Toxxic – Jane Hennigan

Published By: Angry Robot
Pages: 400
Released On: 12/03/2024

Forty years ago, the world changed. Men became crazed killers and threatened all humanity. Now the world might be about to change again, but will it be for the better?

Forty-four years ago, as any schoolgirl can tell you, the moth’s eggs hatched and an army of caterpillars spread their tiny toxic threads on every breath of wind. Since then, men have been cloistered, protected from birth against the deadly poison.

But now there’s a vaccine – a way that men can leave the facility without dying or suffering from psychosis. Emerging, into their new world, eyes wide with wonder at every new experience, the truth soon becomes clear.

This world was not made for men. And they are not safe.

*****

Thanks to Angry Robot for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I absolutely adored the first book Moths, even though I was slightly worried it would be another story piggybacking off of COVID, but it had so much more to it that the idea of it being a virus almost faded into the background. For me, it’s more about human nature and emotions and whatnot, than the actual thing they’re facing. And I was eager to see if Toxxic was more of the same.

Whilst some books in a series may be read as a standalone, this definitely isn’t. I mean, sure, you could read it without the first one, it won’t be the end of the world, but you’ll have absolutely no idea what’s going on. So definitely read Moths first, trust me, you’ll get so much more out of it if you do. And it’s another excuse to read a fabulous story.

I don’t know if this is just a two book series or if there’s more. It ends perfectly fine, and I would be happy with the ending if this was it, but I am really enjoying it and would be more than happy to read more. Even if she doesn’t, I hope there’s more books in Jane as she’s definitely got a talent here. Whether it’s in the dystopian thriller genre or not, I’m intrigued to see. She’s got such a way of writing character emotion that is as good as I’ve read.

I don’t like books that bash men (or women) just for the sake of it; that in order to be a feminist, you have to actively hate men. That’s not for me. However, Jane steers clear of that and actually presents some very interesting discussions around gender and equality and inequality, and what we’d change if we could. I think they’d be good book club reads as they’re great for conversation – or arguments.

Once again, there’s a great cast of characters, some we know from the first book and some that are new. The ones we already know have been fantastically expanded upon and built upon, which was great to read as we become close to these characters. And then the new characters seamlessly fit into this world and more than hold their own.

I won’t quote the line in case it doesn’t end up in the final book, but there is mention of my hometown Stevenage in this book and that made me smile. Not very important for most readers, but I rarely see it used in literature, and so it made me smile every time.

It’s quite gruesome this one. With Moths, all the violence from the initial infection is touched upon or mentioned in passing, whereas with this one, we get full on chapters depicting the horrors from “before”. Jane hasn’t left anything out or sugar coated anything, it is all there in its terrifying glory.

It is perfectly paced. It’s fast paced but not so much that you get lost, but fast enough that you’re really on edge and really involved in the terror and the thrill of the story.

I really enjoyed it. If I had to choose I’d say I marginally preferred Moths, but that’s only because I really enjoyed the scenes in the facility and enjoyed reading about Mary, and the men locked inside. Whereas this one is about what happens when the men are allowed back out with the women. It’s a completely different dynamic, a different feeling, a different read, but equally as enjoyable to read.

These are books I possibly wouldn’t have picked up for myself initially but I’m sure glad I got the chance to read them as they’re really great. If dystopian thrillers are your thing, then I definitely recommend this duology.