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Heroes of the Apocalypse #5
From the Ashes
It's the end of the world.
The dead have risen, descending upon the living like a swarm of locusts. A plague released from the bowels of hell. The only thing that stands in their way are the ordinary men and women called upon to survive. Those who find the courage to fight despite their weaknesses and doubts.
They are the heroes of the apocalypse.
The dead have risen, descending upon the living like a swarm of locusts. A plague released from the bowels of hell. The only thing that stands in their way are the ordinary men and women called upon to survive. Those who find the courage to fight despite their weaknesses and doubts.
They are the heroes of the apocalypse.
- GenresZombies
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2023
79 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Baileigh Higgins
111 books438 followersSouth African writer and coffee addict, Baileigh Higgins, lives in the Free State with hubby and best friend Brendan and loves nothing more than lazing on the couch with pizza and a bad horror movie. Her unhealthy obsession with the end of the world has led to numerous books on the subject and a secret bunker only she knows the location of.
Visit her website at www.baileighhiggins.com for more information on her upcoming projects, new releases, and giveaways. Sign up for her Newsletter and get your Free Ebook, Tales from the Apocalypse, today.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 31, 2023
Higgins continues her portrayal of how groups of emergency service workers might act during a zombie apocalypse with a classic “packs of zombies breach the compound” narrative.
Note: while the author is blessed with a spiffing surname we are unrelated by blood or marriage.
This novel is the fifth in Higgins’ Heroes of the Apocalypse series. Possible spoilers for the previous volumes ahead.
After days without their worst fears materialising, the survivors of the disaster at the fire station are starting to think of the hospital community as safe—if not yet home. However, when raiders manage to release zombies within the hospital, tentative relaxation becomes a scramble for survival. A scramble that threatens to erase the tentative alliance between the hospital and the new arrivals.
After the focus of social politics and longer-term concerns of the previous volume, the major arc of this one switches back to fast-paced zombie combat and handling immediate issues. However, with the two groups of survivors intermingled when disaster strikes—and thus needing to make decisions about who is in charge, who to attempt to rescue, and so forth with little time for debate—this builds on the disputes of the last book rather than moving away from it. In parallel with this, Nikki continues the journey from her stepfather’s house that she began earlier in the series.
Thus, the book offers multiple perspectives on both whether one should treat close friends, mere acquaintances, and strangers differently, and whether that is how people do act when under extreme pressure.
As one would expect of the fifth volume of a series, the characters and situations are notably influenced by past events. Higgins does include references to these where they provide context to present choices; however, these are fragments integrated into the narrative rather than full explanations, and so it is unlikely to provide a good entry point for readers who prefer to know why a character makes apparently flawed choices rather than simply assume there is a reason.
The combat and surrounding dangers are neither gratuitously visceral nor overly sanitised; thus, while each reader’s preferences for trauma and gore might be different, fans of zombie fiction are likely to find the description a good balance between portraying the brutal threat of fighting ravening packs of undead in tight corridors and avoiding shocking details for the sake of it.
Higgins similarly balances the psychological aspects, avoiding both characters spending page after page in angst-ridden passivity, and characters casting off traumatic events or choices as if they were trivial.
Unlike the previous volume, the novel does not end mid-disaster. Instead, the survivors are starting their fallback plan for the loss of the hospital. Depending on reader preference, the existence of another potential sanctuary might feel like an embodiment of the preparedness of emergency service personnel or a little too fortunate.
As before, Higgins’ prose inclines more toward description and clarity rather than leaving the reader to assume or speculate on events. This creates a subtle echo of reports and officialdom that fits with the series’ theme of emergency service workers but might create a slight feel of distance for readers more used to the trimmed style of many modern action novels.
The returning characters, whether those who have been there since the start or only appeared in the previous volume, display a consistency with their previous characters while still occasionally acting unexpectedly as real people do under great pressure. As before, they have a decency and competence that results in them clashing not over obvious choices between right and wrong but over which of the potentially best things is the one to do.
In contrast, the raiders lack decency or real community. While they do not feature in many scenes, Higgins provides them with enough character that they do not seem merely stereotypical “bad guys”; this gives them a sense of agency that contrasts with the mindlessness of the zombies, not merely avoiding the sense they are merely another attacking force like the zombies but making them a more powerful contrast to the other survivors.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I recommend it to readers who have enjoyed the previous volumes or are seeking visceral zombie action.
I received a free copy from the author with a request for a fair review.
Note: while the author is blessed with a spiffing surname we are unrelated by blood or marriage.
This novel is the fifth in Higgins’ Heroes of the Apocalypse series. Possible spoilers for the previous volumes ahead.
After days without their worst fears materialising, the survivors of the disaster at the fire station are starting to think of the hospital community as safe—if not yet home. However, when raiders manage to release zombies within the hospital, tentative relaxation becomes a scramble for survival. A scramble that threatens to erase the tentative alliance between the hospital and the new arrivals.
After the focus of social politics and longer-term concerns of the previous volume, the major arc of this one switches back to fast-paced zombie combat and handling immediate issues. However, with the two groups of survivors intermingled when disaster strikes—and thus needing to make decisions about who is in charge, who to attempt to rescue, and so forth with little time for debate—this builds on the disputes of the last book rather than moving away from it. In parallel with this, Nikki continues the journey from her stepfather’s house that she began earlier in the series.
Thus, the book offers multiple perspectives on both whether one should treat close friends, mere acquaintances, and strangers differently, and whether that is how people do act when under extreme pressure.
As one would expect of the fifth volume of a series, the characters and situations are notably influenced by past events. Higgins does include references to these where they provide context to present choices; however, these are fragments integrated into the narrative rather than full explanations, and so it is unlikely to provide a good entry point for readers who prefer to know why a character makes apparently flawed choices rather than simply assume there is a reason.
The combat and surrounding dangers are neither gratuitously visceral nor overly sanitised; thus, while each reader’s preferences for trauma and gore might be different, fans of zombie fiction are likely to find the description a good balance between portraying the brutal threat of fighting ravening packs of undead in tight corridors and avoiding shocking details for the sake of it.
Higgins similarly balances the psychological aspects, avoiding both characters spending page after page in angst-ridden passivity, and characters casting off traumatic events or choices as if they were trivial.
Unlike the previous volume, the novel does not end mid-disaster. Instead, the survivors are starting their fallback plan for the loss of the hospital. Depending on reader preference, the existence of another potential sanctuary might feel like an embodiment of the preparedness of emergency service personnel or a little too fortunate.
As before, Higgins’ prose inclines more toward description and clarity rather than leaving the reader to assume or speculate on events. This creates a subtle echo of reports and officialdom that fits with the series’ theme of emergency service workers but might create a slight feel of distance for readers more used to the trimmed style of many modern action novels.
The returning characters, whether those who have been there since the start or only appeared in the previous volume, display a consistency with their previous characters while still occasionally acting unexpectedly as real people do under great pressure. As before, they have a decency and competence that results in them clashing not over obvious choices between right and wrong but over which of the potentially best things is the one to do.
In contrast, the raiders lack decency or real community. While they do not feature in many scenes, Higgins provides them with enough character that they do not seem merely stereotypical “bad guys”; this gives them a sense of agency that contrasts with the mindlessness of the zombies, not merely avoiding the sense they are merely another attacking force like the zombies but making them a more powerful contrast to the other survivors.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I recommend it to readers who have enjoyed the previous volumes or are seeking visceral zombie action.
I received a free copy from the author with a request for a fair review.
February 22, 2023
A journey through a zombie apocalypse
This is an action packed journey through a zombie apocalypse. A great cast of characters and a great storyline. A group of survivors just trying to survive the zombie apocalypse. A band of evil humans out to take everything they want regardless of how they get it and who they kill to get it. Zombies everywhere and plenty of action gore and thrills to go around. Do not get too attached to anyone character though because you never know who will make it and who won’t. Read on and find out.
This is an action packed journey through a zombie apocalypse. A great cast of characters and a great storyline. A group of survivors just trying to survive the zombie apocalypse. A band of evil humans out to take everything they want regardless of how they get it and who they kill to get it. Zombies everywhere and plenty of action gore and thrills to go around. Do not get too attached to anyone character though because you never know who will make it and who won’t. Read on and find out.
February 23, 2023
After the betrayal, the situation for the survivors in the hospital gets more than dangerous with hundreds of zombies roaming the hallways. Theresa, George and the other have to get out and find another place to stay. Lots of action and some heartbraking deaths in the 5th part of the tales about our heroes. I'm very much looking forward to the next part.
February 19, 2023
I'm loving this story. The characters a really growing, but leaves you sad when one disappears. If your into the Apocalypse and Zombies you need to read this series
The action is great and has you feeling you are right there in the action.
Can not wait for the next chapter
Highly recommended
The action is great and has you feeling you are right there in the action.
Can not wait for the next chapter
Highly recommended
February 23, 2023
a brilliant addition to the series!
Sometimes it’s very hard to find the things to say that don’t spoil the mysteries, twists or murderous outcomes. So. This was an awesome reading experience! Just as every other book in this series, only better. Awesome!!
Sometimes it’s very hard to find the things to say that don’t spoil the mysteries, twists or murderous outcomes. So. This was an awesome reading experience! Just as every other book in this series, only better. Awesome!!
March 12, 2023
Brilliant
The hospital has been breached . So starts the fight for survival . Getting as many people as possible out . It's a bloody fight and people are lost . A tense roller coaster ride that will have you hanging on the edge of your seat .
The hospital has been breached . So starts the fight for survival . Getting as many people as possible out . It's a bloody fight and people are lost . A tense roller coaster ride that will have you hanging on the edge of your seat .
April 3, 2023
This is a great series. Keeps you riveted the whole way through. Plenty of action and drama for our main characters to deal with. Life and death situations that will have you holding your breath. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
April 6, 2023
Loved It
I love a book that makes me cry and sometimes laugh. It's a great series that show the struggle of the survivors and the determination to live against all odds? A five star series and definitely a must buy.
I love a book that makes me cry and sometimes laugh. It's a great series that show the struggle of the survivors and the determination to live against all odds? A five star series and definitely a must buy.
September 24, 2023
Sorry it took so long to review.
I first read this a couple of years ago and thought I had reviewed ut. Niw, after rereading the series I guess I missed it. I can say this, the series is terrific. I can't help but be impatient for the next book to come out in the coming week.
I first read this a couple of years ago and thought I had reviewed ut. Niw, after rereading the series I guess I missed it. I can say this, the series is terrific. I can't help but be impatient for the next book to come out in the coming week.
February 25, 2023
A brilliant fifth part to this exciting, new, zombie, end of the world series! As expected from Baileigh Higgins, great pace, high levels of tension & excitement! A brilliant read! I do recommend!
March 16, 2023
Another Thrilling Read!
I’m loving this series. It has action and tonnes of it. I love the interactions between the characters. I’m eager for the next book.
I’m loving this series. It has action and tonnes of it. I love the interactions between the characters. I’m eager for the next book.
August 21, 2024
Great read
I love this series! Lots of action. Zombie gore and good human characters. There was of course a lot of heartache in this book but hey, it's the Zombie apocalypse
I love this series! Lots of action. Zombie gore and good human characters. There was of course a lot of heartache in this book but hey, it's the Zombie apocalypse
March 11, 2026
This whole book happens in a night. So many things don't make sense.
The ending was nice. It was a little jump into the future and explains what happens to most, but a lot of things are left unanswered. I know there are more books but I wont read them.
I might read them if I have time. But this book, just as the ones before, could have used a developmental editor. There are a lot of weird jumps back and forth between the chapters and some continual errors that are just kind of annoying.
The ending was nice. It was a little jump into the future and explains what happens to most, but a lot of things are left unanswered. I know there are more books but I wont read them.
I might read them if I have time. But this book, just as the ones before, could have used a developmental editor. There are a lot of weird jumps back and forth between the chapters and some continual errors that are just kind of annoying.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews