Reviews

The Prey by Andrew Fukuda

cjmichel's review against another edition

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4.0

"The Prey" by Andrew Fukuda is the sequel to "The Hunt." It is one of the most unique stories (actually series) of vampires that I have ever read. In the Hunt, Gene is a human living in a world that has been over taken by vampires. He exists amongst the vampires by following a strict code of behavior and hygeine so that the vampires believe he is one of them. By the end of book one, his secret is out and he learns that he is not alone, not the only survivor.

The Prey picks up where The Hunt ends. Gene and the humans from under the dome travel by river in search of the land of milk and honey, a human run location free from the threat of the vampires (now known as duskers). However, their journey takes them to a Shang-gri-la that isn't exactly all that it seems at first. Something is wrong. Travel with Gene and his new friends as they search for the truth and the real promised land.

Warning: The Prey does not stand alone well. If you want to enjoy and understand what you are reading, I firmly suggest reading The Hunt first.

Then remember: Everything looks better once the sun rises ... if you can survive long enough.
Read this series by Andrew Fukuda. You will be glad that you did.

awexis's review against another edition

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4.0

I know! I am so weird. Cause I like the book. It really is a bit fascinating reading a different kind of vampires. Where they are not sparkly and totally ran out of humanity. Incapable of love and reason.

What I don't like was that it was not based on the first book The Hunt. Where they are in a Dome and all that crap. Well of course, from the last page of first book we know that Gene managed to escape the Heper Institute. But one might think it'll be lead back in that Institute. That's what I keep thinking. That he'll come back for Ashley June.

The second book revolves on how and what happened to Gene and the rest of the Dome people (Sissy, Epap, David, Jacob, Ben) try to survive. And finally some bit of the truth. The history. Finally. But still got some questions going on.

Remember the Amazing Spiderman movie last year? Where this evil guy who experimented on himself? It reminds me of the story someone told in this book. LOL. :P

Regardless of that, I am looking forward for the last book of this series and excited to know what is the real deal. I wonder how it will all be explained to us by Fukuda. It is a good read. Although... the ending is like "how many months do I have to wait for the last book?" thing. It's not the violent reaction though. :p

overstuffedbook's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

electraheart's review against another edition

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3.0

A lot of the elements that I adored in the first book were lackluster in this one. It went from being a unique take on a dystopian world with vampires to fitting the cliche of every young adult dystopian story written around its release. The vampires are hardly present in this book, and they were, oddly enough, one of my favorite parts before. The story focuses more on a civilization built by humans/hepers, so while there are a ton of fast-paced action scenes that are full of suspense, and while there are plenty of weird snippets that might make your skin crawl, we know that Gene is (at least mostly) safe throughout the book. The vampires are the real danger, the enemy here, and with only three short scenes that involve them, the action falls a little flat. There's still a lot of suspense, but it's not in the same vein as the first book.

I was a little disappointed in where the plot went, even though I knew the direction it would take, considering the genre. There was a part of me that stupidly wished Gene would just go east and follow the original plan. Of course, the genre makes it impossible for that to happen, and I can already guess the events of the last book. I also wasn't very shocked by any of the twists (actually having predicted
SpoilerGene's dad was the scientist right away in the first book
), which took a little of the fun away.

However, I approved of the world building in this book! It was the biggest piece that was lacking from its predecessor, and I was glad it showed up here. I felt like a lot of my questions from the last book were answered in this one: we know how the outbreak started, how many people it affected, how long it's been since vampires took over, how humans have been surviving. Again, I really enjoy the overall concept of the vampires and their purpose in this book, because it feels so unique compared to other, stereotypical vampire novels. And if nothing else, the prose of these books make them easy to devour and enjoy.

beckylej's review against another edition

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5.0

When we left Gene, Sissy, and the other survivors, they'd made their way to a boat and were trekking up the river in hopes of eluding the ravenous vampires that were pursuing them. THE PREY picks up right where THE HUNT left off.

After their narrow escape from the Heper Institute, Gene, Sissy, and the others now fight for survival on the river. It's their only hope in remaining safe from the vampires that hunt them. With just a few notes from the Scientist to guide them, they believe the river will take them to safety. What they find at the end is beyond their wildest dreams. A solitary settlement located within the mountains seems almost too good to be true. Food is plentiful and the people within the fortress walls have no fear of the vampires outside. But Sissy and Gene quickly realize that there's something very strange in this little village: there are almost no men or boys and the women live by a strict set of rules set by the Elders in charge. And what of Gene's father, the Scientist? For Gene and Sissy, this longed for salvation may be just as dangerous as the life they've just escaped.

THE HUNT was one of the most original twists on the vampire trend that I've seen in ages. The blend of post apocalyptic/dystopian setting and the last of humanity fighting to survive - with Gene passing himself off as a vampire - made the book a tense and unique read. It's hard to imagine that Fukuda could top that, but he almost does with THE PREY.

The tension and suspense that made The Hunt such a quickly paced read, is still there in THE PREY. Plus there are so many new questions: what's Gene's dad up to? What's up with the settlement? What awaits Gene and the others beyond this newfound village? What's up with Ashley June (who you may recall was left behind at the Institute)? And so much more!

Some of the issues that come up in THE PREY are really dark. It's common in an end of the world setting to see this sort of pessimistic downfall of humanity theme, so I wasn't surprised, but Fukuda's presentation of these issues is still shocking and thoughtful. It's a pretty emotional read, to be totally honest - one that left me breathless with anticipation (cheesy as that sounds) and fearful of the fate of the characters. There is a slight tinge of hopefulness in spite of all that seems so hopeless by the time you get to the end of the book. Overall, THE PREY is an incredible follow up to THE HUNT.

I have to say I am really loving this series. It's a perfect cross over for both teen and adult readers. Beware, readers, there's also a cliffhanger ending here in THE PREY. I think Fukuda must be laughing somewhere imagining all of us ansty as hell to get our hands on the next book!

erika_kate's review against another edition

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5.0

I have so many feelings associated with this book, it is definitely my favorite one in the series. It's more fast paced and action driven than the first book and as a reader you find yourself discovering a whole new world within Andrew Fukuda's dystopian one. You find that there is a massive conspiracy beneath everything and start to peace all the puzzles together.

lpcoolgirl's review against another edition

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5.0

What a great book! Loved it, couldn't wait to read it, and can't wait for the last book!

okramsey's review against another edition

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5.0

This was an AMAZING series! My first reaction to the Hunt (first in the trilogy) was "hooray! The real vampires are back!" They don't gently suck blood from their victims or befriend humans...they rip them apart. The descriptions of characters who are in the sun too long are wonderful...I can almost see and smell them. But the plot twists! I really did not see most of them coming and they were so original. I could rave about this series for a long time but I hate spoilers.....This series needs to jump to the top of your vampire,horror list.

brokebybooks's review against another edition

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2.0

I won a copy of both books, The Hunt and The Prey through a giveaway on The Reading Date.

CW: Rape, Abuse

Sadly, this book did not live up to The Hunt. It wasn't horrific, suspenseful, or tense. It wasn't unique and fell back on the standard world building. The characters are now so-so at best. It sunk to bringing another insta-love romance was forced and created a love triangle to exceed the YA trope and trends quota. What really dragged the book down and made these factors worse was just how long they spend in The Refuge. It's pointless. Cutting it short would've solved or at least helped rather than making it feel stretched so far it broke with a contrived plot and stupid characters running around like headless chickens.

I'll be continuing to finish the series off but man, this book really suffers from the latest YA schticks and suffers from middle book syndrome. I'm hopeful but resigned to The Trap. **Crosses fingers**

-Sissy is ridiculously good with the daggers. Like unbelievably, Mary Sue-ish.
Spoiler Her 180 about leaving? Pissed me off when it happened. Should've just caught them while in The Village or when they didn't have a chance but to go back so they didn't have to have that stupid moment. Same with Gene. Felt like it had to happen to force the bond between the two and make the surprise appearances shocking.


-Gene...**sigh** Did you have to go all brooding emo romance interest? I liked you better has a fake vamp. And your brain worked better then too. At least you have Sissy to save the day for you.

-The Boys: Dear fucking god, what is wrong with you? How do you just brush off all your life experiences and act so dumb? Okay, Ben is young and did stupid shit before, he's exempt. The rest of the lot? Meh. And it's so convenient how shit like Ben's little legs only come up to amp the tension. At one point they're literally dead weight. They feel more like plot devices than people. Oh, and the message about tribalism, and never leaving someone behind.

-Vamps: Still liking them. Their resourceful and a real threat; Their contraptions are pretty cool. I'm wondering what's going on back in their metropolis. Not their fault it was obvious
Spoilerthe main human cast was making it out by the skin of their teeth and being melodramatic. But what is with Ashley June into a vamp? That better have a fucking purpose and not more stupid, useless teen drama. Again, showing up earlier would've helped.

-There wasn't as much tension and suspense as The Hunt. The kids were slow to pick up obvious signs and clues, and it was just a bunch of useless running around. The Village could've been cut short for a tighter, more reasonable book. Staying that long makes it very grating and obvious as an M. Night Shyamalan movie.

-I asked for world building and I got it. Can't say much and it's hard to judge since other issues brought it down. If it just rolled through instead of dragging it out like it was the biggest surprising twist every that the kids are understandably not getting...I mean it's not the worst or stupid. It's just not that...unique or special. Building it up to be something it's not, just makes it come off worse.

-Didn't like the budding new romance. It felt forced with no spark. They're better off friends or siblings. Plus the love triangle. Oh god, come the fuck on! Useless stupid uncompelling shit. And both boys don't fucking get it...
Spoiler One of them “avails themselves to the girls” in the village. These girls are branded prisoners in a breeder farm. They are brainwashed, unable to say no and rewarded for being pregnant. Sounds like fucking rape. Or at the very least, really fucking creepy and skeevy. But the guys argue over it as a jealous act harming their girl, Sissy and don't think the implications through. (pg. 144 and 183 respectively)

Plus, Ashley fucking June!


lubokrah's review against another edition

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2.0

nebudem to zbytočne komentovať... druhá polka bola o niečo , fakt len o mallililililinký kúsok lepšia