Synopsis: They'll chase you. They'll rip you open. They'll feed on you...
When the sickness came, every parent, policeman, politician - every adult - fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. Only children under fourteen remain, and they're fighting to survive.
Now there are rumours of a safe place to hide. And so a gang of children begin their quest across London, where all through the city - down alleyways, in deserted houses, underground - the grown-ups lie in wait. But can they make it there - alive?
My Thoughts: When I read the synopsis for this novel I was less than inspired by it. The idea is that every person over the age of fourteen has been struck down by a mystery virus that causes them to become wild, crazy and want to eat children. By the time the story starts, most of London is dead and only a few children survive, living in a Waitrose store, stalked and hunted by a group of feral grown-ups. A strange virus that has wiped out most of the population, leaving a few lone survivors to fight it out? Not the most original of ideas.
So, I started the novel with low expectations as I thought that it would be a mix of '28 Days Later', 'Survivors' and 'Gone'.
Oh how wrong I was.
Higson is a true genius, managing to take an horrific situation with a scattered group of children and turning it into a thrilling, terrifying story that drags the reader deep into the action and keeps the pages turning one after the other.
Each character - and there are a vast amount and array of them - has been carefully created and given time to establish themselves and their individual story. A particular favourite of mine - and I would think of many - is Small Sam as he battles to cross London to find his little sister. He is a brave and endearing character and the reader is anxious for him as his journey becomes more and more perilous.
There is no let up on the pace with this novel, Higson drags us along with his characters and moves the different story strands along quickly, never giving the reader a chance to get bored.
The real horror of this story comes from the simple idea at the heart of it. In our society, adults are there to protect, love and care for children. So what would happen if the adults were suddenly out for blood?
The ending is brilliant as it sets up the sequel but still leaves the reader feeling satisfied that the characters have reached a conclusion - of sorts.
I cannot WAIT for the second novel in this series - Higson has quickly become my new favourite author.
*****
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A VERY VIOLENT NOVEL AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13.
