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Predator

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"Predator is a fast-paced, creepy page-turner! Bashman had me at the opening sentence and she's still got me. I want more!" Nancy Holder, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Rules.

The hunt is on! Sixteen-year-old Bree Sunderland must inject herself with an untested version of her father’s gene therapy to become a werewolf in order to stop a corrupt group of mercenaries from creating a team of unstoppable lycanthrope soldiers.

When Bree went with her scientist father to Ireland, she thought it would be a vacation to study bog bodies. She never expected to fall in love with a mysterious young Irishman and certainly never expected to become the kind of monster her father said only existed in nightmares. Dr. Sunderland discovers that lycanthropy was not a supernatural curse but rather a genetic mutation. When they return home, her dad continues his research, but the military wants to turn that research into a bio weapons program and rogue soldiers want to steal the research to turn themselves into unstoppable killing machines.

Bree’s boyfriend Liam surprises her with a visit to the United States, but there are darker surprises in store for both of them. As evil forces hunt those she loves, Bree must become an even more dangerous hunter to save them all.

Bree will become the thing she hates, to protect those she loves!

'Predator' gives the werewolf legend a couple of new spins by introducing the Benandanti (an actual folkloric belief that certain families of Italy and Livonia were werewolves who fought against evil), as well as a modern scientific approach to mutation and the science of transgenics.

"Every twist and fascinating revelation fell into place smoothly, with an ending that will leave readers wanting more. With this kind of originality on the page, it is exciting to speculate at the surprises Bashman will unveil next."  —Suspense Magazine 

198 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2014

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About the author

Janice Gable Bashman

7 books111 followers
Janice Gable Bashman is the author of PREDATOR and WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE (Bram Stoker finalist; co-authored with New York Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry). Her short fiction has appeared in various magazines and anthologies. She has written for Writer's Digest, Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, the Writer, Wild River Review, and many others. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the International Thriller Writers, where she served as a Vice President and a member of the board of directors.

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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for ~Tina~.
1,092 reviews159 followers
August 17, 2014
After the death of her brother Troy, Bree is desperate to reconnect with her scientist father who hasn't been the same since he lost his son and went along with him to Ireland for the summer to help with his field study, researching a way to create a wound-repair serum to aid soldiers on the battlefield and linking it with the acid from the peat that preserve the flesh. But Bree had no idea what she stumbled on when she discovered a well preserved bog body and his mutated hand, or what she could have possibly unleashed.

Well this was certainly different. I wasn't sure what I would expect when I opened this book, but I was really impressed with how fast I got into it. Predator is a thrilling, suspenseful and mysterious spin on werewolf lore that combines, science, archaeology and folklore mythology. I'm a really big fan of myths so it was pretty interesting to learn about the Benandanti lore and how it ties with the lycanthropy legend. I also loved the concept about a bog-swamp and the possibility of human life being persevered throughout time by the peat and then researched by biological anthropologist to uncover ancient truths. Add the greed and desperation of men who want to use this information to further success the war efforts by creating a super-solider army, despite the risks, and you got yourself one hell of a solid read. I loved Bashman's writing, you can tell she put a lot of thought and heart into this book. The action was fast paced and pulse pounding and the tone of the book was always kept at fascinating, rattling and shutter-worthy levels. It was like seeing everything unfold on the big screen in my mind. Very real, addicting and entertaining.

I really enjoyed all of these characters. Each played their roles well which made it easy to like and connect with.
Bree has a great voice, she's brave, strong, intelligent with a good heart. She may be a little to curious for her own good and a bit reckless, but I liked that she took responsibility for her role in the events that unfolded and tried to do the right thing no matter the consequences.
Liam is one of those great book boyfriends who is kind and sweet and supportive. There was a moment near the end of the book when he approached Bree that stole my heart a little. It gave me even greater respect for him. However, I am curious, nervous and excited to see how things will play out for him in the next book all things considering.

All in all, I had a really good time reading Predator. It's not your average werewolf book which was refreshing and I really enjoyed the scientific approach more then I thought I would. It's a bit mind boggling mind you, but I think that's what makes it such a fun experience. For fans who are looking for a new twist in the werewolf genre should have a good time with this one. As for me? I'm greatly looking forward to seeing what happens next! A fascinating and highly intriguing read.
Profile Image for Paula M.
547 reviews643 followers
September 19, 2014
Oh wow! A fast paced, suspenseful and thrilling book about werewolves! There's folklore mythology, science and romance.. Jam packed is the right word!

I've never read anything that are about lycanthropes so I only know a little about them (thanks to Harry Potter) All I know is that they're shapeshifters and that they don't look very nice. I was really entranced by this world that Janice made. When we think about werewolves... we automatically think of a sappy romance book (which is not that bad) But don't you wish you want it with more substance? More action and less cheesiness? Well, Predator got you covered!

Bree noticed a change to her father since her brother Troy died so she went to Ireland with him with a hope that their relationship will come back to normal. In Ireland, she found warmth in Liam, a mysterious bog body with a missing hand and a group of people that she thought only exists in folklores and myths.

I really liked Janice's writing. Very simple and yet thrilling. She doesn't hold back when it comes to details. Whether she's describing Liam's lips or the gory details of a dead body, she's very good at it. Bree is character to like even though she can be too stubborn at some times. She's kick ass, too curious about things and really brave. Bree is not the only one to like here though. Liam, her father, Kelsi.. all of them are pretty intriguing and well written! I also loved that the romance here isn't too aggressive. It's subtle which makes it more sweet.

I'm not sure yet but I really hope that this will be a series.. that ending left me hanging! So.. if you want your book with a kick butt heroine, a heart melting romance with a thrilling storyline, Predator is for you
Profile Image for Cassandra.
1,192 reviews104 followers
September 27, 2014
My Thoughts - 3.5 out of 5 Unicorns - I more than liked it!!!
***Received this ebook from the publisher Month9Books for an honest review

The cover is creepy and fierce looking. I really like it.

Wow, lots of things happening it this book, but it did have some slow parts for me. I think that Janice set up an awesome world that is only going to get better if it is a series. At this point, I have no idea where this will be a series or not, but it left like there is more to come but with closure if that makes sense.

There are definitely some unique ideas in this world that I haven’t read before. Janice’s descriptions are very life like, and you can see it happening while you are reading it. She definitely threw me for a couple of loops that I didn’t expect. As always, I will not give anything away in my reviews because I think everyone should have a chance to experience a book for themselves without someone ruining it or tainting their own impressions of the story. My mom is always asking what happens in a book or with a movie we are watching, and I always say “I don’t remember, read/watch it and see.” She gets so mad at me, but I don’t mind.

I really think this is a book my high school students could get into. I hope one day I can add it to my classroom library, but not sure when I can afford that. This was my first time reading anything by Janice, so I will have to check out and see what else she has especially if there is more to this series.

I recommend this book to those people who want a unique werewolf world and don’t want everything happy and perfect. Off to read a new adventure :)
Profile Image for Genesis Reyes (Whispering Chapters).
941 reviews280 followers
October 22, 2015
There better be a sequel... It can't end like that. I want more! I want to know more. The only werewolf stories I read are from Wattpad so I took a huge chance in reading this story and I am not disappointed. Predator takes us on a whole different level of werewolves. Not only that, it involves scientific data that had me reeled in—as soon as the story started, it gives the reader a scientific fill that is fascinating to read. I am not one to like many scientific-related things but with Predator it was so easy to understand and like-able enough to want to keep reading, to want to know more about this type of werewolves. Plus, this story got us into the Benandanti, which is an actual belief that I didn't even know existed and learned a lot from reading the book.

Fans of werewolf stories will get a different fill, a different and unique story with Predator and they won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for Maria Kay.
51 reviews
June 15, 2015
I Lycan This Book!

The ambiance attacked me, sinking its teeth into my brain. The family-themed subplot dug claws into my heart. The wild creature, made of words, only released me when I finished reading. Yes, this predator exists. I felt it. Loved it!

This is not your mama’s werewolf story!

A buried secret. What is it? The Woman. Who is she? The body. Who is it? This book is full of questions that build suspense, mystery, and intrigue. Where science and legend collide, the story begins.

“The answer hit her like a sledgehammer, fast and hard and full of power.”

I love the way this author writes. It’s the little things like how the paragraphs are formatted for emphasis. The characters are believable, even the supernatural ones. The dialogue forwards the plotline. Janice does a primo job at writing Irish accents.

When reading, do you promise to stop reading when you reach the end of the chapter? Yeah. Me too. But not this novel. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages!
Profile Image for Donna Galanti.
Author 16 books631 followers
July 16, 2015
Werewolves as heroes? Bashman drew me right in with the intrigue of her own legend she weaves into the werewolf lore we all know. This a completely fresh spin on the myth blending in an ancient sect I bet you’ve never heard of – the Benandanti! She slowly sets the stage with characters to root for - especially heroic Bree - and then as the pace picks up and races toward the end, you want to race with her as secrets and dark history come to light and the horror behind the science is revealed. A wild concoction of bog bodies, werewolves, romance, genetic engineering, murder and suspense – this book packs it all into one massive punch that satisfies at the end but leaves the door open for a sequel.
Profile Image for Elaine.
179 reviews37 followers
September 21, 2014
I received a digital copy of this book from Chapter by Chapter for its tour in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All are my opinion and not compensated by any individual, organization, or company.

Holy creeps! This book is a real scary pain in the ass.

The book started when Bree and her father’s team is checking out a bog body. The way Bashman described it, it is so creepy. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then let me help you imagine it using this:



Now, can you feel what I felt? Imagine looking closely to the body and then it moves or smiles or winks. Scaryyy!



Bashman made it scarier and creepier, if that makes any sense. The first picture I showed above is not enough to convey the creepiness of this book. Predator is a suspenseful and very unique take on werewolf stories as it uses the combination of myth and science. Every setting is written perfectly with the intention to keep the readers both horrified and amazed at the same time. I read the acknowledgement part of the book; I saw that there are professional individuals who help Bashman in the technicalities of Predator.



No wonder, reading it feels like so real. It feels like everything is possible. I really like it when an author tries to extend the potential of the story by throwing in specifics and lots of genuine and legitimate inputs. It spices up the dominion of the story.

I really like the characters, too. They are very committed to their roles. I love the faint blend of romance between Bree and Liam. It’s very nice.

The only circumstance that holding me back for giving full marks is that I want to see an early busy-kicking-some-hairy-asses action coming from Bree. I am also left hanging and I do not know if there’s a second book to this. I am helpless. Very helpless. I want more!



I recommend it to readers who love action-packed novels and to those readers who are looking for a different kind of werewolf story.

You can find other reviews on my blog-Amiabooklover
Profile Image for BookLoversLife.
1,801 reviews9 followers
October 17, 2014
When Bree went to Ireland with her father to study bog bodies, she had no idea that her life would change irreversibly forever. Bree stumbles across a body while out walking the bog and when they unearth it they also find a really big hairy paw. How did the paw get there and why does it seem to be part of the very human body they found?

Brees' father, Dr Sunderland, findings lead them to believe that they have found a Lycantrop. Dr Sunderland lost his son in the war and when he finds the Lycantrophy gene he knows that there is only one thing he can do with it. He wants to create super soldiers! Ones that are stronger and more resilient than humans, but when his research is stolen before its ready the results are horrendous. The super soldiers are out of control and Bree along with her Irish Boyfriend, Liam, may be the only ones who can stop them.

Well what a refreshingly unique Werewolf book. Janice Gable Bashman has managed to put her own stamp on a genre that's as widespread as this. I loved the lore and history of the Benandanti and the science and archaeology that was mixed in!

The best thing about Predator is the lore and the setting. When I read that its set in Ireland I immediately added it to my list. There isn't that many good YA books set here and being Irish I had to read it ;) I also live only a few miles away from a bog so I found it fascinating when they found the body. The Benandanti were also fascinating and you should totally Google them and see the information about them.

I loved Bree. She is curious, smart, strong and brave. She meets Liam when they get to Ireland and both immediately hit it off. Bree questions everything and always tries to do the right thing no matter what. I also loved Liam and his irresistible Irish charm ;) He is so supportive and honest and I want to see lots more of him in the next book!!

Predator is a very fast paced read. From the time they find the hand till the end we have deaths, betrayals, fights and super-strong mice!! I loved the science involved and never for a moment did it get confusing. Its a thrilling and extremely entertaining read.

So overall I loved Predator. Its an engaging, thrilling and additive read. At times nerve wracking and at others sad, Predator is a unique story that will capture your interest and keep you on your toes till the very end. I fell in love with the characters and setting of Predator and look forward to more from this author (lets hope we get more from this world too).
Profile Image for Jaime.
542 reviews149 followers
September 18, 2014
Predator is essentially a werewolf story and I tend to be a little wary of them. But the synopsis for this one was definitely different so I decided to give it a try. The bog is an interesting place, and I love that the body found was preserved in the bog and what that can mean for the future of mankind.
This book is basically non-stop action which is never a bad thing. There were some minor plot holes, but the action I was talking about a sentence ago? It keeps you reading because you have to see what happens next. I loved Bree. She is smart and talented, a little rash but willing to go to any lengths to get things accomplished. Liam I was pretty unsure of in the beginning, but I ended up truly liking him as the book went on.
The author truly impressed me with her lore, and the research that must have went into every aspect of this story. Her writing is good. She knows how to move a story along, no doubt about it.
Predator is a fast-paced read that will have you turning pages as fast as you can to see what is going to happen next. Go into this story remembering that it is a story and that everything doesn't have to be completely believable to be absolutely enjoyable and you will have a great time with this book!
Profile Image for Nicky Peacock.
Author 41 books120 followers
September 23, 2014
It’s always nice to see a new take on an old theme. Werewolves have been a bit over-used as a paranormal troupe, a bit like vampires and zombies (so who am I to judge!) so it was nice to read a book that changes it up a bit.

The family dynamic was a nice part too. I’ve noticed Disney now making more films that centre around family rather than a romance (Enchanted, Brave etc.) and this book echoes that nicely. It doesn’t just dine out on the romantic element, but includes more interesting family ties.

From a writer’s perspective, I’d have much preferred the POV to be from Bree’s point of view, rather than third person. I think with all the emotion she had in her regarding her family, it would have come across better that way and made the reader feel more for the character. It is written very well though, and easy to read and quickly to get into, just what a YA book should be.

The front cover is great – those Month9 designers are a force to be reckoned with! So it’ll definitely stand out and be attractive to all readers.

Overall, I’d give Predator 4 out of 5 stars – a howling YA read that is accessible to both teen and adult readers alike.
Profile Image for Janet DeCastro.
Author 1 book12 followers
November 30, 2014
YA, Thriller/Horror, Werewolves.

Author Janice Gable Bashman has penned a fast paced thriller that you can't put down. The chapters are short and the tension high, you say, "I'll read just one more...."

Young Bree spends the summer in Ireland with her father, a scientist who is looking for preserved bodies in the peat bogs. She meets Liam a local boy whose father is also assisting with the digs. She finds more than a body that's missing a hand...she finds the hand - which puts all of their lives in jeopardy. Can she save her father, Liam, his father and herself from the collective forces on their trail?

This is a great read!
Profile Image for Cary.
15 reviews30 followers
July 11, 2015
Loved this story and cannot wait for another excellent book to be written following this story.
Well written, great story-line, although short in length it was very riveting. Thank you for a great book. I may be older than the usual age crowd for this book, however, I never allow a great story vacation to slip past me.
Profile Image for DP Lyle.
158 reviews14 followers
September 16, 2014
Sixteen-year-old Bree Sunderland expected a quiet vacation in Ireland, where she and her scientist father plan to study bog corpses. But a young Irish man steals her heart—-and more. Werewolves, genetic therapy, and a mercenary lycanthropic army—-what’s not to like?

DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Samantha odd and Dub Walker thriller series
46 reviews
December 13, 2014
This book was intriguing from the start. The main character was actually intelligent, unlike most of the girls in YA novels nowadays, there is a new perspective on werewolves(to me because maybe someone already wrote a book with genetically altered people turning into werewolves). It was interesting and refreshing. Definitely hope there is a sequel and if there is, I will be reading it.
Profile Image for Chelsea.
285 reviews18 followers
August 21, 2015
This was not great, especially after reading The Last Werewolf Trilogy. Imagine you really want a strong well-steeped werewolf tea. You sit the werewolf in your cup for 200 pages and then take him out and instead of a biting hair-raising brew, all you have is lukewarm water with a dog hair floating in it. That's how this book was. Weak.
Profile Image for Julia.
2,513 reviews67 followers
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
November 27, 2014
This heroine is a mess, and I'm afraid I can't stick it out and hope for better. I barely made it out of the swamp. While I don't work in archaeology, paleontology, or any other "ology" related field, Bree's sweaty-palmed hunger for professional respect is painful next to her complete lack of qualifications (note, she is a kid and should not have any qualifications, but she is a deluded kid that thinks she already does). It's certainly not fair to judge a book so long before the "meet cute" (or before the body bag is opened), but I don't have the patience to power through right now. I may come back later... but I doubt it.
Profile Image for Vivien.
373 reviews56 followers
March 20, 2015
I abandoned this book after the first page. I brought it to school and it got confiscated after this idiot decided to wave it around like a flag. That was the sign. Everyone picked it up read what it was about it was annoying. From the first page, I didn't like the father-daughter interaction. I felt that he was too absorbed with his work to even deal with his daughter.
Profile Image for Carlene Cayenne.
307 reviews
October 12, 2016
It just didn't grab my attention. my mind wandered too much. that's my signal that I'm not engaged and the story means nothing to me. I don't know if it was the actual storyline the writing we're just am not in that "place" that you need to be to read a certain story
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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