The Annihilator: A Dark Obsession Romance (Dark Verse)

WOW! I'm still trying to process this gruelling, intense, grim, yet weirdly uplifting trawl through the RuNyx universe. What happens to Lyla is so harrowing & visceral it's almost too painful to read. The trigger warnings need to be taken seriously but if, like me, you can appreciate the consummate skill with which she handles the subject matter then you will be in awe of the power that thrums throughout. The Shadow Man, terrifying, lethal & at the very least a sociopath, is drawn with surprising warmth whilst never losing sight of what he is at his very core. If you thought Tristan Caine was damaged, he's fluffy kittens & barefoot walks through the sand in comparison to TSM! This is a vitally important piece of the puzzle to the series & I urge you to absorb the full extent of the horror & power; you really won't regret it.

This story was heavy, but a great addition to the series. I’m so glad to finally see this particular character, her story is devastating and raw. The way the Shadow Man pushed her limits and helped her overcome her trauma was hard, but you can feel his intentions were pure (possibly a smidge selfish so he could keep her but still good intentions none the less) Fixing all of her broken pieces bit by bit and encouraging her to turn her life around, find herself again after 22 years of trauma and abuse. A beautiful story and I can’t wait for the final instalment.

What a book! Definitely one of my favourites of the year. RuNyx’s writing is ever so poetic and so many emotions were evoked as I was reading the story of Lyla and the Shadow Man. These two own me, heart, mind and soul. “𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸. 𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘦.” Shadowman is a very controversial character in the Dark Verse universe. He never claims to be a good man and he probably never will be. We humans are unpredictable, complicated, imperfect and he is exactly that. All that mattered to him was his flamma. Talk about a man who knows what he wants and how to get it. His obsession for her is one of the many reasons I love him and I’ll love him forevermore for what he did for her in chapter 18.

3.5 stars! My god. These books are WILD. Ends on a cliffhanger? I need the next book ASAP. Dainn is strange one, he’s very secretive and so so so powerful😍😍 I truly cannot believe how the story is all connected, I’m gobsmacked! Luna Caine my heart breaks for her 😭 I can’t wait to read about their reunion (if there even is one)😭 The spicy is 🌶️🌶️ but he unbreaks her😮‍💨. Shows her that everything can be undone if she truly wants it. The trust they have in one another makes me melt 🫠 I can’t get enough. Runyx has destroyed my brain with this world. My heart 🥺

RUNYX!!!! a book that will never leave my soul! I am addicted to this series! I have read all of the books and I'm so obsessed, it's engraved inside me! the overall plot and the characters stories... they are so perfectly described and explained. the wording is perfect and flow too... I'm able to image the story as it is a movie! Only downside is the 18+ intimate scenes, I low-key wish there was less of them throughout the series, but other than that the plot and story-line is my FAVOURITE!

4.5⭐️ 3🌶️ ‘The Annihilator’ by RuNyx is an electrifying and unforgettable read that pushed the boundaries of dark romance to an exhilarating new level. As the fifth book in the ‘Dark Verse’ series, it took the already complex world and characters to even darker, more intense places, with its gritty exploration of love, obsession, trauma, and healing. From the very first page, I was hooked. The dedication alone set the tone for the emotional depth this book would explore. It’s undoubtedly the darkest and heaviest of the series, but it also manages to capture that glimmer of light amidst the shadows. As with the previous books, we’re reminded that even in the deepest pain and trauma, beauty and growth can emerge. This theme of finding light in the dark is beautifully woven throughout. Lyla, the main female character, is a true standout. I felt an overwhelming need to protect her throughout the book. Her strength, resilience, and gradual journey toward healing made her incredibly relatable and easy to root for. There were moments that broke my heart, but watching her grow and reclaim her power was so satisfying. The poetic way her healing was depicted left me in awe, and her POV was a joy to read. Then there’s the enigmatic Shadowman, who brings a complex blend of terror and tenderness to the story. Though there were moments when his actions made me question him, he ultimately proved to be a key figure in Lyla’s healing journey. Their dynamic is both volatile and deeply captivating, showing how love can be messy, even when wrapped in obsession and darkness. The revelations in ‘The Annihilator’ are expertly timed, bringing the various threads of the series together in a way that leaves you hungry for more. There were moments that made me smile, others that had me reaching for the tissues, and a few that left me so mad I almost threw my book (a true sign of a well-written book!). RuNyx has truly outdone herself with this installment, and the anticipation for the final book, ‘The Syndicater’, is at an all-time high. The only reason I couldn’t give this book a full five stars is that there were moments that felt a bit repetitive, but this minor issue didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. If you’ve been following the ‘Dark Verse’ series, ‘The Annihilator’ is a must-read that will leave you craving the final conclusion.

This book was such an experience. It left me torn and stitched me back up. Gave me anxiety, depression and healing. I have no words for the roller coaster it led me through. I cried so badly and I suffered with her. I think the inspiration of the book is HA, most definitely. Amazing though. LOVED IT!

I was aware of this story, the emotional charge it would bring and I was not wrong. But like everything this author writes, she manages to show us the characters' feelings, understand their minds even when they are distorted. Luna girl, you are amazing, how amazing to be able to meet you and to see you start to bloom, you deserve it. And Shadow, I just want you for myself. I finish the book I want more, but happy to know that we will have an epic ending for all the characters of this amazing series.

When I tell you I ATE this book, oof.. this has got the be my favourite one of the series next to Morana and Tristan’s story. I admire the way Runyx was able to intercalate bits of the story piece by piece, adding each one to the puzzle. I rarely give 5/5 ⭐️ in my ratings. But this one, it touched my soul. It was genius to introduce her like this in this book and OFCOURSE the shadow man is the one that’s obsessed with HER. Even though I saw it coming from a mile away and figured it out pretty quickly, I loved the way their story unfolded. I actually teared up at her discovery. Past vs present, flashbacks and all the feelings involved. Chef’s kiss. Spice level was satisfying 4.5/5🌶️

Excellent book, how the stories connect Is just chef kiss the saga makes so much se nce now and all the stories connecting makes you want to read the last ones sgain

Now we are talking! This book in some ways gave me ACOTAR vibes and made me think of ACOTAR, I don't know why. It's so wried cause this isn't a fantasy or even close to. But I freaking loved it! And I think this might be my favorite out of all of them in this series. It is a lot darker, I would say it is the darkest one and it has a lot of heavy topics. So please read the varnings before going into it. It was really great tho and I feel like this was waaay better then the other book for some reason. I just want a novella with this couple. Now let's wait and see where this will end in the last book (when ever it comes out). I hope I'll be blown away, otherwise I am gonna be so mad!

5 / 5 stars I am not ready for this series to be over. These characters are my babies and I love them all so much. Lyla and The Shadowman’s love is so raw and real. He has followed and protected her for the last six years. Everything he has done has been for her, to help her and keep her safe. This man literally built her a house in the side of a mountain. A sanctuary for her to learn to live again, to find enjoyment in life and try out everything to figure out what she does and doesn’t like. Lyla is such an incredible fmc. I love her strength and resilience and the way she loves and cares for The Shadowman. I just love these two so much. The plot in this book was insane. It has reached its peak and I am so eager for the final instalment to come out so everything can be nicely wrapped up and we can see all the couples together again. These books and characters mean everything to me and I am so glad I discovered RuNyx through this series.