The Prey by Andrew Fukuda

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 336pgs 

The Story

For Gene and the remaining humans—or hepers—death is just a heartbeat away. On the run and hunted by society, they must find a way to survive in The Vast... and avoid the hungry predators tracking them in the dark. But they’re not the only things following Gene. He’s haunted by the girl he left behind and his burgeoning feelings for Sissy, the human girl at his side.

When they discover a refuge of exiled humans living high in the mountains, Gene and his friends think they’re finally safe. Led by a group of intensely secretive elders, the civilisation begins to raise more questions than answers. A strict code of behaviour is the rule, harsh punishments are meted out, young men are nowhere to be found—and Gene begins to wonder if the world they’ve entered is just as evil as the one they left behind. As life at the refuge grows more perilous, he and Sissy only grow closer. In an increasingly violent world, all they have is each other... if they can only stay alive.

The Review

A big thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia for sending me a review copy of this book!

Last year, Andrew Fukuda's debut novel The Hunt was an enjoyable read for me and incredibly unique in its own genre, but it just wasn't something that had completely won me over. At least not in the way it did with some other readers who loved it. So when I received this book in the mail I was quite anxious in reading it because it was either going to be a 'make-or-break' book for me and I really wanted to love this sequel considering this series had such great potential. But surprisingly though, not only did I find this book to be so much better than the first of the series, but I also thought it was stronger, triumphant, and straight up addictive! Yup, I totally loved this book and about time too!

Both action-packed, engaging in storytelling, and completely driven by a great assemble of colourful characters (the good and the bad kind), THE PREY had everything going for it for a sequel! I think what happened, unlike in the first book The Hunt, what had changed my mind about this series (a complete turnaround for me mind you from my 3.5 star rating of the first book) was how connected I felt with all of the characters. How they were much more stronger and how much more I began to believe in them. Even how much more I loved them too. Even Gene. So not only do I feel great for loving this book but I'm also thankful too because I now can join the fans of this series! Yay!

Gene, the main character, is quite a force to be reckoned with, especially in this sequel. While I did love him in the first book as he possessed a great voice, but he really did shine in this second installment of the series. He was stronger, much more independent, raw and perhaps a little bit broken, but I think what changed within himself in this particular sequel and why I probably loved him more was how he became so open to people and how he placed his trust in them . . . even when trust seemed really hard to find in this bleak world of Gene's. Now from the previous book, he had this suppose 'love interest' named Ashley June, a character I couldn't stand in The Hunt. I saw her as a pretty pointless character but once she was 'sort of' out of the picture, for the most part at least, I'm really glad to have this other girl character, Sissy, to take Gene's mind somewhere else and away from that annoying Ashley June.

Sissy, without a doubt, was the best character in the entire book! I'm not kidding here. Sure her name is different but not only is she a lot like Gene - both independent and completely headstrong in most matters that they face together - but she truly had something special about her and I was right. She was special. Honestly I couldn't wait for Gene to forget all about Ashley June because he and Sissy have this perfect connection with one another . . . it's not true love or anything close to it, but there's enough there to say they make a great team and a great friendship too, so I loved that element throughout this entire book. I loved it very much!

Overall, even with a lot happening in the book, THE PREY was such an awesome read. It was really fast-paced and really entertaining which I'm grateful for because this sequel has placed a lot more of my faith into this series, so I can't wait to read the third and final installment which can't come any sooner!

The Rating

4 1/2 / 5 stars