Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Prey by Andrew Fukuda

                                                                The Prey (The Hunt #2)

* I received a  copy of this book from St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. *

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.


 "We thought we were finally free of them but we were wrong."

The Prey starts out in a rush, never giving you a moment to take a breath or feel safe. Gene and his new-found human friends are immediately in life or death situations. Using all of their brains... and just pure luck to survive one situation, only to land mack in the middle of something equally, if not more, terrifying. An all human camp.

After finishing The Prey, I have to say if I were Gene, I would have preferred to take my chances with the Vampires instead.

The Prey had me questioning things left and right. Just WHAT was it that was making me so uncomfortable with the Human camp? What really happened to Gene's father. How are Gene, Sissy and the boys going to survive this?... Or will they?

With every chapter it was like finding another piece to the puzzle. Andrew Fukuda continues sharing snippets of Gene's childhood through flashbacks, helping readers understand just what he went through and how it molded him into who he is today. We also learn more about Sissy and the boys, though not as much as I would have liked. I feel like the boys are just kinda pushed to the side in the story and I hope they will be more present in book #3 or that we will at least learn more about their role in the story.

The Prey takes a step back from the more weird moments in The Hunt. it becomes more mysterious and sinister and will leave readers yearning for more answers.

The Hunt was centered around the Vampire word, The Prey around what is left of the Human. But just like I did, I think readers are going to find out that just because something looks safe and familiar, doesn't mean something dangerous isn't lurking just beneath the surface.

The Prey didn't thrill me quite as much as The Hunt did. But I did enjoy it as a follow up and loved learning more about the characters and the world. I cannot wait to see what Fukuda does in book #3! More blending of the human and vampire worlds perhaps? After that ending.. I don't know what to expect..

As I told him on Twitter " Sneaky Mr. Fukuda.... sneaky.... "

Rating 4/5


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Shackled by Angela Carling





Shackled  
by Angela Carling

Paperback, 204 pages
Published June 1st 2012 by acacia publishing


After shy, quiet Lucy and her family move from their small hometown in Minnesota to Seattle, Washington, she is surprised when Ryan, the most popular boy at school, asks her out. Soon, she is swept up in a whirlwind romance and her naive and trusting nature allows her to fall head over heels in love with her too-good-to-be-true suitor.
Suddenly, Lucy finds herself enraptured by the excitement of her new relationship, leaving her blinded to the warning signs of danger ahead. Can her fairy tale romance last, or will she find that her prince charming is more like a wolf in  sheep's clothing.

As many of you know, Contemporaries are not something I tend to venture into when it comes to reviewing. However when Angela inquired about me reviewing shackled, and shared information about Respect month, I felt like this was something bigger than just me not liking many contemporaries. 

I am so glad that I did not pass on reading this one. 

Shackled had me duped. Of course, I had read the description, so really.. I should have expected it. But it sucked me in and had me wishing for this couple to work... oh how I take that back. 

Shackled is a wonderful example of how things are not always as they appear. Honest and heartbreaking, Shackled shows how easy it is to let someone control you.. and still believe it's ok. 

I found myself really relating to Lucy and her quiet innocent nature.... so it was easy for me to fall for Ryan. However, unlike Lucy.. I caught on to the warning signs of things NOT being like a fairy tale. 

I got .. enraged. I cried. I shook my head at her stupidity. And imagined myself slapping Ryan and his Dad right in the face. Shackled latched onto my emotions and didn't let go. 

At times.. some of the things that happened felt unbelievable. But then I really thought about it.. and realized just how easy it is for some people to accept these things as just.. part of your life. Shackled is REAL. It's happening everywhere.. and that made my heart break even more as I read this book. 

- Time for some delving into my personal life and being honest: 

I didn't expect for Shackled to effect me as much as it did. But it really made me sit and think. And I realized there were some parts in my own relationship that were .. not OK. ( i'm fine guys- nothing as bad as Lucy ) But it caused me to pause.. and talk. And cry. and start to realize that some things in my life need to change. 

So not only am I HIGHLY recommending this book. I would like to thank Angela Carling for giving me the opportunity to read it, share it with the world, and for making me take a good look at my own relationship and see the cracks. 

Even if you don't think you will personally relate to the story- sometimes that can be hard to take. Shackled shows you warning signs - hidden between the pages of a amazing story- that may allow you to help someone else. 


Here are my thoughts on Goodreads directly after finishing: