In the near future South Africa, 'The Prey of Gods' by Nicky Drayden combines demigods, the robot revolution, and a blend of various genres including fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and mythology. The book follows a diverse cast of characters as they navigate through a complex plot involving ancient gods, awakening demigods, and the challenges of a society filled with superpowers, genetic engineering, and robots achieving sentience. Despite some pacing issues and a multitude of POVs, the book offers a unique and imaginative story set in a futuristic South Africa.

Characters:

The characters are notably diverse, each with unique backgrounds and perspectives, adding depth to the narrative and highlighting various identities.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is imaginative, engaging, and often humorous, contributing to a light-hearted engagement despite some darker themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The story features an eclectic mix of futuristic elements, demigods, and AI conflicts, creating a unique narrative that combines different genres and thematic concerns.

Setting:

The setting is a vibrant, futuristic South Africa where advanced technology meets mythological elements, presenting a more optimistic picture of the future.

Pacing:

The pacing fluctuates throughout the novel, with an engaging start but issues in the latter sections where both slowness and rushed moments are noted.

His birth certificate reads Muzikayise McCarthy, but nobody calls him that except his grandfather and anyone looking for a busted lip. Though right now, you could curse his name a million times, and h...

Notes:

The Prey of Gods is set in futuristic South Africa.

It features a blend of science fiction, fantasy, and urban fantasy elements.

The story includes ancient demi goddesses, AI revolts, and hallucinogenic drugs.

The main villain, Sydney, is a demi goddess who feeds off fear.

There are six POV characters from diverse backgrounds and identities.

Two of the POV characters are queer, adding to the representation in the book.

Muzi, a queer teenage boy, struggles with his feelings for his male best friend, Ellkin.

Felicity, a pop singer, discovers she is a trans woman during the story.

The book includes themes of hope, love, and acceptance despite some dark elements.

It received comparisons to the works of Neil Gaiman and Lauren Beukes.

The narrative features a complex political landscape, including a politician who is also a drag queen.

The pacing received mixed reviews, with some readers finding it slow in parts.

There are mentions of disturbing themes, like violence and child abuse, but it is ultimately seen as hopeful.

Readers enjoyed the mix of genres and the originality of the story.

The book addresses heavy themes like faith and identity, but maintains a sense of fun.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes discussions of sensitive topics such as child abuse, violence, and themes that may be distressing for some readers.

Has Romance?

There is a noticeable presence of romance, particularly with queer characters navigating their relationships and identities.

From The Publisher:

Winner of the Compton Crook Award

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.

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The Prey of Gods

Nicky Drayden