This book was SO MUCH FUN! The world building was absolutely swoon-worthy and the setting was so detailed and well written. I'm a huge fan of mythology-based books and this did not disappoint. I found Beasts of Prey to be very engaging and I could not put it down. And the PLOT TWISTS?? I'm so excited for the sequel.

Great Ya title with lots of magic and fantasy. The author did a great job of building a really fantastic world and I can't wait to see what the next book brings.Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC

I'm DNFing at 48%, unfortunately. Though I will say, I was reading via audio and enjoyed the performances. Each voice suits the narrator very well and I would recommend it!

I am really sad this book didn't turn out to be for me, but I did give it an honest try. I like Koffi and Ekon both, and I could grow to like Adiah, but her POV came so infrequently that her growth arc didn't seem to be in pace with the other two, and her perspective was sometimes jarring and frustrating to read. If I had to choose, Koffi would have been my favorite. I liked her chapters best and enjoyed seeing her growth over the part of the story I did get through!

While I wasn't able to finish this book, it does have potential, and I think it boils down to it just not being for me. It was more slow-paced than I was hoping for, and I was really hoping for the settings to feel more alive to me as places on their own rather than being characterized by the people associated with them, but I do recognize that's a personal preference. I liked the influences present and I would recommend you try if you think this sounds like something you'd enjoy! I was just getting to the point where I was just unexcited to read it, and I want to put my focus on other titles.

I've never read a Pan-African fantasy book and Beasts of Prey was fantastic!

So fun to read and felt truly unique. I loved the mythology and the characters and the pacing was quick! I didn't even realize I was devouring it.

Themes explored were power, identity, and the complexities of human relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this DRC.
Fantastic fantasy set in the Greater Jungle, Koffi, a poor girl with unknown powers and Ekon, soon to be an elite warrior, have their lives turned upside down by the Shetani, a magical beast.
An intense adventure, totally worth the suspense!

#BeastsofPrey #NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

An easy, wonderful read that I enjoyed. Captivating, engaging, and full of suspense, this book is one I can’t wait to recommend my students. With two emotionally flawed characters, and references to African mythology, this is an amazing read!

This was a very different take on fantasy than I have read before. I really enjoyed following the storyline and will definitely seek out the second book in this series. A great read!

Another one I heard amazing things about and they were totally right!

Great world, characters, and story.

I would absolutely recommend this to anyone!

Absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! Black girl magic + multiple Black Main Characters! Yes please!

There is a reason why this book has gotten so popular and received so much attention! There is incredible world building, amazing characters, and engaging writing. While the book starts a little slow, the pace picks up and keeps you interested the whole time.

After trying this one a second time, I've decided it's just not working for me. It isn't poorly written, it's just not keeping my interest enough to have me picking it up. I've gotten over 60% and have found that I just don't care what happens, which is my sign to put it down and pick up something else. I'm confident that this book will be loved by many, and I'm sorry it wasn't me.

I loved the two main characters Koffi and Ekon. Overall, the plot was really fun, and the mythology was amazing. There were a few loose ends that weren't addressed by the end, and I'm hoping those are covered in the next book. Looking forward to reading the next book!

First of all, thank you so much to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book! Reading this and knowing that this was Gray's debut is unbelievable. I felt immediately connected to every character from page 1 and became so invested in each and every one of their storylines. I also adored learning about different cultural aspects of Africa from the religion to little details of the characters' every day lives. This is one of those books that will undoubtedly remind you of why you fell in love with reading and ultimately just give you that perfect escape! With that being said, I only got about 35% through before a friend of mine who also received an ARC notified me about an arachnophobia trigger warning which is something that I personally have to look out for, so I unfortunately had to DNF for now, until my arachnophobia gets better. Having said that, I would absolutely recommend this book 1000 times over and can't wait to eventually finish it!

What a unique, yet disturbing book. I am absolutely here for it and cannot wait to see how the series continues.

This book was everything and more. I know i am late with my review but I had to take a hiatus due to personal reasons but I did very much enjoy this read

This is such a cool world. I loved the world-building here and each of the POVs were so strong. Cannot wait for book 2!

Love the premise for this one and the characters help draw you in. Having said that I put this one down for now. Would be willing to pick it up again when I’m in a different reading frame of mind. 3.5 for what I read. Rounded up to 4

I'd recommend this book for anyone into young adult fantasy and magic. The book felt slow at first but it's because there was a lot of back story, building of the characters and setting up the plot for all the fun twists and turns. I cannot wait for its sequel.
Full review to come on YouTube

Ayana Gray has delivered the next YA trilogy to watch!

Beginning with that gorgeous cover, a riveting plot, and relatable, respectable characters, BEASTS OF PREY is next in a new tradition of harrowing, startling, and wondrous African-inspired YA Fantasy reads!

Joining the ranks of Children of Blood and Bone, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin, Witches Steeped in Gold, and The Gilded Ones, Gray blends magic, atrocity, desperation, and the will to survive into a feast for the senses.

Add this to your shelves immediately!