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

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

“Mine!” he growls in the throes of passion. “Are you mine too?” I challenge him. Before he can promise anything, his betrothed shows up at his door. The demon queen is pushing for a final claim on him, and a war unlike any other rages between us. I don’t stay down, but when she brings in Barbie 2.0, an upgraded version of me, to tempt him, to replace me— Everything crumbles around me.

SyI’m no longer a dirty little secret.Two powerful heirs now know about Barbie and me, but they intend to keep it that way to protect us.Killian has yet to decide which woman he’ll choose. He can’t have everything—he must choose love or the crown.While Barbie’s luck runs out, my star rises with three heirs courting me. It turns out I’m not just a monster that feeds on sex and violence. I’m what the supernaturals have been searching for.Our brutal father is coming... moreSyI’m no longer a dirty little secret.Two powerful heirs now know about Barbie and me, but they intend to keep it that way to protect us.Killian has yet to decide which woman he’ll choose. He can’t have everything—he must choose love or the crown.While Barbie’s luck runs out, my star rises with three heirs courting me. It turns out I’m not just a monster that feeds on sex and violence. I’m what the supernaturals have been searching for.Our brutal father is coming. They say, with the God of Ruin, everything will fall.Barbie and I will stand in his war path, along with our five princes. less

KillianThey took her.The one thread holding my chaos together. My mate.Now the dragon is unleashed. Let the realm panic. Let them call me a villain. Their fear is the fuel I will use to burn their world down.The oracle says she must sacrifice herself and our bond to save them all.F*uck. No.Prophecy is a sham. Fate is a chain I will break. If armies stand in my way, they become ash. If gods challenge me, they will fall... moreKillianThey took her.The one thread holding my chaos together. My mate.Now the dragon is unleashed. Let the realm panic. Let them call me a villain. Their fear is the fuel I will use to burn their world down.The oracle says she must sacrifice herself and our bond to save them all.F*uck. No.Prophecy is a sham. Fate is a chain I will break. If armies stand in my way, they become ash. If gods challenge me, they will fall.My throne and this entire realm will be kindling for the pyre I will build to light my way back to her.I am not the villain they fear.I am the consequence of touching what is mine.This is the epic conclusion to the Brides Selection: Shades of Ruin and Magic series. Perfect for fans of Zodiac Academy and ruthless, morally grey heroes who will stop at nothing for their women. less