The Predator by RuNyx

Description

The Predator by RuNyx

This first entry in RuNyx’s Dark Verse series is solid, especially for a first release. It is a bit of a slow-burn, but the writing overall is good (although like with any first-time release by an indie author, this could have used an extra pair of eyes in the editing department to make things a bit tighter and cleaner. But the story itself is where it’s at for me, so the small amount of errors isn’t enough to dock this book a star).

RuNyx really knows how to tell a story, and while her heroines and heroes may not be for everyone, she has a way of writing them in such a way that makes it near impossible for me not to connect with them on some level, and the characters in this story are no exception. Morana, Tristan, Dante, and Amara – I love, am fascinated by, and am emotionally invested in each one of them. In a world of crime and unabashed evil, these four – with their varying shades of gray – fascinated and effortlessly drew me in.

Morana Vitalio is our heroine, and her feelings of loneliness and isolation in the face of growing up under a tyrannical and emotionally neglectful (and straight-up abusive) father was especially poignant. You’d think after all she’s endured, she’d be subdued or a doormat, but no. This woman – even if she has a tendency to let her hot headedness get her into trouble – she’s got a mettle to her that I can’t help but admire. She’s stubborn, she’s got a temper, and the girl just burns hot.

Tristan Caine, on the other hand, is the ice to her fire. He’s our dangerous, brooding, intense hero/anti-hero, and as is typical for the dark mafia romance genre, he is dominant, stubborn, unrelenting, and intimidating. But underneath all of those layers of frosty anger and a capacity for great violence, we get a good look towards the end at his damaged center: that of a broken boy with a lifetime of trauma that has never had the chance to properly heal.

The chemistry between these enemies-turned-lovers is gradual, but the attraction and interest is there from the start, even if it’s unwanted by both parties for much of the book. The way these two try to keep an emotional distance between themselves, even when they start to explore their mutual attraction – the romantic in me found that so frustrating, but the enemies-to-lovers trash that I am loved the agonizing tension and yearning. RuNyx captures the explosive heat and passion of their encounters, but also follows it up with a believable lack of satiation that leaves all parties involved (us readers included) wholly unsatisfied and desperate for another go round.

The revelation of Tristan and Morana’s connection at the climax made so much sense, though, and considering the nuggets of foreshadowing we’ve been getting, I think I can guess what’s to come in The Reaper, but we’ll see if I’ve interpreted RuNyx’s hints correctly.

Overall, this was a solid story. Definitely more of a slow-burn than anything else – even with the action scenes, the pacing wasn’t as fast as I would have expected. Not necessarily a bad thing, just something to note. But I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the follow-up to see where all this leads.

✅ Genre: Romance novel, Fiction, Contemporary romance, Mystery.

✅ Premium Quality Books.

✅ High Printing quality.

✅ Eye Friendly.

✅ Eco Friendly paper.

✅ Matt cover (Paperback)