The Predator's Game: A Dark Romantic Thriller

by Luna Ars

Stella Brown understands control, obsession, and trust. Her mind is disciplined, her choices precise, her emotions measured… and her secrets carefully hidden.

Until Alain Sinclair enters her a sociopath, a killer, a man who sees through control and toys with fear, desire, and loyalty as if they were his own.

Every encounter is a battle. Every glance, every word, every decision tests the fragile line between predator and prey. In a world where morality is optional and emotions are dangerous, Stella must navigate the shadows, guard her secrets, and face the dangerous games that threaten to consume her.

But in the end- who will be the predator, and who the prey?

Dark, twisted, and psychologically intoxicating, The Predator’s Game is a dark romantic thriller that explores the mind’s deadliest games, a story for those who crave obsession, power, and the thrill of danger lurking in every choice.

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2025

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great novella by Luna Ars! This time we’re following Stella and Alain. We get some information on Stella’s background and how she got to where she is today, but we don’t get much backstory on Alain yet (can’t wait for that in the future!).

What i love about the book is how great both characters are at reading people and how that affects the interactions between the two of them. Stella is not afraid to challenge Alain.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, looking forward to seeing where this story goes!

[Kase Zarbano · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ | I am already clawing at the door for book two

I stumbled into The Predator’s Game by accident and now I’m sitting here like… excuse me??? I need MORE???

This is a dark romantic thriller novella so it’s a quick read, but don’t get it twisted, it still delivers.

We’ve got a power-hungry MMC and an equally dominant FMC and they are just circling each other like predators, both refusing to fold first. The tension? Delicious. The push and pull? Even better.

And then…

When one of them does start to give a little control?

I was kicking my feet. I was giggling. I was absolutely LOSING IT.

Our MMC is a full on sociopath, very routine, very detached, very 'feelings do not exist here' and then BOOM, here comes FMC and suddenly she’s in his head, under his skin, living there rent free like she signed a lease.

Watching him unravel for her?
Ugh!!!!! My favorite brand of chaos. I will eat that trope every single time.

Also yes, he chases her.
And yes, I loved every second of it.

It’s short, it’s sharp, it’s addicting, and now I’m sitting here like a gremlin whispering 'give me book two immediately'

Final thoughts:
I had a GREAT time, I’m mildly unwell about it, and I will be continuing this series with zero hesitation.

[nia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's good. Love Stella and Alain (I do love the sociopaths.) The way they unravel each other is top tier! It ends on a huge cliff hanger, leaving you wanting to know what's going to happen next.
The only thing is, there were a few grammatical and punctuation errors.

[Sandy Goguen-Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great novella. Both Stella and Alain are great at reading people and challenging each other. Ending on a cliffhanger can't wait for the continuation.

Thanks to Book Sirens for this ARC book and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Stormy Shadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
The Predators Game—From BookSirens
Star Rating: 3.75⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Pub Date: Nov 21, 2025
Wicked Games—Book One
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Erotica
Format: Digital
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I enjoyed this but I thought this would be more than what it was. I loved the lawyer stuff and I really wanted more to this story for Stella to take down the scum that she was working with at her firm but we didn’t get that far as it’s only 128 pages. This shouldn’t have been a novella it should have been a full novel. It was interesting but the romance aspect of it too was just pointless and nothing was there. We don’t get enough time to know why Alain is like he is and why he’s so obsessed with Stella and how far that could have gone.. sadly… the writing could have been better too. Overall I liked it though I just wanted more

[Janalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, addictive, and impossible to put down

The Predator’s Game pulled me in fast and did not let go. Luna Ars delivers a dark, tension-filled story that’s equal parts psychological chess match and emotional gut punch. The power dynamics are intense, the characters are layered and unpredictable, and the slow burn keeps you turning pages late into the night.

If you enjoy dark romance with edge, morally gray characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing, this book is absolutely worth your time. I finished it already wanting more, and that’s always the sign of a great read. I only wish that it was longer.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[The Plot Thickens Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Dee on behalf of the Plot Thickens Book Club.
Title: The Predator's Game (Wicked Games Series Book 1)
Author: Luna Ars
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Well I knew this book was going to be a good book when the first thing that you read in the opening is,"Every encounter, is a battle. Every glance, every word, every decision tests the fragile line between predator and prey." If that doesn't give you the tingles this will. The last part I read will. "In a world where morality is optional and emotions are dangerous. Who will be the predator and who will they prey." That absolutely gave me the tingles in the right place and I know this book was going to be absolutely amazing. The book starts with Stella an attorney that kind of got this crap end of the stick when her parents died. Her uncle is a awful person but we'll leave it at that. So she's just doing what she has to do to stay in her father's law firm. Then she meets Alain who is a sociopathic killer that has control issues, that lives off the fears and desires of people. Things are progressing in the book and it is absolutely crazy. I Love how Stella will challenge Alain and don't care one way or the other she ain't scared of him. I do love how they both are very intuitive when it comes to reading people. They both compliment each other well. I love how the author in the book kind of keeps you guessing and questioning things. Which adds to the overall suspense of the book. Overall this book was absolutely amazing. It doesn't own a cliffhanger which drives me crazy but in a good way. I'm super excited for the next book to kind of see where things go and how things progress.

[౨ৎ 🎧⋆｡˚ 𝒮ℴ𝒶𝓅 ♡₊˚📖・₊✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5😍

I loved this book! Reasons being:
-again with beautiful imagery
-descriptions of the characters
-motivation to read
-easy to understand
-nice Segs🤌
-the chapters were finally in a nice length!
-backstory was amazing!
-CLIFFHANGER??
-I love Stellas friends!
-etc.

But sadly the things I dislike were:
-few ch(my opinion(usually a standard book for me is 25-45 ch))
-the author didn’t use lots of cultural stuff and use of different languages like their other books(i rec reading!!)
-wasn’t as funny 😞(but I’ll survive)
-Alain pmo🤨 also I can’t visualize what he looks like

In short, this is a good short read and I fell inlove(I srsly stayed up till 3am to finish) but I wish it was kinda like the authors others book slightly. I can’t wait for book 2 though!!!

[JT · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Predator’s Game is my first journey into the writing world of Luna Ars and WOW it grabbed me. The psychological power playing was totally engrossing. This book was incredible….the characters were well matched and believable. The plot was multilayered yet not bogged down. As the title hints it’s a cat and mouse type engagement but OMG… twists at every turn. When I reached the last page I was seriously ready for more. I look forward to reading more by Luna Ars. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Winfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved your new story and can't wait for the sequels! It kept me on the edge of my seat, especially when Stella first met Alain and said, "Jail." I found her sociopathy intriguing.

I appreciate how well both characters read people, which enhances their dynamic. Stella isn't afraid to challenge Alain.

The cliffhanger ending has me eager to see where the story goes next and what other characters this author brings into the fold of madness.

[Ilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read with an interesting story. I was not impressed by Alain but I liked Stella and will read the next book.

[Kristen N · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has such descriptive paragraphs painting the images in your head. It gives you the tug of loneliness caused by terrible circumstances. It shows you how one person can truly understand you when you feel like you have no one there.

I truly enjoyed the story, a few gramar errors made the story a little confusing, but it wasnt so terrible that you couldnt figure it out. The only thing I really didnt like is how it ended. It didnt feel like a cliffhanger, more that the author just stopped writing the story not wanting to continue. I really hope there is more coming because it is really an interesting story allowing you into the mind of a sociopath.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I enjoyed this quick read however there were many errors that need to be corrected - both spelling & grammatical errors. The story moved along at a good pace, until the very end then it just suddenly stopped, like this is part 1 of a series. I am looking forward to reading additional books in this series.

[Rogue Kayl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very descriptive book, no detail left out. However

personally wasnt the book for me. The plot only seemed to scrape the surface, it was very vague. I think it would have been better if there was more then leave an epic cliffhanger.

The only good thing in the book for me was the spicy scene.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Beth Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

A fast-paced book with some spice but the plot was very vague and the end felt too sudden so I didn’t enjoy it much.

*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily*