Predator
Janice Gable Bashman
Genre: Young
Adult Paranormal Romance
Release Date: September 16, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books LLC
ISBN: 978-1939765413
ASIN: B00L77YTRK
Pages: 300
Goodreads Rating: 4.0
My Rating: 3.5
Book Description:
“Predator
is a fast-paced, creepy page-turner! Bashman had me at the opening sentence and
she’s still got me. I want more!”
Nancy
Holder, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Rules
The hunt is
on!
Sixteen-year-old
Bree Sunderland must inject herself with an untested version of her father’s
gene therapy to become a werewolf in order to stop a corrupt group of
mercenaries from creating a team of unstoppable lycanthrope soldiers.
When Bree
went with her scientist father to Ireland, she thought it would be a vacation
to study bog bodies. She never expected to fall in love with a mysterious young
Irishman and certainly never expected to become the kind of monster her father
said only existed in nightmares. Dr. Sunderland discovers that lycanthropy was
not a supernatural curse but rather a genetic mutation. When they return home,
her dad continues his research, but the military wants to turn that research
into a bio weapons program and rogue soldiers want to steal the research to
turn themselves into unstoppable killing machines.
Bree’s
boyfriend Liam surprises her with a visit to the United States, but there are
darker surprises in store for both of them. As evil forces hunt those she
loves, Bree must become an even more dangerous hunter to save them all.
Predator
gives the werewolf legend a couple of new spins by introducing the Benandanti
(an actual folkloric belief that certain families of Italy and Livonia were
werewolves who fought against evil), as well as a modern scientific approach to
mutation and the science of transgenics.
My
Take On The Book:
This is an
interesting story full of science and mystery. A book with a nice mix of real
myths/folklore and realistic science.
When I
first read the synopsis, I was intrigued. I wasn’t sure if I should review it
because I have such a hectic schedule currently so I closed the email. I
usually love books like this and I really wanted to read it, so I found myself
going back to the email multiple times. Obviously, I caved and signed up for
the tour and this review is the result.
The
Great (Pros):
- Story. The story was entirely unique and a completely different approach to shifters. It was interesting in a way that I haven’t seen in a while my closest comparison would be American Werewolf in Paris and even then they are completely different. The only real similarity is the use of science and serums to control the shifts.
- Setting. I absolutely love that this story starts in Ireland. It gives the story that much umph.
- Characters. I really enjoyed most of the characters. The only issue I had with the characters were the random introductions and then you are expected to remember them.
- Folklore. I really really REALLY loved the inclusion of real folklore legends. Not many authors take the time to actually do research on a myth and include them so deeply into their story.
The
Not So Great (Cons):
- Repetition. Repetition drives me bonkers and if this book had a drinking game attached to it, I’d be drunk 3 times over by chapter 20 and well on my way to the hospital by the end of the book. It was the constant use of the word ‘lycanthrope’ that had me, in my roommates words, groaning like I’d just noticed my worst enemy had eaten all my chocolate.
- Execution. I absolutely loved the first 15 chapters or so, then everything seemed to slow too drastically for my taste and I found myself really wanting to skim the chapters to get to the good bits, which did not really come until the very end.
- Length. The book was loooonnnggggg. I love meaty books, they transport you to a magical world for an extended period of time, but coupled with the pace the length seemed too grueling.
- Locations. As I stated in the pro ‘setting’ I loved that the story begins in the bog of Ireland but I genuinely felt like the story would have done better still in Ireland rather than being moved back to the states. We don’t get many out of the US YA books and I would have liked to see the story continue in a place I’ve always wanted to visit.
3.5
Quills/4 Quills
Overall, I enjoyed this book regardless of the
lengthiness and repetition. It was unique and intriguing and a book I would recommend
to most young adult readers. If you enjoy science-y stuff and shifters this is
the perfect book for you. Keep in mind that it is lengthy about 70 something
chapters.
Purchase
Links:
About
The Author
Janice
Gable Bashman is the Bram Stoker nominated author of Wanted Undead or Alive and
Predator. She is managing editor of the The Big Thrill (International Thriller
Writers’ ezine). Janice lives with her family in the Philadelphia area,
where she at work on her next novel. Visit her at janicegablebashman.com.
ENTER
THE GIVEAWAY HERE
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Tour was organized by:
“I received a free copy of the book from the author/publisher for my honest opinion. I was in no way compensated for this review and all opinions are expressly my own”
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