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Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.
Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.
When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?
“One of the most brilliant, original books I’ve read in a very long time. This is the kind of book you’ll want to stay up with all night to finish!” —Richelle Meade, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Vampire Academy series
“A book that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. The Hunt is both terrifying and sublime, with every page evoking that fragile, yet unyielding thing we call humanity.”— Andrea Cremer, New York Times bestselling author of the Nightshade Trilogy
“Chilling, inventive, and utterly unputdownable. Readers, proceed…if you dare. This book will bleed into your nightmares.” —Becca Fitzpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of Hush, Hush
“In this terrifying and inventive adventure, Fukuda turns the vampire novel inside out…With an exciting premise fueled by an underlying paranoia, fear of discovery, and social claustrophobia, this thriller lives up to its potential while laying groundwork for future books.” –Publishers Weekly
“The story is bona fide creepy, and as it builds to its cliffhanger ending (which delivers quite a good twist), readers will be torn between hoping Gene can maintain the ruse and that he will take on the bloodsuckers already. As revolutions go, this one is well worth keeping on your radar.” – Booklist
“Fukuda takes the feeling of isolation that dominates adolescence and builds a world around it in a novel where the tension rarely slackens. He turns up the violence a notch from THE HUNGER GAMES with language that is as graphic as it is eloquent. Readers will hanker for answers as they'll discover a kindred spirit in Gene, who so eloquently describes the feeling of being an island in the middle of a vast ocean.” –Maximum Shelf
“I was blown away from the first chapter all the way to the end. Fukuda did an excellent job turning the world of vampirism upside down. Wonderful descriptions, great imagination and very tight characters. If you love vampire worlds, then read this book. You will not want to put this one down!” –Night Owl Reviews (Reviewer Top Pick)
“Utterly disturbing, dark, twisted, but incredibly fascinating at the same time. It was a ride like nothing else I’ve read before. Gene was a smart and sharp hero I loved to follow! And the ending was incredible with a cliffhanger that will leave you hanging and wanting more - right now! If you are up for a thrilling ride then go and get The Hunt!” – Bewitched Bookworms
“The Hunt was fast paced and awesome, propelling me forward with each new twist. It was dark, gritty, and intense. Gene was a dynamic character, while the surrounding characters were insanely creepy. They were ruthless, and it was perfect. And the ending? Just right!”— The Passionate Bookworm
“Action-packed, heart-pounding, page-flipping action. I’m thoroughly in love. The Hunt is a riveting, thrilling read — definitely one of my favorite books of 2012 so far. I can’t wait to get my hands on a sequel, even if I have to wait a year for it.” – YA Reads
“This book was hard to put down. I kept thinking about it when I wasn't reading it! I just love this new world Mr. Fukuda created.” –Milk and Cookies
“I loved every minute of The Hunt! I couldn't put it down. It's horrific, terrifying, gruesome, and inspiring. A story of survival, loss, and sacrifice that had me reading late into the night and early into the morning. If you haven't already added The Hunt to your TBR I highly recommend it.”—Paperblog
“An insane adventure sure to have your heart racing.” –Page Turners
“Great book. The Hunt is at once intriguing and frightening. It’s twisted and dark with just enough hope that it kept me on my toes and turning the page. I can’t wait to see what happens in the series because it should be interesting!” –I’m Loving Books
“Andrew Fukuda has given us a vampire version of THE HUNGER GAMES. . . one of the creepiest novels I have ever read. Gene is a beautiful character. Seeing his feelings really made this story for me . . . a must read.” –I Heart YA Books
“I fell in love with this book. I'm just going to say all the huge cliché things right now, because they express my sentiments exactly... ‘I couldn't stop turning the pages,’ ‘I was up reading all night,’ ‘I didn't want the story to end’ and ‘I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THE SEQUEL!’” – Taming the Bookshelf
“Very unique. This book is a standout. Andrew Fukuda has some good and original ideas. This series will only get better with each sequel.” – Poetry to Prose
“The action never stopped! Brilliantly written, the author weaves the story of Gene and his lonely, isolated life, and his desperate fight to blend in that is literally a fight for survival. The book ends with an interesting puzzler, meaning much more to come in the next installment. Highly recommended.” – YA Lit Ramblings
“With a last line that will leave you stunned you will immediately want to hunt down Andrew Fukuda and demand to know what happens next. This book definitely deserves four stars!” –The Book Vortex
“An intense ride and an exciting start to a new series.” – Love YA Lit
“Violent, intense and absolutely captivating. I highly recommend this. I will definitely be reading the sequels!” –Rex Robot Reviews
“One of the best vampire books I’ve ever read! This is a breath of fresh air within the genre…. Definitely makes my best of 2012 so far list. If you’re looking for something fresh to read within the paranormal and dystopian genres, The Hunt is for you.” –Birth of a New Witch
“Fast-paced and exciting...Andrew Fukuda does a wonderful job of blending traditional vampire lore with cool and new ideas. Even if you aren’t a fan of vampire stories, you should give this a try. The Hunt is definitely unique.” – Karin’s Book Nook
“This book was fascinating. . . you’ll want to read Gene’s story.” – This Blonde Reads
“If the Hunger Games were taken over by vampires, this would be the result. A perfect blend of horror and YA fantasy, The Hunt sets a whole new bar for vampire novels. With incredible suspense, drama, ethical dilemmas, and a bit of romance – it’s completely riveting. I loved every minute of this fast-paced, thrill ride. Don’t miss this one.” –SciFiChick.com
“One heck of a rollercoaster ride. So good!” –Good Choice Reading
“A fascinating thriller starring two fabulous protagonists...fast-paced and filled with chilling action. Fans will appreciate joining Gene as he tries to avoid becoming the prey of The Hunt.”—Alternate Worlds
“The Hunt keeps you in your seat and demands you stay there. With the constant threat of heart-pumping danger and imminent death, the characters only grow closer and stronger. Shining like a beacon of humanity in a very dark and scary world, I highly recommend this book.”—Teen Librarian’s Toolbox
“Andrew Fukuda managed to surprise me. I can't wait to see how it continues in the next book.” – Fighting Dreamer
“Fast paced, horrifying and delicious! The Hunt is a brilliant new series…steeped in horror and riddled with tension and fear that left me spent and wanting more. I highly recommend. One of my favorite reads for 2012.” –Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
“The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda was completely out of this world! One of the best novels I’ve had the pleasure to read in a long time.” – The Book Faery
“… the perfect blend of the Hunger Games and vampires, and that ending just begs for a sequel!” –Reading, Writing, Breathing
“A thrilling, nonstop ride that I couldn't set down. The Hunt for sure is my favorite vampire novel this year.” –Tina’s Book Reviews
“This dystopian stands out from the rest. The reader will be thrown into the story from page one and unable to put the book down…one of the best male characters I have had the chance to read about. A refreshing change.” –Live to Read
“Excellent…fantastic and truly top-notch. I highly recommend checking The Hunt out!” –Hippies, Beauty and Books, Oh My!
“Intense, violent, and captivating…Gripping right from the very start…a refreshing approach to the already familiar vampire genre. Readers will instantly be hooked and they’ll devour it no time.” –JeanBookNerd.com
“Fukuda is a master of mental fear and he truly wrote a story that will scare you deep to your core.” –Books and Beyond
Born in Manhattan and raised in Hong Kong, ANDREW FUKUDA currently resides on Long Island, New York. After earning a bachelor's degree in history from Cornell University, Fukuda went on to work as a criminal prosecutor in New York City. He now writes full time.
THERE USED TO be more of us. I’m certain of this. Not enough to fill a sports stadium or even a movie theater, but certainly more than what’s left today. Truth is, I don’t think there’s any of us left. Except me. It’s what happens when you’re a delicacy. When you’re craved. You go extinct.
Eleven years ago, one was discovered in my school. A kindergarten student, on her first day. She was devoured almost immediately. What was she thinking? Maybe the sudden (and it’s always sudden) loneliness at home drove her to school under some misbegotten idea that she’d find companionship. The teacher announced nap time, and the little tyke was left standing alone on the floor clutching her teddy bear as her classmates leaped feetfirst toward the ceiling. At that point, it was over for her. Over. She might as well have taken out her fake fangs and prostrated herself for the inevitable feasting. Her classmates stared down wide-eyed from above: Hello, what have we here? She started to cry, they tell me, bawl her eyes out. The teacher was the first to get to her.
After kindergarten, when you’re free and clear of naps, that’s when you show up at school. Although you can still get caught by surprise. One time, my swimming coach was so enraged by the team’s lethargic performance at a school meet, he forced all of us to take a nap in the changing room. He was only making a point, of course, but that point near did me in. By the way, swimming is fine, but don’t do any other sport if you can help it. Because sweat is a dead giveaway. Sweat is what happens when we get hot; water droplets leak out like a baby drooling. I know, gross. Everyone else remains cool, clean, dry. Me? I’m a leaky faucet. So forget about cross-country, forget about tennis, forget about even competitive chess. But swimming is fine, because it hides the sweat.
That’s just one of the rules. There’re many others, all of them indoctrinated into me by my father from the time I was born. Never smile or laugh or giggle, never cry or get teary-eyed. At all times, carry a bland, stoic expression; the only emotions that ever crack the surface of people’s faces are heper-cravings and romantic-lust, and I am obviously to have nothing to do with either. Never forget to apply butter liberally all over your body when venturing out in the daytime. Because in a world like this, it’s a tough task explaining a sunburn, or even a suntan. So many other rules, enough to fill a notebook, not that I ever felt inclined to write them down. Being caught with a “rulebook” would be just as damning as a sunburn.
Besides, my father reminded me of the rules every day. As the sun was going down, over breakfast, he’d go over a few of the many rules. Like: Don’t make friends; don’t inadvertently fall asleep in class (boring classes and long bus rides were especially dangerous); don’t clear your throat; don’t ace your exams, even though they insult your intelligence; don’t let your good looks get the better of you; no matter how the girls might throw their hearts and bodies at you, never give in to that temptation. Because you must always remember that your looks are a curse, not a blessing. Never forget that. He’d say all this while giving my nails a quick once-over, making sure that they weren’t chipped or scratched. The rules are now so ingrained in me, they’re as unbendable as the rules of nature. I’ve never been tempted to break any of them.
Except one. When I first started taking the horse-drawn school bus, my father forbade me from looking back at him to wave good-bye. Because people never do that. That was a hard rule for me, initially. For the first few nights of school, as I stepped onto the bus, it took everything in me to freeze myself, to not look back and wave good-bye. It was like a reflex, an insuppressible cough. I was just a kid back then, too, which made it doubly hard.
I broke that rule only one time, seven years ago. It was the night after my father staggered into the house, his clothes disheveled as if he’d been in a tussle, his neck punctured. He’d gotten careless, just a momentary lapse, and now he had two clear incisions in his neck. Sweat poured down his face, staining his shirt. You could see he already knew. A frenzied look in his eyes, panic running up his arms as he gripped me tight. “You’re alone now, my son,” he said through clenched teeth, spasms starting to ripple across his chest. Minutes later, when he started to shiver, his face shockingly cold to the touch, he stood up. He rushed out the door into the dawn light. I locked the door as he’d instructed me to do and ran to my room. I stuffed my face into the pillow and screamed and screamed. I knew what he was doing at that very moment: running, as far away from the house before he transformed and the rays of sunlight became like waterfalls of acid burning through his hair, his muscles, his bones, his kidney, lungs, heart.
The next night, as the school bus pulled up in front of my house, steam gushing from the horses’ wide and wet nostrils, I broke the rule. I couldn’t help myself: I turned around as I stepped onto the bus. But by then, it didn’t matter. The driveway was empty in the dark birth of night. My father was not there. Not then or ever again.
My father was right. I became alone that day. We were once a family of four, but that was a long time ago. Then it was just my father and me, and it was enough. I missed my mother and sister, but I was too young to form any real attachments with them. They are vague shapes in my memory. Sometimes, though, even now, I hear the voice of a woman singing and it always catches me off guard. I hear it and I think: Mother had a really pretty voice. My father, though. He missed them terribly. I never saw him cry, not even after we had to burn all the photos and notebooks. But I’d wake up in the middle of the day and find him staring out the unshuttered window, a beam of sunshine plunging down on his heavy face, his broad shoulders shaking.
My father had prepared me to be alone. He knew that day would eventually come, although I think deep down he believed it was he who would be the last one left, not me. He spent years drilling the rules into me so I knew them better than my own self. Even now, as I get ready for school at dusk, that laborious process of washing, filing my nails, shaving my arms and legs (and recently, even a few chest hairs), rubbing ointment (to mask the odor), polishing my fake fangs, I hear his voice in my head, going over the rules.
Like today. Just as I’m slipping on my socks, I hear his voice. The usual warnings: Don’t go to sleepovers; don’t hum or whistle. But then I hear this rule he’d say maybe just once or twice a year. He said it so infrequently, maybe it wasn’t a rule but something else, like a life motto. Never forget who you are. I never knew why my father would say that. Because it’s like saying don’t forget water is wet, the sun is bright, snow is cold. It’s redundant. There’s no way I could ever forget who I am. I’m reminded every moment of every day. Every time I shave my legs or hold in a sneeze or stifle a laugh or pretend to flinch at a slip of stray light, I am reminded of who I am.
A fake person.
Copyright © 2012 by Andrew Fukuda
The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda is the first in a brilliant new series. Fukuda has created a terrifying world in which vampires rule and humans are almost extinct. I consumed this dark tale in a few hours and it quickly became one of my favorite reads for 2012. Gone are the vampires that sparkle! In Fukuda’s dystopian world we hide among these vicious killers. This tale was fast paced, horrifying and delicious! When the tale begins we meet seventeen year old, human protagonist Gene. He is in high school and trying to blend in. He knows the rules, his father taught him well. One slip and he will be devoured. Gene lives in a vampire world, where the day begins at dusk and ends at sunrise. He has been on his own since his father was bitten years ago. He is brilliant, but is careful not to stand out. Everyday is a challenge and only during daylight hours can he be himself. While at school it is announced that the ruler will address the nation. This causes immediate salivating and mass speculation amount the vampire students. The last time the ruler address the nation was ten years ago, when he announced a Heper Hunt. This is a huge event. Several heper’s (humans) are released into the wild, and a select few chosen by lottery get to hunt and devour them. *Gulp* You guessed it, there will be a new Heper Hunt and Gene as well as Ashley a young girl from his school are chosen to participate. Before Gene can even think, he is whisked away and taken along with seven others to the Heper Institute. Here they go through training, attend galas and prepare for the hunt. The tale that unfolds is splendid, steeped in horror and riddled with tension and fear. I was captivated from page one, quoting the book by chapter three and running to the computer to check for book two’s release date by the end. The ending wasn’t really a cliff-hanger but the last sentence just about blew my friggin mind. I absolutely without a doubt loved the human characters. Fukuda does an extraordinary job of giving them depth and believability. The complications that arise from living in a vampire world are astronomical and his attention to all these quirks was quite enthralling. His depiction of this particular species of vampires and their habits was entrancing. The scene where an adolescent vampire gets her first kiss was both creepy and mind-boggling. Fukuda created a complete language for the vampires. The way they expressed emotions and communicated with each other was fascinating. The vampires themselves are incredibly creepy and at times behaved in an animalist way that I found terrifying. The romance that develops is secondary to the tale, but sweet and genuine. I really connected with these characters. Their hopes, fears and desires became mine. We are giving very little detail about how the world came to be populated almost entirely by vampires and quite frankly I didn’t really care. The world Fukuda creates is unique, original and detailed. Parts of it were horrifying and others made me laugh. I found the education on why Heper’s sing absolutely hilarious. His perception of how another species would perceive us was totally amazing. The Heper’s in captivity emulate humanities ability to survive and adapt. The choices Gene and Ashley must face are extraordinary and kept me completely engrossed. I love when a book consumes you, and this one left me spent and wanting more.
33 out of 37 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 29, 2012
I got the sample and I loved it. If you love the Hunger Games and Twilight, you will love The Hunt.
12 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ClaireFrith
Posted May 8, 2012
The Hunt - dubbed the next big thing for fans of Hunger Games. Perhaps it will be, it has had many a 5 star review. For me, however, it is not. After I finished reading, I went onto Goodreads and read some of the 5 star reviews, and some of the 2 star reviews. As it turns out, all the people who posted 2 and 3 star reviews had the exact same problems with the novel as I did.
Vampires dominating a human world. This is not a story about romance, this is a story about survival. But holy smokes, it is ridiculously unrealistic. Now that may sound silly, considering it is a novel about vampires but here is why.
Gene, the main character, has been hiding all his life in among the vampires. He can't sweat, he can't clear his throat, he can't get smelly, he can't even have hair on his body or the vampires will discover he is human. How on earth, would anyone be able to pull that off for 17 odd years of their life? I really think that isn't humanly possible.
Put that aside, I felt there were so many question left unanswered. Are these vampires dead or alive? They must have a heart-beat or they would have noticed Gene's straight away. They must age right? Do they reproduce? Or did I miss all these important points in my skimming of the seemingly boring parts?
Then there are the super weird bits - don't get me wrong, I love to seem how authors portray things differently, but this just seemed even too weird for me. Scratching your wrist instead of laughing? Yeah, maybe. Armpit/Elbow sex? That is just too weird for words. Plus the vampire drool A LOT. Like every other page. That's just gross.
But don't take my word for it. I seem to be part of the minority that just didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. Check it out for yourself, and then let me know your thoughts!
9 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 28, 2012
Well, i got the sample, and it is awrsome! Get the sample from how to survive the hunger games. If you like the hunger games, then this book is perfect.
9 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 3, 2012
I heart it if u liked the hunger games u will love the hunt
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Oh, holy butter, THE HUNT is such a smooth and unputdownable read that I hardly know where to begin with this review. If our world was set in THE HUNT, Andrew Fukuda is like the master of all vampires, and I would gladly crack my neck with excitement because I am absolutely salivating for the next installment! I had said earlier this year that DRINK, SLAY, LOVE was absolute love-at-first-sight, and comparitively THE HUNT rises up to the challenge and proves to be true-love-at-first-bite. Vampires, your comeback is nigh – and I totally LOVE what these authors have done with them!
THE HUNT will immediately suck readers into a world where vampires come out on top in regards to survival of the fittest, and Gene may be the last free-roaming human left - although he cannot exactly announce that to the world. The vampires may love humans, but their love is not strictly in the platonic sense. I cannot imagine how hard it is for Gene to hide his humanity and train himself to be unnoticeable among his predators. Gene is quite the intelligent young man, but he realizes that any misstep means certain and unpleasant death. As a person who tends to wear her emotions on her sleeve, I would probably fail epicly in maintaining a cool façade. I do wonder what exactly Gene expects for his life since it seems that he may have a lonely future ahead of him with no particular desire to stir any trouble. Until he gets selected to join the Hunt and comes into contact with the human captives.
What Andrew Fukuda brings to the table is a strong and cohesive world where night becomes the new day, and all the characters definitely help to create such an interesting dilemma where readers constantly wonder if there are others like Gene who have lived under the radar and also if higher powers DO know about Gene but choose to keep it quiet. Who exactly is the man behind the curtain? Who is vampire, and who is human? Who can be trusted, and who will stake you in the back? THE HUNT deftly buildS up the suspense into a satisfying yet game-changing conclusion that will leave readers anxious to find out where the series will go in Book 2 – and who will prove fit enough to survive.
Deliciously innovative, wholly addictive, and solidly dystopic, fans of LEGEND, The Hunger Games, and DIVERGENT are sure to devour THE HUNT in one sitting, drool to the point of embarrassment, and immediately demand seconds. NOW. Andrew Fukuda has delivered an impressive debut that brings all the tricks to the table, and something tells me that the next installment will be just as well-crafted to perfection.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.EverAfterEsther
Posted May 17, 2012
With a title like "The Hunt" and a description involving the near extinction of all human life as vampires take over the earth, you'd expect an action-packed, wild ride of an adventure when you picked up this book.
But that isn't what you get. I had such high hopes for this book, but it just didn't quite get there. It is, however, a book with a very intriguing background.
Reasons to Read:
1.A story shrouded in mystery:
The Hunt kept me guessing the entire time I was reading it, and I literally had no idea in what direction it would head. It was such a creative world, one that hasn't been overdone in YA yet, that I found most of it to be very unexpected in terms of development and plot. I really like books with good twists and The Hunt has one at the end that I found to be VERY surprising! All of my guesses regarding that character turned out to be wrong, so that was refreshing to read about :) nearly all the characters ended up different than how I expected them to be, and the story didn't involve the events I thought it would...
But that ended up being a great disappointment of mine. The Hunt largely features the build up and background of The Hunt rather than the event itself. I found that disappointing, because it lacked the action I was anticipating. The story was just frustratingly slow and uneventful. And I'm pretty much convinced that all the vampires who meet Gene in real life must be oblivious to not have picked up that he's human (which is even joked about. But seriously).
I wasn't impressed with much of the writing either; it wasn't bad at all, but I found that the writing style combined with Gene's character didn't nail the desperation and emotion that the situation warranted. I mean, Gene's a human constantly surrounded by vampires and he has to hide who he is just to save his life- that's KIND OF a big deal, but he just seemed so casual with it. I know he's used to doing this on a daily basis, but not to the same extent. It just didn't feel real to me.
Lastly, for a book that did do an excellent job of setting the stage for latter books I still felt that most of the world development was lacking. Things are thrown in (like hooking up with their elbows somehow) but they aren't explained. It's just accepted. But I kept wondering if I had misunderstood or misread something because I just didn't get it.
I have to admit though that I think the next books could EASILY redeem this series. I was so disappointed in The Hunt, but I think it's only going to get better from here on out! Fingers crossed.
E-galley received from publisher.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 23, 2012
Get "how to survive the hunger games" and read the gigantic sample of The Hunt at the back...I WANNA READ THIS SO BAD!!!! its hunger games meets Twilight. (Im in sixth grade and i know a good book when i see it)
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Leps1824
Posted July 18, 2012
wish it started a wee bit better however...
So The Hunt. The story itself was engaging and at times peaked my interest. However, those times were in the minority. I struggled to get through this book, which I did not expect going in.
The Hunt is basically about a teenager (Gene), who has to pretend to be one of these "vampire" like things in order to survive. He believes he may be the last human or "Heper" as they call them, remaining on Earth. Gene has to do remarkable things like not show any facial expressions, not sweat, and not laugh in order to fit in. Things I could never dream of not doing. Eventually Gene gets thrown into this "hunt" where the vamp like things are supposed to chase down some Hepers and devour them for national TV. Gene who is a part of the vamp side, has many issues trying to fit in and keep himself concealed before this event. More things happen and Gene is left to decide to survive or help his own kind.
One thing I noticed about the book, that mysteriously annoyed me was how there just weren't exciting characters. By far the characters I was most interested in were "The Hepers" and they were hardly in the book,and when they were, it felt rushed. I had a hard time cheering for Gene or anybody else because they just weren't the type of characters I normally feel anything towards. For books to be successful for me, they need to have at least one character (normally the main one) to either: cheer for, relate to, try and understand, or thoroughly love. I didn't necessarily feel any of that for Gene, and at times cheered against him, based on what he wanted to do. He even disregarded the Hepers as savage like creatures...which didn't make sense to me since he WAS a Heper..I think he was having an identity crisis or something. I know this book is a series so next time around, I'm hoping to meet characters that spark my interest and make me care for the book.
Because of Gene's "situation" there was a lot of built in suspense however. I mean I did feel bad for him at times. (There's no way I could not sweat or laugh in some situations). It was just his way of thinking and his mind frame at times that utterly annoyed me.
I HATE when books put on their covers things like, "The Hunger Games meets Twilight," or other phrases using other popular books. This book does not have that, but it does have eerily similar paths to some other books. The whole concept of "The Hunt" reminded me of a "Hunger Games" for vampires. Of course in reality, it didn't end up anything like it, just the idea kept popping in my head while reading. At one time, I asked my friend, when are the "games" going to start...so it was clearly messing with me.
Thank goodness for the action and the suspense though, without it, I'm not sure I would have made it through the book. This really felt like a "boy book." I say that because it was less romantically inclined, and the characters were very ruthless. I'm sure the hunt would make a great movie, so they probably should of just done that instead, I mean I'd see that movie.
I'm not the most critical person when it comes to reviews, and I wasn't exactly feeling this one, so take that in mind if you decide to pick it up when it comes out in May.
One more note, there is this really weird sexual technique used once or twice in the book,and it REALLY creeped me out. Like creeped out as in, if that's the way we did things I would avoid pretty much all contact with anyone and anything. Ick.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 3, 2012
This is an amazing novel about the challenges of living in a world full of people that could kill you in the blink of an eye. It is full of surprises and will keep you "hungry" for more. A great read. If you like romance, action, adventure, and/or mild violence (not terrible or really all that graphic), then you will love this book! Highly recommended.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 24, 2012
VERY Disappointing, not worth all the hype.
I was told that The Hunt was The Hunger Games with vampires. This sounded perfect for me, loved The Hunger Games, couldn't put it down. And have loved vampire stories since before the whole Twilight mania. I started reading The Hunt on a 2 1/2 hour plane ride. Didn't pick it up again till the plane ride home. It was a way to pass the time, that was all. I couldn't get into the story, couldn't feel any empathy or anything at all for the characters, and at times was bored out of my mind. There were times when I almost hoped the vampires would discover who Gene was, just to end the tedium.
There are so many inconsistencies in this book, it's hard to remember them all. The ones that stand out the most are about water/swimming, vampire lack of names and/or habits, Ashley June being on her own for so long, and the disappearance of Gene's father. Gene describes swimming during phys ed in school. And yet, the vampires chasing the hepers on the boat stay on the shoreline. If they are so strong and fast, why don't they swim to the boat? Instead they impotently chase the boat, never leaving land, till they are forced to leave by the rising sun. Gene starts getting dehydrated because he can't find a water source while hiding in plain site with the vamps. Again, makes no sense. Even if vamps don't drink water, they need it for other things. Washing themselves, washing their clothes, cleaning, cooking food for the hepers, and water for their animals. I only remember horses being specifically mentioned in the book. But horses do need water to live, so where does their water come from? It was clearly just a way to get Gene to the hepers' pond so he could interact with them.
Vampires not having names? Scratching their wrists instead of laughter? Rubbing armpits instead of kissing? Sorry, too bizarre for me. And I usually like bizarre. I can only guess that the author wanted to show the vamps as mostly animal, with no humanity in them. I just couldn't get into it. Ashley June being on her own since she was seven years old? Again, completely unbelievable. Think of a second grade child suddenly thrown into a pit filled with lions and tigers. Gene's father disappearing after being bitten by a vamp, but then turning up years later as "the Scientist". Now he's interesting in saving unknown hepers' lives, but never returns to his son, his only surviving family member, to see if he's okay? Not Father of the Year material.
The ending of the book isn't really an ending, it's an intro to the next book. I will not be waiting breathlessly for its release. I won't be buying it at all. I have no interest in what happens to anyone in this book. It's a cheap rip off of The Hunger Games and current vampire popularity. Actually not so cheap. This book wasn't worth $10, it wasn't worth $1. Don't waste your money.
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Truly_Bookish
Posted May 15, 2012
While I know that unputdownable is not a real word, it pretty much describes The Hunt. This book is compulsively readable from the very first page and never slows down. There are so many things to love about The Hunt, I will mention a few of them here:
World building: In this dystopian future, vampires rule the world and consider themselves people. Humans, or hepers, are a vampire delicacy and are thought to be extinct except for a few that the government keeps in a facility to study. While some of the vampires mannerisms and lifestyle are familiar (sleeping during the day and awake at night, super fast and strong), Fukuda introduces some charcteristics that are completely different from what readers are familiar with and takes the time to really highlight their behavior (drooling and salivating excessively, scratching their wrists instead of laughing, making out by rubbing their elbows into each other’s armpits). These strange behaviors are one of the reasons that this book is so unique.
Well developed characters: Gene is smart and strong but in his need to stay under the radar and blend in with the vamps, he under achieves in school. His real genius is living among the predators without being detected and it is really interesting to see the lengths he goes through to stay safe. While I liked Gene a lot, the most intriguing character is Ashley June, the gorgeous and popular vampire girl at Gene’s school that he has always been attracted to but smart enough to know to stay away from.
The vampires: These vampires are the most vicious I have ever seen, working themselves into a slobbering frenzy at the mere mention of human flesh and blood. Yes guys, they eat flesh too and they attack like crazed animals in the wild. These are the scariest vamps I have ever read about.
The suspense!: I cannot emphasize how much of a nail biting, edge of your seat read this is. I’m a squeamish reader and honestly, I was creeped out, grossed out and yet I could not put The Hunt down because I HAD to know what happened next. Despite my squeamishness, I raced through the book and am so ready for more!
If you like horror, adventure, suspense, tons of action or just highly original and entertaining books, The Hunt is for you. There are some fantastic plot twists and a killer of a cliffhanger ending. I highly recommend it and cannot wait to read the sequel.
Content: Kissing and violence
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 31, 2012
The forest was green and lush, moss grows underpaw. Two mice scuttle in a nearby bush. A finch lands nearby on a low tree branch.
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. Well, this is def an interesting take on vampires, elbow sex, wrist scratching and all. It is so creepy the way the remaining humans (hepers) are treated it gave me goosebumps. There were a few issues I had with the plot (how are vamps made in this world if a bite kills hepers/humans) but they may be resolved in the next book. Issues aside, I couldn't put this book down.
Gene, the main character is a human pretending to be a vampire. I don't see how he could pull it off-no facial hair, no expressions, no smell, no laughing, being able to see perfectly at night, etc. but it did make for some edge of your seat situations.
There is some very unexpected romance, but it just added to the appeal and mystery of what will happen next, and how they will get there.
I enjoyed being in Gene's head, he had a voice that pulled me in, and it was refreshing to read from a male point of view.
This is fully violent, totally consuming, and there are plenty of twists and lots of action that kept me glued from start to surprising finish.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 21, 2012
All in all it was an okay book. Not a big fan of vampires and all. But it sort of seemed like she copied from the Hunger Games with the whole Lottery and hunt. Just my opinion here.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I have to say that this is probably one of the best books I've read about vampires ever. Not that I've read a lot but it takes a lot for me to like a vampire book & this one I loved. First, it's somewhat of a dystopia because society has completely become vampires & humans (or "hepers" as they're referred to in the book) are pretty nearly extinct. Drop in a human boy pretending to be a vampire to survive & the entire premise of this book was like pure candy.
The main character, Gene, whose name we don't actually find out until about half way through the book, is very believable. He grew up with a father, also a human pretending to be a vampire to survive, who drilled into his head all the rules he needed to follow to survive. He follows them so meticulously that he has almost convinced himself in some ways that he IS actually a vampire. Though that's not something he fully realizes until he meets other humans. Then he spirals through conflict between what he's all but been brainwashed to think & feel about "hepers" & remembering who he is - a human.
What absorbed me most was not Gene or even his fascinatingly enigmatic girl friend, Ashley June. No, it was the action sequences that hooked me in & kept me tuned in until the very last page at which point I went, "What? No more?!" Mr. Fukuda is a wordsmith, using words brilliantly to create timing, tempo, & terror in bright flashes like sunlight in the otherwise necessarily dark setting.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys vampire novels, dystopians, or horror in general. While it's not too blood & guts-y as you might expect from this sort of novel, it does have some grisly parts to it. As a horror movie buff they didn't bother me but they may not be for the faint of heart. Otherwise this is a fantastic read & I cannot wait for the continuation!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.book_mouse
Posted June 23, 2012
This unique new vampire book, has an awesome world is full of vampires, who live every night with no reason to hide. Behind the closed doors are the heper(humans) who try to adapt or die. Andrew Fukuda builds a strange vampire world containing the customs, language and eating habits of this world populated by vampires. This dystopian fantasy series is not only heart stopping usual but sets the structure for the next part(s) of this series. I will surely recommend this book to my fantasy reader in the fall.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The Hunt is an awesome start to what I'm sure will be an action-packed and thrilling series.
Our main character Gene was a character that took me awhile to warm up to. I wasn't too sure how I felt about him at first and sometimes he seemed a little too focused on his own self-preservation but considering his circumstances I could understand why he was like that. Gene is the only human or 'heper' in a society of bloodthirsty creatures. He has to take desperate measures to hide what he is and to make sure he never gets found out. This year they have decided to have another Heper Hunt which is basically where some of the people in the society get chosen by way of a lottery to chase after and kill the humans or hepers. Gene by a stroke of bad luck gets chosen to be one of the hunters in the Heper Hunt. The winners of the lottery then get taken to a facility where they will be trained for a few days prior to the hunt. Gene then has to be even more careful as he is then surrounded by the other hunters that will immediately kill him if they find out he's human.
Another person that wins the lottery to be a hunter in the Heper Hunt is a classmate of Gene's, Ashley June. Ashley June and Gene have a somewhat complicated past and more in common then they know. I wasn't sure what to make of Ashley June at first. She's one of the popular girls so she seemed a little annoying to me at first. As the story goes on though you get to see a different side of Ashley June and while I was suspicious of her at first because she seemed sneaky and like she was up to something my attitude toward her changed towards the middle of the book. I started to feel sympathy for her and we also find out that she's hiding a huge secret and when her secret is finally revealed I can honestly say I was so shocked. While I grew to like Ashley June quite a bit I still feel like there's something slightly off about her and I still don't fully trust her yet so I'm interested to see what we find out about her in the future.
This book definitely had my attention right from the start and if I hadn't had school work to do I definitely would have finished this book in one day. The story really sucks you in right from the start and while at first I was a tad confused as to what was going on as it seemed you're kind of just tossed into the story it didn't take long for me to get the gist of what was happening. One thing I will say is this book is definitely not for the squeamish. There are many scenes throughout the book that are described in gory detail so if that is not your thing then I would definitely caution you about reading this book. I found the society that was in this book so fascinating. The way humans have become the prey and these creatures have become the ones ruling everything was a scary but thoroughly gripping idea. This book is mainly an action book and I had no problem with that. While I do love romance and there is a touch of it in this book it was mainly a lot of action scenes which I actually really enjoyed. This book ended on a total cliffhanger so obviously I'm dying to know what happens next and of course I can't wait for the next book.
Final Verdict: The Hunt is a great start to what I'm sure will be an amazing series. I recommend this book especially to people who like male protagonists, action books, or both.
*This review is also posted on my blog and my other social media profiles.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The Hunt isn't your gorgeous, sparkling vampires. Andrew Fukuda has definitely given us a vampire version hunger game with these blood-sucking, flesh-eating vampires. The Hunt is eerie, weird (good weird) and one of the creepiest novels I have ever read. Fukuda has created an unusually weird way of kissing and laughing when it comes to these vampires, it definitely freaks me out. The Hunt is an awesome novel and Fukuda has packed it to the max with action, and I love action. Gene is another reason I love The Hunt. Gene is a beautiful character, I love that The Hunt is told from a guy's POV seeing Gene's feelings really made this story for me. As you can see from all the "loves" in this review, I really enjoyed The Hunt. Andrew Fukuda has written an awesome, creepy story, and these vampires will definitely not have you gushing over them.
Gene is a human pretending to be a vampire in this vampire world, and he's done a good job at keeping himself alive until he's chosen to be one of the few vampires for The Heper Hunt, it becomes almost impossible for him to hide his human identity and not become the main dinner course. This heper hunt has it upside. For the first time since his family died, Gene will meet humans (Hepers) that haven't lived among vampires. Gene will see humans aren't the stupid animals that he been taught his whole life that are just raised to be food for vampires.
Gene will finally get closer to the girl he has been crushing on since middle school, but never would take Ashley June up on any of her advances for fear that she would find out he's human and become her lunch. Fukuda surprised me with Ashley’s character, but I'm still not sure I have figured her out. There are still some things that hasn’t been answered, and I will have wait until the next book to see if I'm right. Ah, love the mystery!
The Hunt is a freakishly awesome, action-packed novel with these fiendish vampires. It definitely rid me of the image of the Twilight vampires. I recommend The Hunt as a must read.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.What a refreshing and original take on a subject that I though had been written to death: Vampires.
I loved our introduction to this new world order through Gene, who doesn't even know his own name at this point. We wonder...why the huge grooming ritual, why the fake front, why all the lessons and training.... And then we find out: Gene is one of the few surviving humans in a world of Vampires and each day fitting in is the difference between life and death. How do you survive in a world where being human (growing facial hair, sweating, needing to drink water and eat fruit) will mean certain extinction. You fake every moment of every day...until you almost forget who you really are.
The pace and syntax of this novel were absolutely perfect. Andrew Fukuda kept me on the edge of my seat and reading long into the night because I simply could not put this one down. Gene is a character that is believable and relatable...although I will admit that I don't feel that I really got to know him completely. But then again...isn't that the point...he could never actually "be" himself.
When Gene is thrown into a situation (The Hunt) where the stakes are raised to the point that he feels that he has almost no chance of survival, when the lack of the most simple needs such as deodorant or a razor mean imminent detection, when he discovers that it may not be so easy to pretend to be other than he is at the detriment of other humans...he then begins a journey of self discovery and growth. He remembers not only what a name is, but that his is Gene. He realizes that it's not so simple as just looking out for himself any longer once he starts to form connections with other humans. He realizes what "Never Forget" really means.
There was one twist near the end of the book which I found to be a bit disappointingly predictable. I kept hoping that Fukuda would find a different way to surprise me and then he delivered at the end of book with something I completely did not see coming...something that left me in goosebumps and dying for the sequel.
I can't recommend The Hunt enough. I'd give it 4.5 Timepieces if I could. It is so much more than just another Vampire book or just another Dystopia. It is fresh and engaging and trust me...you won't want to put this one down until you've read every last word.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.
Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of ...