I really think this series gets better and better with each book. While Pride sort of closed out events (while smoothly leading into this book) of the first three novels, Prey definitely starts us off for the next three novels which will conclude the series. I think all of our characters really go through transformations in this book, and can clearly see the goals they now want to attain. faythe actually says that she wants to take over the pride after her father steps down / retires. 
 Malone and the "corrupt" members of the council are back, but we never get to see them, we just feel their presence from behind the scenes. They are basically controlling the catastrphies that happen throughout this book. And let me just say that it is a feat in and of itself that these characters can actually still be teeth-grindinly annoying without ever stepping onto the page. Good job Rachel Vincent. 
 I was a little hesitant starting this novel. At the end of the last one Marc has been exiled so I was prepared for a novel without much of him in it, and this is partly true. We get to see Marc in the beginning, but that quickly changes to Marc being kidnapped and Faythe and Co. looking for him. So while he's as well not physically in a lot of the book, finding him is the main focus for the majority of the book. I really felt Faythe's devotion to him the most in this book. And even with other events that occur, I think that her maturity level about their relationship has really improved. It's not just because of Marc but her new responsibilities to Kaci and helping Manx out with the new baby really puts Faythe in an adult situation where she's in charge and can't think only of herself. 
 Now about these other occurrences. From the beginning of the series, there has always been an attraction for Jace. I think this attraction has always been handled very well by Rachel Vincent in that everyone is not brooding all the time about their realtionships. They either deal with what they get or they try like hell to fix what may have been broken (Marc and Faythe). I really think the scene with Jace and Faythe was handled extremely well. I don't begrudge them both for doing what they had to do to help with their loss (not that these would be my actions in real life, but I can make exceptions in my literature). Neither one of them was out to hurt anyone. Their intentions were nothing beyond relieving their hurt and sorrow. I can only hope that things remain this way in the upcoming books. I don't know how characters will begin to act once they feel that something belongs to them. 
 I did like the turn of events for Jace. Towards the end of the book even Faythe comments that there was "raw emotion and a steel glint of determination in his eyes" (Vincent, Prey, 382). I think this is clearly signaling a new Jace emerging. Someone who will get retribution for the wrongs done to him and his Pride. In the beginning of the series Jace is seen as a goof off, not anymore. It will be interesting to see where his character goes from here. 
 I look forward to continuing this series. Sad that there are only 6 books, but glad that there is an end in sight when so often writers forget that sometimes the end can be just as satisfying as beginning and middle, and it's not necessarily a bad thing when series have to end, it's just closure. Until nex time!