Sunday, September 28, 2014

Predator Review + #Giveaway




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.

Author Links:  Website | Twitter Facebook | Goodreads


ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE

  4 Winners will be selected

a Rafflecopter giveaway   

Thanks for stopping by,

No comments :

Post a Comment