The Swarm Review by Andy Marino

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An Exploration of Andy Marino's The Swarm

Andy Marino's The Swarm is not your average creature feature. It goes beyond the conventional clichés of monstrous invasions and catastrophic scenarios, delving into the intricate complexities of human relationships, the fragility of society institutions, and the frightening appeal of the unknown. While the titular swarm of cicadas serves as a catalyst for the story's unraveling, the ultimate horror resides in the human reaction to the unexplainable, the primordial fears and wants that rise to the surface when the familiar world falls.

A Multi-Perspective Narrative

The novel is told from multiple perspectives, with the primary focus on two estranged couples: Detectives Vicky Paterson and Kenny Grimes, and Will Bennett and his ex-wife Alicia. The location is Fort Halcott, an apparently regular upstate New York City that would soon become the focal point of a strange and horrific event.

The initial idea, a hoarder house death inquiry, quickly devolved into something considerably more sinister. Vicky uncovers a series of ritualistic homicides linked by the strange absence of insects and the sight of precisely gathered body pieces. Parallel to this inquiry, Will and Alicia, hired to locate a missing girl, find embroiled in a web of cryptic declarations, strange happenings, and a growing suspicion that something is seriously wrong.

Interwoven Threads of Mystery

Marino expertly weaves together these seemingly disparate stories, gradually showing the connections between the cicada swarm, ritualistic deaths, and the mysterious Order of Hemiptera. The narrative tension rises with each chapter as the cicadas' song, which began as a background hum, becomes into a deafening, all-encompassing drone. This sound reflects the escalating turmoil and panic in the city. The unfolding events exacerbate the characters' personal issues and damaged relationships, compelling them to confront their inner demons and make difficult decisions in the face of unthinkable terror.

Exploring Human Responses to the Unknown

One of the novel's most interesting parts is its examination of human reactions to the unknown. The protagonists' reactions to the cicada swarm vary from scientific wonder and intrigue to primitive dread and loathing.

Vicky and Kenny

Vicky, motivated by her devotion to her daughter Sadie and her desire to maintain order, begins the investigation systematically. However, as the crisis worsens and the lines between the natural and otherworldly blur, her willpower begins to fray. She confronts her own death and the fragility of the Earth she has promised to safeguard.

Kenny, her partner, offers a contrary viewpoint. Initially dismissive and cynical, his encounter with the cicada swarm rekindles a buried curiosity and sense of purpose that transcends his personal troubles. His embracing of disorder, which both frightens and intrigues Vicky, deepens his character arc.

Will and Alicia

Will and Alicia's voyage provides another perspective on the human condition. Will, attracted into the cicadas' world by a mystery connection, develops a weird, almost mystical understanding of the insects' purpose and relationship to the Order of Hemiptera. His change, which Alicia initially dismisses as a mental breakdown, gradually unveils deeper truths about the nature of existence and the interdependence of all living things. Alicia, who believes in logic and pragmatism, tries to reconcile Will's metamorphosis with her own sensible worldview. Their opposing viewpoints create an engrossing dynamic that investigates the tension between reason and religion, the known and unknowable.

The Order of Hemiptera: A Chilling Reflection

The Order of Hemiptera is a terrifying mirror of humanity's ability to create and destroy. Their careful ceremonies, the collection of body parts, and the creepy spiral symbolism that runs throughout their activities all hint to a darker, more nefarious aim. They seek neither power nor control, but rather a fundamental alteration in the way humans interact with the world—a fusion of the natural and supernatural that promises both release and destruction.

Visceral and Evocative Prose

Marino's work is visceral and descriptive, conjuring up vivid images that stay with the reader long beyond the last page. The descriptions of the cicada swarm, with their shimmering wings, clicking legs, and thunderous chorus, evoke overpowering dread and a palpable feeling of the insects' otherworldly presence. Similarly, the infected, with their distorted forms, empty eyes, and guttural utterances, demonstrate the heinous repercussions of the cicadas' invasion.

Beyond Horror: A Human Story

Beyond the creature feature components, The Swarm tells a fundamentally human story. The characters' connections, hardships, and sacrifices are imbued with a deep emotional honesty that raises the story above the level of basic horror. The novel delves into the intricate dynamics of love and loss, loyalty and treachery, and the enduring strength of human connection in the face of terrible hardship.

An Ambiguous but Powerful Ending

The finale, albeit vague, leaves the reader with a sense of disquiet and a deep understanding of the world's fragility. The cicadas' function, connection to the Order of Hemiptera, and humanity's ultimate fate remain unknown. The novel's main strength, however, is found in examining the issues that arise when the familiar world is turned upside down, rather than in delivering answers.

The Swarm is more than just a novel about a cicada invasion; it's a terrifying investigation of the human condition and the disturbing realities lurking beneath the surface of everyday life. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and destruction, there is beauty, connection, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

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