The Risen

by Hayley Anderton

Levi had a rough start to life, but it doesn't get much rougher than landing yourself in the zombie apocalypse.

He just wants to get his head down and finish community service, but when fast-moving zombies start filling the streets and the darkest side of humanity is unveiled, he discovers that survival is about more than just staying alive.

Misfits meets 28 Days Later in this zombie apocalypse thriller.

Genres: Horror

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2024

About the author

Hayley Anderton is an author, reader, baker and crazy cat lady, born and raised in the North West of England. She strives for diversity in her writing, and believes that books can change the world. She graduated from John Moores University in 2017, and is now searching for her next adventure.

Reviews

[Becks! · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐'s

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot, though these three novellas should have simply been one novel. Perfect scary zombie vibes (and fast ones, ugh). This was a bit generic, hitting all the standard zombie plot/emotion beats, but in a way that worked well and gave me exactly what I was looking for. I didn’t connect too much with the characters but was enthralled by the plot and this was a page turner; this makes sense as this was definitely more of a plot-based story. Not trying to dump on the characters too much as there was backstory and big feelings, but the novella was too short for a stronger connection IMO.

This first novella was a perfect first third of a zombie book. Honestly no notes. Just a terrible cliffhanger

Its always a funny choice to me for the characters in a book to have never heard of the concept of zombies before (slightly alternate world I suppose).

[Toni L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whole new zombie series from Anderton! A fab YA horror, full of tension and complex characters. This felt incredibly fast paced and suspenseful - nobody is safe in this new apocalypse!

[Jessica Huntley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's this? A new YA zombie horror series by Hayley Anderton. Yes please!

Already hooked and loving the diversity of the characters. Poor Margaret though. Didn't last long, did she? 🤣

What I love about this book is that the main characters have depth. You learn to care about them quickly and want them to succeed. I am here for it!

[Claire Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great opening to the story of how the zombie apocalypse began. I like Levi and Helena, they seem to be exactly what the other needs. Harper and Jaz seem like a couple of badasses, too. I didn't like Kieren and I don't know about Maria yet, it's too soon. Anyway, onto book 2, The Lost.

[Scarlettz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much I found it hard to put down

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out on October 7th, Hayley Anderton, Queen of the Zombie Killers, has done it again! 😈 If you're looking for a zombie book, this one is for you...

- Fast zombies (excuse me while I cry)
- Characters with emotional depth. Levi is my best friend who I've known my whole life, yet this is only a novella. Hayley did such a fantastic job bringing him to life. As well as the other characters too. It makes me scared to keep reading. I don't want to lose anyone!
- As above... a novella (I started last night and finished this lunchtime) but also part of a series
- Set in Liverpool, which I fucking loved!! My Liverpool mind map isn't too great but I visited a couple of years ago and loved imagining the characters running through some of these areas! I probably won't go back now though cos Hayley has frightened me.

Hayley is the co-author of my all time fav, the Apocalypse series. I was worried my mind might cross over the books/characters but despite the zombies, they're really different books! I only finished book 10 in the apocalypse series yesterday but nothing felt familiar (other than those naughty biters!!) The setting is different, the characters different and the situation in general felt different too.

I'm not sure if this was the intention, but some scenes reminded me of Shaun of The Dead. The zombie in the dark alley way, the attempting to save someone from a flat etc. Some of the humour! And Hayley does such a brill job of mixing that dark humour with real emotion and grief. And a character still caught up on the past despite being in the zombie apocalypse? Yes! I love all this.

Harper, come save me too.

Right enough from me! Go grab this one for Halloween!!

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Risen is the first book in a new series The Risen by Hayley Anderton. The Risen is about a zombie apocalypse. Something has caused humans to rise as the undead and attack.

These zombies are fast. They act like they are running in a 5k race they are so quick. Which means if you want to live you have to be faster. These zombies are on you before you know it. They are strong too. They can even pull you out of a car if you are not strapped in.

The Risen starts a little slow as we get to know the characters. When the zombies come to life it is on as the action picks up. It only gets better from here on out as we race with the characters to safety. The descriptions are so well done that you almost feel as if you running with the characters as you are feeling what they are.

I love me some zombies and can’t ever get enough of them. The Risen is one of the best zombie books I have ever read. I can’t wait to dive into book two The Lost, especially after that ending.

The Risen does end on a cliffhanger. Well, it may not be a cliffhanger so much as the beginning of the next book The Lost. Anyway, I can’t wait to see where it takes us. I can’t wait to see what awaits the characters.

I most definitely recommend grabbing a copy of The Risen today!

[Jack Glasgow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic opening book of a new dystopian series from HA!!

This book shares the thrilling, nail biting moments you'll be accustomed to do from her Apocalypse series, but differentiates itself with a smaller cast, allowing for more focus on the characters present. Levi is a flawed but likeable protagonist, his self-loathing for his past balanced out by his unerring, unconditional support from his best friend Helena.

The series focuses on not just physically surviving the apocalypse, but also takes a deeper look into mental health problems and wellbeing, and I'm interested to see where the next book in the series takes this!

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good zombie novella

Fast and strong zombies?! That is next-level thinking!

This was a very good YA horror novella, the first one in a series by Hayley Anderton.

It started a little slow with getting to know the main characters, but it evolved into full action. The adrenaline level this book raised in me was high! I felt like I was almost right there with Levi and his friends. And the ending? Oh my God! I need to get to the second book ASAP.

It was well-written, and there was a good level of complexity in the characters.

This is a definite must-read if you love zombies!

[Celine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the ending of this! I love when the goodguys win and the bad guys get... well, they get what's coming to them.

I cannot say I feel sorry, not one bit.

Also, this took a bit of a different turn than I was expecting. Because the zombies are so overpowered. They're like crazy scary. And I've no doubt so many people are or could die in the second one. These zombies must've been fed like steroids or something. I've never seen a zombie story take this turn. But it was interesting and definitely ramped up the tension.

It was a fast read and exciting!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you want something short and easy to read, Hayleys are my go-to! I really enjoyed her Last Girls and Earth series, so I was excited to try another of her series! This isn't something that I would normally read, but I enjoyed it! It has everything you would expect from Hayley, found family, loveable characters, and super quick and easy to get into and read and that ending??? Talk about cliffhanger! I'll be reading book 2 shortly

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part One of a Three Part Zombie story and it shows.

I still plan to read the other two since they are short and easy to read. Characters are diverse, I have my favorites of course :) The pacing feels a little off for me and I feel if this was all a single story it wouldn't. Left on a predictable cliff hanger.

For this its a Solid 3.

[Aly Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

jumped in blind and immediately thought this was Misfits with zombies. i chuckled when i saw that was literally in the book description. really enjoyed it, will definitely be reading the rest of the series

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved! I am a fan of all things zombies and really loved the misfits vibes. It was not too long or drawn out. But you really get a feel for the characters and become very invested. Also, Kieran deserved it. Can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Kirsty Balloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great zombie read by Hayley can't wait to read more

[Ashley Springs · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ but I rounded up.
Now I’m invested and got the 2nd book isn’t this series.
But I REALLLLLLLYYYYYYYY need Levi to frickin grow a pair.

[Yaiza · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine. Short as fuck. No wonder author has 3 books on this series. Quick read, entertaining.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 im mad. Why would you end the book like this😭

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of the series, love that it’s based in Liverpool, loved the cliffhanger ending, makes me want to jump right into the next book!