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Primal Instincts
Bred for entertainment, designed for war.
Nick Davis awoke in a facility with no recollection of how he got there. Memories of his life before this moment are few and blurred. Now, his survival depends on his ability to shapeshift into a wolf for a televised battle to the death known as The Primal Battle.
His prison—the Institute.
His directive—to be a ruthless hunter.
But where does humanity fit into the merging of science and media?
Desperate to unravel the mysteries of his past, Nick uncovers a sinister secret the Institute would kill to keep hidden. They think they know him down to the very code of his DNA, but true power lies in the unpredictability of freewill.
To survive the Institute, he must play their game. Yet Nick knows the cost may be too high. Can he fight the animalistic rage of his genetic programming to cling to the human roots he knows exist within him? Or will what’s left of his humanity be lost to the allure of violent chaos?
Nick Davis awoke in a facility with no recollection of how he got there. Memories of his life before this moment are few and blurred. Now, his survival depends on his ability to shapeshift into a wolf for a televised battle to the death known as The Primal Battle.
His prison—the Institute.
His directive—to be a ruthless hunter.
But where does humanity fit into the merging of science and media?
Desperate to unravel the mysteries of his past, Nick uncovers a sinister secret the Institute would kill to keep hidden. They think they know him down to the very code of his DNA, but true power lies in the unpredictability of freewill.
To survive the Institute, he must play their game. Yet Nick knows the cost may be too high. Can he fight the animalistic rage of his genetic programming to cling to the human roots he knows exist within him? Or will what’s left of his humanity be lost to the allure of violent chaos?
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2020
5 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Peter Gulgowski
16 books54 followersBorn and raised in Wisconsin, Peter Gulgowski had a childhood full of imagination. Now grown-up, Peter gets to play make-believe with words. He enjoys writing books across a full spectrum of genres, loving the challenge each offers.
When not writing, Peter loves to travel, play video games, and watch the latest television series.
You can visit him online at www.petergulgowski.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @petergulgowski.
When not writing, Peter loves to travel, play video games, and watch the latest television series.
You can visit him online at www.petergulgowski.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @petergulgowski.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 7, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Primal Instincts
Author: Peter Gulgowski
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: LGBT characters, m/m romance
Publication Date: May 8, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, romance)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 211
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Bred for entertainment, designed for war.
Nick Davis awoke in a facility with no recollection of how he got there. Memories of his life before this moment are few and blurred. Now, his survival depends on his ability to shapeshift into a wolf for a televised battle to the death known as The Primal Battle.
His prison—the Institute.
His directive—to be a ruthless hunter.
But where does humanity fit into the merging of science and media?
Desperate to unravel the mysteries of his past, Nick uncovers a sinister secret the Institute would kill to keep hidden. They think they know him down to the very code of his DNA, but true power lies in the unpredictability of freewill.
To survive the Institute, he must play their game. Yet Nick knows the cost may be too high. Can he fight the animalistic rage of his genetic programming to cling to the human roots he knows exist within him? Or will what’s left of his humanity be lost to the allure of violent chaos?
Review: The book was good overall. The characters were well developed and the world building was well done. The plot was intriguing and it kept me interested throughout the novel. I like the storyline overall. It’s unique and definitely for the Hunger Games and Red Rising lovers out there.
However, while I liked the LGBT representation I did feel like it was a bit forced. They weren’t the ideal match and their continued romance felt like it existed for the sake of existing. The ending was also rushed and very open ended, so possibly there’s another book in store but I’m not sure. I also didn’t like the slow pacing of the novel and I think the book could have pulled off a faster pace. Also, it’s a really short book. I think it could have been better if expanded.
Verdict: A good book!
Book: Primal Instincts
Author: Peter Gulgowski
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: LGBT characters, m/m romance
Publication Date: May 8, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, romance)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 211
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Bred for entertainment, designed for war.
Nick Davis awoke in a facility with no recollection of how he got there. Memories of his life before this moment are few and blurred. Now, his survival depends on his ability to shapeshift into a wolf for a televised battle to the death known as The Primal Battle.
His prison—the Institute.
His directive—to be a ruthless hunter.
But where does humanity fit into the merging of science and media?
Desperate to unravel the mysteries of his past, Nick uncovers a sinister secret the Institute would kill to keep hidden. They think they know him down to the very code of his DNA, but true power lies in the unpredictability of freewill.
To survive the Institute, he must play their game. Yet Nick knows the cost may be too high. Can he fight the animalistic rage of his genetic programming to cling to the human roots he knows exist within him? Or will what’s left of his humanity be lost to the allure of violent chaos?
Review: The book was good overall. The characters were well developed and the world building was well done. The plot was intriguing and it kept me interested throughout the novel. I like the storyline overall. It’s unique and definitely for the Hunger Games and Red Rising lovers out there.
However, while I liked the LGBT representation I did feel like it was a bit forced. They weren’t the ideal match and their continued romance felt like it existed for the sake of existing. The ending was also rushed and very open ended, so possibly there’s another book in store but I’m not sure. I also didn’t like the slow pacing of the novel and I think the book could have pulled off a faster pace. Also, it’s a really short book. I think it could have been better if expanded.
Verdict: A good book!
May 7, 2020
Having read all of Peter's books so far, I have to say this is his best yet! The growth he shows in this one is tenfold. The book starts with an interesting opening and you're thrust right into the story with no wasted time. The entire book itself is a journey of self-discovery, with an added element of LGBT woven into it using the whole experience of being born a shapeshifter as a metaphor. It was well done!
I really liked the side-characters in this one: Theo, Matteo, and especially Lincoln, who I wish I could have learned more about. Then again, if his backstory was explored too much, he would have lost the mystery to his character which gave him that extra layer. I also found a certain character's suicide to really explore all aspects of finding who you are in the world.
The book, while entertaining, touches on a whole slew of topics. I seriously enjoyed this one and definitely encourage readers to give it a chance.
The only issue I found with the book was the ending. It felt a little rushed. It's a solid ending, but it's rushed, at least in my opinion.
I really liked the side-characters in this one: Theo, Matteo, and especially Lincoln, who I wish I could have learned more about. Then again, if his backstory was explored too much, he would have lost the mystery to his character which gave him that extra layer. I also found a certain character's suicide to really explore all aspects of finding who you are in the world.
The book, while entertaining, touches on a whole slew of topics. I seriously enjoyed this one and definitely encourage readers to give it a chance.
The only issue I found with the book was the ending. It felt a little rushed. It's a solid ending, but it's rushed, at least in my opinion.
June 25, 2021
This book had a bit of a hunger games vibe mixed with clones and shape shifting. I liked the ideas presented in the book, but I wish the author would have spent less time in the set up and more time inside the arena and on the ending. The only part of the book I disliked really was the ending. Just letting them go? Really? I appreciated that they weren't all just killed off, but I don't see how letting them go live their life could happen. At the very least I feel that the citizens watching would not allow that. Also, I would have liked some more explanation surrounding his original self.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews