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The Enemy #3.5
Geeks vs. Zombies
It's geeks versus zombies in this action-packed thriller! There's no rest for the Wiki . . . and the other survivors of The Disaster in this exclusive scene from Charlie Higson's THE FEAR. The kids just want to celebrate World Book Day, but with drooling sickos lurking at every turn of the page, will they have a moment to return to normalcy, or will this be "the end" for the group?
35 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2012
24 people are currently reading
1558 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Higson
123 books1,502 followersHigson was educated at Sevenoaks School and at the University of East Anglia (where his brother has taught since 1986 and is now a professor of film studies) where he met Paul Whitehouse, David Cummings and Terry Edwards. Higson, Cummings and Edwards formed the band The Higsons of which Higson was the lead singer from 1980 to 1986. They released two singles on the Specials' 2-Tone label. Higson then became a plasterer before he turned to writing for Harry Enfield with Paul Whitehouse and performing comedy. He came to public attention as one of the main writers and performers of the BBC Two sketch show The Fast Show (1994-2000). He worked with Whitehouse on the radio comedy Down the Line and is to work with him again on a television project, designed to be a spoof of celebrity travel programmes.[1:]
He worked as producer, writer, director and occasional guest star on Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) from 2000 to 2001. Subsequent television work has included writing and starring in BBC Three's Fast Show spin-off sitcom Swiss Toni. He is currently starring in Tittybangbang series 3 on BBC Three and has appeared as a panellist on QI.
He published four novels through the early to mid 1990s which take a slightly dystopian look at everyday life and have a considerably more adult tone than his other work, with characters on the margins of society finding themselves spiraling out of control, leading him to be described by Time Out as 'The missing link between Dick Emery and Brett Easton Ellis' [2:]
In 2004, it was announced that Higson would pen a series of James Bond novels, aimed at younger readers and concentrating on the character's school-days at Eton. Higson was himself educated at Sevenoaks School where he was a contemporary of Jonathan Evans, current Director General of MI5. The first novel, SilverFin, was released on 3 March 2005 in the UK and on 27 April 2005 in the U.S. A second novel, Blood Fever, was released on 5 January 2006 in the UK and 1 June in the U.S. The third novel, Double or Die, was published on 4 January 2007 having had its title announced the day before. The next, Hurricane Gold, came out in hardcover in the UK in September 2007.[3:]In this year he also made a debut performance on the panel show QI. His final Young Bond novel, By Royal Command, was released in hardcover in the UK on the 3 September 2008.[4:]
Charlie has signed a deal to pen a new series of children's books for Puffin. According to the author, "They are going to be action adventures, but with a horror angle
He worked as producer, writer, director and occasional guest star on Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) from 2000 to 2001. Subsequent television work has included writing and starring in BBC Three's Fast Show spin-off sitcom Swiss Toni. He is currently starring in Tittybangbang series 3 on BBC Three and has appeared as a panellist on QI.
He published four novels through the early to mid 1990s which take a slightly dystopian look at everyday life and have a considerably more adult tone than his other work, with characters on the margins of society finding themselves spiraling out of control, leading him to be described by Time Out as 'The missing link between Dick Emery and Brett Easton Ellis' [2:]
In 2004, it was announced that Higson would pen a series of James Bond novels, aimed at younger readers and concentrating on the character's school-days at Eton. Higson was himself educated at Sevenoaks School where he was a contemporary of Jonathan Evans, current Director General of MI5. The first novel, SilverFin, was released on 3 March 2005 in the UK and on 27 April 2005 in the U.S. A second novel, Blood Fever, was released on 5 January 2006 in the UK and 1 June in the U.S. The third novel, Double or Die, was published on 4 January 2007 having had its title announced the day before. The next, Hurricane Gold, came out in hardcover in the UK in September 2007.[3:]In this year he also made a debut performance on the panel show QI. His final Young Bond novel, By Royal Command, was released in hardcover in the UK on the 3 September 2008.[4:]
Charlie has signed a deal to pen a new series of children's books for Puffin. According to the author, "They are going to be action adventures, but with a horror angle
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 4, 2024
Fun short story!
This was just as well written as the novels, all of which I've given 5 stars so far! This was fun but there just wasn't quite enough story for me to give it five stars.. So four stars and definitely recommended if you're a fan of the series!
This was just as well written as the novels, all of which I've given 5 stars so far! This was fun but there just wasn't quite enough story for me to give it five stars.. So four stars and definitely recommended if you're a fan of the series!
August 4, 2014
I read this book first by mistake. It's actually a short story which ties in with a larger series of novels. As it happens, this wasn't a handicap, as the situation was made clear very quickly and without a huge info-dump: a group of kids have made themselves a safe place in the British Museum after a disease has killed most adults and left the rest as brainless, cannibalistic horrors (zombies, basically).
The book is obviously aimed at kids or young adults, but doesn't shy away from using the kinds of everyday swear words that kids would know and use. Nor does it shy away from gore, with blood, pus and turds all present in quantity. It's the exuberance in this area which actually gives the book its charm (if that's the right word in the context).
It's very well written. My first instinct upon discovering my mistake was to put it aside till I'd read the earlier books first, but I didn't want to put it down.
It is a short story, so the plot is brief. Basically, some of the kids decide to stage a World Book Day and sit up all night reading. Others, however, are twisted by the grief they have experienced and naturally all falls into terror and chaos as the 'sickos' (infected adults) enter the building looking for supper.
The sense of peril is real, the descriptions are good, the characters are well-defined.
I'm looking forward to starting reading this series properly from the beginning!
The book is obviously aimed at kids or young adults, but doesn't shy away from using the kinds of everyday swear words that kids would know and use. Nor does it shy away from gore, with blood, pus and turds all present in quantity. It's the exuberance in this area which actually gives the book its charm (if that's the right word in the context).
It's very well written. My first instinct upon discovering my mistake was to put it aside till I'd read the earlier books first, but I didn't want to put it down.
It is a short story, so the plot is brief. Basically, some of the kids decide to stage a World Book Day and sit up all night reading. Others, however, are twisted by the grief they have experienced and naturally all falls into terror and chaos as the 'sickos' (infected adults) enter the building looking for supper.
The sense of peril is real, the descriptions are good, the characters are well-defined.
I'm looking forward to starting reading this series properly from the beginning!
August 20, 2023
It has been a long time since I read the original Enemy series, but it all came back as I read this.
I enjoyed the different perspective of the kids in the library after the “zombies” were released. It made me want to go back and read the original series again, which is rare for me!
I think I’m on a zombie kick right now lol
I enjoyed the different perspective of the kids in the library after the “zombies” were released. It made me want to go back and read the original series again, which is rare for me!
I think I’m on a zombie kick right now lol
November 12, 2017
This short story gets an extra star for it being World Book Day and referencing Rincewind.
February 5, 2016
3.6
How did I not know this little one existed?
Was a good little reminder and prep-er for me since I'm about to start the last and final book in the series.
& my gosh, that ending for one of the kids in this story.. bummer but I'm not surprised because it's Higson, he's not nice to any of these kids.
How did I not know this little one existed?
Was a good little reminder and prep-er for me since I'm about to start the last and final book in the series.
& my gosh, that ending for one of the kids in this story.. bummer but I'm not surprised because it's Higson, he's not nice to any of these kids.
April 5, 2014
This short story was not enough to hold me over. I need books 6 & 7! That is how addictive this series is.
December 28, 2017
alex rider and discworld references! 3.5 i guess
December 3, 2017
I read this a few months after finishing the main series and it was really nice to read something new with these characters again.
July 12, 2021
A good read
A nice and simple accompany piece to the series. Adds some more information into what some characters have been getting up to that we haven’t seen in a while
A nice and simple accompany piece to the series. Adds some more information into what some characters have been getting up to that we haven’t seen in a while
July 13, 2023
This one was kinda full of humor rather than terror.
June 29, 2024
5 minute read
Books save lives
..and maybe I need a break from zombie stories.
Books save lives
..and maybe I need a break from zombie stories.
May 16, 2023
This is a very short story written for World Book Day which I thinks such a good idea HOWEVER, please do not go by Good Reads order of publication as on here it said 2013 and the third instalment as 2014 so I read it in the wrong order when I believe this was based after the fourth instalment!
I’m genuinely gutted that I’ve read it in the wrong order as it’s given, in my opinion, some key information away. It was still a very enjoyable read!
- Natasha Allen, 26, Scotland 🏴
I’m genuinely gutted that I’ve read it in the wrong order as it’s given, in my opinion, some key information away. It was still a very enjoyable read!
- Natasha Allen, 26, Scotland 🏴
May 7, 2013
This is a fun short story from the world of the The Enemy, where children are the only survivors of a terrible disease which killed most of the adults and turned the remaining ones into what are effectively zombies.
This world book day tie in seems some of the kids at the Natural History Museum attempt to celebrate World Book Day but they are teased about it by bully James and zombie "scientist" Paul, who is still trying to get over the loss of his sister. He loses it and suddenly the geeks have to save themselves from the zombies.
It is good fun but the story could do with some fleshing out a bit, which is perhaps appropriate for a zombie story. I just felt it needed a proper ending where there is actually some acknowledgement of what happened.
This world book day tie in seems some of the kids at the Natural History Museum attempt to celebrate World Book Day but they are teased about it by bully James and zombie "scientist" Paul, who is still trying to get over the loss of his sister. He loses it and suddenly the geeks have to save themselves from the zombies.
It is good fun but the story could do with some fleshing out a bit, which is perhaps appropriate for a zombie story. I just felt it needed a proper ending where there is actually some acknowledgement of what happened.
August 10, 2015
Geeks vs. Zombies is a nice addition to the enemy series. I've read it right after the enemy, because I'm still waiting for my other books to arrive and I craved another part of the story.
It hasn't got much plot, but it's only a short story so there shouldn't be much plot anyway. It still was an interesting short story about the kids in the Natural History Museum. There were some characters which weren't that likable, but it was a nice change from the enemy where I couldn't really decide if I liked some characters or not.
If you enjoyed the series I would highly recommend this to you.
It hasn't got much plot, but it's only a short story so there shouldn't be much plot anyway. It still was an interesting short story about the kids in the Natural History Museum. There were some characters which weren't that likable, but it was a nice change from the enemy where I couldn't really decide if I liked some characters or not.
If you enjoyed the series I would highly recommend this to you.
October 27, 2013
Another great addition to The Enemy franchise in this short story, originally published for World Book Day 2012.
This story features familiar characters from The Enemy series and fits somewhere between The Sacrifice and The Fallen, the opening scenes of Higson's latest following directly on from this book.
Seeing as it's only a short diversion, there's not too much going on, but we do get a short story told with the usual style of humour, horror and action.
This story features familiar characters from The Enemy series and fits somewhere between The Sacrifice and The Fallen, the opening scenes of Higson's latest following directly on from this book.
Seeing as it's only a short diversion, there's not too much going on, but we do get a short story told with the usual style of humour, horror and action.
March 7, 2016
I read this first by mistake, but it does give you a quick insight as to what to expect from the series.
I reread it when I got the the relevant part in the series and the whole thing made a lot more sense. I don't think it works that well as a standalone piece but is a nice xtra if you are reading the series.
I reread it when I got the the relevant part in the series and the whole thing made a lot more sense. I don't think it works that well as a standalone piece but is a nice xtra if you are reading the series.
January 1, 2014
OMG
For 60 pages, that was so much fun. A very, very quick read AND MY FIRST OF 2014. It was so intriguing to read what actually went down on World Book Day before the events in The Fallen as well as learn a little more about Paul, who, despite everything, I love as a character.
For 60 pages, that was so much fun. A very, very quick read AND MY FIRST OF 2014. It was so intriguing to read what actually went down on World Book Day before the events in The Fallen as well as learn a little more about Paul, who, despite everything, I love as a character.
August 18, 2012
Wow. Great short story.
October 23, 2013
I am loving this series!
October 15, 2015
A good bridge between books. A good story and insight into The Enemy series. Can't wait to read The Sacrifice.
December 22, 2014
REVIEW TO COME SOON (CHRISTMAS BREAK)
January 2, 2016
Just a bit of fun.
April 6, 2016
Seeing as it was only a novella, it didn't do much, but it was good to see how I liked the addition to the series.
October 10, 2016
I LOVE IT SO MUCH
February 25, 2022
I've been wanting to read this for sooo long and I'm so happy to have finally read it
September 2, 2017
Gripping!
The whole series had me hooked. Very gory and dark. Try not to get too attached to characters because there are a lot of deaths, but also a few surprise survivors. The characters are well realised, which makes it all the harder when one you like dies. Well written and paced. It was one of those series I just could not put down and binge read from book to book.
The whole series had me hooked. Very gory and dark. Try not to get too attached to characters because there are a lot of deaths, but also a few surprise survivors. The characters are well realised, which makes it all the harder when one you like dies. Well written and paced. It was one of those series I just could not put down and binge read from book to book.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews