Ayana Gray is the New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Beasts of Prey trilogy. Her works have been translated into ten languages across five continents and are being adapted for feature film. Originally from Atlanta, she now lives among the rolling hills and rivers of Arkansas.
Praise for Beasts of Prey:
An Instant New York Times Bestseller
An Indie Bestseller
A 2023-2024 South Carolina Book Award Nominee
A 2022-2023 Arkansas Teen Book Award Nominee
A 2022 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year
A 2022 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick
A 2022 Books All Young Georgians Should Read List Pick (GA)
A 2021 Kirkus Best Book
A 2021 New York Public Library Best Book Pick
A 2021 Chicago Public Library Best Book Pick
A 2021 Tor.com Young Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror
Best Book Pick
A 2021 Parade Best YA Book Pick
A 2021 Black Caucus American Library Association Best of the Best
Booklist Pick
An Apple Best Book of the Month Pick – October 2021
An Amazon Best Book of the Month – October 2021
An Indie Next Pick
“Rich and powerful.” —O, The Oprah Magazine
"The hunt for your next YA fantasy book trilogy obsession has
ended." —Entertainment Weekly
“A propulsive mystery mixed with a moving coming-of-age tale and a
touch of romance, Beasts of Prey asks: When we go into the jungle,
who will we be when we come out?” —The New York Times Book
Review
“A new epic fantasy series.” —POPSUGAR
“Step into the lush, magical jungles of your new young-adult
fantasy obsession. . . Much more than just your standard hero’s
journey, Beasts of Prey is a story of courage, friendship, and
community that’s as inspiring as it is exciting.” —Apple Books
Review
★ “This pan-African story, rife with betrayal and narrated
through poetic language that evokes vivid imagery, will ensnare
readers, keeping them engaged with its energetic pace. The
beautiful blend of mythology, romance, and action ends with a hint
at more to come… A dazzling debut.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred
review
★ “Gray's debut is a thrilling series opener with twists and
turns that will delight. Hints about more expansive worldbuilding
to come will entice readers to pick up future volumes in this
must-buy for fantasy enthusiasts.” —Booklist, starred review
★ “With its memorable characters, and a lush, expansive world,
Gray’s debut is an action-packed adventure that will tug at hearts
and keep teens glued to the page, yearning for more. Essential for
all collections.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“Rich in magic and mythos, Beasts of Prey is a feast for all the
senses. Prepare to be transported to Koffi’s world from the first
page and find yourself lost not only in the dark thrill of the hunt
but the poignant beats of emotion at the heart of this story.
Gray’s writing is lyrical, her imagery vivid. I eagerly await
whatever she pens next.” —Renée Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling
author of The Beautiful
“A fast-paced, rip-roaring ride that grabs you by the throat and
never lets you go. A masterpiece of magic.” —Namina Forna, New York
Times bestselling author of The Gilded Ones
“Epic doesn’t begin to encompass the jolting twists, sparkling
mythos, and magical quests that fill the pages of Beasts of Prey.
This is the sort of read that’s beyond transportive; it’s
downright transcending—a tale full of heart and magic, and sure to
ensorcell readers' body, bone, and soul.” —Roshani Chokshi, New
York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Wolves
“In this wildly original debut, Gray marries the lush imaginative
wonder of African mythology with an action-packed tale of two teens
on the opposite ends of fate, figuring out what’s truly worth
fighting for. Swoony, twisty, action-packed, Beasts of Prey is as
epic as it is unforgettable.” —J. Elle, New York Times bestselling
author of Wings of Ebony
"A delight. I rarely fall in love with characters as quickly as I
did with Koffi and Ekon. Gray masterfully balances the wonder and
uncertainty of youth with a deftly, fully imagined world that I was
dying to learn more about." —S. A. Chakraborty, author of the
critically acclaimed and internationally bestselling The
Daevabad Trilogy
"Ayana Gray’s wonder-filled world of mythos and monsters and magic
comes to life in the ensnaring, enchanting Greater Jungle. An
unputdownable tale that unfolds in a maze of twists and turns,
driven by the crackling wit of two protagonists on a quest to
vanquish the beasts of their present and past.” —Amélie Wen Zhao,
author of the Blood Heir trilogy
“A magical, bingeable debut by a phenomenal new voice in YA. Beasts
of Prey is an immersive and heartfelt book with characters whose
personalities seep from the pages. From its beautiful prose to its
rich and vibrant world, this book is your next favorite read.”
—Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of All the Stars
and Teeth
"Steeped in rich worldbuilding and resonating with keenly drawn
emotional depth, Beasts of Prey features masterful twists,
heart-pounding action, and unforgettable characters you will want
to follow to the end of the world and back. I grew lost in this
book from the very first page." —Margaret Rogerson, bestselling
author of Sorcery of Thorns
“Gray’s pan-African fantasy is filled with monsters, mythos, and
Black girl magic. Her characters are well developed, and the plot
is filled with African lore, expanded upon in an extensive author’s
note. Fans of Forna’s The Gilded Ones and Ifueko’s Raybearer will
enjoy this engrossing debut novel.” —The Horn Book
“The protagonists achieve a rich emotional depth complemented by
the fast-paced action, and a light romantic element lends the plot
additional support. . . imaginative debut.” —Publishers
Weekly
“One of the hottest young-adult books . . . It’s a thrill-packed
premise that Gray elevates with crisp prose, surefooted pacing, and
detail-rich worldbuilding. She weaves the markers of daily life,
history, and culture into scenes that crackle, painting her
characters’ existence for her readers as clearly as she depicts
physical action and emotional depth. It’s undeniably powerful
storytelling.” —Book & Film Globe
“A great quest full of blood and betrayal.” —Tor.com
Ask a Question About this Product More... |