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haylzno's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
MISS AYANA GRAY
Phenomenal, amazing, adventurous, a wild ride all around. I absolutely LOVED this novel.
I'm not one to binge a larger book like this but I devoured it in no time. Unlike some reviews, I found the pacing to be perfect. I loved the multiPOVs and the jumping timelines. And while each chapter gave you clues here and there that guided you to these plot guesses, nothing was overtly obvious or random. There were plenty of plot twists that had me saying "oh daaayummm!!". And when I tell you my heart BROKE in two when I hit the end of the book - I mean...talk about a cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the second book.
Additionally, I really loved the authors note, which educated the readers on where her inspiration of the characters, creatures, and world building came from. I had just as much fun reading the authors note as I had reading the novel!
This will absolutely be one I reread in the future, especially once Beasts of Ruin comes out!
Phenomenal, amazing, adventurous, a wild ride all around. I absolutely LOVED this novel.
I'm not one to binge a larger book like this but I devoured it in no time. Unlike some reviews, I found the pacing to be perfect. I loved the multiPOVs and the jumping timelines. And while each chapter gave you clues here and there that guided you to these plot guesses, nothing was overtly obvious or random. There were plenty of plot twists that had me saying "oh daaayummm!!". And when I tell you my heart BROKE in two when I hit the end of the book - I mean...talk about a cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the second book.
Additionally, I really loved the authors note, which educated the readers on where her inspiration of the characters, creatures, and world building came from. I had just as much fun reading the authors note as I had reading the novel!
This will absolutely be one I reread in the future, especially once Beasts of Ruin comes out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, and War
trippalli's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Amazing adventure with magic and love and murder and mehem but beauty and family and loyalty. I highly recommend. I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy to be published!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death of parent, and Abandonment
hollyjbyrne's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I really enjoyed this book, the characters were likeable and the plot was good. I didn't see any of the plot twists and was kept on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for the next book in this trilogy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty
thenovelbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Beasts of Prey is a Pan-African fantasy novel that brings you to a world of magic, beasts, warriors, myth, and the heat of the jungle.
When the Night Zoo goes up in flames, Koffi and her mum run away from their indentation at the zoo, if it wasn't for the mythological beast, the Shetani, Ekon, an upcoming warrior would have caught them. Instead Ekon realises Koffi can communicate with the Shetani.
When Ekon comes back empty-handed, his life as a warrior is over. He's determined to save his name by capturing the Shetani, that kills anything in its path. Ekon realises that he'll need Koffi to do this.
Together they must make their way through the terrifying Greater Jungle filled with the unknown.
BoP is a fast paced novel which will draw you into the story. The only thing that annoyed me about this book, was that just as the chapter builds suspense, the next chapter starts and changes characters. Ayana, we NEED the next book now!!!
When the Night Zoo goes up in flames, Koffi and her mum run away from their indentation at the zoo, if it wasn't for the mythological beast, the Shetani, Ekon, an upcoming warrior would have caught them. Instead Ekon realises Koffi can communicate with the Shetani.
When Ekon comes back empty-handed, his life as a warrior is over. He's determined to save his name by capturing the Shetani, that kills anything in its path. Ekon realises that he'll need Koffi to do this.
Together they must make their way through the terrifying Greater Jungle filled with the unknown.
BoP is a fast paced novel which will draw you into the story. The only thing that annoyed me about this book, was that just as the chapter builds suspense, the next chapter starts and changes characters. Ayana, we NEED the next book now!!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death, Drug use, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was… a challenging read for me. I really only liked the last 150 pages or so but by the end I didn’t want it to be over. The way the author wrapped things up left so much up in the air for a possible book two and I just… ugh. For something that was so tough for me to get through I do wanna know what happens. The cause of the murders genuinely surprised me, as did a few other things, which was nice but too much of it wasn’t amazing for it to be a higher star rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Drug abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
tine9625's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a fantastic Pan-African debut fantasy! We start off a little slow, but once the plot gets going, it really gets going! I absolutely loved the world-building in this book, especially after reading all of the author's influences at the end of the book. It was really fascinating, and the world was so lush and fully developed. And the characters! Ekon and Koffi had strong chemistry right off the bat, and I thoroughly enjoyed the way their relationship changed throughout.
Most of the plot follows a typical YA fantasy story, but the world-building and the characters definietley make up for it. I loved this from start fo finish!
Most of the plot follows a typical YA fantasy story, but the world-building and the characters definietley make up for it. I loved this from start fo finish!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Physical abuse and Death of parent
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for an arc of this book!
Koffi doesn't know that her world even still has magic, let alone that she can use it. But when her power is unleashed on the Night Zoo, she is forced to join with a Son of the Six, Ekon, to hunt down the mythical beast the Shetani in order to save her mother and friend from indentured servitude. Little does she know that the Greater Jungle holds more than just deadly creatures...it also holds dangerous secrets.
This book was awesome! I absolutely loved the world building and the magic of Lkossa. I also was so drawn in by the writing style and pacing throughout the book. I thought the characters were well developed and interesting. I especially loved what they were able to learn once they got into the Jungle! So many twists and turns! I was definitely intrigued and kept the pages turning.
I'm excited to read the sequel to this and see what happens next! Great start to the story.
Koffi doesn't know that her world even still has magic, let alone that she can use it. But when her power is unleashed on the Night Zoo, she is forced to join with a Son of the Six, Ekon, to hunt down the mythical beast the Shetani in order to save her mother and friend from indentured servitude. Little does she know that the Greater Jungle holds more than just deadly creatures...it also holds dangerous secrets.
This book was awesome! I absolutely loved the world building and the magic of Lkossa. I also was so drawn in by the writing style and pacing throughout the book. I thought the characters were well developed and interesting. I especially loved what they were able to learn once they got into the Jungle! So many twists and turns! I was definitely intrigued and kept the pages turning.
I'm excited to read the sequel to this and see what happens next! Great start to the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
amivireads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beats of Prey Review 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Was kindly given an arc the arc by @penguinteen
Before I begin the review, I want to say how much black books matter and how much this story will mean to kids that look like me. I wished I had a book like this as a kid.
Beasts of Prey is an amazing start to a new YA fantasy series. The magic system is unique; the characters have so much depth to them and aren't one dimensional.
We follow three characters in this book, Adiah, Koffi, and Ekon. Ekon was the one I felt the most for. It’s rare to see a book deal with anxiety and do it right. But with Ekon it felt so real, it made me feel seen. He cares so much for his loved ones and feels like he needs to prove himself. The way he doesn’t feel like he is enough but continues to try, to push himself. It reminds me a lot of myself. All three of them reminded me of myself, and that is what makes a great story in my eyes.
Another thing that makes a book amazing are the twists, and the ones in this left me speechless. I had so much fun trying to guess and theorize what would happen next. And the ending, the ending left me wanting more. I need book 2!
Was kindly given an arc the arc by @penguinteen
Before I begin the review, I want to say how much black books matter and how much this story will mean to kids that look like me. I wished I had a book like this as a kid.
Beasts of Prey is an amazing start to a new YA fantasy series. The magic system is unique; the characters have so much depth to them and aren't one dimensional.
We follow three characters in this book, Adiah, Koffi, and Ekon. Ekon was the one I felt the most for. It’s rare to see a book deal with anxiety and do it right. But with Ekon it felt so real, it made me feel seen. He cares so much for his loved ones and feels like he needs to prove himself. The way he doesn’t feel like he is enough but continues to try, to push himself. It reminds me a lot of myself. All three of them reminded me of myself, and that is what makes a great story in my eyes.
Another thing that makes a book amazing are the twists, and the ones in this left me speechless. I had so much fun trying to guess and theorize what would happen next. And the ending, the ending left me wanting more. I need book 2!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Drug use, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
sarahmreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I received a copy of this novel as an e-ARC from both NetGalley and Penguin Teen. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Koffi was thrown into the Night Zoo at a young age with her mother, having to pay back the debt of her dead father. Ekon is a warrior in training wanting to follow in his father's footsteps, but now has to prove his worth in a way he never thought possible: hunting down the creature that has tortured his city. The two will have to combine forces to combat a deadly forces and discover things they never thought were possible.
The world-building in this story was phenomenal. There was the main city of Lkossa and the Sons of the Six and the mythology, it was all so beautifully done and weaved throughout the story. I found myself wanting to learn more and more about this world the more I spent in it. I also liked the magic system in this story with the splendor and how it manifests itself. It's something I haven't really seen in recent stories, that has its limits based on the user and what exactly it can do based on the user's emotional state. I can't wait to see more about it in the sequel.
Now in terms of characters, I absolutely loved Ekon! He has OCD and tends to favor things in threes and patterns in threes, and I think it was incorporated pretty well. Its inclusion in the story didn't make Ekon seem any weaker or stronger, but it made him more relatable and a great character to read about. I also related to him a lot when it came to his preferred interest in books and dealing with trauma. I did like Koffi, even though she was too headstrong for my usual liking.
The romance is very slow to start, as the characters don't really meet until about a third of the way through the story, similar to how We Hunt the Flame does it. However, I felt like there could have been some more tense moments between Ekon and Koffi to build the romance up a bit more. It felt a bit rushed, as a result, but I'm hoping that gets adjusted in the sequel and other books.
ALSO that ending absolutely threw me for a loop. My jaw was on the floor for the last few chapters because it was that insane. Things I did not expect but in looking back were built up so well!
Overall, Beasts of Prey is a beautiful, captivating first novel by Ayana Gray and I cannot wait to delve more into her mystical and deadly world.
Koffi was thrown into the Night Zoo at a young age with her mother, having to pay back the debt of her dead father. Ekon is a warrior in training wanting to follow in his father's footsteps, but now has to prove his worth in a way he never thought possible: hunting down the creature that has tortured his city. The two will have to combine forces to combat a deadly forces and discover things they never thought were possible.
The world-building in this story was phenomenal. There was the main city of Lkossa and the Sons of the Six and the mythology, it was all so beautifully done and weaved throughout the story. I found myself wanting to learn more and more about this world the more I spent in it. I also liked the magic system in this story with the splendor and how it manifests itself. It's something I haven't really seen in recent stories, that has its limits based on the user and what exactly it can do based on the user's emotional state. I can't wait to see more about it in the sequel.
Now in terms of characters, I absolutely loved Ekon! He has OCD and tends to favor things in threes and patterns in threes, and I think it was incorporated pretty well. Its inclusion in the story didn't make Ekon seem any weaker or stronger, but it made him more relatable and a great character to read about. I also related to him a lot when it came to his preferred interest in books and dealing with trauma. I did like Koffi, even though she was too headstrong for my usual liking.
The romance is very slow to start, as the characters don't really meet until about a third of the way through the story, similar to how We Hunt the Flame does it. However, I felt like there could have been some more tense moments between Ekon and Koffi to build the romance up a bit more. It felt a bit rushed, as a result, but I'm hoping that gets adjusted in the sequel and other books.
ALSO that ending absolutely threw me for a loop. My jaw was on the floor for the last few chapters because it was that insane. Things I did not expect but in looking back were built up so well!
Overall, Beasts of Prey is a beautiful, captivating first novel by Ayana Gray and I cannot wait to delve more into her mystical and deadly world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail