The Enemy (Higson novel)
First book in a completed seven-novel post-apocalyptic horror series.
The Enemy is a post-apocalyptic young adult horror novel written by Charlie Higson. It is the first book in a completed series of seven, set in London, United Kingdom, after a worldwide sickness has turned adults into cannibalistic, zombie-like creatures. The novel follows groups of surviving children as they navigate the dangers of infected adults and other threats.
Quick Facts
- Title Orig
- English
- Author
- Charlie Higson
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Series
- The Enemy
- Genre
- Horror, Young adult, Thriller, Adventure
- Publisher
- Puffin Books (UK), Disney Hyperion (US)
- Release Date
- 2 September 2009 (UK), 2010 (US)
- Media Type
- Print (Hardcover)
- Pages
- 440
- Isbn
- 978-0-14-138464-1
- Oclc
- 373478708
- Followed By
- The Dead
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Enemy takes place in London one year after a mystery disease has infected everyone over fourteen, turning them into voracious, cannibalistic zombies. Surviving children have formed groups to combat the threat. A group based in a Waitrose supermarket, led by Arran and Maxie, faces escalating attacks from smarter infected adults. Key events include the death of Deke, Arran being bitten by a zombie he believes to be his mother, and the group's journey to Buckingham Palace, led by a boy named Jester. Meanwhile, young Sam escapes a zombie nesting ground at Emirates Stadium and is rescued by a seemingly uninfected man named Nick, who later reveals himself to be a cannibal. The Holloway children (from Waitrose and Morrisons) fight a zombie army led by a Saint George zombie, and Arran is killed by a zombie (his mother). Sam escapes Nick with help from 'The Kid' and Rhiannon. The Holloway children reach the palace, where leader David manipulates them into fighting a group of 'Squatters' in St. James's Park. After a battle, Achilleus wins a fight against Squatter leader Just John, but David locks Maxie and Blue in the infirmary, revealing his intent to use their groups as his army. They escape with help from Ollie and the bandaged girl, who exposes David's lies.
Reader's Guide
The Enemy is significant as the opening volume of a seven-book series that reimagines the zombie apocalypse from the perspective of children and teenagers. It establishes the core conflict between surviving youth and infected adults, while also exploring themes of leadership, trust, and survival in a collapsed society. The novel's setting in recognizable London locations—Waitrose, Emirates Stadium, Buckingham Palace—grounds the horror in a familiar world. The series was published over six years, with sequels The Dead, The Fear, The Sacrifice, The Fallen, The Hunted, and The End, plus a short story companion Geeks vs. Zombies. The book's legacy lies in its contribution to the young adult horror genre and its influence on subsequent post-apocalyptic fiction for younger readers.
Did You Know?
- The novel was released in the UK on 3 September 2009 and in the US on 11 May 2010.
- A short story companion titled Geeks vs. Zombies was released on 5 June 2012, set during The Fear.
- The story includes a group of children living in a Waitrose supermarket and another in a Morrisons.
- The final book in the series, The End, was published on 10 November 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Enemy by Charlie Higson?
The Enemy is a post-apocalyptic young adult horror novel written by Charlie Higson, set in a London where a global illness has transformed most adults into cannibalistic, zombie-like creatures. The story follows small groups of surviving children as they struggle to stay alive amid infected adults and other dangers.
Who wrote The Enemy and when was it published?
Charlie Higson wrote the novel, which came out in the UK on 3 September 2009 through Puffin Books and in the US on 11 May 2010 via Disney Hyperion.
Is The Enemy part of a series?
Yes, it is the first installment in a completed seven-novel post-apocalyptic horror series by Higson, all set in the same London world after the adult infection.
What genre and age group is The Enemy aimed at?
It is classified as post-apocalyptic young adult horror, targeting teen readers while delivering genuinely frightening, survival-driven storytelling.
Why is The Enemy considered important in the sci-fi horror genre?
It stands out as a rare YA horror that centers on children as the protagonists in a world where the adults are the monsters, and it launched a full seven-book saga that became a notable entry in British post-apocalyptic fiction.
More in Science fiction horror novels 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced