The Enemy

The Enemy by Charlie Higson
published by Hyperion Book, 2010
448 pages
approximate age level: 14+

In a dystopian world where everyone over sixteen has contracted a disease that has turned them into mindless zombie-like creatures, a group of surviving kids and teens try to traverse the dangerous streets of London to get from the grocery store in which they have been living to a promised refuge in Buckingham Palace.

The Enemy is a fast-paced horror/thriller packed with action from page one. Yet, though the story is plot driven, a handful of characters are well-rounded and surprisingly relatable despite their circumstances. Told from constantly shifting viewpoints, we follow the events from the eyes of both boy and girl narrators, making the story appealing to readers of both genders. The action between teens and zombies does get pretty gory and violent and teens are killed - and eaten - so this book isn't for everyone, but it is an engaging, quick read and would be a great choice to booktalk to reluctant readers, especially boys. With the recent resurgence of zombie popularity seen in the success of shows like The Walking Dead, and the cinematic way The Enemy is told, I doubt it'll be hard to get an audience of teens interested. Though ending with a satisfying conclusion, not all loose threads are tied up as this title is also the first in a series. I'm anxious to see where Higson takes the story in his sequel, The Dead, which is set to be released in June, 2011.

The official website for the book offers a creepy book trailer, excerpts, author information, and even a zombie gallery.



Read-alike suggestions:

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks

The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

The Walking Dead comics by Robert Kirkman

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey