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The Skittering
Crease is known in Weaver as ‘the bug guy’, the man who takes care of insects and other critters. But what emerges from the shadows of the town’s waste plant is beyond anything found in nature.
Fist-sized cockroaches. Bird-sized wasps. Spiders, millipedes, ticks, all swollen to enormous bulk with vicious appetites to match. And other things, creatures that should never exist.
Through the night they come, slithering, buzzing, scuttling, crawling over skin, burrowing into flesh, making the town their nest.
Time is soon running out for Crease and the other survivors, as that hideous skittering noise closes in from all around…
Fist-sized cockroaches. Bird-sized wasps. Spiders, millipedes, ticks, all swollen to enormous bulk with vicious appetites to match. And other things, creatures that should never exist.
Through the night they come, slithering, buzzing, scuttling, crawling over skin, burrowing into flesh, making the town their nest.
Time is soon running out for Crease and the other survivors, as that hideous skittering noise closes in from all around…
213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2020
About the author
David Haynes
25 books195 followersWhen 12 year-old David Haynes picked up a battered copy of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, he never looked back.
Writing in the grand tradition of the horror paperback originals of his misspent youth, Haynes populates his spine-chilling novels with ancient evils and small-town terrors, mutant monstrosities and knife-wielding psychopaths, and is dedicated to disproving the depressing observation that “...they don’t write ‘em like they used to.”
David Haynes is the author of sixteen horror novels and three collections of macabre short fiction, and lives in England with his wife and dog - that he wasn’t allowed to call Cujo.
Writing in the grand tradition of the horror paperback originals of his misspent youth, Haynes populates his spine-chilling novels with ancient evils and small-town terrors, mutant monstrosities and knife-wielding psychopaths, and is dedicated to disproving the depressing observation that “...they don’t write ‘em like they used to.”
David Haynes is the author of sixteen horror novels and three collections of macabre short fiction, and lives in England with his wife and dog - that he wasn’t allowed to call Cujo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 13, 2024
It's time for spooky reads, my tribe! I chose this one to fill my "creepy crawlies" bingo square, and boy did it fill the bill.
In The Skittering we meet a group of people in the small town of Weaver who are trying to survive a sudden insect attack. This isn't your average SWARM GONE WILD type-story-well, maybe it partly is. We have a few employees at a local plant storing barrels with unknown contents, said barrels leak-> insects are affected-> out of control contagious->gore and mayhem ensue. That's the average part of it. What's not average is the quality of the character building and the one secret weapon that halts the insects in their tracks.
David Haynes is a gifted writer. This book hums along as we learn to love and hate the characters, freak out at the ungodly creations, and laugh out loud at the gory bits. (You'll be laughing a lot, if you're like me.) I had a lot of fun reading this and if creature features are your thing, I think you'll like it too!
Highly recommended!
*I purchased this book and I'm glad I did.*
In The Skittering we meet a group of people in the small town of Weaver who are trying to survive a sudden insect attack. This isn't your average SWARM GONE WILD type-story-well, maybe it partly is. We have a few employees at a local plant storing barrels with unknown contents, said barrels leak-> insects are affected-> out of control contagious->gore and mayhem ensue. That's the average part of it. What's not average is the quality of the character building and the one secret weapon that halts the insects in their tracks.
David Haynes is a gifted writer. This book hums along as we learn to love and hate the characters, freak out at the ungodly creations, and laugh out loud at the gory bits. (You'll be laughing a lot, if you're like me.) I had a lot of fun reading this and if creature features are your thing, I think you'll like it too!
Highly recommended!
*I purchased this book and I'm glad I did.*
June 7, 2021
This was one bug infested creepy story!
A small backstory without giving away spoilers:
Bugs have come calling in a small town and there are millions of them that range from spiders, cockroaches, wasps, etc. and as they invade the town that is not the only problem as these bugs are hungry and they will eat whatever stands in their way!
Pest control man Ronald Crease is the man for the job of taking care of whatever bugs and pests that the townspeople need taken care of, but when he gets a phone call from Nancy Tucker to take care of a bee nest that has formed on the side of her house, Crease just thinks that it will be something easy, but when he gets there and sees the size of the nest it is beyond his imagination though he tries to kill the bees the best he can which in turn makes them angry, Crease finds out he will need something a little more potent to take them out which turns his job into more of a challenge than expected.
Why are the bugs invading the town? What drives their hunger? Is the town able to survive the bugs? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
This was one creepy bug story that had me cringing on some of what was happening within the story as the author goes all out with the bugs taking over and eating their way through the town to the point that most of the book was one blood and gore infested romp of horror!
This was a twisted and fast paced story that kept me glued to my kindle the more I delved into the story. Gore suit was needed for this one - I was happy to have it ready to go! Giving this one five "Pest Infested" stars!
A small backstory without giving away spoilers:
Bugs have come calling in a small town and there are millions of them that range from spiders, cockroaches, wasps, etc. and as they invade the town that is not the only problem as these bugs are hungry and they will eat whatever stands in their way!
Pest control man Ronald Crease is the man for the job of taking care of whatever bugs and pests that the townspeople need taken care of, but when he gets a phone call from Nancy Tucker to take care of a bee nest that has formed on the side of her house, Crease just thinks that it will be something easy, but when he gets there and sees the size of the nest it is beyond his imagination though he tries to kill the bees the best he can which in turn makes them angry, Crease finds out he will need something a little more potent to take them out which turns his job into more of a challenge than expected.
Why are the bugs invading the town? What drives their hunger? Is the town able to survive the bugs? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
This was one creepy bug story that had me cringing on some of what was happening within the story as the author goes all out with the bugs taking over and eating their way through the town to the point that most of the book was one blood and gore infested romp of horror!
This was a twisted and fast paced story that kept me glued to my kindle the more I delved into the story. Gore suit was needed for this one - I was happy to have it ready to go! Giving this one five "Pest Infested" stars!
May 29, 2020
If insects give you the heebie-jeebies you won’t enjoy this one! At the beginning of the story, strange bugs are found around three barrels of industrial waste that are being stored without the correct documentation. It’s a greedy company with shoddy workers and you just know there’ll be trouble. The story begins like any other classic horror with people being attacked by previously unknown insects. As we progress, it becomes, for me, a study of people under stress. Old jealousies, minor and major greed, people trying for one-up-manship, all centring on a group of young people lying injured in hospital. The hospital becomes the centre of the action and it gets very exciting indeed before the end. I really enjoyed this one, and recommend it to all horror aficionados with strong stomachs!
August 13, 2024
This book is basically a reboot of the 80’s horror book the nest, which was featured in paperbacks from hell(a book about 80s horror books)
This one has all the gross fun of the nest but with better characters and a tighter plot structure.
Really, it’s a by the numbers “when mutant bugs attack” story. The characters are trapped with the bugs and trying to figure a way out.
Enjoyable book, I could see it as a movie.
June 3, 2020
How do you read a book from behind a cushion?
I've enjoyed all of David Haynes' stories, but this one got under my skin the most. Just like the bugs in the book.
It was more than creepy to start, then developed into a claustrophobic tale of no escape.
This is a story you'll love to hate reading.
I've enjoyed all of David Haynes' stories, but this one got under my skin the most. Just like the bugs in the book.
It was more than creepy to start, then developed into a claustrophobic tale of no escape.
This is a story you'll love to hate reading.
June 9, 2024
This felt like a 90s sci-fi channel classic. My 10 year old 90's self, felt like I was sitting in my bedroom with my Pocahontas bed sheets, watching the sci-fi channel, loving every minute of this!
February 13, 2021
It's the weed man!
I'm still trying to process what I just read lol! This book hit every trigger and hatred I have with bugs. This book is a viscerally gross black comedy creature it's awesome its not destroyed with realism and boring science it's an old fashioned but.modern creature feature that is excellent escapism. If your one of those who needs everything explained in scientific that makes sense to your bored mind go away. This is for those who enjoy being entertained I love it and thank you to the author.
P.s the solution to it all is a riot I will leave it at that. I peed myself Lol
I'm still trying to process what I just read lol! This book hit every trigger and hatred I have with bugs. This book is a viscerally gross black comedy creature it's awesome its not destroyed with realism and boring science it's an old fashioned but.modern creature feature that is excellent escapism. If your one of those who needs everything explained in scientific that makes sense to your bored mind go away. This is for those who enjoy being entertained I love it and thank you to the author.
P.s the solution to it all is a riot I will leave it at that. I peed myself Lol
June 6, 2020
Crease, the local "bug man" and pest controller has his hands full trying to deal with this latest outbreak. He has spent a lifetime controlling bugs of all kinds, yet he has never seen the likes of these insects desending on his small town.
Another fast moving and entertaining read from this great author. Again Haynes has all the right ingredients; a diversity of characters facing extraordinary circumstances, shutoff from outside assistance, and a threat that is never fully understood. Though I appreciate the succinct quality of the story I do feel it could have gone on a bit longer after leaving the main setting. This one is not for the squeamish, several times I found myself a bit "shivery" by the description of events...but in a good way as I want to FEEL something when I read a good book.
This one is highly recommended and gets 4 solid stars. The reason for 4 and not 5 is that I feel that, Haynes' two other novels Survive and Black Pine Creek, overall were better (especially characters). So I guess Mr. Haynes has set a high standard for himself!
Another fast moving and entertaining read from this great author. Again Haynes has all the right ingredients; a diversity of characters facing extraordinary circumstances, shutoff from outside assistance, and a threat that is never fully understood. Though I appreciate the succinct quality of the story I do feel it could have gone on a bit longer after leaving the main setting. This one is not for the squeamish, several times I found myself a bit "shivery" by the description of events...but in a good way as I want to FEEL something when I read a good book.
This one is highly recommended and gets 4 solid stars. The reason for 4 and not 5 is that I feel that, Haynes' two other novels Survive and Black Pine Creek, overall were better (especially characters). So I guess Mr. Haynes has set a high standard for himself!
August 19, 2024
Fun creature-feature.
June 3, 2020
Excellent creepy crawly horror.
Read
July 18, 2020DNF. Every time I picked it up, I couldn't even remember what it was about and had to keep going back and reading bits again that hadn't gone in...
December 24, 2020
Don’t read this in the dark
Beat horror novel I have read in a very long time. I’m now afraid to go outside in the dark alone.
Beat horror novel I have read in a very long time. I’m now afraid to go outside in the dark alone.
May 10, 2024
when’s this being made into a movie or Netflix show because I’m so ready.
4.5 rounded up to 5. I love bugs.
4.5 rounded up to 5. I love bugs.
April 17, 2023
Macabre humor
October 2, 2024
They weren’t bugs. Not quite. They were the stuff of warped nightmares, of crazy sci-fi horror movies.
4+ stars. Surprisingly, I found David Haynes' "The Skittering" to be a very well-written and extremely tense drama on all levels! Now don't misunderstand me, my surprise is no knock against Haynes' writing skills which I was experiencing for the first time. But let's be honest: when you read a book's promo blurb and you're already seeing that "what emerges from the shadows of the town’s waste plant is beyond anything found in nature…Fist-sized cockroaches. Bird-sized wasps. Spiders, millipedes, ticks, all swollen to enormous bulk with vicious appetites to match. And other things, creatures that should never exist"… well, at very least MY first reaction isn't going to be "I bet this is a really well-executed book with a strong focus on the characters and their interconnections in this nightmarish but somehow still plausible scenario". But guess what!
Mommy and Daddy were now steaming piles of black goop on the lounge rug,
Now naturally, this book is also extremely gory, with one scene even rivalling the horror and brutality of the famous Alien chestburster scene but perhaps even on a more emotional level for some. There is no shortage of gooey gross bits and what comes out of various orifices throughout can only be considered beyond disgusting. Haynes makes it work very well by making the situation if not entirely believable then definitely acceptable. But what makes the book really tick (pun intended) is that the characters are real, fully fleshed out 'I know someone just like that' sorts that will keep you pulling for or in many cases against them until the final scene has faded away. From parents fearing for the health of their children to folks thinking they know their own rights better than the police, we've all been there and seen that! All that was missing for me was a McDonald's and Walmart.
Gobbets of gore dripped from its antennae. The girl must have been eaten from the inside.
The story starts off innocently enough - a scene at a dangerous goods storage warehouse for a disgruntled dad, kids at a make-out point doing what hormonal teens tend to do, a stoner son doing stoner things, and so on. But when the horror begins, does it ever charge in with stingers aimed and mandibles looking to crush to kill! It's a wonder that there's even enough time for all the players to make their way to what will ultimately become the story's killing zone, namely, the local hospital. Well, I say hospital, but we learn all too quickly that as with so much of America, small areas like this do not "warrant" a full-fledged health facility because the "authorities" consider that there are other (read: better funded) hospitals within reasonable driving distance. Not necessarily a distance that means patients will survive their illnesses or emergency care needs but still… So we have a teeny tiny, understaffed medical, um, place … and wouldn't you know it, the shut down section of same is still there, too, only (a) with the old morgue still intact but (b) without any power to the complex. Now THAT is a quality spooky set-up ready to go!
Toxic. Harmful. Poison. The good stuff.
The battle royale then commences in earnest when everyone currently within the building - including patients, their families, staff, and the police - are ordered to remain there owing to a "pathogen" that the CDC will eventually show up and take care of. But no, why wait on the so-called experts when you can send in a small crew of bumbling idiots that will no doubt make things exponentially worse. It's really masterfully handled and, again, I thought Haynes put it all together in superb fashion! I mean, in a scenario like this, finding yourself really and truly rooting for the 'good guys' makes all the difference in the world. And watching some of the bad and/or arrogant guys get their comeuppance ain't bad either. Yeah, I admit it: I uttered the words "bite him! Suck his brains out!" more than a few times!
He knew why they hadn’t eaten him. He was carrying one of their own. He was pregnant.
I also really appreciated how the book reads longer than it is (I seem to be on a real stretch of finding more novellas lately than usual). Now there are some bits I would have still liked to have seen… adjusted maybe? Like we never find out where the barrels of "mystery goop" originated (as a chemist I want to blame it on the biochemists), not that I guess it matters. I also found McCartney's solo journey through the dark halls of the abandoned part of the building to be a little slow in terms of overall pacing, but then again, I appreciate that this hellscape that we ultimately must conquer was absolutely necessary to the story. Plus, he couldn't rush as his bones were melting. Finally, I wish we could have gotten a little more "action" at the ending, where the warnings and all were obviously ignored (go Feds, go!) but then again, just boom (an impressive boom mind you) and then a summary about what transpired just felt like a tad anticlimatic. I mean, have you ever tried to get rid of a wasp's nest, only to find one or two of the bastards still flying around a few days later? I just thought that would have made for great foreshadowing, even if Book 2 isn't on the cards just yet!
His lips were covered in maggots. They wriggled and squirmed across his tongue.
But overall, really top marks for a very spooky book! I'm currently in the middle of a "Creepy Crawlers Read-A-Thon" and this definitely is going to set a high mark for the rest of my list! Good stuff, enjoy! And while you're at it, just think about th … aah, what's that crawling on my neck…?
4+ stars. Surprisingly, I found David Haynes' "The Skittering" to be a very well-written and extremely tense drama on all levels! Now don't misunderstand me, my surprise is no knock against Haynes' writing skills which I was experiencing for the first time. But let's be honest: when you read a book's promo blurb and you're already seeing that "what emerges from the shadows of the town’s waste plant is beyond anything found in nature…Fist-sized cockroaches. Bird-sized wasps. Spiders, millipedes, ticks, all swollen to enormous bulk with vicious appetites to match. And other things, creatures that should never exist"… well, at very least MY first reaction isn't going to be "I bet this is a really well-executed book with a strong focus on the characters and their interconnections in this nightmarish but somehow still plausible scenario". But guess what!
Mommy and Daddy were now steaming piles of black goop on the lounge rug,
Now naturally, this book is also extremely gory, with one scene even rivalling the horror and brutality of the famous Alien chestburster scene but perhaps even on a more emotional level for some. There is no shortage of gooey gross bits and what comes out of various orifices throughout can only be considered beyond disgusting. Haynes makes it work very well by making the situation if not entirely believable then definitely acceptable. But what makes the book really tick (pun intended) is that the characters are real, fully fleshed out 'I know someone just like that' sorts that will keep you pulling for or in many cases against them until the final scene has faded away. From parents fearing for the health of their children to folks thinking they know their own rights better than the police, we've all been there and seen that! All that was missing for me was a McDonald's and Walmart.
Gobbets of gore dripped from its antennae. The girl must have been eaten from the inside.
The story starts off innocently enough - a scene at a dangerous goods storage warehouse for a disgruntled dad, kids at a make-out point doing what hormonal teens tend to do, a stoner son doing stoner things, and so on. But when the horror begins, does it ever charge in with stingers aimed and mandibles looking to crush to kill! It's a wonder that there's even enough time for all the players to make their way to what will ultimately become the story's killing zone, namely, the local hospital. Well, I say hospital, but we learn all too quickly that as with so much of America, small areas like this do not "warrant" a full-fledged health facility because the "authorities" consider that there are other (read: better funded) hospitals within reasonable driving distance. Not necessarily a distance that means patients will survive their illnesses or emergency care needs but still… So we have a teeny tiny, understaffed medical, um, place … and wouldn't you know it, the shut down section of same is still there, too, only (a) with the old morgue still intact but (b) without any power to the complex. Now THAT is a quality spooky set-up ready to go!
Toxic. Harmful. Poison. The good stuff.
The battle royale then commences in earnest when everyone currently within the building - including patients, their families, staff, and the police - are ordered to remain there owing to a "pathogen" that the CDC will eventually show up and take care of. But no, why wait on the so-called experts when you can send in a small crew of bumbling idiots that will no doubt make things exponentially worse. It's really masterfully handled and, again, I thought Haynes put it all together in superb fashion! I mean, in a scenario like this, finding yourself really and truly rooting for the 'good guys' makes all the difference in the world. And watching some of the bad and/or arrogant guys get their comeuppance ain't bad either. Yeah, I admit it: I uttered the words "bite him! Suck his brains out!" more than a few times!
He knew why they hadn’t eaten him. He was carrying one of their own. He was pregnant.
I also really appreciated how the book reads longer than it is (I seem to be on a real stretch of finding more novellas lately than usual). Now there are some bits I would have still liked to have seen… adjusted maybe? Like we never find out where the barrels of "mystery goop" originated (as a chemist I want to blame it on the biochemists), not that I guess it matters. I also found McCartney's solo journey through the dark halls of the abandoned part of the building to be a little slow in terms of overall pacing, but then again, I appreciate that this hellscape that we ultimately must conquer was absolutely necessary to the story. Plus, he couldn't rush as his bones were melting. Finally, I wish we could have gotten a little more "action" at the ending, where the warnings and all were obviously ignored (go Feds, go!) but then again, just boom (an impressive boom mind you) and then a summary about what transpired just felt like a tad anticlimatic. I mean, have you ever tried to get rid of a wasp's nest, only to find one or two of the bastards still flying around a few days later? I just thought that would have made for great foreshadowing, even if Book 2 isn't on the cards just yet!
His lips were covered in maggots. They wriggled and squirmed across his tongue.
But overall, really top marks for a very spooky book! I'm currently in the middle of a "Creepy Crawlers Read-A-Thon" and this definitely is going to set a high mark for the rest of my list! Good stuff, enjoy! And while you're at it, just think about th … aah, what's that crawling on my neck…?
May 2, 2023
Bugs life 2 the revenge
Great book, had me hooked from the first chapter, I’ll never look at bugs in quite the same way 🤣
Great book, had me hooked from the first chapter, I’ll never look at bugs in quite the same way 🤣
June 25, 2023
A great creature feature, which was funny and gross in equal measure.
August 17, 2023
Originally posted on the book blog Creature From the Book Lagoon.
*Trigger Warning: Pet death.
Never read anything by this author before, but I do love me some killer bugs!! 😀 And just look at that sweet cover! ❤
The Skittering is a wonderful homage to the 1970s- 80s hey day of creature b-movies and books. 🙂 We even had the classic toxic waste BINGO! WooHoo!! Uh, DUH! Of course I was gonna read this one!!
The author gets right to the bug action. We do not goof around. There is a lot of glorious gore and creative kills. Nice and nasty! Bleh. And EW. The story does run a little long for this type of book. The last half of the story’s momentum does wane a tiny bit. Also a little bummed that we never really get much resolution or explanation about the warehouse. Not a big deal but would have been nice. Also, not a huge fan that the pet dog dies!
I will definitely read more from this author. I really like his pulp style. Plus it seems like there is maybe a connection / shared universe with his other book, Dead Crow.
The narrator is ok. Nothing was bad about it, but there was also nothing that really stood out about it either. Just kinda there, you know?
The Skittering is a great modern take on the killer bug theme. I had a disgustingly great time. 🙂 Book at the pet death, but YAY to everything else! If all of that plus killer bugs sounds like your idea of a fun time, you should read this book. 🙂
*Trigger Warning: Pet death.
Never read anything by this author before, but I do love me some killer bugs!! 😀 And just look at that sweet cover! ❤
The Skittering is a wonderful homage to the 1970s- 80s hey day of creature b-movies and books. 🙂 We even had the classic toxic waste BINGO! WooHoo!! Uh, DUH! Of course I was gonna read this one!!
The author gets right to the bug action. We do not goof around. There is a lot of glorious gore and creative kills. Nice and nasty! Bleh. And EW. The story does run a little long for this type of book. The last half of the story’s momentum does wane a tiny bit. Also a little bummed that we never really get much resolution or explanation about the warehouse. Not a big deal but would have been nice. Also, not a huge fan that the pet dog dies!
I will definitely read more from this author. I really like his pulp style. Plus it seems like there is maybe a connection / shared universe with his other book, Dead Crow.
The narrator is ok. Nothing was bad about it, but there was also nothing that really stood out about it either. Just kinda there, you know?
The Skittering is a great modern take on the killer bug theme. I had a disgustingly great time. 🙂 Book at the pet death, but YAY to everything else! If all of that plus killer bugs sounds like your idea of a fun time, you should read this book. 🙂
September 19, 2024
If you're a fan of insect horror - specifically mutant insects - and body horror, this is definitely one you'll want to read.
The Skittering is fast-paced read with a perfect B-movie vibe complete with corrupt environmental agent, belligerent local drunk, stoner kid, rogue cop and ‘the bug guy’. The bugs are varied, awesome and gruesome; there are spiders, wasps, ticks, moths…you name it, it was probably in there.
The horror was pitch perfect; exactly the correct level for this story, for me. The quote on this graphic made me the most queasy. There were lots of bodily fluids, lots of bugs entering and exiting bodies, and the general horror of bug attacks. There's a kind of big bug showdown towards the end that was pretty cool.
The only reason this was 3.5 and not 4 was because at around the 80% mark, the story had overstayed its welcome. This was a point where It felt like time to wrap it up and end, but instead it kept going and started drag a little, which meant I started to skim. Beyond that this was really good fun!
The Skittering is fast-paced read with a perfect B-movie vibe complete with corrupt environmental agent, belligerent local drunk, stoner kid, rogue cop and ‘the bug guy’. The bugs are varied, awesome and gruesome; there are spiders, wasps, ticks, moths…you name it, it was probably in there.
The horror was pitch perfect; exactly the correct level for this story, for me. The quote on this graphic made me the most queasy. There were lots of bodily fluids, lots of bugs entering and exiting bodies, and the general horror of bug attacks. There's a kind of big bug showdown towards the end that was pretty cool.
The only reason this was 3.5 and not 4 was because at around the 80% mark, the story had overstayed its welcome. This was a point where It felt like time to wrap it up and end, but instead it kept going and started drag a little, which meant I started to skim. Beyond that this was really good fun!
July 9, 2024
More of a sci-fi thriller than a work of horror. It’s phobia-based and not a suspense thriller. Millipedes, roaches, ants, wasps, and (for some reason) slugs and jellyfish become man-eaters and use the human body as incubators for the next gen.
Toxic waste has caused the critters of Weaver city to grow to outlandish size and proportions—not a unique storyline. And only one man can save the city—another borrowed plot. That man is Crease, the exterminator. What follows is typical story line featuring good/cop bad/cop, rapid transmission and mutation, and a supremely cheesy, unfathomable way to protect oneself from victimization.
The Johnny character was thoroughly enjoyable, even tho the toking adult child living in his parents basement is another cliche presentation. Johnny seems to have more impact and presence in the story than does Howie and Crease, the villain and the hero.
A retelling of common themes that falls a little flat, Cannot Recommend.
Toxic waste has caused the critters of Weaver city to grow to outlandish size and proportions—not a unique storyline. And only one man can save the city—another borrowed plot. That man is Crease, the exterminator. What follows is typical story line featuring good/cop bad/cop, rapid transmission and mutation, and a supremely cheesy, unfathomable way to protect oneself from victimization.
The Johnny character was thoroughly enjoyable, even tho the toking adult child living in his parents basement is another cliche presentation. Johnny seems to have more impact and presence in the story than does Howie and Crease, the villain and the hero.
A retelling of common themes that falls a little flat, Cannot Recommend.
July 19, 2020
More than a few inconsistencies
The plot’s not bad if a bit thin. Full of scary insects eating people to death. While it’s not original by any means it would have been bearable were it not or the usual boring ‘he said’ ‘she said’ delivery of dialogue and one or two inconsistencies. For one thing. Tyler ;lugs his phone in to the docking station of the car and yet pulls it out of his pocket once he’s outside the air. Also, if Johnny actually did use the same mattress as the queen of England sleeps on then he’d have a very matronly bedfellow. The same make possibly but surely not the same mattress. Otherwise, if you’re not looking for anything too precise you might enjoy this book. I can’t say I did not entirely anyway.
The plot’s not bad if a bit thin. Full of scary insects eating people to death. While it’s not original by any means it would have been bearable were it not or the usual boring ‘he said’ ‘she said’ delivery of dialogue and one or two inconsistencies. For one thing. Tyler ;lugs his phone in to the docking station of the car and yet pulls it out of his pocket once he’s outside the air. Also, if Johnny actually did use the same mattress as the queen of England sleeps on then he’d have a very matronly bedfellow. The same make possibly but surely not the same mattress. Otherwise, if you’re not looking for anything too precise you might enjoy this book. I can’t say I did not entirely anyway.
November 6, 2024
The illustrator in me desperately wants to do a new cover for this , and for his other books for that matter.
Really good concept but I’m personally not a fan of things that kill for no apparent reason, with no limit . Would have loved to see some more research inspired elements to the different kinds of insects and how they may behave. Additional aggression sure ; and yeah wasps would act like this lol, but it would have been nice to see other issues arise due to other behaviours not directly aggressive
This author has a disturbing Tik tok book somewhere in him waiting to come out , some of the descriptions are properly grim (which is intended , so well played). Preferred dead crow due to the behaviour / system of the threat
Really good concept but I’m personally not a fan of things that kill for no apparent reason, with no limit . Would have loved to see some more research inspired elements to the different kinds of insects and how they may behave. Additional aggression sure ; and yeah wasps would act like this lol, but it would have been nice to see other issues arise due to other behaviours not directly aggressive
This author has a disturbing Tik tok book somewhere in him waiting to come out , some of the descriptions are properly grim (which is intended , so well played). Preferred dead crow due to the behaviour / system of the threat
February 1, 2024
The insects are gonna get you!!
A company hides chemicals in a warehouse that start infecting and breeding a new kind of insect. Cue in massive amounts of carnage, bodily mutilation, and some weed and you have a rocking story.
This really itched a need I had for something gross and gruesome. The insects are written with great detail and some of the deaths are almost comical with the graphic details of dismemberment.
I knocked down a star as I got lost a few times with who was who as it bounced around a few times telling different timeframes and points of view but overall a solid story.
For anyone who loves that 80s monster grossness.
A company hides chemicals in a warehouse that start infecting and breeding a new kind of insect. Cue in massive amounts of carnage, bodily mutilation, and some weed and you have a rocking story.
This really itched a need I had for something gross and gruesome. The insects are written with great detail and some of the deaths are almost comical with the graphic details of dismemberment.
I knocked down a star as I got lost a few times with who was who as it bounced around a few times telling different timeframes and points of view but overall a solid story.
For anyone who loves that 80s monster grossness.
March 30, 2022
Esta historia me ha gustado un montón, y si no se lleva las cinco estrellas ahora seguro que lo hace cuando la relea.
Esto va de bichos. Tiene su parecido con Invasive, de Chuck Wendig, pero es mucho más serie B, y resulta muy, muy disfrutable. Los personajes son una gozada, los bichos prácticamente puedes oírlos y, como es habitual en este autor, hay bastante gore.
Para una lectura ligera, entretenida y con su puntito agradable es una muy buena idea.
Esto va de bichos. Tiene su parecido con Invasive, de Chuck Wendig, pero es mucho más serie B, y resulta muy, muy disfrutable. Los personajes son una gozada, los bichos prácticamente puedes oírlos y, como es habitual en este autor, hay bastante gore.
Para una lectura ligera, entretenida y con su puntito agradable es una muy buena idea.
November 9, 2023
This brought up feelings of nostalgia for old horror movies from my childhood. It followed a time tested formula for old horror flicks. Nothing to cliche, but definitely predictable. It was entertaining due to a good flow of writing and just enough detail for a mental image of the events. Could easily be condensed into the old pulp comics of the past.
February 16, 2024
I loved this creature feature too! This is two in a row from the Audible Plus program that I've had a lot of fun with. A motley crew of survivors of an unnatural disaster find themselves trapped and saved by the most unlikely hero. I laughed so many times during this tale and the narrator was simply great for me.
April 22, 2024
I didn’t read the blurb on this one. I just went with the name and really hoped for gross bugs. This book didn’t disappoint! Was is perfect or some type of masterpiece? Nope, but it was a damn good time if you really just wanted some creep insect time. I will be finding more books by this author and read them happily!
October 7, 2024
The bugs in this one are spooky and gross ! Another fun one. I liked the characters in this one better than some of his other works — Josh was dumb but an entertaining part of the story. I thought his solution was humorous without taking too much away from the story, it felt like it could be something that would affect the bugs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2021
Good fun
Was a bit sceptical to start with but in the end I quite enjoyed it. Worth a read. Give it a gp
Was a bit sceptical to start with but in the end I quite enjoyed it. Worth a read. Give it a gp
December 10, 2022
This was a fun, quick and easy to read horror flick that will make your skin crawl if you’re scared of bugs and spiders.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews