The Princesses of Ruin Series by Ember Holt

He wants his bloodthirsty rival for a wife.She only wants the queen's head on a pike.Scarlett Bloodletter narrowly escaped her own assassination at the tender age of fourteen. Why had her mother, the queen, tried to kill her? Beats Scarlett, but she assumed it was because she was a nomaj. Without a drop of magic in Scarlett’s blood, she was useless to the throne... moreHe wants his bloodthirsty rival for a wife.She only wants the queen's head on a pike.Scarlett Bloodletter narrowly escaped her own assassination at the tender age of fourteen. Why had her mother, the queen, tried to kill her? Beats Scarlett, but she assumed it was because she was a nomaj. Without a drop of magic in Scarlett’s blood, she was useless to the throne. Reduced to all kinds of deplorable things to survive the harsh streets of the kingdom’s poverty-stricken “Underbelly,” Scarlett has grown into a feared criminal with two things on her kill the queen and liberate her sisters, the only people she still has a heart for…until Zane.Zane, the Spider Lord, is a fearsome gang leader of the Underbelly known for decapitating his victims and poisoning his rivals. There’s only one thing he more fiercely protects than his territory; his Nomaj Princess of Prayers, Scarlett. He’ll do anything to keep her off her knees and will kill anyone who looks at her twice.After one passionate night leads Zane to discover Scarlett’s dirty secret, he’s helpless to resist her cause. After all, what’s more exciting than plotting to kill a queen?For fans of Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J Maas. The Princesses of Ruin is a four-part, standalone series set in a magic-based world with Victorian era vibes, possessive men, powerful princesses, and the demons they have to fight to survive in their grim kingdom. Claim your copy now! less

A prophecy of ruin binds him to her.She wants nothing more than to escape.Lily has never been the delicate flower she was named after. She preferred silly pranks and dirty poetry to needlepoint and politics, which is why the queen sent her off to a “proper” royal academy. Now that her magic is developed and her manners are passable—barely—it’s time for her to return home and attract a powerful man to rule by her side. Except Lily doesn’t want a king or a kingdom. She wants freedom... moreA prophecy of ruin binds him to her.She wants nothing more than to escape.Lily has never been the delicate flower she was named after. She preferred silly pranks and dirty poetry to needlepoint and politics, which is why the queen sent her off to a “proper” royal academy. Now that her magic is developed and her manners are passable—barely—it’s time for her to return home and attract a powerful man to rule by her side. Except Lily doesn’t want a king or a kingdom. She wants freedom. And nothing feels more freeing than adventuring with her bodyguard, Alastair.Alastair is an honor-bound knight, tied to a prophecy from his people, and he doesn’t experience desire. At least, that’s what he likes to tell himself. In truth, he wants nothing more than to sweep his ward off her feet and take her away to a dark corner of the world where he can keep her safe from that dark prophecy. There’s just one the prophecy states if Lily doesn’t become queen, the tentative peace in the kingdoms will crumble.When their journey home from the royal academy lands Lily in the custody of cutthroat pirates, Alastair will stop at nothing to protect his princess. But the biggest danger of all may be Alastair himself, because if Lily doesn't stop trying to make him break his vow of chastity, he may forget about honor and risk everything to have her to himself.For fans of Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J Maas. The Princesses of Ruin is a four-part, standalone series set in a magic-based world with Victorian era vibes, possessive men, powerful princesses, and the demons they have to fight to survive in their grim kingdom. Claim your copy now! less

He needs her to exact his dark justice.She needs him to destroy a corrupted kingdom.Royal secrets trade high on the black market, and being a quiet princess allows Alyse to hear many things in the palace. What she does with those pilfered confidences would have her mother’s head rolling, but Alyse’s altruism is the only bright spot in her bleak existence outside the pages of her fantasy books. Yet that spot is being swallowed up by a depraved shadow that haunts her her wretched fiancé... moreHe needs her to exact his dark justice.She needs him to destroy a corrupted kingdom.Royal secrets trade high on the black market, and being a quiet princess allows Alyse to hear many things in the palace. What she does with those pilfered confidences would have her mother’s head rolling, but Alyse’s altruism is the only bright spot in her bleak existence outside the pages of her fantasy books. Yet that spot is being swallowed up by a depraved shadow that haunts her her wretched fiancé.Growing up a slave, pain and suffering were the backdrop of Kazimir’s childhood. Even after escaping, that darkness followed him. With his scribe’s training and his relentless determination, he’s made it into the good graces of the royal palace for one to track down every single person involved in enslaving him, and bathe in their blood.When a fateful night has Kazimir and Alyse crossing blades, they’re set on a cruel path that leads to the destruction of their souls—and their restraint. As Kazimir trains Alyse to become the weapon he needs for his revenge, they’re pulled deeper under each other’s spells. Will Alyse succumb to the darkness and stand beside Kazimir when the heads begin to topple, or will she use her deadly new skills to bring her wicked fiancé to his knees and set the kingdoms on a path to war?For fans of Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J Maas. The Princesses of Ruin is a four-part, standalone series set in a magic-based world with Victorian era vibes, possessive men, powerful princesses, and the demons they have to fight to survive in their grim kingdom. Claim your copy now! less

He wants nothing more than to be her everything. She can't stand the thought of being his void.Gareth knew the moment he saw Cecillia that she was the only woman for him. Her strength, her fire, her dedication...she pulled him in. Cecillia died a little inside when she thought Gareth might be the kind of man to show her love again... moreHe wants nothing more than to be her everything. She can't stand the thought of being his void.Gareth knew the moment he saw Cecillia that she was the only woman for him. Her strength, her fire, her dedication...she pulled him in. Cecillia died a little inside when she thought Gareth might be the kind of man to show her love again. She can't have those thoughts so soon after the passing of her husband, can she?This sweet, short story is set in the Princesses of Ruin series following Gareth and Cecillia. It takes place after book 3, but can safely be read after book 1 without much issue. less

She’s a beacon of hope against a powerful queen.He’d steal the sun to save his people.Jasper's mission to overthrow a tyrant king in the south hinges on one finding a woman of superior royal lineage to use as bait. Reina, the spirited fourth princess of Fynren, fits the bill. He knows he shouldn’t take her, that her fiery defiance is going to make his life a living hell, but something about her draws him in and won’t let go... moreShe’s a beacon of hope against a powerful queen.He’d steal the sun to save his people.Jasper's mission to overthrow a tyrant king in the south hinges on one finding a woman of superior royal lineage to use as bait. Reina, the spirited fourth princess of Fynren, fits the bill. He knows he shouldn’t take her, that her fiery defiance is going to make his life a living hell, but something about her draws him in and won’t let go.Reina thinks a storm dragon blasting open the back of the palace is the worst thing that could’ve happened on the eve of her rebellion’s biggest move—until, that is, she wakes on a slave boat, leagues from home, bound by enchanted copper that restricts her magic. Jasper, her infuriatingly charming captor, promises not to hurt her despite his plans to sell her to a wretched king like a prized sow.When a shipwreck strands them on a remote island chain, Reina and Jasper must depend on one another for survival. As their defensive layers come down, Reina discovers her captor might not be as vile as she once thought. But with a kingdom to reclaim and an evil queen to overthrow, she must weigh her growing attraction against her duty. Can she trust the man she once despised, or is their romance a distraction in their fight for freedom?For fans of Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J Maas. The Princesses of Ruin is a four-part, standalone series set in a magic-based world with Victorian era vibes, possessive men, powerful princesses, and the demons they have to fight to survive in their grim kingdom. Preorder your copy now! less