THE SPIDER WAR

In this grim adult fable, an enslaved beetle endures unrelenting war in the insect world.

The narrator, who rejects names, is a beetle born into captivity. Roly-poly bugs ride them like humans ride horses. The rolies, which are members of the Rolipolion Empire, believe themselves superior to all other insects, especially their abhorred enemy, the ants. The narrator lives to serve his “master,” Prakar Ronti, a corporal in the Rolipolion military. They proudly and bravely ride into battles, but after a shocking defeat, Prakar does something unprecedented: He and other insects, including a termite, make a vow of brotherhood to spread peace. Prakar leads protests against the Emperor; supporters dub him “a chief architect of the Revolution.” His methods soon turn aggressive and violent, and as a result, fighting among the insects rages on. All the while, the narrator remains loyal despite his occasional visions in which he turns on his master. But he comes to terms with the fact that he’s enslaved and starts to look for a means of escape. Kozelka’s dark allegory touches on such weighty subjects as bigotry and class. The motley cast showcases a variety of creatures, including moths and katydids as well as snails, slugs, and spiders. As ferocious battles continue, the differences between friends and enemies become less clear, resulting in a nerve-wracking story that’s also swiftly paced. Kozelka’s descriptions teem with vibrant details, and the most brutal moments generate searing passages: “The bombs fell with savage abandon. Beetles and Rolipolions, torn to pieces before my eyes, mixed together in a frothy twitching of limbs and antennae.” Readers won’t easily forget the story’s aptly unsettling denouement.

Colorful, profound characters headline a bleak but gripping story.