The author of Brood X: A Firsthand Account of the Great Cicada Invasion really put the “H” in horror for me. I read Michael Phillip Cash’s novel fast. The book is small in size but thick in pages. The chapters seem long but the print of the book just makes it look that way. The cover is freaky, making it perfect for a visual for this story.
Thinking about all the pathetic horror movies nowadays, I can’t even think of one that makes my skin crawl, well maybe the “Saw” series. But that is about it.
I am utterly disgusted with cicadas. They not only mahe my skin crawl, their presence freaks me out when I go outside. I was just sitting on the porch deciding what I wanted to say in my review and I heard the rattlesnake sound of some creepy crawler and came right back inside. I have never noticed this before. I probably always just thought it was a cricket. We have tons of those in Texas. I am not sure if they are cicadas but after reading this book, I DO NOT want to know.
I started to tell my mom about the story and she put her hand up and said “I don’t want to hear it! I mean it Jennifer.” Yes we are both freaked out by bugs. This book is so awesome it needs to be made into a movie. If I watched this story on TV I would probably never go outside again. I am rating this book up there next to the movie Arachnophobia from the 90s.
I love the writing style. It was kept consistent with a narration where all the characters’ thoughts were able to shine through — the drama, the love, the humor…just magnificent.
The story is based on a married couple, Seth and Lara, in Long Island. Seth is unemployed and a victim of the stock market crash and Lara is a school teacher. They find out they are expecting a baby. Seth buys a video camera to document the entire pregnancy. What a documentary he will get.
Everyone is talking about the cicadas and how they are going to emerge this summer and it will be an overwhelming infestation. Seth, however, doesn’t pay any mind to the warnings to have supplies on hand like the normal hurricane supplies: water, can goods, gas for your car, generators, batteries, etc.
Lara is freaked out, eyes glued to the news taking heed to the warning. Their parents are calling to make sure they don’t need anything to prepare. Everyone is worried except for Seth.
As the story progresses, they take on a couple of friends who have fallen on bad times – Lara’s best friend, Marni, and her boyfriend. Will the lack of preparation make them suffer?
With all the chaos rapidly unfolding, I found myself read faster and faster to get to the next page. My heart stopped a few times, I am sure of it.
If you want a bug-infested horror story that will make your skin crawl and you can take it….. Brood X: A Firsthand Account of the Great Cicada Invasion by Michael Phillip Cash is a must-read. This is the best book I have read so far in 2013!