Book Review: The Prey (Hunt #2) by Andrew Fukuda (reviewed by teen reviewer Cuyler)

Gene and his friends are on their own. With the deadly yet motherly Sissy, the group has outrun the monsters that seek to devour their sumptuous and fiercely desired Heper flesh and blood. But they are safe for now, sailing down a river where the monsters dare not enter, following the clues and secrets left behind by the Scientist, making their way towards the Promised Land. 

Soon they discover a settlement of Hepers, humans like themselves. A place called the Mission, full of everything they could have ever hoped for as a dying species. Food. Shelter. Protection from the monsters outside its fortressed walls. Finally, they have found their sanctuary. Their refuge. In a world full of creatures that wouldn’t waste a second contemplating on whether to eat you for lunch or not, a place like this is something out of Gene, Sissy, and the boy’s wildest dreams. It seems too good to be true.

Well you know what they say about that…

Soon Gene and Sissy notice strange things within the Mission. Almost no men and very few boys reside inside the Mission’s walls. Most of the girls are pregnant, walking around with waddling, tiny feet and distended bellies. Women abide to a set of strict rules, and are not allowed the same privileges as the others, and the fat, strange rulers of the Mission. But this is the Promise Land. The Land of Milk and Honey. The place the group has risked their lives in searching for. But the Scientist is not here. Not where he said he’d be.

Where is the Scientist? What is the fate of Ashley June? What is really going on behind the walls of the Mission? And who, or what is the Origin?

Gene and Sissy are determined to find out. Even if it kills them.

Oh. My. Word. Uh, PERFECT sequel, party of one? Your table is ready, Mr. Fukuda. I was completely BLOWN away by this book. Not only does Mr. Fukuda thrill you with exhilarating bouts of action and adventure, throw twists and turns at you like there’s no tomorrow, and scare you so hard you jump out of your Heper skin, but he DEMANDS, once again, your attention from cover to cover.

If you read this book, your eyes are not allowed to deviate from its pages. At all. THE PREY is full of so much danger, darkness, uncertainty, and people you love as if you’ve known them your entire life. Its pages are so dark and mysterious, you don’t know what’s going to hit you when you turn the next page. Andrew Fukuda is that good. His language is fresh and lush, and you feel as if you’ve been transported to a dark and terrifying world where you fight alongside Gene and his friends. This man has exceedingly great talents.  And apparently he likes to play with us readers with his exceptional use of cliff hangers. I swear, he’s laughing at all of us behind a desk somewhere.

This is an outstanding follow up to THE HUNT, but is a thrilling tale in its own. They stand alone, shining in their brilliance, yet they go together like peanut butter and fudge. And you don’t separate genius like peanut butter and fudge. You just don’t.

If you read THE HUNT, and loved it, then your expectations of a book that will terrify you, make you cry, and turn pages like there’s no tomorrow will be blown completely sky high. Well done Mr. Fukuda. I will remain impatiently in my corner, rocking myself back and forth as I endure the time I have left to wait for the last installment. May you continue to rock and shock us with your amazing gift of wordsmithing.

The Prey is book #2 in The Hunt series by Andrew Fukuda. Published January 29, 2013 by St. Martin's Press. ISBN: 9781250005113.  Read Cuyler's review of book 1 here.