THEM by W.H. Chizmar
Gallery Books (August 11, 2026)
Reviewed by Abby Wolf
This review is based on my personal reading experience. All opinions are my own.
Science fiction and horror have always shared common ground. Both ask us to confront the unknown, in the stars, the depths of the ocean, or the darkest corners of human ambition. W.H. Chizmar’s THEM embraces that tradition with a story that begins as an ominous creature feature before evolving into something remarkably reflective. Equal parts apocalyptic survival horror and a meditation on humanity, THEM proves that even in the face of utter ruin, humans still seek connection.
The novel opens with an irresistible premise. A classified government experiment successfully transports matter across insane distances in space, but something makes the return trip. When that impossible cargo escapes in rural New England, civilization collapses with astonishing speed, leaving the world unrecognizable in its wake.
Years after humanity’s downfall, the story follows an unnamed survivor crossing through the remnants of America. Traveling under the cover of darkness, he searches for other people while navigating a landscape that has become as alien as the creatures now inhabiting it. His journey is dangerous and lonely, making the novel feel partly like an intimate portrait of endurance.
THEM resists the temptation to explain everything immediately. Instead of delivering a straightforward chronology of the catastrophe that led the world to the current day, the novel gradually pieces together its larger mystery through fragmented accounts and recovered information. The result is a narrative that mirrors its protagonist’s own uncertainty. Readers uncover the truth alongside him, allowing the suspense to build organically.
The structure also keeps the pages turning. Every discovery answers one question while raising another, maintaining an engaging sense of momentum without sacrificing atmosphere. The mystery surrounding the collapse of civilization becomes just as compelling as the creatures responsible for it.
Those creatures are wonderfully horrifying. Chizmar knows horror depends just as much on anticipation as it does confrontation. Rather than overwhelming the story with constant attacks, he allows the tension to simmer through long stretches of abandoned roads and empty towns where danger could emerge at any moment. The monsters themselves feel genuinely otherworldly, not just oversized predators but incomprehensible invaders whose existence reshapes our natural order.
The horror succeeds because it extends beyond these beings. The abandoned gas stations, forgotten neighborhoods, quiet forests, and crumbling remnants of ordinary American life become haunting reminders of everything that has been lost. Chizmar captures that eerie stillness that often defines the best post-apocalyptic fiction, where absence becomes just as terrifying as violence.
THEM never loses sight of its emotional core. While alien horrors drive the plot, the novel consistently asks what remains of a person after hope has disappeared. The unnamed protagonist is not presented as an action hero destined to save the day. He survives because he keeps moving forward, even when every reason to stop is justified. His resilience feels believable because it is imperfect.
This focus gives THEM more emotional weight. Loneliness becomes one of the most persistent antagonists, and every encounter carries the possibility of connection or betrayal. Chizmar explores familiar post-apocalyptic questions of guilt, responsibility, sacrifice, and identity, but approaches them through deeply personal moments instead of grand philosophical speeches. The result is a story that feels authentic to human experience.
While there are plenty of suspenseful confrontations with these predatory monsters, THEM is equally invested in quieter moments of reflection. Rather than slowing the story, these pauses strengthen the emotional impact by reminding us what survival really costs.
There is also an unmistakable sense of classic science fiction running through the novel. The premise recalls the era of government experiments and cosmic mysteries, yet Chizmar updates those familiar ideas with modern pacing and a stronger emphasis on character. The balance between old-school sci-fi horror and contemporary emotional storytelling gives THEM an identity that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
For his solo debut, THEM is very confident. Chizmar demonstrates a strong command of atmosphere and pacing while crafting a world that feels expansive despite remaining focused on a survivor’s journey. Fans of creature horror will find plenty to enjoy, and readers looking for thoughtful post-apocalyptic fiction will discover something even richer. THEM is a tense, emotionally resonant novel that reminds us the end of the world is sometimes only the beginning.
