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Star Wars: Galaxy of Fear #8
The Swarm
Uncle Hoole wants to study the S'krrr--a race of creatures that look like giant bugs. While Hoole works, Zak and Tash visit the S'krrr's huge garden--it's the most beautiful place they have ever seen. It's also full of very strange creatures. When a batlike shreev swoops down at Zak, he panics and accidentally kills it. Suddenly, the garden is overrun by big beetles. When Zak wakes up in the middle of the night covered with creepy crawly bugs, he's terrified. Did Zak upset the garden's delicate ecological balance by killing the shreev? Or is something far more sinister at work?
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 25, 2025
Star Wars: Galaxy of Fear #8: The Swarm by John Whitman
challenging dark informative reflective sad tense
Fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus: Yes
3.25 Stars
As I am typing this review, I am scratching my neck, my ear, my ribs, my knees....ugh. Help!
This was disgusting to read. I couldn't wait to finish this novella...just to get the thoughts of bugs out of my mind. The idea of being "swarmed" was just too much.
As a child...I'm not sure I would've been able to finish this story. No thank you. I am 59 years old...and I barely was able.
The central theme of the story was overcome by the thought that IF Zak had told the truth from the beginning, it still would've happened...and it might have even been worse. WHAT? What are they trying to teach our children...even me?
Not my favourite. I am a completionist. I am going to finish this Middle Grade series...if it kills me. Ugh. Not a fan.
challenging dark informative reflective sad tense
Fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus: Yes
3.25 Stars
As I am typing this review, I am scratching my neck, my ear, my ribs, my knees....ugh. Help!
This was disgusting to read. I couldn't wait to finish this novella...just to get the thoughts of bugs out of my mind. The idea of being "swarmed" was just too much.
As a child...I'm not sure I would've been able to finish this story. No thank you. I am 59 years old...and I barely was able.
The central theme of the story was overcome by the thought that IF Zak had told the truth from the beginning, it still would've happened...and it might have even been worse. WHAT? What are they trying to teach our children...even me?
Not my favourite. I am a completionist. I am going to finish this Middle Grade series...if it kills me. Ugh. Not a fan.
March 16, 2021
Star Wars Legends Project #261
Background: The Swarm was written by John Whitman and published in January 1998. It is the eighth in the Galaxy of Fear series, all written by Whitman.
The Swarm takes place 9 months after the Battle of Yavin, shortly after The Brain Spiders (my review). The main characters are Tash and Zak Arranda and their adoptive Uncle Hoole. Thrawn (a captain at this point, although the cover appears to show him in his Grand Admiral uniform) also plays a major role in the story. Most of the story takes place on S'krrr.
Summary: Still trying to stay out of the Empire's way, the Arrandas and their uncle travel to a remote planet where Hoole can study the bug-like S'krrr in a natural preserve that maintains an incredibly delicate ecological balance between the avian Shreev and the omnivorous Drog beetles. But when Zak accidentally kills a Shreev, an Imperial investigation team comes sniffing around, and the beetle population begins to spiral out of control (with deadly consequences), the twins end up with way more trouble than they can handle.
Review: I just realized I didn't mention anything in my last review about the sudden disappearance of the droid DV-9 from the series. I guess it didn't seem that strange in the last story, but I'm really starting to notice his absence here. It's like someone suddenly being dropped from the recurring cast of a TV show between one episode and the next . . . their may be a satisfying in-universe explanation, but you're still going to wonder what the reasoning was, and it still leaves a hole in the cast.
It's also possible that I'm thinking more about details like that because there isn't much else to think about here. I'm still in favor of the standalone model the series is following, but inevitable some of those standalone adventures are going to be inferior, and this is one of those. It's always cool when Thrawn puts in an appearance, and here he's in full detective mode, which is fun, but ultimately he's not up to his usual standards of brilliance. (I guess he can't be for the story to work.)
It definitely felt like there wasn't enough story here to fill the whole book. It's obvious pretty early on that there must be more going on than Zak believes, but then the plot just kind of spins its wheels for awhile before it gets around to advancing. This . . . just didn't do much for me.
C+
Background: The Swarm was written by John Whitman and published in January 1998. It is the eighth in the Galaxy of Fear series, all written by Whitman.
The Swarm takes place 9 months after the Battle of Yavin, shortly after The Brain Spiders (my review). The main characters are Tash and Zak Arranda and their adoptive Uncle Hoole. Thrawn (a captain at this point, although the cover appears to show him in his Grand Admiral uniform) also plays a major role in the story. Most of the story takes place on S'krrr.
Summary: Still trying to stay out of the Empire's way, the Arrandas and their uncle travel to a remote planet where Hoole can study the bug-like S'krrr in a natural preserve that maintains an incredibly delicate ecological balance between the avian Shreev and the omnivorous Drog beetles. But when Zak accidentally kills a Shreev, an Imperial investigation team comes sniffing around, and the beetle population begins to spiral out of control (with deadly consequences), the twins end up with way more trouble than they can handle.
Review: I just realized I didn't mention anything in my last review about the sudden disappearance of the droid DV-9 from the series. I guess it didn't seem that strange in the last story, but I'm really starting to notice his absence here. It's like someone suddenly being dropped from the recurring cast of a TV show between one episode and the next . . . their may be a satisfying in-universe explanation, but you're still going to wonder what the reasoning was, and it still leaves a hole in the cast.
It's also possible that I'm thinking more about details like that because there isn't much else to think about here. I'm still in favor of the standalone model the series is following, but inevitable some of those standalone adventures are going to be inferior, and this is one of those. It's always cool when Thrawn puts in an appearance, and here he's in full detective mode, which is fun, but ultimately he's not up to his usual standards of brilliance. (I guess he can't be for the story to work.)
It definitely felt like there wasn't enough story here to fill the whole book. It's obvious pretty early on that there must be more going on than Zak believes, but then the plot just kind of spins its wheels for awhile before it gets around to advancing. This . . . just didn't do much for me.
C+
June 18, 2023
We return to the Galaxy of Fear as we truly start the 2nd half of the series. When we left off, they have stopped that whole experiment and now they're just simply going around and wanting a safe place away from big trouble. This latter half doesn't as strict of an arc as the series was planned for just that first arc to begin with. Brain Spider managed to be very solid as a start to the latter half so today I saw how it goes on.
This time Zak, Tash and Hoole visit the planet Sk'rr which is made of bug people and the big attraction is this huge lovely garden. They are fine people who once worshipped bugs. They rely on these bugs to take care of these other bugs, as part of this balanced ecosystem. But after Zak kills one by accident, swarms that start attacking people. Is he the reason or something more sinister afoot?
This is a standard good entry for the series and that's mostly it. It's on the weaker end by most standards it works well enough. It sticks to the standard formula, with this mystery going on. It doesn't break new ground or anything like that. It's not the most exciting idea ever compared to the others.
Still, it's the shortest one at 112 pages so it does flow well. It didn't get too boring for me as the mystery and action ramps up. The world building is good here we find out about these people, that was kind of the highlight. There's sort of an arc with Zak making mistakes twice and basically learning to fess up when you mess up. Although it's a bit empty when we get to the end, it's at least something.
Thrawn is in this, and he's there. He's cool to see I guess but he doesn't add much. Not useless really, he's there with them through this, just not an amazing presence or anything like that. Still, it's neat.
If you're scared of bugs, there's some good horror in this for you. There's some dark moments and at least one death, which seems to be standard for these. The reveal of who is behind this is weird. We don't get to totally find out what their whole plan was, we just know the basics of what they were doing. They cut get off before they can have a motive rant, let's put it that way.
It's weird but not the biggest deal. Climax and ending works fine. As a whole, it's the most standard book for the series that still makes it at least good enough. There's enough for solid horror and world building to make it work. It doesn't do anything too special but there's not much hugely wrong. Standard but fine.
I fear the rest of the series may go down that way but we'll see. For now, this worked fine. With tat, just one left for this round until we see how the camp stuff works out. We go to Strange Matter for more alien antics. See ya then.
This time Zak, Tash and Hoole visit the planet Sk'rr which is made of bug people and the big attraction is this huge lovely garden. They are fine people who once worshipped bugs. They rely on these bugs to take care of these other bugs, as part of this balanced ecosystem. But after Zak kills one by accident, swarms that start attacking people. Is he the reason or something more sinister afoot?
This is a standard good entry for the series and that's mostly it. It's on the weaker end by most standards it works well enough. It sticks to the standard formula, with this mystery going on. It doesn't break new ground or anything like that. It's not the most exciting idea ever compared to the others.
Still, it's the shortest one at 112 pages so it does flow well. It didn't get too boring for me as the mystery and action ramps up. The world building is good here we find out about these people, that was kind of the highlight. There's sort of an arc with Zak making mistakes twice and basically learning to fess up when you mess up. Although it's a bit empty when we get to the end, it's at least something.
Thrawn is in this, and he's there. He's cool to see I guess but he doesn't add much. Not useless really, he's there with them through this, just not an amazing presence or anything like that. Still, it's neat.
If you're scared of bugs, there's some good horror in this for you. There's some dark moments and at least one death, which seems to be standard for these. The reveal of who is behind this is weird. We don't get to totally find out what their whole plan was, we just know the basics of what they were doing. They cut get off before they can have a motive rant, let's put it that way.
It's weird but not the biggest deal. Climax and ending works fine. As a whole, it's the most standard book for the series that still makes it at least good enough. There's enough for solid horror and world building to make it work. It doesn't do anything too special but there's not much hugely wrong. Standard but fine.
I fear the rest of the series may go down that way but we'll see. For now, this worked fine. With tat, just one left for this round until we see how the camp stuff works out. We go to Strange Matter for more alien antics. See ya then.
January 3, 2018
It looks like the last six books of Galaxy of Fear will just be standalone adventures. I think this is Whitman's best approach, since the first six, while connected, were standalone, and he seemed to be forcing that connection among the individual books. The Swarm is a weaker entry to the series, because its theme feels so heavy-handed.
The story has Zak and Tash visiting the S'krrr, an insectoid race of creatures who live in an environmentally balanced park. Of course, once they land, they cause problems for the S'krrr, so much of the story is about showing how actions have consequences. I guess this is a good lesson for anyone to learn (and this is, after all, a kids' book), but it seems so obvious, and wouldn't kids have learned that lesson by now? It just seemed like a basic point to make for the story.
Also, Thrawn makes an appearance, which struck me as strange. I don't remember him being a captain at this point in the timeline, but granted I've only seen him in Outbound Flight and the Thrawn trilogy, which are the bookends of his career with the Empire, so I guess it could be. It just seemed more like fan service than actually using a character to its best effect.
Despite my concerns, it's still a solid read, with good characters and a compelling plot. I just wish Whitman would reach a bit deeper into his stories to make them feel more significant.
The story has Zak and Tash visiting the S'krrr, an insectoid race of creatures who live in an environmentally balanced park. Of course, once they land, they cause problems for the S'krrr, so much of the story is about showing how actions have consequences. I guess this is a good lesson for anyone to learn (and this is, after all, a kids' book), but it seems so obvious, and wouldn't kids have learned that lesson by now? It just seemed like a basic point to make for the story.
Also, Thrawn makes an appearance, which struck me as strange. I don't remember him being a captain at this point in the timeline, but granted I've only seen him in Outbound Flight and the Thrawn trilogy, which are the bookends of his career with the Empire, so I guess it could be. It just seemed more like fan service than actually using a character to its best effect.
Despite my concerns, it's still a solid read, with good characters and a compelling plot. I just wish Whitman would reach a bit deeper into his stories to make them feel more significant.
July 25, 2025
The cameo in this one is Thrawn, and it's definitely not Thrawn at his best but may have one of his best quotes. What's great about Thrawn is that he's not pure evil, not malignant or malevolent or sadistic. He's rational and he rationalizes his actions and the actions of the Empire.
Bumped this one up to 4 for being a true mystery. The clues are there if you're paying attention. And I do like the effort to shape different cultures and mindsets which I always found a fun aspect of Star Wars. George Lucas loved anthropology, so having the characters travel with an anthropologist is very fitting.
Bumped this one up to 4 for being a true mystery. The clues are there if you're paying attention. And I do like the effort to shape different cultures and mindsets which I always found a fun aspect of Star Wars. George Lucas loved anthropology, so having the characters travel with an anthropologist is very fitting.
December 8, 2020
Definitely not my favorite. It took me a while to get through this one. I didn't think the swarm of bugs was that compelling, and the Thrawn cameo definitely felt pretty odd. BUT I won't give this less than a three-star rating because I know who the audience is, and I know that if I were a young reader who wasn't quite ready for Heir to the Empire but knew who Thrawn was, I'd be hype af that he was in this book. Doesn't feel fair to be hard on a book when I'm not the target audience and it's just fine otherwise!
August 15, 2017
this is legit the scariest out of all the ones i read, which is to say it wasn't scary at all but there is something very visceral about describing in DETAIL crunching beetles under your bare feet
multiple times
beetles end up in zak's food
beetles end up in people's mouths
it's disgusting
thrawn dramatically stuffs couch cushions into the wall vents because he's the only person tall enough to reach
it also ties in to the next five star book so :')
multiple times
beetles end up in zak's food
beetles end up in people's mouths
it's disgusting
thrawn dramatically stuffs couch cushions into the wall vents because he's the only person tall enough to reach
it also ties in to the next five star book so :')
January 13, 2022
It is probably the least horror-like book in the Galaxy of Fear series. There was also not much of a mystery involved, just a swarm of beetles growing bigger and consuming everything on its way. The cameo of Thrawn promised to be interesting, however the character was portrayed in a rather weak and shallow way. Nevertheless, it was a fun read.
October 17, 2023
More of the same, kids running around fighting a swarm of beetles that eat everything on another planet that only seems to be populated by 2 people. It's choppy and messy, but entertaining and brisk. I'm also deeply amused by the absurdity of Thrawn of all people showing up to run around with the kids on their adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2024
While I enjoyed Thrawn's appearance - Whitman suitably modified him for a younger audience, but he was still himself - the rest of the book wasn't as good. Zak learned an important lesson at what felt like an excruciatingly glacial pace, which somehow made this shorter-than-average book feel much longer than it actually was.
May 31, 2017
Unfortunately the series continues to decline, again the same formula - arrival, weird factors and half-truths, final revelations and a small thrilling ending.
The guest appearance is also a relatively obscure character (that i happen to like) who does not live to his full potential.
The guest appearance is also a relatively obscure character (that i happen to like) who does not live to his full potential.
June 26, 2024
It's about a crazed gardener who thinks he can talk to his ancestors by rubbing his wings. Thrawn tags along with children. I definitely prefer "random nutbags" over everything being the experiment of Dr. Gog. Gog sucked. More crazy gardeners.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2019
It is a great book. It reminds me of Goosebumps with a Star Wars twist.
November 30, 2020
Thrawn Thrawns decently enough, and there's enough mystery around the central plot to keep things interesting.
Be kind to bugs.
Be kind to bugs.
December 6, 2021
The only truly bad book in the series.
June 15, 2022
This one was a lot of fun and Thrawn as our cameo character was great and he plays a huge role in the story.
December 31, 2016
Thrawn was a little out of character but great for a kids tale.
September 28, 2012
Product Description
Uncle Hoole wants to study the S'krrr--a race of creatures that look like giant bugs. While Hoole works, Zak and Tash visit the S'krrr's huge garden--it's the most beautiful place they have ever seen. It's also full of very strange creatures. When a batlike shreev swoops down at Zak, he panics and accidentally kills it. Suddenly, the garden is overrun by big beetles. When Zak wakes up in the middle of the night covered with creepy crawly bugs, he's terrified. Did Zak upset the garden's delicate ecological balance by killing the shreev? Or is something far more sinister at work?
From the Inside FlapUncle Hoole wants to study the S'krrr--a race of creatures that look like giant bugs. While Hoole works, Zak and Tash visit the S'krrr's huge garden--it's the most beautiful place they have ever seen. It's also full of very strange creatures. When a batlike shreev swoops down at Zak, he panics and accidentally kills it. Suddenly, the garden is overrun by big beetles. When Zak wakes up in the middle of the night covered with creepy crawly bugs, he's terrified. Did Zak upset the garden's delicate ecological balance by killing the shreev? Or is something far more sinister at work?
September 20, 2016
I waver between a 2 and 3, but at a solid 2.5 I'm okay with giving this a 3.
My biggest peeve was that Thrawn was 1) there, even though most people outside of the Empire didn't know he existed and 2) written OOC. He even said "By the Emperor!"
I think his being in the book bothered me less than Chewie + the Big Three. At least Thrawn DOES enjoy art and culture and WOULD be in the same area as an anthropologiest.
Before the Killiks were the Sk'rrr, sentients descended from insects. Tash, Zak, and Hoole land in the Sikadian Garden, a fully natural habitat. Zak accidentally kills a shreev, a winged animal that eats beetles. While the beetles help the flora, too many can wreak havoc on the ecosystem - and on any sentients.
Overall the book was good. One of the best things was the guilt that ate at Zak before he told anyone of the shreev he killed. It was a great example of lying by omission and the hurt that sin creates.
My biggest peeve was that Thrawn was 1) there, even though most people outside of the Empire didn't know he existed and 2) written OOC. He even said "By the Emperor!"
I think his being in the book bothered me less than Chewie + the Big Three. At least Thrawn DOES enjoy art and culture and WOULD be in the same area as an anthropologiest.
Before the Killiks were the Sk'rrr, sentients descended from insects. Tash, Zak, and Hoole land in the Sikadian Garden, a fully natural habitat. Zak accidentally kills a shreev, a winged animal that eats beetles. While the beetles help the flora, too many can wreak havoc on the ecosystem - and on any sentients.
Overall the book was good. One of the best things was the guilt that ate at Zak before he told anyone of the shreev he killed. It was a great example of lying by omission and the hurt that sin creates.
March 2, 2015
Somehow, I never read the Galaxy of Fear books in my (I thought) comprehensive) tour of the Star Wars EU. My daughter saw this one at the library and thought I should read it to her. After I checked it out, she had already picked out another chapter book for me to read to her, so I just decided to read it for myself.
After that long intro, my review is well, it's ok. It was a quick read that was fairly fun. I would check out the others if I needed some light reading, but there are many better books out there...
After that long intro, my review is well, it's ok. It was a quick read that was fairly fun. I would check out the others if I needed some light reading, but there are many better books out there...
December 14, 2009
Okay. Okay. Kiddie Star Wars book. Not too bad for all that though. Definitely something to avoid if you hate bugs. =)
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