The Hatching

Monsters, mad science, and meat-munching mayhem propel a B movie plot reinforced by plausible characters behaving logically in crises. A swarming black mass devours tourists in Peru; divorced U.S. Special Agent Mike Rich discovers a nasty secret in a crashed plane; China inexplicably nukes an isolated region of its land; and an ancient Nazca sack hatches in Prof. Melanie Guyer’s laboratory, releasing hordes of deadly spiders. Mike, Melanie, and the American president prepare for a terrifying arachnid invasion, wondering how they can succeed against an enemy “designed to feed.” Boone weaves believable dialogue and characterizations into an apocalyptic extravaganza of doom and heroism. Pulp theatrics and vicious spider attacks are lent surprising credibility by social context. Though it doesn’t reinvent the pulp formula, this addictive literary assault certainly reinvigorates it. (July)