Title: the predator
Author: runyx
Genre: dark romance
Publisher: runyz
Here’s the blurb for y’all to update your TBR list:
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object in the field of death?
In the dark underbelly of the mob, Tristan Caine has been an anomaly. As the only non blooded memeber 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.
1st chapter and I’m all in – FMC coming in on a mission to kill MMC and they both still end up with each other? And the MMC deployed someone to steal the most complex codes of the FMC? damn!
I am too intrigued and bent on reading about their initial tensions and denial from Morana’s POV. The constant trail of her thoughts wavering just by Tristan simply existing does something to me, and then her disappointment in herself? epic.
Their first chat over text – I am very much happy (?!) they at least conversed with each other, and the banter and her inner monologue and on top of that her “wildcat” stunt fueled by him for all good reasons! I love love supportive or protective men, but when she truly uses her capabilities to show leeches their place, woah, I cheered. And I am sure he was jumping and cheering inside, too, because, well, his steamy session proved it, and I felt dizzy just reading it. Like hawwt, very hawwwt!
I love their bike scene, and more than that, I was truly happy for Morana as she let her guard down without any inhibitions and the trust? Bro, let’s just not talk about their unsaid “chemistry”.
The whole chase and spy scene was damn! And her being aware of her foolish act, I admire her sm! But I’m shocked to see that instead of Tristan, some other man caught her because the way she was chasing had me in chokehold. I mean- yeah? And and, her choosing not to betray him and… him sparing her life? Oh, I see the progress and the whole writing of this scene! Oh god, I’m dead, I didn’t realise I was holding my breath the whole time until the gunshot (or should we say graze, Mr. Caine?) happened and the chapter ended with that whole thought process of hers was screaming.
The conversation between Morana and Amara was so important to understand the inner turmoil and true feelings of Tristan – earlier, which was negligible due to only Morana’s pov! And please, her “friend” being brutally murdered by that beech of a father and her killing two of his closest men was damn! Revenge, but it didn’t feel like one, just like Morana felt at that time.
8-year-old POV and I’m dramatically gasping at the first sentence. “He was scared” like – what? he? what? scared? And I’m awed by this lil boy Pov altogether; bro is a pookie, and he didn’t even realise that. Like, what do you mean? This cutie PLAYS! LIKES COLOR! LIKE A ROOM! AND IS A FREAKING SNEAKY DUDE? and most importantly, he’s SCARED! wow. I’m not overreacting, I swear! Every scene where he described her or their moments with his baby sister was so emotional that I read twice, thrice just to feel the hurt. Just an instinct, a helpless situation, and the sweet lil boy turned into a “monster”.
Tristan Caine – an honorable asshole, correctly described by Amara. I mean – the moment I start to deviate my hate towards him, he does something like that again, which makes so much sense why he was behaving THAT way. Like, for example, the whole spiking scene and the follow-up with his car action? And that scene when Morana’s father made her fall down the stairs, the silent yet thoughtful gesture? And can we please get his conversation directly from his mouth, please? And whatever he does, why does it have to scream haawwt? Is it just his charm, or is Morana blind in love? I believe both.
Morana Vitalio is one of those characters whose inner monologue may (read: surely) sound dumb, yet they never show their dumbness in their pretence. I mean – the way she never shows her true emotions inspite a woman in a strong stance, sarcasm, and spicy comebacks is something I love love, truly! Plus, as much as her naivety used to irritate me, I have to admit that she was unknowingly funny, sometimes. Like someone’s doing something serious and she, in her mind, is completely in a different direction(s) – which is honestly, very much relatable as well. Despite being attracted to HIM, she never let her self-respect get in a tight spot when he utterly made her feel hurt, disappointed, or even sad. She remained well composed and replied in a way more smug way to leave him speechless and amused at her. Plus, that whole gamble she played with the predator in the last chapter, you’re something, Morana!
Dante Maroni- honestly, first impression as described by Morana was a pretence sort of character who’s going to be submissive and manipulative – all at once. But after his scenes were slowly started to be described, or more like shown, it was as if he’s a betrayed sort of character and his pretence is to safeguard himself- and is utterly soft from inside as well but calculative or rough ( not rough rough) wall due to his Fate, or should we say, family? Excited to read about him in the next book.
I’d rate this book a solid 5/5.
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