Last review of the day and penultimate book. The questions are here for me, wondering how it is all going to wrap up. How? I am not sure. We will hopefully see with this book.
Customary warning: This is a reminder that these are my personal opinions. My thoughts and feelings are not your thoughts and feelings. I may not always be the target audience for a book; sometimes I am. If I do not like a book, that doesn’t mean you’ll dislike it. If I love a book or simply like a book, you may hate it. Take everything I say with this knowledge. If it sounds interesting to you despite what I’ve said, then go ahead and read it. You’ll only know you like something if you read it yourself.
That being said… Spoilers ahead.
The Hunted by Charlie Higson
Synopsis From The Book
The sickness struck everyone sixteen and older. First it twisted their minds; next it ravaged their bodies. Now the sickos roam the streets, crazed and hungry for young flesh.
Ella’s friends had told her that the country would be safer than the city. They were wrong. Now they’re dead and Ella’s all alone–alone, that is, except for her silent rescuer, Scarface. But she doesn’t even know if he’s a kid or a grown-up.
Back in London, Ed is determined to find Ella and keep his promise to Small Sam that he will reunite sister and brother. But getting out of town has never been more dangerous. It seems that every sicko in the country is coming from all directions, almost as if they’re being summoned to the capital. Will anything be able to stop the invading horde?
Horror – Monsters | YA – M | Major Deaths, Cannibalism, Gun Violence, Abuse | Friendship, Survival, Courage and Fear
Initial Thoughts Before Reading:
Two more books in this series and we have finally got all the characters connected. It took a while but I’m more than happy that I went on this journey with them. I was not necessarily prepared for some of the journeys to go the way they did, but I’m more than excited now.
Initial Thoughts After Reading:
Oh my god that cliff hanger. I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t readyyyy. What am I going to do? I don’t want to write this review I want to dive in right now.
I cry
Good book tho.
Plot Overview:
Ella is saved by Malik who survived after being taken from Ed, back in book two. He helps keep Ella alive and hunts and kills grown ups each day. Her friends died but she alive and she gets to know him. They save some other kids but their safe house is compromised. Two of the kids die and three end up going back to the others.
Malik tells Ella of his life after Ed. He was brutally mutilated and saved by some other kids and a doctor. All of them died, mostly because of the doctor. He escaped with some friends and they died. Because if his appearance he was taken in by a boy named Tyler and Tyler brutalized him. Tyler treated him like a dog but Malik knew how to fight. In a civil war of the kids, Malik got free. From there it was more of the same until the point where he stopped caring about people and everyone treated him like a grown up.
Malik and Ella are ambushed by grown ups and then saved by Windsor kids who lock up Malik for the races.
Ed convinces the Museum to let him leave with a party. He gets kids, most of whom don’t know if he can fight, and they go to find Ella in a car. Kyle gets them out of one bad spot but Macca is bitten and has his throat torn out. They find grandparents in the outside area who take them in and teach them some things about the disease. Macca does and some of the kids stay with the grandparents (who were not diseased). Ed and the others move on. They find a settlement. No Ella. And Ed has to get them to get their car out. They make it a way, and then happen upon a large group who they have to fight through. Ed shows off his fighting prowess.
They are saved by Sophie and the archers and are taken to the races to see if they can find Ella. He joins a team that has never won, in order to get the prize of winning. With his help they win some games.
Ella is there searching for Malik and in the battle royale, Malik dominates but he is ordered to die. Ella tried to stop them but it’s only when Ed steps up that they do. He realizes Malik is their friend, he gives Malik his shirt, and their team wins.
Ed asks the other groups to join him. Only one says no. They return to the grandparents house and find that Sam and the others are being attacked, via the link that the Twisted Kids have.
What I Liked:
Ed; Seeing others looking at him and questioning whether he’s any good in a fight makes me laugh. Then he surprises everyone by being a true hero. He inspires everyone to do better and be better. Him getting his way at the end of the races was great. And then seeing him actually keep his word to find Ella. I can’t believe it. Ed is a hero and he inspires hope.
Ella; This girl survived. Oh, I am so happy. It was lucky, but she made it. Now she has to get back to Sam.
Malik; HE’S ALIVE? I was not prepared for it. And man, what he went through was horrible. This kid has killed so many grown ups, and saved so many people, and has been hurt by so many more. Goodness, I can’t believe he still cares for other kids. He’s such a good person. Please let him be happy.
Kyle; This kid jumps out no questions asked when Ed tells him to. He does what he must and trusts Ed to save him. Them fighting in unison has surprised everyone. This kid is reckless but I have a feeling he’ll survive the final battle.
Other Kids; The kids in the towns outside of London have their own culture and the likes. This was interesting.
The Races; Colosseum battles meet the Olympics, and with rules that can be manipulated? Sign me up. This was such a great part of the books to read. It was fun and entertaining, even if little happened plot wise.
What I Would Have Liked or Changed:
None
Rating: 4.5/5
Notable Quotes:
None
Marlena Marie 
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