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Arisen: Operators #1
The Fall of the Third Temple
A girl traumatized by the murder of her tribe.
A battle-worn woman who became the perfect machine for survival, and the deadliest special operator on Earth.
Now with the entire world collapsing around her, and safety – and Alpha Team – 10,000 miles away…
Strap in for the opening salvo of the ARISEN : Operators epic – the biggest and most explosive ARISEN adventure yet, and the untold story of the pipe-hitting operators of the Unified Special Operations Command during the first two years of the Zulu Alpha. But to have any chance of reaching safety in Fortress Britain, Master Sergeant Yaël Sion must first escape the collapsing gravity well of Israel, as it’s devoured from within by merciless jihadi fighters, striking in the chaos of rampaging hordes of infected civilians, all in a global pandemic spiraling out of control. She must then cross a million square miles of open water, surviving one lethal trial after another, embracing and sacrificing allies, all while keeping herself mobile, supplied, and clinging to life. But she will also have to confront and defeat her own demons, learning that solitude is not the only path to survival, and other people are not always a lethal threat… if she is to find a reason for staying alive at all.
The Fall of the Third Temple
THE END STARTS HERE
ARISEN
Hope Never Dies
A battle-worn woman who became the perfect machine for survival, and the deadliest special operator on Earth.
Now with the entire world collapsing around her, and safety – and Alpha Team – 10,000 miles away…
Strap in for the opening salvo of the ARISEN : Operators epic – the biggest and most explosive ARISEN adventure yet, and the untold story of the pipe-hitting operators of the Unified Special Operations Command during the first two years of the Zulu Alpha. But to have any chance of reaching safety in Fortress Britain, Master Sergeant Yaël Sion must first escape the collapsing gravity well of Israel, as it’s devoured from within by merciless jihadi fighters, striking in the chaos of rampaging hordes of infected civilians, all in a global pandemic spiraling out of control. She must then cross a million square miles of open water, surviving one lethal trial after another, embracing and sacrificing allies, all while keeping herself mobile, supplied, and clinging to life. But she will also have to confront and defeat her own demons, learning that solitude is not the only path to survival, and other people are not always a lethal threat… if she is to find a reason for staying alive at all.
The Fall of the Third Temple
THE END STARTS HERE
ARISEN
Hope Never Dies
573 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2023
399 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Michael Stephen Fuchs
57 books489 followersMICHAEL STEPHEN FUCHS is author of the #1 bestselling epic ARISEN series of special-operations military ZA novels, which have repeatedly been Amazon #1 bestsellers in Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction, #1 in Dystopian Science Fiction, #1 in Military Science Fiction, #1 in War Fiction, and #1 in War & Military Action Fiction, as well as Amazon overall Top 100 bestsellers. The series as a whole has sold over 1.5 million copies. The audiobook editions, performed by R.C. Bray, have generated over $5 million in revenue. He is also author of the D-Boys series of high-tech special-operations military adventure novels, which include
D-Boys
,
Counter-Assault
, and Close Quarters Battle (coming in 2026); as well as the existential cyberthrillers
The Manuscript
and
Pandora’s Sisters
, both published worldwide by Macmillan in hardback, paperback and all e-book formats (and in translation). He lives in London and blogs at www.michaelfuchs.org/razorsedge. You can follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, or by e-mail.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 24, 2023
Another great addition to the Arisen series. Not 100% sold, yet, on the main character Yael, but we'll see how things play out in the next one.
November 18, 2023
Just keeps getting better
I've been reading the Arisen series since the beginning. I can't get enough of the writing style of Michael Fuchs. He definitely knows how to tell an apocalypse story.
I've been reading the Arisen series since the beginning. I can't get enough of the writing style of Michael Fuchs. He definitely knows how to tell an apocalypse story.
November 29, 2023
Fuchs at his best
For authentic action, all the bells and whistles of operators' kit, Arisen: Operators has it all. Great SOF action centered on an Israeli operator in elite fighting unit. Nail-biting fights against enemies of Israel living and dead. Read this at your direst of threats to your sleep! Between being unable to stop reading at decent hour, to losing sleep parsing the action, fear, adrenaline and gut-checking excitement found between the covers of this elite pipehitter masterwork!
For first rate characters and master storytelling this exciting re-entrance to the Arisen universe has everything you wanted in your combat pack, plus overloading your bugout bag! I'm happy to invest in a new look at Arisen! You'll love this! It's a great read!
For authentic action, all the bells and whistles of operators' kit, Arisen: Operators has it all. Great SOF action centered on an Israeli operator in elite fighting unit. Nail-biting fights against enemies of Israel living and dead. Read this at your direst of threats to your sleep! Between being unable to stop reading at decent hour, to losing sleep parsing the action, fear, adrenaline and gut-checking excitement found between the covers of this elite pipehitter masterwork!
For first rate characters and master storytelling this exciting re-entrance to the Arisen universe has everything you wanted in your combat pack, plus overloading your bugout bag! I'm happy to invest in a new look at Arisen! You'll love this! It's a great read!
March 30, 2025
An exhilarating and blood rushing read. That's what this book will give you. It starts off introducing the main character Yaël when she's a little seven year old girl. Telling us how she craves the freedom that the desert of her homeland in Israel offers. While leading us into the story of the brutal massacre of her family and how she was the lone survivor. It then jumps to her as a SPEC OP tier 1 operator that loves to go against orders and go solo during missions to make sure the objectives are complete. While on a mission in Gaza the beginning of the end. Meaning that they face the start of the zombie apocalypse all while the external conflict between Israel and Palestine is still in full swing with both sides suffering massive casualties. Mostly due to the infection of the zombie apocalypse that is raging while they are at war. Following Yaël at this time we see that she chooses to escape her homeland leaving behind her team and friends. She fights a war all while avoiding the plague until she escapes into the mediterranean sea on a military vessel that she can pilot on her own. The demons of her childhood follow her even harder during this time as she has to face time and time again the horrible decisions of leaving people behind in order to save herself. This is through the fall of strongholds and floating fortresses to a family that she meets that is just out camping that the little girl reminds her of her past self. All the while it will leave you on the edge of your seat and craving the next thrille or moral dilemma that Yaël has to face. .
This book will start off as a slow burn that will get your blood boiling and end up keeping you up at night with your veins feeling like they're filled with lava. I highly recommend this book as it is a stellar read. Definitely a book that will go into the list of books that kept me up way past my bedtime without me knowing that time had passed.
This book will start off as a slow burn that will get your blood boiling and end up keeping you up at night with your veins feeling like they're filled with lava. I highly recommend this book as it is a stellar read. Definitely a book that will go into the list of books that kept me up way past my bedtime without me knowing that time had passed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2025
This was possibly the most exciting, engaging, infuriating and thrilling book I’ve ever read. It is beautifully and impeccably written, with just enough foreshadowing and self reflection to really let you get to know the FMC. And yeah- having a woman as a Tier One Operator was cool as fuck.
The main character, Sael, is as complicated a character that I’ve ever encountered. I was rooting for her the entire time, even though in the midst of the zombie apocalypse she makes some stunning choices, both professionally and personally. Most books or other venues will feature a character who is the hero and is absolutely going to survive, no matter what. But when she doesn’t do THE heroic thing, that of saving others when it might be possible, it slaps you in the face how serious she is about surviving. Of course as the body count stacks up she hesitantly starts to soften her “Sael First” policy and does a bit more to actually help who she can, but never to the detriment of her own safety.
I’m truly conflicted about what I feel about her- I admire her resolve and accomplishments while also hating the thought of being in the same room with this badass sociopath. In other words I’m absolutely hooked and cannot wait to get to the next book. And I cannot tell you how excited I was when I realized that this is not the first book in the Arisen series!!! So much zombie slaying and ass kicking reading in my immediate future I may just skip the dentist today.
The main character, Sael, is as complicated a character that I’ve ever encountered. I was rooting for her the entire time, even though in the midst of the zombie apocalypse she makes some stunning choices, both professionally and personally. Most books or other venues will feature a character who is the hero and is absolutely going to survive, no matter what. But when she doesn’t do THE heroic thing, that of saving others when it might be possible, it slaps you in the face how serious she is about surviving. Of course as the body count stacks up she hesitantly starts to soften her “Sael First” policy and does a bit more to actually help who she can, but never to the detriment of her own safety.
I’m truly conflicted about what I feel about her- I admire her resolve and accomplishments while also hating the thought of being in the same room with this badass sociopath. In other words I’m absolutely hooked and cannot wait to get to the next book. And I cannot tell you how excited I was when I realized that this is not the first book in the Arisen series!!! So much zombie slaying and ass kicking reading in my immediate future I may just skip the dentist today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2025
Well, this is the first in a series of books dealing with a “Walking Dead” style zombie apocalypse, World War Z also comes to mind. I am happy to namedrop films and TV series as the author himself can’t stop doing it. Clever at first it does soon irritate.
Yaël is a hard nosed operator in the Israeli Defence Force and this starts with the worldwide zombie break out and Israel using its forces to try and protect their country.. as civilisation breaks down she is forced to take off alone and use her considerable skills to stay alive. Cue lots of mini high action adventures as she tries to find sanctuary, a bit like a video game where you complete levels. She’s also a hard character to like.
It’s not bad, the author loves to detail weapons and load outs and is an obvious big fan of Israel and it’s IDF (part of book sales go to supporting IDF veterans and causes), this may not sit well with some readers so I feel it important to mention it.
Would I read the next in the series? Not sure. I’d want less history and politics and more of the action side, but there are good bits to this.
Yaël is a hard nosed operator in the Israeli Defence Force and this starts with the worldwide zombie break out and Israel using its forces to try and protect their country.. as civilisation breaks down she is forced to take off alone and use her considerable skills to stay alive. Cue lots of mini high action adventures as she tries to find sanctuary, a bit like a video game where you complete levels. She’s also a hard character to like.
It’s not bad, the author loves to detail weapons and load outs and is an obvious big fan of Israel and it’s IDF (part of book sales go to supporting IDF veterans and causes), this may not sit well with some readers so I feel it important to mention it.
Would I read the next in the series? Not sure. I’d want less history and politics and more of the action side, but there are good bits to this.
October 21, 2023
yes! A must read for ZA fans.
First of all a female operator, and the book was totally about her. Yes. Second of all the book was nonstop full of action. The character development. was so complex you could not even figure out what was going on in this characters head. The action was post pounding, and like most of the Office books you did not know if the character will survive or not. no spoilers. The only operational hiccup I saw in her story was when she was surrounded by the turks she should have wounded them, left them for the Zulu, which would’ve helped her to escape. That’s my only flaw with the story. finished it in one sitting. OK one and a half sitting. Had to sleep a little bit. I like this but much better than the Raiders series. Excellent character can’t wait for the next book. This is well worth the read and I do not give out five stars that often. If you like previous books in this series, you enjoy this one, immensely if not, give this one a shot it can stand alone.
First of all a female operator, and the book was totally about her. Yes. Second of all the book was nonstop full of action. The character development. was so complex you could not even figure out what was going on in this characters head. The action was post pounding, and like most of the Office books you did not know if the character will survive or not. no spoilers. The only operational hiccup I saw in her story was when she was surrounded by the turks she should have wounded them, left them for the Zulu, which would’ve helped her to escape. That’s my only flaw with the story. finished it in one sitting. OK one and a half sitting. Had to sleep a little bit. I like this but much better than the Raiders series. Excellent character can’t wait for the next book. This is well worth the read and I do not give out five stars that often. If you like previous books in this series, you enjoy this one, immensely if not, give this one a shot it can stand alone.
March 22, 2025
A daughter of land’s promised and held
This book takes elements of a truly amazing series has we finally get a look into the finale days of the Middle East and threw the Mediterranean.
I can say this book was delved deeply into the psych of a female Spec-ops warrior has she must work threw the spiritual and emotional impact has the world comes a horror filled end. Rarly do I find the female POV properly understood by male authors but Fuchs hits right on the head has brings to life a full person with history and desires. Do I felt he went way to much into her family tree at times but besides that the protagonist was the hero we wanted but the one who will survive so are doesn’t end.
This book takes elements of a truly amazing series has we finally get a look into the finale days of the Middle East and threw the Mediterranean.
I can say this book was delved deeply into the psych of a female Spec-ops warrior has she must work threw the spiritual and emotional impact has the world comes a horror filled end. Rarly do I find the female POV properly understood by male authors but Fuchs hits right on the head has brings to life a full person with history and desires. Do I felt he went way to much into her family tree at times but besides that the protagonist was the hero we wanted but the one who will survive so are doesn’t end.
September 24, 2024
A poor addition to the ever expanding Arisen collection.
There's the gratuitous gun-porn with copious detail of every weapon mentioned - which I expected, there's improbable adventures and coincidence - which I could mostly overlook, and there's the usual American out of date stereotyping of other countries which is becoming Fuchs' default setting.
But there's also clumsy writing, a 'done better lots of times before' storyline, and a thoroughly unconvincing main character whose mostly irritating.
The only redeeming thing about this latest Arisen offering is the audio version, which again is read by the inimitable R. C. Bray.
Next time try harder.
There's the gratuitous gun-porn with copious detail of every weapon mentioned - which I expected, there's improbable adventures and coincidence - which I could mostly overlook, and there's the usual American out of date stereotyping of other countries which is becoming Fuchs' default setting.
But there's also clumsy writing, a 'done better lots of times before' storyline, and a thoroughly unconvincing main character whose mostly irritating.
The only redeeming thing about this latest Arisen offering is the audio version, which again is read by the inimitable R. C. Bray.
Next time try harder.
December 2, 2023
I've read and enjoyed all these books.
Having said that, I have one quibble. Who gives a rats ass if the character is hot? The author goes out of his way to slap the reader in the face with it instead letting the reader figure it from his development of the character. Seriously, its like roller skating over marbles every time he does it. It's like he's angling for a screen play in not so subtle clumsy manner. As if the actress wouldn't be hot anyway. Character development Michael, its more graceful bludgeoning the reader.
Having said that, I have one quibble. Who gives a rats ass if the character is hot? The author goes out of his way to slap the reader in the face with it instead letting the reader figure it from his development of the character. Seriously, its like roller skating over marbles every time he does it. It's like he's angling for a screen play in not so subtle clumsy manner. As if the actress wouldn't be hot anyway. Character development Michael, its more graceful bludgeoning the reader.
Read
October 18, 2023This ended up being ripped from the headlines
I can't praise this author and this series enough. Just when I think it can't get any better, I get my mind blown all over again. The character development in this book is exquisite. The pacing of the action didn't allow me to put this book down. Once again, I lost a night of sleep.
If you are thinking about getting this book, don't hesitate!
I can't praise this author and this series enough. Just when I think it can't get any better, I get my mind blown all over again. The character development in this book is exquisite. The pacing of the action didn't allow me to put this book down. Once again, I lost a night of sleep.
If you are thinking about getting this book, don't hesitate!
November 3, 2023
As we begin the story of a little girl named Yael, we are instantly drawn to her. Fast forward and she has become a lethal weapon, with many facets to her character. Cold, aloof and deadly, but underneath it all she has very conflicting emotions. This book was everything I wanted in a story. Plenty of action and excitement and heart stopping moments. Another thrilling book in the Arisen universe. Brilliant Mr Fuchs.
November 21, 2023
HOLY SHEEET!
He’s back! And better than ever! If you have not read the ARISEN series then thank your lucky stars because your world is about to be rocked! This is still the best fiction series of any genre, no questions asked.
The new Operators book does not disappoint. I don’t know how he does it, but he does! Damn, this stuff is gold! For fans of Clancy, Thor, Greaney, Nealen, Flynn, et. al, welcome to your new favorite author!
He’s back! And better than ever! If you have not read the ARISEN series then thank your lucky stars because your world is about to be rocked! This is still the best fiction series of any genre, no questions asked.
The new Operators book does not disappoint. I don’t know how he does it, but he does! Damn, this stuff is gold! For fans of Clancy, Thor, Greaney, Nealen, Flynn, et. al, welcome to your new favorite author!
June 15, 2025
It was good to hear the whole Arisen story written from a different person's perspective and in a different country to the USA but unfortunately the heroine wasnt very likeable and for most of the book I didnt care if she survived and was actually rooting against her!
She also seemed to make lots of really bad choices throughout the book which for someone who was meant to be the best of the best was really quite annoying.
She also seemed to make lots of really bad choices throughout the book which for someone who was meant to be the best of the best was really quite annoying.
June 29, 2025
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "ARISEN" This Apocalypse thriller is well written full of enemies, intrigue, intense drama, action, fear, anger, a very interesting read.
Trying to survive whats happened to the world, the dealing with the dead, the apocalyspe story will have you on edge, if you like that kind of story just not my cup of tea.
I'd rather watch a show about this for me, reading it just didn't appeal my opinion only.
Trying to survive whats happened to the world, the dealing with the dead, the apocalyspe story will have you on edge, if you like that kind of story just not my cup of tea.
I'd rather watch a show about this for me, reading it just didn't appeal my opinion only.
October 30, 2023
Omfg!!!! This book was absolutely fantastic! That ending gave me chills and my eyes started to water lol. I don’t know how the next book is gonna go, with Yael added in, considering we know how this epic story ends. But I’m here for it 100%. I can’t wait to get into the next book. This is gonna be great 😊
November 17, 2023
No shit page turner.
Wow, the authors have exceeded their previous epic adventures with this moment by moment thriller. The heroine is an amazingly accomplished IDF species trooper with an uncanny knack to be in the wrong place at the wrong time again and again but will she survive the apocalypse? Read on my friend, just don't make any other plans.
Wow, the authors have exceeded their previous epic adventures with this moment by moment thriller. The heroine is an amazingly accomplished IDF species trooper with an uncanny knack to be in the wrong place at the wrong time again and again but will she survive the apocalypse? Read on my friend, just don't make any other plans.
December 27, 2023
Slow start to the book with no zombies showing up until about 20% into the book. But once the main character gets into the thick of it, it doesn't stop until the end of the book. I initially wanted to give it four stars, but the last 80% of the book more than made up for the slower start and lengthy character development. Another great Arisen universe novel from MSF.
February 18, 2024
Arisen fans, MSF has delivered AGAIN!!
I was absolutely PSYCHED when I discovered that a new story arc for this series had been written. Absolutely ate up the few Raiders books and had pretty much resigned myself to having to put this incredible story to bed. But NO! This new story was incredible!! I can’t WAIT for the next book! Keep it up Michael! You are HIM!
I was absolutely PSYCHED when I discovered that a new story arc for this series had been written. Absolutely ate up the few Raiders books and had pretty much resigned myself to having to put this incredible story to bed. But NO! This new story was incredible!! I can’t WAIT for the next book! Keep it up Michael! You are HIM!
September 1, 2024
TONS of action
This story had a lot of action but little plot. The main character was just too unbelievable and very unlikeable l. I could not find any emotion for her except for extreme dislike. She kept finding good, kind people wanting to help her and kept crapping on them. It ruined the book for me.
This story had a lot of action but little plot. The main character was just too unbelievable and very unlikeable l. I could not find any emotion for her except for extreme dislike. She kept finding good, kind people wanting to help her and kept crapping on them. It ruined the book for me.
Read
April 29, 2025You are taken on a journey that involves Israel and Palestinians in war that has Israel invading Gaza , but thing get real strange people are eating people . A special forces get involved and try to survive there is one a women soldier that wants to survive and help keep others alive also . This wear the author keeps you wanting more and dose a good job doing it.
October 29, 2023
MSF, you damn tease
As expected, Michael Stephen Fuchs has crafted another stay-up-all-night special. It was amazing from start to finish, and I’m so happy it came out early! Can’t wait for the next one, and can’t wait for the audiobook!
As expected, Michael Stephen Fuchs has crafted another stay-up-all-night special. It was amazing from start to finish, and I’m so happy it came out early! Can’t wait for the next one, and can’t wait for the audiobook!
January 13, 2024
Good setup
Good setup for a new slant on the Arisen series. Looking forward to it but I must say it's easier finding a series with 10 books out so the new ones come out before I get to the end lol
Good setup for a new slant on the Arisen series. Looking forward to it but I must say it's easier finding a series with 10 books out so the new ones come out before I get to the end lol
January 26, 2024
fucking good
Being a woman I like kick ass stories about a winner, but it was a little hard with all the techno weapons. I just think of as rifles or pistols that can kill things. Liked her not giving up for anything. Give them hell.
Being a woman I like kick ass stories about a winner, but it was a little hard with all the techno weapons. I just think of as rifles or pistols that can kill things. Liked her not giving up for anything. Give them hell.
February 5, 2024
Arisen : Operators volm1
This was a totally badass book to read, especially with what is going on in our world today. Sometimes hits a little too close to home. Love the way to tie the ending with the characters in your original books.
This was a totally badass book to read, especially with what is going on in our world today. Sometimes hits a little too close to home. Love the way to tie the ending with the characters in your original books.
February 19, 2024
Excellent Action Thriller
To paraphrase ACDC "If You Want Action You Got It." Another page turner from Mr Fuchs, I read until early morning to finish it. Definitely a solid start to a new storyline.
To paraphrase ACDC "If You Want Action You Got It." Another page turner from Mr Fuchs, I read until early morning to finish it. Definitely a solid start to a new storyline.
March 25, 2024
Fantastic
This book had me up late. In a world where it’s hard to find intelligence and alpha male or in this case female kick ass edge of your seat action this book brings it!!! Trust me ! Ready up get comfortable because when you start you’re not going to want to put it down.
This book had me up late. In a world where it’s hard to find intelligence and alpha male or in this case female kick ass edge of your seat action this book brings it!!! Trust me ! Ready up get comfortable because when you start you’re not going to want to put it down.
July 6, 2024
Absolutely outstanding zombie apocalypse fiction.
Being on your on is good and bad.. Loved the quote, wherever you go there you are.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
I look forward to the next one.
Being on your on is good and bad.. Loved the quote, wherever you go there you are.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
I look forward to the next one.
July 17, 2024
Jh review Operators.
Fanyastic book...I have had the pleasure of working with the IDF in MWO environment. They are the most professional and competent soldiers in the world. They bring TEAMWORK to the pinnacle.
Fanyastic book...I have had the pleasure of working with the IDF in MWO environment. They are the most professional and competent soldiers in the world. They bring TEAMWORK to the pinnacle.
May 2, 2025
Action packed from start to finish. An epic narrative which keeps you on the edge of your seat. Very informative, descriptive and contains, humour, danger and so much more. Trying to survive a Zombie Apocalypse is no easy task and Yaël is certainly put through her paces. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews