#insect horror

TW:Gore insect and body horror!!

Wolf Worm

Sonia Wilson's job prospects as a scientific illustrator take a nosedive after her father dies because, well, it's 1899 and she's a single woman with no inclination to settle down. She takes a job to illustrate the collection of a reclusive entomologist for his upcoming book detailing the life cycles of parasitic insects. But there's weird shit happening in the woods at night, and the locals are hiding something. Not to mention the wildlife staring strangely at her with tumorous flesh hanging off them.

Okay. I've had a fear of botflies for a long time. This dug up and rooted around in my fear to a level that very few horror books do. I am not generally squeamish when it comes to written word. I had to put this book down for a few minutes and do something else.

Other than swearing that every itch is a parasite burrowing into my skin, I loved this book. I love Kingfisher's main characters. Her writing reads smooth (by which I mean she does not self-grandiously over-complicate her writing). I had kinda guessed the twist early on (overactive brain yay) but had a great time getting there. Minus the flesh crawling part. I found Sonia very relatable. And the commentary of "surely I would do the right thing if presented with the choice" is pretty relevant.

So I guess you could say that Wolf Worm got... under my skin.