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His Prey
Not yet published
Expected 26 Jan 26She wasn’t meant to walk into my world.
Too soft. Too curious. Too innocent for the shadows I live in.
But Ariel didn’t just walk in, she defied me. Looked me in the eye and dared me to break her. And so I did.
Slowly. Completely.
She doesn’t know what I’ve done. What I’ve lost. What I keep buried in blood-soaked silence. My past is a graveyard, and my name is a warning.
But now she’s mine.
To protect.
To punish.
To ruin.
Too soft. Too curious. Too innocent for the shadows I live in.
But Ariel didn’t just walk in, she defied me. Looked me in the eye and dared me to break her. And so I did.
Slowly. Completely.
She doesn’t know what I’ve done. What I’ve lost. What I keep buried in blood-soaked silence. My past is a graveyard, and my name is a warning.
But now she’s mine.
To protect.
To punish.
To ruin.
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication January 26, 2026
13 people want to read
About the author
Maddie.C
5 books20 followers⚜️Author of The Demon Lords series
⚜️Creator of The New Richdale World, where series and stand-alones connect
⚜️Morally gray gentlemen with spice
⚜️Dark Romance
⚜️Dark Fantasy
⚜️Creator of The New Richdale World, where series and stand-alones connect
⚜️Morally gray gentlemen with spice
⚜️Dark Romance
⚜️Dark Fantasy
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really really wanted to love this book, and honestly it started off strong!
However some parts were a little meh. I enjoyed the dual POV, though sometimes it crossed over and others it continued to one of the other MC which wasnt too big of an issue.
I really liked the world, the scenes that the story made me picture, and I did like the story itself, though sometimes I was left a little confused by what was happening.
The FMC and the MMC were ok, not overly lovable in all honesty. But they werent bad, though she was a little whiney and gave off mixed signals sometimes.
My main issue was with conflicting parts. For example, one moment she says she finished classes early but then in the next paragraph or so she says that class finished late. So I was a little like, huh?
It was dark, spicy and there was a twist i didnt see coming which i enjoyed. It did feel like your typical mafia romance at times, but by the end I didnt really feel the connection between the MCs.
* I was sent this ARC by bookfunnel in exchange for an honest review. All of the above is my own opinions and feelings on this book *
However some parts were a little meh. I enjoyed the dual POV, though sometimes it crossed over and others it continued to one of the other MC which wasnt too big of an issue.
I really liked the world, the scenes that the story made me picture, and I did like the story itself, though sometimes I was left a little confused by what was happening.
The FMC and the MMC were ok, not overly lovable in all honesty. But they werent bad, though she was a little whiney and gave off mixed signals sometimes.
My main issue was with conflicting parts. For example, one moment she says she finished classes early but then in the next paragraph or so she says that class finished late. So I was a little like, huh?
It was dark, spicy and there was a twist i didnt see coming which i enjoyed. It did feel like your typical mafia romance at times, but by the end I didnt really feel the connection between the MCs.
* I was sent this ARC by bookfunnel in exchange for an honest review. All of the above is my own opinions and feelings on this book *
January 16, 2026
This book has good bones and I wish I could have rated it higher but in all honesty I struggled- I actually spent a lot more time skimming then actually reading.
There were a lot of issues with dialogue and timing that make it difficult to follow and the flow of the story itself was messy. The characters were very hard to like. The FMC was weak one second and then “strong” the next, it was all a bit confusing.
There were a lot of issues with dialogue and timing that make it difficult to follow and the flow of the story itself was messy. The characters were very hard to like. The FMC was weak one second and then “strong” the next, it was all a bit confusing.
January 12, 2026
I was sent an ARC from the author. This review is my honest opinion.
His prey is a great book, and I would recommend for reading. Reading the trigger warnings are a must before reading the book.
Overall the book was fantastic and I see myself rereading the book in the future. I have two thoughts on the book. 1) The book tends to jump from one scene to the next without completing the first. The storyline has a couple of jumps in it where it leaves you questioning what happened in the moment. 2) I wish the book would expand on what happens after they get back together a little more before jumping right to Epilogues.
Thank you to author for letting me read this book in advanced. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
His prey is a great book, and I would recommend for reading. Reading the trigger warnings are a must before reading the book.
Overall the book was fantastic and I see myself rereading the book in the future. I have two thoughts on the book. 1) The book tends to jump from one scene to the next without completing the first. The storyline has a couple of jumps in it where it leaves you questioning what happened in the moment. 2) I wish the book would expand on what happens after they get back together a little more before jumping right to Epilogues.
Thank you to author for letting me read this book in advanced. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
first of all thank you so so much to the amazing author and her editor for giving me the opportunity to read this arc <3
This is 100% my kind of thing, and even though I'm not a great fan of the name Misha requests to be used for him (I'm sorry overlord ily) he's still INCREDIBLY FINE HELLO. gosh. I want him badly, really.
I love love grumpy characters especially because they deadass make me giggle even when they're not supposed to. Genuinely they be standing there like 😐 and for some reason that's the funniest thing ever to me LMAO.
His development was definitely there, though I appreciate that his dark persona was still there, not erased. Admitting your own feelings is never easy I know I know, next time I'll slap you though 🩷
"Misha's presence is overwhelming. He isn't just a man. He is something else entirely. An entity, a demon, a God.
Something so fucking dangerous. Untouchable."
"I have shown them countless times what it means to be on my side. And that is winning. Always."
Ariel ugh sweet Ariel, my darling really. She's so lovely and extremely strong because of what she went through. Honestly, she's still a very emotional character which I honestly like, especially since I'm very emotional myself. Every reaction and choice that she made I related to, and it's very rare for me so that's a great plus!! I love the academic path that she chose, and I couldn't be more proud than this, really.
She's lovely.
"She is a holy sight. An angel who fell from heaven and landed in my dark and corrupted hell. And I'm not giving her back."
"No one was coming to save me. No one. So I saved myself."
(hell yeah she did🤏🏻🩷)
Let's talk about the real queen here, ADAAAAA. I love Ada so bad, honestly I'll need to have a talk with Simon and steal her when he's not looking cuz damn girl. Such a boss.
ps. I need a book about Kade & Dylan NEOWWWW /hj
okay but seriously I love them so much and they seem such an interesting pair, I would've loved to read more about them for sure <3
A couple of things left me a bit confused regarding some scenes, but I guess I'm just an horror fan so I always seek out more gore than necessary LOL , still, I'm glad some characters got what they deserved 😇
Overall a very enjoyable read, definitely not for readers who don't enjoy smut as it is the main reason why the main characters starter seeing each other in the first place. I wish the contract part and boundaries were handled differently but I'm glad a safe word was there (bare minimum yes I know and I agree, but unfortunately not many people remember this indispensable point so I'm glad it was there <3).
This is 100% my kind of thing, and even though I'm not a great fan of the name Misha requests to be used for him (I'm sorry overlord ily) he's still INCREDIBLY FINE HELLO. gosh. I want him badly, really.
I love love grumpy characters especially because they deadass make me giggle even when they're not supposed to. Genuinely they be standing there like 😐 and for some reason that's the funniest thing ever to me LMAO.
His development was definitely there, though I appreciate that his dark persona was still there, not erased. Admitting your own feelings is never easy I know I know, next time I'll slap you though 🩷
"Misha's presence is overwhelming. He isn't just a man. He is something else entirely. An entity, a demon, a God.
Something so fucking dangerous. Untouchable."
"I have shown them countless times what it means to be on my side. And that is winning. Always."
Ariel ugh sweet Ariel, my darling really. She's so lovely and extremely strong because of what she went through. Honestly, she's still a very emotional character which I honestly like, especially since I'm very emotional myself. Every reaction and choice that she made I related to, and it's very rare for me so that's a great plus!! I love the academic path that she chose, and I couldn't be more proud than this, really.
She's lovely.
"She is a holy sight. An angel who fell from heaven and landed in my dark and corrupted hell. And I'm not giving her back."
"No one was coming to save me. No one. So I saved myself."
(hell yeah she did🤏🏻🩷)
Let's talk about the real queen here, ADAAAAA. I love Ada so bad, honestly I'll need to have a talk with Simon and steal her when he's not looking cuz damn girl. Such a boss.
ps. I need a book about Kade & Dylan NEOWWWW /hj
okay but seriously I love them so much and they seem such an interesting pair, I would've loved to read more about them for sure <3
A couple of things left me a bit confused regarding some scenes, but I guess I'm just an horror fan so I always seek out more gore than necessary LOL , still, I'm glad some characters got what they deserved 😇
Overall a very enjoyable read, definitely not for readers who don't enjoy smut as it is the main reason why the main characters starter seeing each other in the first place. I wish the contract part and boundaries were handled differently but I'm glad a safe word was there (bare minimum yes I know and I agree, but unfortunately not many people remember this indispensable point so I'm glad it was there <3).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ariel’s life takes a drastic turn when she escapes her violent father and ends up in a women’s shelter, trying to rebuild from nothing. Her chance encounter with Dylan opens the door to a secretive, elite club reserved for powerful men—where women are selected to serve as their personal “bunnies.” When Ariel is chosen by Misha, she has no idea that this decision will pull her into a world of control, danger, and unexpected connection that reshapes her future entirely.
This novel blends dark romance with both instant tension and a slower emotional unraveling. Themes of power imbalance, loyalty, betrayal, and desire are woven together alongside found family dynamics and a noticeable age gap. The male lead falls firmly into morally questionable territory, and the dominant/submissive relationship is a central part of their bond, giving the story a gritty, anti-hero edge.
Told from alternating perspectives, the dual narration allows readers to see inside both Ariel’s and Misha’s minds. Their reflections on past trauma and pivotal moments added depth and helped explain their motivations and emotional responses. I found myself invested in their individual journeys as much as their relationship.
The growth of both characters felt authentic, and their chemistry developed in a way that made sense given their circumstances. Several plot turns genuinely caught me off guard, and I stayed emotionally invested, hoping they’d overcome the obstacles thrown at them.
That said, the pacing occasionally stumbled. A few chapters ended suddenly and resumed from the opposite viewpoint in a way that felt slightly disjointed, which interrupted the overall rhythm of the story for me. I would have preferred a smoother, more linear progression between perspectives.
Overall, this is a compelling read for fans of darker romance who enjoy high heat, complex characters, and morally grey dynamics. Despite minor structural issues, it’s a book I’d confidently suggest to readers who like their romance intense and unapologetically bold.
This novel blends dark romance with both instant tension and a slower emotional unraveling. Themes of power imbalance, loyalty, betrayal, and desire are woven together alongside found family dynamics and a noticeable age gap. The male lead falls firmly into morally questionable territory, and the dominant/submissive relationship is a central part of their bond, giving the story a gritty, anti-hero edge.
Told from alternating perspectives, the dual narration allows readers to see inside both Ariel’s and Misha’s minds. Their reflections on past trauma and pivotal moments added depth and helped explain their motivations and emotional responses. I found myself invested in their individual journeys as much as their relationship.
The growth of both characters felt authentic, and their chemistry developed in a way that made sense given their circumstances. Several plot turns genuinely caught me off guard, and I stayed emotionally invested, hoping they’d overcome the obstacles thrown at them.
That said, the pacing occasionally stumbled. A few chapters ended suddenly and resumed from the opposite viewpoint in a way that felt slightly disjointed, which interrupted the overall rhythm of the story for me. I would have preferred a smoother, more linear progression between perspectives.
Overall, this is a compelling read for fans of darker romance who enjoy high heat, complex characters, and morally grey dynamics. Despite minor structural issues, it’s a book I’d confidently suggest to readers who like their romance intense and unapologetically bold.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review: His Prey
[I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author. This review reflects my honest and unbiased opinion]
THE WHAT
Ariel finds herself living in a shelter after escaping her abusive father. After meeting Dylan, she’s invited to an exclusive, men-only Club where powerful men choose women to be their “bunnies”. Little does Ariel know that being chosen by Misha will set off a chain of events that will completely change her life.
THE VIBE
Dark romance, fast & slow burn, found family, age gap, morally grey MMC, family betrayal, dom x sub, anti-hero, possession.
THE HOW
The story is told through a dual POV from both the FMC and MMC. Both characters do share some insight into past experiences and scenes which help the reader understand the characters better.
THE HIT
The character development really worked for me. I genuinely liked both main characters, and their dynamic felt believable. The twists were also well done as there were several moments I didn’t see coming. I was rooting for them.
THE MISS
Some chapters end abruptly and then pick up awkwardly from the other character’s POV, which disrupted the flow at times. I am not a huge fan of these types of transitions and prefer them to go chronologically.
THE REC:
If you enjoy a dark romance with a good level of spice, this one is for you. I would recommend this book to others.
THE OVERALL: Overall, I would rate this book as follows:
⭐️Overall Rating: 4/5
🔥Spice Rating : 4/5
[I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author. This review reflects my honest and unbiased opinion]
THE WHAT
Ariel finds herself living in a shelter after escaping her abusive father. After meeting Dylan, she’s invited to an exclusive, men-only Club where powerful men choose women to be their “bunnies”. Little does Ariel know that being chosen by Misha will set off a chain of events that will completely change her life.
THE VIBE
Dark romance, fast & slow burn, found family, age gap, morally grey MMC, family betrayal, dom x sub, anti-hero, possession.
THE HOW
The story is told through a dual POV from both the FMC and MMC. Both characters do share some insight into past experiences and scenes which help the reader understand the characters better.
THE HIT
The character development really worked for me. I genuinely liked both main characters, and their dynamic felt believable. The twists were also well done as there were several moments I didn’t see coming. I was rooting for them.
THE MISS
Some chapters end abruptly and then pick up awkwardly from the other character’s POV, which disrupted the flow at times. I am not a huge fan of these types of transitions and prefer them to go chronologically.
THE REC:
If you enjoy a dark romance with a good level of spice, this one is for you. I would recommend this book to others.
THE OVERALL: Overall, I would rate this book as follows:
⭐️Overall Rating: 4/5
🔥Spice Rating : 4/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
His Prey is a dark, intense, and completely gripping read that pulls you in from the very first page. Maddie C delivers a story that is raw, twisted, and impossible to put down.
The tension in this book is relentless. The dynamic between the characters is unsettling yet addictive, creating a constant push-and-pull that kept me glued to the story. The characters are complex and morally gray, which adds depth and makes the story feel unpredictable rather than cliché.
What really stood out was the atmosphere—dark, suspenseful, and emotionally charged. Maddie C doesn’t shy away from the darker themes, but they’re written in a way that serves the story and heightens the intensity rather than feeling gratuitous.
If you enjoy dark romance with danger, obsession, and high emotional stakes, His Prey is absolutely worth the read. This is not a light romance, but if you’re a fan of darker stories that push boundaries, Maddie C delivers in a big way.
✨️I received a copy of this book via the author/publisher & I'm reviewing it voluntarily.✨️
The tension in this book is relentless. The dynamic between the characters is unsettling yet addictive, creating a constant push-and-pull that kept me glued to the story. The characters are complex and morally gray, which adds depth and makes the story feel unpredictable rather than cliché.
What really stood out was the atmosphere—dark, suspenseful, and emotionally charged. Maddie C doesn’t shy away from the darker themes, but they’re written in a way that serves the story and heightens the intensity rather than feeling gratuitous.
If you enjoy dark romance with danger, obsession, and high emotional stakes, His Prey is absolutely worth the read. This is not a light romance, but if you’re a fan of darker stories that push boundaries, Maddie C delivers in a big way.
✨️I received a copy of this book via the author/publisher & I'm reviewing it voluntarily.✨️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. The following review represents my honest opinion.
I really enjoyed this book! I found Ariel and Misha's relationship to be very well-formed and the side characters are all very vivid. I only had two issues while reading that took me out of the experience: (1) the action tags/beats seemed to be attached to the character reacting instead of the character speaking which confused me because I didn't know who was speaking at times and (2) some of the chapters seemed to end in the middle of a climactic moment and then the next chapter began a new scene which led me feeling like the previous scene was unfinished.
BUT overall, I did greatly enjoy reading and I would still recommend this to people! I will definitely be checking out other books by the author.
I really enjoyed this book! I found Ariel and Misha's relationship to be very well-formed and the side characters are all very vivid. I only had two issues while reading that took me out of the experience: (1) the action tags/beats seemed to be attached to the character reacting instead of the character speaking which confused me because I didn't know who was speaking at times and (2) some of the chapters seemed to end in the middle of a climactic moment and then the next chapter began a new scene which led me feeling like the previous scene was unfinished.
BUT overall, I did greatly enjoy reading and I would still recommend this to people! I will definitely be checking out other books by the author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
6/5 Stars!
5/5 spice!
GIIIIRRL this book! ;()
this book is a dark romance so i highly recommend reading the TWs (its like a menu)
Absolutely love this! Amazing writing style, amazing characters. Misha is my new book husband now ;) aswell as how well the character arcs and plot twists. there is such misunderstanding, greif and anger within this book that it aches. Ariel and Misha have been so well written that they feel so real and not like this is a book.
Overall its a must read 3>
5/5 spice!
GIIIIRRL this book! ;()
this book is a dark romance so i highly recommend reading the TWs (its like a menu)
Absolutely love this! Amazing writing style, amazing characters. Misha is my new book husband now ;) aswell as how well the character arcs and plot twists. there is such misunderstanding, greif and anger within this book that it aches. Ariel and Misha have been so well written that they feel so real and not like this is a book.
Overall its a must read 3>
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to ARC read this. His Prey had a dark, intriguing premise and kept me hooked with its tension and intensity. I really enjoyed the characters and the overall atmosphere, but the story felt a little rushed toward the end. Some scenes had great potential yet felt unfinished, like they could’ve benefited from more depth or development. Still, it was a solid, entertaining read that left me wanting just a bit more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. it sounded so intriguing to me, but I just couldn't get into it. I gave it 3 stars because I feel like the potential was there. There were times when I felt like it was about to tip the scales for me, but it just didn't quite make it over the edge.
Maddie, thank you for the opportunity to read your book. I wish you the best with it!
Maddie, thank you for the opportunity to read your book. I wish you the best with it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
EEEEEEEKKKKKK MISHA IS EVERYTHING TO ME!!!!!🤭🤭🤭🤭
I loved this book with a PASSION!!
Xoxo-
Elaine♥️
I loved this book with a PASSION!!
Xoxo-
Elaine♥️
January 9, 2026
this book was amazing...I couldn't get enough of misha and Ariel to be frank.i would 100% recommend this book
.. pure perfection
.. pure perfection
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews