K10: The Enemy by Charles Higson

The Kidliterati Ten is an interview series with young readers. We ask them about a favorite book and hope that you enjoy their answers.

Tell us a little about yourself: what is your first name, how old are you, and what is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Aeon, I’m fourteen, and probably either coffee, or pistachio. But I haven’t had ice cream in a while.

What book did you read and why did you choose it?

The Enemy by Charles Higson. I read this book because I’m really into horror dystopias, and this book caught my eye with its compelling blurb. I think this book goes into depth. In the story, I think the author put a lot of time in his characters and makes them individual. The characters are my favorite. All the characters are different in so many ways from each other. He goes into depth with their emotions and how they react to different situations -- and of course, ZOMBIES.
 

Can you describe this book in one word?  

Misery.

What was your favorite part of this story?

The characters!

If you had a problem similar to the main character's problem, what would you do?

There is no main character, but if I had the same problem that the kids share, it's kind of like loneliness, and they’re scared because they lost their parents. It’s kind of hard to imagine, if this hasn’t happened to you. And it’s a serious topic – I guess I’d try to lift the spirits of the other kids.

What would you say to your best friend to convince them to read this book? 

I actually already showed it to my best friend and he really liked it and read the series. So I think he liked it. What I said was: Read the blurb!

What do you think about the book's cover?

I love the books cover, it’s subtle, it’s simple but it give the impression of fear: there’s a kid running – and it compels you to ask questions like, what is he running from? Where’s he running to, and what’s happened? 

Would you want to read another book about these characters? Why or why not?

Yes, because every book is different, and the author creates every new book to be amazing, just like the last.

Can you name another book that reminds you of this one?

Maze runner, because its about these kids who don’t know what happened and they try to piece together what has happened. Both books share the same emotion: fear, loneliness, and a feeling that there’s no hope.

If you could ask the author one question about this book what would it be?  

Can you write more? Please.

The blurb:

In the wake of a devastating disease, everyone sixteen and older is either dead or a decomposing, brainless creature with a ravenous appetite for flesh. Teens have barricaded themselves in buildings throughout London and venture outside only when they need to scavenge for food. The group of kids living a Waitrose supermarket is beginning to run out of options. When a mysterious traveler arrives and offers them safe haven at Buckingham Palace, they begin a harrowing journey across London. But their fight is far from over-the threat from within the palace is as real as the one outside it.
Full of unexpected twists and quick-thinking heroes, "The Enemy" is a fast-paced, white-knuckle tale of survival in the face of unimaginable horror.

--Karen