The Prey of Gods

In a near-future South Africa, artificial intelligence has become commonplace through personal robots that serve as helpers and companions. The story follows multiple characters including a young girl discovering her supernatural powers, a pop diva with dark secrets, and a politician navigating both a viral outbreak and his gender identity. The narrative combines elements of science fiction with South African mythology and folklore. Advanced technology exists alongside ancient gods who have returned to reclaim their place in the world. The setting spans from Port Elizabeth's townships to gleaming laboratories where scientists work with genetic engineering. The book blends genres and cultural elements to explore themes of identity, power, and transformation. Through its diverse cast of characters and intersecting plotlines, it examines how both individuals and society adapt when faced with rapid technological and social change.

Readers describe the book as creative but chaotic, combining multiple genres including sci-fi, fantasy, and African mythology. Most reviews note the ambitious storytelling and unique blend of elements like AI, genetic engineering, and ancient gods. Readers appreciated: - Fresh take on sci-fi themes - Strong LGBTQ+ representation - Vivid South African setting - Complex female characters Common criticisms: - Too many plotlines that don't fully connect - Pacing issues, especially in the middle - Character development feels rushed - Some found the tone shifts jarring Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (50+ ratings) As one Goodreads reviewer noted: "Like nothing else I've read - wonderful and weird but needed more focus." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Brilliant concepts but tries to tackle too much at once."

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🌟 Port Elizabeth, where the novel is set, was renamed to Gqeberha in 2021 as part of South Africa's ongoing efforts to replace colonial-era place names 🤖 The book's AI elements were partly inspired by real developments in South African robotics, including the country's growing role in automated manufacturing 🎭 Drayden wrote much of the novel during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), completing the first draft in just 30 days 🌍 The Zulu mythology featured in the book draws from a rich oral tradition that includes powerful female deities and shapeshifters, rarely explored in mainstream science fiction 📚 This was Drayden's debut novel, winning her the Compton Crook Award for best first science fiction/fantasy/horror novel in 2018