Our Take

Ayana Gray's debut novel brings much-needed West African-inspired fantasy to the YA landscape, creating a world rich with magic, mythology, and monsters that feels fresh and fully realized. Beasts of Prey succeeds on multiple levels: as adventure story, as dual-POV romance, and as exploration of power, freedom, and destiny. Koffi and Ekon are both compelling protagonists with distinct voices and motivations that sometimes align and sometimes conflict, creating genuine tension as they navigate the dangerous Greater Jungle while keeping secrets from each other. Gray's world-building draws from East African cultures and mythology without being a direct analog, creating something that feels both grounded and fantastical. The magic system based on spiritual connection to nature and ancestors adds depth, while the Shetani—the ancient monster they hunt—proves far more complex than initial descriptions suggest. The prose is accessible and fast-paced, perfect for readers seeking adventure over introspection, though Gray doesn't shy from exploring themes of indentured servitude, family obligation, and the cost of pursuing one's own path versus meeting others' expectations. The romance develops slowly and naturally, with Koffi and Ekon's growing trust and attraction feeling earned rather than forced. While some plot beats will feel familiar to fantasy readers, Gray executes them with enough freshness and heart to keep pages turning. The book works as a standalone while clearly setting up a larger series, ending at a satisfying stopping point while promising more adventures to come. Readers who loved Tomi Adeyemi's Children of Blood and Bone or Namina Forna's The Gilded Ones will find Beasts of Prey equally captivating. For anyone seeking diverse fantasy with adventure, romance, dangerous magic, and representation that centers Black characters and African-inspired settings, Gray's debut is a thrilling, accomplished start to what promises to be an exciting series.