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Zombie Fallout #21
The Burden of Time
The crew of the SS Jimmy Carter is stranded on the tropical shoreline of Brazil, but Mike Talbot and his squad are not enjoying the beach. The Brazilian government might have failed in the end times, but the jungle is rife with violently patriotic guerrillas—and not the cool banana eating type.
Humans can be reasonable, more or less...but zombies? Not so much. The undead are alive and well in South America, and they are raging.
Zombies are mutating, transforming at an untenable rate. They are bigger, stronger and more terrifying than ever, and best of all, the newest adaptations are nearly impossible to kill.
Losses are piling up, burdening Mike and causing him nightmares—and daymares. His spirituality is tested by apparitions and visitations, and the captain is finally at his breaking point. With barely enough people left to make the trek, it seems his goal to head home to Colorado may end up just a foolish dream after all.
Humans can be reasonable, more or less...but zombies? Not so much. The undead are alive and well in South America, and they are raging.
Zombies are mutating, transforming at an untenable rate. They are bigger, stronger and more terrifying than ever, and best of all, the newest adaptations are nearly impossible to kill.
Losses are piling up, burdening Mike and causing him nightmares—and daymares. His spirituality is tested by apparitions and visitations, and the captain is finally at his breaking point. With barely enough people left to make the trek, it seems his goal to head home to Colorado may end up just a foolish dream after all.
Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 27, 2025
As if it were possible, Mike and his group of survivors find themselves face to face with the most unfathomable monstrosities they've encountered to date. These brand new killing machines make the "regular" Zombies seem like newborn kittens in comparison.
Unsurprisingly, after suffering numerous sad losses morale and hope are at an all time low.
On a positive note, Mike gets a surprise visit from an old friend which brought a huge smile to my face.
Narrator Sean Runnette keeps bringing it.
Unsurprisingly, after suffering numerous sad losses morale and hope are at an all time low.
On a positive note, Mike gets a surprise visit from an old friend which brought a huge smile to my face.
Narrator Sean Runnette keeps bringing it.
October 4, 2024
This booked messed me up on many levels. The deaths, seeing a fav character again, it was a roller coaster of crazy!! Next book already loaded and ready for listening.
March 8, 2024
Love it
April 2, 2026
a bit too horrorish for me, but still loved it 😊
October 28, 2023
This book was the least interesting of all the zombie series. I think Mark Tufo is running out of steam in this series. I’d be happy if a virus appeared that killed all the zombies and the humans remaining rebuilt society.
April 24, 2026
This is gonna be short because honestly… this book was awful.
2 stars.
Nothing happened. No real story, no progression, just nonstop fighting again. It feels like we are completely back to the old formula that made these books hard to get through.
On Azile’s side, it was really disappointing. After how good that storyline was, it turns into the same thing. Fighting, running, fighting, then they get on the yacht and… just ride around. Azile tells Wilkins she might have some kind of magic, which could matter later, but nothing is done with it here.
Then a hurricane hits, they abandon the yacht, get into lifeboats, see land, and that’s it. Nothing meaningful happens.
Mike’s side is even worse.
They are shipwrecked and trying to set up a camp for the survivors and make it safe. Mike and a few others go out to look for supplies and end up running into the Brazilian military.
The military tells them they either join them or die.
Mike decides he’s going to fight the leader, and if she wins, they’ll join. It turns into this lame back and forth, they fight, she loses, and they tie them up, hoping they can just leave and be done with it.
Then reinforcements start coming, and that’s when the military woman tells Mike that during the outbreak, the Brazilian government told everyone to gather in one place for help, and when they did, the government killed everyone, both people and zombies. The ones left are either part of the military or hiding.
And that’s it. Then we just move on.
After that, it’s the same cycle:
they escape → run into another group → that group gives them shelter → Mike’s crew shows up → everything gets destroyed.
Same exact thing again.
Important deaths:
• Reed dies
• Eastman dies
And those are really the only deaths that mattered.
The zombies are just ridiculous at this point. No explanation, just more nonsense piled on.
And then there’s Tommy.
At this point, it’s actually frustrating. He’s barely mentioned. It’s like he’s an afterthought. I’ll literally find myself thinking, “Where is Tommy?” and then suddenly it’s like, oh yeah, he was over there the whole time. It’s so poorly done. Everything revolves around Mike and BT, which is just dumb.
And of course, still no real vampire stuff. Nothing with Mike, nothing meaningful with Tommy, just wasted potential again.
Also, the writing habits are getting annoying:
• “I could swear on a stack of Bibles…” over and over again
• constantly reminding us how big BT is
• constantly reminding us how strong Tommy is
It feels like he’s reintroducing the characters every few pages, like we haven’t been reading 21 books already.
Tripp shows up as some kind of ghost, Mike is falling apart again, and even that doesn’t land because it’s buried under all the chaos.
The only part I found interesting was the Talbidoid at the end, and that has nothing to do with the main story, which says everything.
Overall, this felt like filler.
2 stars.
Nothing happened. No real story, no progression, just nonstop fighting again. It feels like we are completely back to the old formula that made these books hard to get through.
On Azile’s side, it was really disappointing. After how good that storyline was, it turns into the same thing. Fighting, running, fighting, then they get on the yacht and… just ride around. Azile tells Wilkins she might have some kind of magic, which could matter later, but nothing is done with it here.
Then a hurricane hits, they abandon the yacht, get into lifeboats, see land, and that’s it. Nothing meaningful happens.
Mike’s side is even worse.
They are shipwrecked and trying to set up a camp for the survivors and make it safe. Mike and a few others go out to look for supplies and end up running into the Brazilian military.
The military tells them they either join them or die.
Mike decides he’s going to fight the leader, and if she wins, they’ll join. It turns into this lame back and forth, they fight, she loses, and they tie them up, hoping they can just leave and be done with it.
Then reinforcements start coming, and that’s when the military woman tells Mike that during the outbreak, the Brazilian government told everyone to gather in one place for help, and when they did, the government killed everyone, both people and zombies. The ones left are either part of the military or hiding.
And that’s it. Then we just move on.
After that, it’s the same cycle:
they escape → run into another group → that group gives them shelter → Mike’s crew shows up → everything gets destroyed.
Same exact thing again.
Important deaths:
• Reed dies
• Eastman dies
And those are really the only deaths that mattered.
The zombies are just ridiculous at this point. No explanation, just more nonsense piled on.
And then there’s Tommy.
At this point, it’s actually frustrating. He’s barely mentioned. It’s like he’s an afterthought. I’ll literally find myself thinking, “Where is Tommy?” and then suddenly it’s like, oh yeah, he was over there the whole time. It’s so poorly done. Everything revolves around Mike and BT, which is just dumb.
And of course, still no real vampire stuff. Nothing with Mike, nothing meaningful with Tommy, just wasted potential again.
Also, the writing habits are getting annoying:
• “I could swear on a stack of Bibles…” over and over again
• constantly reminding us how big BT is
• constantly reminding us how strong Tommy is
It feels like he’s reintroducing the characters every few pages, like we haven’t been reading 21 books already.
Tripp shows up as some kind of ghost, Mike is falling apart again, and even that doesn’t land because it’s buried under all the chaos.
The only part I found interesting was the Talbidoid at the end, and that has nothing to do with the main story, which says everything.
Overall, this felt like filler.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2025
God I love Talbot!
Every time they think they’re going to catch a break they get knocked back a mile! First they’re forced off the ship, then once on land it’s not the zombies that get them first. Nope. It’s more of those pesky humans. The new and improved Brazilian Army to be exact. And of course, it doesn’t go over very well. But Mike and BT manage to get a ride for most of the survivors.
There’s plenty of twists and turns coming up in this one. Trip makes a few appearances, The Maker and Lou have a cameo and some of Mike’s latest burdens on his soul show up.
It’s getting pretty crazy down there in the jungle, pretty crazy indeed. I can’t wait to see how they fare in the jungle ext book.
Every time they think they’re going to catch a break they get knocked back a mile! First they’re forced off the ship, then once on land it’s not the zombies that get them first. Nope. It’s more of those pesky humans. The new and improved Brazilian Army to be exact. And of course, it doesn’t go over very well. But Mike and BT manage to get a ride for most of the survivors.
There’s plenty of twists and turns coming up in this one. Trip makes a few appearances, The Maker and Lou have a cameo and some of Mike’s latest burdens on his soul show up.
It’s getting pretty crazy down there in the jungle, pretty crazy indeed. I can’t wait to see how they fare in the jungle ext book.
October 28, 2023
I don’t remember if I came in at the very beginning, or after a few books were released, but this is the longest I’ve ever stayed with an author. I’ve read other stuff books, and I’ve enjoyed them all, for the most, but the ZF books are THE best!
In this installment, the monsters have changed, yet again! How they continually evolve is unknown, but they’re more nightmarish than ever. And all the while, Trip and other obstacles are coming from every side. Mike Talbot’s got so many timelines, who can even guess where this one will end! He could wind up on the side of that mountain, or battling in a ring with alien beings!! (Wink Wink)
Keep reading and enjoy this series!
In this installment, the monsters have changed, yet again! How they continually evolve is unknown, but they’re more nightmarish than ever. And all the while, Trip and other obstacles are coming from every side. Mike Talbot’s got so many timelines, who can even guess where this one will end! He could wind up on the side of that mountain, or battling in a ring with alien beings!! (Wink Wink)
Keep reading and enjoy this series!
November 4, 2023
Intense
This episode of Mike Talbot's story is quite scary. The monsters become more frightening as time goes by. Mike's group often survives by just barely squeaking through whatever horror they face. I love it and I can't wait for the next one.
This episode of Mike Talbot's story is quite scary. The monsters become more frightening as time goes by. Mike's group often survives by just barely squeaking through whatever horror they face. I love it and I can't wait for the next one.
November 11, 2023
once again it did not disappoint
I started with book 1 and I was hooked. The best story,writing, characters. I was so excited when a new book came out. This is the only series that I have reread at least 2 times. Hoping this series keeps on.
I started with book 1 and I was hooked. The best story,writing, characters. I was so excited when a new book came out. This is the only series that I have reread at least 2 times. Hoping this series keeps on.
January 7, 2024
Hard to understand quite how he does it, but Tufo (and audiobook reader Sean Runnette) continue to suck me in and captivate me with these Zombie Fallout books. This 21st book was as fresh and fun as any that came before. Dark and devastating, too, but no spoilers for you!
Keep 'em coming, Mark!
Keep 'em coming, Mark!
October 29, 2023
My favorite series ever!
I love this series! If you try it, you will be hooked! This book made me cry and made me mad. I wish I had a Mike and BT in my life.
I love this series! If you try it, you will be hooked! This book made me cry and made me mad. I wish I had a Mike and BT in my life.
October 29, 2023
Dramatic as always
I always sorry when I finish Talbot tales. Humour, horror and at times sad. Makes you think, always entertaining. Love the series, keep them coming.
I always sorry when I finish Talbot tales. Humour, horror and at times sad. Makes you think, always entertaining. Love the series, keep them coming.
October 31, 2023
Love these books!!!
This series of books are brilliant and refreshing. I'm constantly telling my husband that I can't wait for the next book!
This series of books are brilliant and refreshing. I'm constantly telling my husband that I can't wait for the next book!
December 11, 2023
Zombies keep a rolling all night long!
Another wild ride thru the zompoc with my favorite characters to ride it out with. Keep em coming Tufo and I'll keep reading!
Another wild ride thru the zompoc with my favorite characters to ride it out with. Keep em coming Tufo and I'll keep reading!
May 27, 2024
In Brazil, pedal tanks and a few new monsters zombies… Trip helps them escape
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2025
I am still confused on the timeline of all these books. At some point I thought it was over and then …
I need to find a timeline online before I continue
I need to find a timeline online before I continue
August 22, 2025
other fun book
All of his book keep me what happens next.
I am sorry when characters that I have liked die,But that’s life right we all die in the end.
All of his book keep me what happens next.
I am sorry when characters that I have liked die,But that’s life right we all die in the end.
May 3, 2026
another fantastic novel
I usually bounce around on books, seems like never sticking to nothing and everything in particular. Sometimes, well a lot of times between books and series, I get into a stump, and can’t figure what next book will interest me. In comes Mark Tufo with zombie fallout and pretty much any book he writes can bring me out of funk, and settle down to read and enjoy another book or audio. Great book Mark, and keep writing to satisfy a wandering and ever busy body mind, so I can always know I have an author to settle me down to enjoy books.
I usually bounce around on books, seems like never sticking to nothing and everything in particular. Sometimes, well a lot of times between books and series, I get into a stump, and can’t figure what next book will interest me. In comes Mark Tufo with zombie fallout and pretty much any book he writes can bring me out of funk, and settle down to read and enjoy another book or audio. Great book Mark, and keep writing to satisfy a wandering and ever busy body mind, so I can always know I have an author to settle me down to enjoy books.
October 31, 2023
I loved this series so much that after finishing 21 books I immediately want to start over. I never got bored and the story never lost its edge. Waiting for the next one!
November 4, 2023
superb
I picked up zombie fallout a few days after it was on Amazon and all these years later I feel like the characters are family. Mark and his books are amazing
I picked up zombie fallout a few days after it was on Amazon and all these years later I feel like the characters are family. Mark and his books are amazing
January 10, 2024
My favorite series of all time. Tufo hits it out of the park again with this one. I can't get enough!
July 4, 2025
EXCELLENT!!
How is it possible that 22 books in and this series just keeps getting better! I absolutely love the plot and character development. There is a ton of action, laughter, and emotion. I can't wait to read what happens next! Mike and the gang are the BEST!
How is it possible that 22 books in and this series just keeps getting better! I absolutely love the plot and character development. There is a ton of action, laughter, and emotion. I can't wait to read what happens next! Mike and the gang are the BEST!
February 14, 2024
I highly recommend this book and the 20 books that came before it in the series!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews