SWARM

A group of teenagers band together to defend themselves against an invasion of terrifyingly large creatures swarming the sky.

From the window of her history class, high schooler Shur notices a giant butterfly perched on a nearby rooftop. Despite its size, it looks like a regular monarch butterfly, but moments later, emergency alerts blast through her classmates’ cell phones, urging people to stay indoors and away from windows. Shur; her twin brother, Keene; her younger brother, Little; and the boys’ two friends race to take shelter, on their way witnessing a butterfly latching onto a pedestrian’s arm and ripping it off. At Shur’s house, they follow news reports and learn that the worldwide appearance of these killer butterflies may be related to climate change. The teens prepare for worst-case scenarios, stocking up on food and supplies, boarding windows, and turning the basement into an emergency refuge while waiting out the horrors. But a series of events rattle their relative peace, testing their bonds as they realize that the butterflies are not the only threat they face. The author delivers a fresh take on a popular genre, weaving in current and relatable topics like climate change, grief, depression, and anxiety while adding depth to the exciting dystopian survival storyline. The character-driven plot brims with heartbreaking scenes, horrifying images, and a bit of romance. Main characters read white; Keene’s best friend has brown skin.

A page-turner that will keep even the most stoic readers on the edges of their seats.