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The Swarm: A Novel
From the bizarre and audacious imagination of horror author Andy Marino comes a harrowing tale of the insect that will herald the apocalypse… It begins with cicadas. It will end with the swarm. When millions of insects appear unexpectedly, off the rhythm of their 17-year cycle, Detective Vicky Paterson is investigating a bizarre killing in her sleepy hometown. At the same time, a pair of hired guns work to free their client’s daughter from a shadowy cult. As these events intertwine, things begin to spiral out of control. When Vicky’s young daughter, Sadie, is attacked by the insects, it’s clear that the once-harmless creatures have invaded with a malevolent purpose. But this is only the first wave. Soon, the infestation is impossible to contain. As the world desperately works to unravel the mysteries of the swarm, and humanity rests on the knife’s edge of extinction, Vicky and a group of strangers will fight to uncover the shocking origins of the attack—and the terrible purpose behind it. This panoramic novel of insect apocalypse reaches back into the darkest recesses of the twentieth century and unleashes its horrors on our modern, interconnected world.
- GenresHorror
512 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 5, 2024
About the author
Andy Marino
23 books208 followersAndy Marino was born in upstate New York, spent half his life in New York City, and now lives in the Hudson Valley. He is the author of seven novels for young readers, most recently THE PLOT TO KILL HITLER trilogy.
THE SEVEN VISITATIONS OF SYDNEY BURGESS is his first novel for adults.
THE SEVEN VISITATIONS OF SYDNEY BURGESS is his first novel for adults.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 23, 2024
First off, the imagery in this book was amazing and it started super strong with a scene that captured the oppressive and ominous nature of the situation and environment in a very poignant way. There were a few moments like that peppered throughout the book. If you like an author who can bring the scenery to life, you'll probably vibe with Marino's style.
My problem with this book is that not all POVs had the same polished feeling and therefore I enjoyed certain POVs A LOT more than others. There's one POV which I think would have made the whole story better (by way of improved pacing) if it had been removed entirely. Also, the way cult stuff was handled really wasn't it for me and every time it came up, I threw me off and I had to get back into it which got harder and harder every time.
The idea for the story, the evolving menace, the teeth (so many teeth), and the perfect ending (again with Marino's magnificent ability to set the stage) there's still a lot to enjoy in there just could have used a little trimming in my opinion.
Disclosure: I received an eARC from Redhook Books through Netgalley (many thanks to both for the opportunity to read and review this title).
My problem with this book is that not all POVs had the same polished feeling and therefore I enjoyed certain POVs A LOT more than others. There's one POV which I think would have made the whole story better (by way of improved pacing) if it had been removed entirely. Also, the way cult stuff was handled really wasn't it for me and every time it came up, I threw me off and I had to get back into it which got harder and harder every time.
The idea for the story, the evolving menace, the teeth (so many teeth), and the perfect ending (again with Marino's magnificent ability to set the stage) there's still a lot to enjoy in there just could have used a little trimming in my opinion.
Disclosure: I received an eARC from Redhook Books through Netgalley (many thanks to both for the opportunity to read and review this title).
September 8, 2024
I am a huge fan of Andy Marino’s other two books, “It Rides a Pale Horse” and “The Seven Visitations of Sydney Burgess.” I’m a huge fan of Marino’s writing in general. He’s one of those authors who writes stories you’ve never read before. Imaginative and strange and at times absolutely horrifying experiences. I was very excited to get my hands on this ARC.
I’ll start by saying this book did not disappoint, but it is VERY different from Marino’s other two novels. While there are certainly things I wasn’t expecting and elements very unique to this world, this novel is still a pretty standard fare creature feature.
If you are even a little bit iffy about bugs, DO NOT READ THIS. I have a fairly strong stomach and there was a scene about 15% in that almost had me gagging. Some of the body horror in this is next level disgusting. (And very creative!)
My favorite characters were def Rebecca and Vicky. They were both interesting and strong women who had flaws and made mistakes. Plus, I love a good police procedural in the middle of a horror book when it’s done well. I also liked Alicia quite a bit, even if her and Will’s chapters bordered on over-the-top ridiculous at times. All of the ladies in this were great. Marino is very good at writing women across the board in his novels.
I didn’t really care for Anton’s sections. (Until the end, when they became everything I was hoping for!) There are quite a few different characters to keep up with in this book, and for a lot of it his part of the saga just didn’t grab me like the others.
Marino is great at describing the wild, disgusting terror of the cicadas blanketing entire areas of a city and attacking people in droves. The only big issue with this is that there are only so many ways to talk about it before it begins to get repetitive. He does find new avenues for the bug horror to take, though. The cicadas aren’t just plentiful: they are organized and they are hyper-intelligent. (And this is only scratching the surface of the visceral terror of this book.)
Funny how so many things remind me of the “Alan Wake” and “Control” games now. (No spoilers, but scientists and spirals.)
There was one very shocking and upsetting moment that I’m still thinking about.
Overall, definitely not for the faint-hearted, or anyone with a fear of insects. Things get violent, gross, and weird in all the most interesting ways. 4.5 stars.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
TW: Child harm, Suicidal Ideation, Torture
I’ll start by saying this book did not disappoint, but it is VERY different from Marino’s other two novels. While there are certainly things I wasn’t expecting and elements very unique to this world, this novel is still a pretty standard fare creature feature.
If you are even a little bit iffy about bugs, DO NOT READ THIS. I have a fairly strong stomach and there was a scene about 15% in that almost had me gagging. Some of the body horror in this is next level disgusting. (And very creative!)
My favorite characters were def Rebecca and Vicky. They were both interesting and strong women who had flaws and made mistakes. Plus, I love a good police procedural in the middle of a horror book when it’s done well. I also liked Alicia quite a bit, even if her and Will’s chapters bordered on over-the-top ridiculous at times. All of the ladies in this were great. Marino is very good at writing women across the board in his novels.
I didn’t really care for Anton’s sections. (Until the end, when they became everything I was hoping for!) There are quite a few different characters to keep up with in this book, and for a lot of it his part of the saga just didn’t grab me like the others.
Marino is great at describing the wild, disgusting terror of the cicadas blanketing entire areas of a city and attacking people in droves. The only big issue with this is that there are only so many ways to talk about it before it begins to get repetitive. He does find new avenues for the bug horror to take, though. The cicadas aren’t just plentiful: they are organized and they are hyper-intelligent. (And this is only scratching the surface of the visceral terror of this book.)
Funny how so many things remind me of the “Alan Wake” and “Control” games now. (No spoilers, but scientists and spirals.)
There was one very shocking and upsetting moment that I’m still thinking about.
Overall, definitely not for the faint-hearted, or anyone with a fear of insects. Things get violent, gross, and weird in all the most interesting ways. 4.5 stars.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
TW: Child harm, Suicidal Ideation, Torture
August 13, 2024
The Swarm is full of ick and ew and SO MANY CICADAS!
I live in a part of the country with no cicadas. I’ve always been happy about that but, after reading this book, I’m now ecstatic. Even now I can feel them crawling and clicking and burrowing and NO!
The scope of the book is definitely epic and there’s something not quite right (of course) about our buggy beasties.
Now, while I like epic, I did find the book just a touch longer than it needed to be. I found myself ready for the story to end quite a bit before the author ended it. But aside from that, it was definitely a good read and I’d recommend it to anyone who is not squeamish!
• ARC via Publisher
I live in a part of the country with no cicadas. I’ve always been happy about that but, after reading this book, I’m now ecstatic. Even now I can feel them crawling and clicking and burrowing and NO!
The scope of the book is definitely epic and there’s something not quite right (of course) about our buggy beasties.
Now, while I like epic, I did find the book just a touch longer than it needed to be. I found myself ready for the story to end quite a bit before the author ended it. But aside from that, it was definitely a good read and I’d recommend it to anyone who is not squeamish!
• ARC via Publisher
Shelved as '2024'
July 30, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook
August 6, 2024
Reading for review in the October 2024 issue of Library Journal
Three Words That Describe This Book: Big Horror. multiple pov, band of survivors
This is everything you would want from bug apocalypse horror-- based in reality (cicada's coming out every 17 years en mass), a little bit of science fiction, great characters with shifting pov, multiple locations but all comes together.
For fans of The Colony by A.J. Colucci (ants but NYC), The Hatching by Boone (spiders-- trilogy), Paraitology series by Mira Grant (tape worms/zombie).
But also, a lot of the vibes of Wanderers without any of the politics parts. Those politics parts are key to Wanderers as a story but for people who loved the storytelling and discovery of what was happening and don't need the politics/governing parts-- who are okay with a slightly smaller scope-- they will enjoy this too.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Big Horror. multiple pov, band of survivors
This is everything you would want from bug apocalypse horror-- based in reality (cicada's coming out every 17 years en mass), a little bit of science fiction, great characters with shifting pov, multiple locations but all comes together.
For fans of The Colony by A.J. Colucci (ants but NYC), The Hatching by Boone (spiders-- trilogy), Paraitology series by Mira Grant (tape worms/zombie).
But also, a lot of the vibes of Wanderers without any of the politics parts. Those politics parts are key to Wanderers as a story but for people who loved the storytelling and discovery of what was happening and don't need the politics/governing parts-- who are okay with a slightly smaller scope-- they will enjoy this too.
August 29, 2024
This apocalyptic book of cicada fueled carnage is one hell of a ride! It is equal parts fascinating, disgusting, and pulse pounding. I loved every second of it! This is one of those books where just when you think it couldn’t possibly get worse for our protagonists, it does, and so much worse than I ever imagined. The lead characters are so well drawn but at the same time you truly feel like they are all in danger at any time, and many times you will be completely correct in feeling that way! This is one of those books that you just know will be made into a movie or series asap. Highly recommended, but might make your skin crawl and hit the gag reflex a few times!
ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
September 2, 2024
I looooove an apocalypse/plague book, and this was gripping with a lot of horrifying imagery, but it just wasn't my exact type of apocalyptic. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but it's.....very written by a white man. Like Stephen King, Chuck Wendig.
I felt we could have had a bit more introspection, some character development, rather than non-stop gore - BUT if that's what you're looking for and you're ok with developing a cicada phobia, it's worth the read!
I felt we could have had a bit more introspection, some character development, rather than non-stop gore - BUT if that's what you're looking for and you're ok with developing a cicada phobia, it's worth the read!
June 24, 2024
Andy Marino’s THE SWARM is gruesomely visceral and painfully heartbreaking; an ambitious, terrifying tale that will burrow beneath your skin only to lay eggs that will hatch as nightmares. It’s a no-holds-barred apocalyptic epic that will forever change the way you view the status—and future—of humans on this planet.
August 19, 2024
I had to DNA at 25%. At over 500 pages, I felt the book was going to be too long, and when I realized I had over seven hours to go, I didn't think I could face it. Ultimately, the cult connection turned me off. I imagine if you are into apocolytic fiction, this would be a book you would enjoy, but it was not for me.
January 8, 2023
So what I actually listened to was Andy Marino’s, The Suitcase. That does not exist on goodreads yet for some reason but I wanted it to still count in my goal. Anyways the suitcase was great and needs to be made into a novel
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews