Audio Review 138 // Predator: Eyes of the Demon

Oh, it feels good to be back in the Predator verse again. I have missed these Alien Hunters from beyond and am excited to dive into these short stories. Part of me was going to do two or three at a time, but I felt that a little pointless as the stories follow a similar pattern, so instead, one review to rule them all.

Title: Predator: Eyes of the Demon

Editor: Bryan Thomas Schmidt

Authors: Stephen Graham Jones, Linda Addison, Jonathan Maberry, Scott Sigler, Peter Briggs, Tim Lebbon, Nancy A. Collins, A. R. Reddington, Robert Greenberger, Ammar Habib, Gini Koch, Kim May, Yvonne Navarro, Joshua Pruett and Bryan Thomas Schmidt.

Fifteen original, never-before-seen short stories set in the expanded Predator universe from the first film, featuring the ultimate hunters, the Yautja from the movie Predator. Set in the recent past, the present, and the future, these edge-of-your-seat adventures by many of today’s top SF and horror authors take place on Earth and in the dark, unforgiving reaches of space. The diverse, multi-ethnic group of authors includes New York Times bestsellers, Stoker Award winners, and acclaimed contributors to the Alien and Predator universes. Included in this volume are Native American award-winning horror author Stephen Graham Jones, Linda Addison— the first African American to win the Stoker Award, Peter Briggs, screenwriter for Hellboy, New York Times bestselling author and visionary podcaster Scott Sigler (Aliens: Phalanx), award-winning author Ammar Habib (The Heart of Aleppo), New York Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry, Emmy nominated writer Joshua Pruett of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Tim Lebbon, author of the Aliens vs. Predators “Rage War”, and many more.

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Review

As I am sure you all know by now, I enjoy Xenomorphs and Predators. It has captured my soul from a young age and never let go. This audiobook is part of a new run of stories being pumped out, and I love it. Let's be clear, this isn't high-brow sci-fi with morals and life lessons. This is instead action-packed, exciting adventures that you can escape into for an hour or two.

Most of the stories hit well and stay true to what I need from a Predator story. We even get some insight into the Yautja culture in some stories. Which is always great to read. Another high point was that almost all the main characters and predators are female-identifying. This is a common theme within the predator books I've read so far, but you know how sci-fi can be, so having an almost all-female audiobook added interest. Two stories stood out; the first is "The Monster," which has a Sasquatch. This story hooked me from the start, though it ended flat as we didn't get the epic fight scene. Then there is the "Trophy" that ultimately came back to life to hunt the Predator for revenge. A worthy mention must go the LARPing story; comical, fun and slightly gross.

There were some strange choices as well, which left me wondering why? The first was the Predator vs Sasquatch. Why no fight? Don't leave it up to me, give me some details! And, of course, the sexy preds. I don't get it. I want strong, powerful female leads. I want to hear how they are in control, innovative, and have risen in a patriarchal system. It isn't needed and takes up space when we could learn more about them as a character.

Overall a great listen. Recommend it to the fans.