

I’m super excited to see where the story goes from here, as there’s a moderately sized cliffhanger ending in Beasts of Prey.
#AYANA GRAY BEASTS OF PREY FULL#
Who is deserving of our trust, and what institutions need more scrutiny? As much as this is an epic fantasy full of fun magic and animals, there’s also an exploration of morality and the search for the truth. Beliefs they held all their lives as unshakable truths look suddenly different in new light. Loyalties are tested and each character has to reckon with their own convictions. It makes them unlikely allies, but also provides incentives to betray the only other person who they can rely on while exploring a dangerous and unknown environment. After making a dire choice on the night of his final test to join the Six, the only way Ekon has a chance to join his brother amongst its ranks is by killing the monster believed to be tormenting Lkossa for the last century.

Koffi needs the creature to offer to the owner of the zoo in order to buy freedom for herself and the only remaining family she has left. Though Koffi and Ekon have the same eventual goal, to find the Shetani, their motivations are completely different, and their plans on what to do with it afterwards are at odds. Though if you’re looking for magical beasts of mythological proportions, then never fear, because this book delivers. Instead Beasts of Prey is an adventure story where the heart of the action takes place during a long trek in a strange and dangerous jungle.
#AYANA GRAY BEASTS OF PREY FREE#
Together they plan to hunt down the Shetani and hopefully free themselves from the difficulties of their current circumstances.ĭespite my first impressions, this wasn’t really ‘magic zoo’ focused at all. After almost a hundred years of reported deaths at the hands of the Shetani, a recently disgraced candidate for the elite fighting force the Sons of the Six, Ekon, must team up with Koffi. The jungle is home to many beasts and animals too fearsome for even the Zoo, and none more terrifying than the Shetani. It’s situated in the city of Lkossa, right on the edge of the Greater Jungle. Koffi and her mother are indentured workers at the Night Zoo, which houses and displays all kinds of magical creatures from across Eshōza. Wow this was so fun! Beasts of Prey has been on my radar for a while and I’m very happy to report that it’s exactly as magical and entertaining as I was hoping it would be! Pulling straight from pan-African myth and full of adventure and a lot of heart, I loved every minute spent with this book. ^ "Little Rock author Ayana Gray's 'Beasts of Prey' to become Netflix film".^ "Beasts of Prey: Stong worldbuilding bogged down by a so-so romance".^ "Children's Book Review: Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray.^ "Beasts of Prey- Best Sellers - Books - Oct."A Q&A with "Beasts of Prey" author Ayana Gray".

"Exclusive: Ayana Gray's new YA book trilogy combines 'monsters, mythos, and #BlackGirlMagic' ". ^ a b August 20, Sydney Bucksbaum EDT, 2020 at 10:00 AM.Fantasy Novels Full of Dark, Enchanting Twists". The adaptation will be produced by Clubhouse Pictures and the screenplay will be written by Melody Cooper. In a starred review for the School Library Journal, India Winslow also praised the novel stating that "With its memorable characters, and a lush, expansive world, Gray's debut is an action-packed adventure that will tug at hearts and keep teens glued to the page, yearning for more." Film adaptation Ī few weeks after its publication, it was announced that the novel had been optioned for a film adaptation by Netflix. Lacy Baugher of Culturess praised the novel's setting, writing in her review that " Beasts of Prey is set in a rich, fascinating fantasy world, populated by intriguing people and creatures alike."

Kirkus Reviews, in its starred review, called the book a "dazzling debut." Publishers Weekly praised the author's prose, writing, "Gray's lush, vivid descriptions enliven the twisting narrative, which is steeped in Pan-African mythology." It received positive reviews from critics. The novel became a New York Times Bestseller shortly after publication. After connecting with an agent, they both revised the draft for a year before submitting it to editors where it was eventually purchased by G. She presented the novel to literary agents at #DVPit, a Twitter pitching event. Gray began writing the novel, drawing from various folklores of Africa for most of the beasts in the book, immediately after graduating from the University of Arkansas.
