BOOK REVIEW: The Dead (Charlie Higson)

Book: The Dead

Author:Charlie Higson

Rating: 8/10


In the second book of the series Higson brings us back in time to a year or so before the events in "The Enemy".

Best friends Ed and Jack are part of a group of boys barricaded in their school building fighting off the teachers trying to eat them,
As they are slowly forced backwards, lashing out at the Sickos who try and swamp them they realise they can no longer stay here,
Things get worse as they retreat into a room with only one exit that the boys all are sheltered in, they must hold off until sunrise but they cannot survive another night there, it's just a matter of time.

The next morning the survivors decide to leave and try to find safety and other kids, leaving the school the group splits in tow, some going to London, the majority going for the countryside.

The group heading for the countryside is ambushed but saved by an adult and his son in a bus, and he's not infected!

Greg is a rough bloke with little respect for anyone but he can drive the bus and is the only non infected adult. how is he staying healthy?

He drives them to London, picking up the others on the way,


However when they arrive they start to realise Greg isn't as healthy as he's been leading them to believe.


Now the Kids face the challenge of surviving in London, with the diseased people all around, they must find somewhere safe.


London is full of kids scattered around in groups trying to survive, and adults trying to eat them,
 but as flames slowly burn through the city can the kids all escape to new safe spots, or will they fight amongst themselves and be eaten by the adults,

And in the chaos and fighting can they stay together?







I really like this book and I'm not entirely sure this review gives it a good telling,
written as a prequel to The Enemy(which is reviewed on this site also) it follows a different group and helps explain and introduce various situations in the 1st book.
I enjoyed reading the first book and this one as I think Higson does a good job writing a gripping story about a topic that is fairly common to find and read about.
give them a go

Hope you found this review helpful,
The Devonian Book Reviewer

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