Wow! For a debut in particular, this book was exceptional. The world-building was steady and complex, the characters realistic and well-presented, and the plot kept the reader on their toes. I have to make a special mention for the characterisation - there was clear contrast between the motives and perspectives of the two protagonists, yet Gray's portrayal meant I was able to see both sides (and wanted them both to succeed, as impossible as that was!)
At its core, it wasn't the world's most original story, but it didn't need to be with Gray's unique take and top-quality writing. Sure, the pacing was a little slow at the beginning (not helped by the slightly confusing alternative perspectives), but once things were going, they were really going. I'm excited to see what book two has in store, and what more incredible tales Gray has up her sleeve!

Beasts of prey tells the story of Koffi and Ekon in this fantastic new fantasy adventure. The writing is exquisite and from the very first page, I was drawn into this new and exciting world where a creature known as the Shetani was terrorising and killing those who dared enter the greater jungle. There is so much more to this story than meets the eye and as it unfolds the readers get to connect with well-crafted characters, magic, and secrets that have been kept hidden for centuries. I loved the folklore in this story and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I love the plot and the setting and the twists in the story. I loved the authors writing style and voice and easily fell into the story and setting and the world that was created.

Ah my inability to really gel with recent YA fantasy strikes again. This was a perfectly ok book but nothing really wowed me. I found the plot quite linear and the characters a bit thin. Considering the hype around it, I have to conclude it just wasn’t for me. I do like the concept of the night zoo, mind! Would have loved a bit more focus on that.

Such an amazing fantasy tale!

I really liked the plot and the setting. I liked the elite warrior brotherhood parts and the magic world was very folklore. Interesting were the loyalty swifts through the book too and the main characters grew and learned a lot as the story progressed.

I found the timeline confusing at the beginning and couldn’t understand what’s happening and when. But once I placed myself in the story, I enjoyed it immensely!

The plot twists had me sitting on edge and the end left me wanting for more!

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for this eARC of Beasts of Prey.

This novel is a Pan-African retelling which follows a girl who is an indentured servant working for the Night Zoo with dangerous animals, and a boy in the final stages of training to become an elite warrior. When one night a fire at the zoo breaks out, everything changes for both of them.

This has magic, lore, rituals, you name it. The story is well paced and the writing is descriptive enough to keep you turning the pages.
The characters are well built and the narrative of the characters keeps you with them.

This is a good debut novel and the sequel can't come quick enough.

Many thanks to Netgalley/Publisher/Author for an advanced copy of this wonderful YA book.

I have to admit, the first 100 or so pages were hard work (think crescent city hard) as there was so much going on and I didn't pick up the story very well... however after that, I couldn't put it down. This is probably the fastest I have read a NetGalley book and I read this at the start of #fantastyfebruary.

The book was fast-paced, had great characters, and was set in an "alternative Africa" which was incredible.

I loved the jungle setting, the whole "monster hunting" and especially how the book left you wanting more of Adiah's story!

Would definitely recommend this if you are a lover of fast-paced YA fantasy.

Beasts of prey is a fast paced story of family, redemption, magic and growing up. Set in The great Jungle in an alternative Africa the author Ayana Gray, has used her personal knowledge and her imagination to take you a place of fantasy that feels so real. Adiah, a girl who has magical powers but with youthful over-confidence and a lack of world experience. Koffi, tied to a zoo of mythical beasts but wanting to leave to a better life. Ekon, whose only wish is to make his father proud by becoming a member of the Sons of the Six. These three characters lead us through the story. We meet Deities meddling with humanity, humans who are more horrendous than the ferocious and malicious animals and plants that inhabitant the Great Jungle and magic that should be used wisely. Ultimately the choices these three make will affect each other and so many others. This is the first in the series with a sequel coming soon. I read this book as a free e-ARC. My opinion is that this is a must read for anyone who likes fantasy stories, young and older readers alike.

I’m going to split this review into parts as I read through it just because of how big the book is and how much I feel about it. Firstly I’m not going to lie, the first 50% of this book was hard work, I feel it was too drawn out, I’m all on for setting the scene but I would have preferred it to have been shorter. I felt a lot of it was added information, overly descriptive or just words and I had to really really make myself read on hoping for it to get better (there is a lot of hype around this book so I had very high hopes). I found a lot of the time during this the same parts of the story were re told from another character’s perspective…nothing new added…just simply re told again which drove me a little insane after a few times of this happening. Also even though I got to know some things about the characters for 50% of a 500 page book I don’t feel I learnt that much. Can I also add it took a good half of the book to actually get to the jungle…like I would have preferred to get there sooner. The second part when they entered the jungle was much better, there was more adventure, I would have liked more beasts but still the jungle part was really good and there were a lot of twists, turns and overal story. The ending was a big shocker and probably saved the whole book for me, it was really faced paced and I was gripped from them leaving the jungle, it also led nicely to the second book.
Overall the ending did to a degree make up for the beginning, however I do hope the second book is a little more fast paced !!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read the E-ARC in return for an honest review.

Fantastic debut novel from Ayana Gray. It had some fun plot twists, and the characters gelled together. I found some of the book a little slow, then it picked up.
It was a fun read but it didn't wow me, but that's just me as I know others loved it.

This exceeded my expectations by a long way. Once I started reading I found it hard to put the book down. Extremely well paced and full of interesting descriptions which make the story come alive.

The journey of Koffi and Ekon is filled with interesting characters and thrilling moments. The mystery of the Great Jungle and the hardships of the Night Zoo gave this book a range of settings for the reader to fall into. I want to visit the Night Zoo, the Temple and the Great Jungle!

The final chapters were full of suspense and I found it nearly impossible to put the book down.

One thing I wish there was more of was Adiah’s story and background. I loved the way her character was written and could definitely have read an entire story just about her.

I liked the way this book started by giving us enough background on the characters so that we start rooting for them almost immediately. I have not read many books about African mythology and so found this aspect fascinating .The world building and descriptions were beautifully done. Really looking forward to seeing how the series progresses.

This is a book about two teenagers bound together to hunt a legendary monster in the jungle.
For Koffi, it means the end of her indentured servitude at the Night Zoo. For Ekon, it means acceptance into the Sons of Six, the respected and feared guardians of Lkossa.
And for the isolated city of Lkossa, it means the end of a spate of brutal deaths, and the capture of the dreaded Shetani responsible for them.

I loved the world of Eshōza, with the city of Lkossa and the Greater Jungle being the focus of the story. I felt the jungle in particular had its own personality, with various monsters to trip up the main characters on their way to find the Shetani.
Personally, I felt the story really gained steam once they entered the jungle. The events that happen to Ekon and Koffi before they leave the city weren’t quite as gripping, although I felt like they certainly had the potential to be. The characters hadn’t developed as much, and while their motivations were all well founded, I just wasn’t as swept up in their challenges yet. This is where I felt it could have done with a bit more development. The characters’ internal motivations could have done with more exposition. I felt like I needed to really feel for them more, and a lot earlier than I did.
Once they got into the jungle, and were forced to fight the various monsters on offer there, they started to grow more and more as a pair with every interaction.
When they finally meet Badwa, I feel like the story really gets going. The pace picks up and I started to get a lot more invested in the plot. The second half of the book is definitely stronger than the first.
There are a few transition moments that could have been a bit smoother, but I found that entirely forgivable.
The ending was extremely strong — there were several gasp-worthy twists in the final few chapters that upped the ante, a betrayal of trust and a wild prison escape. I can see myself picking up the sequel to see where this story goes, it’s clearly only just beginning for these two! There’s a lot more to cover and I’m now deeply invested in both characters. By the end of the book it felt like they’d both grown, both had had to make tough decisions, and both now have a lot more to offer.
A really solid debut to add to the class of 2022. I look forward to the sequel!

The Shetani, a brutal monster who’s been killing people wandering too close to the Greater Jungle for almost a century, is exactly what Koffi needs to buy her freedom from The Night Zoo where she grew up. Ekon, who has worked his whole life to become a holy warrior as a Son of the Six finds he and Koffi has a common goal in bringing down the Shetani. They team up and enter the infamous jungle, but find things are not quite what they were told. Along their journey Koffi also comes to suspect she may have a hidden power that her family has kept a secret her whole life.

Beasts of Prey ticked so many, if not all, of my boxes for a solid YA Fantasy. We have magical beasts, magical powers and multiple POVs. There is also just the right amount of romance for my personal taste, we get a little taste of it, but it’s not so much that it overpowers the rest of the story. I adored this book and cannot wait to see where this series goes next!

Unfortunately, the book wasn’t for me, I was hoping for just a night zoo creepy book.

I’m not loving ya or middle grade as much as I used to, which sucks. Don’t get me wrong, I still have plenty I love, but these days they really have to stand out for me. And here I thought I was going to be a kid forever!!

A brilliant YA fantasy debut, I really enjoyed this fascinating, intriguing story.

The world-building is rich and interesting, and constructed brilliantly so that unlike many fantasies, the start of the story isn't overly filled with exposition. The world-building happens gradually and organically and I was always keen to keep reading to find out more about this world and its culture and magic.

But most of all I was keen to keep reading because of the characters. Both Ekon and Koffi were charming in their own right, and I really appreciated the double POV to allow us to spend time with each of them, learning their backstories and understanding the experiences that shaped them. Their relationship came across beautifully, a tender and tentative romance in amongst the danger and shifting twists of the plot.

This was the perfect start to a fantasy duology, revealing just enough twists and turns to keep me gripped but leaving with plenty of questions that mean I'll be pre-ordering the sequel ASAP.

Beasts of Prey had so many elements that I loved, some of which I can compare to other books I have read but many others that are truly unique to itself. Overall it is a book that features topics like family, following your own path and having courage that I think are very important. Our two main characters bounced off each other extremely well and I loved how they developed throughout the story, they have their individual demons to work through and they do that extremely well.
There were certainly some twists and turns in this book that kept the reader entertained and the points of view we got between the two timelines in this book really added to that in my opinion. I do have a softspot for fantasy duologies as I feel as often it is the perfect length of time needed to tell a story and do it justice and by the ending of this book I could already tell that this was going to be the case in this one.
The plot and pacing are engaging and I cannot wait to read the next book. I felt imersed in this world and the jungle itself was such a brilliant setting for the book as well as the other settings like the temple and the night zoo. One thing I do wish was that we got a bit more descriptive writing style as I definitely think a more lyrical or detailed style could have really added to the atmosphere., As is though it was good none the less.
If I were to compare this to other books I have read I have a hard time, perhaps the gilded ones crossed with Indiana Jones? The mix of mythology is truly unique and I am so glad that I was able to read this story.

Magical creatures, magic, warriors and an epic fantasy to get stuck into? Recipe for a perfect book! It really was great from the get go and I loved the steady world building that the author introduced us to. Sometimes I can find a fantasy world a bit overwhelming when you’re trying to get to grips with what everything means and the minutiae of the universe it’s set in, but the author got it so right with this one. I loved the universe in Beasts of Prey and it was great to get to know as you went along.

The plot was ace and one that was really easy to sink into. It was so vivid and well written and I loved disappearing into the depths of this book for some escapism.

It was very fast paced and there was always something going on or building up to something to keep you intrigued. It was so entertaining and I honestly couldn’t put it down! It was such a wrench trying to tear myself away from it.

The characters were great too and the split perspectives from the different characters was great to read. Its one of those books where you unsure where it’s going to go and you’re on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what happens!

It was a wonderful rollercoaster of a read and I absolutely loved it!! Towards the end, I was racing through it as things really picked up the pace and came to a crescendo. I didn’t foresee the bombshells or plot twists and turns and wow, after that ending I need more! Brilliant book.

I love books with multiple POVs and this book does it well. The main characters are well developed and the would building is so imaginative, especially the mythology. There is also a small romance subplot.

Although I like the idea of the different timelines, this can be jarring and actually pull me out of the story because occasionally they overlap and you get the same build up to the same moment you just read.

The premise of this book is interesting and has potential. While I wouldn't add it to my "read again" list or continue with the series, I can see that it will resonate with other readers.

The author has given the following trigger warnings:
Physical/Verbal Abuse (Minor)
Blood (Minor)
Bodies/Corpses (On Page)
Bones
Death/Dying (Referenced; On Page)
Drug Use (Referenced; On Page)
Forced Captivity/Kidnapping
Murder (Referenced)
Sexism/Misogyny/Toxic Masculinity
Sexual Content (Mild)
Slavery/Indentured Servitude
Spiders
Violence (Mild)


*Thank you to @netgalley and the publishers @PenguinRandomHouse  for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Beasts of Prey was a fascinating read, and sets up such an intriguing idea.
Our main characters are Koffi and Ekon. Each has reasons to fear the jungle, and I enjoyed learning about their respective stories as they join (somewhat reluctantly) on a quest.
When we first meet Koffi she is dreaming of gaining freedom from the Night Zoo that she and her mother have been forced to work at in order to pay off the debts of her father. Unfortunately, when someone close to Koffi is injured she cannot control her feelings. This gives us our first clue that there’s more to her than she is aware.
On the night she attempts to flee, she is chased by Ekon. Ekon has his own demons. He believes he hears the jungle talk to him. He is convinced he is responsible for the death of his father, so he wants to join the Sons of Six in order to prove his worth. When he sees Koffi appear to control the Shetani, a serpent who has wreaked havoc on their town, he lets her go.
Thus begins an unlikely alliance.
Each has something the other desires, and they find themselves working together to try and capture the Shetani. During their journey they learn a little more about themselves, their powers and exactly who is behind the attacks on the innocent townspeople.
As pieces slot together and we learn about the world these characters inhabit I found myself immersed, desperate to learn the truth. It’s not easy reading, and yet I couldn’t wait to learn the brutal truth. Both characters have their flaws, but there was a real sense of a bigger story taking shape before my eyes. I’m eager for part two, and grateful to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this.

My review for this one is probably going to be short and sweet- for a YA fantasy it ticks a lot of boxes: magical world, young characters, family drama, mythical beasts and secrets.

However, for me, there was something missing. The switching of perspectives was repetitive at times, and because of this the pace was slow.

Great diverse characters who, even equipped with knowledge, maps and a handbook, managed to make some questionable decisions which got them into some unfortunate situations that they shouldn’t have.

Middle of the road for me, but would be ideal for those who enjoyed Children of Blood and Bone.