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Insects
A deadly carnivorous insect.
A group of scientists trapped in the remote rainforest.
One horror filled night.
Entomologist Howard Duncan has a generous grant and a wealthy lover. Now he's on the verge of a find in the Brazilian rainforest that will reenergize his career: the rarely sighted reptilus blaberus, an insect like no other.
But something has changed - nature has started producing an antidote to the fungal infection that previously held the insect population in check. Skeletons provide Duncan and his team with an ominous first clue about the potential consequences.
And as the hunters become the hunted, the team must fight for their lives if they want to survive the terror-filled night.
A group of scientists trapped in the remote rainforest.
One horror filled night.
Entomologist Howard Duncan has a generous grant and a wealthy lover. Now he's on the verge of a find in the Brazilian rainforest that will reenergize his career: the rarely sighted reptilus blaberus, an insect like no other.
But something has changed - nature has started producing an antidote to the fungal infection that previously held the insect population in check. Skeletons provide Duncan and his team with an ominous first clue about the potential consequences.
And as the hunters become the hunted, the team must fight for their lives if they want to survive the terror-filled night.
422 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
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768 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 2, 2015
BLUF: I really enjoyed certain aspects of this book, but, as a whole, the book didn’t do much for me.
**I received this ebook free from storycartel.com in exchange for an honest review**
Let’s start with the good..
This is one of the first books I have read that tells the story through multiple perspectives. I don’t know if this classifies as the omniscient narrator or if it’s something entirely different, but it works for this book. I enjoyed knowing what all characters were feeling and thinking and it kept the book interesting to me.
Despite not being thrilled with the story or the characters, I didn't think once about putting the book down.
Now with the bad..
I didn’t grow attached to any character in this book and, as a result, wasn’t invested in their actions or potential death.
I expected this book to scare me. It didn’t.
Lastly…
**I received this ebook free from storycartel.com in exchange for an honest review**
Let’s start with the good..
This is one of the first books I have read that tells the story through multiple perspectives. I don’t know if this classifies as the omniscient narrator or if it’s something entirely different, but it works for this book. I enjoyed knowing what all characters were feeling and thinking and it kept the book interesting to me.
Despite not being thrilled with the story or the characters, I didn't think once about putting the book down.
Now with the bad..
I didn’t grow attached to any character in this book and, as a result, wasn’t invested in their actions or potential death.
I expected this book to scare me. It didn’t.
Lastly…
August 24, 2016
I must be a glutton for punishment. I just can't resist when someone mentions man eating creatures. Especially the creepy crawling ones.
Imagine a bug that kind of looks like a cockroach. One of the big Palmetto ones. It is longer than your middle finger. Now imagine it's not like any known insect. And it's adapted. Changed. And we are now on it's menu.
Then imagine you don't know all this. Just that it's a new species. You gather a team, go into the rain forest. And you find the insect.
And that's where it gets ugly. Relentless. Kind of gory.
The forest works against you. The weather works against you. Your own fear works against you. And the bugs just keep on coming.
I had a scary good read with this book. And I've learned there are a couple more books in the series. Going to have to go see what happens next.
Imagine a bug that kind of looks like a cockroach. One of the big Palmetto ones. It is longer than your middle finger. Now imagine it's not like any known insect. And it's adapted. Changed. And we are now on it's menu.
Then imagine you don't know all this. Just that it's a new species. You gather a team, go into the rain forest. And you find the insect.
And that's where it gets ugly. Relentless. Kind of gory.
The forest works against you. The weather works against you. Your own fear works against you. And the bugs just keep on coming.
I had a scary good read with this book. And I've learned there are a couple more books in the series. Going to have to go see what happens next.
June 21, 2024
Professor Howard Duncan is looking for something to boost his career as an entomologist. He and an assistant, Cody Boyd, are in Manaus, Brazil hoping to find that lucky break. They've found some sort of very large insect similar to a cockroach, and discovering a new species is just the thing Duncan needs. After consulting with Professor Azevedo, an elderly Brazilian entomologist, who is familiar with the bugs (calling them Reptilus blaberus, reptile roaches) but has lost interest in publishing, Duncan manages to mount an expedition with several of his students and the Brazilian professor down the Rio Negro to find specimens. What they find, however, is that the species has changed, becoming extremely dangerous.
Basically a fun read for those who like scary/creepy stories. It's mostly plot-driven with a few too many characters to easily keep track of, but it kept me rapidly turning pages. The characters aren't well-developed, but neither are they particularly likable. Although initially turned off by Duncan, who seems intensely ambitious at any cost, I liked him best as he stepped up to do everything he could to protect everyone. The others... meh. My biggest problem with the story, however, was that it keeps building suspense without delivering on the scares. You keep expecting something to happen and it doesn't until the end, which is rather disappointing. Still, kind of a fun read and I will likely read the next in the series. (The ending is done in such a way that this could be a standalone book, but it would be very unsatisfying that way.)
Basically a fun read for those who like scary/creepy stories. It's mostly plot-driven with a few too many characters to easily keep track of, but it kept me rapidly turning pages. The characters aren't well-developed, but neither are they particularly likable. Although initially turned off by Duncan, who seems intensely ambitious at any cost, I liked him best as he stepped up to do everything he could to protect everyone. The others... meh. My biggest problem with the story, however, was that it keeps building suspense without delivering on the scares. You keep expecting something to happen and it doesn't until the end, which is rather disappointing. Still, kind of a fun read and I will likely read the next in the series. (The ending is done in such a way that this could be a standalone book, but it would be very unsatisfying that way.)
June 4, 2021
This was a pretty good first book. As you may have guessed, this is about insects - a new kind, to be exact. As with all good fiction, this has an element of believability about it, mixing science with some good old crazy evolution for good measure. I admit to checking the dictionary a few times at the beginning as there are some terms that I just did not understand, so I got to learn along the way too - always a bonus.
The main story features researchers who decide to go on a field trip to look into a new type of bug which is allegedly growing in population but has never been seen before. As the trip gets underway, it becomes apparent that the new discovery is not what they thought and as time goes on, the weather worsens and the bodies start to pile up.....
There are some nice touches in this book. The characters can be arrogant / ignorant or just plain selfish, but not to the extent of being clichéd as such. Relationships are formed and each little sub group has its own interests. The idea of worsening weather and its effects on the surroundings, the moods of the explorers and the equipment, is a nice touch, adding to a sense of imminent danger. When things start to go bad, you may want to scratch a bit, and if you are squeamish you probably won't appreciate the more graphic imagery in this story.
The ending is done well as it leads nicely into book two, but not in such a way that you can't just read this as a standalone story. If you like creepy crawlies, gore and natural disaster films, this book will certainly appeal.
I have the set of 4 books, so I'm glad I took a chance and bought them all!
The main story features researchers who decide to go on a field trip to look into a new type of bug which is allegedly growing in population but has never been seen before. As the trip gets underway, it becomes apparent that the new discovery is not what they thought and as time goes on, the weather worsens and the bodies start to pile up.....
There are some nice touches in this book. The characters can be arrogant / ignorant or just plain selfish, but not to the extent of being clichéd as such. Relationships are formed and each little sub group has its own interests. The idea of worsening weather and its effects on the surroundings, the moods of the explorers and the equipment, is a nice touch, adding to a sense of imminent danger. When things start to go bad, you may want to scratch a bit, and if you are squeamish you probably won't appreciate the more graphic imagery in this story.
The ending is done well as it leads nicely into book two, but not in such a way that you can't just read this as a standalone story. If you like creepy crawlies, gore and natural disaster films, this book will certainly appeal.
I have the set of 4 books, so I'm glad I took a chance and bought them all!
December 15, 2015
Vaguely okay.
June 18, 2016
Following lunch, the group fanned out again. More than two hours had passed since Rankin found the armadillo and questions were whispered about whether they should change course. They were getting nowhere fast.
I’m never particularly happy when I have to give a book a poor review.
But for its page count, John Koloen’s Insects seems excessively ponderous, rabbit-trailing far too often into uninteresting backstory, dull exposition, or dwelling on peripheral characters. The plot of the book is a staple creature feature – a group of scientists discover a hitherto unknown variety of insect which (not surprisingly) likes to eat people, swarming like bug-piranha to a smorgasbord of intrepid scientists, on old professor, and a handful of co-eds. Schlocky, sure, but in the right hands, this kind of creepy crawly monster book is a wonderful guilty pleasure (see Guy N. Smith’s Night of the Crabs for example).
Unfortunately, Insects never gets up to speed. The pacing is dreadfully slow, the characters a bit dull, and the whole read … just isn’t very fun. A sinewy editor might have been able to cut this book to half its length and given us a bit more of a roller coaster ride, but even then, the climactic battle between the book’s principle protagonists and the masticating swarm of cockroaches is cut unforgivingly short … to inexplicably shift to a banal bunch of background characters, who dither for some five chapters planning a rescue mission … before the book inexplicably dénouement’s into a disappointingly bland end.
It’s too bad because Koloen isn’t a bad author. I’d be tempted to check-out a future book from him, but this one just didn’t have enough in it to keep me turning the pages.
I’m never particularly happy when I have to give a book a poor review.
But for its page count, John Koloen’s Insects seems excessively ponderous, rabbit-trailing far too often into uninteresting backstory, dull exposition, or dwelling on peripheral characters. The plot of the book is a staple creature feature – a group of scientists discover a hitherto unknown variety of insect which (not surprisingly) likes to eat people, swarming like bug-piranha to a smorgasbord of intrepid scientists, on old professor, and a handful of co-eds. Schlocky, sure, but in the right hands, this kind of creepy crawly monster book is a wonderful guilty pleasure (see Guy N. Smith’s Night of the Crabs for example).
Unfortunately, Insects never gets up to speed. The pacing is dreadfully slow, the characters a bit dull, and the whole read … just isn’t very fun. A sinewy editor might have been able to cut this book to half its length and given us a bit more of a roller coaster ride, but even then, the climactic battle between the book’s principle protagonists and the masticating swarm of cockroaches is cut unforgivingly short … to inexplicably shift to a banal bunch of background characters, who dither for some five chapters planning a rescue mission … before the book inexplicably dénouement’s into a disappointingly bland end.
It’s too bad because Koloen isn’t a bad author. I’d be tempted to check-out a future book from him, but this one just didn’t have enough in it to keep me turning the pages.
September 9, 2016
While this may not have the best writing, the most flowing story or the most lovable characters, I loved it. There is something about the idea of man-killing insects that just appeals to me, especially when it comes with a massive dose of ecology based science geekery. Seriously my inner geek loved this book (as did my outer geek and my long lost inner cool) as Duncan and co found themselves in well well well over their heads, which you could see coming a mile off, and they are stuck at the mercy of nature in every sense of the word. The stories beyond the main one, particularly the slightly awkward fling between Duncan and Maggie, are not the greatest but they mostly work and I enjoyed the main story too much to really worry about these bits. A winner for me and I can't wait to go back and play with those little critters some more.
Read
January 16, 2016I stopped reading at chapter 61. Unfortunately, the book just wasn't capturing my imagination. If the story had been a little tighter, I think it would have succeeded. For example, one of the final straws that convinced me to give up on this book was an almost full page description of the contents of Prof Azevedos drawers. I sometimes had trouble telling the characters apart too, and at one point had to go back and look up who characters were.
I'd bet that the author's next book will improve on these debut niggles.
I'd bet that the author's next book will improve on these debut niggles.
January 28, 2016
Good story, but the ending was rather quick.
September 8, 2016
Eh, this one was alright. Will probably write a longer review at some point.
August 17, 2020
A group of researchers go on an expedition into a jungle in search of cockroach-like insects. The bugs have morphed from rarities to carnivorous swarms. Plus it is the end of the rainy season when the risk of flooding is ridiculously high. So what could possibly go wrong?
there are parts of this book that I liked. the showdown on the river with the insects was fast-paced. Unfortunately, las with most horror there is little depth to any of the characters. I really didn't care about any of them save the old professor to some extent. The remainder where unforgettable. The start is slow, less the building of menace than the characters babbling about funding, advancing careers, etc. The rescuers seem, for the most part, seriously immune to the horrors experienced and the survivors are shockingly subdued. The ending fell flat. If you like horror especially where there is no reasoning with the adversary, this is a decent choice. Wish there was less talk in the beginning, more action in the middle and more of a bang at the end. But it does have a creepy factor that is undeniable. 2.5STARS
there are parts of this book that I liked. the showdown on the river with the insects was fast-paced. Unfortunately, las with most horror there is little depth to any of the characters. I really didn't care about any of them save the old professor to some extent. The remainder where unforgettable. The start is slow, less the building of menace than the characters babbling about funding, advancing careers, etc. The rescuers seem, for the most part, seriously immune to the horrors experienced and the survivors are shockingly subdued. The ending fell flat. If you like horror especially where there is no reasoning with the adversary, this is a decent choice. Wish there was less talk in the beginning, more action in the middle and more of a bang at the end. But it does have a creepy factor that is undeniable. 2.5STARS
March 14, 2019
Ok if you like B-Grade Horror movies in book form, Scientists behaving in unscientific manner and being just plain stupid.
Spoiler alert, Stop reading here if you wish to read the book.
They are looking for a rare type of insect, a group of these insects kill a man, they go to where the man was killed. Instead of doing a proper investigation of the site and around where the man was killed, they rush into the forest looking for the insects. If that is not bad enough, they find several animals and another person killed by the insects, none of which are properly studied and evaluated. They amateurishly continue to rush into the woods ill prepared for what they may find, with predictable results. The survivors of this "adventure," evidently continue on in sequels, which I will not read and therefore will not review.
Spoiler alert, Stop reading here if you wish to read the book.
They are looking for a rare type of insect, a group of these insects kill a man, they go to where the man was killed. Instead of doing a proper investigation of the site and around where the man was killed, they rush into the forest looking for the insects. If that is not bad enough, they find several animals and another person killed by the insects, none of which are properly studied and evaluated. They amateurishly continue to rush into the woods ill prepared for what they may find, with predictable results. The survivors of this "adventure," evidently continue on in sequels, which I will not read and therefore will not review.
December 22, 2020
Before I purchase a book, I always read reviews on Goodreads. This one confused me a bit, as it either had good reviews or poor ones. I didn't read many in the middle. I was drawn to the synopsis: a group of entomologists enter the rainforest looking for a man-eating insect, only to become trapped and end up fighting for their lives.
Personally, I enjoyed the novel. It was an adventure with likeable characters and a believable storyline. I was engaged throughout and wanted to know if the crew would survive. I would assume the author did some significant research into the geographic area and the entomology profession, as I bought into everything he wrote. I appreciated Mr. Koloen's writing style as it was descriptive, yet captivating. The only slight downfall for me was the wrap-up. It felt rushed and I thought perhaps my eBook had a section missing. Other than this, I would definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to read an enjoyable thriller.
Personally, I enjoyed the novel. It was an adventure with likeable characters and a believable storyline. I was engaged throughout and wanted to know if the crew would survive. I would assume the author did some significant research into the geographic area and the entomology profession, as I bought into everything he wrote. I appreciated Mr. Koloen's writing style as it was descriptive, yet captivating. The only slight downfall for me was the wrap-up. It felt rushed and I thought perhaps my eBook had a section missing. Other than this, I would definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to read an enjoyable thriller.
July 12, 2018
Survivor meets The Swarm
A group of students and a semi-retired entomology professor embark on an expedition into the Brazilian jungle to study an insect that appears to have quickly evolved from docile beetles into savage killers. The expedition becomes a trial of survival as the entire area is flooded. Now the group must attempt to return to civilization through roiling waters infested with thousands of murderous bugs and other terrors.
If I have any problems with this book it is that I wish it had included more interaction with the insects and a bit less of the escape from the jungle, as compelling as that was.
One must read the sequel to find out how the story ultimately ends. I probably will do that. This is a good series.
A group of students and a semi-retired entomology professor embark on an expedition into the Brazilian jungle to study an insect that appears to have quickly evolved from docile beetles into savage killers. The expedition becomes a trial of survival as the entire area is flooded. Now the group must attempt to return to civilization through roiling waters infested with thousands of murderous bugs and other terrors.
If I have any problems with this book it is that I wish it had included more interaction with the insects and a bit less of the escape from the jungle, as compelling as that was.
One must read the sequel to find out how the story ultimately ends. I probably will do that. This is a good series.
October 2, 2018
I read this for a reading challenge, otherwise I may never have come across this book.
A team of entomologists travel into the rain forest in search of killer bugs. They do this, taking little precautions and no contingency plans for an emergency. So what happens? They find the bugs who are a lot more deadly and clever than they thought, and obviously rainy season then hits.
I'm not sure that I liked this book, there are some very big plot holes, very one dimensional wooden characters and not a huge amount of tension for the subject matter. Its a great book to fill a challenge and I would consider using the rest in the series if I needed them. Not sure I would read them just for the joy of reading them.
A team of entomologists travel into the rain forest in search of killer bugs. They do this, taking little precautions and no contingency plans for an emergency. So what happens? They find the bugs who are a lot more deadly and clever than they thought, and obviously rainy season then hits.
I'm not sure that I liked this book, there are some very big plot holes, very one dimensional wooden characters and not a huge amount of tension for the subject matter. Its a great book to fill a challenge and I would consider using the rest in the series if I needed them. Not sure I would read them just for the joy of reading them.
July 12, 2020
They’re kinda like a cockroach, only far more aggressive, better organized and adapted for slicing and dicing. A rare fungus in the rainforest has kept their numbers in check until now. So goodbye fungus, hello hordes of man eating bugs. A curious group of American entomologists and Brazilian guides think it’s a great idea to study them in their natural habitat; the rainy season is just about over, right? As you can guess, this doesn’t end well. First they find the skeletons, next the bugs, then it starts to rain… Insects is creature horror done right; edge of the seat reading, well written with better than usual characterizations. It is the first of four books and I am itching for more. Highly recommended with sterilized water and your last protein bar.
Read
October 3, 2024DNF at 200 pages. A lackluster and dull book with no characters even worthy of sympathy. This story has tremendous potential but my only impression is that even the author was unenthusiastic about the crew he had assembled. The conversations were mundane and even childish when they weren't abundantly foolish, even for college professors. I wanted to quit reading even earlier but kept hoping that somehow things would change for the better once some real action began, but it was just more of the same.
Additional: my copy had a formatting defect which also meant I couldn't put the font size where I need it. If I increased past font size 9, several words would be cut off from page to page.
Additional: my copy had a formatting defect which also meant I couldn't put the font size where I need it. If I increased past font size 9, several words would be cut off from page to page.
February 4, 2019
HORSESHIT
The 2nd entry to my horseshit shelf. I had wanted to read this for a long time and really wanted to like it, but it was a DNF at 70 pages.
The main story was sort of interesting but the main characters, we know nothing about them other than they are called Duncan and Boyd and work in Brazil studying insects. And they are dull.
Next thing a plethora of b characters come into it with huge back stories, all dull.
HORSESHIT
The 2nd entry to my horseshit shelf. I had wanted to read this for a long time and really wanted to like it, but it was a DNF at 70 pages.
The main story was sort of interesting but the main characters, we know nothing about them other than they are called Duncan and Boyd and work in Brazil studying insects. And they are dull.
Next thing a plethora of b characters come into it with huge back stories, all dull.
HORSESHIT
June 30, 2017
First book is action packed and I couldn't put the book down. Second book took a while to get into the action. Had to put the book down for a month before starting the the Third book , at which point couldn't wait to finish it. Overall good read but I don't want to read anything else about bugs again for a while. Lol
February 3, 2019
Good concept interesting idea
It's disappointing when someone has such a good idea and then they fail to flesh it out as it deserves. The story wandered all over the place and I don't want to blow it for anybody who's interested in reading it but I think it was just a really weak petered out ending.
It's disappointing when someone has such a good idea and then they fail to flesh it out as it deserves. The story wandered all over the place and I don't want to blow it for anybody who's interested in reading it but I think it was just a really weak petered out ending.
March 8, 2023
One of the worst, most boring books I have ever read. There is nothing interesting about this book. The characters are not likable. Nothing much happens. I think the author padded this ,to make a book out of nothing. Just repetition, with occasionally , some one getting eaten. There are so many better authors, of this kind of thriller.
August 11, 2019
Novel lacking
I found book concentrated to much on the characters rather than the insects. Hopefully the following story will give more details concerning the insects as that is the title
I found book concentrated to much on the characters rather than the insects. Hopefully the following story will give more details concerning the insects as that is the title
August 14, 2020
Good read
If you like books like this then this is for you. I read this in one sitting because I could not put it down and immediately bought the next one and I am sure will grab 3 and 4. Can not wait to get started.
If you like books like this then this is for you. I read this in one sitting because I could not put it down and immediately bought the next one and I am sure will grab 3 and 4. Can not wait to get started.
June 26, 2017
For those who enjoy disaster movies. Recommended.
July 1, 2017
Ghoolish
A surprisingly good tale of suspense and action. Toward the middle it became a real page Turner racing to the end.
A surprisingly good tale of suspense and action. Toward the middle it became a real page Turner racing to the end.
September 7, 2017
Not for anyone who doesn't like horror stories. A little slow moving in places.
February 6, 2019
First of a series
Scientists & students go on a search for an undiscovered species of bug. Similar to a roach, except it has knifelike legs & kills anything it encounters.
Scientists & students go on a search for an undiscovered species of bug. Similar to a roach, except it has knifelike legs & kills anything it encounters.
February 8, 2019
This is well written and enthralling, but there is not a hero in the bunch. All the characters are super self-centered and totally unprepared for what they were doing. It will make your skin crawl.
May 4, 2019
Very fast paced horror story. Not a bad story..... just started the second book so I can find out what happened! If you like quick stories, add this one to your list of "to reads!"
May 30, 2019
Fast paced with an excellent plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews