The demigods can’t decide if they want to screw me or kill me. “Welcome to Half-Death Academy.”That’s what they call my new school–because only half the students survive.My name is Marigold. I’m a hunter living in the Great Merge–Lucifer has brought Hell to half of Earth, and four demigods rule the other half.The smoking-hot Demigod of War rounded up my wards to enroll them in Half-blood … up my wards to enroll them in Half-blood Academy. When he sees me, he wants no one else but me. So he offers to spare my wards if I go in their place.
Problem is, no human outside the bloodline of the gods can survive the magic trials. The demigod insists I’m anything but human, and he’s willing to risk my life to find out what I’m made of.
I’m not the weakest link, even though all the bullies in the Academy mock me.I’m nothing anyone has ever seen before, and when my forbidden power awakens, the demigods will regret they ever tried to make me their bitch.
Magic Trials is the first book in the Half-Blood Academy series, a reverse harem bully romance starring four handsome, cruel, yet overprotective demigods and a badass heroine. Heart-pounding action blends with steamy romance. For fans of Ilona Andrews, Jaymin Eve, Leia Stone, K.F. Breene, and Ivy Asher.
* EXCERPT *
“Now, I need to get you naked.”
The Demigod of War held my gown, and I raised my arms for him to pull it off my head carefully. It would take some effort since the gown hugged my every curve.
A tearing sound rent the air before I could stop him from ripping my gown into two pieces.
“It’s an expensive dress, Axel!” I cried.
“I can afford to buy you thousands more,” he said, gloating, yet his voice remained seductive. “I’ll buy you a thousand gowns tomorrow to replace this one.”
I had a feeling he was going to tear off all of the dresses Héctor had provided for me. He couldn’t help it. The demigods were all territorial and possessive, and Axel was one of the worst.
“That’s not the point,” I shouted in dismay. “I loved this gown. And you should give the money to the poor instead of buying me dresses. I don’t need any.”
“You’re so beautiful, Cookie.” His hot mouth stole the rest of my protests, and his strong fingers thrust inside my liquid heat.
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Here’s what readers are saying about Magic Trials:
“This book starts out at 100 mph and never slows down.” ★★★★★
“The steamy romance is like the icing on the cake. I enjoy it, but the story stands on its own without it; amazing characters, beautiful new worlds, daring adventure, and just enough giggles.” ★★★★★
“Magic Trials hit most of my soft spots: strong heroine, boarding school, possessive alpha males not too happy about sharing, and while the jerk of the group takes the bullying path, it’s not her against everyone and most definitely not her against all of her love interests.” ★★★★★
“This is a super fun, exciting beginning to a series I’m really looking forward to diving into. I can’t wait to see what danger Marigold will face, the way she will put the men in their place, and the friends she will make along the way.”★★★★★
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4.5 stars for Magic Trials by Meg Xuemei X. This is book one in the Half-Blood Academy Series. This book had me captivated from the prologue all the way till the end. This is a reverse harem series, but in this book we don’t see any of that really. Marigold has always thought she was human until the Demigod of War, Axel takes her to the Half-Blood Academy to go through the trials. She is sure she is human so she will die during the trials. That is not the case. So what is Marigold, I can not wait to find out what she is capable of. She is feisty, strong, and funny. I am enjoying her character and the witty remarks she makes a lot. The Demigods are all hotties and they want Marigold only Paxton seems to go about it the wrong way. I am starting book two now, I need to know what happens next.
Wow, such an amazing read and a brilliant story!! I love how Marigold is a bada** MFMC and that she doesn’t take it from anyone, she’s stubborn,strong,funny,mouthy and doesn’t care who or how powerful you are!! Now the SemiGods are a different story yes their sexy and ohh soo yummy but lord that God of the Sea better change or I’ll hurt him cause he is soo arrogant and is on my bad boy list!! But that ending had me crying for more can’t wait to read book 2!!
Magic Trials (Half-Blood Academy 1) is a academy reverse harem fantasy romance. Magic Trials is the beginning of this new fatasy series and sets the stage for this new world. It provides well detailed world building descriptions and settings. This is a adventurous fantasy realm with demi gods, and opulence of magic and intrigue. Character’s of the Harem are introduced and we just get a glimpse of their characteristics. It ends with cliffhanger so you need to listen to the next audio to find out what happens. Overall, a entertaining listen.
Narrators Marnye Young, Conner Goff performance was entertaining and brought the characters to reality.
I loved the story of the demi-gods. It is full of action and mystery. It has you on the edge of your seat. I listened to the audiobook and my review is based off that. I loved Conner Goff narrative of the story. Marnye Young has a clear voice, however, the switching of the characters were not as good. She made the males seem whiny. I wasn’t impressed with Marigolds attitudes and actions at times but I am thinking as the story progresses she will grow. The support characters are amazing and do add a lot to the story. It is most definitely worth reading and listening to.
This is such a great book that i was hooked from page one and could not get enough at all. Marigold is human or so she believes and protects her friends. Loved them all and honestly can not wait til the next book to find out what happens with them next!!!
Now I am not normally a reader that enjoys books set out around the Gods but I am a closet Academy fan so wanted to give this a read. I didn’t like the lead females name as here in the Uk Marigold is a name quite often given to Cows so I ignored this as best I could, She is strong, protective, stubborn and wilful which you know is gone get her into loads of trouble and it does, The bullying side of this book was though a little over the top and will be difficult reading for some. That said I loved everything else about this book and just couldn’t put it down, fantastically written with stunning and captivating characters. A must read for so many reasons. I am sure you will love this book as much as I did!!!!
Marigold is such a strong, fighter, capable woman. When facing great odds she rises above them. The world building and character development is absolutely amazing. I was drawn in from the very beginning and didn’t want to put it down.
Heated, Snarky & Hell On Earth!! A Heavenly 4.5 Stars
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
20 year old Marigold lives in a world divided 50/50 by Lucifer & The Greek God of War, Ares. Ares, along with 4 Demigods, are trying to save Earth for Humanity!! They have Academies all over the world where anyone with God’s blood take part in a ritual, which can kill them, if it’s successful then Runes will magically appear & enhance their blood, infusing them with Godly strength & powers!! They’ll then train & join the fight against the Demons in the God’s Dominion Army.
Marigold lives with two slightly younger kids. One, Jasper, is a 19 yr old Shifter & then there’s 17 yr old Circe who’s a Witch. She took them in, fed & then trained them to hunt & fight – basically taught them to survive on the fringes of civilisation. They’re family, and she loves them!! Then the Dominion Army arrive to collect recruits for the non Godly Academy!! Worse still the Demigod of War is with them & Marigold resists his powers which should be impossible!!
This is a really good read. Marigold is feisty, snarky, full of fire & sooo stubborn!! I really like Marie, Nat & Yelena I also like 3 out of the 4 Demigods – Paxton I loathe!!
I can’t wait for the next book
Debbie, 1970, UK
**** No Spoilers ****
Omg! I am hooked. Absolutely loved this book. Meg has out done herself with this storyline. This is a page turner right from the beginning. Marigold is the female main character. I absolutely love Marigold! She has a mouth on her and drives the demigods crazy. Four demigods in this storyline, 2 of them seem to behave like normal men. One is a total jerk and I would love to smack him around. Then you have Mr. Wonderful. I’m so ready for book 2.
•••••• I highly recommend this book/series! ••••••
~~ I have Kindle Unlimited, and I used that service to read this book. ~~
I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. You will giggle and wish you were Marigold. There is action and the possibility of love in the future. I cannot wait to see where this series is going to go.
OMG! This is going to be an amazing ride. Marigold is everything lovely. She is loyal, confident, caring, strong, fierce, capable, and mouthy. What’s not to love about any of that? Her (future) men are all over the place in looks and personality, and I’m wondering how the dynamic between all of them is going to work out. The first guy we meet is Axel, the son of the God of War. He is a little bit sneaky and underhanded in the way he deals with Marigold in the beginning, but it’s easy for me to see the attraction. Marigold seems to have a sneaky streak of her own so I look forward to the interchanges between these two. We meet the next two guys at the same time. There is the son of the God of Sky, Zak, and the son of the God of the Sea, Paxton. Just like Axel, they both try to dominate Marigold a little bit, but they can’t get the upper hand over her. The first interactions between the four of them were fun and exciting. And can I just say, Cookies! Oh, I really hope this is a thing. The last man we meet is the son of the God of Death, Hector. He is my favorite so far because I think he is the only one who has been upfront with her. He might be the neediest one when it comes to love, too.
This is a super fun, exciting beginning to a series I’m really looking forward to diving into. I can’t wait to see what dangers Marigold will face, the way she will put the men in their place, and the friends she will make along the way. She is already strong and full of courage, even if it’s faked sometimes, and I’m anxious to see where this journey will take her.
I know it’s a RH romance, and the romance is there, but Meg’s storytelling is the thing that brings me back to her stories over and over again. The steamy romance is like the icing on the cake. I enjoy it, but the story stands on it’s own without it; amazing characters, beautiful new worlds, daring adventure, and just enough giggles. The smile never leaves my face while I’m indulging in one of her books and this one is no different.
I truly enjoy that with each new book world Meg Xuemei X creates she gives me a new badass female character to add to my favorites list. Marigold is definitely my new fav! Jam packed full of mystery, intrigue, action & all the beginnings of some reverse harem goodness, seriously I couldn’t put this book down! I loved Book 1 in this new series && I cannot wait for book 2