The Predator by Runyx
Published Self-published January 1, 2020
In the dark underbelly of the mob, Tristan Caine has been an anomaly. As the only non-blooded member in the high circle of the Tenebrae Outfit, he is an enigma to all - his skills unparalleled, his morality questionable, and his motives unknown. He is lethal and he knows it.
As does Morana Vitalio, the genius extraordinaire daughter of the rival family. What Caine does with weapons, Morana does with computers. When a twenty-year old mystery resurfaces, Morana infiltrates Caine's house, intent on killing him, unaware of a tie that binds them together. Hate, heat, and history clash together with unexpected sparks.
But something bigger, something worse is happening in their world. And despite their animosity, only they can fight it down.
The Predator by Runyx, a self-published novel from an
indie author, caught my attention as part of my recent venture into indie
books. I believe there's a sense of karma with supporting indie authors: by
reading and supporting their work, you help circulate positive energy that can
eventually come back to you as an indie creator yourself. If you're an indie
author but refuse to support other indie writers, it feels a bit unfair to
expect readers for your own work.
Released in 2020, The Predator is the first book in
the Dark Verse series, and it fits into the mafia romance genre. The
story centers around Tristan and Morana, with Morana as the main point-of-view
character. She’s the daughter of a powerful mafia figure, and the book plays
with a Romeo-and-Juliet-style dynamic where Morana and Tristan come from
opposing sides of the mafia world. Morana is a genius hacker who can do with
computers what Tristan can do with weapons. He’s an enigma, known for his
lethal skills and mysterious motives, being the only non-blooded member of the
Tenebrae mafia outfit.
Initially, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the book. The
first 70 to 80 pages had me questioning whether it was something I truly wanted
to continue. It wasn’t a genre I usually gravitate toward—I tend to prefer
paranormal romance over mafia romance—but I decided to push through to page
100, just to give it a fair shot. To my surprise, by the time I hit page 100, I
was hooked.
The book has dark and intense psychological depth, exploring
the trauma both characters have experienced, and that’s where it really shined
for me. Even though mafia romances aren’t usually my thing, I found myself
relating to Morana and Tristan on a personal level. Their struggles felt real,
and the complexity of their characters pulled me in. That depth is ultimately
what kept me reading.
By the end, I was glad I stuck with it. The reveal of
Tristan’s backstory was a standout moment for me—it added so much to his
character and made the ending satisfying. While The Predator wasn’t a
book I immediately loved, its raw emotional depth and the relatability of the
characters made it worth the read.
If you’re into dark romance with a psychological edge, or if
you’re exploring the indie author scene, The Predator by Runyx is
definitely worth checking out.
If you're a fan of dark romance with psychological depth, The Predator by Runyx is a must-read! Dive into the intense world of Morana and Tristan, and experience the raw emotion and complexity that hooked me by page 100. Supporting indie authors is a powerful way to keep unique stories like this alive—and as an indie creator myself, I believe in the positive energy that comes from lifting each other up.
Click the link below to grab your copy and support both Runyx and my blog! 📚✨
