Scan barcode
A review by _onemorechapter_
The Finisher by RuNyx
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
๐ป.๐พ: This book includes graphic violence, foul language, and sexual content recommended only for 18+.
I also want to list a few trigger warnings of the darker themes. This book contains scenes of character death, murder, arson, torture, solicitation and sex work, depressive episodes, post-traumatic stress disorder, human trafficking and mentions of human slavery, mentions of violence against a minor, mentions of sexual assault of adults and minors, mentions of illegal dogfights
๐ญThe Finisher is the fourth instalment in the Dark Verse series. I had a whole lot of expectations from this given the first three books in the series were really good. This one is probably the weakest book in the series for me till now.
This book was a weird transition from book 3. I was expecting something else I think, but from pretty much chapter one I had to adjust my expectations and kind of just embrace the chaos. This is definitely not the sweeping romantic vibes of Tristan and Morana or Dante and Amara, but it is cute and endearing and parts are funny, really, really funny. More ironically funny but it still counts!
I was told this book would be darker than the previous books, this book is in fact not much dark but more fluffy, wholesome and sprinkled with beauty and the beast vibes in the best way possible.
Alpha Villanova - Introducing you to the grumpiest Dark Verse man.
Is he good? Yes. Better than Tristan and Dante? No. ๐
He had a fucked-up childhood, pretty normal by the standards this series is going. Growing up on the streets of Los Fortis, Alessandro 'Alpha' Villanova scrapped his way to the top, fighting for his very survival and losing everything in the process. A city that shunned him then is now the one he rules, albeit alone, as the king of a dark empire few know about. Alpha is the least involved in the mafia unlike his half-brother, Dante Maroni. He mostly took care of illegal fights, sex workers being mistreated and needing sanctuary in his city. He literally lived near the Amazon with his 3 dogs, completely isolated. He wasn't good with words, no one can compete with Dante when it comes to pretty words but damn, I'd be lying if I said his TERRITORIAL CAVEMAN BEHAVIOR wasn't hot at times. When he's not in denial, he's blunt and direct as hell and I'd take it over the denial any day.
He's considerate, and caring, and I appreciate all he does for everyone, always ensuring their protection. He truly has a heart of gold like his eyes(Yup, the color of the eye is liquid, molten gold and a voice of dark leather and wild power)!
Zephyr/Rainbow - 29-year-old hair stylist with a heart of gold, colorful, quirky and hopeless romantic. Unlike Amara and Morana, she had a really nice life. Her biggest problem is people trying to make her lose a few pounds. I related a lot to Zephyr and her struggles. No doubt she was a bit clingy, but at least she was confident, fiercely and unapologetically went after what she wanted and eventually found love. It was quite touching how she never gave up on her love from a decade ago! Every moment she goes through pain I felt that too. It just made sense to me that someone who could feel that kind of intense love could feel pain and sorrow to the very depths of her being as well.
Zephyr carried this book on her shoulders. She is such a happy spot of light in this book โ I love Zephyr! Her persistence, her undying and unending love, her sunny persona! Everything about her is beautiful. And also is the exact opposite of Alpha!
Zenith(Zephyr's adopted sister) was an absolute sun ray ๐. Wished we got more of her story, but I loved her and how bonded she was with Zephyr.
AlphaZephyr
I like how the mysterious history between Zephyr and Alpha was alluded to and teased for much of the book before the hidden past is finally revealed in a much-expected emotional manner. It was hilarious to read as Zephyr obsessed over Alpha in an almost innocent manner, as we quickly learn that they do share a history that Alpha does not remember. Her relentlessness and Alpha's sheer bafflement offered a much-needed lightness to the book. I had a lot of fun watching as Zephyr slowly forged cracks in Alpha's stoic and firm nature. While Alpha and Zephyr weren't the couple I needed or expected, they gave me a good show despite all of it. Things weren't supposed to be funny but they delivered top-notch entertainment. For the first half of the book, I laughed myself sick at their inner monologues and ridiculous actions, especially Zephyr's.
They both are insecure and have trust issues in one way or another. I was more focused on them slowly opening up to each other and letting the other one kiss their demons away. Unfortunately, we were given less bonding and more smut. I felt like their relationship needed a bit more development before they eventually reached the same page, considering it was kind of a second-chance tropeโmore chapters on Alpha falling for her all over again; those were really limited. I didn't get the past chapters like I expected we'd be getting either. I got pages after pages of jealousy, possessiveness and tension instead, so I'm not complaining.
Firstly, See it's not bad but it's not anything special either. When you have Tristan Morana and Dante Amara as leads in the previous books, Alpha and Zephyr don't really leave that much of a mark. I am aware that they didn't get their epilogue but damn the ending wasn't what I expected and it was kinda sudden...... idk but they deserved better, in my opinion.
Secondly, The plot line in The Finisher was filled with so many twists, turns and betrayals. Some of the twists were predictable and some twists played well by RuNyx. But it was a letdown. There were just glimpses of the Syndicate and what's cooking behind the scenes. I wanted more of that. I had also hoped I would see Vin in it, but I didn't. So hopefully in the next one.
Considering we're now on the fourth instalment of the Dark Verse series, I was genuinely concerned about the storyline dragging and taking too long to offer answers and solutions.
Furthermore, The shadow man is being a bitch. What the fuck do you mean by 'should've sought me before' after getting "To avoid spoiler I am not writing the name" killed? I KNOW IT'S NOT HIS FAULT, but why the fuck would he say this even though Alpha clearly ASKED him who the Fortis Killer is? Hypocrite double standard idiot ๐ญ
But
(I'm so sad for myself because I would've been interested and all that who's his TOY is, but I already know ๐คก But looking forward to his story)
Marriage Of Convenience? CHECK
Mafia Romance? CHECK
Grumpy Sunshine? CHECK
Fighter & his Girl? CHECK
Curvy FMC? CHECK
Amnesia Trope? CHECK
Second Chance Romance? CHECK
Close Proximity? CHECK
๐.๐ When Morana got shot ๐๐ป
I've read Tristan's POV on that scene(Bonus Scene), and I WANT MORE ๐ญ.
The way Tristan went all feral, broke all speed limits and even told her that they'd get a cat.
๐.๐.๐ The moments when Morana, Tristan, Amara and Dante are all back on the page? Glorious. I'll never be tired of seeing this group on the page and within dialogue.
๐ธ๐ด๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐: โญโญโญ.5
๐ธ๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐: 4.08 (27868)
๐ธ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐:Mafia Romance
๐ธ๐บ๐๐๐๐: ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
๐ธ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐: Dark Verse (Book 4)
๐ธ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐: Yes!!
You can't get wrong with this series!
๐ธ ๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐
โShe loved too much, trusted too easily, got hurt too often, and maybe she needed to harden herself. But she would lose the essence of who she was if she did, and so she never did. Feeling hurt was more acceptable than feeling dead.โ
โYou talk to my wife, you die,โ he announced coldly. Dante whistled in the distance, and Zephyr flushed. That was the most 'Me Tarzan, You Jane' thing she'd ever seen in her life. She was as taken as she could get.โ
โFor leading a life that had hardened him to the point sheโd bled on the barbed wires around his heart?โ
"My life has been nothing but gray for as long as I remember," he told her softly. "Rainstorms and thunder clouds that never went away . To filtered throught that, all bright colours and exuberance and life. And the clouds are still there, but my eyes can't leave the rainbow long enough to see them. You changed things. And I am not letting that go, Zephyr. I'm not letting you go. Get that out of your head right now."
โShe wished emotions were like flowers, pretty and color-coded so she could pick and choose which ones she wanted at what time.โ
โHe was her love at first meeting. And she didnโt know who he was now, but he was hers. Heโd always been hers.โ
โDon't leave me again, rainbow," he spoke quietly in the space between
them. "I don't know if I'll ever remember anything. I don't know if what I
feel is love. I don't know what the future holds. But I know I want you by
my side. I know I don't want to forget you now.โ
โI want to eat your smile, sunshine," he said against her mouth. "Swallow it whole and light up my insides with it.โ
I also want to list a few trigger warnings of the darker themes. This book contains scenes of character death, murder, arson, torture, solicitation and sex work, depressive episodes, post-traumatic stress disorder, human trafficking and mentions of human slavery, mentions of violence against a minor, mentions of sexual assault of adults and minors, mentions of illegal dogfights
๐ญThe Finisher is the fourth instalment in the Dark Verse series. I had a whole lot of expectations from this given the first three books in the series were really good. This one is probably the weakest book in the series for me till now.
This book was a weird transition from book 3. I was expecting something else I think, but from pretty much chapter one I had to adjust my expectations and kind of just embrace the chaos. This is definitely not the sweeping romantic vibes of Tristan and Morana or Dante and Amara, but it is cute and endearing and parts are funny, really, really funny. More ironically funny but it still counts!
I was told this book would be darker than the previous books, this book is in fact not much dark but more fluffy, wholesome and sprinkled with beauty and the beast vibes in the best way possible.
Alpha Villanova - Introducing you to the grumpiest Dark Verse man.
Is he good? Yes. Better than Tristan and Dante? No. ๐
He had a fucked-up childhood, pretty normal by the standards this series is going. Growing up on the streets of Los Fortis, Alessandro 'Alpha' Villanova scrapped his way to the top, fighting for his very survival and losing everything in the process. A city that shunned him then is now the one he rules, albeit alone, as the king of a dark empire few know about. Alpha is the least involved in the mafia unlike his half-brother, Dante Maroni. He mostly took care of illegal fights, sex workers being mistreated and needing sanctuary in his city. He literally lived near the Amazon with his 3 dogs, completely isolated. He wasn't good with words, no one can compete with Dante when it comes to pretty words but damn, I'd be lying if I said his TERRITORIAL CAVEMAN BEHAVIOR wasn't hot at times. When he's not in denial, he's blunt and direct as hell and I'd take it over the denial any day.
He's considerate, and caring, and I appreciate all he does for everyone, always ensuring their protection. He truly has a heart of gold like his eyes(Yup, the color of the eye is liquid, molten gold and a voice of dark leather and wild power)!
Zephyr/Rainbow - 29-year-old hair stylist with a heart of gold, colorful, quirky and hopeless romantic. Unlike Amara and Morana, she had a really nice life. Her biggest problem is people trying to make her lose a few pounds. I related a lot to Zephyr and her struggles. No doubt she was a bit clingy, but at least she was confident, fiercely and unapologetically went after what she wanted and eventually found love. It was quite touching how she never gave up on her love from a decade ago! Every moment she goes through pain I felt that too. It just made sense to me that someone who could feel that kind of intense love could feel pain and sorrow to the very depths of her being as well.
Zephyr carried this book on her shoulders. She is such a happy spot of light in this book โ I love Zephyr! Her persistence, her undying and unending love, her sunny persona! Everything about her is beautiful. And also is the exact opposite of Alpha!
Zenith(Zephyr's adopted sister) was an absolute sun ray ๐. Wished we got more of her story, but I loved her and how bonded she was with Zephyr.
AlphaZephyr
I like how the mysterious history between Zephyr and Alpha was alluded to and teased for much of the book before the hidden past is finally revealed in a much-expected emotional manner. It was hilarious to read as Zephyr obsessed over Alpha in an almost innocent manner, as we quickly learn that they do share a history that Alpha does not remember. Her relentlessness and Alpha's sheer bafflement offered a much-needed lightness to the book. I had a lot of fun watching as Zephyr slowly forged cracks in Alpha's stoic and firm nature. While Alpha and Zephyr weren't the couple I needed or expected, they gave me a good show despite all of it. Things weren't supposed to be funny but they delivered top-notch entertainment. For the first half of the book, I laughed myself sick at their inner monologues and ridiculous actions, especially Zephyr's.
They both are insecure and have trust issues in one way or another. I was more focused on them slowly opening up to each other and letting the other one kiss their demons away. Unfortunately, we were given less bonding and more smut. I felt like their relationship needed a bit more development before they eventually reached the same page, considering it was kind of a second-chance tropeโmore chapters on Alpha falling for her all over again; those were really limited. I didn't get the past chapters like I expected we'd be getting either. I got pages after pages of jealousy, possessiveness and tension instead, so I'm not complaining.
Firstly, See it's not bad but it's not anything special either. When you have Tristan Morana and Dante Amara as leads in the previous books, Alpha and Zephyr don't really leave that much of a mark. I am aware that they didn't get their epilogue but damn the ending wasn't what I expected and it was kinda sudden...... idk but they deserved better, in my opinion.
Secondly, The plot line in The Finisher was filled with so many twists, turns and betrayals. Some of the twists were predictable and some twists played well by RuNyx. But it was a letdown. There were just glimpses of the Syndicate and what's cooking behind the scenes. I wanted more of that. I had also hoped I would see Vin in it, but I didn't. So hopefully in the next one.
Considering we're now on the fourth instalment of the Dark Verse series, I was genuinely concerned about the storyline dragging and taking too long to offer answers and solutions.
Furthermore, The shadow man is being a bitch. What the fuck do you mean by 'should've sought me before' after getting "To avoid spoiler I am not writing the name" killed? I KNOW IT'S NOT HIS FAULT, but why the fuck would he say this even though Alpha clearly ASKED him who the Fortis Killer is? Hypocrite double standard idiot ๐ญ
But
(I'm so sad for myself because I would've been interested and all that who's his TOY is, but I already know ๐คก But looking forward to his story)
Marriage Of Convenience? CHECK
Mafia Romance? CHECK
Grumpy Sunshine? CHECK
Fighter & his Girl? CHECK
Curvy FMC? CHECK
Amnesia Trope? CHECK
Second Chance Romance? CHECK
Close Proximity? CHECK
๐.๐ When Morana got shot ๐๐ป
I've read Tristan's POV on that scene(Bonus Scene), and I WANT MORE ๐ญ.
The way Tristan went all feral, broke all speed limits and even told her that they'd get a cat.
๐.๐.๐ The moments when Morana, Tristan, Amara and Dante are all back on the page? Glorious. I'll never be tired of seeing this group on the page and within dialogue.
๐ธ๐ด๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐: โญโญโญ.5
๐ธ๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐: 4.08 (27868)
๐ธ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐:Mafia Romance
๐ธ๐บ๐๐๐๐: ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
๐ธ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐: Dark Verse (Book 4)
๐ธ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐: Yes!!
You can't get wrong with this series!
๐ธ ๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐
โShe loved too much, trusted too easily, got hurt too often, and maybe she needed to harden herself. But she would lose the essence of who she was if she did, and so she never did. Feeling hurt was more acceptable than feeling dead.โ
โYou talk to my wife, you die,โ he announced coldly. Dante whistled in the distance, and Zephyr flushed. That was the most 'Me Tarzan, You Jane' thing she'd ever seen in her life. She was as taken as she could get.โ
โFor leading a life that had hardened him to the point sheโd bled on the barbed wires around his heart?โ
"My life has been nothing but gray for as long as I remember," he told her softly. "Rainstorms and thunder clouds that never went away . To filtered throught that, all bright colours and exuberance and life. And the clouds are still there, but my eyes can't leave the rainbow long enough to see them. You changed things. And I am not letting that go, Zephyr. I'm not letting you go. Get that out of your head right now."
โShe wished emotions were like flowers, pretty and color-coded so she could pick and choose which ones she wanted at what time.โ
โHe was her love at first meeting. And she didnโt know who he was now, but he was hers. Heโd always been hers.โ
โDon't leave me again, rainbow," he spoke quietly in the space between
them. "I don't know if I'll ever remember anything. I don't know if what I
feel is love. I don't know what the future holds. But I know I want you by
my side. I know I don't want to forget you now.โ
โI want to eat your smile, sunshine," he said against her mouth. "Swallow it whole and light up my insides with it.โ