruit. If I taste him, we’ll burn, and the world will burn with us.But I can’t stop... less

Killian Soon, I’ll have to marry the most powerful queen and rule two kingdoms.But all I want is Barbie, the new girl in my house and the only thing I can’t have.If I take her for my own, she’ll be murdered. I know I should stay away from her, but I no longer can, even if the kingdoms collapse and the world burns as a consequence.I might be the villain in the story, but without her, there’s no meaning to my brutal, miserable existence... moreKillian Soon, I’ll have to marry the most powerful queen and rule two kingdoms.But all I want is Barbie, the new girl in my house and the only thing I can’t have.If I take her for my own, she’ll be murdered. I know I should stay away from her, but I no longer can, even if the kingdoms collapse and the world burns as a consequence.I might be the villain in the story, but without her, there’s no meaning to my brutal, miserable existence.So, I start to push her to the breaking point so she can survive the bride trials and rise above it all.Only I don’t expect it to hurt so much to see my rivals, the other heirs, swoop in to try to make her theirs. less