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Arisen #5
Exodus
THE KENNEDY STARES INTO THE ABYSS
The world's last floating nuclear supercarrier looks into the face of oblivion – as her thinned, exhausted, and beleaguered crew face the largest herd of dead ever recorded. Soon, the ship's five-acre flight deck will become the scene of a furious and desperate set-piece battle – like no combat any modern army has seen since Stalingrad. The ranks of the dead are infinite, and those of the living tiny, depleted, and running out of time... and of hope.
THE ABANDONED RUN AHEAD OF THE STORM
Surrounded, cut off, and left for dead, Wesley's band of sailors and survivors race ahead of the city-devouring swarm, desperate for a way off the land. Air strikes and shore bombardment threaten to vaporize them at any instant, the inlet onto which they flee is surrounded on all sides and filling up fast, and the least hesitation will get them all killed, infected, devoured – or all three at once.
THE OPERATORS JUMP INTO MOUTH OF HELL
Having already dodged a hundred deaths by inches, the operators of Alpha team and MARSOC now fly into two converging storms of unspeakable violence, and must parachute in and reinforce the Alamo – the hopeless and doomed defense of the carrier. A thousand things must go right for them to have a prayer of survival. But it's the job of the operators to succeed even when a million things go wrong...
The world's last floating nuclear supercarrier looks into the face of oblivion – as her thinned, exhausted, and beleaguered crew face the largest herd of dead ever recorded. Soon, the ship's five-acre flight deck will become the scene of a furious and desperate set-piece battle – like no combat any modern army has seen since Stalingrad. The ranks of the dead are infinite, and those of the living tiny, depleted, and running out of time... and of hope.
THE ABANDONED RUN AHEAD OF THE STORM
Surrounded, cut off, and left for dead, Wesley's band of sailors and survivors race ahead of the city-devouring swarm, desperate for a way off the land. Air strikes and shore bombardment threaten to vaporize them at any instant, the inlet onto which they flee is surrounded on all sides and filling up fast, and the least hesitation will get them all killed, infected, devoured – or all three at once.
THE OPERATORS JUMP INTO MOUTH OF HELL
Having already dodged a hundred deaths by inches, the operators of Alpha team and MARSOC now fly into two converging storms of unspeakable violence, and must parachute in and reinforce the Alamo – the hopeless and doomed defense of the carrier. A thousand things must go right for them to have a prayer of survival. But it's the job of the operators to succeed even when a million things go wrong...
517 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2013
376 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
About the author
Glynn James
92 books477 followersGLYNN JAMES is an author of science fiction, post-apocalyptic, dark fantasy, horror, and dystopian fiction. His love of science fiction began when he was eight years old after discovering HP Lovecraft and Richard Matheson, and then later on Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, James Herbert, Clive Barker, and Stephen King.
In addition to being author of the “ALTERLIGHT” supernatural mystery thriller series, he is author of the dark sci-fi series "DIARY OF THE DISPLACED", the post-apocalyptic "THROWN AWAY" series, and co-author of the "ARISEN" series and the “DUSTFALL” series.
More info on his writing and projects can be found at -
Website - www.glynnjames.co.uk
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/glynnjamesfi...
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/GlynnJames
In addition to being author of the “ALTERLIGHT” supernatural mystery thriller series, he is author of the dark sci-fi series "DIARY OF THE DISPLACED", the post-apocalyptic "THROWN AWAY" series, and co-author of the "ARISEN" series and the “DUSTFALL” series.
More info on his writing and projects can be found at -
Website - www.glynnjames.co.uk
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/glynnjamesfi...
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/GlynnJames
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
May 6, 2016
After the build up in the previous volumes of Arisen saga, at least the long desperate battle of one of the last aircraft carrier ships in the world against MILLIONS of zombies!
The variety of the undeads (slow, running, jumping (!!!), swimming) and the ways to kill them (the fire extinguishers part was epic! ) make this book interesting, full of suspence and not your usual zombie story.
A must read for fans of military-non-stop-action-novels and movies like "28 weeks later".
The variety of the undeads (slow, running, jumping (!!!), swimming) and the ways to kill them (the fire extinguishers part was epic! ) make this book interesting, full of suspence and not your usual zombie story.
A must read for fans of military-non-stop-action-novels and movies like "28 weeks later".
March 30, 2014
I truly want this series to be made into a TV series. It would need to be on cable so that it wasn't censored, because it is all good.
Now I'll go back and read Arisen : Genesis
Now I'll go back and read Arisen : Genesis
March 2, 2016
So our brave super hero soldiers were up against literally MILLIONS of zombies in this installation of the ARISEN series. Suspension of disbelief was in order. For my taste, a few too many battles raging simultaneously, too many characters in too many places. And the fact that ANY of them survived the onslaught of the undead masses was just... *points at 'suspension of disbelief' two sentences ago*. Seriously, after finishing EXODUS, I was ready to take a break before moving on to #6.
But.
BUT I made the usual mistake of starting to care about some of the characters - the leftovers of Alpha Team from Book #1 in particular who have managed to work up something like a profile compared to the many, many interchangeable cardboard soldiers filling this series. And when I care about a set of characters, I want to know how their story continues (or if they end up as zombie snacks). PARTICULARLY WHEN THE BOOK ENDS ON A HAIR RAISING CLIFF HANGER.
Argh.
On to Book #6. Lock and load, people.
But.
BUT I made the usual mistake of starting to care about some of the characters - the leftovers of Alpha Team from Book #1 in particular who have managed to work up something like a profile compared to the many, many interchangeable cardboard soldiers filling this series. And when I care about a set of characters, I want to know how their story continues (or if they end up as zombie snacks). PARTICULARLY WHEN THE BOOK ENDS ON A HAIR RAISING CLIFF HANGER.
Argh.
On to Book #6. Lock and load, people.
July 16, 2015
Well, that was intense. An entire book pretty much revolving around a single, albeit very long, battle to save the World's last aircraft carrier, run aground from a previous installment, from the ravening hordes of zombies that used to be the US population (shamblers, fast and superfast). It probably should be boring, or become tedious, but it isn't. I've moaned in the past about the fact that these books are actually one (very) long epic rather than a collection of linked novels, but I've pretty much got over it now since I'm still reading.
A must read for the guilty pleasure of watching the zombie apocalypse, and the heroes it leaves or produces within the ranks of the living.
A must read for the guilty pleasure of watching the zombie apocalypse, and the heroes it leaves or produces within the ranks of the living.
April 21, 2017
THE AUTHORS ROCKED, I WANT TO THANK THEM BOTH FOR A GREAT STORY!!!
This was another great re-read and the authors Michael Stephen Fuchs & Glynn James did an outstanding job bringing so much together for a truly nail biting story. With 10 million zombies all heading one way, towards one of the last bastion of hope, the USS John F. Kennedy, that is grounded and dug into the coast. The chances of them getting free before the mass of death reaches them is slim, but they do what they can to prepare. This book is high on my recommendation list to everyone out there, as the authors ROCKED!!!! with the time and thought put into this story is short of amazing. So much effort, for us the readers and fans. I want to thank you both.
This was another great re-read and the authors Michael Stephen Fuchs & Glynn James did an outstanding job bringing so much together for a truly nail biting story. With 10 million zombies all heading one way, towards one of the last bastion of hope, the USS John F. Kennedy, that is grounded and dug into the coast. The chances of them getting free before the mass of death reaches them is slim, but they do what they can to prepare. This book is high on my recommendation list to everyone out there, as the authors ROCKED!!!! with the time and thought put into this story is short of amazing. So much effort, for us the readers and fans. I want to thank you both.
April 23, 2025
Man, that was one extensive battle! Now I have to catch my breath, and maybe read some nice little poems for a while.
March 24, 2017
On the USS John F Kennedy, Drake knows the zombie horde is just an hour away from them and he is coming up short on fighters and ammo, and prepares the best he can. Wesley's group are being chased around the docks by the forerunners of the horde and need to get from the road onto a boat to stand any chance of escape. Martin has a risky plan to refloat the JFK but must wait until the zombies arrive to put it into action. Alpha and Fick's team are flying back to the ship just as battle commences below them. Is anyone going to survive the Battle of the JFK?
If there is a better zombie book in the world EVER then I have yet to find it. For the entire book my heart was pounding and my tension levels were through the roof. This is where the zombies reach the beached JFK and everyone is in a fight for their lives. It was non stop drama and panic over all the characters I like! Again we are following different groups and individuals as the Battle of the JFK begins!
The people on the JFK are going through final preparations as the zombies are only an hour away. Last minute weapons training, ammo collection and battle plans are sorted out and everyone takes up their positions. The fighter jets are in the air trying to take out as many zombie targets in their range as they can before they reach the ship. The Murphy are in position to fire the big guns as the horde race forward. Martin has been looking over all his data and has a radical plan that might just refloat the ship but it can only be done when the tide is in the right position and the zombies arrive. Can they live long enough to even try the plan?
Wesley's group are hauling ass in their vehicle with the first wave of zombies right behind them and their only chance is to make it to a boat on the nearby docks. But blocked streets and zombies coming from everywhere are making it a suicide run until they are spotted from above by jet pilot Hailey Wells. Having been recalled to the JFK she is faced with a terrible choice. Obey orders and return safe to join the battle, or use the last of her weapons to give the group on the ground a chance and run out of fuel?
On The Murphy, Abrams knows he has two vital possible roles in the battle. First, to do everything in his power to save the JFK even if it means sacrificing The Murphy. Second, being ready to leave with Simon on board if the JFK should fall to the zombies. If he has to sacrifice his ship, how is Simon going to be transported to London if Alpha delivers him alive? But can he just sit there and watch the JFK go down without trying to help?
The B17 is coming in over the JFK and it is decided that there are too many zombies to make an attempt at landing on the JFK and everyone is to try for The Murphy instead. But at the last minute, the B17 needs to take evasive action which puts it in the path of fire from down below and everyone has to just jump and hope for the best as their transport starts to break apart. The raging storm reduces visibility and with fires, big guns shooting and zombies below, it will be a miracle if they make it to the sea alive...
We are following the main people that we have through the book like Alpha Team, Fick, Wesley, Martin and Drake on the ship but we also get viewpoints of military men on the ship and those like Hailey in the F35. As the B17 starts to crash we get views from each of the escaping team members as the storm splits them up over the battle scene. It really gave you the sense of chaos that you would get in a big battle like this and it kept the tension up high enough to worry me over my blood pressure. I liked seeing lesser characters and it was great to see the actual Captain wake from his two year depression to take a role in the battle. I loved his scenes so much! Having the extra views really added to the plot and it kept it very fast paced as we switched between each group or person.
I run out of words to describe this series and how much I love it. The book is the best of the whole series, of which I have now read up to and including book eleven. And it does get more insane as it goes!
If there is a better zombie book in the world EVER then I have yet to find it. For the entire book my heart was pounding and my tension levels were through the roof. This is where the zombies reach the beached JFK and everyone is in a fight for their lives. It was non stop drama and panic over all the characters I like! Again we are following different groups and individuals as the Battle of the JFK begins!
The people on the JFK are going through final preparations as the zombies are only an hour away. Last minute weapons training, ammo collection and battle plans are sorted out and everyone takes up their positions. The fighter jets are in the air trying to take out as many zombie targets in their range as they can before they reach the ship. The Murphy are in position to fire the big guns as the horde race forward. Martin has been looking over all his data and has a radical plan that might just refloat the ship but it can only be done when the tide is in the right position and the zombies arrive. Can they live long enough to even try the plan?
Wesley's group are hauling ass in their vehicle with the first wave of zombies right behind them and their only chance is to make it to a boat on the nearby docks. But blocked streets and zombies coming from everywhere are making it a suicide run until they are spotted from above by jet pilot Hailey Wells. Having been recalled to the JFK she is faced with a terrible choice. Obey orders and return safe to join the battle, or use the last of her weapons to give the group on the ground a chance and run out of fuel?
On The Murphy, Abrams knows he has two vital possible roles in the battle. First, to do everything in his power to save the JFK even if it means sacrificing The Murphy. Second, being ready to leave with Simon on board if the JFK should fall to the zombies. If he has to sacrifice his ship, how is Simon going to be transported to London if Alpha delivers him alive? But can he just sit there and watch the JFK go down without trying to help?
The B17 is coming in over the JFK and it is decided that there are too many zombies to make an attempt at landing on the JFK and everyone is to try for The Murphy instead. But at the last minute, the B17 needs to take evasive action which puts it in the path of fire from down below and everyone has to just jump and hope for the best as their transport starts to break apart. The raging storm reduces visibility and with fires, big guns shooting and zombies below, it will be a miracle if they make it to the sea alive...
We are following the main people that we have through the book like Alpha Team, Fick, Wesley, Martin and Drake on the ship but we also get viewpoints of military men on the ship and those like Hailey in the F35. As the B17 starts to crash we get views from each of the escaping team members as the storm splits them up over the battle scene. It really gave you the sense of chaos that you would get in a big battle like this and it kept the tension up high enough to worry me over my blood pressure. I liked seeing lesser characters and it was great to see the actual Captain wake from his two year depression to take a role in the battle. I loved his scenes so much! Having the extra views really added to the plot and it kept it very fast paced as we switched between each group or person.
I run out of words to describe this series and how much I love it. The book is the best of the whole series, of which I have now read up to and including book eleven. And it does get more insane as it goes!
December 13, 2013
Wow! This is one Very, VERY INTENSE thriller! Tons of military Special Forces/Navy and zombie battles. The number of zombies attacking the grounded aircraft carrier runs into the MILLIONS (several million). Each chapter features a different set of characters. This is a fast paced told story.....on the run throughout.....One reviewer was put OFF by all the relentless action. But I was hooked by that aspect. A nail-biter for sure.
I love the whole Arisen storyline. There is also a prequel to this series:
. Yes, there is a lot of military jargon/terms/weapons used in this series, but for me, that is a plus. And these zombies are not ALL just slow moving zombies, some run and JUMP! Well-written quality stories. For me, the Arisen series has set the bar very high for military/zombie thrillers. I have given 4 of the 1st five books (counting the prequel) 5 star reviews (and the other story ~ 4 stars) and this sixth story overall will get another 5 stars from me.
I love the whole Arisen storyline. There is also a prequel to this series:
. Yes, there is a lot of military jargon/terms/weapons used in this series, but for me, that is a plus. And these zombies are not ALL just slow moving zombies, some run and JUMP! Well-written quality stories. For me, the Arisen series has set the bar very high for military/zombie thrillers. I have given 4 of the 1st five books (counting the prequel) 5 star reviews (and the other story ~ 4 stars) and this sixth story overall will get another 5 stars from me.
December 6, 2013
I took a break from Triple (Follett) to read this book as soon as I got the email. If you don't care for high tech, military, dystopian thrillers, you won't like this book. If you take yourself too seriously to read a military adventure based on a zombie apocalypse, you won't like this book. OK. Now I have your attention. This whole series is just really engaging and entertaining. Over the top? Yeah a little bit. But, appropriately so. In other words, when the action just gets so crazy that there has to be an over the top way out! Read the whole series Arisen by Glynn James and Michael Stephen Fuchs. It's worth it if, as mentioned above you like this type of adventure novel.
I've reviewed previous books in this 5 book series, so I won't relate the story line. Look for my reviews of the various books of The Arisen Series by these two authors.
I've reviewed previous books in this 5 book series, so I won't relate the story line. Look for my reviews of the various books of The Arisen Series by these two authors.
February 25, 2017
Thank God, I never thought this book would end! I am done with this series. This book just bored me to death. It was just one long epic battle. This series is just getting redundant. It's just one battle after another. Just a different location. How many times can you keep telling the same story. I think the series has potential, it just needs to stop dragging it out so damn long. I'm done with this series. I have no feeling for the characters, nor do I have any desire to see what comes next. Probably just more of the same thing, just in a different location.
March 14, 2017
Wow. Just - wow. This book had the whole ship under siege by the dead! The millions pouring down upon them, filling the water, providing a bridge for the dead to finally get up onto the super carrier. Holy cow! The fight scenes that went on and on, leaving me as exhausted as the poor buggers fighting the dead! The writing is done so wonderfully I felt as though I was really there watching it from a safe place. I'm really caring about these main characters now. This series - all I can say is - wow!!! Starting the next book tonight!
July 24, 2014
The Arisen series is a fantastic military zombie thriller. However, I wish the authors wrapped everything up by book 5 as it's starting to get a bit drawn out. Not sure if I will read book 6.
January 11, 2014
This book was a bit of a trudge to get through but completely necessary to the series.
May 9, 2020
That was exhausting (but in a really good way) exhilarating, relentless, talk about non stop action - from scene to scene, even though you may not want to leave the scene you're in, seconds later you're buried in the new scene and it's just non stop mayhem and madness, brilliant. The previous 4 books (and prequel) set the scene really well which allowed this book to run at the pace of does while still feeling connected to the characters. Thank God for the retrospective towards the end which allows you to catch your breath and prepare for the next instalment. (I'll even forgive the Authors for their sentimentality at the e nd)
I Read a lot generally - but always include a staple of ZA and this series is RIGHT up there. Well done Gents, I move on to number 6 but it has big shoes to fill. Again, well done Glyann
I Read a lot generally - but always include a staple of ZA and this series is RIGHT up there. Well done Gents, I move on to number 6 but it has big shoes to fill. Again, well done Glyann
October 16, 2019
Intense. Alpha, the MARSOC guys, and the entire crews of the super carrier and Burke class destroyer go through one of the most harrowing fights against a swarm of zombies I've ever read about. The setting of their grounded carrier, incoming flights, water rescues, and a literal tsunami of dead rushing over the edges of the flat-top is just nuts. Some of the wildest imagery I can remember ever thinking about, let alone following in all its detail. This is among the greatest set-piece battles I have yet read, and I've read quite a bit.
This book, let alone the entire series thus far, is an absolute must for any zombie novel fans.
This book, let alone the entire series thus far, is an absolute must for any zombie novel fans.
June 22, 2024
The story continues straightaway book to book with an action-packed continuity that keeps the pressure on and holds the interest as to what's going to happen next. This whole whole installment, more or less, centered around an aircraft carrier against the dead world. I really love military zombie apocalypse series' and this fits right in. I'm enjoying The Arisen franchise enough to have already bought every book the author has put out in the series thus far. I have a lot of books ahead of me and I'm looking forward to them. I'm not in love with the series like I am with Mountain Man but I am enjoying it and will jump right into the next one.
November 25, 2015
Sure, I liked this book. It was epic. The trip to get the scientist to the carrier, and the huge battle with the carrier. But there were some questions that it brought up for me. I think that Drake lost a lot of men and ammo he didn't have to. Let's back up to the mutiny and review.
I'll reveal all kinds of spoilers here, because I want to review the decisions that Drake did or didn't make. Don't read any more if you don't want the plot details.
Homer sensed something was off with the Chaplains and the ammo. He told Drake. Drake didn't give it any priority, and didn't check into it. Acting on Homer's tip might have prevented the mutiny.
Meanwhile it became clear that there was only a single support vessel, and it was suddenly too important as a backup ride home for Park to be used to help out the JFK.
The mutiny cost them the entire crew for the nuclear reactors. Captain Martin managed to shut them down before they melted down. But neither he nor anyone else on the ship knew how to start them back up.
The JFK ran aground near Virginia Beach. Apparently it did so in a method that really stuck it. They had no engines to back it off, even at high tide. No tugs to pull it off the rocks.
The mutiny apparently put the ship out of touch with Centcom too. And when they did reach them, there were no nuclear engineers to be had.
And lastly the mutiny resulted in a magazine blowing up that left a hole in the hull.
They tried to fix the hole, but they unbalanced the crane and that turned into a big mess. I figured that was not gonna happen, that they would know the weights and set the crane or cranes to handle the job. This isn't a bunch of beginners. This is the US Navy, and they do their homework.
I also wondered, with marinas and Naval Air Stations and the like around, whether they could mount a mission to find a few tugs that they could use to pull on the ship at high tide.
As these repair and refloating questions were being addressed, a giant herd of ten million zombies started marching toward them. And some of the air defenses observed that they reacted to bombing, slowing down and walking backward to the center of the bomb site.
Drake let Captain Martin ruin one of their two nuclear reactors trying to start it up.
And they attached some anchor cables to their destroyer so they would use it as a tug to pull them off at high tide, if they got a bit of extra float from a whole lot of zombies - so many that the sea level would rise.
Before the battle, the mysterious Captain of the JFK went below decks, formed a militia, pumped out the ballast to make the ship lighter, and got his irregulars ready to contribute to the big fight.
During the battle, two things happened. First, a nuke was fired at the zombies, revealing that they had a nuclear sub around. Second, the Captain and his irregulars used the runway foam to repel the zombies on the flight deck, and then used the catapults to throw fork lifts at them. That was creative, inventive, surprising. It really contrasted in my mind with the approach that Drake was taking.
And once the destroyer captain knew that there was a sub, he knew that they had a backup ride home. So he pulled on the anchor chains at max speed, and pulled the JFK away from the zombies.
We have the impression that it's been a week or ten days since the ship went aground. Now they're off and safe.
Okay, that much we know. In the beginning of the next book we find that the destroyer was sunk by damage from the towing. But we also learned late in the battle that there were nuclear engineers on the submarine, and they had no problem getting the reactor going. And THAT was when I called a foul.
Things that didn't make sense started to pop into my head. Like:
I think that there's no way that a Navy Commander would let Martin mess with the reactor when he had nuke sub engineers in his pocket.
He could have gotten those engineers over there the day after they went aground and gotten the power back up.
Knowing that there was a sub, the aegis cruiser (have I been calling it a destroyer?) could have been staged elsewhere, could have tried to push, etc. I mean, with them pulling AND the engines working, they might have been able to refloat the JFK.
Also, I have to ask why they didn't send a cruise missile into the middle of that scenery on the first day. Why wait until after their losses are so high?
I know, we needed that battle scene. It was a big deal, but it bothered me, okay? In literary terms, the battle of the JFK was necessary. In military terms, it was not.
While I'm complaining, I'd like to complain that the landing site for Chuck was home to thousands of Canadian government fugitives. I'd like to complain that Chuck was shot down by having a near mid-air collision followed by rolling into friendly fire.
My guess is that all of these "if-only's" are the author's message that things get Murphied. But the mutiny could have been avoided, the engines could have been restored earlier, the JFK could have been refloated in time, and the Chuck could have been brought back safely. Instead, we get the dramatic epic battle that should not have been.
Maybe all of the real battles are like that too.
Like I say, I liked the book. But I also think that there were parts of the plot that felt more contrived than necessary, and that Drake would have approached differently.
Now I'm off to read Book Six!
I'll reveal all kinds of spoilers here, because I want to review the decisions that Drake did or didn't make. Don't read any more if you don't want the plot details.
Homer sensed something was off with the Chaplains and the ammo. He told Drake. Drake didn't give it any priority, and didn't check into it. Acting on Homer's tip might have prevented the mutiny.
Meanwhile it became clear that there was only a single support vessel, and it was suddenly too important as a backup ride home for Park to be used to help out the JFK.
The mutiny cost them the entire crew for the nuclear reactors. Captain Martin managed to shut them down before they melted down. But neither he nor anyone else on the ship knew how to start them back up.
The JFK ran aground near Virginia Beach. Apparently it did so in a method that really stuck it. They had no engines to back it off, even at high tide. No tugs to pull it off the rocks.
The mutiny apparently put the ship out of touch with Centcom too. And when they did reach them, there were no nuclear engineers to be had.
And lastly the mutiny resulted in a magazine blowing up that left a hole in the hull.
They tried to fix the hole, but they unbalanced the crane and that turned into a big mess. I figured that was not gonna happen, that they would know the weights and set the crane or cranes to handle the job. This isn't a bunch of beginners. This is the US Navy, and they do their homework.
I also wondered, with marinas and Naval Air Stations and the like around, whether they could mount a mission to find a few tugs that they could use to pull on the ship at high tide.
As these repair and refloating questions were being addressed, a giant herd of ten million zombies started marching toward them. And some of the air defenses observed that they reacted to bombing, slowing down and walking backward to the center of the bomb site.
Drake let Captain Martin ruin one of their two nuclear reactors trying to start it up.
And they attached some anchor cables to their destroyer so they would use it as a tug to pull them off at high tide, if they got a bit of extra float from a whole lot of zombies - so many that the sea level would rise.
Before the battle, the mysterious Captain of the JFK went below decks, formed a militia, pumped out the ballast to make the ship lighter, and got his irregulars ready to contribute to the big fight.
During the battle, two things happened. First, a nuke was fired at the zombies, revealing that they had a nuclear sub around. Second, the Captain and his irregulars used the runway foam to repel the zombies on the flight deck, and then used the catapults to throw fork lifts at them. That was creative, inventive, surprising. It really contrasted in my mind with the approach that Drake was taking.
And once the destroyer captain knew that there was a sub, he knew that they had a backup ride home. So he pulled on the anchor chains at max speed, and pulled the JFK away from the zombies.
We have the impression that it's been a week or ten days since the ship went aground. Now they're off and safe.
Okay, that much we know. In the beginning of the next book we find that the destroyer was sunk by damage from the towing. But we also learned late in the battle that there were nuclear engineers on the submarine, and they had no problem getting the reactor going. And THAT was when I called a foul.
Things that didn't make sense started to pop into my head. Like:
I think that there's no way that a Navy Commander would let Martin mess with the reactor when he had nuke sub engineers in his pocket.
He could have gotten those engineers over there the day after they went aground and gotten the power back up.
Knowing that there was a sub, the aegis cruiser (have I been calling it a destroyer?) could have been staged elsewhere, could have tried to push, etc. I mean, with them pulling AND the engines working, they might have been able to refloat the JFK.
Also, I have to ask why they didn't send a cruise missile into the middle of that scenery on the first day. Why wait until after their losses are so high?
I know, we needed that battle scene. It was a big deal, but it bothered me, okay? In literary terms, the battle of the JFK was necessary. In military terms, it was not.
While I'm complaining, I'd like to complain that the landing site for Chuck was home to thousands of Canadian government fugitives. I'd like to complain that Chuck was shot down by having a near mid-air collision followed by rolling into friendly fire.
My guess is that all of these "if-only's" are the author's message that things get Murphied. But the mutiny could have been avoided, the engines could have been restored earlier, the JFK could have been refloated in time, and the Chuck could have been brought back safely. Instead, we get the dramatic epic battle that should not have been.
Maybe all of the real battles are like that too.
Like I say, I liked the book. But I also think that there were parts of the plot that felt more contrived than necessary, and that Drake would have approached differently.
Now I'm off to read Book Six!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2018
No freakin way!
OMG! You brought them both back!!!!
I have never wanted to read a book twice, or watch a movie twice. Even my favorite ones. When I was two thirds through this book, after reading your first four, I decided I wanted to read your books again, there was so much going on. I enjoyed what I was reading, but felt like I missed a lot. Then when All and Helden were going through sad memories, I didn't think I would reread. But they came back! And on top of that, there's another book. I love you!!!!!!
OMG! You brought them both back!!!!
I have never wanted to read a book twice, or watch a movie twice. Even my favorite ones. When I was two thirds through this book, after reading your first four, I decided I wanted to read your books again, there was so much going on. I enjoyed what I was reading, but felt like I missed a lot. Then when All and Helden were going through sad memories, I didn't think I would reread. But they came back! And on top of that, there's another book. I love you!!!!!!
March 6, 2019
Wow
I’ve really enjoyed this series so far (although some of the military passages are a bit more than what truly interests me, but I realized with this installment how invested I am in this story and its characters - when the Kennedy finally came free from the sandbar, I cried a little with happiness, not exactly a common reaction. Thanks for the great series; can’t wait to see what’s next.
I’ve really enjoyed this series so far (although some of the military passages are a bit more than what truly interests me, but I realized with this installment how invested I am in this story and its characters - when the Kennedy finally came free from the sandbar, I cried a little with happiness, not exactly a common reaction. Thanks for the great series; can’t wait to see what’s next.
January 16, 2025
Full On Action All The Way
This book was a nail biting exhilarating experience, it felt like being right there in the middle of it all standing next to the operators of Alpha and Fick’s Fire Team.
Dive right in and witness the lows of humanity at its worst but thankfully overshadowed by everything human at its very best. Perfect ending too! This was book five and the series just keeps getting better.
This book was a nail biting exhilarating experience, it felt like being right there in the middle of it all standing next to the operators of Alpha and Fick’s Fire Team.
Dive right in and witness the lows of humanity at its worst but thankfully overshadowed by everything human at its very best. Perfect ending too! This was book five and the series just keeps getting better.
March 22, 2021
The Longest Battle
This was the longest battle ever in a ZA. The team is wearing thin against the enemy that refuse to stay dead. Yet the band of brothers and one sister didn't leave any family member alone. In the end Pope and Ainsley paid the last selfless act of saving their brothers and sister. Life still moves on!
This was the longest battle ever in a ZA. The team is wearing thin against the enemy that refuse to stay dead. Yet the band of brothers and one sister didn't leave any family member alone. In the end Pope and Ainsley paid the last selfless act of saving their brothers and sister. Life still moves on!
October 31, 2021
A nail biter that takes off fast and accelerates to warp speed
This book not on!y grabs your attention; it demands it, The action is non stop, I read it straight through, I'll sleep later. The characters are detailed and you find yourself identify with them and cheering them on. It is non-stop action from beginning to end.
This book not on!y grabs your attention; it demands it, The action is non stop, I read it straight through, I'll sleep later. The characters are detailed and you find yourself identify with them and cheering them on. It is non-stop action from beginning to end.
August 17, 2018
Cool book, part of a great series
Nerve-breaking to the limit, amazing and extremely detailed narratives that had you right in the thick of the fight. Loved the ending and always looking forward to the next.
Nerve-breaking to the limit, amazing and extremely detailed narratives that had you right in the thick of the fight. Loved the ending and always looking forward to the next.
November 15, 2019
Dead world, not quite.
Arisen 5: Exodus is a globe spanning, action packed, zombie filled battle from cover to cover. Can't wait to start the next book. Zombie apocalypse at it's best.
Arisen 5: Exodus is a globe spanning, action packed, zombie filled battle from cover to cover. Can't wait to start the next book. Zombie apocalypse at it's best.
May 1, 2021
How blessed are we who have never fought a war!
The details of the ordeals that these team members overcame never stopped. As a reader I had already given up the fight but they kept going..
The details of the ordeals that these team members overcame never stopped. As a reader I had already given up the fight but they kept going..
May 24, 2022
GASP!!!!
This book makes it hard to breathe! So full of excitement, danger, fear, overwhelming odds, and heart pounding non-stop action! I love the characters and how the story is playing out.
This book makes it hard to breathe! So full of excitement, danger, fear, overwhelming odds, and heart pounding non-stop action! I love the characters and how the story is playing out.
August 8, 2017
3.5 stars. This is proving to be a pretty enjoyable ZA series. Quite a lot of characters, though.
September 23, 2017
Loved it. On the edge straight through!
May 14, 2018
Wow! My favourite in the series so far. Thrilling and intense all the way through.
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never-read
January 19, 2020Read the novella Genesis in the "Arisen" series. 1 Star and did not enjoy, therefore will not be continuing with the series.
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