Cruel Magic

Royals of Villain Academy, Book 1

By: Eva Chase

Narrated by: Meg Sylvan, Stephen Dexter

Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

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 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 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.
 

The four of them crush anyone who doesn’t kowtow. No way in hell 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.
 

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 magic 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 reverse harem romance where there'll be no choosing required.

©2019 Eva Chase (P)2019 Eva Chase

I wanted to like this....

I was really hoping for more redeeming qualities in the male characters, but sadly this is a book about 4 boys slowing breaking a girl and it can be hard to listen to at times.

Intense

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'm not sure if...

I like it. There are joy-mancers and fear-mancers and well the fear-mancers get their power from fear, the parents are evil and their children are on the best way. I don't like the way they are! And they were taught to do so...

The narration was great! But when the voice from the female narrator gets louder, their is a distortion. It doesn't get louder in the speakers so that's a plus. But there's a slight crackling sound, like she is to near to the microphone.

Nothing short of amazing

I loved Cruel Magic in audio it was like listening to a new book. Eva has created a great world and awesome characters that I cant wait to hear the rest of the series. Meg and Stephen are just great narrators.

Thumbs up!

This was a really good start to the series. There’s so much potential to see where this series will go. Chase does a great job with Rory’s character development. She starts off a bit meek but really starts building up her self confidence by the end of the book. She knows what she needs to do to survive but doesn’t waiver from her morals. I do hope in book 2 she really lays it into the other Scions and gains that respect from them. There wasn’t much redeeming characteristic right now in book 1 for me to root for the other Scions as a romantic interest. I know this is a bully romance, enemy to lover type novel. Right now the Scions are just jerks. It isn’t much of a RH right now. But it does lay the ground works for potential in the next book. This is a slow burn series. That being said this is a very well written novel. There’s a lot of drama but also an over arching sub plot that goes a bit deeper. I want to continue reading this series to find out what it is. Also the narration is done very well by Meg Sylvan and Stephen Dexter. I really enjoyed listening to them. Overall, I really enjoyed this book :)

This is like a reverse Harry Potter story.

This is such a wonderful read/listen! First off this is my first book by this author. I am impressed. The world building in this fantasy story is great! I loved the whole idea of the magic being pulled from fear and joy. The characters were relatable and I enjoyed watching them change/grow. Being a long lost mage and thrust into this world would throw anyone off their axis. Rory does a good job trying to keep her values and not go to the “dark side”. She makes a few friends but mostly plays catch up trying to learn magic. She does make a couple enemies and “mean girls”. Then the pranking starts. Smelly rooms, hot seats in class..etc. I did enjoy reading the boys sides when their chapters came up. It shows a little look into their lives.

I did listen to this on audio. Meg Sylvan did most of the reading as Rory. She did a wonderful job being all the other characters as well. Stephen Dexter did the boys voices when we hear from them. He did a good job as well portraying each of their voices differently. This was my first listening to both of them. Although Meg Sylvan’a voice did sound familiar
This is like a reverse Harry Potter. Mages using fear instead of power within. Very enjoyable!

I struggled with the abusive behaviors

I empathized with main character and felt such anger at the treatment she received- I kept hoping that she would flip it around on the abusers... however she appeared to has this weird attraction to these horrible people. I couldn’t finish it. It just kept up the misery too long. Sexual elements were weird too

neverending and monotonous bullying

honestly i like a good angsty sruggle or torture for a protagonist to overcome but the last 4 hours of the book was just hopeless nevetending bullying with no light at the end of the tunnel. no humor in the face of struggle or hope. honestly i was just sitting around waiting for the protagonist to try and kill her self. wont be continuing this series.

excellent listen

This was a great start to a series. The narration was excellent and the story captivating.
I was given this free audiobook copy at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Different Storyline

This book had room for improvement but also took on a different storyline to the academic prep school. The mic had a lot of static but it was also a romance so.

A magic of a listen

Book 1 in a new series written by Eva Chase. This is a well written story will 4 males and the female heroine. This story has more then one POV . This audio has lots of turns. You will wonder why the Parents were killed This Audio has bad bully hero’s that think they are the end it all.

Heroine is Rory. Hero’s Malcom, Jude , Connor , Declan..
This Audio has bad ass bulky hero’s that think they are the end it all. Rory grew up thinking she has no magic , she wonders why both her parents have magic. They are Joy Mages . One day some men with black suits come and slaughtered her parents and take her away Once she arrives at the university she finds out her real name , Bloodstone , not only that but the University is named after her family. Rory finds out that she is the sole survivor of her family bloodline. Rory made enemies of the four men. Malcom, Jude , Connor , Declan. The men want to teach Rory a lesson. It’s a cruel lesson. Grab it and find out what the lesson is and will Rory fight back
Both Stephen Dexter and Meg Sylvan performance was outstanding. They both did the characters great. You were able to tell all the characters by their voices. Both Stephen and Megs voices were strong and clear

loved the concept of the story, great to listen to

intriguing concept to follow this group born into the evil side of their society. loved it and looking forward to finding out more as the groups lives entwine.

Megan Sylvan is an excellent narrator throughout this book but Stephen Dexter took a bit of time getting the boys. Good idea though as you really feel it's a boys point of view.

update after reading whole series. It's worth it, a rollercoaster of a story over 8 books.

RH Academy

I like RH, academies, and villains so I went in with high hopes and it delivered.

I like Rory and that she's strong and doesn't back down. I'd like to see her continue rising to the occasion and building her strength. She's my favourite part of the book. There's not a lot of depth to the guys in this one so i'm hoping more comes in following books.

Meg Sylvan and Stephen Dexter both gave great performances. They compliment each other well.

a lie

one day Rory woke up and learned all she knew was a lie. when she arrives at the academy she learns who she is and why she is important. she is disliked by Malcom, Jude , Connor , Declan. the moment she steps into the academy.I loved book 1 and I can't wait to see what happens next. eva is a great author and meg and stephen bought this great story to life

Really enjoyed it

I have tried many audiobooks previously and I haven't been able to listen to them for long, this is the first one I have managed to listen to all the way through so deserves top marks.

I really enjoyed the narrator's, they were easy to listen too and made the book highly enjoyable.

The story itself set up the series well and I cant wait to see what happens next for Rory and the guys.

Great first book.

If you like slow burn enemy to lover books, that have head strong main characters then this is definitely the book for you.

Enjoyed this one!

This is one I really enjoyed even though it is bully. What can I say, it's growing on me. Usually not a huge fan myself but this is a well thought out story and I am a huge fan of that. I've read many of Eva's books and I love them all really because the stories are good, well thought out and a must read/listen. This starts with the guys being bullies but don't worry, listen more/read more and you'll be happy that you did. The guys can be redeemed and that will happen. This is a slow burn and I love those! I loved the narration but would advise to not put the sound up too high since there will be a slight distortion from Meg but otherwise really good. Can't wait for more.

Good narration- great story

I’m a first time reader/listener of an Eva Chase book. I enjoyed the narration, the narrators differentiated characters well.
The story is very creative, it’s like a more adult version of an academy trope and definitely represents enemies to lovers well.
I like that Rory is strong even when nervous. I loved that even though she disliked the main 4 males, she still saw their humanity and tried so hard to both stand up to and understand them.
I’ll definitely be following this series and this author more.

A great read

A great read, I really enjoyed it I was hooked from the start, I can't wait for the next book.

Just Brilliant.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The storyline, the characters, everything was just spot on and just full on from the start. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, and can't wait until I can find out about their pasts, as well as what the future holds.

The narrators just bring the whole story together and I couldn't have asked for a better listening experience.