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Surviving The Evacuation #0.5
Zombies vs The Living Dead
Alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here
The outbreak began in New York. Within days the world descended into chaos as the infection spread to every corner of the globe. Across Britain, millions of people are told to leave the less defensible villages, towns and cities for the safety of one of the enclaves being established around the coast.
For George Tull and the other residents of the Waverly-Price Retirement Home, evacuation is not an option. Finding the staff have left, George has to choose between trying to save those he loathes, or abandoning the woman he loves to an uncertain fate.
"Zombies vs The Living Dead" is the first in a series of short zombie stories recording the aftermath of the outbreak, and is a companion piece to the series “Surviving The Evacuation”, by the same author.
The outbreak began in New York. Within days the world descended into chaos as the infection spread to every corner of the globe. Across Britain, millions of people are told to leave the less defensible villages, towns and cities for the safety of one of the enclaves being established around the coast.
For George Tull and the other residents of the Waverly-Price Retirement Home, evacuation is not an option. Finding the staff have left, George has to choose between trying to save those he loathes, or abandoning the woman he loves to an uncertain fate.
"Zombies vs The Living Dead" is the first in a series of short zombie stories recording the aftermath of the outbreak, and is a companion piece to the series “Surviving The Evacuation”, by the same author.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2013
154 people are currently reading
780 people want to read
About the author
Frank Tayell
55 books489 followersAuthor of post-apocalyptic and near-future science fiction, with a focus on democracies struggling against dystopia.
For more information, or to join the mailing list, please visit; www.FrankTayell.com, facebook.com/FrankTayell, or facebook.com/TheEvacuation
For more information, or to join the mailing list, please visit; www.FrankTayell.com, facebook.com/FrankTayell, or facebook.com/TheEvacuation
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
August 27, 2018
Ovo je bilo simpaticno :) Penzioneri u starackom domu - Zivi Mrtvaci - protiv zombija. Fina ideja mada ovo je ozbiljan serijal tako da ocekujte dosta timornih situacija. Ali sama postavka je gold. I izgleda da je self contained story... mada ko zna.
November 14, 2021
This is a 3.5 star read.
January 24, 2016
George Tull is a 69 year old retiree who lives in a carehome with his bedbound friend, a bunch of grumpy residents, and a staff that doesn't seem to give two hoots about any of them. He nicknames the other residents "The Living Dead", an ironic tongue-in-cheek name given that the zombie apocalypse breaks out and the staff leave the pensioners behind to fend for themselves.
This is a short story, just a little glimpse into a sensitive subject that post apocalyptic books never seem to touch - how the vulnerable and elderly will cope with an apocalypse, and who will be left behind when it becomes every man for themselves. It's a companion story to a book I recently read and enjoyed, "Surviving The Evacuation" and I am looking forward to reading more in this series. For a short story it managed to be surprisingly touching and really made me care about the main two characters. It is refreshing to see a different perspective and scenario to the usual zombie tale, even if it is just a glancing look.
This is a short story, just a little glimpse into a sensitive subject that post apocalyptic books never seem to touch - how the vulnerable and elderly will cope with an apocalypse, and who will be left behind when it becomes every man for themselves. It's a companion story to a book I recently read and enjoyed, "Surviving The Evacuation" and I am looking forward to reading more in this series. For a short story it managed to be surprisingly touching and really made me care about the main two characters. It is refreshing to see a different perspective and scenario to the usual zombie tale, even if it is just a glancing look.
January 5, 2016
Great short story! I feel really bad for mrs. O'Leary though...
January 30, 2016
Quick but really good set up for the series.
My Thoughts: I don't know if you've ever seen the film Cockney's vs. Zombies but this story reminded me of it. In a nutshell the living dead are geriatric pensioners who are abandoned by their caretakers at the onset of a zombie apocalypse. This is a very short story but the character George and the actions he takes will stick with you right up until the bittersweet end. This story has no winners, no grand rescues, only the last moments of a group of people everyone thought weren't worth saving and that in itself is the real tragedy.
In the end I gave this one ★★★★.
My Thoughts: I don't know if you've ever seen the film Cockney's vs. Zombies but this story reminded me of it. In a nutshell the living dead are geriatric pensioners who are abandoned by their caretakers at the onset of a zombie apocalypse. This is a very short story but the character George and the actions he takes will stick with you right up until the bittersweet end. This story has no winners, no grand rescues, only the last moments of a group of people everyone thought weren't worth saving and that in itself is the real tragedy.
In the end I gave this one ★★★★.
November 18, 2017
This is a nice short read with zombies.
George Tull is a character I could sympathize with and I cheered him on as he's trying to find out where all the staff is gone when a zombie invasion is imminent. He's resourceful and can kick zombie ass better than many younger guys could.
For a short story there's a really decent story line and the suspense and action build up nicely towards the ending.
All in all an entertaining read.
George Tull is a character I could sympathize with and I cheered him on as he's trying to find out where all the staff is gone when a zombie invasion is imminent. He's resourceful and can kick zombie ass better than many younger guys could.
For a short story there's a really decent story line and the suspense and action build up nicely towards the ending.
All in all an entertaining read.
September 4, 2016
Nice little prequel with a great little story of OAP's getting stuck in..
February 4, 2019
Sweet and sad.
September 19, 2021
If you enjoyed the movie Zombies vs Cockneys you will enjoy this short story. This is an introduction to the Zombie Book series "Surviving the Evacuation."
Read as part of the Horror Aficionados 2021 Halloween Season Reading Challenge.
Read as part of the Horror Aficionados 2021 Mt TBR Reading Challenge. (Purchased in July 2020.)
Read as part of the Horror Aficionados 2021 Halloween Season Reading Challenge.
Read as part of the Horror Aficionados 2021 Mt TBR Reading Challenge. (Purchased in July 2020.)
February 23, 2023
A short story introduction to a series I've just started reading. It's not too bad. You're cheering on the protagonist while hoping they don't meet their demise. It also shows people's true selves when confronted with a zombie apocalypse.
April 13, 2018
My review of Zombies vs The Living Dead can also be found here: Review of Zombies vs The Living Dead by Frank Tayell
I thought this was a nice little backstory into the old man we meet in book 3 of the series, George Tull. When the outbreak happens, he's actually living in a retirement home. Not the place you wanna be when this happens right? George is pretty much the only one doing anything. The employees are leaving the residents in the dark about everything. They pretty much stole a bunch of the food and didn't tell them there was supposed to be an evacuation. The only reason George knows whats happening is because he is the only one allowed to have a TV in his room. So he watched the coverage and when he tried to tell the other residents, the employees told him to stop causing panic and problems. Like what?? Shouldn't they know whats going on?! It wasn't until all the staff had left and they pretty much had to listen to what George was saying for them to actually listen and take it seriously. But by then it was too late to do much of anything.
I do have to say, after reading this and having read book 3 in the series, I can see where other people were coming from in saying it seems like George changed. He definitely had a different attitude and demeanor in this book compared to Family. Maybe that's because of how this whole thing went down, or maybe its because surviving after this changed him. But something is definitely behind the change.
I really enjoyed this little short story in Georges background. The only thing that bugged me about the book was that in the ending we never find out what happens to Mrs. O'Leary. And I don't remember her being talked about when we meet George in book 3 either.
I thought this was a nice little backstory into the old man we meet in book 3 of the series, George Tull. When the outbreak happens, he's actually living in a retirement home. Not the place you wanna be when this happens right? George is pretty much the only one doing anything. The employees are leaving the residents in the dark about everything. They pretty much stole a bunch of the food and didn't tell them there was supposed to be an evacuation. The only reason George knows whats happening is because he is the only one allowed to have a TV in his room. So he watched the coverage and when he tried to tell the other residents, the employees told him to stop causing panic and problems. Like what?? Shouldn't they know whats going on?! It wasn't until all the staff had left and they pretty much had to listen to what George was saying for them to actually listen and take it seriously. But by then it was too late to do much of anything.
I do have to say, after reading this and having read book 3 in the series, I can see where other people were coming from in saying it seems like George changed. He definitely had a different attitude and demeanor in this book compared to Family. Maybe that's because of how this whole thing went down, or maybe its because surviving after this changed him. But something is definitely behind the change.
I really enjoyed this little short story in Georges background. The only thing that bugged me about the book was that in the ending we never find out what happens to Mrs. O'Leary. And I don't remember her being talked about when we meet George in book 3 either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2016
What happens to senior citizens once the world ends. Well, the world has ended, but it is ending. Zombies are rising up and killing and infecting anything they can lay their hands on. Zombies vs. the Living Dead takes a look inside a senior home during the apocalypse. What would happen? How would the "living dead" survive a zombie attack?
Tim Bruce provides the narration for this story and does a really nice job. I really felt like he was there when all of this went down. Bruce provides the perfect narration to move this already quick story along even faster. I'm excited to hear more stories narrated by him.
Zombies vs. The Living Dead was a great first glance into the world that Tayell has created with the Surviving the Evacuation world. I have the other books in the series to read, but I decided to dip my toes in the water with this one. Short and sweet, I got a really nice look into the way that Tayell writes and a quick glance at the world that he will be creating (and destroying) in the other books.
The actual story was really well done. I'd never seen the angle that Tayell took, and I liked it. I also liked that the main character wouldn't give up on the woman he'd be caring for, even with the world crashing down around him.
A quick hitter, Zombies vs. the Living Dead was a really enjoyable book. And now I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series.
Tim Bruce provides the narration for this story and does a really nice job. I really felt like he was there when all of this went down. Bruce provides the perfect narration to move this already quick story along even faster. I'm excited to hear more stories narrated by him.
Zombies vs. The Living Dead was a great first glance into the world that Tayell has created with the Surviving the Evacuation world. I have the other books in the series to read, but I decided to dip my toes in the water with this one. Short and sweet, I got a really nice look into the way that Tayell writes and a quick glance at the world that he will be creating (and destroying) in the other books.
The actual story was really well done. I'd never seen the angle that Tayell took, and I liked it. I also liked that the main character wouldn't give up on the woman he'd be caring for, even with the world crashing down around him.
A quick hitter, Zombies vs. the Living Dead was a really enjoyable book. And now I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series.
June 23, 2023
I enjoyed listening to this spin off from Tayell's UK based 'Surviving the Evacuation' series. It takes place in a state retirement home in a small village on the English coast. Perhaps the hidden meaning of the story is that we shouldn't subject our elders to such places as they are easily forgotten. But, in a zombie apocalypse its everyone for themselves and while many of the pensioners wait for help, and threaten to complain to their MP, the main character (George Tull) does his best to help his fellow residents survive (although he despises most of them and they are largely ungrateful for his efforts). My only complaint is that it ends too soon. I would love to see Tull pop up later or in the main series.
October 30, 2019
I have been looking for a zombie series and after reading this prequel short story, I can't wait to read on in this series. The story follows George, an elderly man in a nursing home in England. He is aware of this virus that is turning people into zombies and he is ready to protect the woman he loves who is bedridden at the nursing home. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I can't wait to read on in this series. I just love zombies!
September 3, 2020
An interesting premise
Whenever you have any stories about zombie apocalypse they tend to focus on the younger generations. This is only the second book I’ve read where the main character is in his 60’s.
This story covers what might happen at a care home for the elderly if a zombie apocalypse ever happens. It focuses on how their reactions might be different, their instincts slower and the fight against their own bodies and minds.
A good read.
Whenever you have any stories about zombie apocalypse they tend to focus on the younger generations. This is only the second book I’ve read where the main character is in his 60’s.
This story covers what might happen at a care home for the elderly if a zombie apocalypse ever happens. It focuses on how their reactions might be different, their instincts slower and the fight against their own bodies and minds.
A good read.
September 24, 2021
A short story prelude to the "Surviving the Evacuation" series, the first book of which I am reading next. I enjoyed this little tale of what happens when staff abandon their posts at a village retirement home in the UK. It manages to touch on quite a few points in its short pages, most specifically giving readers a well-rounded picture of main character George Tull and the racial and class struggles that have shaped his life.
August 3, 2021
I enjoyed this! I love exploring apocalypse scenarios from perspectives that aren't young adults. I loved the relationship between George and Mrs. O'Leary. There's not a lot of thought about what happens to those that are deemed unable to care for themselves in these situations. Thank you for writing this, it was lovely.
July 17, 2022
This cracking wee book is the start of the series Surviving the Evacuation. This is the first apocalypse book that i read and it was so good that I haven’t stopped. George Tull and his sidekick Mary O’Leary. It’s well worth a read just to whet your appetite for the zombies.
November 2, 2014
I really enjoyed this! And wow...what a place to stop. Definitely reading on.
September 24, 2016
A great, short story that's connected to the main series and it was free.
December 2, 2016
Adorable story of a zombie outbreak occurring in New York and how it affects the inhabitants of a retirement home in the U.K. Main character was loveable and eccentric. Adorable short story.
February 28, 2021
Probably enough for me to continue the series but this wasn't that great for a prequel to a series.
June 26, 2022
I like this book better now that I've read book 3 of the series.
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I thought that I would love this, but it ended up just being okay. I really liked the main character though.
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I thought that I would love this, but it ended up just being okay. I really liked the main character though.
August 5, 2022
3.5 living dead stars
In time of an apocalypse what happens to those who can't fend for themselves?
This was a nice short story. It was nice to have a story where all the protagonists are over 60.
George has lost his wife, his job, his house and now lives in a retirement home. His only friend is a disabled Irish woman. Then the zombie apocalypse strikes and George must act as everybody seems to have forgotten about the residents of the retirement home.
In the tradition of zombies stories being used for social commentary, the author, in 70 short pages, skillfully touches many subjects. It adheres to all the codes of the genre but still brings something new. I'll give the full length books a try (because I do love zombies stories).
In time of an apocalypse what happens to those who can't fend for themselves?
This was a nice short story. It was nice to have a story where all the protagonists are over 60.
George has lost his wife, his job, his house and now lives in a retirement home. His only friend is a disabled Irish woman. Then the zombie apocalypse strikes and George must act as everybody seems to have forgotten about the residents of the retirement home.
In the tradition of zombies stories being used for social commentary, the author, in 70 short pages, skillfully touches many subjects. It adheres to all the codes of the genre but still brings something new. I'll give the full length books a try (because I do love zombies stories).
December 30, 2019
I love zombie books. Theoretically. Unfortunately, all too often when I pick one up, I end up hating it. It's generally not the zombies that are too blame. They tend to do their job and do it well. It's all the the live folks that screw it up for me. The two most heinous crimes in zombie fiction for me are 1, being boring, and 2, shitty lead characters. I'm one of those people that find horror, whether in book or movie form, much more enjoyable and tension filled if I actually care about at least ONE character. Lately there seems to be a thing for making all the characters gigantic assholes and then I just sit there bored and/or rooting for the zombies.
This is not one of those zombie books. This is freaking excellent. But, it has elderly folks, you say. Yes and the elderly main character will kick the zombies AND YOU in the butt. A fairly short, but amazingly intense and pretty emotional read. I absolutely loved this and I can only hope that means I will enjoy the rest of the series. *whisper* Please don't let me down Mr. Tayell, I'm desperate for good zombie reads.
This is not one of those zombie books. This is freaking excellent. But, it has elderly folks, you say. Yes and the elderly main character will kick the zombies AND YOU in the butt. A fairly short, but amazingly intense and pretty emotional read. I absolutely loved this and I can only hope that means I will enjoy the rest of the series. *whisper* Please don't let me down Mr. Tayell, I'm desperate for good zombie reads.
February 7, 2022
This was a free copy as an introduction to the series. I love these short stories that give you a taste of what is to come, they are just long enough for you to decide if it's the kind of series for you. In the case of Surviving the Evacuation that answer for me is yes this is definately a series I will keep reading.
George and the other residents of the home find themselves abandoned by the staff as the area is evacuated they are left to fend for themselves.
A delightful story of the strength and determination of one man torn between saving himself or helping the people who have never given him the time of day until now.
George and the other residents of the home find themselves abandoned by the staff as the area is evacuated they are left to fend for themselves.
A delightful story of the strength and determination of one man torn between saving himself or helping the people who have never given him the time of day until now.
October 3, 2015
the series gives a different perspective on the concept. no big heroes in grand quests, just average people, mostly on their own, dealing with the more mundane aspects of live as the apocalypse unfolds. That makes it interesting in a "not the same old thing" way, but this stand-alone - of a man in an old folks home - is like the pilot to a show that maybe didn't get picked up. If this story ends up merging into the larger series the author is penning that it would redeem itself, but on its own it is a bit lacking.
April 16, 2019
This book series is wonderful, thank you FB for advertising it and to Frank Tayell for writing them all.. it kept appearing book 1 free to download and eventually I did, no going back I purchased books through to 12 and didn’t put my kindle down. Now just read book 15 which has just been released and reading them all again for the 4th time.
I am 44, my son is 13 but also totally enthralled, zombies are not my thing but this series is so much more than blood and gore, I feel lost when I finish the set and wait patiently for the next book to be released.
Long may they continue
Thank you
I am 44, my son is 13 but also totally enthralled, zombies are not my thing but this series is so much more than blood and gore, I feel lost when I finish the set and wait patiently for the next book to be released.
Long may they continue
Thank you
June 17, 2019
Loved this book, and the series is shaping well. I was gutted when this finished because I really want to know what happens to George and Mary. I am routing for them! Thankfully I have read the first 2 books in the series already and don’t have to wait long to hopefully find out what happened.
I read this book in 1 sitting while my 1.5 year old had her nap :) I would recommend this series and this book. I have seen some reviews were people didn’t enjoy it but I think it’s worth having a read yourself and making your own decision.
I read this book in 1 sitting while my 1.5 year old had her nap :) I would recommend this series and this book. I have seen some reviews were people didn’t enjoy it but I think it’s worth having a read yourself and making your own decision.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews