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Crawlers
Four boys and four girls are on a trip to the theatre. Little do they know that they will never see the play. They're about to be plunged into a nightmare. Beneath the theatre lies a secret. And now she has been released...
- GenresYoung AdultHorror
Audio CD
First published April 1, 2010
1 person is currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Sam Enthoven
5 books52 followersMy name is Sam Enthoven. I live in London, England, and I write fantastical action thrillers for 11-15 year-olds. If you're reading this, you've reached the 'portal page' of my sinister, ever-evolving internet empire – bwah-ha, bwah-HA-HA-HA! Er, sorry.
With his rollicking 2006 debut THE BLACK TATTOO Sam Enthoven fulfilled his dream to become an internationally published author of fantastical action thrillers for young people. Since then he's been touring schools and libraries, inspiring hundreds of budding readers with his passion and enthusiasm. His second book TIM, DEFENDER OF THE EARTH was shortlisted for the 2008 Waterstone's Children's Prize and has been optioned by a major Hollywood studio. CRAWLERS is his third – or as Sam modestly puts it, 'Phase Three of my Sinister Masterplan to Conquer the Universe!'
With his rollicking 2006 debut THE BLACK TATTOO Sam Enthoven fulfilled his dream to become an internationally published author of fantastical action thrillers for young people. Since then he's been touring schools and libraries, inspiring hundreds of budding readers with his passion and enthusiasm. His second book TIM, DEFENDER OF THE EARTH was shortlisted for the 2008 Waterstone's Children's Prize and has been optioned by a major Hollywood studio. CRAWLERS is his third – or as Sam modestly puts it, 'Phase Three of my Sinister Masterplan to Conquer the Universe!'
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 14, 2015
Crawlers is a fun, entertaining YA horror that reads like a teenage horror flick but without the blood and gore. There's nothing really original here but it's fast-paced and moves along nicely making it a fairly quick read.
A group of school kids and their teachers are making their way to the Barbican to watch a play. But before they can settle down, strange things begin to happen. Weird looking spider-like creatures are dropping from the ceiling onto people's necks and then the people change.
Ben, Jasmine and the rest of the group fight for their lives as their teachers succumb to the creatures like all the other adults. They manage to find a room which they barricade, hoping help will come soon. Unfortunately, it doesn't and they have to find their own way out.
The characters have very distinct voices, but unfortunately have stereo-typical personalities: There's Samantha the bitchy one, Lauren the crying and hysterical one you just want to slap to shut her up, Ben the hero, Jasmine the beautiful and brave, Robert the victim, Lisa the lame, Hugo the brawn and Josh, the guy who thinks he's better than everyone else...
There is a certain amount of character development but only in a predictable way, whereby the weaker personalities begin to stand up for themselves and the bullies turn out to be cowards.
The second half of the book has a lot more pace than the first and I enjoyed it the most. It's quite exciting following the characters as they figure out what the creatures are and how to kill them. There are a few twists in the story and the ending to Crawlers is satisfying but anticipated, just as most horror movies are - when you think they're dead and turn your back to walk away, they come back to life for that one, last surprise...
VERDICT:
I was hoping for a few more thrills and a good dollop of scary, gruesome moments that had my skin crawling *pun intended* as that's what the cover promises, with it's image of an alien looking creature. Unfortunately, it didn't really deliver on the horror front, but even with all its faults I did enjoy Crawlers, it's a great diversion from life for a couple of hours, and I'm sure a book 12-14 years olds will devour!
A group of school kids and their teachers are making their way to the Barbican to watch a play. But before they can settle down, strange things begin to happen. Weird looking spider-like creatures are dropping from the ceiling onto people's necks and then the people change.
Ben, Jasmine and the rest of the group fight for their lives as their teachers succumb to the creatures like all the other adults. They manage to find a room which they barricade, hoping help will come soon. Unfortunately, it doesn't and they have to find their own way out.
The characters have very distinct voices, but unfortunately have stereo-typical personalities: There's Samantha the bitchy one, Lauren the crying and hysterical one you just want to slap to shut her up, Ben the hero, Jasmine the beautiful and brave, Robert the victim, Lisa the lame, Hugo the brawn and Josh, the guy who thinks he's better than everyone else...
There is a certain amount of character development but only in a predictable way, whereby the weaker personalities begin to stand up for themselves and the bullies turn out to be cowards.
The second half of the book has a lot more pace than the first and I enjoyed it the most. It's quite exciting following the characters as they figure out what the creatures are and how to kill them. There are a few twists in the story and the ending to Crawlers is satisfying but anticipated, just as most horror movies are - when you think they're dead and turn your back to walk away, they come back to life for that one, last surprise...
VERDICT:
I was hoping for a few more thrills and a good dollop of scary, gruesome moments that had my skin crawling *pun intended* as that's what the cover promises, with it's image of an alien looking creature. Unfortunately, it didn't really deliver on the horror front, but even with all its faults I did enjoy Crawlers, it's a great diversion from life for a couple of hours, and I'm sure a book 12-14 years olds will devour!
May 29, 2015
This book was so much better than I was expecting. I really enjoyed that, that was loads of fun. Fast paced, easy to read, the writing style was good and it flowed nicely. I was quite gross in some parts which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Really good. Thoroughly recommended to anyone who likes a bit of horror.
It was on the lines of Robert Henlein's the Puppet Master's and the 90's movies the The Faculty and Demons where your trapped inside a theatre with mind controlling monsters.
It was on the lines of Robert Henlein's the Puppet Master's and the 90's movies the The Faculty and Demons where your trapped inside a theatre with mind controlling monsters.
January 24, 2019
I read this when i was 11yrs and it gave me nightmares for a while.A good kids horror story,the end was definitely the creepiest bit.
September 2, 2024
This is a creature feature which has the feel of a zombie apocalypse tale. The entire book is told over one night and is entirely contained within a theatre giving it a great locked room/trapped, claustrophobic vibe. The creature in here is known as "The Queen" and she along with her hoarde of titular crawlers were very fun and unique. Something I really enjoyed is randomly throughout we jump into her consciousness and get to view scenes from her narrative. Our group of protagonists were also very engaging, felt relatively fleshed out and were cause for some interesting dynamics within the group. This was a much more entertaining read than I had anticipated and definitely look forward to seeking out more of the author's work in the future.
September 11, 2023
got this book signed too… good book ngl
November 28, 2023
I'm definitely not the target age (being 52) for this book.
March 1, 2017
Crawlers is a story about four boys and four girls who get stuck in a theatre when a mind-controlling monster tries to take over the world. This is not the kind of story that I generally enjoy, but this one was pretty good. Especially considering the target audience is young teenagers (even when I was a young teenager, I've always thought authors who write books for that age category, just don't really try to come up with original content. Might be just my experience though). The story itself might not be incredibly original, it reminisces of many, many zombie films, but it is told really well. The characters feel very real; they're both truly 13-years old and behave like 13-year olds, but they're also the heroes the story needs. The balance between those two elements is really well done, something I don't often see in teenage literature. The story too, was well-balanced, the pace was just right, the information revealed at just the right moments. The action scenes were well-written and had you on the edge of your seat. The only fault I might find is that the story is a little simple and predictable, but then again, I'm sure I wouldn't have that complaint had I been 13 years old right now.
I also love the main characters weren't just boys. Girls the heroes too and all were their own different person, all had different characters. The girls were written more well-rounded, and with more depth than most women in hollywood films, to be very honest.
It's an exciting read, and I think it would be especially a good book to get kids enthusiastic about reading!
I also love the main characters weren't just boys. Girls the heroes too and all were their own different person, all had different characters. The girls were written more well-rounded, and with more depth than most women in hollywood films, to be very honest.
It's an exciting read, and I think it would be especially a good book to get kids enthusiastic about reading!
August 28, 2010
I loved Sam's first book (The Black Tattoo: http://marcusgipps.livejournal.com/29...), but perhaps didn't get on quite as well with his second. I was seriously excited about a new one, though - having spent so much time with him in the shop, listening to his ideas, I knew that there would be something good on the way. So I was very grateful when he bought me a copy of the new proof, hot off the presses, back in November. Yes, I'm very behind on updating this blog. I did read it straight away, though, even if I've taken a while to get around to writing about it. I've been busy!
Anyway, apart from the most gruesome cover I've seen in a while (I think there's some raw chicken in there somewhere), this seemed right up my alley. London landmarks, creepy monsters, bunch of kids, trapped... It might seem a bit obvious but, as with Black Tattoo, Sam's skill lies in his ability to write properly believable characters. Oh, he can also write scary set-pieces, and his plotting is nice and tight, but the fact that his main characters aren't cardboard-cut-out heroes/bullies/villains means that there's more to the book then there might appear. That isn't to say that there aren't those character types amongst the cast, but nothing is as straightforward and simple as that. I know that kids books aren't as one-note as they were in the past, but still, the characterisation in Crawlers really stands out.
It helps that the big monster is scary and believable (well, you know what I mean. As believable as evil monsters can be), and setting all of the action within the confines of the Barbican - a cavernous, maze-like concrete monstrosity, if you've never been, but oddly loveable - works really well. I guess I worry a little that the impact might be lost for those who haven't been there, but I'm pretty sure that Sam manages to impart enough of the feel of the place to make it work.
This review is a little quicker than usual, as I'm running so far behind, but there you go. I really enjoyed this, and if I was a kid, I'd have been blown away by it. If you don't often read Young Adult fiction, it might not be to your taste, but why not give it a go anyway?
I read a proof back in November, but the book itself comes out early April, ISBN: 9780552558709
Anyway, apart from the most gruesome cover I've seen in a while (I think there's some raw chicken in there somewhere), this seemed right up my alley. London landmarks, creepy monsters, bunch of kids, trapped... It might seem a bit obvious but, as with Black Tattoo, Sam's skill lies in his ability to write properly believable characters. Oh, he can also write scary set-pieces, and his plotting is nice and tight, but the fact that his main characters aren't cardboard-cut-out heroes/bullies/villains means that there's more to the book then there might appear. That isn't to say that there aren't those character types amongst the cast, but nothing is as straightforward and simple as that. I know that kids books aren't as one-note as they were in the past, but still, the characterisation in Crawlers really stands out.
It helps that the big monster is scary and believable (well, you know what I mean. As believable as evil monsters can be), and setting all of the action within the confines of the Barbican - a cavernous, maze-like concrete monstrosity, if you've never been, but oddly loveable - works really well. I guess I worry a little that the impact might be lost for those who haven't been there, but I'm pretty sure that Sam manages to impart enough of the feel of the place to make it work.
This review is a little quicker than usual, as I'm running so far behind, but there you go. I really enjoyed this, and if I was a kid, I'd have been blown away by it. If you don't often read Young Adult fiction, it might not be to your taste, but why not give it a go anyway?
I read a proof back in November, but the book itself comes out early April, ISBN: 9780552558709
January 1, 2016
Sam Enthoven is a British author writes horror thrillers for the Young Adult market. I first became aware of him when I read his book The Black Tattoo, a martial arts adventure that spiraled out of control and into the very depths of Hell.
In his 2010 novel Crawlers, two school excursions to the theatre are disrupted by mind-controlling parasites. It turns out that the London City Council has been keeping their Queen prisoner in the theatre basement, and now she wants out and presumably to dominate the world. Enthoven gets points for making a city council so sinister. He also gets points for including themes of class and race in a supernatural thriller, as one school group comes from a posh school and the other doesn’t. There’s also an interesting literary gimmick, with most of the novel being narrated in third person, except the bits that are told directly by the monstrous Queen. The big implication is that the Queen’s parasites are allowing her know exactly what is going on.
Crawlers had good characterisation. The characters were recognizable types that slotted into the familiar High School hierarchy. You’ve got the smug athlete, his bullying sidekick, the unlikeable outcast who tries to ingratiate himself into the in-crowd, and the sneering misfit who thinks he’s above it all. There as also a bit of romance, although thankfully it didn’t dominate the story.
This book was also fairly specific about its locations. Well, one location anyway. The theatre in question is the Barbican Theatre, which I totally hadn’t heard of until I googled the name. Looks like a nice enough place. Kids who’ve read this book can visit the Barbican and think ‘A monstrous Queen lives here, what fun!’ And that sort of thing really is fun, so more points for Enthoven.
This novel could have done with some more copy-editing. There were too many colons and semicolons, and these slightly esoteric marks could alienate young adult readers. They certainly bothered me.
This was an enjoyable book, but if you’re starting out with Sam Enthoven you should really read The Black Tattoo first.
In his 2010 novel Crawlers, two school excursions to the theatre are disrupted by mind-controlling parasites. It turns out that the London City Council has been keeping their Queen prisoner in the theatre basement, and now she wants out and presumably to dominate the world. Enthoven gets points for making a city council so sinister. He also gets points for including themes of class and race in a supernatural thriller, as one school group comes from a posh school and the other doesn’t. There’s also an interesting literary gimmick, with most of the novel being narrated in third person, except the bits that are told directly by the monstrous Queen. The big implication is that the Queen’s parasites are allowing her know exactly what is going on.
Crawlers had good characterisation. The characters were recognizable types that slotted into the familiar High School hierarchy. You’ve got the smug athlete, his bullying sidekick, the unlikeable outcast who tries to ingratiate himself into the in-crowd, and the sneering misfit who thinks he’s above it all. There as also a bit of romance, although thankfully it didn’t dominate the story.
This book was also fairly specific about its locations. Well, one location anyway. The theatre in question is the Barbican Theatre, which I totally hadn’t heard of until I googled the name. Looks like a nice enough place. Kids who’ve read this book can visit the Barbican and think ‘A monstrous Queen lives here, what fun!’ And that sort of thing really is fun, so more points for Enthoven.
This novel could have done with some more copy-editing. There were too many colons and semicolons, and these slightly esoteric marks could alienate young adult readers. They certainly bothered me.
This was an enjoyable book, but if you’re starting out with Sam Enthoven you should really read The Black Tattoo first.
October 25, 2014
Let the cheese-fest begin. This was an awesomely cheesy book a la 80's horror flick. Think of 'The Blob' 'Killer Tomatoes', 'The Fog'. All of those movies have the same creepy, yet cheesy monster.
8 kids are on their way to the Barbican a very large, theater house in London. 4 girls from the Swatham Academy for Girls and 4 boys from Walsingham School for Boys.
While they are all seated in the theater Ben feels something wet hit the back of his head. He instantly looks up to see Jasmine staring at him.
This is only the beginning.
Right before the show is about to start, the girls have been escorted by their teacher for throwing the ice cream at a boy. They head to the front entrance of the building to find out, that they are being barricaded from leaving. A moment later there is an announcement that everyone should be evacuated. While the commotion of people filing out of the main theater is happening, Ben is coming from the bathroom, he notices something that can't possibly be real. These things will be from now on called "crawlers".
During the hysterics, all 8 kids find themselves together running for their lives.
I have to admit, regardless of the cheese factor this was a fun read. It has everything you need for a good comedic horror. Large population of mindless people. A few brave souls going against the grain to stay alive. A monster! Lastly and ending that questions the entire book the uh oh factor.
Definitely worth the read. A horror book that doesn't take itself seriously.
8 kids are on their way to the Barbican a very large, theater house in London. 4 girls from the Swatham Academy for Girls and 4 boys from Walsingham School for Boys.
While they are all seated in the theater Ben feels something wet hit the back of his head. He instantly looks up to see Jasmine staring at him.
This is only the beginning.
Right before the show is about to start, the girls have been escorted by their teacher for throwing the ice cream at a boy. They head to the front entrance of the building to find out, that they are being barricaded from leaving. A moment later there is an announcement that everyone should be evacuated. While the commotion of people filing out of the main theater is happening, Ben is coming from the bathroom, he notices something that can't possibly be real. These things will be from now on called "crawlers".
During the hysterics, all 8 kids find themselves together running for their lives.
I have to admit, regardless of the cheese factor this was a fun read. It has everything you need for a good comedic horror. Large population of mindless people. A few brave souls going against the grain to stay alive. A monster! Lastly and ending that questions the entire book the uh oh factor.
Definitely worth the read. A horror book that doesn't take itself seriously.
February 11, 2012
This book reads as though it is written for young adults, but I would recommend saving it for the older teens in your life. This book would definitely be too scary for the young'uns. This is a classic alien mind control type story, typical for young adult novels, it is so much better written than most. You will experience thrills from beginning to end. And what an ending - very creepy! I recommend this book to anybody over the age of sixteen.
did-not-finish
January 26, 2014I couldn't finish it. The writing-style is childish at best, it reads like a fanfiction written by a 12 years old. The "melted chocolate skin" and the insta-love was too much, also the villain's 'we'll rule the world' speech was ridiculous.
January 26, 2011
An excellent survival horror with some disgustingly creepy monsters and a great group of characters!
August 15, 2011
not too bad so far, takes a little while to start but it needs to i think
September 11, 2012
this was prwetty cool how you learned how this little crawler thing got up onto people. It was weird though hopw they sucked blood out of people.
September 24, 2015
3.5, I think teen boys would really enjoy this alien themed novel about teens stuck together and trying to survive.
April 30, 2016
good book for a tween who is just getting into horror. It has a, "Goosebumps," feel to it.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews