Synopsis
Sixteen-year-old Shur is one of the first to see the creatures. While staring out the window in history class, she spots one floating over the soccer field. It looks like a monarch butterfly—but it's huge. Within minutes, her classmates' phones are buzzing with emergency alerts. These things are everywhere, and though nobody's exactly sure why the alerts are telling them to take cover, Shur knows it can't be good. It's only when she's left school and headed home that she what the creatures do: they attack.
By the time Shur, her two brothers, and their two best friends make it back to her house, it's clear the five of them must survive whatever comes next on their own.
As the "butterflies"—new hybrid creatures thought to be created by climate change—multiply and swarm outside, anxiety-prone Shur focuses on what she can control: boarding up windows, stocking food, and preparing a shelter in the basement. They lose internet and power while vigilantes create terror outside. Meanwhile, the creatures begin to fulfill their ultimate purpose: multiplying via parasitic load, and before long, the butterflies aren't the only thing trying to get in. To protect her family and survive the invasions, Shur must find the strength to protect their sanctuary at any cost.
Review
This was such an engaging, fast read. It's definitely YA with just enough gore and suspense to work for a variety of audiences. Butterflies are not something I would have envisioned as scary or as the monster in a horror novel, but Jennifer Lyle pulls it off.
If you're looking for a great spooky season read, give this one a go whether you're into horror/Apocalyptic books or not. You won't be disappointed!
Thank you, NetGalley, for access to this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Dates read: Sept 23, 2023 - Sept 23, 2023