Every girl in the Strand family knows their magic will come when they turn 15 years old. It happened to Nell’s mother, causing her age to fluctuate day by day: Sometimes she’s a reliable adult, while at other times she’s a moody teen, even younger than her daughters. For Nell’s older sister, Mora, magic comes in the form of beautiful music that pours from her veins, leading her to self-harm.
So when the insects appear after she turns 15, Nell isn’t surprised. Ladybugs as she plays piano, stick insects during difficult conversations, wasps that match a surge of her anger—the insects become part of Nell, reflecting everything within and without. And there’s a lot to reflect. The Strand family is on edge: Their mother is completely focused on Mora, who has been institutionalized for her mental health, and their father is distant and preoccupied with work. Nell is left on her own—as if being a teenage girl, putting up with her piano teacher’s leering glances, and understanding her own changing body aren’t hard enough. As the start of Grade 10 looms, magic becomes another burden that Nell must carry on her own.
Told in intense verse, I Am the Swarm dives deep into the adolescent experience, unafraid to tackle difficult topics like self-harm, sexual harassment and parental neglect. Readers come into contact with these tough realities through Nell’s innermost thoughts. Her words, which initially appear straightforward and even meager, hide deep emotion and potent questions bubbling underneath, leaving the audience to wonder if, when and how these feelings will eventually burst through.
Through different, creative forms of magic, author Hayley Chewins explores the power, weight and importance of emotions, challenging the notion that feelings are unimportant or isolated from reality. In their attempts to understand and control their magic, characters demonstrate different ways of dealing with emotions—some devastating, some healthy.
I Am the Swarm is a powerful read that packs a range of emotional experiences into smooth, simple verses. With a compelling, original depiction of inherited magic, this book is sure to resonate with those seeking thoughtful speculative fiction.
