The Prey of Gods

By: Nicky Drayden

Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi

From a new voice in the tradition of Lauren Beukes, Ian McDonald, and Nnedi Okorafor comes The Prey of Gods, a fantastic, boundary-challenging tale, set in a South African locale both familiar and yet utterly new, which braids elements of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and dark humor.

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.

​I was in Awe

​"The Prey of Gods" is a bizarre story. Set somewhere in South Africa in the high tech world, where robots are taking care of our needs and a trans woman appears as a pop singer. There are also robots and a girl becoming into power. This is an out of the ordinary concept of science fiction.

I wasn't excepting much from this author and to be honest, I thought that the first half was just okay. The second half of the book really surprised me. I was in awe how complicated the plot really was. There was so many social cues being addressed that I needed to listened and pay attention on what was going on. I'm looking for more from this writer.

I was skeptical... but it was great!

After returning a half-a-dozen books in a row, I was SUPER skeptical. But...this was fresh, well-written and original--highly recommended!
Definitely worth a credit if you like modern day fantasy.
It lost one star for a lack of polish at the end of the book--to many threads to bring together perhaps.

A Wonderful Patchwork of Themes

This was a great story blending the rich story telling traditions with African mythology with science fiction and fantasy. If you like a lot of various elements being blended together to tell a good character driven story, you will enjoy this.

Stellar

This story was riveting from beginning to end. A brilliant construction of both characters and world inspires the reader to hang on every word. Sublime in every way. I can't wait for the sequel.

Really really wanted to like it

It never became a story I could get in to. There were interesting characters with intermittent interesting stories.

However the narratives that were most important were strained and overall the story was forced.

I kept trying to enjoy it and find merit- but was sorely disappointed in the end