The Hunt

By: Andrew Fukuda

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Don't Sweat. Don't Laugh. Don't draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can't run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn't hurt him and he doesn't have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It's the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.
When he's chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene's carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He's thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

©2012 Andrew Fukuda (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Runnette does an excellent job of slowly adding layers of emotion and confusion to the character, and his cool delivery of the narration adds to the suspense.” —AudioFile Magazine

“The scenario of Andrew Fukuda's ‘The Hunt' is so wildly fantastic (in a good way) that narrator Sean Runnette delivers just what this story needs: a clear, steady voice.” —The Los Angeles Times

Kept on edge throughout.

This book has kept me on edge from start to finish, the type of edge I feel while watching a close Redskins game, nail biting and all.

Was pretty good!!

I was excited to start this novel, but it did take too long for me to get into the story. The narration was great, though!

Couldn't Stop Listening!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Hunt to be better than the print version?

This book is very addictive. It will keep you on the edge of your seat!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hunt?

When Gene learns that Ashley June is also human.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Gene learns that Ashley June is also human.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were funny moments that made me laugh.

so good

loved it!!! soooooo good!!! I'm so excited to hear and read the next one

This book should be made into a movie

Any movie folks in the business out there? Look into making this exquisite story into a relationship with movie. I LOVED THIS BOOK! I listened to it twice. I thought about the characters throughout my day and looked for opportunities to listen. The author and narrator do a wonderful job of helping the listener to 'see' everything in the intended way. This is not your average teen vampire story. I'm 52 and adore it. It kept me on the edge of my seat!

This had me on my toes from start to finish.

What made the experience of listening to The Hunt the most enjoyable?

This book constantly made me feel tense and nervous. Everything would seem perfectly calm in one moment and then suddenly everything would change the next moment. At first, it felt predictable, but after a while I was going minute by minute, never knowing what to expect.

What other book might you compare The Hunt to and why?

It shares some elements with other dystopian books, especially "The Hunger Games", but all-in-all, it was a pretty unique experience. It was far more thrilling than THG, though they both focus the element of survival.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

At first, I wasn't happy with the narrator, but as the story went on I came to realize that his style fit the main character's moods perfectly. He was a little dull, but when the story picked up he racked up the suspense well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I think my most extreme reactions were the couple of times that I was literally yelling in frustration when there was something very bad happening and it seemed like the characters
weren't thinking things through. That was how much I grew to care about the main character. I was literally talking to him, sympathizing with him and gasping when he makes a new realization.

Any additional comments?

Overall, this was a great story and I can't wait for more.

This was an exceptionally good book!

I really liked this book. It was so interesting to listen to the story from the point of view of someone who was human - but felt like he didn't fit into the world of the 'people'. The people are never referred to as vampires or monsters, instead it is understood that the people are normal - and the main character is the one who is different. The one who has to adapt in order to fit in.

I was surprised by the very ending of the book - so much that I immediately had to see if there was another book by Andrew Fukuda. I grew to care about the characters in the book and wanted to know what happens to them next!

WOW

ive just driven for 13 hours straight. excuse my lack of grammar, but I'm driving still. anyways I finished this entire book in one sitting. I make this drive three times a month. it's such a blessing to find a book that's captivating you can't put down. it ranks up there with mountain man, breeds, hell divers, in times like these, Quincy Harker Demon Hunter, and Peter Meredith's Undead world series. lol Basil Sands nails Jillybeans voice in that. look do yourself a favor and read every one of those series too. in over four hundred titles those are my top favorites. I wish more people would pass on their considered gems in reviews. Anyways, especially give In times like these by Nathan van Coops a try If you like time travel. Dont listen to the haters this book is great from start to finish.

Absorbing

Although at first glance The Hunt just seems to be another teenage dystopia novel which incorporates many elements used by other writers in the genre during the last few years, the writing is excellent and the story keeps you tethered from the beginning to end. Fukuda creates interesting characters in an interesting world that make you care about what happens and hold your attention.

His use of contrast is excellent and helps him create more than just a story. His juxtapositions offer an interesting take on what would otherwise just be another fantastic novel. The world in which his protagonist lives seems so civilized and orderly from the outside, and perhaps it is, until you introduce the right, or wrong, stimulus at which point Pavlov comes to mind. It makes you wonder what would happen to that particular society should all humans be definitively removed. What would evolution come up with then? Another stimulus? Or would true civilization of the populous take over? Would they perhaps evolve into humans given enough time? All very interesting if you think about it. Not that Fukuda lets you root for them. He reveals enough about their characters that it's clear that you would really rather not find out what evolution would do.

The "hero" of the story also offers a bit of a conundrum. He is human and we should therefore like him, but his reaction to and rejection of his own race render him despicable. Despite this you find yourself liking him and hoping that he will finally make the right choices. And then there are the other humans. Fukuda doesn't actually go into their lives and world much, but that also offers up a lot of food for thought. What would it be like to be raised in that manner? How do they view their captors? To what information were they privy?

If you like YA dystopia and fantasy and books that offer you up a little more than just a story, then give this a try. It's a good read - and not too heavy on the teenage romance which is so often soppy.

The narration was excellent.

Surprisingly Interesting and engaging

Would you consider the audio edition of The Hunt to be better than the print version?

Maybe. Possibly, the slower sections are easier to listen to than read?

What other book might you compare The Hunt to and why?

Hunger Game - a government organized hunt/killing game. Ender's Game - Child/Young person alone and expected to outsmart a devious and pitiless enemy.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Gene is trapped in a dark library with a bunch of blood thirsty vampires.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Gene is thinking about his life and the audience sees his self-hatred.

Any additional comments?

In the beginning of this book I didn't think I'd like it. Regardless of faults I found, I am still eager to read the next book.