Review: The Hunt

The Hunt

Author: Andrew Fukuda

Summary:

Don’t Sweat.  Don’t Laugh.  Don’t draw attention to yourself.  And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.


Gene is different from everyone else around him.  He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood.  Gene is a human, and he knows the rules.  Keep the truth a secret.  It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood. When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him.  He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

Published 8 May 2012

*

I've just finished this book and I'm an absolute mess. The Hunt. 

It's a novel with everything that its title entails and promises. Fast. Mind-blowing. Action-packed. 

The adrenaline still pumps through my veins, in my blood. Oh, the blood. It's a book with blood, lots and lots of it, and in its pages, blood alone stands for the very core of life-- mortality, humanity and hope. But, fear not, the book gets just about as gory as The Hunger Games.

And oh my, what a terrifying and thrilling ride it was! Prepare to fall in love with the civilized yet harsh dystopian world that Fukuda has crafted, a world where the people are vampires, and what is left of humans is known as hepers-- fresh meat yearned after by all, but a rare and exotic treat eaten almost by none.

In a world that is chillingly similar to ours, Gene is brought up by his father with strict rules of survival. With fake fangs, careful actions and emotions kept in check, Gene disguises himself as a vampire amongst the others. 

Clever details are integrated seamlessly into the tale. The vampires don't smile, they scratch their wrist. The vampires are fearful of nothing but the light. The vampires don't sweat either. And they are fast, as fast as a phantom.

So we watch as Gene slips into his role of an ordinary vampire with meticulous skill. He does what they do, never betraying a slightest tell-tale sign of oddity. He merges into the crowd well enough, but his very existence is at risk when the Heper Hunt arrives.

And what exactly is the Heper Hunt? Seven lucky individuals are selected for this once a decade event, to enjoy a free hunt of a number of hepers. Vampires go crazy at the smell of Heper blood, and everyone wants to be Gene when he is chosen. 

With the world's eyes on him, Gene faces cold danger and brutal surprises at every corner.

Even without that, there's still the ruthlessness of his competitors and a beautiful girl with a secret to hide. 

Lovely, lovely, lovely. 

This book is a delicacy. With a searing plot set in a Promethean world, The Hunt will have you on the edge of your seat, captivating your senses to no bounds.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. You are in the hands of a master.

Source: From St. Martin's Griffin (Publisher) for review purposes

Via Netgalley

xoxo,

Sel