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The Colony: A Novel

by A.J. Colucci (Goodreads Author)

3.38 of 5 stars 3.38 · rating details · 101 ratings · 31 reviews

A series of gruesome attacks have been sweeping New York City. A teacher in Harlem and two sanitation workers on Wall Street are found dead, their swollen bodies nearly dissolved from the inside out. The predator is a deadly supercolony of ants--an army of one trillion soldiers with razor-sharp claws that pierce skin like paper and stinging venom that liquefies its prey.

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Hardcover, 304 pages

Published November 13th 2012 by Thomas Dunne Books

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Dec 15, 2012 karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

meh.
i must confess, i was hoping for something more like this:

as a companion to those wonderful crab books i read. you know, this one and this one.

but this was not as pulpy as i had expected; sadly there's not much of the lurid to be found here.

the dust jacket had such promise:

The desperate mayor turns to the greatest ant expert in the world, Paul O'Keefe, a Pulitzer Prize-winning scientist in an Armani suit. But Paul is baffled by the ants. They are twice the size of any normal ant and have no...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Alberto rated it 3 of 5 stars

I picked this book up at the recommendation of my favorite author Scott Sigler, It seemed like a clear winner but for me fell a little short. The book about a killer ant invasion of New York focuses heavily on the science behind these ants while also taking the time for a love story as well as actual invasion for which the story is written.

I am personally not a huge romance fan but the love story didn't detract from the book in the least and despite coming to fruition in a predictable manner wa...more

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Dec 15, 2012 Colleen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: animals, suspense

This was my holiday season guilty pleasure read! It passed through my hands at work (public library) and the cover (thousands of ants) caught my attention. I read the inside jacket and it sounded so bad, I just HAD to read it! Killer ants! Ex-spouses thrown together to save the population! Military officer bent on nuking NYC in order to save the world! How could I resist? Plus, I used to really like ants until about 6 years ago, when I had a small invasion in my house for a couple of months. I h...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Ray Palen rated it 5 of 5 stars

First time author A.J. Colucci hits on nearly every note in this thriller that fondly recalls some of the many 70's films about the world being destroyed by bugs.

In this instance, an alleged eco-terrorist releases a genetically manipulated Queen Ant into the middle of Central Park with hopes that it will not only breed but cause all the millions of ants inhabiting Manhattan island to rise up and overturn the human population.

An entomology team (of course, former lovers) are brought in to try and...more

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Mar 04, 2013 Jeremy W rated it 2 of 5 stars

I WANT to like this book for it's almost campy almost sci-fi qualities, but it felt like everything "The Colony" wanted to be was lacking in execution. It had a few quality moments but they were too few and far between to really make the book have a meaningful impact on me.

The end was very anticlimactic and played it way too safe, it could be me but I don't like when everything is wrapped up in a perfect little ending moment, not after all hell as broken loose. Someone else on here said it woul...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Amy Rogers rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-thrillers

ScienceThrillers review: Why is it so much fun to devastate New York City? Since King Kong first had a go at Manhattan mayhem, NYC has repeatedly been the target of novelists and filmmakers bent on releasing killer viruses, ghosts, zombies, natural disasters, alien invasions…

Continuing this tradition with a new entomologic twist, The Colony by AJ Colucci is a debut science thriller in which genetically-altered killer ants take on the monster role. Released in the strong opening scene by a derang...more ScienceThrillers review: Why is it so much fun to devastate New York City? Since King Kong first had a go at Manhattan mayhem, NYC has repeatedly been the target of novelists and filmmakers bent on releasing killer viruses, ghosts, zombies, natural disasters, alien invasions…

Continuing this tradition with a new entomologic twist, The Colony by AJ Colucci is a debut science thriller in which genetically-altered killer ants take on the monster role. Released in the strong opening scene by a deranged scientist with unknown motivations, the ants quietly build an underground empire as they prepare to sterilize the city of human (and other) life. If given the chance, they’ll swarm globally and wipe out the human race.

Almost as much fun as trashing New York is reviewing a book by a new author that I’m excited to tell people about. AJ Colucci’s The Colony is such a book, a perfect beach read that thriller fans will devour like ants at a picnic.

In this story our heroes are scientists (yippee!), entomologists (insect experts) who were once married but are now estranged. He (Dr. Paul O’Keefe) is a scientific media star, lives in NY and works at the American Museum of Natural History (momentary shades of Relic by Douglas Preston). She (Dr. Kendra Hart) has abandoned the city and the spotlight for research in the desert. I like the way author Colucci portrays these two. They’re competitive, competent, sexual, and attractive. Too often scientists in pop culture are geeky, stiff, ugly, or mentally unhinged.

Throughout The Colony the reader meets interesting minor characters in short, stand-alone scenes. These characters are red shirts (Star Trek reference, sorry)–they’re about to become ant bait. These death scene vignettes give a touch of horror and are highly cinematic. In fact, what’s most striking about The Colony is its movie-like quality. Of all the science thrillers I’ve read lately, this one seems the most likely to be made into a movie.

How you respond to this book will therefore depend on how you feel about this type of storytelling. From early in the book, it’s pretty clear how things will turn out. Don’t be surprised if you’re never surprised. Some reviewers will surely criticize this book saying, “It’s formulaic. It’s predictable.” To which I say, guilty as charged. The Colony is formulaic in the same way serving milk with cookies is formulaic. Yes, it’s familiar, but it’s exactly what people want. The author has whipped up a confection with broad appeal in the style of a holiday-release blockbuster action flick (without the explosions).

As a critic, my complaints are minor. The descriptions of how individual victims of the ants suffer were a bit overdone and didn’t feel believable. Various plot elements drift toward ridiculous (in the same way they do in most action movies): a tunnel escape hatch is too convenient, the human villain too willingly reveals his plot, and the radiation plan doesn’t even sound like it would work much less be worth the cost. The dangerous removal of a protective headcover in a climactic scene seemed silly and unnecessary in a book–they do that in movies so we can see the actor’s face. And I gagged on the syrupy ending.

Nevertheless, I totally enjoyed The Colony. It’s well-written, well-paced, easy to digest and full of science-y things. For a debut novelist, AJ Colucci has nailed the thriller formula and created a book that readers will love. It’ll be exciting to watch what Colucci writes next. Having mastered the basic form of this genre, she may be poised to create something truly original in the future.

4 biohazard symbols for scientists as characters, believable insect science, using gas chromatography in a scene, and more.

Key words: pheromone; gas chromatograph; laccase; integrated pest management; red fire ant; royal jelly; alate; driver ants; Siafu moto; formaldehyde; ground penetrating radar; electroantennogram

FCC disclaimer: An advance reader copy of this book was given to me for review. As always, I made no guarantee that I would read the book or post a positive review.(less)

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Nov 20, 2012 Kim McGee rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am not a fan of insects but now I cannot even look at a common black ant without shivering just a little! The colony is a classic horror story in the shadow of greats such as Stephen King and Michael Crichton and it delivers a stinging blow quickly and almost on every page. Imagine that a fire ant is bred with a new strain of fierce killer ant and then that super ant is unleashed upon New York City. Entomologist pair Paul and Kendra (divorced but reunited for a cause) are called in to stop the...more

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May 19, 2013 Claudia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Irresistible novel. Huge killer ants invade and swarm in NYC. Military wants to nuke Manhattan. scientists race to avoid that extreme solution and look for the queen to control the ants. What Jaws did for sharks, this does for Ants. Moral: don't genetically alter nature. Nature is in a precarious balance. Man is arrogant trying to make ants weapons of mass destruction. Leave nature and the earth alone. Compelling reading, irresistible. Like cat nip to a cat. Highly recommended. Edge of your seat...more

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Jan 13, 2013 Brooke Banks rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, sci-fi, thriller, written-reviews, horror

I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for review.

Weaponized ants. Government secrets. A panicked, dying public.

And the scientists who can save them.

It's a sci-fi thriller that’s more Hollywood than pulp fiction. To me it’s more Michael Crichton than Stephen King because I wasn’t afraid to sleep or wondering what sick mind came up with this nightmare.

My list of things to kill without mercy and to the very last one:

1.) Bed bugs

has now grown to include:

2.) Some species o

...more I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for review.

Weaponized ants. Government secrets. A panicked, dying public.

And the scientists who can save them.

1.) Bed bugs

has now grown to include:

2.) Some species of ants

I wasn’t scared of ants before or after reading. However, I wasn’t aware of just how much damage fire ants were causing, which is a growing problem and actually threatening to our way of life.

The opening was really enthralling. Then I started seeing how it was going to go and interest waned. It really picks up again after 100 or so pages for me, making a great ride to the end; where instead of racing off the cliff into glory, it sputters and stalls in an anti-climatic huff.

I didn't have a problem with the dialogue or the writing. It’s just Hollywood style. Of course, I can see how that’s an issue for some people or not their style. There’s not much depth, except what you can imagine seeing as flashbacks and information nuggets in dialogue like they do in movies. Usually, I’m all about character depth but this book works. It is what it is - an enjoyable, short, entertaining movie-like read. Best used as a guilty pleasure, simple escape for a couple of hours. Not really a must read or must own but I don’t think you’ll regret borrowing it or buying it on sale. It’s not bad, just average. Nothing really stand out or outstanding here.

I do not like love triangles. This one actually didn't bother me for a couple of reasons. The love triangle isn't played up or or drawn out. It’s relatively minor and felt more like a backstory/history to me than a current tug-O-war. It makes sense because how many myrmecologists are there? Entomological Society of America for entomologist and people in related disciplines only has more than 6,000 members and myrmecology is just one sect of insect specialists. So if you’re looking for a partner that shares your field, there isn’t that many to choose from. (Of course a similar argument could be made regarding high school love triangles but the difference is those come off as way more childish and melodramatic to me.)

I liked how it talked about the science. I'm the type to question and call bullshit if something smells fishy. I literally stop to fact check. All the time. (I also stop movies to talk about things that just happened) This novice layman fact checker is happy. It worked for me. Of course, I'd be interested in what an actual scientist says on the matter but for the general public I don't think the science is too out there or too hard to understand.

Yelling for most of the book (like I yell at the TV) until the end,

"Y U SO STUPID HUMANS?"
"Y U NO SEE THE CLUES?"
"Y U SUCK SO MUCH HUMANS?"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
"About fucking time!"
“Kill them alllllllllllllllllll.”
"Wait, what? Huh? Ooh. Okayyyyy."

Entertaining but not really fear inducing for me. Certainly got reactions from me through. Not really sure how I feel about the character ending. Seemed rather pathetic, after all they go through. I wanted more vengeance than information digging. I wanted to follow Kendra as her company took off and replaced the pest companies. I wanted to cheer for her as she dominates her field, “Yeah, you show them! Let ‘em choke on it!” and instead got the sappy, rom-con happily ever after ending. Kinda took the wind out of my sails.

Of course, the driving off into the sunset would make a beautiful cinematic ending. (less)

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Jan 19, 2013 Christine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fanatic genericist releases a new"killer' queen ant in Manhattan and then kills himself. Two years later bodies are starting to turn up at an alarmin rate that appear to have been stung, eaten and devoured by ants. Government agencies turn to leading ant expert Paul O'keefe and his ex wife Kendra Hart. Kendra may have found a solution that will kill off the queen thus killing the ant slaves. Of course there is some back story with the reason for Paul & Kendra to be divorced and one of the re...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Mike Silverman rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a great fun little guilty pleasure. Short and sweet, the book can be finished in a few hours. Feels like a nice mash-up of Michael Crichton and Stephen King, filled with gory death-by-killer-ant mayhem, a crazed military officer, and a race against time by scientists, all while New York City is under attack by a new species of killer ant. Nothing deep or memorable here, but a lot of fun to read.

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Feb 01, 2013 Erica rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller

3.5 stars -- As the book jacket suggests, the author must be the love child of Michael Crichton and Stephen King. Super-colonies of weaponized ants, scientist action heroes, gruesome deaths, and the imminent nuclear annihilation of Manhattan -- what more could you ask for? I for one kept thinking that the ants were super-sized. No, there are just a lot of them. Do not read while eating.

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Jan 05, 2013 Lori Wilson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Amazingly, I did enjoy this book, even though it was about some big huge nasty, genetically engineered ants with an appetite for human flesh! in a huge government underground bunker, Kendra and a few scientists attempt to find a way to kill the ants before Mamhattan gets blown to bits. it had the right amount of suspense without being too hokey, kept me reading!

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Apr 02, 2013 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

I picked up this book at the library because I enjoy Stephen King's and Michael Crichton's books so much, and this book promised to be a mix of both author's styles and types of stories. While not as well-written, it was a thrilling story and successfully horrifying.

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Jan 23, 2013 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 01, 2013 Linda Munro rated it 5 of 5 stars

I found this book in the goodreads giveaway, and I’m not sure yet if I was lucky to find it at my library!

Books don’t scare me! I have always said that when someone says, you have to read this book; it will scare the bejesus out of you! Yeah!!! Right!!!!

This book scared me! It didn’t just scare me; it scared the HELL out of me!!!! I have beautiful flower gardens all over my property, I love working in the dirt, but now, I look for ants! Not just any ants the siafu moto. Okay, they may not exist...more

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Dec 15, 2012 John Carter rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

This novel is a very suspenseful story that teaches you about what can happen when man trys to manipulate nature. This great read actually sort of frightened me. I believe that I will never be able to walk by an anthill again without flinching. I liked the variety of perspectives including the different victims and occasionally the ants. I would just like to thank FirstReads and St. Martin's Press for awarding me this free book!

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Jan 08, 2013 Wes Stahler rated it 3 of 5 stars

Started off well enough but was overly predictable and in the end just an average read. I look forward to the SciFi channel making it a movie.

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Apr 21, 2013 Wendopolis rated it 3 of 5 stars

An entertaining, quick and engrossing read. It's like what's called a beach novel, I guess.

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Feb 04, 2013 Randall Yelverton rated it 3 of 5 stars

Not great, but some of the ant attack scenes are deliciously creepy. Characters are lousy.

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Dec 21, 2012 Connie Murphy rated it 2 of 5 stars

It sucks you in from page one, then sadly loses it's way, with a very anti-climatic ending...

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Mar 11, 2013 Steven rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fast paced and very entertaining. Very good first book, look forward to the next one.

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Jan 16, 2013 Sandie rated it 3 of 5 stars

The premise was better than the execution. Would make a pretty cool movie though.

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Mar 08, 2013 Kathy Ursenbach rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror

really scary read, I read it while recovering from the flu, a great escape!

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Dec 16, 2012 Angela rated it 4 of 5 stars

Creepy crawly book! It was really well written and I enjoyed reading it.

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Jan 04, 2013 Brendan Howard rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of ant horror, monster horror, and scientist protagonists

Shelves: horror

A little Hollywood, a little predictable, but a good, short, fun horror read.

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Dec 22, 2012 Debbie rated it 3 of 5 stars

his debut novel was fast paced and easy reading. I look forward to his next.

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Nov 30, 2012 KC rated it 5 of 5 stars

Great debut author and book. Really enjoyed the story and loved that it was graphic. Quick read.

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Feb 14, 2013 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Very true to style. A fun distraction from reality.

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Dec 22, 2012 Henrik Rostoft rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 06-stjerne, science-fiction, horror, action

This reads like a unsold b-movie script.

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About A.J. Colucci

A.J. Colucci's debut novel THE COLONY was released by St. Marin's Press in November 2012. The book recieved outstanding reviews including a starred review from Publishers Weekly, noting "Colucci's exciting thriller debut...balances scares and science nicely. Michael Crichton fans will hope that this is but the first of many such outings from the author's pen."

Her second novel is being published in...more

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