JULY 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Prentice Onayemi has an opportunity to capture a variety of characters and situations, and he is up to the task. Descriptions of hallucinogenic-drug-induced sex between a crab and a dolphin and a demigod’s thirst for human blood border on the surreal. The story is set in 2064 in South Africa. Short chapters from the main characters’ points of view soon begin to lay out the plot. Onayemi uses strong accents for his characters but weaves the story’s moods with subtlety. His presentation of the sentient robots can become a little tedious when they’re speaking code, but his flat voice in those sections contrasts appropriately with his otherwise engaging delivery. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
The New York Times Book Review - N. K. Jemisin
Drayden's delivery…is subtly poignant and slap-in-the-face deadpan—perfect for this novel-length thought exercise about what kinds of gods a cynical, self-absorbed postmodern society really deserves. Lots of fun.
Publishers Weekly
04/17/2017
In this genre-bending debut novel, a science fantasy set in 2064, newly awakened demigods and artificial intelligences battle for the fate of South Africa. As a new drug spreads through the population, it unlocks long-hidden abilities and animal affinities, remnants of a mythological time when humans and nature intermingled. While an ancient demigoddess schemes to regain her full powers by causing terror, other people are swept up in the tide of events, including a politician who dreams of embracing his female side as a stage performer, a pop diva, a gay teen in love with his best friend, and an AI collective unsure of its role in the world. Drayden uses numerous perspectives to weave an engaging story that’s populated by a diverse cast and enhanced by fascinating concepts. There’s a lot to take in as the various plot threads interweave and converge toward a surprising climax, but Drayden balances the genre elements skillfully, creating a world where genetic manipulation, sentient robots, and folkloric origin stories can coexist plausibly, if not peacefully. Agent: Jennifer Jackson, Donald Maass Literary. (June)
From the Publisher
Fans of Nnedi Okorafor, Lauren Beukes and Neil Gaiman better add The Prey of Gods to their reading lists! This addicting new novel combines all the best elements of science fiction and fantasy.” — RT Book Reviews (June 2017 Seal of Excellence — Best of the Month)
“This dense and imaginative debut is [...] a book like no other, with a diverse cast that crosses the spectrum of genders and races, and a new idea (or four) in every chapter.” — B&N Sci Fi and Fantasy Blog (The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books of 2017 So Far)
“You’ll need to clear your schedule as soon as you get your hands on a copy of Drayden’s debut novel!...Drayden has certainly made herself an author to watch out for.” — Romantic Times, 4 1/2 stars (Top Pick!)
“Prey of Gods delivers on every promise in beautifully unexpected ways that leave you breathless, a little dizzy, and wanting more...Exquisite, fast-paced, and excellent fun.” — Fran Wilde, award-winning author of Updraft, Cloudbound, and Horizon
“Drayden has knocked it out of the park with this novel. . . . an excellent piece of fiction that is levels above any of the summer reads coming out.” — New York Journal of Books
“Drayden’s delivery of all this is subtly poignant and slap-in-the-face deadpan — perfect for this novel-length thought exercise about what kinds of gods a cynical, self-absorbed postmodern society really deserves. Lots of fun.” — New York Times Book Review
“Thanks to a rip-roaring story and Drayden’s expansive imagination, it all coheres into the most fun you can have in 2017.” — Book Riot (Best Books of 2017)
“Nicky Drayden’s debut novel The Prey of Gods is a surprising cornucopia of genres and characters taking place in a futurist South Africa [...] It’s a little bit surreal, a little bit weird, a lot of fun and wholly impressive.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A fantastic mix of science fiction, horror, fantasy, and humor, The Prey of Gods is a unique novel that defies categorization...Fun and engaging, The Prey of Gods is an unforgettable read.” — Bustle — “13 Science Fiction Books Starring Women For Your Summer Reading List”
“Ancient gods, gene-tech, and gripping action - I love so much about this book.” — Cat Rambo, author of Beasts of Tabat and Neither Here Nor There
“One of the biggest pleasures of this book is the plurality of its voices and story lines, and the way Nicky Drayden skips and weaves between them...It’s a book full of energy and momentum, strange wit and sensitivity. It is a LOT. And it is wonderful.” — Vulture ( The 10 Best Fantasy Books of 2017)
“The Prey of Gods was a very entertaining novel filled with wonderfully imaginative ideas, and it was very competently written...I really enjoyed reading it, and I would definitely recommend it to whoever is looking for a diverse novel full of action and inventive creations.” — Black Girl Nerds
“The Prey of Gods is an ambitious blend of folklore, bioengineering, and science fiction... With luck, readers will remember Drayden’s novel when nomination season rolls around.” — Steven Silver — SFSite
“You may wonder exactly what kind of speculative fiction it is...Trust me: This stuff is good, call it what you will.” — Seattle Times — Notable Book of 2017
“In this debut novel from accomplished short story writer Nicky Drayden, the mythic and the mechanical mesh as smoothly as servo gears in a security droid. That’s due largely to Drayden’s understanding of the creatures that occupy the space between those two: human beings.” — Austin Chronicle
Fran Wilde
Prey of Gods delivers on every promise in beautifully unexpected ways that leave you breathless, a little dizzy, and wanting more...Exquisite, fast-paced, and excellent fun.
RT Book Reviews (June 2017 Seal of Excellence — Best of the Month)
Fans of Nnedi Okorafor, Lauren Beukes and Neil Gaiman better add The Prey of Gods to their reading lists! This addicting new novel combines all the best elements of science fiction and fantasy.
B&N Sci Fi and Fantasy Blog (The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books of 2017 So Far)
This dense and imaginative debut is [...] a book like no other, with a diverse cast that crosses the spectrum of genders and races, and a new idea (or four) in every chapter.
New York Journal of Books
Drayden has knocked it out of the park with this novel. . . . an excellent piece of fiction that is levels above any of the summer reads coming out.
Bustle — “13 Science Fiction Books Starring Women For Your Summer Reading List”
A fantastic mix of science fiction, horror, fantasy, and humor, The Prey of Gods is a unique novel that defies categorization...Fun and engaging, The Prey of Gods is an unforgettable read.”
Cat Rambo
Ancient gods, gene-tech, and gripping action - I love so much about this book.
New York Times Book Review
Drayden’s delivery of all this is subtly poignant and slap-in-the-face deadpan — perfect for this novel-length thought exercise about what kinds of gods a cynical, self-absorbed postmodern society really deserves. Lots of fun.
Romantic Times
You’ll need to clear your schedule as soon as you get your hands on a copy of Drayden’s debut novel!...Drayden has certainly made herself an author to watch out for.
Book Riot (Best Books of 2017)
Thanks to a rip-roaring story and Drayden’s expansive imagination, it all coheres into the most fun you can have in 2017.
Austin Chronicle
In this debut novel from accomplished short story writer Nicky Drayden, the mythic and the mechanical mesh as smoothly as servo gears in a security droid. That’s due largely to Drayden’s understanding of the creatures that occupy the space between those two: human beings.
Steven Silver — SFSite
The Prey of Gods is an ambitious blend of folklore, bioengineering, and science fiction... With luck, readers will remember Drayden’s novel when nomination season rolls around.
Black Girl Nerds
The Prey of Gods was a very entertaining novel filled with wonderfully imaginative ideas, and it was very competently written...I really enjoyed reading it, and I would definitely recommend it to whoever is looking for a diverse novel full of action and inventive creations.
Seattle Times — Notable Book of 2017
You may wonder exactly what kind of speculative fiction it is...Trust me: This stuff is good, call it what you will.
Bustle -- “13 Science Fiction Books Starring Women For Your Summer Reading List”
A fantastic mix of science fiction, horror, fantasy, and humor, The Prey of Gods is a unique novel that defies categorization...Fun and engaging, The Prey of Gods is an unforgettable read.”
Steven Silver -- SFSite
The Prey of Gods is an ambitious blend of folklore, bioengineering, and science fiction... With luck, readers will remember Drayden’s novel when nomination season rolls around.
RT Book Reviews (June 2017 Seal of Excellence -- Best of the Month)
Fans of Nnedi Okorafor, Lauren Beukes and Neil Gaiman better add The Prey of Gods to their reading lists! This addicting new novel combines all the best elements of science fiction and fantasy.
Seattle Times -- Notable Book of 2017
You may wonder exactly what kind of speculative fiction it is...Trust me: This stuff is good, call it what you will.
Library Journal
★ 05/15/2017
Once a demigoddess of immense powers, Sydney schemes to return to her rightful place while working in a beauty salon in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. When she hears about a new street drug that produces vivid hallucinations and strange abilities, awakening slumbering godlike powers in humanity, she plots to use it to her advantage. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Muzi and his best friend (and tentative love interest) Elkin also try the drug. As Nomvula, a young Zulu girl in a nearby township, is coming into powers of her own, Muzi, along with a pop star, a cross-dressing politician, and a newly sentient AI, must stop Sydney before her reign of terror can really begin. Drayden's first novel is set in a near future with personal robots, making the magical elements unusual yet effective. VERDICT Fans of Lauren Beukes and N.K. Jemisin will want to check out this winning mashup that mixes genres and moods with gleeful abandon, heralding a fresh new talent. It also has a truly fantastic cover.—MM
JULY 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Prentice Onayemi has an opportunity to capture a variety of characters and situations, and he is up to the task. Descriptions of hallucinogenic-drug-induced sex between a crab and a dolphin and a demigod’s thirst for human blood border on the surreal. The story is set in 2064 in South Africa. Short chapters from the main characters’ points of view soon begin to lay out the plot. Onayemi uses strong accents for his characters but weaves the story’s moods with subtlety. His presentation of the sentient robots can become a little tedious when they’re speaking code, but his flat voice in those sections contrasts appropriately with his otherwise engaging delivery. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
