The Prey of Gods
Paperback | Kindle
By Nicky Drayden
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: June 13, 2017

Bringing a passion unlike many in the field of science fiction, Nicky Drayden makes her debut with an explosive start in The Prey of Gods. There is a sense of world building more common to high fantasy than sci-fi in her expert weaving of this tale. And I have to say that I only barely read any of it. As a matter of fact, I read a mere three chapters and decided that I have to own this book.

There’s a touch of contemporary mixed with a dash of futuristic technology but it all equals out to an amazing start to what will certainly be a wild and crazy ride in a literary format. Seldom am I captured within a chapter by a heretofore unknown scribe, but Drayden goes all in right from the start and just keeps drilling in, hitting you with emotion and persistently forcing you to grow increasing concerned for her characters. Seriously, three chapters and I stopped eating lunch so I could concentrate on this preview I downloaded. Semi-sentient robots mixed with drug addled teens and a government agenda that seems benevolent may not sound that unique but layer in a bit of mythology and you have the makings of a wicked good story.

Go buy The Prey of Gods if you have any need for a fresh new voice that makes you wonder how you managed to get so lucky as to discover her book. Sci-fi with fantasy, theology, and modern thriller concepts interwoven throughout? That is a definite yes in my book any day. And when you do pick this up to read it, do not get too concerned about the circumcision issue. Now go buy this book right now!

In South Africa, the future looks promising. Personal robots are making life easier for the working class. The government is harnessing renewable energy to provide infrastructure for the poor. And in the bustling coastal town of Port Elizabeth, the economy is booming thanks to the genetic engineering industry which has found a welcome home there. Yes””the days to come are looking very good for South Africans. That is, if they can survive the present challenges:

A new hallucinogenic drug sweeping the country . . .

An emerging AI uprising . . .

And an ancient demigoddess hellbent on regaining her former status by preying on the blood and sweat (but mostly blood) of every human she encounters.

It’s up to a young Zulu girl powerful enough to destroy her entire township, a queer teen plagued with the ability to control minds, a pop diva with serious daddy issues, and a politician with even more serious mommy issues to band together to ensure there’s a future left to worry about.

Fun and fantastic, Nicky Drayden takes her brilliance as a short story writer and weaves together an elaborate tale that will capture your heart . . . even as one particular demigoddess threatens to rip it out.