Publication date: September 16, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Janice Gable Bashman
“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.
I really like the relationship between Bree and her dad. Even though he can sometimes get engrossed in his work you can still tell he cares about her. It’s not like he completely ignores her. We see different instances of it when she sneaks out or when there is trouble at the Bog. I liked how they had more of normal relationship. She gets frustrated with him but she also loves him very much.
It’s very cool how the story of werewolves is woven into Predator. It’s interesting how everyone doesn’t necessarily think it’s possible but also do not dis the theory either. They are true scientist whose curiosity gets the best of them. If it is a Lycanthrope they are going to prove how it is, if it is not a Lycanthrope they are going to prove how it isn’t. I also like how their is an ancient society that is a part of it too. It gives the Lycanthrope more of an Origin.
The bog bodies are creepy. The whole process of extracting them is creepy. I loved the way the book started and the imagery it immediately puts into your mind. I love the way Predator opens because this kind of beginning helps me really get a feel for how the book is going to go. Even the romance is already established which is nice for this kind of book where the focus is really on the werewolves.
This book is so fast paced and I was trying to figure out the best way to describe. Sometimes I felt like I was missing something but not in a bad way. Bree doesn’t mope like some other ya heroines. She is all action, when she has to leave her boyfriend behind she’s sad but her life keeps going. The story doesn’t stop it keeps moving and I think that constant pace helps build up the suspense.
Since the romance is already established the story is more about the military and werewolf aspects. We do get some really sweet tidbits from Bree and Liam though and I liked how they don’t play games with one another. They seem to have a pretty solid beginning fondation.
I think if you are looking for something fast paced and interested in something a little different in the werewolf department this is a good book. The way things are presented being mixed with Science almost makes them feel like they could really happen. It’s a pretty cool idea. I enjoyed it.
