Thank you to G.P. Putnam and BookishFirst for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Beasts of Prey by Ayana Prey is an amazing #ownvoices African-inspired fantasy that will appeal to fans of The Gilded Ones and Children of Blood and Bone. The story revolves around two black teenagers. Koffi is an indentured servant at the Night Zoo, where she communicates with and cares for the animals. Ekon is a candidate to become a Son of the Six, an elite warrior. They're both stuck in bad situations when they decide to team up to track down the Shetani, a mythical creature, in the dense jungle. Will they succeed in tracking down the elusive beast? Will hunting the beast provide the relief that they're seeking? And what other dangers wait for them in the jungle?
Here is an excerpt from the Prologue:
"Baba says only wicked things happen after midnight, but I know
better.
I hold my breath, relieved the front door doesn’t creak as I
nudge it open and relish the evening breeze on my skin. This late
its scent is distinct, a sharp blend of ozone and pine. I glance over
my shoulder. In the next room, my parents are fast asleep; Mama’s
snores are gentle, my father’s thunderous. It’s easy to envision them,
two brown bodies curled against each other under a threadbare
blanket, both worn out from a hard day’s work in the harvesting
fields. I don’t want to wake them. Perhaps in the repose of their
dreams, their daughter is different, a responsible girl instead of one
who sneaks out. Sometimes, I wish I was that responsible girl. I
hesitate a second longer before slipping into the embrace of night."
Overall, Beasts of Prey is a thrilling YA fantasy read that is inspired by African fantasy and myths. There are some seriously creepy creatures in the book that made me want to stop reading at nighttime, because I didn't want to get nightmares. The author, who is African American, wrote a very interesting afterword that explains from where she got her inspiration and some of the choices she made while writing as someone who is somewhat disconnected from the country or countries of her ancestors. I found this part fascinating. Although I enjoyed the book overall, I did take off one star because the plot felt too straightforward and middle-grade-ish. There were a few surprises near the end, but they were mostly predictable. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, I highly recommend checking out this book when it comes out in September!
Beasts of Prey by Ayana Prey is an amazing #ownvoices African-inspired fantasy that will appeal to fans of The Gilded Ones and Children of Blood and Bone. The story revolves around two black teenagers. Koffi is an indentured servant at the Night Zoo, where she communicates with and cares for the animals. Ekon is a candidate to become a Son of the Six, an elite warrior. They're both stuck in bad situations when they decide to team up to track down the Shetani, a mythical creature, in the dense jungle. Will they succeed in tracking down the elusive beast? Will hunting the beast provide the relief that they're seeking? And what other dangers wait for them in the jungle?
Here is an excerpt from the Prologue:
"Baba says only wicked things happen after midnight, but I know
better.
I hold my breath, relieved the front door doesn’t creak as I
nudge it open and relish the evening breeze on my skin. This late
its scent is distinct, a sharp blend of ozone and pine. I glance over
my shoulder. In the next room, my parents are fast asleep; Mama’s
snores are gentle, my father’s thunderous. It’s easy to envision them,
two brown bodies curled against each other under a threadbare
blanket, both worn out from a hard day’s work in the harvesting
fields. I don’t want to wake them. Perhaps in the repose of their
dreams, their daughter is different, a responsible girl instead of one
who sneaks out. Sometimes, I wish I was that responsible girl. I
hesitate a second longer before slipping into the embrace of night."
Overall, Beasts of Prey is a thrilling YA fantasy read that is inspired by African fantasy and myths. There are some seriously creepy creatures in the book that made me want to stop reading at nighttime, because I didn't want to get nightmares. The author, who is African American, wrote a very interesting afterword that explains from where she got her inspiration and some of the choices she made while writing as someone who is somewhat disconnected from the country or countries of her ancestors. I found this part fascinating. Although I enjoyed the book overall, I did take off one star because the plot felt too straightforward and middle-grade-ish. There were a few surprises near the end, but they were mostly predictable. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, I highly recommend checking out this book when it comes out in September!