The Hunt

April 16, 2012
In this terrifying and inventive adventure, Fukuda (Crossing) turns the vampire novel inside out by featuring a protagonist who’s “only human” in a world where bloodthirsty, nocturnal predators reign supreme. Seventeen-year-old Gene is a “heper,” one of a near-extinct breed of humans, forced to maintain an extensive routine (betraying no emotions, avoiding sweating, shunning friendships, etc.) to blend in with his classmates, who would devour him on the spot if they knew the truth. When he’s chosen by lottery to participate in the last great Heper Hunt, his masquerade and very life are at stake. Only unexpected
allies, like the beautiful Ashley June and the hepers he’ll be hunting, may give him a chance to survive. The word “vampire” is never used, with the novel’s two races presented as an alternative product of parallel evolution in a blend of science fiction and horror. With an exciting premise
fueled by an underlying paranoia, fear of discovery, and social claustrophobia, this thriller lives up to its potential while laying the groundwork for future books. Ages 12–up. Agent: Catherine Drayton, InkWell Management.

April 15, 2012
If the world is full of vampires, how do the humans survive? Gene's a heper: one of the disgusting endangered species that sweats, can't see in the dark and don't have fangs. He's lived this long by disguising himself as a real person, never smiling or laughing or napping where he can be seen; gobbling bloody raw meat with his classmates; showing a stoic, expressionless face at all times. Appearing emotionless is trickier than usual when the nation announces a Heper Hunt. Every citizen of the nation will be entered into a lottery, and a lucky few will be selected to hunt the last remaining hepers to the death. When Gene is selected (of course Gene is selected), he's terrified: Training with the other lottery winners at the Heper Institute, he'll have no opportunity to scrub off the sweat, body hair, plaque and other evidence of his vile human nature. If the vampires realize there is a human among them, he'll be torn to pieces before he can blink. Luckily, Gene seems to have an unlikely ally at the Institute: Ashley June, a classmate of his who has secrets of her own. While the worldbuilding is thin and frequently nonsensical, this grotesque and bloody construction of a vampire world will appeal to readers who've been craving gore over romance with their vampires. Perhaps the sequel will bring the illogical parts together. An attempted twist on The Hunger Games. (Paranormal adventure. 13-15)

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April 1, 2013

Gr 8 Up-The human race is almost extinct, replaced by vampirelike monsters. These so-called "people" have superstrength and speed, quickly perish in sunlight, and constantly crave human, or "heper," blood. There are only a few hepers left in captivity, or so they think. In reality, there is at least one living in plain sight: Gene, who conceals his identity by wearing fake fangs, washing constantly to hide his scent, adopting people mannerisms, and hiding his superior intelligence and inferior strength. He lives on the edge, knowing that the smallest mistake could cause him to be torn to pieces by his classmates. Then a Heper Hunt is announced. A few select people will be chosen by lottery to hunt the last hepers; whoever gets the most blood wins. Unlikely as it seems, Gene is chosen for the hunt and is pulled out of his relatively safe existence. The plot is fast paced and gripping, and readers will find themselves quickly turning pages as Gene learns secrets about the government, his fellow hunters, and the remaining hepers, all while struggling for survival. There are some minor inconsistencies. For example, people supposedly have a limited emotional range; however, this idea is belied by relationships and conversation that seem remarkably similar to human society, with popular cliques in the school and traditional family units. Still, strong writing distinguishes The Hunt from the legions of teen dystopian novels and with both a plot twist and a cliff-hanger at the end, readers will be left salivating for the next installment.-Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2012
Grades 9-12 In an unspecified future, humansor hepers have become a domesticated, endangered species at the hands of a new people who sound a lot like vampires. Gene, possibly the last remaining heper not in captivity, has managed to survive undetected for 17 years by hiding himself in plain sight, living as one of them. Although the actual hunt of the book's title does not take place until the final 50 pages, the game is on from the very beginning, when Gene is randomly selected to take part in a Heper Hunt, a semi-regular event designed to boost the popularity of The Ruler. Without his tools from homesoap to disguise his body odor, razors, and waterGene is constantly at risk of discovery. The story is bona fide creepy, and as it builds to its cliffhanger ending (which delivers quite a good twist), readers will be torn between hoping Gene can maintain the ruse and that he will take on the bloodsuckers already. As revolutions go, this one is well worth keeping on your radar.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)