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Brood X by Michael Phillip Cash

Brood X

A Firsthand Account of the Great Cicada Invasion

by Michael Phillip Cash

Pub Date: May 4th, 2013
ISBN: 978-1481843904
Publisher: CreateSpace

A novel debut thriller about a modern-day cicada plague.

An average couple faces monsters, mayhem and possibly the end of the world—and, for once, it’s not because of a zombie invasion. Cash takes a wildly different approach to the post-apocalyptic genre, depicting a series of seemingly realistic survival scenarios after a massive hatch of 17-year cicadas causes mayhem in the northeast United States. Such a threat may seem more plausible than the dead rising from their graves, but make no mistake—this thriller is far from entomologically correct. However, once readers suspend their disbelief, this tale provides a welcome respite from more common, formulaic end-of-the world takes. The main plot revolves around Seth and Laura, a generally happy, if stressed, married couple. Seth is currently unemployed, and Laura, who just recently became pregnant, is unhappy with his lack of enthusiasm in looking for work. Readers will easily identify with these archetypal characters, even if they aren’t very particularly well-developed at first; however, the story gains a heightened sense of urgency once the cicadas destroy the couple’s quiet suburban life, ramping up the action. As the local government falls apart and basic necessities become scarce, Seth and Laura must navigate a world gripped by chaos while also dealing with their own marital issues; they also must confront the fact that their unborn child is in imminent danger right along with them. This brief debut novel makes up for its shortcomings with its fresh perspective, breathing new life into a genre that has been occupied too long by the usual suspects: sickness, the undead and global warming.

A story of survival inventive enough to entice fans of the genre.