The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Published: May 8th, 2012

Publisher: St Martin's Griffin

Pages: 296

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

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?

The Hunt is a vampire book with a difference.  Most books claim that, but this time it is actually true.  In fact I don't recall actually seeing the word vampire anywhere, (I could be wrong there, but I don't think so).  Humanity is all but extinct, in this unspecified, dystopian future, and the vampires are the
dominant species. They are not 'regular' vampires, but nasty dirty creatures who need blood cups under their chins when they eat, and sleep holding onto handles in the ceiling - lovely nod to the old bat analogies.  The descriptions of the involuntary drooling are downright disgusting, but they treat it so nonchalantly.

'Two rows in front of me, Phys Ed's head suddenly twitches violently backward.  A short line of saliva flies off his fangs and swings upward, splatting across his face diagonally.  He shakes his head. "Pardon me," he murmers' (P88)

The main protagonist is not actually given a name until about half way through the book, when he remembers his original 'designation' - Gene.  Gene himself refers to other characters in the book by his own made-up designations like 'Crimson Lips'; Phy Ed; Abs and Ashley June.  And of course, she is the only other character of immediate significance with a name!

It is very interesting that when Gene meets the captive Hepers, or humans, he actually feels supeior to them, and doesn't consider himself on their level, but much higher.  Although he is a human himself, because he has been 'passing for so long,  he looks at the other hepers with disdain. It's kind of creepy actually.  There is a thread of tension that runs throughout the book and the sense of unease and impending discovery is very insidious and never really lifts.

The Hunt is a tense, action filled drama, that will have your heart pounding, but don't expect the usual vampire romance - you won't find it, anywhere.