What a great debut novel. I loved reading about the African mythology and the creatures we got to meet. I can't wait for the next book.

A good read in a genre that is currently trending! After "Shadow and Bone" arrived a lot of fantasy novels for young adults inspired by African mythology. And that is good news.

Ekon and Koffi are strong-willed characters who end up getting what they need - and not necessarily what they thought they wanted. The romance is here but not overwhelming, and the world-building is really interesting.

I liked the way the author used Swahili folklore mixed with creatures of her own invention, and some words based on African dialects. She managed to bring this world to life for readers who have no knowledge of this culture at all, painting its rich diversity and philosophy. And she did it with a very efficient plot, so gripping it won't let you put the book down.

For fans of: Witches Steeped in Gold, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, War Girls, An Ember in the Ashes, Children of Blood and Bone, The Gilded Ones...

PROPER ANXIETY REP FOR THE WIN!!!! There was probably other good things to comment on in this book, fun characters and a proper whimsical world, but all I really cared about was Ekon and, in my opinion, VERY accurate representation of OCD and anxiety! He didn't at any point organise things in the name of ocd!

The one thing this book was missing was violence. Yeah, there was some, but I wanted MORE!! If you say you're bringing giant beasts to life, you GOTTA deliver on the bloodlust!!!

But overall, BRING ON THE SEQUEL!!!

"Sometimes things that seem dangerous are just misunderstood"

Due to family debt Koffi is forced to work as a beastkeeper at the Night Zoo. When the master of the Zoo tries to hurt her mother, Koffi unleashes the power she didn't know she had. Magic supposedly didn't exist anymore in Lkossa.

Ekon wants to join the Sons of the Six and be an elite warrior. During his final rite of passage, a fire interrupts the proceedings and he rushes to investigate. When Koffi saves him from the monster that has been terrorizing their home, the Shetani, he lets her go and gets into trouble. To redeem himself he vows to hunt the Shetani, while Koffi wants to capture and sell it. This is the beginning of a tentative alliance between them.

The awe-inspiring almost poetic vibe of the narrative and its figurative speech color the luscious writing, steeped in rich imaginative mythology. Some sentences are just breathtaking. Descriptions that gift us with the most vivid images and help us 'feel' the action. Emotions are portrayed in such a manner you empathize with the characters.

The story switches between POVs in a continuous flowing manner never halting the story, each one equally captivating. A 3rd POV incites intrigue as to what its connection to the main story is. A story that carries you away in its honesty and with its soul-searching vitality. Many parts are quite smirk-worthy.

Societal inequality is explored in the antithesis between the two protagonists, where one has grown up indentured, the other an orphan but more privileged. Their relationship starts as a battle of wits, whereas they begrudgingly realize they might actually like one another and respect blooms.

It's a bit of a slow burner and there are parts where I wish there was more 'oomph". Some things do not need to be spelled out so much, the rehashing of what just happened again in the minds of the characters. Now when it comes to explaining the magic, fables, etc I love the many details.

This is about redemption, being acknowledged and the importance of freedom. Heartwrenching and sweetly melancholic, this presents a narrative that is comfortable and quietly powerful, colored by surprises, unexpected allies & enemies, unforeseen betrayals. And that jaw-dropping finale makes us impatient for the sequel.

Koffi and Ekon are as different as you can be. Koffi lives with the Night Circus with her mother working off a debt her father accrued, which became theirs after his death. The Night Circus harbors many different animals, each dangerous in their own right and the workers are their handlers. Koffi discovers she has magic after accidentally setting fire to the tent, adding years to hers and her mother's debt, just days before they were due to be free. In exchange for their freedom, Koffi claims she can bring in the most dangerous animal of them all. The Shetani.

Ekon has wanted nothing more than to be like his brother. To be a Son of the Six, but when he fails to do his duty and is stripped of the chance to complete his trial, Ekon becomes morose. In his grief he decides to take matters into his own hands. If he kills the Shetani he'll be welcomed into Son of the Six ranks. He'll be a hero.

Thrown together unexpectedly, Koffi and Ekon agree to help each other in their search for the Shetani, but each is hiding a secret from the other and they both come to find that not everything is the way they thought.

Perfect for fans of the Gilded Ones.

In Koffi's world magic is a myth, something thought to have died out generations ago. Indentured to the Night Zoo to pay off her families debt, she lives in a world of unique and dangerous creatures, but when her family come into danger, she finds herself on a journey into the most dangerous place on the continent on the hunt for a monster to add to her masters collection. Ekon is well on his way to becoming a Son of the Six, elite warriors who protect the city from danger, but his last task ends in disgrace. Knowing the only way back into his masters good graces is to bring him something big, Ekon decides to head into the Greater Jungle in search of the Shotani, a monster who has been murdering citizens for decades, and bring back it's head. Koffi and Ekon may have warring goals, but they are happy to use the other to see them through, that is until they enter the greater jungle and realise that they are more Prey than Predator, and monsters aren't always what they seem.

Koffi and Ekon were both brilliantly developed characters. Each dealing with their own trauma, though having to deal with them in drastically different ways. Thanks to her fathers bad business deals, Koffi has spent her life in indenture to the owner of the Night Zoo, she has known nothing but slavery her whole life and is determined to get her mother and best friend out, even if that means putting herself in danger. Ever since his father was killed by the Shotani, Ekon has always dreamed of following in his footsteps and joining the Sons of the Six. He's spent his whole life with this one goal in mind so, when it comes unceremoniously crashing down in front of him, he is understandably upset. While Ekon is a bit of a cinnamon roll but absolutely lethal with a weapon, Koffi has an inner strength that helps guide her on her journey, and she certainly isn't one to back down from a fight.

There is also a third POV in this book who I can't mention too much because of spoilers, but you should definitely pay attention to her chapters, and Gray uses them effectively as a plot point, as well as to give us a little insight into the history of her world. Beats of Prey graces us with a rather large cast of side characters and all I can say is, take no one for granted, every single character and scene play a part in the telling of this story. There are characters you will love and others that you will hate with a passion, but they all play an important roll and no one is really quite who they seem.

Gray manages to bring us a well developed fantasy world filled with class and religious issues that echo the world we live in today. She doesn't shy away from the big topics, but highlights them a really natural way so you never feel preached too, but you completely understand the message she is trying to get across. Gray's descriptive writing really brings this book together, and I especially loved the scenes in the Greater Jungle, following Koffi and Ekon as they come across some of the magical beasts that live in there, some friendly and others not so much. If there was one thing I thought was a little lacking, it was the magic system. It just wasn't developed enough for me. Even after finishing the book I have little to no idea what is does, how it's used and, although it only really plays a large part in the last section of the book, I would have liked to get a better understanding than I did.

The pacing of the book was just *chefs kiss.* It moves at a fairly fast pace for most of the story, but I especially loved how the author gave us time at the beginning to truly get to know her main characters. We get introduced to them slowly, giving us the ability to understand their motives, empathise with them and makes sure that we follow them on their journey, desperate for them to get their happy ending. One thing I thought was done incredibly well was allowing the characters to overcome and face some big issues they have in their lives in really healthy ways. It's so rare to see this kind of trauma dealt with in this way, it's usually left to fester until it eventually explodes out, usually at the worst possible moment, but Gray gives both Koffi and Ekon the ability to air their grievances, and deal with their trauma in a truly refreshing way.

I think it's safe to say that I loved this book. It's so immersive thanks to Gray's wonderful descriptive writing, and filled to the brim with brilliantly written characters. There are some epic plot twists peppered throughout, and one specific one at the end that had me both gasping out loud. Beasts of Prey is perfect for fans of YA fantasy who love a good fast paced read, but also love a good bit of development to their stories. Now I just need to get my hands on book two!

3.5 stars

For a book that’s supposedly almost 500 pages long in print, it did not read like that at all. I would have thought it was a 300-page book based on how much time it took to read. I was therefore surprised to see the page count, given how quick the book was to read because of the engaging prose and snappy pace that pulled me along.

The bulk of the book was very enjoyable, a jungle adventure full of dangerous monsters and plants that will kill you. I love a dangerous environment and a world of mythological creatures made real, who need to be defeated by remembering the hints left in old stories.

However, the ending felt very predictable, to me, and I didn’t enjoy it as much. It is pretty much a catalogue of the common plot tropes and twists that are being used a lot in YA at the moment. It meant that, beat for beat, I could guess what was going to happen, making it less satisfying.

The big twist in the final section also wasn’t set up at all, just sprung on the reader without hinting laying it out before hand (which would make it feel more satisfying when the final pieces of the reveal makes the hints from the set up click into place.)

It is predominantly told from Ekon and Koffi’s perspectives, but occasionally there are chapters from Adiah’s perspective. It starts with her too. Her story is not entwined with theirs – and is also set in another time. It talks a while to discover who she is, why she’s relevant, and how she’s linked to the main story. I’m not such a big fan of POVs who aren’t obviously linked. Rather than the how this other character being relevant acting as a mystery to draw me in, it acts as a barrier to caring about that character.

Another consequence of Adiah starting the book and then there being a sudden shift to the other two is that it did make it a little difficult for me to get into the start and engage with the leads. I was in too much of a tailspin from the shift, and unable to see what the connection was and what it meant for the setting. (Were we in the same time? No – that took a while to work out. Where we in the same location? Didn’t really work that one out.)

Overall, it’s an interesting and highly readable debut once the book settles in, and clearly establishes expectations for the sequel.

This took me a while to get into, but by about 50 pages in, I was really invested. The folklore aspects are fascinating and I loved the idea of the Great Forest with all of its various dangers. I thought our protagonists were believable and their motivations always felt honest, even if their actions were frustrating at times. I also thought the narrative was paced really well and am very much looking forward to the sequel. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys adventure/quest narratives and folkloric re-tellings.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A fast-paced, gripping fantasy that rightly deserves to be on many best of 2021 lists! Perfect for fans of Roshani Chokshi and Tomi Adeyemi.

4.5 stars
Magically intoxicating and rich in detail, Ayana Gray’s exquisitely crafted, YA Fantasy debut is utterly breathtaking—I simply cannot believe this thrilling and emotionally poignant masterpiece is only her debut!

It follows Koffi, an indentured servant and Ekon, a fallen warrior who join forces to hunt down a dangerously deadly monster that’s been terrorising their city.

But the Greater Jungle is full of more than just monsters, for it’s steeped in wild magic and untold dangers. As the Hunt begins, it quickly becomes unclear whether they are the hunters…or the hunted.

Inspired by Pan African mythology this heartfelt and vividly immersive fantasy was sheer perfection and I loved every second of it.

The world building was incredibly detailed, I especially loved the lore surrounding the creatures in the Night Zoo (where Koffi and her mother are indentured) which was really fascinating. Gray’s beautifully lyrical prose was a veritable feast for the senses and really brought the world of Eshōza to life.

It starts off a little slow but the pace definitely picks up quite quickly after Koffi’s run in with Ekon, that’s when I got truly hooked.

The narrative follows two separate timelines-the first is set in the past (when the world was full of magic) and the second is almost a century later, after the Rupture (a magical earthquake which caused the decline of magic.)

I was a bit confused at first as I didn’t realise there were two timelines but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed it. We also get three POVs: Koffi and Ekon’s from the ‘present’ and Adiah’s from the past (which becomes pretty crucial later in the book.)

The characters were also well crafted and I enjoyed how detailed all three main characters’ backstories were, especially Koffi and Ekon who were my absolute favourites (I was soo emotionally invested in them.)

This is definitely a must read that I recommend to all YA Fantasy lovers—Netflix is also developing a movie adaptation so what are you waiting for, get a copy ASAP!

Thanks to Penguin UK and Netgalley for the e-arc.

This is such an amazing start to a series you will get lost in pretty much as soon as you begin. Taking inspiration from mythology from across Africa, Beasts Of Prey give us a tale that delivers with brilliant and intriguing moments and turns that deliver until the very end of the book and leave you asking yourself, when are we getting more of this, I am kind of sad today, it's finished to be honest.

Taking placely mostly in a jungle full of creatures the Night Zoo couldn't even capture, the journey these characters go on is full of great twists and turns that are quite typical from the genre, however the setting really makes up for it and the characters really challenge themselves throughout the story, which I do feel allows us to really connect with them so much more.

I will point out, I would check out the trigger warnings the author posted on goodreads in the comments, as there are many things in this book that I would want to be warned about before, however this is such a fantastic story and if you feel like you can deal with them I'd highly recommend this fantasy - brilliantly written in a fantastic setting with characters that just work.

And that ending, holy moley, go read.

(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).
#books#booklr#bookblr#beasts of prey

"A hunting party is being assembled."

🐍🐍🐍In this book two characters venture in the Greater Jungle to hunt the beast 🐅🐅🐅

"'You really do argue about everything.' Her frown deepened. 'I do not.' 'You do.' 'I do n-'"

Ekon and Koffi have grumpy x sunshine vibes🌚🌝🌧️☀️ and enemies to allies to... 😏🥲😏

"Sometimes things that seem dangerous are just misunderstood."

But nothing is what it seems to be...😳🐆🐆🐆

"He couldn't really remember when he'd started doing it, the counting, just that it was something he couldn't help. It was impossible to explain, but there was something calming in the habit, a comfort he found in trifecta of it. One-two-three."

I really liked that Ekon has OCD1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣. I appreciate the representation, cuz I haven't seen much OCD rep in books and I can relate🙋🙋🙋

"Nightmares hunt like beasts of prey, vanquishing in the light of the day."

I heard about this book for a long time and I wasn't disappointed 🗡️🗡️🗡️ Also look at this cover 🧑‍🍳💋

"Maybe there's beauty in the scars."

The ending 🤯🤯🤯 I kinda knew what will happen, but still...💀💀💀 Can't wait for second book. 5/5⭐

Thank you NetGalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

Brilliant! An amazing book full of magic, fantasy and the most wonderful word building I have read! You get caught up in the world Ayana Gray has written and I didn’t want to leave!
The story is told in 3 points of view, Adiah, Koffi and Ekon.

We mainly follow Koffi, a young girl who lives at the night zoo with her mother. They are paying off their debts to the owner and have nearly finished when Koffi doesn’t do her job properly and causes the night zoo to burn down. In all the chaos Koffi realises she has used magic which is forbidden in the kingdom.

At the same time Ekon is on his final test to become a warrior when it is interrupted by the fire at the night zoo. A chance meeting of Koffi and Ekon start a chain of events that will test their relationship, and also save the world!

We also have flashbacks of Adiah is also a daraja- but from a time past. She is a crucial part of the story, but no spoilers from me!

I cannot wait for the next book in the series and to find out more!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Koffi, in indentured servant, finds herself trekking through the jungle with disgraced trainee soldier Ekon, she learns more about herself than she could ever have imagined. In a world full of magnificent creatures and awe inspiring magic, their adventure looks set to change everything.

I found the pacing of this book a little strange - the beginning was very slow and could have been significantly cut down. However, about half way through it picks up and I found it hard to put down! The creatures and plants in the jungle made for a really beautiful adventure fantasy!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.