Prey on Paradise – Book Review
by Ann Kelly
As soon as I read the description for this book, I knew I had to read it! I was so grateful to receive a review copy of it, so that I can experience it for myself and tell you about it. It’s a new release that just came out August 4th and it’s also available on Kindle Unlimited if you want to check it out for yourself.
So, let’s drive into what this book is all about with my spoiler-free review.
Ann Kelly’s Prey on Paradise will make you rethink your previous perception of reality TV’s ruthlessness, but this time, it’s quite literal. The novel immerses you in a high-stakes competition on a gorgeous, isolated jungle island from the first page, with sixteen competitors who are certain they are competing for a prize worth millions of dollars.
The guidelines? Outplay, outlast, and outthink. The reality? They are prey, and the predators are old vampires who have spent decades honing their hunting techniques.
I absolutely LOVE vampire books, and this was definitely a fresh take on an old trope. Never have I read a vampire story quite like this one. And I mean that in all the best ways!
From the first chapter, we dive right into the story and a description of the characters. We learn about A.L.I.C.E. and the “Island of Fortune”. We also get bios and backgrounds on each of the contestants.
As a horror fan, I appreciate how Kelly embraces the darker elements of the narrative while introducing intricate plot points and suspenseful tension. Knowing that the ruthless Vampire Conclave, headed by the frightening Lord Volkov, is behind the cameras gives every alliance, betrayal, and secret scheme a whole new significance. The combination of supernatural terror and reality-show politics is expertly done. The island appears both dreadfully alive and inevitably doomed due to the persistent shadow he casts.
One of the best things about the novel is how fast it moves. Kelly is adept at keeping the tension high by alternating the fast-paced, violent hunts with strategic and character-reflective periods. Every one of the skillfully constructed rivals has distinct personalities, histories, and goals. As a result, you find yourself supporting them despite your anxiety about what might occur, which heightens the interest in – and, in certain situations, the sadness of – their stories.
The setting is another important feature. The lush, beautiful, and perilous jungle island is portrayed with such rich sensory detail that it almost appears as a separate character. The contrast between paradise and the brutal reality of the hunt adds a darker irony, intensifying the terror aspects.
This book’s thrilling fusion of survival horror, competition drama, and otherworldly peril will appeal to fans of Survivor, The Hunger Games, or even Predator. Prey on Paradise, however, also offers something unique of its own: a cruel, gloomy game of cat and mouse in which the prey is not conscious that they are participating until it is far too late.
By the time I reached the final few paragraphs, I was holding my breath, torn between wanting to find out who would survive and wanting to keep the suspense going a little while longer. The plot twists are spot-on, Kelly’s writing is razor-sharp, and the ending leaves you both satisfied and wanting more.
Verdict: Horror fans will adore Prey on Paradise, which is a thrilling and dark book. It is completely unstoppable and combines elements of a spooky nightmare and a survival thriller.