The Rina Kent fandom is currently in a bit of a fever dream. If you’ve been scrolling through BookTok or lurking in the dark romance subreddits, you already know the name that’s causing all the chaos: Hunt the Villain. It’s the second book in her Kiss the Villain trilogy, a spinoff from the massive Legacy of Gods series, and let me tell you, it’s already splitting the fanbase right down the middle before it’s even officially on shelves.
People are obsessed. Or they’re mad. There isn't really an in-between with Rina Kent.
🔗 Read more: James Bay’s If You Ever Want to Be in Love Lyrics: Why This 2014 Hit Still Feels Like a Text From an Ex
What is Hunt the Villain actually about?
So, here’s the deal. Hunt the Villain is a standalone dark MM (male x male) mafia romance. It follows Vaughn Morozov and Yulian Dimitriev. If those names sound familiar, it’s because they’ve been hovering in the background of the Rinaverse for a while. Vaughn is the heir to the New York Russian mafia—the Bratva—and Yulian is the heir to a rival organization.
Basically, it’s hate at first sight. Like, actual "I want to ruin your life" hate.
Vaughn is the cold, calculated type. He’s all about control and disregarding anything chaotic. Then you have Yulian, who is described as a "violence junkie." He’s brash, he’s loud, and he’s everything Vaughn hates. They get shoved together in an "unorthodox setting," tragedy strikes, and they’re forced back into their separate worlds. But, because this is a dark romance, those worlds obviously collide again at King’s College.
The characters you need to know
- Vaughn Morozov: He’s the "hero" (using that term loosely here) who returns to King’s College with one specific goal: to destroy Yulian.
- Yulian Dimitriev: The chaotic rival who seems to live for the mess. He’s the monster Vaughn is hunting.
Why the drama? The "Girlfriend" Controversy
Honestly, if you want to understand the buzz around Hunt the Villain Rina Kent, you have to understand the "Vaughn’s girlfriend" situation. This is where things got messy.
Years ago, in a Facebook group post, Rina apparently mentioned that Vaughn had a long-term girlfriend. Fans ran with that. They built up this whole mental image of Vaughn as the ultimate straight mafia heir. When Rina announced that his book would be MM, some people absolutely lost it. We’re talking boycotts, 1-star reviews on Goodreads for a book that isn't even out yet, and some pretty intense arguments about "character consistency."
🔗 Read more: Curious George With Tail: Why Our Brains Keep Inventing One
But here’s the thing: Vaughn was barely in the previous books. He was the "white mask" mystery for a long time. As a reader, we didn't actually know him. Rina has basically told the critics to sit tight because characters evolve. Plus, let's be real—the Rinaverse is huge, and she can pivot however she wants.
Where does it fit in the reading order?
You can technically read Hunt the Villain as a standalone, but I wouldn't recommend it if you want to actually understand what's going on with the Bratva. It’s the second book in the Villain series.
- Kiss the Villain (Gareth and Kayden’s story)
- Hunt the Villain (Vaughn and Yulian)
- Crave the Villain (Coming later)
It’s all set in the same timeline as Legacy of Gods. If you’ve read God of Fury, you know Rina can write MM romance that hits like a freight train. That book (Bran and Niko) is basically the gold standard for many fans right now, and the expectations for Vaughn and Yulian are through the roof because of it.
Tropes and "Dark" Elements
Rina Kent doesn't do "light." If you’re looking for a sweet, fluffy romance, you’re in the wrong place. Hunt the Villain is expected to be heavy on:
- Enemies-to-lovers (the "I will actually kill you" kind).
- Mafia rivals.
- Forced proximity.
- Heaps of "unhealthy intensity."
The content warnings for her Villain series usually include things like dub-con, extreme violence, and heavy angst. Since both leads are mafia heirs, the stakes aren't just about their hearts; it’s about the Pakhan position and the misogynistic/homophobic structures of the Bratva.
Is it worth the hype?
Look, Rina is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller for a reason. She knows how to hook a reader. Even if you’re salty about the MM shift for Vaughn, the blurb suggests a high-tension, high-stakes story that digs into the Russian mafia side of her world—something fans have been begging for.
Yulian is already being compared to Niko from God of Fury, which is a huge compliment in this fandom. If Vaughn is the cold hunter and Yulian is the "monster," the friction is going to be insane.
Important Details
- Release Date: March 24, 2026.
- Page Count: Roughly 544 pages.
- Format: There’s a Deluxe Edition with designed edges and spot gloss that collectors are already eyeing.
Actionable Next Steps for Readers
If you want to be ready for the drop, here is how you should prep:
✨ Don't miss: Tony Martin Singer Actor: Why This Hollywood Legend Still Matters
- Read Kiss the Villain first: It sets the stage for the trilogy and introduces the vibe of these specific MM stories.
- Check the Content Warnings: Visit Rina Kent’s official website. She is very transparent about triggers, and these books are significantly darker than your average contemporary romance.
- Pre-order the Deluxe Edition: These usually sell out fast, especially the ones with the sprayed edges.
- Catch up on Legacy of Gods: Specifically God of Fury, as it’s the closest comparison to the tone of the Villain series.
The wait until March might feel long, but if the snippets on social media are any indication, the collision between Vaughn and Yulian is going to be one of the biggest releases in the dark romance space this year.