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Them
A top-secret government project hits upon a revolutionary idea for transporting matter across the vast reaches of the universe, and they succeed in bringing something back. Something alive. Something alien. They bring back THEM.
Mankind’s reign atop the food chain comes to an abrupt halt when a tractor trailer hauling a mustard-yellow shipping container mysteriously overturns and rolls off the highway, unleashing THEM upon an unsuspecting New England countryside. America soon falls, and the world follows.
Years later, one man emerges from the rubble of humanity, seeking other survivors and a shred of hope amidst an eerie and lonely landscape. He travels by night up the rural East Coast, discovering Americana ruins and encountering monsters the likes of which no human has survived before. Scarred and molded by the horrors of the new natural order, the man must face his own dwindling humanity, and pray that any other survivors have not become monsters themselves.
THEM is the spectacular debut novel by W.H. Chizmar, an exciting new voice in dark fiction. This story of survival and responsibility presents sobering questions about what it means to be human and will stick with you long after the final page.
Mankind’s reign atop the food chain comes to an abrupt halt when a tractor trailer hauling a mustard-yellow shipping container mysteriously overturns and rolls off the highway, unleashing THEM upon an unsuspecting New England countryside. America soon falls, and the world follows.
Years later, one man emerges from the rubble of humanity, seeking other survivors and a shred of hope amidst an eerie and lonely landscape. He travels by night up the rural East Coast, discovering Americana ruins and encountering monsters the likes of which no human has survived before. Scarred and molded by the horrors of the new natural order, the man must face his own dwindling humanity, and pray that any other survivors have not become monsters themselves.
THEM is the spectacular debut novel by W.H. Chizmar, an exciting new voice in dark fiction. This story of survival and responsibility presents sobering questions about what it means to be human and will stick with you long after the final page.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2024
4 people are currently reading
4904 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 26, 2026
THEM is a harrowing, nuanced exploration of humanity's dying gasp and the lengths man will go to ensure our story is not forgotten, all the while making readers wonder if perhaps it would be for the best if it was. I'm utterly floored. How is this a debut?! Chizmar is not standing on the shoulders of giants, he just took a seat at their table. What a wonder.
March 21, 2026
This was really 4.5 stars, for many reasons. It is quite an undertaking to make your debut novel something that bounces back and forth between two unnamed characters with no real chapter breaks, but between the pacing and character anonymity, Chizmar nailed it.
While it's a fun story, there is definitely an underlying commentary on humanity that feels delivered with perfect timing given the current state of the world.
Are humans actually the monsters? Do we create them out of others? Are there no monsters, simply different perspectives? Are we our own worst enemy? There's lots to wax philosophical over, if that's your jam.
If not it's still a quick, fun creature feature. I finished it this morning and have spent all day thinking about what MC may be up to now.
Enjoy!
PS big thank you to Gallery Books for sending this ARC to my wife so that I could devour it before she had a chance.
While it's a fun story, there is definitely an underlying commentary on humanity that feels delivered with perfect timing given the current state of the world.
Are humans actually the monsters? Do we create them out of others? Are there no monsters, simply different perspectives? Are we our own worst enemy? There's lots to wax philosophical over, if that's your jam.
If not it's still a quick, fun creature feature. I finished it this morning and have spent all day thinking about what MC may be up to now.
Enjoy!
PS big thank you to Gallery Books for sending this ARC to my wife so that I could devour it before she had a chance.
November 27, 2024
THEM by W.H. Chizmar is a notable debut for multiple reasons, chiefly the story’s dual functioning as an exciting creature feature and a means to provide deeper commentary on the human condition. The earth as we know it no longer stands as most humans have perished at the hands (talons?) of “them.” One man walks alone in search of something. A reason to keep going, one other survivor, what all of this destruction means for him. And just how the hell did he get here in this predicament?
The first half of this novel combines both compelling action as the man travels this destroyed landscape in addition to riveting documentation from an unknown author shedding light on details of “them” that few would know. This combination of slow reveals with present action really works in moving things along right from the start. It’s interesting formatting and structure that lends itself to the mystery of how the world ended up in this shape and possibly further explaining this man’s plight to survive.
Furthermore, THEM functions as a great creature-feature story while also providing thought-provoking commentary on man’s purpose. This reads as rather timely given the division in our world as topics of guilt, accountability, blame, and confession are brought about in this way. This deeper meaning is there if you’d like it, but there’s plenty to be entertained with sans the emo bits. From creature design to action to confrontation, THEM is a successful creature feature with notes of Spielberg-esque humanity layered throughout.
The first half of this novel combines both compelling action as the man travels this destroyed landscape in addition to riveting documentation from an unknown author shedding light on details of “them” that few would know. This combination of slow reveals with present action really works in moving things along right from the start. It’s interesting formatting and structure that lends itself to the mystery of how the world ended up in this shape and possibly further explaining this man’s plight to survive.
Furthermore, THEM functions as a great creature-feature story while also providing thought-provoking commentary on man’s purpose. This reads as rather timely given the division in our world as topics of guilt, accountability, blame, and confession are brought about in this way. This deeper meaning is there if you’d like it, but there’s plenty to be entertained with sans the emo bits. From creature design to action to confrontation, THEM is a successful creature feature with notes of Spielberg-esque humanity layered throughout.
January 8, 2025
WH Chizmar’s debut novel does NOT disappoint, far from it.
THEM is a apocalyptic novel written in a dual narrative that Matheson, Sturgeon and Orwell could not have written better.
The two mains are introduced and share their stories with a seamless transition. Cinema can’t even seem to get it right, but Chizmar nails it.
We not one, but two well developed characters and somehow the reader begins to form a bond… a connection? with the Monsters.
Absolutely blown away that this is a debut novel and very much looking forward to future works.
5 out of 5… a must read and instant classic!
THEM is a apocalyptic novel written in a dual narrative that Matheson, Sturgeon and Orwell could not have written better.
The two mains are introduced and share their stories with a seamless transition. Cinema can’t even seem to get it right, but Chizmar nails it.
We not one, but two well developed characters and somehow the reader begins to form a bond… a connection? with the Monsters.
Absolutely blown away that this is a debut novel and very much looking forward to future works.
5 out of 5… a must read and instant classic!
January 14, 2025
I feel cheated. This was probably my most anticipated book of the month and one of the most of the year. I had really high expectations and they didn't pay off.
Review to come
Review to come
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When diving into
Them
by New York Times bestselling author W.H. Chizmar, I didn't know what to fully expect. What I thought was going to be a solid creature-feature horror tale, ended up being just that but a lot more.
Them
is thoughtful, atmospheric, and original. A story that is monstrous, but also utterly human.
A top-secret government project hits upon a revolutionary idea for transporting matter across the vast reaches of the universe, and it succeeds in bringing something back. Something alive. Soon, mankind’s reign comes to an abrupt halt when a truck hauling a very special shipping container overturns and rolls off the highway, unleashing an otherworldly horror upon an unsuspecting New England countryside, where it cannot be contained…
Several years later, an unidentified man emerges from the rubble of humanity, seeking other survivors and a shred of hope amid an eerie and lonely landscape. He travels by night up the rural East Coast, discovering Americana ruins and encountering monsters the likes of which no one has survived. Scarred and molded by the cruel horrors of this new natural order, he must face his own dwindling humanity and pray that any others out there have not become monsters themselves…
It's not for a lack of faith in Chizmar's first solo novel, the incredibly crafted and extremely successful Widow's Point: The Complete Haunting he co-wrote with his father Richard Chizmar is proof of the talent, but what would the first solo book be like. What we got was a fantastic solo debut novel that took me by surprise in the most wonderful way.
Them is classic sci-fi horror, where a secret government experiment goes wrong, something unknown gets loose, and suddenly everything spirals into chaos. Onward from there we follow a survivor recounting what went on as this situation escalated into something much bigger and more terrifying. It has that post-apocalyptic, end-of-the-world vibe, but told in a much more personal, character-driven, and grounded way.
The whole story is surrounded by this constant sense of dread that builds steadily throughout, even when the story opens up a bit, it still feels intimate, making for a really atmospheric tale. The horror is just about the threat itself, it's about the uncertainty, the confusion, and how we react when things stop making sense to us. This takes a creature horror story and surrounds it with dread, suspense, and utter fear.
Them features a nice blend of genres, it's part sci-fi, part horror, part on the road story, but balances this extremely well. Of course some have been comparing the story to how The Stand was written, in terms of overall scope, but it definitely tends to say a bit more focused on individual experience rather than a larger cast. The book also features a good amount of deeper themes running across it with questions about responsibility, humanity, and how fragile the world can really be when you it is pushed to the edge.
Chizmar brings a unique style to the story, especially when it came to the survivor perspective. We are not just watching events unfold, we are piecing them together as they happen, keeping the sense of unease alive and allowing us to stay engaged along the way. It's a style that had me thrown for a loop a bit at the beginning, but quickly set in place and was hooked from then on.
Them is more than a book full of terror or some sort of spectacle, but a story filled with a lingering sense of humanity threaded through all that chaos. W.H. Chizmar delivers an amazing, character-driven story with a classic sci-fi horror vibe that feels intimate and expansive at the same time. Them blends dread, emotion, and great imagination into a fantastic solo debut.
Them hits bookstores everywhere on August 11, 2026 from Gallery Books. The audiobook is available via Libro.fm!
NOTE: We received an advance copy of Them from the publisher. Opinions are our own.
A top-secret government project hits upon a revolutionary idea for transporting matter across the vast reaches of the universe, and it succeeds in bringing something back. Something alive. Soon, mankind’s reign comes to an abrupt halt when a truck hauling a very special shipping container overturns and rolls off the highway, unleashing an otherworldly horror upon an unsuspecting New England countryside, where it cannot be contained…
Several years later, an unidentified man emerges from the rubble of humanity, seeking other survivors and a shred of hope amid an eerie and lonely landscape. He travels by night up the rural East Coast, discovering Americana ruins and encountering monsters the likes of which no one has survived. Scarred and molded by the cruel horrors of this new natural order, he must face his own dwindling humanity and pray that any others out there have not become monsters themselves…
It's not for a lack of faith in Chizmar's first solo novel, the incredibly crafted and extremely successful Widow's Point: The Complete Haunting he co-wrote with his father Richard Chizmar is proof of the talent, but what would the first solo book be like. What we got was a fantastic solo debut novel that took me by surprise in the most wonderful way.
Them is classic sci-fi horror, where a secret government experiment goes wrong, something unknown gets loose, and suddenly everything spirals into chaos. Onward from there we follow a survivor recounting what went on as this situation escalated into something much bigger and more terrifying. It has that post-apocalyptic, end-of-the-world vibe, but told in a much more personal, character-driven, and grounded way.
The whole story is surrounded by this constant sense of dread that builds steadily throughout, even when the story opens up a bit, it still feels intimate, making for a really atmospheric tale. The horror is just about the threat itself, it's about the uncertainty, the confusion, and how we react when things stop making sense to us. This takes a creature horror story and surrounds it with dread, suspense, and utter fear.
Them features a nice blend of genres, it's part sci-fi, part horror, part on the road story, but balances this extremely well. Of course some have been comparing the story to how The Stand was written, in terms of overall scope, but it definitely tends to say a bit more focused on individual experience rather than a larger cast. The book also features a good amount of deeper themes running across it with questions about responsibility, humanity, and how fragile the world can really be when you it is pushed to the edge.
Chizmar brings a unique style to the story, especially when it came to the survivor perspective. We are not just watching events unfold, we are piecing them together as they happen, keeping the sense of unease alive and allowing us to stay engaged along the way. It's a style that had me thrown for a loop a bit at the beginning, but quickly set in place and was hooked from then on.
Them is more than a book full of terror or some sort of spectacle, but a story filled with a lingering sense of humanity threaded through all that chaos. W.H. Chizmar delivers an amazing, character-driven story with a classic sci-fi horror vibe that feels intimate and expansive at the same time. Them blends dread, emotion, and great imagination into a fantastic solo debut.
Them hits bookstores everywhere on August 11, 2026 from Gallery Books. The audiobook is available via Libro.fm!
NOTE: We received an advance copy of Them from the publisher. Opinions are our own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Them by W.H. Chizmar is a debut post-apocalyptic novel set on an Earth that has been taken over by a race of alien creatures brought here by the US government to be used in warfare. It follows the Man as he emerges from his bunker in search of any other humans left alive.
I was immediately drawn in by the cover, which is striking and beautiful. The writing style is flowery, but in a way that I initially really enjoyed. The book opens with an exquisitely eerie, lonely vibe that feels like a love letter to the genre.
I found the Man very interesting; he’s a dip-chewing soccer player, but he’s nice to animals and doesn’t litter if he can help it. He’s a mess of contradictions, and doesn’t have a good idea of who he even is anymore. But the Scorpions themselves are the real stars here. As a child I always rooted for Jaws, and as an adult I was absolutely rooting for the Scorpions. Imagine the loneliness of being ripped away from your planet, stranded an unimaginable distance away, with no hope of ever returning home?
The book really slows down in the back third, and the Climactic Battle felt silly and dramatic, but the final chapter made it all worth it to me. Overall, I enjoyed Them and would recommend it to any fans of sci-fi, alien invasions, or apocalypse stories.
Thank you Gallery Books for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I was immediately drawn in by the cover, which is striking and beautiful. The writing style is flowery, but in a way that I initially really enjoyed. The book opens with an exquisitely eerie, lonely vibe that feels like a love letter to the genre.
I found the Man very interesting; he’s a dip-chewing soccer player, but he’s nice to animals and doesn’t litter if he can help it. He’s a mess of contradictions, and doesn’t have a good idea of who he even is anymore. But the Scorpions themselves are the real stars here. As a child I always rooted for Jaws, and as an adult I was absolutely rooting for the Scorpions. Imagine the loneliness of being ripped away from your planet, stranded an unimaginable distance away, with no hope of ever returning home?
The book really slows down in the back third, and the Climactic Battle felt silly and dramatic, but the final chapter made it all worth it to me. Overall, I enjoyed Them and would recommend it to any fans of sci-fi, alien invasions, or apocalypse stories.
Thank you Gallery Books for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 17, 2026
A creature feature at its best
The US government succeeded in bringing back a whole six-eyed monster that immediately started in devouring all humans in its path. Then, when trying to transport one of the beasts, they allowed it to escape. Now the world has become a wasteland at the mercy of THEM.
I loved this creature feature sci fi horror tale. I loved the descriptions of the monsters.
This wasn't a feel-good story, by any means. The narrator heaps a lot of the blame for the destruction of the world on his own shoulders as he treks up the East Coast trying to avoid "Scorpions."
I enjoyed the storyline, the writing, the descriptive passages. I personally liked the bright green cover of the book that I got on the Kindle copy I received - left more to the imagination.
I heartily recommend.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Gallery Books through Edelweiss and am very thankful.
The US government succeeded in bringing back a whole six-eyed monster that immediately started in devouring all humans in its path. Then, when trying to transport one of the beasts, they allowed it to escape. Now the world has become a wasteland at the mercy of THEM.
I loved this creature feature sci fi horror tale. I loved the descriptions of the monsters.
This wasn't a feel-good story, by any means. The narrator heaps a lot of the blame for the destruction of the world on his own shoulders as he treks up the East Coast trying to avoid "Scorpions."
I enjoyed the storyline, the writing, the descriptive passages. I personally liked the bright green cover of the book that I got on the Kindle copy I received - left more to the imagination.
I heartily recommend.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Gallery Books through Edelweiss and am very thankful.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"I have not atoned for my sins. I doubt I ever will, but there is a path I can follow. One of accoutnability. Of atonement."
I never thought a book about alien monsters and the end of civilization could make me cry—yet here we are. Don't expect an edge-of-your seat thrill ride, though there are intense moments of survival. This slow-burn thought-provoking tale on the downfall of humanity due to hubris was lyrically written with introspection and empathy—and I felt it. 𝙒.𝙃. 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙯𝙢𝙖𝙧 made the clever creative choice not to include chapters—and it works. It adds to the lonely and isolated feeling of our 'one man alone' survivor. Interspersed with the inner thoughts of 'the man' are journal entries of another man, which act as a confession of sorts. He describes the role he played in the cosmic transportation project that led to the aliens' arrival on Earth and their ultimate escape.
One day bleeds into the next and time has little meaning as 'the man' walks and walks, trying to stay alive and unnoticed by the beings dubbed Scorpions. The Scorpions are monstrous enough to rival the Xenomorph from 𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯, but at times—such as when they sing in the rain—they seem all too human. It left me contemplating: Were the Scorpions just defending themselves? Since people can't find peace amongst themselves, is it any wonder violence was the answer? Who are the real monsters?
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 is a striking post-apocalyptic alien invasion story—that seems entirely plausble—blended with deeply moving commentary on the human condition. It's about arrogance, curiosity, and megalomania; yet, it's also about guilt, redemption, and hope. Bravo on your fabulous debut, Mr. 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙯𝙢𝙖𝙧; by the end I was in tears—and it wasn't for humanity.
____
Thank you to Richard and W.H. Chizmar and Gallery Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own and shared voluntarily.
I never thought a book about alien monsters and the end of civilization could make me cry—yet here we are. Don't expect an edge-of-your seat thrill ride, though there are intense moments of survival. This slow-burn thought-provoking tale on the downfall of humanity due to hubris was lyrically written with introspection and empathy—and I felt it. 𝙒.𝙃. 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙯𝙢𝙖𝙧 made the clever creative choice not to include chapters—and it works. It adds to the lonely and isolated feeling of our 'one man alone' survivor. Interspersed with the inner thoughts of 'the man' are journal entries of another man, which act as a confession of sorts. He describes the role he played in the cosmic transportation project that led to the aliens' arrival on Earth and their ultimate escape.
One day bleeds into the next and time has little meaning as 'the man' walks and walks, trying to stay alive and unnoticed by the beings dubbed Scorpions. The Scorpions are monstrous enough to rival the Xenomorph from 𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯, but at times—such as when they sing in the rain—they seem all too human. It left me contemplating: Were the Scorpions just defending themselves? Since people can't find peace amongst themselves, is it any wonder violence was the answer? Who are the real monsters?
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 is a striking post-apocalyptic alien invasion story—that seems entirely plausble—blended with deeply moving commentary on the human condition. It's about arrogance, curiosity, and megalomania; yet, it's also about guilt, redemption, and hope. Bravo on your fabulous debut, Mr. 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙯𝙢𝙖𝙧; by the end I was in tears—and it wasn't for humanity.
____
Thank you to Richard and W.H. Chizmar and Gallery Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own and shared voluntarily.
March 31, 2026
fine. sentence-level this was quite good, and the fact it was a debut is impressive. but the "solo dude exploring apocalypse america" creature feature didn't grip me like I thought it would, which is my bad... that isn't my cup of tea to begin with. I enjoyed the secondary POV more, which was more of the scifi thriller government nutty shit I usually enjoy. made me wanna play Project Zomboid again lol.
the philosophical questions were nice but not shocking or new, the whole "who is REALLY the monster here" bit.
glad to have seen the deluxe ed. with the illustration of the Scorpions to get a good picture of them.
the philosophical questions were nice but not shocking or new, the whole "who is REALLY the monster here" bit.
glad to have seen the deluxe ed. with the illustration of the Scorpions to get a good picture of them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love a creature driven book so this was right up my alley. This was a solo debut and it was well done. I can see where this author will have great traction in the future. Some of the writing was clunky, but that’s just personal preference. Told in dual POV and dual timeline, it was atmospheric and compelling. Once I got started, I was invested throughout. It steadily built dread throughout the book and gave me the creeps. I recommend this book if you enjoy creature horror.
Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC!
This was a really great, quiet post apocalypse story. I enjoyed the anonymity of the main character, and the flash back journal entries really gave everything a good sense of scale and purpose. I struggled a bit with the pacing, but that's most likely just a me problem. All in all, very well done, similar to the Stand.
This was a really great, quiet post apocalypse story. I enjoyed the anonymity of the main character, and the flash back journal entries really gave everything a good sense of scale and purpose. I struggled a bit with the pacing, but that's most likely just a me problem. All in all, very well done, similar to the Stand.
May 1, 2026
Them was a different novel then what I am used to reading. It does a dive into post Apocalyptic America and one man's journey around the states. While I did struggle in some areas to follow the story I believe that is due to the different pace and subject matter. Altogether I enjoyed the story. I received a copy through Netgalley.. A review was not required..
November 8, 2024
Enjoyable read.
April 27, 2026
Absolutely incredible. THEM is dread inducing on a new level I’ve never experienced.
May 5, 2026
this is honestly one of my favorite books i’ve read so far this year. tears were shed. it was so good 🥹🖤 i love alien horror & really loved the duel POV in this novel.
April 1, 2026
This horror-apocalypse-sci-fi mashup had me completely hooked For a good chunk of the story, you are inside the mind of what seems to be the last human left on Earth as he moves from house to house, scavenging, hiding, and trying to survive in a world overtaken by monsters after a government project goes very, very wrong And then... he hears another human voice over the radio From there, the story turns into this tense, emotional, dangerous journey that I could not put down. It is creepy, gripping, suspenseful, and somehow still full of heart It really captures that feeling of loneliness, survival, hope, and the stubborn human need to keep going even when everything feels completely bleak. Also? This book flowed so well and played out so vividly in my head that I could totally see it as a movie someday I would absolutely watch that. If you love horror, apocalypse vibes, sci-fi twists, monster chaos, and survival stories with heart, this one is so worth picking up
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Honestly I’m not sure why I agreed to read this book, but I’m glad I did. What an interesting solo debut.
Normally dual-timeline and dual-POV together can get kind of confusing and muddled, but this one did not at all. The book itself was atmospheric and captivating. There were also moments of sheer dread, which just added to the overall creepiness of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Normally dual-timeline and dual-POV together can get kind of confusing and muddled, but this one did not at all. The book itself was atmospheric and captivating. There were also moments of sheer dread, which just added to the overall creepiness of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
March 27, 2025
I really had high hopes for W.H. Chizmar's Them, the debut novel from Richard Chizmar's son, especially since Lividian Publications gave it the special edition treatment. The book looks fantastic as you'd expect, but the story fails to impress. Chizmar is a good writer, but the story of a lone man's journey through the apocalypse while avoiding the deadly race of aliens that have taken over the planet is a dull, joyless affair.
The aliens are the most interesting characters in the book, especially when we get an unexpected POV from one of the creatures in the book's close. There are two human POVs, the aforementioned lone man, and diary entries from another man that is partly responsible for the end of humanity. Unfortunately, much of the story drags at a slow pace. When our character does encounter the aliens, the action falls flat and lacks suspense. Maybe it's just because our main character feels like a husk of a person. Chizmar doesn't give us any reason to care about him; the character struggles to remember his own name. He's just there. Kind of like this book.
2.5 stars out of 5. Fear Nerd says, "Check it out!"
The aliens are the most interesting characters in the book, especially when we get an unexpected POV from one of the creatures in the book's close. There are two human POVs, the aforementioned lone man, and diary entries from another man that is partly responsible for the end of humanity. Unfortunately, much of the story drags at a slow pace. When our character does encounter the aliens, the action falls flat and lacks suspense. Maybe it's just because our main character feels like a husk of a person. Chizmar doesn't give us any reason to care about him; the character struggles to remember his own name. He's just there. Kind of like this book.
2.5 stars out of 5. Fear Nerd says, "Check it out!"
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews