I've always valued the impact of a first line and the one in Beasts of Prey drew me in immediately. There's a sense of foreboding right from the get go that brilliantly sets up the rest of the story. It really feels like I'm there - the humidity of monsoon season on my skin and soaking in the scents of pine trees. The world that Ayana creates is so vivid - beyond the first line, I was enthralled by the mentions of cloth banners, vendors, and the Bonding. The names felt intimate and the fear (and awe) of power / magic was palpable. It's clear that this dichotomy between fear and awe will be a common theme throughout this story (and series) - will Koffi ultimately embrace her power or fall prey to society's fears of it? The ending of this first chapter left me hanging and I'm anxious to see what happens next.
This is also a minor detail but I LOVE chapter titles and I'm so excited to see that Beasts of Prey has them (or something similar if not every chapter)! Adds so much to the story and I'm excited to see the rest.
This is also a minor detail but I LOVE chapter titles and I'm so excited to see that Beasts of Prey has them (or something similar if not every chapter)! Adds so much to the story and I'm excited to see the rest.