THE PREY by Andrew Fukuda

Hardcover, US, 304 pages 
Published January 29th 2013 by St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 1250005116 (ISBN13: 9781250005113)

Source: Audible

Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥

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 civilization begins to raise more questions than answers. A strict code of behavior 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.

My Thoughts:

THE PREY by Andrew Fukuda was a novel that I highly anticipated reading because it's predecessor, THE HUNT was gruesome and highly addictive.  I truly did not believe that any other book could be so unsettling and twisted, but I was wrong because THE PREY proved vampires are NOT the only thing to fear.

As I returned to this world of carnivorous vampires and remaining humans I am immediately thrust into the chaos that Gene and his tiny group are trying desperately to  overcome. Escaping the vampires was one challenge, now they find themselves on a journey that they have no idea is going to end. Will it lead them to the land the milk and honey? and what will they find there? Believe me when I say that it is not what I expected and if I was disturbed by what they had endured while living among vampires it was nothing compared to the "stepford" girls and mysterious elders of the exiled mountain community they arduously encounter. 

Land of milk and honey? How about land of abuse and lascivious old men? It did not take long before the creepiness of this community made my skin crawl as it's utopian facade faltered  with issues that were too disturbing to ignore.  Yet, I could not stop reading. I wanted to know what this mysterious community was all about and when my suspicions were confirmed and the cold, harsh reality was finally revealed I was still left stunned and speechless. Just when I thought I could not get any more disturbed Andrew Fukuda demonstrated that he could push that envelope a little bit more.

Despite it's disturbing nature THE PREY will pull you in and hold you captive. Yes, It's that good. Fast paced and well written with moments of pulse pounding action and heart break that will leave you swathed in tissue. You will also adore Gene, Sissy and the boys and want them to survive no matter what. This series is a must read for those that don't shy away from horror. It is the perfect mix of Vampires meet THE HUNGER GAMES, and while it sounds corny and oh so wrong you will totally understand and devour this series in one sitting.