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Vicious Prey
My head has never been quiet. The spirits won't shut up, the seminary can't save me, and the whiskey only takes the edge off for so long. Then a vampire walks into my uncle's bar and for the first time in five years, the d3ad go silent.
The catch?
The silence comes with three men who need me to complete a bond I didn't agree to, a coven I don’t understand, and a church that will burn everything I love to drag me back.
The catch?
The silence comes with three men who need me to complete a bond I didn't agree to, a coven I don’t understand, and a church that will burn everything I love to drag me back.
ebook
Published June 20, 2026
About the author
N. Slater
162 books440 followersAfrican American. Indie Author. Chaos Writer.
Polyamorous & Found Family Stories Brought to Life.
From PRN to fantasy, contemporary to dark & twisted, there's a little something for everyone.
Current Taboo Romance ~ Vows and Venom Links:
Preorder here ~ https://tinyurl.com/vowsandvenom
Buy here (Releasing April 1st) ~ https://books2read.com/u/bwleNy
Polyamorous & Found Family Stories Brought to Life.
From PRN to fantasy, contemporary to dark & twisted, there's a little something for everyone.
Current Taboo Romance ~ Vows and Venom Links:
Preorder here ~ https://tinyurl.com/vowsandvenom
Buy here (Releasing April 1st) ~ https://books2read.com/u/bwleNy
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 13, 2026
It was pretty good. I liked the concept and the characters. Some of the information felt a little repetitive but other than that it was a nice read.
July 6, 2026
This was amazing and I need more. Officially going to petition for a book 2.
Did Not Finish
July 15, 2026I had high hopes for this, despite all the "religious themes" warnings, but what really finished the book was the sameness and the poetry. As in, I could understand the metaphors for his problems and existence and character as part of Aven's internal monologue, but when he says, out loud, to another person, something like "I am a locked box and they're the hammer, trying to crack up open" ... like... eh... what? AND then the side characters start saying poetic things like that also out loud. Often. Which is why I said sameness - dramatically poetic metaphors are one thing but hearing them from every corner of the story was really messing with my very fragile interest in the proceedings.
I know people complain that today's fiction is getting dumber and we're removing any friction so readers can enjoy brainlessly consuming this media but I don't feel like this is the answer or even the right choice. I think having a different approach to internal monologues, differences between characters' thinking and in conversations is like, the bare minimum? Sorry?
The plot, the setting could have been so cool but having good ideas and executing them are two different thing. I think I liked a book by this author before so I am not sure why this one just didn't work for me.
I know people complain that today's fiction is getting dumber and we're removing any friction so readers can enjoy brainlessly consuming this media but I don't feel like this is the answer or even the right choice. I think having a different approach to internal monologues, differences between characters' thinking and in conversations is like, the bare minimum? Sorry?
The plot, the setting could have been so cool but having good ideas and executing them are two different thing. I think I liked a book by this author before so I am not sure why this one just didn't work for me.
July 14, 2026
Okay but...
Gonna be honest, this book needs some massive editing. Several chapters were repeated but just slightly different, like drafts one and two of the book combined and neither were removed. The timelines jump all around (probably the result of that merging of book versions again). The idea of the story is good, but I finally gave up on it at about the 60% mark. The out of order scenes made the bedroom scene feel wrong in a bad way and not one I thought could be recovered from. (It also didn't make a lot of sense when combined with the other scenes and chapters of already read.) If you can get over the jumping around, the bones are good.
Gonna be honest, this book needs some massive editing. Several chapters were repeated but just slightly different, like drafts one and two of the book combined and neither were removed. The timelines jump all around (probably the result of that merging of book versions again). The idea of the story is good, but I finally gave up on it at about the 60% mark. The out of order scenes made the bedroom scene feel wrong in a bad way and not one I thought could be recovered from. (It also didn't make a lot of sense when combined with the other scenes and chapters of already read.) If you can get over the jumping around, the bones are good.
September 3, 2026
The book was good but it felt like it went on forever and for anyone to finally show up. I like how everyone brings something to the group and they want to help Aven. Never read anything with an exorcist before and it was good. My poor Aven had to go through so much but I’m glad he had his guys by his side.
July 21, 2026
Probably one of the worst books I’ve ever read. I stopped reading at the last 2 chapters because it was so awful. Repetitive, overly descriptive word vomit in 477 pages. You take out the first 50%, you have yourself a mid book. Just not the vibe. This book made vampires, exorcists and witches look like weak bitches. Soren was the only saving grace in this book. Sorry.
July 31, 2026
4.25⭐️
MMMM x coven (fated mates) x seminary student who SEES Ghosts + vampire + exorcist + witch x battle against ancient vampire family/the Church x murder mystery
This had sprinkles of all my favourite things in one book. I was legit laughing, tearing up and flabbergasted at some of the moves in the book. All four guys felt like fully realized characters and had their separate and together motivations.
There was so much exposition and immersive world building that didn’t feel overbearing. This had really interesting takes on the different creatures/fated mates that I would’ve loved explored more.
This was definitely maybe 50 pages too long, but not because of the above. I felt like conversations were being repeated and other things were left by the wayside before being wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking. Like I thought this was building to a duology before the end.
It’s funny, I was lamenting too much sex in another book and now I’m like, I wanted more sex in this one. If I’m reading about 4 people in a COVEN, each set of people should have a scene. And here, it would be story forward because Cain/Soren/Ira needed to reconnect from their original trio.
The writing of this was completely different from ‘Rope Me Down,’ and @N. Slater || SLAYER is becoming a fav writer of mine.
‘Not that I think I’m a medium or a spirit whisperer. I don’t know what the hell I am. I just know seeing the dead is annoying.
I’m just praying that whatever is coming next doesn't expect me to be ready for it.
They call me an asset. It's a polite way of saying they own the marrow in my bones and the magic in my veins.
It was a duty, not a cage. I found two of my three, and I lost them both to my family's greed, my own cowardice, and the cruel timing of a world that doesn't want us to be whole.
I see the aura before I see the man.
Up close, he's beautiful in the way dangerous things are beautiful when they haven't yet decided whether they want to spare you.
I'm a man starving for air, and he's the only open window in the room.
"Do you want me gone because I frightened you, or because I didn't?"
Ira leans close to Cain, his voice dropping low enough to make the shelves go still. "What the f*ck did you bring into our shop?"
You think the Church is going to let something like you walk away once they know you're loose?"
“Quiet,” I murmur against him when I pull back for air, voice low and rough. “Or Gabriel’s going to come out here and find me on my knees for you.”
"You already took the choice, Cain," he whispers,
The ease is the thing that hurts. Our mouths know the rhythm before we decide what to do with it.
Then I'll have to explain that Hugo didn't bring us a monster. He brought us a pattern.
It belongs to study rooms and late nights and the first year at seminary when I thought wanting approval was the same as wanting God.
“Aven. Eyes on me. Breathe. Feel this.”
Whatever has touched the edge of the ward has reached through memory first, and his body has obeyed before his mind can catch up.
I feel the lie before I know what shape it has.
"It's not an apology yet. It's the start of the truth."
Exorcists aren't a church order, no matter how much the Church likes to pretend anything useful belongs to them. We're family lines. Old rules. Old wounds.
I didn't notice that before. I was too busy looking at the places he lied and not the places he bled.
They're waiting. The dead have never waited for me before.
A living vessel. My grandmother did love making murder sound academic.
You'll survive the first truth better than the second.
"Good news," I say. "We have a terrible plan, a worse timeline, and exactly the right number of emotionally unstable people to pull it off."
MMMM x coven (fated mates) x seminary student who SEES Ghosts + vampire + exorcist + witch x battle against ancient vampire family/the Church x murder mystery
This had sprinkles of all my favourite things in one book. I was legit laughing, tearing up and flabbergasted at some of the moves in the book. All four guys felt like fully realized characters and had their separate and together motivations.
There was so much exposition and immersive world building that didn’t feel overbearing. This had really interesting takes on the different creatures/fated mates that I would’ve loved explored more.
This was definitely maybe 50 pages too long, but not because of the above. I felt like conversations were being repeated and other things were left by the wayside before being wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking. Like I thought this was building to a duology before the end.
It’s funny, I was lamenting too much sex in another book and now I’m like, I wanted more sex in this one. If I’m reading about 4 people in a COVEN, each set of people should have a scene. And here, it would be story forward because Cain/Soren/Ira needed to reconnect from their original trio.
The writing of this was completely different from ‘Rope Me Down,’ and @N. Slater || SLAYER is becoming a fav writer of mine.
‘Not that I think I’m a medium or a spirit whisperer. I don’t know what the hell I am. I just know seeing the dead is annoying.
I’m just praying that whatever is coming next doesn't expect me to be ready for it.
They call me an asset. It's a polite way of saying they own the marrow in my bones and the magic in my veins.
It was a duty, not a cage. I found two of my three, and I lost them both to my family's greed, my own cowardice, and the cruel timing of a world that doesn't want us to be whole.
I see the aura before I see the man.
Up close, he's beautiful in the way dangerous things are beautiful when they haven't yet decided whether they want to spare you.
I'm a man starving for air, and he's the only open window in the room.
"Do you want me gone because I frightened you, or because I didn't?"
Ira leans close to Cain, his voice dropping low enough to make the shelves go still. "What the f*ck did you bring into our shop?"
You think the Church is going to let something like you walk away once they know you're loose?"
“Quiet,” I murmur against him when I pull back for air, voice low and rough. “Or Gabriel’s going to come out here and find me on my knees for you.”
"You already took the choice, Cain," he whispers,
The ease is the thing that hurts. Our mouths know the rhythm before we decide what to do with it.
Then I'll have to explain that Hugo didn't bring us a monster. He brought us a pattern.
It belongs to study rooms and late nights and the first year at seminary when I thought wanting approval was the same as wanting God.
“Aven. Eyes on me. Breathe. Feel this.”
Whatever has touched the edge of the ward has reached through memory first, and his body has obeyed before his mind can catch up.
I feel the lie before I know what shape it has.
"It's not an apology yet. It's the start of the truth."
Exorcists aren't a church order, no matter how much the Church likes to pretend anything useful belongs to them. We're family lines. Old rules. Old wounds.
I didn't notice that before. I was too busy looking at the places he lied and not the places he bled.
They're waiting. The dead have never waited for me before.
A living vessel. My grandmother did love making murder sound academic.
You'll survive the first truth better than the second.
"Good news," I say. "We have a terrible plan, a worse timeline, and exactly the right number of emotionally unstable people to pull it off."
September 1, 2026
Review:
When I first picked up this book, I loved it; but after that, I found myself not wanting to read it and the rest just felt like it was going in one ear and out the other. It was literary heavy, it felt like I didn’t fully understand what was going on, and I just wasn’t interested anymore. There were also some aspects I just wasn’t a fan of.
One, because romance was not the focus of the writing, it felt like one day they didn’t know eachother, then all of of a sudden they like eachother, yet hate eachother, and are living together. But not because of their love for eachother, because of their powers and danger coming there way.
Two, the way they recharge their powers, specifically Aven, is sex. This made it feel like a chore to get done, even though it was written to emphasize that there is always a choice. I don’t think they ever were intimate on page without some sort of emotional event having occurred, or mentioning needing to recharge. I would have even preferred no intercourse.
However, I can still recognize that it was a good book, and I did enjoy it at times, but it was not for me. It just wasn’t holding my attention, the way it should have.
Ratings:
⭐️3.75
🌶️3
💧4
😂4
Aesthetic:
👻✝️🏫⛪️🍺🥃⛓️🧛🏻🛏️🏪🧙🏻♂️🙏🏽🩸👨🏻❤️👨🏻👨🏻❤️💋👨🏻
Location:
📍?
Tropes:
🩶mmmm
🩶medium x vampire x witch x exorcist
🩶mates
🩶opposites attract
🩶hurt/comfort
🩶found family
🩶angst
🩶emotional
🩶thriller
🩶magic
🩶hea
Characters:
Aven
- Medium
- Former
Cain
- Vampire
- Escaped
Soren
- Witch
Iva
- Exorcist
Favorite Character:
Cain
Always check content warnings before reading!
I received this book as an ARC.
When I first picked up this book, I loved it; but after that, I found myself not wanting to read it and the rest just felt like it was going in one ear and out the other. It was literary heavy, it felt like I didn’t fully understand what was going on, and I just wasn’t interested anymore. There were also some aspects I just wasn’t a fan of.
One, because romance was not the focus of the writing, it felt like one day they didn’t know eachother, then all of of a sudden they like eachother, yet hate eachother, and are living together. But not because of their love for eachother, because of their powers and danger coming there way.
Two, the way they recharge their powers, specifically Aven, is sex. This made it feel like a chore to get done, even though it was written to emphasize that there is always a choice. I don’t think they ever were intimate on page without some sort of emotional event having occurred, or mentioning needing to recharge. I would have even preferred no intercourse.
However, I can still recognize that it was a good book, and I did enjoy it at times, but it was not for me. It just wasn’t holding my attention, the way it should have.
Ratings:
⭐️3.75
🌶️3
💧4
😂4
Aesthetic:
👻✝️🏫⛪️🍺🥃⛓️🧛🏻🛏️🏪🧙🏻♂️🙏🏽🩸👨🏻❤️👨🏻👨🏻❤️💋👨🏻
Location:
📍?
Tropes:
🩶mmmm
🩶medium x vampire x witch x exorcist
🩶mates
🩶opposites attract
🩶hurt/comfort
🩶found family
🩶angst
🩶emotional
🩶thriller
🩶magic
🩶hea
Characters:
Aven
- Medium
- Former
Cain
- Vampire
- Escaped
Soren
- Witch
Iva
- Exorcist
Favorite Character:
Cain
Always check content warnings before reading!
I received this book as an ARC.
July 24, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review
Vicious Prey: An MMMM Paranormal Romance
By N. Slater
My Review
Vicious Prey is a beautifully tragic paranormal romance that completely stole my heart. From the very first chapter, I was captivated by the emotional depth, haunting atmosphere, and the undeniable chemistry between the characters.
The push and pull within this unconventional coven was brilliantly written. Every interaction felt meaningful, every emotion hit hard, and I found myself completely invested in their journey. I couldn’t stop turning the pages—I lost track of time because I needed to know what would happen next.
N. Slater has a way of creating unforgettable characters and weaving together heartbreak, hope, suspense, and love into one incredible story. Every chapter left me wanting more, and every twist kept me emotionally invested until the very end.
One thing I always appreciate is that N. Slater provides detailed content and trigger warnings, allowing readers to make informed decisions before diving into the story. That level of care for readers is something I truly admire.
If you’re a fan of dark paranormal romance, found family, emotional healing, haunted heroes, and unforgettable relationships, Vicious Prey absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
This is easily one of my favorite reads and another five-star masterpiece from N. Slater. I cannot wait to see what they write next!
Highly recommend!
Vicious Prey: An MMMM Paranormal Romance
By N. Slater
My Review
Vicious Prey is a beautifully tragic paranormal romance that completely stole my heart. From the very first chapter, I was captivated by the emotional depth, haunting atmosphere, and the undeniable chemistry between the characters.
The push and pull within this unconventional coven was brilliantly written. Every interaction felt meaningful, every emotion hit hard, and I found myself completely invested in their journey. I couldn’t stop turning the pages—I lost track of time because I needed to know what would happen next.
N. Slater has a way of creating unforgettable characters and weaving together heartbreak, hope, suspense, and love into one incredible story. Every chapter left me wanting more, and every twist kept me emotionally invested until the very end.
One thing I always appreciate is that N. Slater provides detailed content and trigger warnings, allowing readers to make informed decisions before diving into the story. That level of care for readers is something I truly admire.
If you’re a fan of dark paranormal romance, found family, emotional healing, haunted heroes, and unforgettable relationships, Vicious Prey absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
This is easily one of my favorite reads and another five-star masterpiece from N. Slater. I cannot wait to see what they write next!
Highly recommend!
July 16, 2026
Okay. First of all. Thank you for allowing me to ARC read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
I can’t I love N slater and all her books but this one? I seriously loved, her characters are always amazing but these 4? Now have a special place in my heart. The emotions, the one liners?
Aven is absolutely feral! There were a few moments that made me giggle out loud and those moments always stay with me. I love Soren, Cain and Ira. They all bring special things to the table and they make things so much better.
There were a couple moments that kind of made me stop for a moment, but it’s also an arc do nothing is perfect but there are so many positives that take the dud moments which is why I love this even more.
Would this be a good part to put:
So a vampire, witch, exorcist and a priest walk into a bar joke?
No, seriously. That’s the setup, and somehow N. Slater makes it work so perfectly that I never questioned it for a second.
By the end, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I already need more of this series and these incredible characters because I’m completely invested in where their journey goes next.
N. Slater has once again reminded me why she’s one of my favorite authors, and I already know I’ll be impatiently waiting for the next book.
I can’t I love N slater and all her books but this one? I seriously loved, her characters are always amazing but these 4? Now have a special place in my heart. The emotions, the one liners?
Aven is absolutely feral! There were a few moments that made me giggle out loud and those moments always stay with me. I love Soren, Cain and Ira. They all bring special things to the table and they make things so much better.
There were a couple moments that kind of made me stop for a moment, but it’s also an arc do nothing is perfect but there are so many positives that take the dud moments which is why I love this even more.
Would this be a good part to put:
So a vampire, witch, exorcist and a priest walk into a bar joke?
No, seriously. That’s the setup, and somehow N. Slater makes it work so perfectly that I never questioned it for a second.
By the end, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I already need more of this series and these incredible characters because I’m completely invested in where their journey goes next.
N. Slater has once again reminded me why she’s one of my favorite authors, and I already know I’ll be impatiently waiting for the next book.
July 19, 2026
I like Cain, Ira, and Soren, but Aven is taking a while. His sarcastic remarks as a defense mechanism got a bit annoying and there's a lot of repetition in him describing the ghosts around him and when he's narrating his own thoughts. His skepticism in the beginning and reluctance to accept what's presented to him was also making me frustrated, but I know that's part of the angst so he gets a pass.
It was still a hard read for me to get through Aven's chapters and POV. The way he goes about the world is strange, and the way he narrates/talks to himself or to others is hard for me to understand. As another review as stated, it's very dramatic, poetic, and full of metaphors, and yes that's what's making it hard for me to connect with him.
This sort of writing style is not for me.
It was still a hard read for me to get through Aven's chapters and POV. The way he goes about the world is strange, and the way he narrates/talks to himself or to others is hard for me to understand. As another review as stated, it's very dramatic, poetic, and full of metaphors, and yes that's what's making it hard for me to connect with him.
This sort of writing style is not for me.
tbr-i-own
July 13, 2026I got this book as soon as it went live! I couldn't help myself so have checked some scenes out <3
It looks plot heavy & is a long one, so I'm reading it rn, but hopefully soon!
It looks plot heavy & is a long one, so I'm reading it rn, but hopefully soon!
July 20, 2026
Heavy
This is not a light book. It’s heavy and hard to read, and so so good. Don’t expect it to be a quick read, but these men and what they go through to be together is worth it.
This is not a light book. It’s heavy and hard to read, and so so good. Don’t expect it to be a quick read, but these men and what they go through to be together is worth it.
July 29, 2026
This was another amazing book by N. Slater. I couldn't put it down and finished it in one day!!!
September 8, 2026
A RICH READ WITH SUCH LAYERS AND CHARACTERS I LOVED!
I was so Immersed in this story. The characters, story is extremely enjoyable. Great read from this author.
I was so Immersed in this story. The characters, story is extremely enjoyable. Great read from this author.
Did Not Finish
September 13, 2026I DNF’d at 30%. I just couldn’t get into it and honestly didn’t want to waste my time continuing.
August 13, 2026
Another banger another great. Nic did it again She never disappoints.I've really enjoyed the story plot Love the main characters , spicy love scenes found family paranormal romance love this book
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews