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Shades of Ruin and Magic #1
House of Vampires and Flame
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.
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.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2023
4402 people are currently reading
10102 people want to read
About the author
Meg Xuemei X
119 books2,267 followersMeg Xuemei X is a USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author of paranormal and fantasy romance. She loves writing badass heroines and hot psycho alphaholes.
Join Meg’s mailing list for new releases, giveaways, and fun stuff: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
October 4, 2023
Most unserious thing ive ever read
October 12, 2023
3.5
Is there a term for a paranormal mockumentary? This was fun ☺️
Is there a term for a paranormal mockumentary? This was fun ☺️
December 6, 2023
Moments I had:
1. So, we are just going to act like the whole daddy issues are normal? Oh. Ok...😑
2. What the fuck am I reading?
2.5 Why can't she just be Bob, like why is the little thing so important?
3.Haha, funny shit.
4. Oh damn😲
5. Great another lame pet name.
6. Well...shit😦
7. I wonder if the sequel is out yet?
1. So, we are just going to act like the whole daddy issues are normal? Oh. Ok...😑
2. What the fuck am I reading?
2.5 Why can't she just be Bob, like why is the little thing so important?
3.Haha, funny shit.
4. Oh damn😲
5. Great another lame pet name.
6. Well...shit😦
7. I wonder if the sequel is out yet?
November 7, 2023
Lmao this was lowkey entertaining
January 13, 2024
So good!!
I really enjoyed this book. Bobbi is great! She's funny and clever and strong. I loved all the chaos. Can't wait to read the next one.
I really enjoyed this book. Bobbi is great! She's funny and clever and strong. I loved all the chaos. Can't wait to read the next one.
October 2, 2023
This is the first book in Meg’s new series, and it’s so freaking good!!!
The story revolves around Bobbi, the daughter of the god of Ruin. She was born to siphon magic from the world to power her father. Not able to take the abuse, she escapes and has been on the run for years. When her father’s minions catch up to her, she barely escapes, only to stumble into the last magical realm, Mists of Cinder, and Shades Academy, A.K.A. Bride Selection Academy.
Disguised as a boy, she crosses paths with the five prince heirs of the realm (fae, chaos, vampire, shifter, and mage), each one drawn to her. Oh, and not only does she siphon magic, but she houses a monster that feeds off sexual energy and who’s also a bit of a psycho.
I know it sounds all over the place, but trust me, it's so freaking good, and so much happens!!!! I can’t wait until the next book!!! A definite must-read!!
The story revolves around Bobbi, the daughter of the god of Ruin. She was born to siphon magic from the world to power her father. Not able to take the abuse, she escapes and has been on the run for years. When her father’s minions catch up to her, she barely escapes, only to stumble into the last magical realm, Mists of Cinder, and Shades Academy, A.K.A. Bride Selection Academy.
Disguised as a boy, she crosses paths with the five prince heirs of the realm (fae, chaos, vampire, shifter, and mage), each one drawn to her. Oh, and not only does she siphon magic, but she houses a monster that feeds off sexual energy and who’s also a bit of a psycho.
I know it sounds all over the place, but trust me, it's so freaking good, and so much happens!!!! I can’t wait until the next book!!! A definite must-read!!
October 24, 2023
I have to admit I did not finish this book. I got to the point where they were shown to their room, and I couldn't take anymore. If I had to read the words "Little Bob" one more time in my head, I was going to scream on the outside. Everything about this was immaturely written. The Banter between characters which was so juvenile for a "Prince" to the slut shaming of the students. And don't get me wrong my absolute favorite word in the English language is F*ck but it was used in every other sentence and incorrectly in my opinion. And the health insurance part. Really? You live in a magic realm, and you said yourself you heal yourself with rest. But you needed health insurance? You are then surprised there is none? (I Don't know why that bothered me so much, but it did) I did jump ahead in the book to see if it got better and it just didn't, so I gave up.
July 6, 2024
No one will ever convince me that this book was not written by AI. The writing is so awkward. It is like someone typed into Chat GPT "romance" "princes" "supernatural" "strong female lead"...and maybe "awkward" and "anachronism." So very terrible...I did not finish.
October 28, 2024
I don’t understand how anyone can like this book. This is by far the worst writing I have ever seen. It reads as if English is not fully understood. It was a constant struggle to continue to read every chapter. Also you can’t have something written in first person that jumps back into all knowing at times, it’s way too confusing.
Every paragraph pulled at constant pet peeves. How can we never get the main characters actual name in the entire book? Why is the entire books dialogue all negative and condescending. Why do we care about insurance or unions in a fantasy world? Why don’t we get background explanations for what is going on, I mean you can’t have two personalities/people in one character without a little more information.
Overall hated the characters, hated the nonexistent plot, hated the writing. Would not recommend.
Every paragraph pulled at constant pet peeves. How can we never get the main characters actual name in the entire book? Why is the entire books dialogue all negative and condescending. Why do we care about insurance or unions in a fantasy world? Why don’t we get background explanations for what is going on, I mean you can’t have two personalities/people in one character without a little more information.
Overall hated the characters, hated the nonexistent plot, hated the writing. Would not recommend.
October 29, 2023
I don't know how to rate this one. It felt like an entertaining fanfiction written in one night. Maybe it was a parody of RH, academy, shifter/vampire/wolf/fae/demon verse. Can't wait for the next installment!
November 12, 2024
dnf @10% bc … just no
March 19, 2024
Garnered enough interest to continue to the second book. My main issue here was Bobby/Sy. I don’t think I’ve read a book where a character is two people in one body. It’s caused me to disassociate any type of connection with an MC due to the fact this Bobby/Sy characters are completely different.
I think this is going to be a very iffy, read for a lot of people.
Happy reading,
DD 🥂
I think this is going to be a very iffy, read for a lot of people.
Happy reading,
DD 🥂
October 6, 2023
Had lots of humor…but was confusing at first still, don’t understand the monster Sy, both having same body but shifting…not sure if this is RH but appears to be at least a Mfm…
March 3, 2024
DNF @ 23%
I could not be more annoyed with this book if I tried. I’ve spent the last 3 hours trying to read it because the blurb sounded good but it’s just not there for me!
I’ve now read 2 sex scenes where they are not with the main leads together but other partners, there is a lot of bullying and most of what’s going on makes no sense to me either. It seems like it’s all based on mockery and that’s not for me.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
I could not be more annoyed with this book if I tried. I’ve spent the last 3 hours trying to read it because the blurb sounded good but it’s just not there for me!
I’ve now read 2 sex scenes where they are not with the main leads together but other partners, there is a lot of bullying and most of what’s going on makes no sense to me either. It seems like it’s all based on mockery and that’s not for me.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
October 18, 2023
Disappointed..too slow.
Didn't care for this one. No characters development, zero chemistry, and with boring slow pacing. The characters were unlikable and the heroine is bullied pretty much. Wasted read for sure.
Didn't care for this one. No characters development, zero chemistry, and with boring slow pacing. The characters were unlikable and the heroine is bullied pretty much. Wasted read for sure.
Read
March 13, 2024Where to start a book is such a delicate balance. This one started with a bang. Literally. I was totally on board with that choice. However, I quickly felt like I’d been thrown into the deep end without much motivation to care what these character (s) are running from or why.
December 10, 2023
THIS BOOK HAD ME LAUGHING OUT LOUD. LITTLE BOB FOREVER. CRUSHED IT IN 24 hours. So enjoyable
October 10, 2024
This book is full of amazing potential. I quite enjoyed the story line that could be witty at times, characters and world building were very well developed and imagination.
March 21, 2024
I'm sorry all the 5 star and 4,3 but this was a negative zerogagillion .
Cover art drew me over and over till I gave in and read it ......wish I hadnt. Didn't like her ,him or anyone in bok. She's more than one being and changes into S. Who feeds on sex .so we already know where this is going . Porn with daddy issue plot but mostly porn .
While I read reverse harem books reading about main male and female having sex with multiple women and such is not my cup of tea ,coffee,soda ,juice or even water.
Such great potential . Just reading about him pounding into another woman ( multiple at same time ) while she watch and I get all the details ....no vomit in my mouth no. And his juvenile way of speech like a petulant child or a uneducated bully.... So be warned this is that kind of book . You like it ok ..I don't .
Cover art drew me over and over till I gave in and read it ......wish I hadnt. Didn't like her ,him or anyone in bok. She's more than one being and changes into S. Who feeds on sex .so we already know where this is going . Porn with daddy issue plot but mostly porn .
While I read reverse harem books reading about main male and female having sex with multiple women and such is not my cup of tea ,coffee,soda ,juice or even water.
Such great potential . Just reading about him pounding into another woman ( multiple at same time ) while she watch and I get all the details ....no vomit in my mouth no. And his juvenile way of speech like a petulant child or a uneducated bully.... So be warned this is that kind of book . You like it ok ..I don't .
February 5, 2024
The dialogue made me cringe so many times.
January 9, 2024
Dnf @54%.
I can’t believe a grown adult wrote this rubbish.
I can’t believe a grown adult wrote this rubbish.
December 17, 2023
RH??
It’s a great book with stellar writing. I love Little Bob, the FMC. Ends on a cliffhanger but not unbearable. Unique plot and I enjoy a good ‘pretend to be a man’ storyline.
Initially when I began the book, I thought I wouldn’t enjoy the Little Bob/Sy split. The FMC has a sentient succubus type being that she can exchange places with called Sy. I thought it would be like having two FMC’s in one body but fortunately we are narrated through Little Bob and Sy isn’t a distraction. I ended up loving both Little Bob and Sy.
My overall concern with the series is the harem. It doesn’t seem to be a true RH. There are 5 potential candidates, all of them Princes in the last remaining magical realm. However Little Bob only seems to be attracted to one of the them, Prince Killian of the Chaos house. I don’t like when harems have an obvious favorite so I’m hoping that there’s a valid explanation for this (I have some guesses) and the rest of the harem get equal respect. Prince Killian is also stronger than the rest of the Princes’ and I don’t care for the power imbalance. I like the Vampire Prince, Louis, but I don’t like books where it seems like the male harem members would seriously hurt the FMC. Slight spoilers ahead. He did almost drain her but I guess that’s forgivable. I did not like it at all when the shifter prince Silas backhanded her and it’d take some groveling for me to be okay with him again. I like the Fae Prince Rowan, he’s my favorite but that’s probably because he hasn’t had the chance to be mean to Little Bob yet since he’s barely in the book. It also helps that Sy seems to really like him. Killian used to be my favorite but he lost major points with that stunt he pulled at the end.
So far the evidence points to the harem only being three members despite Little Bob & Sy having expressed even the slightest bit of interest in all five. Most likely the Fae Prince Rowan, the Vampire Prince Louis, and the Chaos Prince Killian. Partially because that’s what the three book titles are based around and that’s who she seems the most interested in. Hoping for more Romance in the next because there is absolutely none here. I prefer books where it seems like there will be a HEA (happily ever after) or at least seems like the harem will care and love the FMC.
It’s a great book with stellar writing. I love Little Bob, the FMC. Ends on a cliffhanger but not unbearable. Unique plot and I enjoy a good ‘pretend to be a man’ storyline.
Initially when I began the book, I thought I wouldn’t enjoy the Little Bob/Sy split. The FMC has a sentient succubus type being that she can exchange places with called Sy. I thought it would be like having two FMC’s in one body but fortunately we are narrated through Little Bob and Sy isn’t a distraction. I ended up loving both Little Bob and Sy.
My overall concern with the series is the harem. It doesn’t seem to be a true RH. There are 5 potential candidates, all of them Princes in the last remaining magical realm. However Little Bob only seems to be attracted to one of the them, Prince Killian of the Chaos house. I don’t like when harems have an obvious favorite so I’m hoping that there’s a valid explanation for this (I have some guesses) and the rest of the harem get equal respect. Prince Killian is also stronger than the rest of the Princes’ and I don’t care for the power imbalance. I like the Vampire Prince, Louis, but I don’t like books where it seems like the male harem members would seriously hurt the FMC. Slight spoilers ahead. He did almost drain her but I guess that’s forgivable. I did not like it at all when the shifter prince Silas backhanded her and it’d take some groveling for me to be okay with him again. I like the Fae Prince Rowan, he’s my favorite but that’s probably because he hasn’t had the chance to be mean to Little Bob yet since he’s barely in the book. It also helps that Sy seems to really like him. Killian used to be my favorite but he lost major points with that stunt he pulled at the end.
So far the evidence points to the harem only being three members despite Little Bob & Sy having expressed even the slightest bit of interest in all five. Most likely the Fae Prince Rowan, the Vampire Prince Louis, and the Chaos Prince Killian. Partially because that’s what the three book titles are based around and that’s who she seems the most interested in. Hoping for more Romance in the next because there is absolutely none here. I prefer books where it seems like there will be a HEA (happily ever after) or at least seems like the harem will care and love the FMC.
January 2, 2024
Loved the female lead character
She was quirky, had a silly sassy comeback for every order from one of the princes. She broke into others suites to avoid using the public bath chambers as she was pretending to be a boy. She got caught once, which ruined her charade and caused suspicion. She had a knack for pissing ppl off besides her only friend Bea. She was protective and loyal. She doesn’t take directions at all, and usually is thinking something totally different than what the situation calls for. It’s in her point of view but it would be quite the interest to read some of the prince’s point of views. I thought this was a reverse harem but now I’m just confused. Rowan interests Sly, her other side, who’s a chameleon. Killian interests Bobbi, or now known as Barbie. Now the school has had a look at her naked chest that Killian burned off all the bride selections will be after her. Cant wait to read what’s next.
She was quirky, had a silly sassy comeback for every order from one of the princes. She broke into others suites to avoid using the public bath chambers as she was pretending to be a boy. She got caught once, which ruined her charade and caused suspicion. She had a knack for pissing ppl off besides her only friend Bea. She was protective and loyal. She doesn’t take directions at all, and usually is thinking something totally different than what the situation calls for. It’s in her point of view but it would be quite the interest to read some of the prince’s point of views. I thought this was a reverse harem but now I’m just confused. Rowan interests Sly, her other side, who’s a chameleon. Killian interests Bobbi, or now known as Barbie. Now the school has had a look at her naked chest that Killian burned off all the bride selections will be after her. Cant wait to read what’s next.
October 18, 2023
Just wow
This book is interesting and funny
I adore Bob/Barbie.... she is definitely not your average FMC. Her humor and snarky attitude had me laughing out loud several times. And I won't even start on her internal dialogue with Sy. So much is going on in this story, and there's a lot to unpack.... but it's well worth it. I can't wait to read all these books and get to know more about each of the different houses
This book is interesting and funny
I adore Bob/Barbie.... she is definitely not your average FMC. Her humor and snarky attitude had me laughing out loud several times. And I won't even start on her internal dialogue with Sy. So much is going on in this story, and there's a lot to unpack.... but it's well worth it. I can't wait to read all these books and get to know more about each of the different houses
January 12, 2025
This is hard to rate. While I do like the storyline and the magic system(what I can tell about it), I felt like I stayed confused and the FMC is childish in a lot of ways that I don’t care for. But I went from almost not finishing to starting the second book. It’s easy to invest in FMC even though she’s a brat. I can see what she meant to do with the character , it just wasn’t executed yet. I’m sticking with it another book to see.
December 9, 2023
I enjoyed this unique paranormal storyline. Barbie disguises herself as a guy named 'Little Bob'. She is hiding from her father's scouts. This book is action-packed and fast paced with great characters and intriguing. This book ends in a cliff hanger. Victoria Mei narrated very well.
December 16, 2023
Not what I expected
I can't even begin to describe the joy & laughs I had with this book .If you are expecting the usual paranormal story you'll get it but it's so much more .The humour takes you by the hand & runs alongside the serious plot that winds around the Princes , "little Bob" & the academy in so looking forward to the next book
I can't even begin to describe the joy & laughs I had with this book .If you are expecting the usual paranormal story you'll get it but it's so much more .The humour takes you by the hand & runs alongside the serious plot that winds around the Princes , "little Bob" & the academy in so looking forward to the next book
December 5, 2023
Loved
I love Bobbi! And Sy. They're so amazing. This story is so far amazing. Spicy and smart. And Rowan Daddy chill.
I love Bobbi! And Sy. They're so amazing. This story is so far amazing. Spicy and smart. And Rowan Daddy chill.
June 16, 2024
Ok but why did I love this so much? What a refreshing break from the series stuff.
dnf
September 6, 2024I thought the beginning of this book was one of those ~bad fanfiction/book within a book that the FMC is reading~ sort of thing. But nope. That’s actually…the story. Yikes.
DNF
DNF
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