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Predator & Prey
After her fiancé humiliates her weeks before their wedding, Olivia Larsen flees to Berlin to finish her book and forget men entirely. Then she meets Fiadh “Fi” Fahey— an Irish bombshell with a talent for trouble. Hypnotized by Fi’s charm, banter, and dominant sex, Olivia tumbles into a thrilling summer fling with a muse whose power is literal – unknowingly to them both.
One reckless night out enters Olivia into Fi’s orbit, and soon Olivia is crossing the iron gates of Herthastraße 99, the mansion Fi shares with her fiancé Diederich who holds sinister dark secrets.
To Diederich, Fi is the perfect subject—his living canvas, immortalized in brutal reds and greys. To Olivia, she’s lightning in a the obsession that flips the switch back on and makes the words pour out. A muse for two artists—one with a sadistic brutalist gallery, one with a pen. As Diederich sees Olivia & Fi’s relationship grow stronger, he realizes that the life source of his work is at risk. And he will do anything in his power to keep what is his.
Parties blend into rituals. “Clients” arrive in suits to conduct “business” in all hours of the night. Bodyguards watch every exit. And when curiosity takes Olivia one door too far, she learns exactly how this place handles trespass—and how hard it will be to get out with her sanity, her story, and the girl.
Predator & Prey is slow-burn sapphic horror with spicy romance—a luscious, unhinged descent into Berlin nightlife, power, and the price of being wanted.
Spice 3/5
Horror 2.5/5
spicy sex, psychological manipulation, coercive control, body-horror, violence, gas lighting
One reckless night out enters Olivia into Fi’s orbit, and soon Olivia is crossing the iron gates of Herthastraße 99, the mansion Fi shares with her fiancé Diederich who holds sinister dark secrets.
To Diederich, Fi is the perfect subject—his living canvas, immortalized in brutal reds and greys. To Olivia, she’s lightning in a the obsession that flips the switch back on and makes the words pour out. A muse for two artists—one with a sadistic brutalist gallery, one with a pen. As Diederich sees Olivia & Fi’s relationship grow stronger, he realizes that the life source of his work is at risk. And he will do anything in his power to keep what is his.
Parties blend into rituals. “Clients” arrive in suits to conduct “business” in all hours of the night. Bodyguards watch every exit. And when curiosity takes Olivia one door too far, she learns exactly how this place handles trespass—and how hard it will be to get out with her sanity, her story, and the girl.
Predator & Prey is slow-burn sapphic horror with spicy romance—a luscious, unhinged descent into Berlin nightlife, power, and the price of being wanted.
Spice 3/5
Horror 2.5/5
spicy sex, psychological manipulation, coercive control, body-horror, violence, gas lighting
284 pages, Paperback
Published January 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 6, 2026
✩ ✩ ✩
first of all, i couldnt quite understand inner voices of the characters and what was going on in their brains. i also dont agree with the stuff which were tried to be romanticized (talking someone you don’t know on the phone rudely, stalking, being rude and order for them, cheating…). also the way fi kept things from olivia and wasn’t honest. i dont know, these didn’t sit well with me.
the whole time something was off. i couldn’t find myself into the story. i just wanted to finish it soon so i can move on.
however the latest chapters made me go “omg” and the ending “woooow.” not gonna lie, i didn’t like it much in the beginning because the romance part weren’t catchy for me but i’m looking forward to read the second book.
just finished reading the preview i think this one was more successful. also the thriller part of the book was successful too, i just didnt like the romance part but that doesn’t mean it’s not written well because it really was written well and the horror part while describing the hole was very good. the context itself is very disturbing though. still i think the writer did a good job.
first of all, i couldnt quite understand inner voices of the characters and what was going on in their brains. i also dont agree with the stuff which were tried to be romanticized (talking someone you don’t know on the phone rudely, stalking, being rude and order for them, cheating…). also the way fi kept things from olivia and wasn’t honest. i dont know, these didn’t sit well with me.
the whole time something was off. i couldn’t find myself into the story. i just wanted to finish it soon so i can move on.
however the latest chapters made me go “omg” and the ending “woooow.” not gonna lie, i didn’t like it much in the beginning because the romance part weren’t catchy for me but i’m looking forward to read the second book.
just finished reading the preview i think this one was more successful. also the thriller part of the book was successful too, i just didnt like the romance part but that doesn’t mean it’s not written well because it really was written well and the horror part while describing the hole was very good. the context itself is very disturbing though. still i think the writer did a good job.
January 29, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️3/4 (4.75 stars)
Oh my!!! This story was messy but SOOO addictive to read!!!
To start off, I want to say that if I didn’t have to wake up early today, I would’ve totally finished this book last night because I was soo into it right from the beginning, and all my thoughts kept cycling back to the story and what might be happening next.
The story itself follows our main character Olivia as she fled to Berlin because her manchild of a fiancé cheated on her. There she first meets Tomer who kind of acts a a wingman when she meets Fiadh in a bar. Entranced by Fiadh’s charm and mind blowing sex, Olivia finds herself stumbling deeper and deeper into what exactly is going on inside Herthastraße 99.
As the book promises, it’s a sapphic slow burn (one can argue if it’s actually a slow burn) romance with horror elements but - at least in this first installment - the horror is kept pretty decent which made it easier for me to read since I’m usually not a big horror reader. What I found captivating was how the relationship between Olivia and Fi (Fiadh) was established and how they actually had instant chemistry to the point where I was rooting for them at the end of the book. Besides that, I also think that the characters in general were written amazingly well and somewhat unhinged but there in a way that made sense and kept the whole reading experience enjoyable and extremely interesting!!
Moreover, I adored the writing and the pace of the story. It felt really natural and in my opinion nothing was dragged on too long and the actions of the characters made(somewhat) sense (yes, I’m looking at you Dietrich because what the fuck) and I also liked the ending a lot, though I wish I could already read the second installment because this cliffhanger killed me haha.
Overall, a really well written and generally amazing book that I would totally recommend for anyone who enjoys a good slow burn with horror elements.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for a honest and voluntarily given review.
Oh my!!! This story was messy but SOOO addictive to read!!!
To start off, I want to say that if I didn’t have to wake up early today, I would’ve totally finished this book last night because I was soo into it right from the beginning, and all my thoughts kept cycling back to the story and what might be happening next.
The story itself follows our main character Olivia as she fled to Berlin because her manchild of a fiancé cheated on her. There she first meets Tomer who kind of acts a a wingman when she meets Fiadh in a bar. Entranced by Fiadh’s charm and mind blowing sex, Olivia finds herself stumbling deeper and deeper into what exactly is going on inside Herthastraße 99.
As the book promises, it’s a sapphic slow burn (one can argue if it’s actually a slow burn) romance with horror elements but - at least in this first installment - the horror is kept pretty decent which made it easier for me to read since I’m usually not a big horror reader. What I found captivating was how the relationship between Olivia and Fi (Fiadh) was established and how they actually had instant chemistry to the point where I was rooting for them at the end of the book. Besides that, I also think that the characters in general were written amazingly well and somewhat unhinged but there in a way that made sense and kept the whole reading experience enjoyable and extremely interesting!!
Moreover, I adored the writing and the pace of the story. It felt really natural and in my opinion nothing was dragged on too long and the actions of the characters made(somewhat) sense (yes, I’m looking at you Dietrich because what the fuck) and I also liked the ending a lot, though I wish I could already read the second installment because this cliffhanger killed me haha.
Overall, a really well written and generally amazing book that I would totally recommend for anyone who enjoys a good slow burn with horror elements.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for a honest and voluntarily given review.
February 27, 2026
I enjoyed this book for the most part.
This story is gripping and intriguing, and the horror aspect of this book was truly terrifying. The characters are well written and I love the differences between Olivia and Fi. The love between them is so intoxicating and it’s difficult to not want to read on. I was hooked early on and found it very difficult to put this book down, it’s a real page turner.
One thing I disliked is that the genocide of Palestine is referred to as a “conflict” in this book, which is not only inaccurate but I feel it also minimises what’s happening to the Palestinian people. I don’t feel like this author is trying to excuse or sympathise with oppressors in that regard, but it didn’t come across very well to me.
Another thing that bugged me was the talk about identity and labels. Sometimes the MC referred to herself as a lesbian even though she’s bi, and also questioned whether she was really bi after having her heart broken by a man and “swearing off them”, which came across as “a man broke my heart so now I’m turning lesbian” even though she knew that she wasn’t a lesbian and feels like a fraud whenever someone refers to her as a lesbian, and she calls herself bisexual when discussing labels with her love interest further into the story. It was honestly quite confusing and as a lesbian myself I didn’t enjoy my sexuality being spoken about and used in that way. I understand the concept of exploring identity and unpacking things, but I feel that it could have been written in a much better way.
More positives of this book is that the pacing was good and the drama and horror happened exactly when I wanted it to. The relationships built up very well and I found myself enjoying the complexities of the characters.
Overall, this is a good read if you’re into sapphic real-world horror and can get past these issues. I struggled.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for proving me with a free copy in exchange for an honest, voluntarily given review.
This story is gripping and intriguing, and the horror aspect of this book was truly terrifying. The characters are well written and I love the differences between Olivia and Fi. The love between them is so intoxicating and it’s difficult to not want to read on. I was hooked early on and found it very difficult to put this book down, it’s a real page turner.
One thing I disliked is that the genocide of Palestine is referred to as a “conflict” in this book, which is not only inaccurate but I feel it also minimises what’s happening to the Palestinian people. I don’t feel like this author is trying to excuse or sympathise with oppressors in that regard, but it didn’t come across very well to me.
Another thing that bugged me was the talk about identity and labels. Sometimes the MC referred to herself as a lesbian even though she’s bi, and also questioned whether she was really bi after having her heart broken by a man and “swearing off them”, which came across as “a man broke my heart so now I’m turning lesbian” even though she knew that she wasn’t a lesbian and feels like a fraud whenever someone refers to her as a lesbian, and she calls herself bisexual when discussing labels with her love interest further into the story. It was honestly quite confusing and as a lesbian myself I didn’t enjoy my sexuality being spoken about and used in that way. I understand the concept of exploring identity and unpacking things, but I feel that it could have been written in a much better way.
More positives of this book is that the pacing was good and the drama and horror happened exactly when I wanted it to. The relationships built up very well and I found myself enjoying the complexities of the characters.
Overall, this is a good read if you’re into sapphic real-world horror and can get past these issues. I struggled.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for proving me with a free copy in exchange for an honest, voluntarily given review.
January 23, 2026
Predator & Prey: Muse by EV Dean is a bizarre yet fun and engaging story of inspired insanity. This novel is well-written with a slow buildup, but it is a quick read. Dean created a sense of tension throughout this dark, atmospheric novel, and I was on edge waiting for it to snap. The characters were believable despite being unreliable at times.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I was aware that it was a cliffhanger. Though it is my understanding that the next installment is a prequel, I would rather have the conclusion first.
This slow burn is a dark and seductive descent into madness. The author gives it a 2/5 horror level, and I agree. The fun is in the uncertainty of depravity. The horror aspect picks up near the end, and it is a bit gruesome but not over-the-top.
There is a bit of spice as well. The book includes a lot of drinking and smoking because, according to the characters, it's Berlin.
I am giving it 3.5 stars, rounded up.
I like the author's style, and I would like to read more.
#oppositesattract #atmosphere #Berlin #Germany #sapphic #horror #spice #artist #writer #clubscene #nightlife #cliffhanger
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I was aware that it was a cliffhanger. Though it is my understanding that the next installment is a prequel, I would rather have the conclusion first.
This slow burn is a dark and seductive descent into madness. The author gives it a 2/5 horror level, and I agree. The fun is in the uncertainty of depravity. The horror aspect picks up near the end, and it is a bit gruesome but not over-the-top.
There is a bit of spice as well. The book includes a lot of drinking and smoking because, according to the characters, it's Berlin.
I am giving it 3.5 stars, rounded up.
I like the author's style, and I would like to read more.
#oppositesattract #atmosphere #Berlin #Germany #sapphic #horror #spice #artist #writer #clubscene #nightlife #cliffhanger
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
February 8, 2026
this was probably one of the craziest things i’ve ever read and i absolutely ate it up. one moment i’m in love with these characters and the next i’m questioning if i should be absolutely terrified of them (i definitely am both at the same time, it’s a party)
that cliffhanger killed me and i can’t wait to find out what happens with Fi and Olivia because what do you mean it just ENDS LIKE THAT? 😩
that cliffhanger killed me and i can’t wait to find out what happens with Fi and Olivia because what do you mean it just ENDS LIKE THAT? 😩
January 17, 2026
Stunning!! Absolutely loved this, I received an arc from the author and I devoured this. I really love this authors work and though this is quite different from what she normally writes it was equally as good. I couldn’t put this down if I tried and will probably re read in the near future.
This is a chaotic, sapphic horror romance/lovestory with artist-muse dynamic. There’s obsession, intense/instant attraction, cannibalism, cult vibes, straps, loads of spice, you name it.
Our FMC Olivia is a not so successful writer who also has a small business on the side to help pay her bills.
She’s recently been cheated on by her fiancé, left him and decided she needed to get away, rightfully so as her fiancé is still living in their house until he finds a new place to live.
Broken hearted, she takes a one way trip to Berlin and decides to try and heal herself while working on writing a new book.
Olivia is bi sexual, or now maybe she’s a lesbian? She’s not sure but she’s now sworn of men and early into her arrival she goes to a bar and meets Tomer, who I absolutely adore, her new best friend who has made it his mission to find her a woman to get over her heart break.
Olivia asked the universe and the universe said message received because the same night her exact type in a woman walks through the door and everything quickly evolves from there.
Fi, or Fiadh, is a beautiful life of the party woman who falls equally as fast but Fi also has a fiancé and is out ‘celebrating’ for her bachelorette party. Fi’s fiancé is a local infamous artist named Diederich who is more than eccentric with a pension for the very very dark side of art. His work is disturbing and that’s being generous but what is the inspiration behind his work?
When Olivia visits their mansion, she’s greeted with grotesque depictions of people in pain and pleasure as their bodies are mutulated but also seem in ecstasy. There is one rule of the house.. don’t go into Diederichs personal study, other wise what’s theirs is yours.
This first book in her series starts off slower, getting to know the characters and getting a back story but quickly starts to take a dark turn and the build of horror is perfect.
Atmospheric and beautifully dark, this chaotic, obsessive and slow burn horror-mance is addicting and so good!! LOVE!
This is a chaotic, sapphic horror romance/lovestory with artist-muse dynamic. There’s obsession, intense/instant attraction, cannibalism, cult vibes, straps, loads of spice, you name it.
Our FMC Olivia is a not so successful writer who also has a small business on the side to help pay her bills.
She’s recently been cheated on by her fiancé, left him and decided she needed to get away, rightfully so as her fiancé is still living in their house until he finds a new place to live.
Broken hearted, she takes a one way trip to Berlin and decides to try and heal herself while working on writing a new book.
Olivia is bi sexual, or now maybe she’s a lesbian? She’s not sure but she’s now sworn of men and early into her arrival she goes to a bar and meets Tomer, who I absolutely adore, her new best friend who has made it his mission to find her a woman to get over her heart break.
Olivia asked the universe and the universe said message received because the same night her exact type in a woman walks through the door and everything quickly evolves from there.
Fi, or Fiadh, is a beautiful life of the party woman who falls equally as fast but Fi also has a fiancé and is out ‘celebrating’ for her bachelorette party. Fi’s fiancé is a local infamous artist named Diederich who is more than eccentric with a pension for the very very dark side of art. His work is disturbing and that’s being generous but what is the inspiration behind his work?
When Olivia visits their mansion, she’s greeted with grotesque depictions of people in pain and pleasure as their bodies are mutulated but also seem in ecstasy. There is one rule of the house.. don’t go into Diederichs personal study, other wise what’s theirs is yours.
This first book in her series starts off slower, getting to know the characters and getting a back story but quickly starts to take a dark turn and the build of horror is perfect.
Atmospheric and beautifully dark, this chaotic, obsessive and slow burn horror-mance is addicting and so good!! LOVE!
February 5, 2026
✨ARC Review✨
Freaking LOVED this.
Dark and twisted, and just gets even more so the more you read.
What are they hiding? What is going on? Wait what the actual fuck?
That ending! I was biting my nails the last 50 pages or so, this had me stressed the fuck out. I NEED book two now because wow. I'm shook. 👀
Freaking LOVED this.
Dark and twisted, and just gets even more so the more you read.
What are they hiding? What is going on? Wait what the actual fuck?
That ending! I was biting my nails the last 50 pages or so, this had me stressed the fuck out. I NEED book two now because wow. I'm shook. 👀
February 10, 2026
Based on the other comments, I feel like I'm the only one who really didn't enjoy this book. A horror novel with a chaotic bisexual main character, girl-on-girl action, and a supernatural element? Sign me up! But for almost the entirety of the novel I was waiting for the actual horror elements to show up. Creepy artist? Okay, maybe. Two-thirds of the book being about two boring people (your only hobby is drinking at nightclubs and sleeping until noon?) dating and the actually interesting Tomer on the sidelines was a complete waste. Things which the characters felt were creepy didn't really resonate with me. The love interest possibly being some sort of fae or Greek goddess? Awesome idea which was hinted at a couple times and then when the reveal comes, the book abruptly stops basically in the middle of the chapter. Total boner killer. I wouldn't even call it a real cliffhanger, the book just completely ends in the middle of a thought and then "Buy the prequel!" pops up on the Kindle app.
As an aside, you're an American staying in Germany for an undisclosed amount of time and don't actually seem to be making any actual income because you keep blowing off your clients for whatever it is you do for the past three weeks. Do they even allow that? I'm glad you got deported in the beginning of the novel, but apparently we'll never actually get to that part of the story until at least book number three. Just like the issues the author within the novel is having with her work, EV Dean doesn't seem to have a plan for the direction for the story and the entire thing feels very thrown together.
Thank you to Goodreads for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
As an aside, you're an American staying in Germany for an undisclosed amount of time and don't actually seem to be making any actual income because you keep blowing off your clients for whatever it is you do for the past three weeks. Do they even allow that? I'm glad you got deported in the beginning of the novel, but apparently we'll never actually get to that part of the story until at least book number three. Just like the issues the author within the novel is having with her work, EV Dean doesn't seem to have a plan for the direction for the story and the entire thing feels very thrown together.
Thank you to Goodreads for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2026
there’s a LOT to like about this book, but unfortunately there are also a lot of thorns here that i think would keep me from too enthusiastically recommending it
biggest pro is that there are LONG stretches of book where everything just clicks. the more-horror sections at the end especially just breeze past, they’re EXTREMELY compelling and very tense in a very fun way. when the characters work, they work; the chemistry is very successful, there are a number of cute one-liners that i really liked, and i was fully rooting for fi & olivia absolutely from day one. a lot of the plot twists were also VERY well-foreshadowed, and that made the reveals feel EXTREMELY satisfying when they came around—i had called, for example, the supernatural muse twist early on, but mostly thought it was a fun “oh, that would be cool!” idea, so i was pleasantly surprised when it actually happened
unfortunately, it sometimes feels like the author loses track of the characters i love, and i’m not quite sure where they go for a minute. olivia, especially, is so stupid sometimes that i verbally went “OH MY GOD 😪” during an especially stupid choice right near the end, where she just kind of believes a man we all know by this point is untrustworthy and kind of evil to his core. girl he cooks people. be serious.
i also feel like the handling of the clearly abusive relationship between fi and her fiancée is pretty touch-and-go. i especially have some concerns with portraying them as having a seemingly still-consensual sexual relationship with how fi is visibly scared of her fiancée and consistently at his whims. not that i want fi to be the victim of assault, but it doesn’t seem like she’s in a situation where she CAN consent, and i do think it’s uncomfortable to portray her as being able to do so (especially i think using that she is dominant in their sexual setup as sort of an indication that it’s consensual?? doms can be assaulted too 👍🏼)
outside of that, i have scattered issues that crop up randomly. there’s definitely a classic “fat evil businessmen” trope that i do not fw, some grammatical errors that always take me out, and some kind of offhanded judgments about “more intense” kinks like cannibalism and guro that were just sort of odd, especially after trying to portray the backdrop of the story as being very open-minded about fetish
that being said, i do think for a lot of people it’s worth a shot if just for the run of really exciting horror at the end. it’s really normal about various types of polyamory, there are a lot of very exciting horror propositions, and especially scenes of panic i think were often written in a very interesting aggressive-energy way that really makes you feel the panic. if you’re willing to take on some lapses in character, i think it’s a good one to try
biggest pro is that there are LONG stretches of book where everything just clicks. the more-horror sections at the end especially just breeze past, they’re EXTREMELY compelling and very tense in a very fun way. when the characters work, they work; the chemistry is very successful, there are a number of cute one-liners that i really liked, and i was fully rooting for fi & olivia absolutely from day one. a lot of the plot twists were also VERY well-foreshadowed, and that made the reveals feel EXTREMELY satisfying when they came around—i had called, for example, the supernatural muse twist early on, but mostly thought it was a fun “oh, that would be cool!” idea, so i was pleasantly surprised when it actually happened
unfortunately, it sometimes feels like the author loses track of the characters i love, and i’m not quite sure where they go for a minute. olivia, especially, is so stupid sometimes that i verbally went “OH MY GOD 😪” during an especially stupid choice right near the end, where she just kind of believes a man we all know by this point is untrustworthy and kind of evil to his core. girl he cooks people. be serious.
i also feel like the handling of the clearly abusive relationship between fi and her fiancée is pretty touch-and-go. i especially have some concerns with portraying them as having a seemingly still-consensual sexual relationship with how fi is visibly scared of her fiancée and consistently at his whims. not that i want fi to be the victim of assault, but it doesn’t seem like she’s in a situation where she CAN consent, and i do think it’s uncomfortable to portray her as being able to do so (especially i think using that she is dominant in their sexual setup as sort of an indication that it’s consensual?? doms can be assaulted too 👍🏼)
outside of that, i have scattered issues that crop up randomly. there’s definitely a classic “fat evil businessmen” trope that i do not fw, some grammatical errors that always take me out, and some kind of offhanded judgments about “more intense” kinks like cannibalism and guro that were just sort of odd, especially after trying to portray the backdrop of the story as being very open-minded about fetish
that being said, i do think for a lot of people it’s worth a shot if just for the run of really exciting horror at the end. it’s really normal about various types of polyamory, there are a lot of very exciting horror propositions, and especially scenes of panic i think were often written in a very interesting aggressive-energy way that really makes you feel the panic. if you’re willing to take on some lapses in character, i think it’s a good one to try
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow. Just WOW. E.V. Dean wrote a sexy, unsettling thriller that hooked me immediately and did not let go. Predator & Prey moves fast, but it’s precise—every scene deepens the tension rather than just escalating noise.
What really works here is how deliberately the danger unfolds. The story wastes no time pulling you into a charged, intoxicating dynamic and then steadily stripping away the illusion of safety. Berlin feels alive and predatory, and the central characters are messy, seductive, and psychologically sharp.
Power, desire, and control are threaded through every interaction without ever feeling heavy-handed.
The character work is a standout. Everyone feels believable and dangerous in different ways, and the relationships are loaded with subtext, obsession, and denial. The dialogue is quick and smart, the chemistry is undeniable, and the erotic elements actually serve the story instead of overwhelming it.
Highly recommend if you like:
-Sapphic horror that’s sexy as well as psychologically grounded
-Dark, stylish settings that actively shape character behavior
-Manipulation and coercive control explored with intention
-Sharp dialogue and characters who feel fully embodied
-...if you are looking for just a fun, exciting read that paints a rich tapestry but still feels digestable
This is easily Dean’s strongest work yet, and I’d absolutely read a prequel or sequel set in this world.
What really works here is how deliberately the danger unfolds. The story wastes no time pulling you into a charged, intoxicating dynamic and then steadily stripping away the illusion of safety. Berlin feels alive and predatory, and the central characters are messy, seductive, and psychologically sharp.
Power, desire, and control are threaded through every interaction without ever feeling heavy-handed.
The character work is a standout. Everyone feels believable and dangerous in different ways, and the relationships are loaded with subtext, obsession, and denial. The dialogue is quick and smart, the chemistry is undeniable, and the erotic elements actually serve the story instead of overwhelming it.
Highly recommend if you like:
-Sapphic horror that’s sexy as well as psychologically grounded
-Dark, stylish settings that actively shape character behavior
-Manipulation and coercive control explored with intention
-Sharp dialogue and characters who feel fully embodied
-...if you are looking for just a fun, exciting read that paints a rich tapestry but still feels digestable
This is easily Dean’s strongest work yet, and I’d absolutely read a prequel or sequel set in this world.
February 14, 2026
I won this book in a giveaway and I was definitely intrigued based on the premise. Unfortunately, the book failed to deliver on any level. Almost everything was telling rather than showing, much of the dialogue was cringe inducing, and the relationship between the main characters didn't feel genuine or earned. The horror elements didn't show up for most of the book - they were only in the last quarter at best - and then we were speed running things.
Which brings me to the biggest criticism I have, and that is the ending. This book ends literally in the middle of the story and then we're told we can read a prequel novel and stay tuned for further books in the series. We don't even get a resolution for this book's plot, forcing readers to buy the next book whenever it is released in order to find out what happens.
I understand that in a series you need hooks and I never expect a book in a series to wrap things up entirely. But the structure is meant to be resolving the plot line and then you add a complication or something new that's been hinted at for the next book. You don't just drop the ending mid story, with no resolution of the plot, so that readers will buy the next book. For me, at least, that has the exact opposite effect and makes me less interested and less invested.
I think there is a lot in this book that could have been interesting to explore but the execution was definitely lacking.
Which brings me to the biggest criticism I have, and that is the ending. This book ends literally in the middle of the story and then we're told we can read a prequel novel and stay tuned for further books in the series. We don't even get a resolution for this book's plot, forcing readers to buy the next book whenever it is released in order to find out what happens.
I understand that in a series you need hooks and I never expect a book in a series to wrap things up entirely. But the structure is meant to be resolving the plot line and then you add a complication or something new that's been hinted at for the next book. You don't just drop the ending mid story, with no resolution of the plot, so that readers will buy the next book. For me, at least, that has the exact opposite effect and makes me less interested and less invested.
I think there is a lot in this book that could have been interesting to explore but the execution was definitely lacking.
February 24, 2026
The start of this book absolutely hooked me. Predator & Prey was a solid 3.5-star read for me. I didn’t dislike it, I was just mildly annoyed for a good portion of it.
This is very much a slow burn, and while I’m usually on board for that, the middle section dragged more than I expected. It took me longer to get through than planned, mostly because I kept pausing to think, “Why are you like this?” about nearly every character.
Speaking of characters: I sort of hated all of them, but for different reasons, which I guess is impressive in its own way. No one was immune. Every time I started to warm up to someone, they’d make a choice that sent me right back to side-eyeing them.
Fi had me rolling my eyes, and I never quite figured her out. Honestly, Dietrich ended up being my favorite of the bunch. Does that make me a terrible person?
That said, the story definitely picks up in the final quarter of the book, and once it did, I was totally invested. Unfortunately, just as things got really interesting, the book ended abruptly, leaving me blinking at the page like "IS THAT THE ENDING?!?"
Overall, this was a decent read with an engaging premise, a frustrating middle, and an ending that felt so much faster than the first 3/4ths of the book. If you enjoy slow burns, morally questionable characters, and yelling “WHY” at a book, this one will work for you.
This is very much a slow burn, and while I’m usually on board for that, the middle section dragged more than I expected. It took me longer to get through than planned, mostly because I kept pausing to think, “Why are you like this?” about nearly every character.
Speaking of characters: I sort of hated all of them, but for different reasons, which I guess is impressive in its own way. No one was immune. Every time I started to warm up to someone, they’d make a choice that sent me right back to side-eyeing them.
Fi had me rolling my eyes, and I never quite figured her out. Honestly, Dietrich ended up being my favorite of the bunch. Does that make me a terrible person?
That said, the story definitely picks up in the final quarter of the book, and once it did, I was totally invested. Unfortunately, just as things got really interesting, the book ended abruptly, leaving me blinking at the page like "IS THAT THE ENDING?!?"
Overall, this was a decent read with an engaging premise, a frustrating middle, and an ending that felt so much faster than the first 3/4ths of the book. If you enjoy slow burns, morally questionable characters, and yelling “WHY” at a book, this one will work for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.75 rounded up <3
I appreciate the early copy of this in exchange for a review <3 this is one of my favorite authors and I am so happy to have gotten an early glimpse of this book. I breezed through this in less than two days.
I didn't really know what to expect since this is the first horror romance novel I've read. But overall, this worked for me. The start of the book starts with an impending sense of dread, like you're watching a car crash and you can't stop watching... then the last third of the book descends into horror. But it's also funny? Somehow? In both a way that's anxiety inducing and a bit of a romp at the same time.
Only reason this wasn't a 5 star read for me was because of the ending. It ends on a pretty intense cliffhanger... I know that it's a series but I was a tiny bit frustrated with the ending. I enjoyed the ride nonetheless and I can't wait to find out what happens. By the end of the book I was really rooting Olivia & Fi... idk if horror romance ever has HEA but... we will see I guess!
I appreciate the early copy of this in exchange for a review <3 this is one of my favorite authors and I am so happy to have gotten an early glimpse of this book. I breezed through this in less than two days.
I didn't really know what to expect since this is the first horror romance novel I've read. But overall, this worked for me. The start of the book starts with an impending sense of dread, like you're watching a car crash and you can't stop watching... then the last third of the book descends into horror. But it's also funny? Somehow? In both a way that's anxiety inducing and a bit of a romp at the same time.
Only reason this wasn't a 5 star read for me was because of the ending. It ends on a pretty intense cliffhanger... I know that it's a series but I was a tiny bit frustrated with the ending. I enjoyed the ride nonetheless and I can't wait to find out what happens. By the end of the book I was really rooting Olivia & Fi... idk if horror romance ever has HEA but... we will see I guess!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2026
E.V. Dean is great with detailed scenes and creating characters with strong dialogue that really show personality. These are character’s you can believe, feel the tension, and feel the love burning between them. For me this was very much a slow burn and harder for me to fall in love with. In concept this book is everything I would love, - sapphic yearning, horror, and detail-oriented writing, but the pacing fell short for me. A new release of sapphic horror that I still beckon you to read yourself.
The narrative miscategorized itself as not enough horror because the scenes the readers are given are delightfully bloody and terrifying. The writing style is thorough and full of the gore that you are here for. It is also full of steamy romance and sapphic entanglements. Fi may unlock some dark secrets for the reader to discover with them. A horrifying journey for those who dare and the sapphics needing some excitement beyond a romantasy. Thank you E.V. Dean, Horror World Books, and Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.
The narrative miscategorized itself as not enough horror because the scenes the readers are given are delightfully bloody and terrifying. The writing style is thorough and full of the gore that you are here for. It is also full of steamy romance and sapphic entanglements. Fi may unlock some dark secrets for the reader to discover with them. A horrifying journey for those who dare and the sapphics needing some excitement beyond a romantasy. Thank you E.V. Dean, Horror World Books, and Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.
January 25, 2026
First of all, wtf???
Second, give me book two IMMEDIATELY!!! Because that cliffhanger?? I need to know what happens next.
I loved Olivia and Fi, are they both a little crazy and chaotic? Well, yeah. But I think they’re perfect for each other. I love their dynamic, they really seem to level each other out. I have A LOT of questions though, mostly about Diedrich and even Ivan!
Speaking of, I really enjoyed Olivia and Tomer’s relationship. Tomer is the kind of friend you need in every walk of life, he has your back and supports you.
This book has red flags EVERYWHERE. If I were Olivia, I know I would’ve chickened out and never made it back to the house. Fi can come see me and we can go out in public lol
This book is fast paced and the writing is clear and concise. I wasn’t left wanting or confused (unless I was supposed to be, you know for the plot). The imagery descriptions made me feel like I was in Berlin, even though I’ve never been. The inclusion of some German lines really helped set the stage.
Second, give me book two IMMEDIATELY!!! Because that cliffhanger?? I need to know what happens next.
I loved Olivia and Fi, are they both a little crazy and chaotic? Well, yeah. But I think they’re perfect for each other. I love their dynamic, they really seem to level each other out. I have A LOT of questions though, mostly about Diedrich and even Ivan!
Speaking of, I really enjoyed Olivia and Tomer’s relationship. Tomer is the kind of friend you need in every walk of life, he has your back and supports you.
This book has red flags EVERYWHERE. If I were Olivia, I know I would’ve chickened out and never made it back to the house. Fi can come see me and we can go out in public lol
This book is fast paced and the writing is clear and concise. I wasn’t left wanting or confused (unless I was supposed to be, you know for the plot). The imagery descriptions made me feel like I was in Berlin, even though I’ve never been. The inclusion of some German lines really helped set the stage.
February 23, 2026
Wow. The cliffhanger is intense. The story line is hectic and just a bit messy. As Fi and Olivia grow closer and Olivia starts to unravel secrets of Fi and Dietrich’s home begin to unravel. The muse effect is a little hard to believe based on the author’s description of the effect. However, as both artists admit to the effect of the muse on them the reader starts to compare the effects from the muse on both artists and the reader begins to travel down the rabbit hole. Will the artists fall prey to the effects of the muse or will they turn on the muse and become predator over prey. Hang on tight the house of horrors continues to unfold as the readers wonder if the artists depravity knows no end. Then theres the cliff hanger…ugh will Fixation follow soon. Definitely need to follow this rabbit hole but will it be to the light or plunge me further into darkness. Fixation is needed now…
January 29, 2026
Reading this was like being in a car going 100 miles an hour and then hitting the breaks at full force, the abrupt cliff hanger ending threw me off so much?? I was so ready to keep going to find out how this was going to end lmao. This was a quick read and I while the horror was just the teensiest bit too slow to kick in, wow is it fantastic once we're in the middle of it. I'm not necessarily a fan of gore, but it was exceptionally written here, I would describe the whole book as almost atmospheric. The whole time I was reading it, my wife kept asking how "lesbian Hostel" was going.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advanced readers copy of Predator & Prey by E.V. Dean. This is my honest review.
I wanted to like this and it had most of the ingredients to be a highly rated book for me, but it fell short. I did want to know what was going to happen next and I was excited to finish it. It had a lot of potential. And I can suspend my belief for almost any book, but these characters were really difficult to believe. Everyone was making horrible decisions that just did not add up.
I wanted to like this and it had most of the ingredients to be a highly rated book for me, but it fell short. I did want to know what was going to happen next and I was excited to finish it. It had a lot of potential. And I can suspend my belief for almost any book, but these characters were really difficult to believe. Everyone was making horrible decisions that just did not add up.
February 9, 2026
Objectively, this book DOES get good - once it builds, the bizarre, twisty horror creeps up on you so well, and the writing is pretty good at a line level. However, it took half the book to feel like we were getting anywhere plot wise and I felt like the characters were hard to empathize with. Making sense of their thought patterns was difficult and I still can't decide if I like either Fi or Olivia enough to find out if they make it through this unscathed.
February 22, 2026
I devoured this book.
Normal people drama that had an eerie undertone that grew and grew till it was crawling under your skin. The normalcy was slowly replaced with obsession, gore, and a reveal of dark cruel things that hid under the surface.
I am eagerly waiting for the rest of this series!!! It ends on such a cliff hanger that I screamed NO at the final page.
Highly recommend if you want a fun read with sugar, spice, and lots of creepy.
Normal people drama that had an eerie undertone that grew and grew till it was crawling under your skin. The normalcy was slowly replaced with obsession, gore, and a reveal of dark cruel things that hid under the surface.
I am eagerly waiting for the rest of this series!!! It ends on such a cliff hanger that I screamed NO at the final page.
Highly recommend if you want a fun read with sugar, spice, and lots of creepy.
February 10, 2026
I just wanna know what happens 😭
Any book that I can blast through in a day or two gets 5 stars. I absolutely hate when thrillers/horrors are predictable, and this one was anything but. I had a few minor predictions that I got right, but major plot? No idea.
There were a few little errors/typos, but I got the idea. I don’t know what else to say, I just want the next one now lol
Any book that I can blast through in a day or two gets 5 stars. I absolutely hate when thrillers/horrors are predictable, and this one was anything but. I had a few minor predictions that I got right, but major plot? No idea.
There were a few little errors/typos, but I got the idea. I don’t know what else to say, I just want the next one now lol
February 13, 2026
C'mon, that ending... I have to read the prequel, and, hopefully, future sequels.
The writing wasn't very rich, but it effectively helped me picture and feel the Berlin night scene. All relationships in this book are fascinating. Not to spoil you, but the thing about Fi being a muse... Very interesting. I love a horror that is sapphic and not supernatural.
The writing wasn't very rich, but it effectively helped me picture and feel the Berlin night scene. All relationships in this book are fascinating. Not to spoil you, but the thing about Fi being a muse... Very interesting. I love a horror that is sapphic and not supernatural.
February 26, 2026
All the other reviews sum up what I have to say pretty well. Even though there was a disclaimer that the story would end in a cliffhanger it was disappointing to find out that cliffhanger would not be followed by a conclusion the next book. Instead were going back in time??? I want a sequel next not a prequel, the characters are not near compelling enough to warrant a prequel.
October 27, 2025
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed this very special installment in this series that is sooo close to my heart. I have a prequel coming soon, so check out Amazon to pre-order it if you enjoyed the first book!
February 14, 2026
wish it leaned into the weirdness sooner. The end got more interesting, and I just wish it had been like that from the start.
I received an ARC of Predator and Prey from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I received an ARC of Predator and Prey from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
January 24, 2026
I too would have followed the dominant baddie down into the depths of darkness.
I can’t be mad 🤷🏼♀️
I can’t be mad 🤷🏼♀️
January 30, 2026
So evil for making me wait to find out what happens :(
February 9, 2026
This book has everything I like in a book: sapphic characters? check. spice? check. building horror? check! I loved reading about Olivia and Fi, and I'm SO excited for the next installment.
February 10, 2026
Predator & Prey follows Olivia, who is reeling from heartbreak after a messy breakup with her ex-fiancé and decides to escape to Belgium to work on her latest novel. While out one night with a friend, she meets Fi, a mysterious woman with dark secrets of her own; including a fiancé who is a brutalist artist with a fascination for the macabre.
What frustrated me most was Olivia’s tendency to ignore Fi’s many glaring red flags. It definitely gave off that classic horror-movie energy where you’re yelling at the main character not to open the door. While the book leans more toward thriller than true horror, the blood and gore provide the primary “scary” elements rather than sustained tension or fear.
That said, the story ends on a cliffhanger, and despite my frustrations, I might just pick up the second book to see where it all leads.
What frustrated me most was Olivia’s tendency to ignore Fi’s many glaring red flags. It definitely gave off that classic horror-movie energy where you’re yelling at the main character not to open the door. While the book leans more toward thriller than true horror, the blood and gore provide the primary “scary” elements rather than sustained tension or fear.
That said, the story ends on a cliffhanger, and despite my frustrations, I might just pick up the second book to see where it all leads.
February 9, 2026
what the actual fuck was that???
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