The Predator by RuNyx Review (Dark Verse Series 1)

⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 3/5

The Predator by RuNyx is not a TikTok sensation by accident. It is a phenomenal book that every dark mafia romance lover simply has to read. The match between the genius Morana and the ruthless Tristan is the recipe for a blazing inferno. Add some mystery and you have the perfect book.

The Predator Book Summary

Tristan Caine is the only non-blood member in the inner circle of the Tenebrae Outfit. He is lethal and ruthless with unmatched skills. His morals are questionable at best and his motives are a mystery.

On the other side we have Morana Vitalio. A genius and her computer skills are something to be jealous of. She is also the boss of the Shadow Port family’s daughter.

When Morana infiltrates Caine’s house with the intention of killing him, she is unaware of the things that bind them together. She also doesn’t expect to find a raging inferno of lust.

When a twenty-year old mystery once again makes its way to the light they will have to set aside their hatred to be able to fight this enemy.

Something I Loved About The Predator

I don’t like slow burn. It irritates me. 90% of the time authors use interruptions to keep the pace down and generally I get bored before anything can happen, but not this time.

RuNyx managed to write this book in such a way that the chemistry kept the tension up without constantly breaking it and building it up again. It really was like a raging inferno that threatens to burn you alive.

I also liked that the story is more than the romance. Don’t get me wrong, I want the romance. There is a reason why I keep choosing romance books as my next read. However, a story should go deeper than that.

There should always be a deeper plot with connections between the characters and tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Without that all romance novels regardless of its genre would simply be: fall in love, break up, make up.

If there are other things going on that boring romance pattern suddenly becomes interesting because there can happen things that you haven’t seen in every other novel you’ve read before.

Where to Buy?

You can get The Predator by RuNyx on Amazon. If you buy it using my link, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You can read it for free with a Kindle Unlimited trail.

There is an audiobook of The Predator, you can listen to it for free with an Audible Premium Plus trail.

Series or Standalone?

The Predator by RuNyx is the first in a series of 6 books. Although the series is about four different couples, there is an overarching plot that only finishes in The Syndicater.

Furthermore, Tristan and Morana’s story doesn’t end at the end of this book. This book actually ends on a cliffhanger and their story finishes in The Reaper.

Tropes

The Predator is a dark mafia romance between two people from rivalling mafia families. So, forbidden love really is a thing here.

It is quite slow burn, but not to the extent that it’ll irritate you if you are not a fan of slow burn, like me.

Micro-Tropes

Here are some of the micro-tropes that you’ll find in this book:

Found family
Obsessed MMC
Touch her and you die

Pet Names

Tristan calls Morana “Wildcat” which is very appropriate considering her badass nature.

The Predator Book Quotes

One day, I’m going to carve your heart out and keep it as a souvenir. I promise.
– Morana Vitalio

Don’t you know not to run away from predators, sweetheart? We like the hunt.
– Tristan Caine

“No one else gets to kill you, Ms. Vitalio,” he spoke quietly. “The last face you see before you die will be mine. When it comes to death, you’re mine.”
– Tristan Caine

“We’ve been honest so far, Ms. Vitalio,” he murmured. “I’ll be honest now. I despise you but I want you. Fuck it, I do. And I want you out of my system.”
– Tristan Caine

It was the most beautiful kiss she could have ever dreamed of, the most untainted she’d ever imagined from him, with a softness she’d not thought him capable of. With his intensity, with his blazing eyes, the silent promises had been of devouring.
This wasn’t devouring.
This was savoring.
– Morana Vitalio

“Courage takes only a second to become foolishness,” he said quietly, his dark eyes alert. “Keep that in mind.”
– Dante Maroni

She would remember it because, in that moment, something inside her shifted. Shifted utterly, because in that moment, the enemy, the man who hated her more than anything, had done what no one had ever done.
In that moment, the man who’d claimed her death had given her a glimpse of life by doing something he probably didn’t even realize he’d done.
In that moment, the enemy had done what no one had ever even tried to do for her.
He had made her feel a little less lonely.
– Morana Vitalio

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