“Phenomenal! I DEVOURED this book!” ★★★★★I thought I was ordinary Rory Franco: college student, artist, and over-protected daughter. Then mages barge into my family’s home, murder my parents, and whisk me off to a university known to the rest of magical society as Villain Academy.It turns out I’m Persephone Bloodstone, the long lost heir to one of the five royal families of dark magic. I’m … families of dark magic. I’m destined to learn how to manipulate the world with fear—and to stand beside the four other scions: the scorching-hot, arrogant young men who rule this school.
Unfortunately, I’m having trouble locating my supposedly wicked skills. I don’t want to use a power that feeds off people’s pain, but I have to tap into my talents fast if I want to survive. I’ve got no time to grieve for my family. The students here are even more vicious than the teachers, and my fellow scions are worst of all.
The four of them crush anyone who doesn’t kowtow. No way will I bow to any villain, no matter how brutally alluring. They can turn on the charm or tear me down, but they can’t break me, even if I can barely get my magic working.
They’ve never met anyone like me before. I don’t care about ruling. I just want to avenge the people I loved.
It doesn’t matter what kind of power runs through my veins. I’m taking Villain Academy down.
Cruel Magic is the first in a university-age paranormal academy series. Expect magical villainy, a tough heroine who bends to no one’s will, a dollop of steam, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers reverse harem romance where there’ll be no choosing required.
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This is a great read. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
I really liked this audiobook and didn’t want any interruptions. I love the trope enemies to lovers and I can see it’s possible (so far it’s a slow burn with some sexual tension and a hot steamy scene) but can tell it’s going to take some time. Book 1 really put the heroine through the ringer. She faced a lot of things that would break another but her strength, determination and moral character really shined through. Everything is quite intriguing about this world and the academy. I can’t wait to find out more! The duet narration really helps enhance the story. And can I just say how sexy Stephen Dexter’s voice is?! Yum, I am totally impatient to start book 2!!
I have to say that this book is definitely a different twist them most of the one I read though that is not a bad thing in any way. Rory grows up thinking she has no magic with parents that use not to fuel theirs. Then she is pretty much kidnapped after they kill her parents and taken to a school of people that get power from fear instead. Her journey from their is one big bully incident after another. I kept hoping she would power up to kick some butt but we have to wait for that I guess. First time I have instantly hated all of the guys as they are all asshats at some point or a other though a couple are starting to get a tiny bit better. This all culminates is one epic ending that leaves you wanting book two like right now. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Rory wakes up one morning and everything is normal. What she didn’t expect was what was about to happen and that it was about to change her life forever.
I started listening to this book through audible and during the process, I downloaded it to my kindle and read along. I found myself immediately invested in the story and could not put it down at all. I completely fell in love with the plot, the characters, and just everything about it.
Rory unfortunately gets hit with a lot at once. However, she continues to pick her head up. She is such a strong female character and I love her so much! She does not back down even when it feels like the world is against her.
I immediately picked a favorite and that was Connar. He was the only one that I felt was different other than Declan. But once you read the book, you’ll know exactly where that goes. I was so upset when he did what he did. Jude is such a punk but he got me a little bit when he didn’t say anything about the class they had together. Then there’s Malcolm, and I freaking hate him!!! Then again, that’s what the alpha male does to you.
I honestly am jumping straight over to the next one. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next one. The author did a fantastic job of keeping me entertained and I loved everything about the story. I highly recommend giving this book a shot.
I had been waiting to start this series until I could get enough credits to finish it (because of the reviews I knew I wanted to be able to listen all in one go with the cliffhangers involved haha). So far I am really enjoying this series and am already breezing through book 2 (I promise no spoilers from me!).
In terms of the story, you will have a ton of questions that will lead into the future books (no, not really any of them have been answered in book 2 so far haha, but that’s half the fun!) and you will second-guess everyone because you don’t know who to trust at this point. I mean that is kind of the point because the Bloodstone heir is thrust into a world she didnt know she was a part of, people have been lying to her her entire life, and she is supposed to be this big shot villain pretty much and she is no where close. I liked the supernatural aspects of this story, some things were similar to another series by Eva that I enjoyed previously, so that was kinda cool to see. I can’t wait to see more of that in the future books as Rory learns more about her past and deals with her current magical standing. Now regarding the men of this future harem….the scions are definitely harsh to Rory at times, some worse than others. I really was liking Connar buuuuut then he ruined it so we shall see how he redeems himself once he realizes Malcolm is not the messiah and should be put on a pedestal. I am intrigued by the Barons and cannot wait for Rory to put some of them in their place (what I am assuming the storyline is going, I could be totally wrong!). I hope Rory is able to make real friends and doesnt have everyone hurt or betray her. I feel like a lot of heartbreak is going to come in the next couple books, but I am here for it all!
In terms of narration, I thought Meg Sylvan did a good job, sometimes Jude’s tone grated on my nerves, but you could always tell it was him talking with her intonation change. I thought she did a fantastic job with Rory, her parents, the side female characters, made my heart swell and then obliterated it haha. Stephen did a good job as well, he was much better at the male voices and interpretations, but he also had some weaker moments with the female characters (sometimes sounding very whining when it was Rory and not one of the mean girls on campus).
I would definitely recommend this series and these audiobooks, now back to listening to book 2
A great read, I really enjoyed it I was hooked from the start, I can’t wait for the next book.
My first toe dip into the magnificent mind of Eva Chase and she has me hook line and sinker. I loved this book more than I thought I would, and cannot wait to read the rest of the series. The storyline is different to what I’m used to, but in a brilliant way and I have never read RH before, and now I know I was missing out big time. Looking forward to binge reading all of this authors books!!!!
This is a very interesting and intriguing story. It is full of drama that you so engrossed that you just have to find out what happens next. Yes, it is a slightly slower story and takes a bit for the action to take place but boy is it worth it wait. The version I read was well edited and beautifully developed with stunning characters. It is most definitely worth reading and doesn’t disappoint!!!!
Mean/Pretty Boys
Enjoying this new twist on Joy and Fear Mages. Rory’s family has been slaughtered before her eyes just to be told she’s the long lost heir to a powerful Mage family. She gets thrown into a vicious school whose only job is to make her like them: cold-hearted, vicious bastards. Can’t stop here need to continue on to see how she comes out of this. #HappyReading
Right after I finished Wonderland I asked Eva Chase (yes! That’s one of the things I love so much about reading indie published books! Connecting with authors is so easy!) which series I should read next. And according to her, this serie had everything I liked in Wonderland: Politics, scheming, hot guys to fall in love with and a nice heroine I could identify with.
And she had not promised me anything she couldn’t give. Because this book indeed had it all and from start to finish it sucked me in and didn’t let me go. I was gonna take a break after 150 pages of reading, but I just couldn’t. In the end I read the entire book in one sitting and I now really hate my rule of having at least a week between two books by the same author. Because that means I can only revisit Rory and her guys next week!
What I love is that Chase really takes the time to build everything up. She doesn’t rush in and force things. She takes the time to build the world, the characters, their relationships and dynamic. The politics is not front and centre in this book, but it’s clearly there already in the background, waiting to be revealed once both Rory and the reader are ready to sort of deal with it.
I also love that Chase dares to make her characters flawed and allows them to make mistakes. Rory is therefore easy to identify with and to understand. She is human, even though she’s not entirely human. At times she can be slightly naive, but she’s fierce and doesn’t let others get to her. And although there are certainly things off in her way of thinking, her willpower and determination are really admirable.
It’s not love at first sight when it comes to the guys, but I’m pretty sure Chase meant it that way. Thanks to their point of view chapters we know that they’re not just arrogant pricks even though they sometimes seemed to be. I can’t wait to get to know them better and I can’t wait for Rory to get to know them better. Because I’m sure that once they are willing to truly let the other in, the romance will be epic.
I’m already really looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If the other books are just as good as this one, it’s gonna be a wild and amazing ride.
Cruel Magic was different than what I originally imagined. I like the main character Rory. She’s strong, intelligent and kind hearted. She’s suffers a tragic and very traumatic loss. Then Rory is thrown into a crazy, chaotic, cruel world where everything she once believed is called into question. I admire how Rory still holds onto her core values and keeps fighting for good as she navigates her new reality. I honestly didn’t care too much for the males in this story but they are supposed to be villains. There were a few parts in their story that made me think maybe not all of them are completely deplorable.
I’m interested in seeing where Rory’s journey will take her in the next book.(3.5)
This was an interesting twist on all of the Magic Academy fantasy books. The magic is divided between fear and jot: an unusual concept for a academy. The book is set in a University for the fear mages. The plot is twisty and fun. The heroine is snarky but an intelligent snarky. Not too much steam. I enjoyed the read and are headed to the second book in the series. A Good read.
This is the first book in the Royals of Villain Academy series and I loved it! Eva takes the reader on a thrilling roller coaster ride full of witches and magic loaded with plenty of action, twists and turns, suspense and heartbreak that captivates you attention to the very last page. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series Vile Sorcery!
What a way to start a new series! I was horrified, excited, worried, hopeful and so many other emotions in between. Rory has a quiet strength and she needs it just to survive her new school. Going from happy, happy, joy, joy to terror, taunting and abuse is enough to make her crazy but she takes it. I can’t wait for the next book to see what she can do to everyone terrorizing her. I requested an advanced reader copy and am under no obligation to leave this review.
Audiobook review: Cruel Magic is a start for a new series. This is the first book by Ms. Chase that I’ve read and I was pleasantly impressed. The writing style is well done. The characters are likable, complex, and believable. The story has a steady stream of action and was never boring. The narrators did an excellent job! I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I LOVED this book- tore through it in a single night.
An Academy Urban Fantasy book that stands apart. I’ve been reading a bunch of these lately and this one by far is my favorite. Bring on book 2!
Great Audible Listen Fascinating Story! 4.5 Stars
Cruel Magic
Royals of Villain Academy, Book 1
By: Eva Chase
Narrated by: Meg Sylvan, Stephen Dexter
Wow, this book really blew my mind, it is well written, well told and lives up to its title in many ways. The original storylines are interesting and mesmerized my mind from start to end. Eva Chase created an imaginative world where different types magical beings exist, her characters are complex and nice developed. Rory finds out she is not who she thought she was and her parents were not who they said they were. She is abruptly pulled from the only life she knew and thrown into a whole new one and it is not a good one. Eva Chase masters both “cruel” and “villian” in this story, so much that she brought me out of my comfort zone and got under my skin at times. I was angry at how Rory was treated, but proud of how she stood up for herself and how much strength she had. I just hope her fellow schoolmates, especially the other scions do not break her and she always stays true to herself. Speaking of the other scions, Jude, Declan, Connar and the ring leader Malcolm. They are all sons of powerful Mage and in line to be the next rulers along with Rory. I am looking forward to what comes next, need to know what the current leaders have planned and what they want from Rory. There is no RH action in this first book, not much romance at all but does say slow burn and I am looking forward to see where that goes as well. I am hoping Jude, Declan and Connar grow a pair and stand up to Malcolm, his bullying is over the top, though I do see it getting worse before it gets better especially after the results of Rory’s magical assessment. WTG, Rory!! Eva Chase, thank you for this great story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Stephen Dexter and Meg Sylvan are wonderful narrators and voice performers. They brought these characters to life, gave each their own voice and personality. Great job on covering the different accents and projecting the emotions of the characters in your performance. Both are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to! Thank you for this great listen
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! OH MY GOSH! I am so in love with this series so far and I am so dang disappointed I have to wait to see what happens next. Eva Chase has done it again with an amazing all-star cast. Terrific storyline that I could not put down for even a moment.
I was gifted an ARC in return of an honest review.
I am totally loving the academy stories and this one is just awesome! I love the authors words of magical villainy, a dollop of steam and kowtow, love the storyline, love the kick ass tough heroine , love the slow burn enemies to lovers reverse harem romance and was hooked from the very start! Bring on book 2!