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Hissers #1
Hissers
In the small town of Castor, it’s the last weekend of summer break. In just two days four teenage friends will begin their high school careers. Dating, who to sit with at the lunch table, and what to wear seem to be the most important decisions facing them. But as Connor, Seth, Amanita and Nicole venture to the most popular end-of-summer high school party in town, they soon discover there are even more important decisions to be made. Life and death decisions. Namely, how to outrun the massive wave of mutated undead that have suddenly crashed the party. It’s The Breakfast Club meets Resident Evil as the teens of Castor fight to stay alive. And for this group of friends, growing up never seemed so urgent. “Fresh, bold and frightening. There are scarier things than a fast moving, flesh eating corpse. Open this book and see for yourself.” —J.L. Bourne, author of DAY BY DAY ARMAGEDDON “One of the best stories I’ve read this year... equal parts touching, compelling and gruesome.”—Nate Kenyon, award-winning author of THE REACH and SPARROW ROCK “Ryan C. Thomas is not just a writer to watch, but one that has hit a stride that most others at their own game should envy.”—HorrorDrive-in.com
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 26, 2011
28 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
Ryan C. Thomas
55 books405 followersI am the author of the novels The Summer I Died, Ratings Game, Born to Bleed, Salticidae, Undead World of Oz, Hissers and more. I hope to learn a lot from the readers on this site, and get some good book recs in the process. Thanks!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 16, 2016
Four kids on the verge of entering high school are forced to try and survive the aftermath of a plane crash in their quite little town that releases a secret government virus which is quickly turning the nice townsfolk into flesh eating monstrosities.
A fast and fun read from Ryan C. Thomas. I truly enjoyed the characterizations in this one and thought that each one of the protagonists were drawn out very well. A Solid 3.5+ Stars.
A fast and fun read from Ryan C. Thomas. I truly enjoyed the characterizations in this one and thought that each one of the protagonists were drawn out very well. A Solid 3.5+ Stars.
September 25, 2012
Hissers by Ryan C Thomas is one of those rollercoaster rides that at first glance over the description reads like your typical Apocalyptic disease/zombie hybrid stories that becomes difficult to differentiate one story from another.
This is where ‘HISSERS will prove you wrong. Thomas has a real talent to build a story gradually so you have a full understanding of the four leads and when the action does take place, you are fully invested in these characters. Thomas seems to have a real talent with mixing well defined characters with strong relationships being placed in the horrific. He never cheapens the characters forcing them into situations or provides them with dialogue that doesn’t fit. The characters are real and feel like they live off the pages in their universe somewhere. This author is extremely talented and with each read, I am finding out that he is indeed a unique talent.
Thomas has taken his characters and given them a spin by given them the age of 14. This should be the best young adult fiction ever written but not written for that market. The language is a bit blue which would make most parents frown which is probably what is holding this back from the YA market. I would never dream of changing this aspect as it fits the character and makes her an endearing and a favourite of mine.
There are some unexpected twists and turns and some heartbreak along the way. There was a couple of time that I was a bit shocked at the predicament of some of the characters. It almost reminded me of the Peanuts as there are no adults in the story and you see everything thing through the young characters’ eyes. When adults do show up, let’s just say that they are quite ineffective.
HISSERS is a gem and should be read to fully enjoy. If you like apocalyptic novels, young adult fiction, strong likable characters who have a genuine bound, stories told through friendship and going against the odds, this book is for you. If you are a fan of THE SUMMER I DIED, make sure you read this as this author doe not disappoint. A gem of a book.
This is where ‘HISSERS will prove you wrong. Thomas has a real talent to build a story gradually so you have a full understanding of the four leads and when the action does take place, you are fully invested in these characters. Thomas seems to have a real talent with mixing well defined characters with strong relationships being placed in the horrific. He never cheapens the characters forcing them into situations or provides them with dialogue that doesn’t fit. The characters are real and feel like they live off the pages in their universe somewhere. This author is extremely talented and with each read, I am finding out that he is indeed a unique talent.
Thomas has taken his characters and given them a spin by given them the age of 14. This should be the best young adult fiction ever written but not written for that market. The language is a bit blue which would make most parents frown which is probably what is holding this back from the YA market. I would never dream of changing this aspect as it fits the character and makes her an endearing and a favourite of mine.
There are some unexpected twists and turns and some heartbreak along the way. There was a couple of time that I was a bit shocked at the predicament of some of the characters. It almost reminded me of the Peanuts as there are no adults in the story and you see everything thing through the young characters’ eyes. When adults do show up, let’s just say that they are quite ineffective.
HISSERS is a gem and should be read to fully enjoy. If you like apocalyptic novels, young adult fiction, strong likable characters who have a genuine bound, stories told through friendship and going against the odds, this book is for you. If you are a fan of THE SUMMER I DIED, make sure you read this as this author doe not disappoint. A gem of a book.
February 8, 2012
Hissers starts out giving the reader a hint as to what to expect with the rest of the story when we are introduced in the prologue to a General and a scientist in a government financed lab. They are working on ways to help soldiers in war with healing and regeneration of limbs and have come across some significant success, though there is still work to be done. But they need to sell what they're doing to the higher ups to get more of the financing they need. So they plan on flying across country and demonstrating what they have so far. Fast forward to the start the actual story and we are introduced to a quartet of soon to be high school students-Connor, Seth, Nicole, and Amanita-who are preparing for the last weekend before school starts and their lives change dramatically as they move closer to adulthood in their little town. There is a huge party that night, and some of them plan on attending. But any plans they have come to a screeching to a halt when a plane crashes, plowing down the very street they were headed to for the party. Rushing to see if they can help any survivors, they quickly discover that those that were killed in the crash are getting back up and have turned into ravenous undead monsters. And these aren't just your typical sprinter zombies, these are ones that have gained the ability to absorb replacement limbs that they themselves might end up tearing off their victims. Not only replacements, but additional limbs. This new race of the undead make an eerie hissing noise as they move and attack that gives the book its name.
The rest of the tale takes place over the course of the night and next day, with our four main characters racing for their lives and coping with tons of teenage angst and drama that comes with them normally. They get to witness the demise of loved ones and just about everyone in their town. No one is safe from these crazed monsters or the author's willingness to hand over victims to the cause. Parents are struck down, but so are children and even babies. There is plenty of gore, action, and fast paced adrenaline drenched terror to go around for all. Hissers was a lot of fun in that regard-the action is intense and the monsters are creative and scary-they aren't quite zombies, but still have some of the same qualities we all know with the undead-you have to hit them in the head, their bites turn others into what they are, and they can be tricked and fooled.
For the most part, the four main characters are fairly believable, though the author stretched that believe-ability for me on occasion with some of their dialog and inner-monologues. It seemed somewhat forced on occasion, and a little overwrought. I get that these kids are dealing with incredibly harrowing situations, but it seemed that they were becoming a bit too profound with their analysis of not only what was going on, but life in general and their beliefs (or lack of belief) in God. This wasn't something that distracted too much from my overall enjoyment of the tale, but something that definitely merits being brought up in this review.
Overall, Hissers is a fast paced, adrenaline charged zombie variation with some new and intriguing twists that occasionally bogs down with a few bits of overwrought dialog from its young cast, but nothing that should take away too much of your overall enjoyment of this creative, fun horror tale.
The rest of the tale takes place over the course of the night and next day, with our four main characters racing for their lives and coping with tons of teenage angst and drama that comes with them normally. They get to witness the demise of loved ones and just about everyone in their town. No one is safe from these crazed monsters or the author's willingness to hand over victims to the cause. Parents are struck down, but so are children and even babies. There is plenty of gore, action, and fast paced adrenaline drenched terror to go around for all. Hissers was a lot of fun in that regard-the action is intense and the monsters are creative and scary-they aren't quite zombies, but still have some of the same qualities we all know with the undead-you have to hit them in the head, their bites turn others into what they are, and they can be tricked and fooled.
For the most part, the four main characters are fairly believable, though the author stretched that believe-ability for me on occasion with some of their dialog and inner-monologues. It seemed somewhat forced on occasion, and a little overwrought. I get that these kids are dealing with incredibly harrowing situations, but it seemed that they were becoming a bit too profound with their analysis of not only what was going on, but life in general and their beliefs (or lack of belief) in God. This wasn't something that distracted too much from my overall enjoyment of the tale, but something that definitely merits being brought up in this review.
Overall, Hissers is a fast paced, adrenaline charged zombie variation with some new and intriguing twists that occasionally bogs down with a few bits of overwrought dialog from its young cast, but nothing that should take away too much of your overall enjoyment of this creative, fun horror tale.
November 26, 2021
Very unique take on zombies. Never seen this done in the genre before and throughly enjoyed it. The characters are easy to get to know and the action is pretty consistent throughout. The biggest takeaway from this is that NO ONE is safe! Can’t get into detail without spoilers but I can say I’m glad I already have the sequel sitting in my shelf. It got so epic at the end on the cliff scene that I wish the book would of been twice as long. Every time I would put my book mark in, I was eager to know when I would get to continue the story. With the right cgi and special effects this would make a TERRIFYING movie.
May 23, 2015
I know at this point in the wave of zombie movies, novels comic books, video games and TV shows it is easy to dismiss another zombie tale. Even though mine was satire I still faced that promoting the Vegan Revolution...with Zombies. I know how hard it is to separate a zombie story from the crowd. Certainly reading another zombie novel is not high on my list. Something really has to scream out to me this is something special or different for me to break with my hesitation. In this case Hissers got bumped on to my TBR based on the strength of Ryan C. Thomas's debut novel "The Summer I Died."
I can't say enough about that novel. You can search for it here on my blog/ Goodreads and read the full review, and I think you'll find that you'll want to read it. One of the strengths of that novel was the strong characters throughout the story. Thomas clearly has a gift for writing young characters.
One thing that separates Hissers is how young the characters are. I don't remember a zombie story focused on middle school aged kids. RCT does bang-up job getting to the fears and hopes of kids this age and is expressed in a fantastic scene where the kids end hiding for a night in the high school they were dreading going to at the end of the summer.
The zombie aspect of the novel impacted me less, but that is not to say the RCT does not deliver. The zombie story line is suggested more than it is fully explained and several moments of suspense show off the skill the author is working with. It takes a weird-turn and lets just say without spoilers these are not typical zombies.
I enjoyed this novel, but if you are going to introduce yourself to this author start with the superior Summer I Died, then make your way here. there are few moments towards the end that were both sad and brutal a combination I see now is a part of the Ryan C. Thomas M.O.
Recommended for zombie fans and people who like character driven horror.
November 29, 2013
As far a zombie type novels go, this is definitely one of the better ones. It has an original take on the origins of the outbreak, well built characters with serious issues, emotionally horrific events, and of course, lots and lots of gut-wrenching splatter. Fun book. Check it out.
March 31, 2022
Phenomenal book, I'm tired of zombie horror but this is so much more than the usual Walking Dead type crap. Highly recommended.
January 18, 2014
"Hissers" is a great, gross twist on the "running zombies" scenario , and some of the action scenes are good, but it's hampered by the overboiled writing. After a brief prologue at a military installation that establishes that horrible zombies are about to be unleashed, the plot follows four junior high kids trying to survive the feral Hissers who are accidentally released (through an apparently random plane crash) on their town.
The problem isn't the concept, it's the execution. Thomas tries to establish his four leads as sympathetic tweens (and they ARE sympathetic), dealing with bullies and puberty, etc., but these "Breakfast Club" style scenes where the heroes get to know one another coexist uneasily with the gory scenes where the town is overwhelmed by horrific zombie mutants. Action scenes are interrupted awkwardly by pre-zombie flashbacks and glimpses of the characters' inner lives; this would work better in a comedy, but it takes away from the intensity of the scenario to have the characters constantly thinking about Xbox and losing their virginity. Stephen King can get away with this because his writing is so good, but Thomas' writing is occasionally clunky and obvious:
* "Connor cursed. If only girls knew how hard it was for men to deal with this thing between their legs that had a mind of its own. It wasn't fair!"
* "Only teenage girls can follow so many thoughts without getting lost and Nicole was true to form."
* And, as in many zombie novels, the author rapidly runs out of original ways to describe zombie attacks: if there isn't a sentence that reads verbatim "the ghastly flesh-eaters began eating their flesh," there's several sentences that come close.
Basically, this is almost a good novel, and it has some memorable imagery, but the blah writing prevents it from being the great page-turner it could have been. Thomas makes a good effort to mix sympathetic characters and everyday-life concerns with gruesome horror, but he doesn't quite pull it off. For an example of the same sort of scenario done better, albeit with slightly older teenage characters, try Courtney Summers' "This is Not a Test."
The problem isn't the concept, it's the execution. Thomas tries to establish his four leads as sympathetic tweens (and they ARE sympathetic), dealing with bullies and puberty, etc., but these "Breakfast Club" style scenes where the heroes get to know one another coexist uneasily with the gory scenes where the town is overwhelmed by horrific zombie mutants. Action scenes are interrupted awkwardly by pre-zombie flashbacks and glimpses of the characters' inner lives; this would work better in a comedy, but it takes away from the intensity of the scenario to have the characters constantly thinking about Xbox and losing their virginity. Stephen King can get away with this because his writing is so good, but Thomas' writing is occasionally clunky and obvious:
* "Connor cursed. If only girls knew how hard it was for men to deal with this thing between their legs that had a mind of its own. It wasn't fair!"
* "Only teenage girls can follow so many thoughts without getting lost and Nicole was true to form."
* And, as in many zombie novels, the author rapidly runs out of original ways to describe zombie attacks: if there isn't a sentence that reads verbatim "the ghastly flesh-eaters began eating their flesh," there's several sentences that come close.
Basically, this is almost a good novel, and it has some memorable imagery, but the blah writing prevents it from being the great page-turner it could have been. Thomas makes a good effort to mix sympathetic characters and everyday-life concerns with gruesome horror, but he doesn't quite pull it off. For an example of the same sort of scenario done better, albeit with slightly older teenage characters, try Courtney Summers' "This is Not a Test."
March 26, 2015
I know what you are wondering, so I will start by saying, "Yes, it's another zombie story." In a sea of zombie novels out there, the only thing that sets this book apart is the main cast of characters happens to be all junior high teens kids. And as such, the story is told from their immature point of view.
In the prologue, the dialog between a general and scientist in a government lab pretty much sets up the entire story to come. While the epilogue doesn't do much except sets up the sequel.
The meat of the story contains no plot twists or surprises. It's fairly straightforward; survive while starting at location A and travelling to location B. What might some find of some interest is how the teens thought process worked and placed them in several bad situations. In essence, lack of information coupled with immaturity led them to some bad decisions.
Somewhere in zombie groans, grunts, and grabs, a teen coming of age tale was buried. It wasn't until the latter half of the book when I finally got a whiff of it.
For me, I found it hard to relate to the point of views of the teens nor believable. A few times, I felt some inconsistencies with how, I thought, a teen behave given the predicament.
Others reviewers claimed the story to be fast-paced and full of action. I mostly disagree. With the exception of a few scenes, most of everything with importance to the plot occurred at a humdrum pace. While I get, the entire story takes place over one weekend, adding chapter opening lines that state date and time to elicit urgency and haste didn't work for me. Instead, it had the reverse intended effect.
In the prologue, the dialog between a general and scientist in a government lab pretty much sets up the entire story to come. While the epilogue doesn't do much except sets up the sequel.
The meat of the story contains no plot twists or surprises. It's fairly straightforward; survive while starting at location A and travelling to location B. What might some find of some interest is how the teens thought process worked and placed them in several bad situations. In essence, lack of information coupled with immaturity led them to some bad decisions.
Somewhere in zombie groans, grunts, and grabs, a teen coming of age tale was buried. It wasn't until the latter half of the book when I finally got a whiff of it.
For me, I found it hard to relate to the point of views of the teens nor believable. A few times, I felt some inconsistencies with how, I thought, a teen behave given the predicament.
Others reviewers claimed the story to be fast-paced and full of action. I mostly disagree. With the exception of a few scenes, most of everything with importance to the plot occurred at a humdrum pace. While I get, the entire story takes place over one weekend, adding chapter opening lines that state date and time to elicit urgency and haste didn't work for me. Instead, it had the reverse intended effect.
October 16, 2011
Mix in the Breakfast Club, zombies, with a hint of Resident Evil and you have a recipe for fun and gore zombie style. I will admit I was unhappy with a couple of the plot twists, but in the end it works out and you appreciate what the author did with all of the characters.
November 1, 2016
The book has some gore, but not overdone. There were some funny parts and some good character building. All in all, I would say its an interesting story. A little adolescent for me but not bad.
June 8, 2021
Hissers is a magnificent and horrifying tale that is well written and excellently produced. Macleod Andrews does an outstanding job with the narration. It is a fresh and exciting variation on the zombie genre told from the point of view of a group of kids trying to survive an undead apocalypse. One of the wonderful and very scary elements is that the kids are all believable – the way they talk, their interests, the angst – and this adds a kind of realism to this story that it needs to survive. The reader is drawn in to the characters as well as the story.
Frighteningly, we know from almost the beginning that none of them are safe. Nobody is safe! I found myself on several occasions saying RUN! HIDE! GO! No, not that way! Which is what I love in a great horror story.
This is a great, scary read that I highly recommend
Frighteningly, we know from almost the beginning that none of them are safe. Nobody is safe! I found myself on several occasions saying RUN! HIDE! GO! No, not that way! Which is what I love in a great horror story.
This is a great, scary read that I highly recommend
August 5, 2022
Rating: B
This is a decent zombie book by an author I've read a book by a few years ago. I liked the set of protagonists, but the book was pretty stock-standard as far as zombie stories go. The zombies were really interesting, leaning more towards Resident Evil zombies than traditional zombies. I think some of the scenes with characters external to the main four were quite weak.
The scene with the general and the teens' absolute rage at him felt a bit sudden.
I also found a few typos/grammatical erros:
24% in: you're instead of your.
27% in: chotchkies = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tchotchke
I think the trilogy was offered for free a while ago, so I do have the 2nd and 3rd book.
This is a decent zombie book by an author I've read a book by a few years ago. I liked the set of protagonists, but the book was pretty stock-standard as far as zombie stories go. The zombies were really interesting, leaning more towards Resident Evil zombies than traditional zombies. I think some of the scenes with characters external to the main four were quite weak.
The scene with the general and the teens' absolute rage at him felt a bit sudden.
I also found a few typos/grammatical erros:
24% in: you're instead of your.
27% in: chotchkies = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tchotchke
I think the trilogy was offered for free a while ago, so I do have the 2nd and 3rd book.
August 7, 2025
A fun, action packed coming of age story about the living dead coming to eat a group of teens that find themselves at a loss of what to do.
This story was full of good twists and turns and I was here for it. Seth and Amy start off as annoying teens but grow up and mature as the pages turned, and so did Nicole and Connor. I loved all the characters and eventually was rooting for them all to make it to the end.
I feel like if the author made these teens a little bit older, it would have been easier to believe the things these kids were able to do, but due to their age I felt they didn’t act like 14 year olds but more like 16-17 year olds. But that’s nitpicking.
Great story that I give 4/5 stars!
This story was full of good twists and turns and I was here for it. Seth and Amy start off as annoying teens but grow up and mature as the pages turned, and so did Nicole and Connor. I loved all the characters and eventually was rooting for them all to make it to the end.
I feel like if the author made these teens a little bit older, it would have been easier to believe the things these kids were able to do, but due to their age I felt they didn’t act like 14 year olds but more like 16-17 year olds. But that’s nitpicking.
Great story that I give 4/5 stars!
August 4, 2017
Another fine example for that musicians can be great writers! ha-ha! (I'm laughing because I'm also a musician and a writer) :)
But in this case I'm serious! He's an awesome horror writer!
I really liked this sick piece of horror gem! :)
The entire writing is quite sick and unique. I really enjoyed it. It's also an interesting story by the way!
I started to love this writer when I read his novel called "The Summer I Died"!
That was one of the best horror book I read in years!! Not kidding!
That was extremely extreme in every possible meaning! Extremely scary, suspenseful, sick and extremely great! :)
But in this case I'm serious! He's an awesome horror writer!
I really liked this sick piece of horror gem! :)
The entire writing is quite sick and unique. I really enjoyed it. It's also an interesting story by the way!
I started to love this writer when I read his novel called "The Summer I Died"!
That was one of the best horror book I read in years!! Not kidding!
That was extremely extreme in every possible meaning! Extremely scary, suspenseful, sick and extremely great! :)
March 24, 2021
After a little bit of a slow start, Hissers becomes an incredibly fast-paced and action-packed creature feature for teens. Characters are distinct and well drawn, embodying teenage insecurities in ways a little cartoonishly perhaps, but the contrast between weirdo teen melodrama and all out zombie monster action is an electrifying one. This is a monster movie that just keeps getting bigger and bigger until it’s just barreling off the page like a locomotive. Unfortunately, it has a couple problems. The first being juvenile humor which occasionally goes a little overboard, especially considering the protagonists are fourteen. There’s a boob joke as part of a major plot point that just made me think, wasn’t there someone who might have said, “this might be in poor taste”? And second, it’s a weird middle ground of splatterpunk creature feature violence and teen oriented dialogue. It’s an edgey book for teens that’s way beyond too violent for teens. But, you know, as a fourteen year old I’m sure I would have loved it. Still, I read Hissers in a single day and thought it was a total blast.
September 28, 2019
"Breakfast Club" and "Resident Evil" got married, had a baby, lived happily ever after. That kid grew up n met "Stranger things," in highschool, got knocked up @ prom n "Hissers" was born. This book is amazing. It has all the blood, guts n gore one cud imagine mixed with first world problems. Cant wait to read the next one.
June 14, 2025
I highly enjoyed the way this book was set up and I truly loved the character building. This group was so much fun together, chaotic and so very middle school. I loved reading and watching them become closer and fight together. Resulting in Nicole and Seth’s deaths HURTING!!!
Gory and intense, fast paced, and just what I needed.
Gory and intense, fast paced, and just what I needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2023
Fast-paced, and over the top in the best way
I'm a big fan of an apocalyptic action, and this one absolutely delivers. I kept forgetting that the characters were meant to be as young as they were, but it didn't detract from the overall enjoyment
I'm a big fan of an apocalyptic action, and this one absolutely delivers. I kept forgetting that the characters were meant to be as young as they were, but it didn't detract from the overall enjoyment
September 3, 2025
This was a fun unique take on the zombie genre while also being a coming of age story. I really enjoyed it, it was brutal, fast paced, and the characters were great. A great read for any fans of zombie horror.
January 12, 2023
An ode to the zombie movies of the early 2000s. Does them justice IMO.
June 30, 2023
Secrets. Gore. Conspiracy. Survival. Loved it. This author never ceases to deliver.
January 10, 2024
Thomas has such a talent for balance. He dives into world building and character development. The actions pops in but it's never shallow violence because you've come to know and care about these kids! I loved seeing this zombie apocalypse through the eyes of four teens. Their inner thoughts, reactions and dialogue come across as very authentic.
May 20, 2022
Cool monsters. Not bad.
July 19, 2012
Hissers is another take on the zombie genre. This is not a bad thing at all. The premise is that a special military project designed to increase a soldier’s ability using a chemical cocktail that contains snake venom but has some adverse effects.
Yeah, I saw that one coming too when I read it and related that info to the title.
But, what happens within the novel is not predictable or cliché. The plane carrying the research scientist, her samples, notes and data along with the general who is directing the program crashes in a rural area. Reminiscent of 8mm, the primary characters of the novel are 14yr old kids caught in that awkward time between junior high and high school.
Connor and Seth, two best friends with a history are more interested in video games, comic books and trying to remain unseen from the jocks that torment them, meet with two girls at the ‘fort’ a slapped together construct created by unknown persons out in the woods. Nicole and Amanita are on their way to a party and are only stopping by to talk to the boys in an effort to get them to come to the party. While at the pallet built fort, they witness the plane carrying the scientist crash into town. Not just crash into the town but literally into the home where the party was at. The results, besides the instant incineration of people and friends they knew, is the release of the viral samples.
Rushing back into town with the intention to assist in any way they can, they witness survivors from the crash attacking police and firemen. Running from the scene, they attempt to get to their homes only to witness how fast the Hissers have spread through town. Ryan Thomas captures the essence of what it’s like to be 14 again and see the world from a different perspective. Forced to mature beyond their years to survive, the quartet of Seth, Connor, Nicole and Amanita race through the city from one safe place to another all the while fighting off or avoiding the Hissers.
A strange twist of fate puts them back at school and they encounter a survivor from the crash who is uninfected. The general who was in charge of the program. Gravely injured, he tells them about the project and how fast a victim will turn on the condition that they kill him so he won’t become a Hisser. This is a turning point in the novel as the decision to kill him is something that no child should have to face.
The group ends up at the high school where the original plan is to use the old bomb shelter and hunker down until help arrives. Again, fate rears its ugly head and forces them to use the teacher’s lounge instead of the shelter. It’s in that room that they find out something about each other that draws them closer together. Help does arrive but they soon realize that staying in town is not a viable option. Devising a plan to escape, they split up to gather the needed supplies to facilitate said escape and lose one of their own along the way. The three remaining survivors head for safety only to encounter a mutated form of the general. Another of their number is lost and the last two make it to the military camp and safety.(?)
Hissers may not seem like a pure zombie genre as it has genetic mutations as a center point to the plot. However, the reanimation of the dead puts it squarely in the ball park.
Ryan Thomas’ writing is action oriented, full of tension and drama. The characters are real enough that the reader can relate to them and immerse themselves into his work. The plot isn’t lacking in any way and the scenes are laid out perfectly.
Yeah, I saw that one coming too when I read it and related that info to the title.
But, what happens within the novel is not predictable or cliché. The plane carrying the research scientist, her samples, notes and data along with the general who is directing the program crashes in a rural area. Reminiscent of 8mm, the primary characters of the novel are 14yr old kids caught in that awkward time between junior high and high school.
Connor and Seth, two best friends with a history are more interested in video games, comic books and trying to remain unseen from the jocks that torment them, meet with two girls at the ‘fort’ a slapped together construct created by unknown persons out in the woods. Nicole and Amanita are on their way to a party and are only stopping by to talk to the boys in an effort to get them to come to the party. While at the pallet built fort, they witness the plane carrying the scientist crash into town. Not just crash into the town but literally into the home where the party was at. The results, besides the instant incineration of people and friends they knew, is the release of the viral samples.
Rushing back into town with the intention to assist in any way they can, they witness survivors from the crash attacking police and firemen. Running from the scene, they attempt to get to their homes only to witness how fast the Hissers have spread through town. Ryan Thomas captures the essence of what it’s like to be 14 again and see the world from a different perspective. Forced to mature beyond their years to survive, the quartet of Seth, Connor, Nicole and Amanita race through the city from one safe place to another all the while fighting off or avoiding the Hissers.
A strange twist of fate puts them back at school and they encounter a survivor from the crash who is uninfected. The general who was in charge of the program. Gravely injured, he tells them about the project and how fast a victim will turn on the condition that they kill him so he won’t become a Hisser. This is a turning point in the novel as the decision to kill him is something that no child should have to face.
The group ends up at the high school where the original plan is to use the old bomb shelter and hunker down until help arrives. Again, fate rears its ugly head and forces them to use the teacher’s lounge instead of the shelter. It’s in that room that they find out something about each other that draws them closer together. Help does arrive but they soon realize that staying in town is not a viable option. Devising a plan to escape, they split up to gather the needed supplies to facilitate said escape and lose one of their own along the way. The three remaining survivors head for safety only to encounter a mutated form of the general. Another of their number is lost and the last two make it to the military camp and safety.(?)
Hissers may not seem like a pure zombie genre as it has genetic mutations as a center point to the plot. However, the reanimation of the dead puts it squarely in the ball park.
Ryan Thomas’ writing is action oriented, full of tension and drama. The characters are real enough that the reader can relate to them and immerse themselves into his work. The plot isn’t lacking in any way and the scenes are laid out perfectly.
November 28, 2016
When a plane carrying a top secret military bio-weapon crashes in the small town of Castor, it's not just the wreckage and crash site that's burning. A devastating new contagion spreads throughout the town like wildfire, turning its citizens into vicious, snakelike horrors with extra limbs and a hunger for human flesh. Four young teenagers caught at ground zero are forced to make a desperate run to safety, even as the entire town falls apart around them. Can they make it out without falling prey to these Hissers, and if so will the military allow knowledge of their mistake to escape the town's borders?
The publisher bills Ryan Thomas's Hissers as part Resident Evil and part Breakfast Club, and that's not too far off the mark, though the Resident Evil part is probably 85% of this obviously video game-inspired novel. It's a variation on the traditional zombie book, with an attempt at the kind of coming of age tale Stephen King does so well.
When it works, it works well. The pace, at least after the crash scene, is pretty intense, and the author does a great job of conveying the very real sense of danger and fear these kids are feeling. Are their parents still alive? Can they make it to safety? Is there any safety to be found? The action sequences play out pretty well too, and seem to have been written with a film treatment (or video game) in mind.
It's not all fighting and running though, and that's where Hissers lost me. It's hard to get on board with the basic premise of the book, and there are developments throughout the story that stretch believability - even for a (sort of) zombie novel. One or two of these "that would never happen" moments would be easier to take, but when they happen requently it can derail the story's flow, and that's what I ran into with this book. The dialogue was the main culprit though. Most of what Thomas has these kids saying would never be uttered out loud by a real human being, let alone a group of high school freshmen.
I have to give this one a 3-star rating overall, because even with some significant flaws Hissers has its moments and was a fun way to pass a few hours. Think of it like one of those high school horror movies. It's fun as long as you're willing to suspend disbelief.
The publisher bills Ryan Thomas's Hissers as part Resident Evil and part Breakfast Club, and that's not too far off the mark, though the Resident Evil part is probably 85% of this obviously video game-inspired novel. It's a variation on the traditional zombie book, with an attempt at the kind of coming of age tale Stephen King does so well.
When it works, it works well. The pace, at least after the crash scene, is pretty intense, and the author does a great job of conveying the very real sense of danger and fear these kids are feeling. Are their parents still alive? Can they make it to safety? Is there any safety to be found? The action sequences play out pretty well too, and seem to have been written with a film treatment (or video game) in mind.
It's not all fighting and running though, and that's where Hissers lost me. It's hard to get on board with the basic premise of the book, and there are developments throughout the story that stretch believability - even for a (sort of) zombie novel. One or two of these "that would never happen" moments would be easier to take, but when they happen requently it can derail the story's flow, and that's what I ran into with this book. The dialogue was the main culprit though. Most of what Thomas has these kids saying would never be uttered out loud by a real human being, let alone a group of high school freshmen.
I have to give this one a 3-star rating overall, because even with some significant flaws Hissers has its moments and was a fun way to pass a few hours. Think of it like one of those high school horror movies. It's fun as long as you're willing to suspend disbelief.
April 8, 2013
Hissers follows four teens (two boys and two girls) who are on the verge of their first year of high school and all the attendant fears and insecurities. These worries soon become far secondary to surviving the fact that their town has become overrun by the undead. As they try to escape they search for their families, and try to figure out just what is going on.
First the good. Overall, the book is entertaining and it was enjoyable to read. The author does a commendable job of accurately portraying teens in such a way that in the first part of the book on marvels at how well he models them. Unfortunately, this breaks down a bit as the crisis wears on and the predictable panic and fear overrides any opportunity to write so subtlely. Secondly, the zombies are an interesting derivative from the typical varieties found in these types of books, though the change is not necessarily used to impact the story as powerfully as they could have.
On the other hand the subplots of the subterranean soul-searching each of the main characters engages in feels too much the cliche of guilt and blaming oneself that seems to pervade novels. Without giving too much away, one wonders where characters find time to worry about such things amidst such a world-changing disaster.
Secondly, the plot has issues. While the beginning engages the reader and makes them interested in the characters, once the zombies appear, all of this is bludgeoned aside by a series of rather cookie cutter razor-thin escapes and bland set pieces. Furthermore, the ending feels a bit rushed, which lessens the impact of the events occurring in the last quarter of the book.
While not perfect, this book is certainly worth a few bucks and an afternoon of your time.
First the good. Overall, the book is entertaining and it was enjoyable to read. The author does a commendable job of accurately portraying teens in such a way that in the first part of the book on marvels at how well he models them. Unfortunately, this breaks down a bit as the crisis wears on and the predictable panic and fear overrides any opportunity to write so subtlely. Secondly, the zombies are an interesting derivative from the typical varieties found in these types of books, though the change is not necessarily used to impact the story as powerfully as they could have.
On the other hand the subplots of the subterranean soul-searching each of the main characters engages in feels too much the cliche of guilt and blaming oneself that seems to pervade novels. Without giving too much away, one wonders where characters find time to worry about such things amidst such a world-changing disaster.
Secondly, the plot has issues. While the beginning engages the reader and makes them interested in the characters, once the zombies appear, all of this is bludgeoned aside by a series of rather cookie cutter razor-thin escapes and bland set pieces. Furthermore, the ending feels a bit rushed, which lessens the impact of the events occurring in the last quarter of the book.
While not perfect, this book is certainly worth a few bucks and an afternoon of your time.
August 31, 2012
So continues the evolution of the "Zombie" genre. They are no longer a mysterious Romero-esk punishment from above... or below depending on your perspective. That path to story-making is now considered so passe. Now the modern, hip writer gives us our apocalypse with a helping of genetic manipulation and evil government cover up.
Don't get me wrong...it works. At least for me. I put much more stock in a nasty bug escaping the CDC than a higher power turning the page from floods to something a little hipper.
What keeps my interest is the inventiveness of the folks who write this stuff. It's not like they have a lot of wiggle room. The good ones nowadays make the brain eating take a backseat to the stress and drama. The limited scope of the overall "plot" has exposed me to some very, very clever writers. The range from "Voyage of the Dead". to "Panama Laugh" to the book that sits at the very top of the Zombie pile.... "Area 187".
The basic plot points of this book are textbook. Black Ops army guy....bright, ambitious scientist....shortcuts to keep the federal funding spigot flowing" Stir in a plane crash in small town middle America and bam, off you go.
But this instead of cliche, this author gives you a touch of "Stand By Me" and does a darn fine job. You really like the kids. I usually want at least one lead get theirs...but not in "Hissers". The Zeds are cool and creepy, the action moves really, really fast. This is a good, inexpensive read and is delivered by a fantastic publisher, Permuted Press. It's 99 cents on Amazon and definetly worth more. Give it a try, you won't be disappointing.
Don't get me wrong...it works. At least for me. I put much more stock in a nasty bug escaping the CDC than a higher power turning the page from floods to something a little hipper.
What keeps my interest is the inventiveness of the folks who write this stuff. It's not like they have a lot of wiggle room. The good ones nowadays make the brain eating take a backseat to the stress and drama. The limited scope of the overall "plot" has exposed me to some very, very clever writers. The range from "Voyage of the Dead". to "Panama Laugh" to the book that sits at the very top of the Zombie pile.... "Area 187".
The basic plot points of this book are textbook. Black Ops army guy....bright, ambitious scientist....shortcuts to keep the federal funding spigot flowing" Stir in a plane crash in small town middle America and bam, off you go.
But this instead of cliche, this author gives you a touch of "Stand By Me" and does a darn fine job. You really like the kids. I usually want at least one lead get theirs...but not in "Hissers". The Zeds are cool and creepy, the action moves really, really fast. This is a good, inexpensive read and is delivered by a fantastic publisher, Permuted Press. It's 99 cents on Amazon and definetly worth more. Give it a try, you won't be disappointing.
January 8, 2012
This coming-of-age-cum-zombie-remix was fast paced and fun. The spin on the traditional zombie business was nice and the characters were endearing (though Amanita frequently got screechy [which might also have had to do with the fact I listened to a grown man narrating an angry fourteen year old girl...]).
Some of the dialogue and actions were trite and some of the exposition clunky, but Thomas made up for it with a lot of excellent sensory images and metaphor--and much of that was terrifically visceral and grotesque (strips of torn skin flapping like tiny flags, something popping like a bean in a microwave [the "something" was probably a body part--I can't remember], and hissers swarming on their prey like an explosion in reverse are just a few of the great visuals that stuck with me). I could have used a bit more of the science during the prologue, but that might have been tricky since Thomas obviously doesn't want to give too much away about the potential threat.
A note on the audiobook: there's a short story by a different author thrown in at the end as a bonus, which is nice (and the subject matter is related) but I saw that I had forty minutes remaining in my recording and was totally thrown off when the novel ended. The bonus story is okay, though I'd have preferred to have had a bit more meat on the ending of Hissers instead.
I'd recommend this for any young adult horror fans and any game enthusiasts (I'm going to recommend this to my seventeen year old cousin who's into both).
Some of the dialogue and actions were trite and some of the exposition clunky, but Thomas made up for it with a lot of excellent sensory images and metaphor--and much of that was terrifically visceral and grotesque (strips of torn skin flapping like tiny flags, something popping like a bean in a microwave [the "something" was probably a body part--I can't remember], and hissers swarming on their prey like an explosion in reverse are just a few of the great visuals that stuck with me). I could have used a bit more of the science during the prologue, but that might have been tricky since Thomas obviously doesn't want to give too much away about the potential threat.
A note on the audiobook: there's a short story by a different author thrown in at the end as a bonus, which is nice (and the subject matter is related) but I saw that I had forty minutes remaining in my recording and was totally thrown off when the novel ended. The bonus story is okay, though I'd have preferred to have had a bit more meat on the ending of Hissers instead.
I'd recommend this for any young adult horror fans and any game enthusiasts (I'm going to recommend this to my seventeen year old cousin who's into both).
October 22, 2012
I have become addicted to Kindle self-published writers and Ryan C Thomas did not disappoint. It seems a military experiment designed to deal with battlefield dismemberment has gone awry. The first chapter darkly sets the stage for the horrific results when an aircraft crashes in the peaceful little town of Caster, in middle America, and everyone's lives are turned upside down. Infection takes mere seconds - not days or hours - seconds. This makes infection spread at tremendous speed. The creatures rapidly become ferocious and tireless pursuers of humans. Our protagonists are a group of young teens who, through savage trial and gruesome error, become proficient at self-preservation. The writer has done an excellent job of developing these characters - we get to know them on a very personal level. They are typical of young teens and the author does a great job describing their squabbles and interactions as they madly scramble to try to save family, friends - as well as themselves - from a holocaust. The book ends in a mixed fashion and leaves the possibility open for a sequel. As much as I liked the book, it is pretty far-fetched in some ways but the characters are compelling enough to - perhaps - pull me back in if I learn that Thomas is planning a continuation. I listened to this on Audible while working out - good way to focus on something besides physical exertion. The reader should be cautioned: This is a violent read with some very disturbing imagery. Not for the faint of heart.
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