Them

The Secrets We Were Never Meant to Find

We all know the scariest things are the secrets kept just out of sight. That's the engine driving W.H. Chizmar's novel, Them. It's an apocalyptic survival story that follows one man's journey through a ruined world, splitting its timeline between a terrifying present and the past that caused it all.

A Voice All His Own

I was a big fan of Widow's Point, which Chizmar co-wrote with his father, so I went into this curious about his solo voice. I can confirm that Them is entirely his own creation. It has the same smart approach to storytelling I loved in the collaboration, but the style and feel are completely distinct. He really carves out his own space here, and the book stands strong on its own merits.

A Horror That Gets Under Your Skin

The horror here works on two levels. On one hand, you have the creatures—a terrifying and well-defined physical threat with clear rules. But what really got to me was the deeper, more existential dread. The book opens with a chilling exploration of how government agencies, racing to be first, could stumble upon something world-ending and not even blink.

That's the part that feels terrifyingly real. It taps into the fear that we are completely unprepared for a true catastrophe, and that we could be wiped out by something we were never meant to find.

A Man, a Ruin, and a Fractured Timeline

For most of the book, our protagonist is simply "the man," and he barely speaks. This works surprisingly well, forcing the author to rely on rich, descriptive world-building instead of dialogue. The writing paints a vivid picture of the ruined landscape without clumsy exposition. Keeping the character nameless for so long is a clever choice; it's easy to imagine yourself in his place, walking through a collapsed world.

This fractured narrative, which splits between the present and the past, is one of the book's greatest strengths. It feeds you information in fragments, but it never feels cheap or like a gimmick. The plot unfolds naturally until the two timelines collide, building to a conclusion that is genuinely unforgettable. The book is great up to that point, but the final chapter delivers such a powerful shift in perspective that it elevates the entire novel. Honestly, it's the biggest reason I'd tell someone to read this.

Who Is This For?

If you enjoy smart sci-fi horror and love putting yourself in the shoes of a survivor in an apocalyptic "what if" scenario, put this at the top of your list. It's especially great for readers who appreciate an unconventional story that doesn't move in a straight line.

But if you're looking for a fast-paced, action-packed thriller, this might not be for you. The book has long, quiet stretches of reflection. If you prefer a linear plot and aren't a fan of slower, introspective moments, you might want to pass.

I know I'll be reading this one again; it's earned a permanent spot on my shelf. It's the kind of story that rewards a second look. For a book that will make you wonder what's really happening behind closed doors, Them is one you absolutely need to open.