11/5/24; 512 pages
Redhook Books
The Swarm by Andy Marino is a highly recommended bug horror novel featuring swarms of cicadas that are bringing about the apocalypse. The buzz of the cicadas is a constant presence throughout the novel.
In
Fort Halcott, in upstate New York, police officers Vicky
Paterson and Ken Grimes are investigating a gruesome remains of a dead
body in a hoarders home, while noticing the increasing noise level of
the emerging cicadas outside. Then, when Vicky arrives at home, her
daughter Sadie goes outside to play and has cicadas swarm her, sending
Vicky to the hospital trying to save Sadie.
Across town, Will and Alicia Bennett, divorced
private investigators or fixers, are looking for a missing young woman named Violet
Carmichael and come across a weird cult involving cicadas that Will
watches through a window. The two later find themselves in their hotel
when the swarms of cicadas hit. It becomes obvious that viewing the cult
ritual from something he calls the Order of Hemiptera has changed Will.
As the cicada swarms increase and continue their attacks, the novel introduces two more characters and locations. Rebecca Perez is a forensic entomologist in Louisiana, while Anton Hajek is a tech company founder in NYC. It is clear that the fate of humanity is at stake as the swarms increase their attacks.
Set disbelief aside and follow the insect invasion with horror. The action starts out strong at a very fast pace as it becomes clear that it is also a band-of-survivors tale.
Expanding the scope of the invasion and covering more territory than
just upstate NY was also a wise choice. My one small complaint was that
the novel could have used a little more editing and tightening up. Most
readers who chose this will enjoy it while cringing with discomfort and
disgust.
Those who know cicadas and the loud buzz they make will understand how overwhelming it can be, let alone how annoying the periodical cicadas are when they emerge. Knowledge of them will make the invasion more intimidating, visceral, and the actions of these cicadas extra terrifying. This is most definitely a horror novel, so keep that in mind, especially if large bugs make you squeamish. Thanks to Redhook Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
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