This book! The body horror that made me feel unease, throughout the whole book. The parallels of the main character's story to that of the cicadas. The views of how high society immediately views those lesser than them. The scientific accuracies of the cicadas and the Appalachian folklore and naming conventions are fantastic. I love the descriptions that both made me feel like I was in the woods and experiencing the trauma the main character goes through. This book is intense and has you in a sense of unease the whole time. It is over a three week period of time and was paced well. This is a book I'll think about and recommend for a long while on an emotional level.

I am going to start with the positive elements of this book. I did enjoy some of Mary’s personal stories you get to experience throughout the book. I love how she stood up to her bullies and her health journey.
I also enjoyed the ending of the book the last two chapters were very well written and I liked how she tied everything together.
There are many elements I disliked about this book and that did make it difficult to finish. I want to start off with say the first few pages are difficult to read and it doesn’t have something that hooks you and grabs your interest. I expected this book to be scary but it was just gross, there is no other way to describe it I understand that some people are afraid of bugs but this book is lacking good horror elements until the moment they are in the cave.
One of my biggest peeves about this book is the way this author chose to talk about overweight characters. Mary is stuck there for what I’m estimating is about a week and another character is talking about how chubby and gross she is and how much weight she has gained and I understand it’s fictions but if Mary was on a hunger strike how could she have gained so much weight? Another character named Girl gets talked about in awful ways due to her weight and I understand that might be how that character thinks but unfortunately it doesn’t need to be her whole personality and it's brought up more than once. If you don’t like overweight people then just don’t write them into your books.

I had some trepidation in the first chapter as I was getting to know Mary, the mc. Lawyers and corporate types are not my people and I couldn't see identifying with this woman. However, the writing was way above par and there were several sentences of the sort that you re-read not because you didn't understand it, but because you just want to savour the artistry with words.

So I stuck with it and was quickly rewarded with the sort of situation that deserves to be classed as Horror. My dislike of the mc actually served me well as the situation became clear and I found myself sardonically amused that her aggressive lawyer speak had no chance of saving her now. By the third chapter, I actually sympathised with her and hoped to see her escape.

The story really pulled me in. I had my suspicions about what the brood were, but I was totally wrong. They were much worse!

This is a creepy crawly story that hits some of my worst phobias, so quite a ride. Interestingly, the character arc for the mc was pretty impressive. Sometimes you have to lose everything to gain perspective.

Definitely for those who don't mind the nightmares.

I will start by saying I did not finish this book. I left off at around 20%.
That being said, the reasons I didn’t personally enjoy this book are reasons another reader may absolutely love it!
This story follows a New York City lawyer, Mary, who really leans into the victim blaming side of the “me too” movement. In the first chapter she crosses paths with a woman she knows has been through traumatic events, and makes it a point to note that the woman has “let herself go” and gained weight as if that is a moral failing.
She is, frankly, a hideously awful person.
If you would like to see a character like that thrust into as she puts it, “a b-grade horror film,” then you will absolutely enjoy this. I got the immediate sense that Mary will be getting hers in the form of extensive bug-related body horror.
There are some flashbacks to Mary’s past to explain her outlook and personality, but I didn’t find them particularly necessary, and the character still felt very flat to me even with that backstory.
I could absolutely see this appealing to someone who wanted a “watch this horrible person get what she ‘deserves’” story that feels very cut and dry, and not at all in a bad way.
That wasn’t what I was looking for in this story, but this story will absolutely find its people!

I've never read anything quite like this! The first thing to jump out, was what a great job Baum did at creating empathy for Girl, despite her doing pretty terrible things. The story was fascinated and dark and gross, I loved it!

I didn’t know what to expect from this novel. It was a slow start, but quickly evolved into a page-turner! The novel follows Mary, a successful lawyer, who is caught in a devastating car accident in a rural area. After the crash, she is taken in by a reclusive and mysterious woman named Girl. What begins as an attempt to heal and recover soon spirals into a nightmare, as Girl traps Mary, believing that she is her mother who has returned after a long absence.

The novel takes an unsettling turn when the story’s most bizarre element comes to the forefront—Girl’s obsession with cicadas. These cicadas, led by "Her in the Cave," become an integral part of the plot, with the creatures laying eggs in both Mary and Girl's bodies. The hatching of these eggs is described in vivid and painful detail, evoking the emotional intensity of childbirth.

One of the most powerful aspects of the book is the evolving relationship between Mary and Girl, especially after Girl’s biological mother returns. Initially, Mary is terrified and desperate to escape, but as the story unfolds, Mary begins to understand the tragic and delusional mindset that drives Girl.

Thank you Rebecca Baum, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for my Advance Reader Copy!

What an absolute rollercoaster! It hooked me right from the start with its creepy, tense vibe, a bit like Misery but then add in cicadas. It's eerie, intense, and super engaging.

The story follows the characters Mary and Girl, both caught in a horrifying situation. They both had mirroring external and internal struggles that added an emotional layer which elevated the book beyond suspense for me. This is not just a story about fear; it’s a story about survival, identity, and the bonds that tie us together.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with a dark, atmospheric edge (I’d put it in the Southern Gothic category too), The Brood is an absolute must-read. You’ll find yourself questioning what’s real, who can be trusted, and what you’d do to survive. Simply put: this book is unforgettable. And I won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.

I loved it!!

Perfect blend of horror, magic realism, feminism and weird-ness. I was gripped throughout, felt itchy in a lot of parts and said ‘oh my god’ more than a few times!

Mary, a badass attorney with a heartbreaking upbringing is attending a funeral of her old mentor, after leaving she is chased by paparazzi which results in a collision. Upon waking, she’s met by ‘Girl,’ her captor, who is convinced Mary is her mother. Then begins the horror, violence and a down-right weird experience that Mary endures.

There’s definitely some stomach churning scenes in this book, not for the weak-kneed for sure. The story gripped me pretty much straight away, kept wanting to know just WHAT was going to happen next. Couldn’t predict it. A page turner. Rebecca Baum knows how to keep a reader engaged.

It’s spine tingling, runs your blood cold, fastens your heart beat and you really route for Mary.

Also, the cover is absolutely stunning.

I found the story fascinating. The book contains a few religious references, although none are as evident as the protagonist's name, Mary. For me, Mary is the antithesis of the Virgin Mary, who accepted motherhood as a blessing, while the protagonist of this novel did everything in her power to avoid becoming a mother.

The central theme, as I understood it, is motherhood. Every character acts as a manifestation of motherhood in all its expressions: denied, desired, and resigned. What does it take to be a mother?

Through Girl, the issues of domestic abuse, body image (fatphobia) and the intrinsic human need for companionship are addressed. Her character was mysterious, yet a bit pitiful at times; nevertheless, she is somewhat of a guide to Mary, showing her— and us —that it is never too late to find our place in the world.

Don´t misunderstand these themes, The Brood is a horror novel. I spent entire chapters disgusted, horrified, confused, and angry. But the ending is beautifully written and satisfying.

I´m afraid this novel has changed my life. I don´t know yet if I'll be able to buy the book when it's published, but I´ll do my best to get my hands on it.

My favorite chapter of this book was the last one. Unfortunately, that’s where I felt like the actual story began. The entire book was confusing and didn’t answer any questions, most of those questions being “why?” This was a quick read with no direction, unfortunately.

3.75 stars - I had so much fun with this book! It was brutal, heartbreaking, and even funny at times. We follow Mary, a badass lawyer who has found herself kidnapped by a woman we only know as "Girl". I will just say that Girl has a thing with cicadas.... We are immediately thrown into action with this book and what Mary has to endure at the hands of Girl. This book was very fast paced and will hook you from the beginning. It was pretty disgusting at some parts, my skin was literally crawling and my jaw dropped with shock. The ending was a bit confusing but overall I still had a ton of fun and would recommend for avid horror readers!

I am not sure what I was expecting, but this was a horrifically awesome book! Very atmospheric, feminist, with body horror and being trapped. What a ride this was! I was honestly rooting for both captor (Girl) and captive (Mary). The movies that come to mind (and I can see this being a movie) would be The Hills Have Eyes and The Descent. This book was fast paced and I almost read it in one day! It was hard to put down.

Thank you so much for Netgalley for this arc.

In all honestly. It wasn't my personal taste, I liked the idea of Mary being a badass lawyer thathad her shit together. I honestly did understand Girl's story throughout and the relationship between the two women, although I will say, there were a lot of description about the Girls chest which was a bit off putting. I will admit it was a very quick read, very quick, and I did like the pacing was a little off as the book is short.
So overall a 2⭐️

The Brood might be one of the most disturbing books I’ve read in quite some time, and that is very much a compliment. Somehow, Rebecca Baum manages to infiltrate the psyche with a quiet, creeping dread that bypasses the usual defenses seasoned horror readers might expect. Did I regret reading it before bed? Absolutely.

This is a difficult book to review without revealing too much; part of its power lies in discovery. At its core, The Brood examines womanhood, particularly the battles we wage against our bodies and our identities, with a rawness that is both painful and cathartic. Baum weaves in archetypes of the shadow self through a character who serves as a dark mirror of the protagonist, while another figure seems to embody the wounded inner child. These symbolic elements are handled deftly; subtle enough not to break immersion, but clear enough to reward close reading. Baum shows rather than tells, and trusts her reader to do the work.

That said, a word of caution: the body horror in this novel is exceptionally vivid. If you're among the many who squirm at the thought of insects, or bodily transformation of any kind, this will be a challenging read. It is not a book to bring to lunch. Additionally, there is recurring fatphobic language throughout. While it appears to be reflective of character perspective rather than authorial belief, readers sensitive to this language may find it difficult to engage with.

Some readers have noted confusion about the book’s opening funeral scene and its connection to the central narrative. While I can trace thematic echoes between that moment and the rest of the story, it does feel underdeveloped. That said, the opening paragraph itself is sharply written and immediately gripping; I wouldn’t wish it cut, but a clearer throughline would have strengthened the overall structure.

Unfortunately, as this was an eAdvanced copy, I’m unable to quote directly, though I would love to. There are several lines that stopped me in my tracks. This book was, quite simply, unputdownable. It lingers, crawls, unsettles. It reminded me, in tone and thematic ambition, of The Vegetarian by Han Kang, a similarly elegant descent into bodily rebellion and existential dread.

I couldn’t finish this book, it was too gross. Definitely not my cup of tea, so I’m not the target audience.

4.25/5

Initially, I thought I’d rate this book no more than three stars. The protagonist was utterly disappointing at first—her professional choices and lack of empathy grated on me. In many ways the main character often plays a much bigger role than the story itself around her, but that's okay, things got much more interesting later on.

The plot was relentlessly dynamic—I couldn’t predict a single chapter’s twists. Stepping back, the book’s metaphorical layers reveal a poignant core, the kind of subtlety that always resonates with me. Essentially, the entire story led to that final moment: the heroine finding the self-connection she’d needed decades earlier. Throughout, I favored Girl over Mary, yet by the end, I ached for both—two lives bound by similar pain in disparate circumstances.

As for the horror genre, the book is good in its component regarding that. Its visceral details immerse you flawlessly; no complaints here.

My sole critique? It felt too short. I’m accustomed to longer narratives and missed deeper stretches of reflection and even despair. I suspect why it’s this length, but speculating on that would venture into spoilers.

Ultimately, I loved how starkly the ending contrasted with the beginning. It's always nice to know that even after a long time people can come to their senses. Thank you for the copy!

* Copy provided via NetGalley & 100% voluntary review.

An unsettling body horror. Though I enjoyed this fast-paced read, I felt that the first and last chapters didn't mesh well with the plot. The characters could have done with more fleshing-out.

- Mary, as the protagonist, was unappealing to begin with, her arc was satisfactory.

- I would have liked to see the Real Mother be introduced earlier to add a bit more depth and meaning to plot.

- I did not like the constant imagery surrounding breasts and feeding, I felt this contributed minimally to the plot.

- I found the concept of The Brood and the cicadas interesting and would have also liked this further explored and expanded upon.

- The imagery and descriptions of themes surrounding The Brood were fantastic and I was left wanting more from them.

Thank you to Netgallery and Thomas & Mercer for the e-ARC

Rebecca Baum’s The Brood delivers a relentless plunge into horror, fusing nightmarish visuals with a piercing examination of identity, power, and inherited pain. Brutal yet thought-provoking, it’s a whirlwind of tension and unease anchored by sharp commentary on control and the complexities of motherhood. The conclusion is devastatingly perfect—lingering and impossible to dismiss.

The Brood is the kind of book that gets under your skin—literally. Rebecca Baum’s body horror had me itching (like, actually scratching) thanks to those grossly vivid cicada descriptions. I appreciate the homage to motherhood and generational trauma, but it was hard to get past the unlikable characters at times.

The story wastes no time getting to the action, a pacing choice I appreciated, though the middle section dragged a little for me, feeling repetitive as the characters cycled through their struggles. Much of that tension stems from Mary, whose stubbornness and impatience with both the situation and girl made her a frustrating protagonist at times. But, her flaws also make her human—a woman pushed to her limits, reacting in ways that are deeply human, even when infuriating.

If you’re into atmospheric/body horror that’s equal parts disturbing and thought-provoking, give this a shot.

A creepy, bug-filled descent into madness with some pacing bumps but plenty of chills.

Thank you NetGalley and Rebecca Baum for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rebecca Baum’s The Brood is a visceral and mesmerizing journey into the realm of body horror, delivering all the unsettling, stomach churning moments fans of the genre crave. The ending is chef’s kiss perfection: haunting, satisfying, and impossible to shake.

But beneath the grotesque and surreal imagery, this novella is an intricate meditation on motherhood, autonomy, and generational trauma. Baum weaves a web of metaphors and analogies that force the reader to confront unsettling questions: Does giving birth alone make someone a mother, or is there something more fundamental at play? Do women truly have control over their own bodies, or are they reduced to their biological functions? Is trauma an inescapable inheritance, passed down in an endless cycle?

The Brood lingers long after the final page, challenging perceptions and unraveling layers of meaning with each reflection. It’s unsettling in all the right ways. A thought provoking, deeply intelligent horror story that refuses to be forgotten.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer Publishing, and Rebecca Baum for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. Wow! Give us more like this!!