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The Remaining #3
Refugees
He has fought the fight, and run the race.But the enemies never stop coming, and the race has no finish line.It has been three months since Captain Lee Harden found the survivors at Camp Ryder. With winter looming, Lee is on the verge of establishing Camp Ryder as a hub of safety and stability in the region. But not everyone agrees with Lee's mission. . .or his methods. Growing tensions between camp leadership are coming to a head, and as Lee struggles amid the dissention and controversy, new revelations about the infected threaten to destroy everything he has worked for.
535 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2013
354 people are currently reading
1859 people want to read
About the author
D.J. Molles
45 books1,431 followersD.J. Molles became a New York Times and USA today bestselling author while working full time as a police officer. He's since traded his badge for a keyboard to produce over 20 titles. When he's not writing, he's taking steps to make his North Carolina property self-sustainable, and training to be at least half as hard to kill as Lee Harden (his most popular protagonist).
Molles also enjoys playing his guitar and drums, drawing, cooking, and “shredding that green pow” on his Onewheel.
Most nights you can find him sitting on the couch surrounded by his dogs and family, trying to stream an hour of Netflix with his really sketchy satellite internet connection.
Are you interested in becoming a writer? I've started a video series called "Lessons in Writing" which you can find on all my socials.
Follow on IG & FB @djmolles
TikTok @djmollesauthor
Molles also enjoys playing his guitar and drums, drawing, cooking, and “shredding that green pow” on his Onewheel.
Most nights you can find him sitting on the couch surrounded by his dogs and family, trying to stream an hour of Netflix with his really sketchy satellite internet connection.
Are you interested in becoming a writer? I've started a video series called "Lessons in Writing" which you can find on all my socials.
Follow on IG & FB @djmolles
TikTok @djmollesauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
February 10, 2022
Book #3 - 'Refugees' - of The Remaining series ups the ante to whole new levels as Lee forms new alliances and is betrayed by just as many. One of the new "refugees" has plans of his own and sets out to take over the settlement and unseat Lee and Bus from their positions in Camp Ryder. The zombies are also getting much smarter and the humans find out something new - they are doing - which could mean no hope at all for the continuation of humanity. Loss of several key characters is very unsettling and the human infighting is quite disturbing when the only chance is for the few remaining is to come together and fight the quickly growing zombie mobs. To say the ending of 'Refugees' is a cliffhanger would be putting it mildly....
Christian Rummel is amazing with how well he keeps pace with the constant rapid-fire action and nail-biting suspense.
Christian Rummel is amazing with how well he keeps pace with the constant rapid-fire action and nail-biting suspense.
October 2, 2018
Fast-forward from the previous novel and have a few semi-thriving communities out in the middle of a zombie apocalypse and enter the world of internecine conflict.
You know, because nothing says zombie apocalypse more than small groups of regular humans tearing each other down for any reason most handy at the moment.
WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG while all the zombies are trying to eat us?
Of course, there is a one really delicious aspect of this novel: the zombies are evolving! Yeah! Like a video game! Yeah! New bosses, badder enemies, and BREEDING? Huh? Zombies BREEDING? EEWWWWW Who told them they could do that?
So, yeah. I'm on a reading frenzy for this series and I'm gonna keep it up. Why not? It's not bad.
It DOES get a little silly now that we get into quasi-governmental decision stuff and the politics of resource allocation, but I can't really expect anything else at this point. Gimme fights, gimmie nom-nom!
You know, because nothing says zombie apocalypse more than small groups of regular humans tearing each other down for any reason most handy at the moment.
WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG while all the zombies are trying to eat us?
Of course, there is a one really delicious aspect of this novel: the zombies are evolving! Yeah! Like a video game! Yeah! New bosses, badder enemies, and BREEDING? Huh? Zombies BREEDING? EEWWWWW Who told them they could do that?
So, yeah. I'm on a reading frenzy for this series and I'm gonna keep it up. Why not? It's not bad.
It DOES get a little silly now that we get into quasi-governmental decision stuff and the politics of resource allocation, but I can't really expect anything else at this point. Gimme fights, gimmie nom-nom!
December 3, 2012
When I started this book, I assumed it was the third book in a trilogy. I was wrong. With about 15% left to read, I knew it couldn't possibly get wrapped up in the few remaining pages. I was both crestfallen and thrilled: I had hoped for a nominally satisfying conclusion and thrilled that there would be yet another book - heck - perhaps more! I love this genre - be it post-apocalypse or zombie-related.
If the author is reading this, please know that I am frustrated: I have no direct way of giving you feedback. If you had a web page with a message feature - or a Facebook page - or a Goodreads presence where I could post comments, I would not be frustrated. Occasionally, I found some typos. Since I'm reading your books on a Kindle, I have highlighted the ones that I could - this should allow you to see the words that need correcting. For example, in the first book, you confused pale with pail. Some readers become irrationally exercised over finding ANY errors but I am so taken by your prose, your characters and the fiendish situations our protagonists find themselves in that errors mean little to me. If you are of a mind, I can be reached here: whroot@live.com. I'd love to dialog with you and will never over-extend my welcome. There is another author extant who has written an equally great book in the same genre: Eric R Lowther: Area 187 - Almost Hell. Geographically, you are near another author who writes outstanding books (like your own). His name is Hugh Howey. I hope you can connect with these two folks - you have so much in common, most especially great writing ability and storytelling skills par excellence!
I am awaiting the next book in the Remaining cycle with great anticipation. Please find some way to let your fan base know your progress.
If the author is reading this, please know that I am frustrated: I have no direct way of giving you feedback. If you had a web page with a message feature - or a Facebook page - or a Goodreads presence where I could post comments, I would not be frustrated. Occasionally, I found some typos. Since I'm reading your books on a Kindle, I have highlighted the ones that I could - this should allow you to see the words that need correcting. For example, in the first book, you confused pale with pail. Some readers become irrationally exercised over finding ANY errors but I am so taken by your prose, your characters and the fiendish situations our protagonists find themselves in that errors mean little to me. If you are of a mind, I can be reached here: whroot@live.com. I'd love to dialog with you and will never over-extend my welcome. There is another author extant who has written an equally great book in the same genre: Eric R Lowther: Area 187 - Almost Hell. Geographically, you are near another author who writes outstanding books (like your own). His name is Hugh Howey. I hope you can connect with these two folks - you have so much in common, most especially great writing ability and storytelling skills par excellence!
I am awaiting the next book in the Remaining cycle with great anticipation. Please find some way to let your fan base know your progress.
December 19, 2012
I'll likely stay tuned for #4, but I have to say #3 was very uneven. I found myself wishing I was a speed reader so I could fast-forward to the good parts. Don't get me wrong, there were some amazing scenes, and I am still engaged by the characters and their struggles. But I just hope the author finds a good editor to help him tighten things up for the next installment.
April 23, 2013
The struggle of Capt. Lee Harden to save civilization (As We Know It) continues in the third book in this series, The Remaining: Refugees.
A few months after the events described in the previous novel, The Remaining: Aftermath, Capt. Harden is supervising the refugee compound known as Camp Ryder. More people have joined the encampment, creating a small culture of its own. Satellite colonies have been sent out to beyond the protecting barricade. The novel begins with a gruesome method used to clear a potential forward operating base of infected.
But Capt. Harden still has his enemies in the camp. “Jerry”, the glad-handling politician/ corporate buttkiss is still trying to build a base of support among the survivors. Professor White, from the remnants of a local college, has followers among his former students. None of whom care for Harden’s “Mission”. Some people want to view the infected, no matter how dangerous they are, as plague victims.
With “Jerry”, Molles’ shows his disgust with the present. Jerry is a craven individual who fled his own burning house, abandoning loved ones to raiders. He’s found a way to justify his actions by focusing on the present. I suspect the author knew too many people like him. God knows I have. The sort of grinning lap dog who can always rise to the top when decent people are being “right-sized” all over the place.
A few chapters into the novel, a new twist is thrown at the refugees. A microbiologist named Jacob has made his way south at the command of one of the last NE coordinators. He has important news for Capt. Harden: the infected are devouring everything they can in the northern states. Like a plague of locusts, they are moving south in search of anything edible. Unlike the zombies of the 28 Days movie and sequel, these infected won’t be satisfied to starve to death. The FURY bacterium is also mutating, creating a new kind of victim with little intelligence, but an over-powering will to survive.
And there is are several sniper attempts to kill Capt. Harden by persons outside the camp. The reader also learns of a mob of religious fanatics known as “The Followers” who forcibly draft any uninfected human into their army or crucify them. Dismissed as idle talk at the beginning of The Remaining: Refugees, the truth of the rumor builds toward the book’s end.
Harden makes a fateful decision blow the bridge crossings across the Roanoke River and stop the invasion. The infected won’t sweep into the mountains or the sea and the river will create a natural barrier. But his plan sets off a tidal wave of repercussions which leave The Remaining: Refugees unresolved at the end. D.J. Molles’ fans await the fourth book in the series to see how it all turns out.
The previous Remaining books were plot driven. So is The Remaing: Refugees, but the individual characters are starting to have a life of their own. Even Capt. Harden’s enemies in the encampment have motives which make perfectly good sense to them. Once you learn their back story, they become understandable, even if their reasons are reprehensible.
The novel still pays close attention to the technical aspects of warfighting and guns. There’s a discussion of the right caliber of ammo needed for the camp. Also the proper way to prepare yourself for a grenade blast. And the devastating effects of a 50 caliber machine gun. Finally, the field care and extraction of a bullet hit victim is drawn in a very detailed account. It’s amazing how much a person can bleed and still survive but you won’t see it on an episode of MASH.
As ever, the author finds a time to reflect:
Scavenging from these houses, Lee felt like an archaeologist, staring in wonder at the things humanity had once held dear to them. Ornate clocks and sets of fine china. Placards and degrees and trophies. The things people were most proud of, the things displayed on mantle’s and walls, were now the things that were the first to be left behind
All the disparate elements of the novel collide in the last few chapters. I’m anxiously awaiting the fourth installment.
August 18, 2013
SPOILERS!!
Well, this installment has improved the overall series in several areas. Character development has finally taken some steps in the right direction. Lee has only once so far in this book foolishly taken off and almost lost his pack. Something that happened all too often in books 1and 2. Yet, he's just about to go out to an area of known danger, fully aware that there's somebody out to get him, accompanied only by a randomly appearing (freakishly similar to original) dog and a guy he's already said he doesn't trust yet!!! Knowing that there's a mole in the midst of the camp? Really, Lee? The fact that this bird has survived his own carelessness this long is a literary miracle. Some new and interesting plot points have emerged, such as the appearance of another coordinator from South Carolina and THE FEMALES situation. Meanwhile, other stupid stuff is driving me bat shit crazy. For instance, he is launching this major military offensive with two small teams consisting of about 50 people total. Against MILLIONS of infecteds. And, he chooses this moment out of all moments to hang behind along with his old suddenly appeared professional soldier special forces buddy. Thus, sending his crack squad of one West Point cadet and one other soldier plus 40 new recruits with less than one week of tactical training out to save the world. Oh, and about the army buddy/fellow coordinator. He admits abandoning his whole group of survivors in the name of following orders. Yet, he disobeys those same orders and does not kill Lee. Searching for sense in this twist.
I really don't know what to think. The author clearly has a talent for story telling and I admire the spunky self-publishing, not to mention the wherewithal to write four books. I just wish this really pretty interesting framework of a story could get the details down better, make more sense and have fewer typos. :/
I read on.
November 9, 2012
You will not be disappointed in the third book of "The Remaining" series. Captain Lee Harden is still Captain Harden, seemingly indestructible and indefatigable.
The scope of the book increases to encompass an even larger area of North Carolina. And with that scope increase, so too does the conflict that Captain Harden must deal with. This additional conflict adds quite a bit to the series: it shows that the author has a Plan for this series. You will recall vignettes from book one that suddenly appear to not have been throwaway scenes or events. If future installments build on these elements without being obvious or cliche'd, then this will end up being one of the most satisfying Post-Apocalyptic books around.
This book is a transition book in the series in a couple of ways. The infected appear to be evolving rapidly, the balance of power at Camp Ryder is evolving rapidly, the balance of power in eastern NC is evolving rapidly, and above all, the Coordinators' plan is evolving rapidly. The author manages to weave all of these threads together well at the expense of some of the video-game-like shoot-em up scenes that dominated the previous two books. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of suspense and stress in this book but it lacks THE scene where the bodies are piled high and deep with our hero somehow still alive. But that's ok - too much of that becomes a cliche, and this books purpose is to introduce us to a lot of new conflict vectors that ought to produce some excellent future installments.
The scope of the book increases to encompass an even larger area of North Carolina. And with that scope increase, so too does the conflict that Captain Harden must deal with. This additional conflict adds quite a bit to the series: it shows that the author has a Plan for this series. You will recall vignettes from book one that suddenly appear to not have been throwaway scenes or events. If future installments build on these elements without being obvious or cliche'd, then this will end up being one of the most satisfying Post-Apocalyptic books around.
This book is a transition book in the series in a couple of ways. The infected appear to be evolving rapidly, the balance of power at Camp Ryder is evolving rapidly, the balance of power in eastern NC is evolving rapidly, and above all, the Coordinators' plan is evolving rapidly. The author manages to weave all of these threads together well at the expense of some of the video-game-like shoot-em up scenes that dominated the previous two books. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of suspense and stress in this book but it lacks THE scene where the bodies are piled high and deep with our hero somehow still alive. But that's ok - too much of that becomes a cliche, and this books purpose is to introduce us to a lot of new conflict vectors that ought to produce some excellent future installments.
December 22, 2020
Love love love this whole series. I'm putting the same review on all of them because I listened to the audio versions back to back so the books are all one long story to me and each one is better than the last. These books are very well written, great attention to detail, heavy on the military/survivalist run and rebuild side, lots of characters you really grow to care about, and wonderful character growth. Not traditional zombies, more the "infected" type, but I like both so fine by me. No mushy viewpoint of feeling sorry for the infected or romanticizing them, just thrilling roller coaster action and great characters. You will enjoy this whether you are military or not - but if you ARE military or gun savvy this series with not hack you off. Molles did some research - thank goodness - and for once nothing irritated me. Also, the female characters were well written. (one of my pet peeves) They were a variety of women, as we actually are, from sarcastic bad asses to whinier helpless types and everything in between. They were very individual and seemed well thought out - allowed to grow and change and be full characters. Often in this genre the women characters irritate the crap out of me. They are usually written as mommy/wives or whores and barely even exist in the story except to be rescued, slept with, scream "somebody save my chillllldren", or munched on. That was not the case in this series. I loved them all!
October 3, 2018
OMG! What to write about this book?! Well, almost exactely the same I wrote about the other two: it really is great. Not just a good read, definitely not a light read, but very good and intoxicating! The characters get more and more developed so there isn't just action and - unfortunately - there is quite some politics, too, getting more and more important in fact and it's killing me! But then again, it is very good if a book can trigger a wave of emotions (good and bad), isn't it?!
I've read my fair share of "zombie" books and books about a post-apocalyptic world in general and this series is one of those who stand out. Especially because there is nothing sunshiney about anyone or anything and you really can't be sure who will be next (in this one, especially, I almost died of a heartattack in the end). It's just that realistic.
I've read my fair share of "zombie" books and books about a post-apocalyptic world in general and this series is one of those who stand out. Especially because there is nothing sunshiney about anyone or anything and you really can't be sure who will be next (in this one, especially, I almost died of a heartattack in the end). It's just that realistic.
February 18, 2014
So far this series just keeps getting better so I'm on to book 4.
June 24, 2022
3.5 the best of this series so far. A few parts close to the end had me on the edge of my seat. I can not wait to see what happens to Lee and the folks at camp Ryder next
July 10, 2019
Fucking love this series!!!
May 20, 2015
Lee is beginning to organise the camps of survivors into a network – one that is growing. The foundation of society is beginning to be put in place; winter is coming but they are read
But not all of the survivors agree with Lee and internal tension could rip them apart – and that’s if the Infected’s huge numbers don’t just sweep them away and everything they’ve built
Then there’s what his fellow soldiers are up to…
The world building of this series is huge. I really like how here’s a real attempt to look at some explanation behind the zombies (or infected in this case). We have scientists explaining what causes the infection, scientific reasons for why they behave the way they do and a real attempt to study and explain the biology of the infected. It doesn’t just say “zombies” and rely on pop culture to fill the gaps – or just let the word “zombie” cover everything
This makes the world setting much more real and believable. It also means that we have a lot more scope for plot lines – because the realness of the infected, the fully fleshed out nature of the infected means they can do far more than just be background noise. In most books and on most shows with zombies, eventually the zombies become something similar to a natural disaster – some big background thing that everyone works round while the storyline focuses on how people deal with it and how they interact with each other while dealing with it. They become character driven stories in the background of a zombie apocalypse because after a few stories of surviving zombies there’s not much else to say
But here the infected are different and it raises a whole scope of issues like whether the infected are going to die out or perpetuate. Whether they are evolving and, most pressingly, whether they are going to migrate en masse from the major population centres and, if so, where are they going to. There’s a lot of scope here – in addition to the character driven conflicts.
I’m slightly frustrated that more isn’t made of these unique zombies and the greyness that comes from killing them. Unlike other zombie books where the zombies are blatantly corpses and there’s absolutely no way they could be brought back to who they are, these zombies are still very human. Physically, recovery still seems possible. More they are reasoning, they are forming groups, they are protecting each other, they are providing for each other and helping their weakest – and more (which I won’t reveal for fear of spoilers).
Basically, they’re not mindless monsters – they show at least a level of intelligence on par with more intelligent animals, they’re not undead, they are infected. There’s every reason to think they can come back, they can be cured. Rather than viewing the obvious humanity of the infected as a threat, it would have been nice to see some of this explored.
Especially considering the utterly clumsy way the professor and his students where handled – here we have people who are supposed to see the humanity of the infected, but instead it’s handled in an almost laughable manner with them working to bring about a coup to stop military control (the “military” being 2 people…) of their little enclave. This isn’t close to an actual attempt to portray compassion so much as it trying to parody war protestors – it’s like some pro-gun, pro-war attempt at satire by creating straw pacifists that would be the most ridiculous ones I’ve ever seen if I hadn’t read the Sword of Truth series (which tends to beat all other series when it comes to ridiculous, thinly-veiled straw-men).
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But not all of the survivors agree with Lee and internal tension could rip them apart – and that’s if the Infected’s huge numbers don’t just sweep them away and everything they’ve built
Then there’s what his fellow soldiers are up to…
The world building of this series is huge. I really like how here’s a real attempt to look at some explanation behind the zombies (or infected in this case). We have scientists explaining what causes the infection, scientific reasons for why they behave the way they do and a real attempt to study and explain the biology of the infected. It doesn’t just say “zombies” and rely on pop culture to fill the gaps – or just let the word “zombie” cover everything
This makes the world setting much more real and believable. It also means that we have a lot more scope for plot lines – because the realness of the infected, the fully fleshed out nature of the infected means they can do far more than just be background noise. In most books and on most shows with zombies, eventually the zombies become something similar to a natural disaster – some big background thing that everyone works round while the storyline focuses on how people deal with it and how they interact with each other while dealing with it. They become character driven stories in the background of a zombie apocalypse because after a few stories of surviving zombies there’s not much else to say
But here the infected are different and it raises a whole scope of issues like whether the infected are going to die out or perpetuate. Whether they are evolving and, most pressingly, whether they are going to migrate en masse from the major population centres and, if so, where are they going to. There’s a lot of scope here – in addition to the character driven conflicts.
I’m slightly frustrated that more isn’t made of these unique zombies and the greyness that comes from killing them. Unlike other zombie books where the zombies are blatantly corpses and there’s absolutely no way they could be brought back to who they are, these zombies are still very human. Physically, recovery still seems possible. More they are reasoning, they are forming groups, they are protecting each other, they are providing for each other and helping their weakest – and more (which I won’t reveal for fear of spoilers).
Basically, they’re not mindless monsters – they show at least a level of intelligence on par with more intelligent animals, they’re not undead, they are infected. There’s every reason to think they can come back, they can be cured. Rather than viewing the obvious humanity of the infected as a threat, it would have been nice to see some of this explored.
Especially considering the utterly clumsy way the professor and his students where handled – here we have people who are supposed to see the humanity of the infected, but instead it’s handled in an almost laughable manner with them working to bring about a coup to stop military control (the “military” being 2 people…) of their little enclave. This isn’t close to an actual attempt to portray compassion so much as it trying to parody war protestors – it’s like some pro-gun, pro-war attempt at satire by creating straw pacifists that would be the most ridiculous ones I’ve ever seen if I hadn’t read the Sword of Truth series (which tends to beat all other series when it comes to ridiculous, thinly-veiled straw-men).
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January 11, 2013
The Remaining: Refugees by D.J. Molles is the third book in The Remaining series. I'm not an author by any means but I have read hundreds and hundreds of books throughout my lifetime ranging from all different kinds of genre and I can say this much about Mr. Molles: this guy is a winner. All three books in this series has been a blast to read so far and I am, like many others out there as well, eagerly anticipating for the 4th book to be release. Finally, the author addresses what I saw as one of the main issues with the series so far and that was the talk of the infected. In Refugees, the author spends a lot more time focusing on the infected (aka zombies) and the questions surrounding them of how they act and behave. However, the question of "how" the plague actually got started and what exactly happened is still being eluded to. But whatever the case, once you start reading this series, you will definitely find yourself having a hard time putting it down!
Here in Refugees, it's been about 3 months after the events of the second book, Aftermath. More survivors have been rescued and the Camp Ryder hub is steadily growing. As always, Captain Lee Harden and his crew is at the center of attention. All kinds of crazy events happen when Lee stumbles upon a den of the infected. Also, tensions run high within Camp Ryder itself due to the camp being separated between groups of survivors who are in support of the Captain and those who think he is wasting precious resources in fighting a fight that they cannot win.
The characters we know and love in the previous two books are once again present here. I would have loved it if the author spent just a tad bit more time developing them and giving them just a bit more personality and life. For example, Harper and LaRouche, although we see them in the story, they hardly make a big impact. Basically, they do whatever they're told by Lee and that's the end of it. However, I'm guessing that's about to change in the next book as both of these characters seem to have a much bigger role to play judging by what happens at the end of Refugees. This is good because we need other people to start stepping up and making decisions instead of having to read about Lee do everything himself.
I know I'm being mean but someone in the story needs to get bitten by the infected! I don't care who it is. We can't have a zombie story with the main characters escaping and getting away cleanly each and every time they encounter the infected horde! Sure, some characters do die but not due to the infected. This makes reading encounters with the infected predictable. While it's sure fun to read about the characters battling their way through the infected horde, it sometimes can make things pointless because in the back of my mind, I know for sure the group will come out unharmed. If they are going to be harmed, it's more likely to come from bullets than the infected zombies themselves.
In the end, I have no doubt that the next book in the series is when the story will really pick up. Judging by the end of Refugees, it seems as if some of the main characters will finally start to branch out during the next phase of the story rather than having everyone hang around within the same radius of each other. Hopefully this will allow the author to expand his story even more. Now, can you pretty please release the 4th book already?!
Here in Refugees, it's been about 3 months after the events of the second book, Aftermath. More survivors have been rescued and the Camp Ryder hub is steadily growing. As always, Captain Lee Harden and his crew is at the center of attention. All kinds of crazy events happen when Lee stumbles upon a den of the infected. Also, tensions run high within Camp Ryder itself due to the camp being separated between groups of survivors who are in support of the Captain and those who think he is wasting precious resources in fighting a fight that they cannot win.
The characters we know and love in the previous two books are once again present here. I would have loved it if the author spent just a tad bit more time developing them and giving them just a bit more personality and life. For example, Harper and LaRouche, although we see them in the story, they hardly make a big impact. Basically, they do whatever they're told by Lee and that's the end of it. However, I'm guessing that's about to change in the next book as both of these characters seem to have a much bigger role to play judging by what happens at the end of Refugees. This is good because we need other people to start stepping up and making decisions instead of having to read about Lee do everything himself.
I know I'm being mean but someone in the story needs to get bitten by the infected! I don't care who it is. We can't have a zombie story with the main characters escaping and getting away cleanly each and every time they encounter the infected horde! Sure, some characters do die but not due to the infected. This makes reading encounters with the infected predictable. While it's sure fun to read about the characters battling their way through the infected horde, it sometimes can make things pointless because in the back of my mind, I know for sure the group will come out unharmed. If they are going to be harmed, it's more likely to come from bullets than the infected zombies themselves.
In the end, I have no doubt that the next book in the series is when the story will really pick up. Judging by the end of Refugees, it seems as if some of the main characters will finally start to branch out during the next phase of the story rather than having everyone hang around within the same radius of each other. Hopefully this will allow the author to expand his story even more. Now, can you pretty please release the 4th book already?!
March 20, 2024
Refugees by D.J. Molles - 3rd book in the series
Challenging, dark, emotional, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25 Stars
On this reread, I raised the rating from 3.5 Stars to 4.25 Stars...I will explain, below:
When I first read this series, I didn't understand the way the series was structured, and became frustrated that our main character (the hero of the story) wasn't as heroic and wasn't accomplishing his goals as much as I wanted him to.
Now on this reread of the four plus books, I understand that in a "zombie/apocalyptic type story, there needs to be a "sense of dread...at all times" feeling. So, allowing the main character to succeed ALL the time...would diminish that goal.
Also, in the dystopian landscape, I can see Mad Max, The Road, and other shows and tenor in this story.
I actually DO love Captain Lee Harden, but in real life (without the knowledge of his backstory and progression that the reader KNOWS), I'm not sure that I'd agree with him on everything. I definitely would NOT agree with Jerry (I cannot stand people like him) and Professor. White. I'd be like Bus or Sergeant LaRouche (seeing his pluses, but also acknowledging that he has blind spots and failures, but is ultimately a good person).
BUT, the real question is, can a "good person" survive this type of event?
The new characters that were introduced into this story were incredibly well done. Just enough character reveals...to lower your guard, but then trip you up...at the end.
Let's talk about these endings. I am SO glad that I'm now binge reading them, for when I first picked up the book...I didn't have them all, and the cliffhanger endings were killing me. Now, I just pick up the next book...and the story resumes.
Really well done storytelling. Just enough bad things are happening, plus...our protagonist is flawed and is NOT Superman (being invincible). Loving it.
On the first read:
I'll give it 3.5 stars. I was not satisfied with how it ended. Will I read on, yes...but I am going on and move away for a while. I love the story, love the protagonist and love that the author is getting other POV characters BUT, I was let down by the arc of this book...it was not a complete plot arc. I was left holding the bag...having to buy the next book to satisfy my enjoyment of this book. Not happy about that.
Challenging, dark, emotional, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25 Stars
On this reread, I raised the rating from 3.5 Stars to 4.25 Stars...I will explain, below:
When I first read this series, I didn't understand the way the series was structured, and became frustrated that our main character (the hero of the story) wasn't as heroic and wasn't accomplishing his goals as much as I wanted him to.
Now on this reread of the four plus books, I understand that in a "zombie/apocalyptic type story, there needs to be a "sense of dread...at all times" feeling. So, allowing the main character to succeed ALL the time...would diminish that goal.
Also, in the dystopian landscape, I can see Mad Max, The Road, and other shows and tenor in this story.
I actually DO love Captain Lee Harden, but in real life (without the knowledge of his backstory and progression that the reader KNOWS), I'm not sure that I'd agree with him on everything. I definitely would NOT agree with Jerry (I cannot stand people like him) and Professor. White. I'd be like Bus or Sergeant LaRouche (seeing his pluses, but also acknowledging that he has blind spots and failures, but is ultimately a good person).
BUT, the real question is, can a "good person" survive this type of event?
The new characters that were introduced into this story were incredibly well done. Just enough character reveals...to lower your guard, but then trip you up...at the end.
Let's talk about these endings. I am SO glad that I'm now binge reading them, for when I first picked up the book...I didn't have them all, and the cliffhanger endings were killing me. Now, I just pick up the next book...and the story resumes.
Really well done storytelling. Just enough bad things are happening, plus...our protagonist is flawed and is NOT Superman (being invincible). Loving it.
On the first read:
I'll give it 3.5 stars. I was not satisfied with how it ended. Will I read on, yes...but I am going on and move away for a while. I love the story, love the protagonist and love that the author is getting other POV characters BUT, I was let down by the arc of this book...it was not a complete plot arc. I was left holding the bag...having to buy the next book to satisfy my enjoyment of this book. Not happy about that.
October 10, 2013
Such a great series. I believe this book is so good because of the constant introspection, the reflecting, and the appropriate language used for the appropriate situation. The action is good, sturdy, gripping--but too much of it would be useless without the outstanding use of introspection from the characters. This makes the book memorable, making you wonder turn after turn of what you would do if shit hits the fan and the world collapses.
In this sequel, Captain Lee Harden is faced with the cold truth, served cold and putrid. The infected are adapting, colonizing a world lost to humans. The infected are gaining survival tactics much faster than human survivors are, and already Packs and Hunters are diversifying as a new species.
Humans seem to be more of a problem onto themselves than to the infected. Infected regard humans as a meal, yet humans cannot restrain themselves from fighting over turf, over who commands and who possess, who gives orders and who completes them, helping the infected wipe humans out for good.
The worst is brought out in humanity as chaos beautifully spreads with claws that drape survivors with fear and loathing. With inner conflicts, Camp Rider has slim chances of making it if between group leaders there is constant division of force.
For Lee things get ugly. Having been kept out of the loop, he is in for a surprise with his military comrades destined to deploy Project Hometown. With strange attacks menacing to kill him, Lee will unravel mayhem festering within the ranks of his comrades. The infected are yet another challenge as a surprise is set in motion: Women run scarce and are nowhere to be found. Where are the infected women? This poses a heart-pounding turn of events for human survivors. The infected will never die out. At this pace, they will outlive humans. Can't wait to read the next book!
In this sequel, Captain Lee Harden is faced with the cold truth, served cold and putrid. The infected are adapting, colonizing a world lost to humans. The infected are gaining survival tactics much faster than human survivors are, and already Packs and Hunters are diversifying as a new species.
Humans seem to be more of a problem onto themselves than to the infected. Infected regard humans as a meal, yet humans cannot restrain themselves from fighting over turf, over who commands and who possess, who gives orders and who completes them, helping the infected wipe humans out for good.
The worst is brought out in humanity as chaos beautifully spreads with claws that drape survivors with fear and loathing. With inner conflicts, Camp Rider has slim chances of making it if between group leaders there is constant division of force.
For Lee things get ugly. Having been kept out of the loop, he is in for a surprise with his military comrades destined to deploy Project Hometown. With strange attacks menacing to kill him, Lee will unravel mayhem festering within the ranks of his comrades. The infected are yet another challenge as a surprise is set in motion: Women run scarce and are nowhere to be found. Where are the infected women? This poses a heart-pounding turn of events for human survivors. The infected will never die out. At this pace, they will outlive humans. Can't wait to read the next book!
December 31, 2014
This series gets better with each book and has quickly become one of my favorites. Unlike, some other zombie series I've read, it maintains a even balance with world building, character development, terror created by the zombies and other hostile characters. The plot of each book builds upon the previous instalment, while creating more layers and complexity. It's incredibly amazing this is the author's first series, his writing is exciting and addictive. I've read, and enjoyed, other zombie/ military books but this series stands out. The writing has a "realistic" quality, the action and fighting are not overdone, making the characters seem tangible. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well written zombie novel. But, definitely start with book 1, The Remaining, you won't be disappointed!
December 16, 2014
The saga continues as Captain Lee Harden tries to rebuild society after a zombie apocalypse. The first two stories were fine, with Harden battling to survive. This books turns towards rebuilding, politics, and the underbelly of society.
Unfortunately, Harden starts becoming more of a superhero in this book, and becomes less interesting. The other characters also become flatter.
On the plus side, the saga takes on some new and interesting directions. Unfortunately, they are far-fetched and some of the action is just not believable.
Unfortunately, Harden starts becoming more of a superhero in this book, and becomes less interesting. The other characters also become flatter.
On the plus side, the saga takes on some new and interesting directions. Unfortunately, they are far-fetched and some of the action is just not believable.
August 24, 2013
Yep. This series keeps getting better.
March 14, 2016
Frustrating writing at times. Some of the MC's actions seem out of character for someone with this training. (3 star story - 4 star narration = 3.5 star overall) Listened to audiobook with hubby.
September 30, 2015
Fantastic. By far the best of the series...one, if not the best zombie book my geeky eyes have ever been set upon
March 8, 2018
Am loving this series! Can't get enough of Lee!! Such a beast!
May 23, 2018
Oh - the zombie apocalypse! This is the third in The Remaining series. One can definitely tell this series is written by a former military man, which is ok by me! Lee is trying to accomplish his mission of reestablishing civilization in central NC with a small group of survivors, Camp Ryder. They're establishing satellite sites around their area, using supplies from Lee's bunkers and their own survival skills. There are those within Camp Ryder who don't support Lee in his efforts of supporting all refugees who come to their doorstep, and enact a plan to thwart his efforts. Before they can succeed, however, there seems to be another group bent on taking Lee out for good. There's a lot of deception and intrigue within this installment's pages. I'm liking this series quite a bit - but not quite loving it yet! Recommended for adult readers and lovers of postapocalyptical genres.
June 25, 2023
This is a synopsis, not a review.
Spoilers inside.
Book starts out with Lee and a few people clearing out a town Lillingsomething. They bait the infected in with a bag of guts on a grill. When the infected come in close, they set off claymore mines and then open fire from rooftops. They set this town up as another outpost that is part of the greater Camp Ryder Hub. Professor White and his students (who don't like Lee) stay here. Lee gets a call on the radio from Camp Ryder that someone showed up looking for him. It's Jacob, guy from the last few pages of the 2nd book.
Jacob, is dehydrated and exhausted. He tells Lee that the millions of infected are migrating south like locusts. He also tells Lee the other operators from VA and MD are dead. As is Captain Mitchell. Lee holds a meeting with all the leaders for the Camp Ryder Hub. Jacob retells the story and answers questions. Lee wants to take a group east and funnel all the dead across a couple of choke points and thin out the herd. Professor White and [other politician like guy] want to head for the mountains, or stay put.
Lee has ??? stay behind and train the volunteers that want to go help out on the trip east.
On the way back they see a man, woman and child off the road. Jim (former priest) stops and yells after them to come back with them. The people walk off over a hill. A day or two later, the man (Eddie) shows up at the fence asking them to come help save his wife and kid that are holed up in a tractor trailer surrounded by dead. Lee and some guys do.
Another one of Lee's bunkers is on the other side of Smithfield, so Lee and a group head out to clear out Smithfield. Lee and LaRouche recon Smithfield and notice that there is a den where infected are bringing food back. The infected are being very cautious while doing so. A group of hunter infected come through and kill off some of the infected from the den. But the den infected seem to be protecting the den. Again, no female infected are seen.
Lee wants to see what is in the den.
The next morning Lee and company go to clear out the den. During their approach on foot, a sniper shoots Jake in the chest. The den infected show up and Lee's group take cover in a building. The infected follow the group up the stair well in the building. Lee's group fight while retreating and take out the den infected as they pursue up the stairs. Jake is stabilized and sent off with most of the group. Lee, Jim, and LaRouche head off to clear out the den.
They find a room in the den and toss a couple of frag grenades in the room before going in. Inside they find approx 10 dead females. All pregnant. Obviously everyone is concerned about the implications.
Lee wants to capture one of the pregnant infected.
We find that Professor White and Jerry are planning to overtake the compound by force.
Lee finds a dog at an old school and keeps him.
Lee and a group make a trip to another bunker to get supplies before the upcoming trip East. They stop by the airport and get some of the abandoned Nat Guard vehicles. On the approach to the bunker they take fire and someone gets killed. A firefight ensues. Lee circles around the guys, kills one immediately, and shoots the other as the guy is fleeing. He gets a few minutes to question the guy. The guy is a soldier and calls Lee a traitor. He tells Lee others are coming for him.
On the way back to Camp Ryder there is a man in the middle of the road. Lee stops the car and finds that he knows the man. It is another Operator. Lee knocks him out and takes him back to Camp Ryder.
Lee talks to the guy (Brian Tomlinson) and gets the back story. Lee is in trouble for leaving his bunker early (in book one). The Secretary of State has taken over the presidency. (claiming that everyone else is dead). Secretary of State is declaring the East Coast lost and no more bunkers are to be used. They need to be kept for the future when the government decides to use them. He has therefore instructed (Al somebody) to take out Lee since Lee keeps taking supplies. Brian informs Lee that there is probably already a mole in his compound.
Lee sends the two groups off, one heading East, and one heading North and then East, without him. He needs to deal with the Brian situation. The two groups head off. LaRouche's group runs across a group heading west. They are fleeing from The Followers. They are stealing the women and killing the men that don't join them.
Lee asks Eddie to go back to the airport and see if they can get some of the vehicles running. The guy ends up being the mole and tells Lee "i'm sorry, you don't deserve this" and shoots Lee in the head.
The takeover happens, and Bus has Brian flee so they can go for help. Jerry "accidently" shoots Bus with the shot gun and kills him. Jerry makes sure his guys knew that Jerry thought Bus was going for his gun. Angela(lady that Lee saved in book one, along with her daughter) was there and screams out that Jerry is a murder and the others are cowards. Jerry has her locked up in the shipping container that Brian was locked up in. Brian escaped because the back corner was rusted through. Brian is able to escape after he is spotted and fired upon.
Lee wakes up on the side of a road with his dog barking to signal that infected are coming. He runs off. Bullet bounced off his skull.
Spoilers inside.
Book starts out with Lee and a few people clearing out a town Lillingsomething. They bait the infected in with a bag of guts on a grill. When the infected come in close, they set off claymore mines and then open fire from rooftops. They set this town up as another outpost that is part of the greater Camp Ryder Hub. Professor White and his students (who don't like Lee) stay here. Lee gets a call on the radio from Camp Ryder that someone showed up looking for him. It's Jacob, guy from the last few pages of the 2nd book.
Jacob, is dehydrated and exhausted. He tells Lee that the millions of infected are migrating south like locusts. He also tells Lee the other operators from VA and MD are dead. As is Captain Mitchell. Lee holds a meeting with all the leaders for the Camp Ryder Hub. Jacob retells the story and answers questions. Lee wants to take a group east and funnel all the dead across a couple of choke points and thin out the herd. Professor White and [other politician like guy] want to head for the mountains, or stay put.
Lee has ??? stay behind and train the volunteers that want to go help out on the trip east.
On the way back they see a man, woman and child off the road. Jim (former priest) stops and yells after them to come back with them. The people walk off over a hill. A day or two later, the man (Eddie) shows up at the fence asking them to come help save his wife and kid that are holed up in a tractor trailer surrounded by dead. Lee and some guys do.
Another one of Lee's bunkers is on the other side of Smithfield, so Lee and a group head out to clear out Smithfield. Lee and LaRouche recon Smithfield and notice that there is a den where infected are bringing food back. The infected are being very cautious while doing so. A group of hunter infected come through and kill off some of the infected from the den. But the den infected seem to be protecting the den. Again, no female infected are seen.
Lee wants to see what is in the den.
The next morning Lee and company go to clear out the den. During their approach on foot, a sniper shoots Jake in the chest. The den infected show up and Lee's group take cover in a building. The infected follow the group up the stair well in the building. Lee's group fight while retreating and take out the den infected as they pursue up the stairs. Jake is stabilized and sent off with most of the group. Lee, Jim, and LaRouche head off to clear out the den.
They find a room in the den and toss a couple of frag grenades in the room before going in. Inside they find approx 10 dead females. All pregnant. Obviously everyone is concerned about the implications.
Lee wants to capture one of the pregnant infected.
We find that Professor White and Jerry are planning to overtake the compound by force.
Lee finds a dog at an old school and keeps him.
Lee and a group make a trip to another bunker to get supplies before the upcoming trip East. They stop by the airport and get some of the abandoned Nat Guard vehicles. On the approach to the bunker they take fire and someone gets killed. A firefight ensues. Lee circles around the guys, kills one immediately, and shoots the other as the guy is fleeing. He gets a few minutes to question the guy. The guy is a soldier and calls Lee a traitor. He tells Lee others are coming for him.
On the way back to Camp Ryder there is a man in the middle of the road. Lee stops the car and finds that he knows the man. It is another Operator. Lee knocks him out and takes him back to Camp Ryder.
Lee talks to the guy (Brian Tomlinson) and gets the back story. Lee is in trouble for leaving his bunker early (in book one). The Secretary of State has taken over the presidency. (claiming that everyone else is dead). Secretary of State is declaring the East Coast lost and no more bunkers are to be used. They need to be kept for the future when the government decides to use them. He has therefore instructed (Al somebody) to take out Lee since Lee keeps taking supplies. Brian informs Lee that there is probably already a mole in his compound.
Lee sends the two groups off, one heading East, and one heading North and then East, without him. He needs to deal with the Brian situation. The two groups head off. LaRouche's group runs across a group heading west. They are fleeing from The Followers. They are stealing the women and killing the men that don't join them.
Lee asks Eddie to go back to the airport and see if they can get some of the vehicles running. The guy ends up being the mole and tells Lee "i'm sorry, you don't deserve this" and shoots Lee in the head.
The takeover happens, and Bus has Brian flee so they can go for help. Jerry "accidently" shoots Bus with the shot gun and kills him. Jerry makes sure his guys knew that Jerry thought Bus was going for his gun. Angela(lady that Lee saved in book one, along with her daughter) was there and screams out that Jerry is a murder and the others are cowards. Jerry has her locked up in the shipping container that Brian was locked up in. Brian escaped because the back corner was rusted through. Brian is able to escape after he is spotted and fired upon.
Lee wakes up on the side of a road with his dog barking to signal that infected are coming. He runs off. Bullet bounced off his skull.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2021
I loved every book in this series so far. I'm on book #4 Fractured. Great read. Rivetting story.
January 11, 2025
Honestly I feel the same way about this book as I did the 2nd. Still enjoying reading with my dad even when things get incredibly unrealistic or hard to rationalize in my mind
October 19, 2025
I’ve read four books by DJ Molles and I have finished each one within a week of starting it. Molles has a gift for pacing. His books keeps me turning pages (and occasionally peeking ahead). Each book keeps ratcheting up the tension and suspense pulling me deeper into his world every time. Bravo!
I am pissed I have to wait for my next book in the series to be shipped.
I am pissed I have to wait for my next book in the series to be shipped.
April 28, 2017
It was good but not as good or compelling as the first 2 books in the series.
May 1, 2023
Too many villains coming from all different sides. Not the strongest one in the series so far.
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