Where to Start Reading Andrew Fukuda
Andrew Fukuda's bibliography is divided into two distinct paths: his adrenaline-fueled dystopian trilogy and his standalone novels. How you begin depends entirely on the genre you prefer:
- For Thrills and Dystopian Suspense: Start with The Hunt. This trilogy is set in a dark world where vampire-like creatures rule the Earth and the few remaining humans are kept as prey. It is fast-paced, visceral, and highly suspenseful.
- For Historical Depth and Emotion: Start with This Light Between Us. This standalone novel is a poignant, beautifully researched story about a Japanese American boy and a French Jewish girl who become pen pals on the eve of World War II. It offers a completely different, deeply moving experience compared to his thriller roots.
- For Crime and Psychological Mystery: Start with Crossing. Fukuda's debut novel is a slow-burn, atmospheric high school mystery that deals heavily with themes of isolation, immigrant identity, and social dynamics.
The Hunt Series Reading Order
The Hunt series follows Gene, a young man who must hide his humanity in a society dominated by nocturnal predators that crave human flesh. Reading the trilogy in its proper order is essential because the plot is continuous, carrying Gene's struggle for survival from one book directly into the next.
You can read this series in two ways: publication order or chronological order. The only difference is where you place the prequel novella, The Lightning Storm.
Option 1: Chronological Reading Order (Recommended)
Reading the prequel first provides a quick, atmospheric introduction to the rules of Fukuda's dystopian world and Gene's constant paranoia before the main story begins.
- The Lightning Storm (2011) – Prequel Novella (Book 0.1): This quick read takes place before the events of the first book. It focuses on a tense moment where Gene is nearly exposed as a human during a sudden lightning storm.
- The Hunt (2012) – Book 1: Gene has survived for years by mimicking the predators around him—never laughing, never sweating, and keeping his emotions locked away. His carefully constructed life is thrown into chaos when he is selected to participate in a prestigious government-sponsored hunt for the last remaining humans.
- The Prey (2013) – Book 2: The story continues immediately after the chaotic events of the first book. Gene and a small band of survivors are on the run, seeking refuge in a wilderness that holds its own hidden dangers.
- The Trap (2013) – Book 3: The action-packed conclusion of the trilogy. Gene returns to the heart of the enemy's territory to rescue those he left behind, building toward a high-stakes climax that resolves the fate of humanity.
Option 2: Publication Reading Order
If you prefer to experience the mystery of the world exactly as readers did when the books were first released, follow the publication order. The prequel was released in late 2011 as a digital teaser to build anticipation for the debut of the main novel in 2012.
- The Lightning Storm (2011)
- The Hunt (2012)
- The Prey (2013)
- The Trap (2013)
Andrew Fukuda's Standalone Novels
If you are not in the mood for a multi-book series, Fukuda's standalone novels showcase his range as a writer, shifting from contemporary high school crime to historical fiction.
- Crossing (2010): Fukuda's debut novel follows Xing Xu, a Chinese immigrant teen who is an outcast in his suburban New York high school. When students begin to disappear, Xing's keen observation skills pull him into a dangerous investigation. As he tries to solve the mystery to gain acceptance, suspicion falls on him instead.
- This Light Between Us (2020): This historical fiction novel begins in 1935 and covers a decade. Ten-year-old Alex Maki (a Japanese American boy in Washington state) is paired with Charlie Lévy (a French Jewish girl in Paris) as pen pals. Over the years, their letters build a lifeline that sustains them as Alex is sent to an internment camp and Charlie faces the horrors of occupied France. Alex eventually enlists in the celebrated 442nd Regimental Combat Team, marching across Europe in search of his friend.
Anthology Contributions
In addition to his novels, Fukuda contributed to a notable charity anthology:
- Tomo: Friendship Through Fiction (2012): Created to support young people affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, this collection features stories set in or inspired by Japan. Fukuda contributed a standalone short story titled "Lost".
What to Know Before You Start
Andrew Fukuda's style is characterized by intense pacing and high emotional stakes, but the content varies significantly between his projects. The Hunt trilogy features graphic, survival-driven tension and a unique take on vampire-like folklore, making it highly appealing to fans of dystopian fiction like The Hunger Games. In contrast, This Light Between Us is a meticulously researched historical work that handles sensitive real-world topics, including the Holocaust and Japanese American internment camps, with deep emotional resonance, ultimately winning the 2021 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature.