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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
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567 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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 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
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!
November 8, 2024
Enjoyable read.
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 - 5 of 5 reviews