Release Day Review: The Prey (Andrew Fukuda)

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.

Hardcover, US, 304 pages
Expected publication: January 29th 2013
Genre: YA/ Dystopian
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Both books are available in Audio Format
Received book from publisher for honest review

Links to Purchase The Prey

Barnes & Noble * Amazon * Indigo * St Martin's Press

Born in Manhattan and raised in Hong Kong, Andrew Fukuda is half-Chinese, half-Japanese. After earning a bachelor's degree in history from Cornell University, Fukuda worked in Manhattan's Chinatown with the immigrant teen community. That experience led to the writing of Crossing, his debut novel that was selected by ALA Booklist as an Editor's Choice, Top Ten First Novel, and Top Ten Crime Novel in 2010. His second novel, The Hunt, the first in a new series, was bought at auction by St. Martin's Press and will be published in May 2012. Before becoming a full time writer, Fukuda was a criminal prosecutor for seven years. He currently resides on Long Island, New York, with his family.

Contact Andrew Fukuda 

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Where do I even begin? If you loved the Hunger Games, Twilight, or just love to read a dystopian book with heart-pounding, non-stop action and suspense then this series IS FOR YOU!!

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would and I would put it in BOLD numbers!!! WOW! This sequel is just intense. There are no other words except INTENSE!!!!!!!!! I started this book and finished it in 3 days.

Andrew Fukuda weaves an breath-taking, suspense filled story that keeps you turning long into the night. I loved everything about this book. It has everything from horror to mystery to a tale of survival and family. The characters are written perfectly in every aspect. Gene and Sissy are both strong, intense, driven characters and I felt as though I was living every moment with them. They have a sense of family and care for their other friends as though their lives depend on it. 

Gene is by far one of my most favorite characters in this novel. He has survived and overcome so much. In The Hunt he lives within a horde of vampires and somehow manages to blend in and survive. He finds Sissy and the others and together they overcome the odds and become free. 

Out of all the scenes in The Prey, my most favorite is when they are on the river. Their vulnerability and survival techniques are fascinating. They manage to live and survive on the boat with each other and each night when the vampires arrive and try their might to reach them, it just makes you cringe. Andrew Fukuda's writing style is incredible. I cringed and felt  emotions as I was reading just as though I were there with them. The horrific way they vampires are described is wild. Their lust and greed for the "hepers" is intense. 

I love how "The Scientist" is still so involved in this story even though he is not living each account with them. He is so involved in this story even though he is not there in person. He gives the group a sense of hope and security and this is what they hang on to that keeps them going and fighting.

In The Prey the group are introduced to a new "experience," I call it an experience because that is exactly what it is...A life experience that the group will have to live through to survive and thrive. The "cult" they come into is filled with so many mysteries and puzzles. As they delve into this new "town" the discover so many more horrors and answers start to come to light. 

I think one of the reasons why I am so drawn to this series is because everything in the story means something. Its a mystery waiting to be solved with little clues introduced along the way. I could not draw myself away from this book...I could not wait to get all the clues and put them together and discover the mystery. Along the way you find out several key pieces that makes everything start to make sense yet keeps you hanging on to learn more. 

Needless to say, this fast paced story is fantastic, incredible, heart-stopping, creepy, and so much more. I cant wait to read the conclusion and to see where and how this story ends. I have a feeling that Gene, Sissy, Epap, Jacob, David, and Ben have a lot more turns and surprises that they have yet to face and I cant wait to live every moment with them......