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Reaper Academy: Dark God 1: Shattered and Returned
99 deaths. 1 final chance.
BLOOM doesn’t know why her dreams drip with blood. Why the dead whisper her name. Or Nero Ravencrux—Forsaken Academy’s lethally beautiful, morally black heart—watches her like she’s both his salvation and his ruin.
But she knows this:
Students who break the rules disappear.
Every redhead who looked like her was buried before twenty.
And she has 9 days left until her birthday—the day the gods have marked for her blood.
NERO is the death god masquerading as a man. For two thousand years, he’s watched Persephone be reborn—only to be slaughtered by the gods who hunt her for sport.
This time, he built Forsaken Academy to cage her from the heavens, but this Persephone is different. Wilder. Wounded. A storm of thorns and trembling hands, picking through the bones of women who wore her skin.
The Fates demand she remember. If she doesn’t, he’ll lose her forever.
The gods are coming. Her clock is bleeding out.
And the only thing more dangerous than his love?
Her need to survive it.
BLOOM doesn’t know why her dreams drip with blood. Why the dead whisper her name. Or Nero Ravencrux—Forsaken Academy’s lethally beautiful, morally black heart—watches her like she’s both his salvation and his ruin.
But she knows this:
Students who break the rules disappear.
Every redhead who looked like her was buried before twenty.
And she has 9 days left until her birthday—the day the gods have marked for her blood.
NERO is the death god masquerading as a man. For two thousand years, he’s watched Persephone be reborn—only to be slaughtered by the gods who hunt her for sport.
This time, he built Forsaken Academy to cage her from the heavens, but this Persephone is different. Wilder. Wounded. A storm of thorns and trembling hands, picking through the bones of women who wore her skin.
The Fates demand she remember. If she doesn’t, he’ll lose her forever.
The gods are coming. Her clock is bleeding out.
And the only thing more dangerous than his love?
Her need to survive it.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2025
413 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Meg Xuemei X
113 books2,281 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 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 13, 2025
I truly enjoyed this new novel by Meg Xuemei X and L. Lysandra. Book 1 of The Dark God series. It had action, friendship (gotta love a bestie) and a forbidden lust (teacher/student, yet fated mates). I loved this reimagining of Hades and Persephone’s story. It was a modern-day dark-fated-mates-fantasy with all adult characters, no RH. I love a strong female, not a simpering mess (especially when it comes to a man). Ravencrux (Hades) was naturally a strong, dominant male, but Bloom (Persephone) despite being a human with an apparent “medical condition” was her own independent woman. She spoke her mind, kicked butt when she needed to and took charge of the $hitty hand fate had seemingly delt her after the death of her mother.
Sadly, here is where I have a few criticisms.
First, I would’ve liked a bit more of an emotional connection (private conversations) between Bloom and Ravencrux, Bloom and her BFF/roommate, as well as, Bloom and Orren (since he was supposed to adore her like a puppy lol). Also, more glimpses of their past lives together, especially since there’s going to be another book, we could’ve covered the basics and built up their connections that way. Although, the ‘kissy” scenes between the two leads were a whirlwind of anger, passion and lust.
Besides the emotional connection and thirst for more background info, one thing that bugs me is the “weaver” thing. This is from A Discovery of Witches. I had never read any book where a witch was a weaver other than in a Discovery of Witches. Often time’s certain themes revolving around supernatural creatures repeat themselves so since this concept of the main lead having weaver abilities is not your common witch ability, I would've liked a bit more details about how it is a rare witch or supernatural trait or something. I'm a huge fan of Meg Xuemi X so please forgive my criticisms as I often just give it a four or star five with a few comments. However, I'm realizing that in order to help the Author and my fellow readers, giving honest reviews with details will really go a long way.
Sadly, here is where I have a few criticisms.
First, I would’ve liked a bit more of an emotional connection (private conversations) between Bloom and Ravencrux, Bloom and her BFF/roommate, as well as, Bloom and Orren (since he was supposed to adore her like a puppy lol). Also, more glimpses of their past lives together, especially since there’s going to be another book, we could’ve covered the basics and built up their connections that way. Although, the ‘kissy” scenes between the two leads were a whirlwind of anger, passion and lust.
Besides the emotional connection and thirst for more background info, one thing that bugs me is the “weaver” thing. This is from A Discovery of Witches. I had never read any book where a witch was a weaver other than in a Discovery of Witches. Often time’s certain themes revolving around supernatural creatures repeat themselves so since this concept of the main lead having weaver abilities is not your common witch ability, I would've liked a bit more details about how it is a rare witch or supernatural trait or something. I'm a huge fan of Meg Xuemi X so please forgive my criticisms as I often just give it a four or star five with a few comments. However, I'm realizing that in order to help the Author and my fellow readers, giving honest reviews with details will really go a long way.
August 24, 2025
A Hades/Persephone retelling that I’m intrigued to continue.
October 18, 2025
This was….a lot. So much going on at once. The repetition got old though. Repeating that he’s her professor etc. she’s painted as very weak but at the same time not. Honestly it was frustrating seeing her go back and forth so much over something so glaringly obvious. I did enjoy it to an extent but I don’t know if I’ll continue into the next book. It dragged a bit for me. The devotion and all is great but it’s overshadowed by her ignorance. The constant push and pull was tiresome.
Favorite lines:
but worse was the reverence in his eyes, as if he’d worshipped me this way a thousand times and still hungered.
And you’ll carry this secret like a dagger between your ribs.”
Our gazes clashed, mine defiant and his heated, as if I were his obsession or next sacrifice.
And poverty isn’t a crime—it’s just a starting point.”
“It’s okay to feel bad,” Dante countered. “Dwelling builds character.”
Favorite lines:
but worse was the reverence in his eyes, as if he’d worshipped me this way a thousand times and still hungered.
And you’ll carry this secret like a dagger between your ribs.”
Our gazes clashed, mine defiant and his heated, as if I were his obsession or next sacrifice.
And poverty isn’t a crime—it’s just a starting point.”
“It’s okay to feel bad,” Dante countered. “Dwelling builds character.”
September 1, 2025
Never ending
I found it repetitive & would put it down more often than not. I wanted to finish it but it took me awhile. The story of Persephone is well known, although this was a bit different which kept me going to the end. I've read your work before & was surprised to find this one not like the other books I've read Ms. Xuemei.
I found it repetitive & would put it down more often than not. I wanted to finish it but it took me awhile. The story of Persephone is well known, although this was a bit different which kept me going to the end. I've read your work before & was surprised to find this one not like the other books I've read Ms. Xuemei.
October 6, 2025
Shattered!
What a whirlwind with no book 2. How will I breath without this world. What an ending. This book could easily put me in a book slump and I might regret reading it with book 2 so far off. It was great and the world intriguing. The MMc dark and alluring. The Fmc starting to find herself but of course not fast enough to my liking. I need book 2 badly
What a whirlwind with no book 2. How will I breath without this world. What an ending. This book could easily put me in a book slump and I might regret reading it with book 2 so far off. It was great and the world intriguing. The MMc dark and alluring. The Fmc starting to find herself but of course not fast enough to my liking. I need book 2 badly
July 26, 2025
Meg Xuemei Fan!
This was such a great edition to her collection and a little different than her normal reads. I loved the twist on the ancient gods story. This is an eternal love fated mates story with a dark academia twist. Very nice introduction to author L. Lysandra.
This was such a great edition to her collection and a little different than her normal reads. I loved the twist on the ancient gods story. This is an eternal love fated mates story with a dark academia twist. Very nice introduction to author L. Lysandra.
August 2, 2025
Absolutely AMAZING!!!!
This retelling of Hades & Persephone is absolutely EPIC!! Very unique, fast paced and spicy. I enjoyed the mystery and angst…but that cliff hanger was a KILLER!! I can’t wait to read the next book!!
This retelling of Hades & Persephone is absolutely EPIC!! Very unique, fast paced and spicy. I enjoyed the mystery and angst…but that cliff hanger was a KILLER!! I can’t wait to read the next book!!
August 8, 2025
4.5
I really loved this book. So much passion. I feel like they could have explored more of their mental connection vs the amount of sexual connection, but I enjoyed it regardless. I can’t wait until the next one and I’m so happy that it’s only a 2 book series.
I really loved this book. So much passion. I feel like they could have explored more of their mental connection vs the amount of sexual connection, but I enjoyed it regardless. I can’t wait until the next one and I’m so happy that it’s only a 2 book series.
July 30, 2025
Steamy and raw
I need more. Per usual, Meg delivers with the divine. The story and the fun. I can't wait for the next one
I need more. Per usual, Meg delivers with the divine. The story and the fun. I can't wait for the next one
August 9, 2025
So good
I read it in 2 days. I couldn't put it down. I already set an alarm to remind me to reread it before the next book comes out in March.
I read it in 2 days. I couldn't put it down. I already set an alarm to remind me to reread it before the next book comes out in March.
August 30, 2025
good
So this was a good book if a little predictable at times but I did enjoy the story and the characters and I’m interested to see what happens next 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
So this was a good book if a little predictable at times but I did enjoy the story and the characters and I’m interested to see what happens next 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 1, 2025
The plot was interesting. I think maybe the writing style just wasn't for me.
September 2, 2025
I could vomit up a bowl of spaghetti o’s and it would make a better book than this white hot shit
October 2, 2025
I really enjoyed the story line. He is her professor and if she can't follow the rule of no sleeping with the professor then she will lose everything
October 8, 2025
.
One heck after a cliffhanger and months to go for the next book. This is going to leave one heck of a book hangover.
One heck after a cliffhanger and months to go for the next book. This is going to leave one heck of a book hangover.
November 20, 2025
Pain and pleasure become beautiful
True love, forgotten. Lifetimes of death poised to finally be broken. Dark, perceived as evil MMC you want to win.
True love, forgotten. Lifetimes of death poised to finally be broken. Dark, perceived as evil MMC you want to win.
August 15, 2025
If broody professors, cursed heroines, and dark academia vibes make your little romance-loving heart flutter, Shattered & Returned is your next obsession.
Bloom is marked for death, haunted by blood-soaked dreams, and definitely not supposed to survive Forsaken Academy. Enter Nero Ravencrux: deadly, gorgeous, and morally gray with a capital G. Everyone says he'll ruin her. Spoiler: she's into it, and honestly, so are we.
It's gothic, it's intense, it's dangerously addictive.
Bloom is marked for death, haunted by blood-soaked dreams, and definitely not supposed to survive Forsaken Academy. Enter Nero Ravencrux: deadly, gorgeous, and morally gray with a capital G. Everyone says he'll ruin her. Spoiler: she's into it, and honestly, so are we.
It's gothic, it's intense, it's dangerously addictive.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews