Charlie Higson packs a punch with the second in his gripping adventure series set in a dystopian future in which adults have ceased to be protectors. England has been struck by a deadly disease which takes out young people as soon as they turn fourteen. Just occasionally a few survive; they are even more terrifying as they become zombies greedy for human flesh. As the world implodes buildings are destroyed and there is no food to be had. Contagion is every where. And yet, the children must survive. Jack and Ed take up the burden of leadership but they are really only kids and the responsibility for the survival of the growing group of children under their care is enormous. Against this challenging setting Charlie Higson has created a story which shows the power of friendship and courage in extreme circumstances.
A terrible disease is striking everyone over the age of fourteen. Death walks the streets. Nowhere is safe. Maxie, Blue and the rest of the Holloway crew aren't the only kids trying to escape the ferocious adults who prey on them. Jack and Ed are best friends, but their battle to stay alive tests their friendship to the limit as they go on the run with a mismatched group of other kids - nerds, fighters, misfits. And one adult. Greg, a butcher, who claims he's immune to the disease. They must work together if they want to make it in this terrifying new world. But as a fresh disaster threatens to overwhelm London, they realise they won't all survive.
There's a video trailer for this book below. Warning - it's very scary:
Charlie Higson is a well-known writer of screenplays and novels, including the phenomenally successful Young Bond series. He is also a performer and co-creator of 'The Fast Show' and Radio Four's award-winning 'Down the Line' series - recently made into a popular BBC2 sketch show, 'Bellamy's People'. Charlie is a big fan of horror films and is now hoping to give a great many children sleepless nights with his The Enemy series.
The Young Bond books have, to date, sold over a million copies in the UK and been translated into 24 different languages. The Young Bond titles are included in a recent list of books complied by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the School Libraries Association to encourage school boys to read (www.boysintobooks.co.uk).
After studying at the University of East Anglia, Charlie formed a band, The Higsons. He then became a decorator before turning to the world of television and going into partnership with his friend Paul Whitehouse. Their successes included 'Saturday Live', the 'Harry Enfield Television Programme', 'The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer', 'Shooting Stars', 'Randall and Hopkirk, Deceased', the film 'Suite 16', 'Swiss Toni' and 'The Fast Show'.
Most recently Charlie and Paul co-produced, and performed in, the controversial and award-winning spoof radio series Down the Line for BBC Radio 4. This later became the television comedy series Bellamy’s People, on BBC 2, inspired by the Radio series.
Charlie is also a successful adult novelist and has written four thrillers, King of the Ants (1992), Happy Now (1993), Full Whack (1995) and Getting Rid of Mr Kitchen (1996).
Charlie lives in London with his wife and three sons.
Questions for Charlie Higson:
What was your inspiration for The Enemy?
George Romero’s early zombie films – Night of the Living Dead & Dawn of the Dead mostly. But there are bits of Lord of the Rings, fairy tales and the tales of the Greek heroes.
Which character was the most fun to write?
Small Sam and the Kid. They’re a good double act.
Are any of your characters based on real people?
I use my own kids and their friends for inspiration, but there is no one character that is based on one particular person.
What was the last film that blew you away?
Pan’s Labyrinth was amazing. Special effects and fantasy are used for more than just pretty pictures.
Who would you choose to be if you could be a celebrity for the day?
That idea is just too scary to contemplate. My God, imagine !
Charlie Higson loves what could be THE debut of 2011, Undead by Kirsty McKay: 'A kick-ass teen-action zombie-fest. Fast, furious, freaky, funny and seriously sick. Oh, and did I mention it kicks ass ?'
