What do you think?
Rate this book
Zach Gunderson and his friends have carved out a life for themselves in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by zombies. But, survival is a daily struggle. In addition to frequent encounters with hostile humans, Zach has discovered something very sinister about the zombies.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2014
237 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
David Achord
16 books147 followersAfter being honorably discharged as a Sergeant in the United States Army, David Achord found his true calling in law enforcement. His twenty-five year career included stints with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. A lifelong Tennessee native, he is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and Cumberland University.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
July 11, 2020
I think I’m good with this series .... this book is like watching The Walking Dead but in book version.
January 16, 2015
The first book had some promise, this is just utter drivel.
A 17 year old boy goes from a wimp to a guy that shoots and kicks ass like a seasoned Marine in just a few months - kicking ass of both zombies, military personell and ex police officers alike. His know-it-all persona, combined with the utterly non-believable concept of ALL the totally one-dimentional girls in this book falling head over heels for him is just too much.
It's like reading something a 13-year old could cook up. It's so predictable and the "Man STRONG KILLER - Women CLEAN HOUSE" concept is just stupid.
Stay away. I won't be getting the next book in this series... won't waste more time on this utter drivel.
(The Two stars go to Freds side-story, which is partially good)
A 17 year old boy goes from a wimp to a guy that shoots and kicks ass like a seasoned Marine in just a few months - kicking ass of both zombies, military personell and ex police officers alike. His know-it-all persona, combined with the utterly non-believable concept of ALL the totally one-dimentional girls in this book falling head over heels for him is just too much.
It's like reading something a 13-year old could cook up. It's so predictable and the "Man STRONG KILLER - Women CLEAN HOUSE" concept is just stupid.
Stay away. I won't be getting the next book in this series... won't waste more time on this utter drivel.
(The Two stars go to Freds side-story, which is partially good)
February 24, 2017
Another winner for me. Easy to read and I enjoyed it, and rarely put the book down. What more could I ask for? Zach continues to be a proactive person, planning things out.
On to book 3...
On to book 3...
August 14, 2015
More Zach and his condescending attitude toward others. I have not warmed up to any of these characters yet. I still feel like the story is just so hard to take in because of the way Zach talks and acts. It's like he's a superhero or something. Also, there still aren't many zombies in it.
March 24, 2014
The post-apocalyptic zombie genre seems to be a favorite of mine as of late. I started out have some mixed feelings about this one GSP (grammar, spelling, punctuation) was fine, but I felt a little lost. There were things going on that became apparent the author assumed you knew about. I was curious though and the sample provided some entertainment. I found that this was the second novel in a series and although I am concerned the novels might turn out to have no conclusion and simply being put out as more books to earn more money, I purchased the first novel, Zombie Rules.
December 4, 2015
I liked the series enough to continue to read. Slightly juvenile in parts, but still good enough for an adult reader. BUT - then toward the middle of the book,I had to put the book aside as I was slightly disgusted at the way Zach gets to have threesomes with the women and all the women throwing themselves at him. Seems way too juvenile and not needed in the story line. Note to author, we don't need to read about a high school boy's fantasy life come to fruition. The book was turning in the the "Sister Wives" of the zombie apocalypse. Too much for me.
October 13, 2016
Our Friend Zack is getting just a tad psychopathic.
December 18, 2016
I liked this read as the main 4 characters are well developed and continue to be consistent with the story line. New characters coming into the story are in an expanded role as situations develop.
July 27, 2020
⭐⭐/5. Gave up half way through
May 3, 2019
I didn't want this book to end! I can't wait to see what happens to Zach and his group next.
February 14, 2021
Review for the first seven books.
I read the first book in this series several years ago, and said I wouldn't read the second in my review. While going through my library, I accidentally one click purchased the second one. I'm not one to return a book, so I decided to give the series another shot.
They're just ok. I read them all, up to this point, out of curiosity, since I was already invested. The first several books are real bad. The writing style is stilted, as if the author has never actually interacted with real human beings before.
Zach comes off as condescending for most of the first books, while the author tries to convince the reader that he's just a good, humble dude that happens to be an absolute genius.
Zach has apparently read every book known to man, and has all the best ideas. If you don't agree with him, you're some kind of transparent pseudo-villain, and your shelf life is definitely short, or you're going to be a mustache twirling idiot villain that our hero will shortly exterminate.
His genius is limited to pretty common sense observations, but whenever he makes these observations, they're met with applause and praise, as if he's a four year old that's finally managed to potty train. "Zach said we shouldn't slam our fingers in the door anymore! Why didn't we think of that? What a genius!"
It's because you should have thought of that, but you're all idiots. And it's not your fault, either. You were written that way.
The first several books have a misogynist bent that the author tries to cover up by turning some of the female characters into bad asses. However, they're objectified at nearly every turn. When they're introduced, better believe you're gonna find out of the female character is a good looking woman or not, and what their rack looks like. The author is obsessed with boobs. It's really weird. Women in these novels are either obsessed with the main character, or conniving and shifty.
Actually, there's also another type of woman. The enormous, jacked, simple-minded work horse. There's two identical characters in the novels, Big Mac and Big Tussey. I'm assuming you can guess the category they fall in.
Occasionally you get to know these characters, and they're given unceremonious off screen deaths. This happens on several occasions, and it's more like reading a shopping list than a book.
Treatment of gay characters as stereotypes is very common earlier on, but does become more tolerable as the books progress. It never really reaches true enlightenment, but it does get better.
As does the writing, if I'm being completely honest. The author progresses significantly, as I'm sure he's received feedback on the problematic aspects of his writing. Probably from reviews such as this one.
The issue is the first four or five books. They're not good. They have problematic themes and stereotypes all throughout. They do get better as you go along, and the story gets genuinely interesting by book 6.
However if you're not interested in waiting that long, I don't think anyone will blame you.
One of the most interesting parts of reading a book is that it allows a reader to get a peek inside the author's head. This author has a lot of weird perspectives going on in there, is all I'm saying.
I read the first book in this series several years ago, and said I wouldn't read the second in my review. While going through my library, I accidentally one click purchased the second one. I'm not one to return a book, so I decided to give the series another shot.
They're just ok. I read them all, up to this point, out of curiosity, since I was already invested. The first several books are real bad. The writing style is stilted, as if the author has never actually interacted with real human beings before.
Zach comes off as condescending for most of the first books, while the author tries to convince the reader that he's just a good, humble dude that happens to be an absolute genius.
Zach has apparently read every book known to man, and has all the best ideas. If you don't agree with him, you're some kind of transparent pseudo-villain, and your shelf life is definitely short, or you're going to be a mustache twirling idiot villain that our hero will shortly exterminate.
His genius is limited to pretty common sense observations, but whenever he makes these observations, they're met with applause and praise, as if he's a four year old that's finally managed to potty train. "Zach said we shouldn't slam our fingers in the door anymore! Why didn't we think of that? What a genius!"
It's because you should have thought of that, but you're all idiots. And it's not your fault, either. You were written that way.
The first several books have a misogynist bent that the author tries to cover up by turning some of the female characters into bad asses. However, they're objectified at nearly every turn. When they're introduced, better believe you're gonna find out of the female character is a good looking woman or not, and what their rack looks like. The author is obsessed with boobs. It's really weird. Women in these novels are either obsessed with the main character, or conniving and shifty.
Actually, there's also another type of woman. The enormous, jacked, simple-minded work horse. There's two identical characters in the novels, Big Mac and Big Tussey. I'm assuming you can guess the category they fall in.
Occasionally you get to know these characters, and they're given unceremonious off screen deaths. This happens on several occasions, and it's more like reading a shopping list than a book.
Treatment of gay characters as stereotypes is very common earlier on, but does become more tolerable as the books progress. It never really reaches true enlightenment, but it does get better.
As does the writing, if I'm being completely honest. The author progresses significantly, as I'm sure he's received feedback on the problematic aspects of his writing. Probably from reviews such as this one.
The issue is the first four or five books. They're not good. They have problematic themes and stereotypes all throughout. They do get better as you go along, and the story gets genuinely interesting by book 6.
However if you're not interested in waiting that long, I don't think anyone will blame you.
One of the most interesting parts of reading a book is that it allows a reader to get a peek inside the author's head. This author has a lot of weird perspectives going on in there, is all I'm saying.
November 10, 2016
I agree with another reviewer on this book series. The first book had promise. After starting the second one...well I started to not appreciate a lot of the things his female characters were saying and doing. I also immediately put the book down after the three of them got together. I'm not offended by the idea, just was no longer interested in the main characters because of it. Also too much talk about periods and getting pregnant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2014
Can't wait for next edition
good story, believable and well written
zombie stories are a dime a dozen these days and this one is good
good story, believable and well written
zombie stories are a dime a dozen these days and this one is good
November 1, 2014
Loved!
I normally don't write reviews but this was an AMAZING story. I loved everything about Zach. Can't wait for the next one!
I normally don't write reviews but this was an AMAZING story. I loved everything about Zach. Can't wait for the next one!
November 8, 2014
Not bad
I liked it, it was good, I like the fact that it's more character driven than a gore fest, but it keeps you interested with it.
I liked it, it was good, I like the fact that it's more character driven than a gore fest, but it keeps you interested with it.
November 25, 2014
Great book!
I have thoroughly enjoyed both Zombie Rules book. I can't wait to read the third. I love the characters and Achord tells a great story. I highly recommend his books.
I have thoroughly enjoyed both Zombie Rules book. I can't wait to read the third. I love the characters and Achord tells a great story. I highly recommend his books.
December 29, 2015
Ok I'm done can't finish it. A teenage threesome REALLY!! No that just ruined the book for me. Too bad because book one was really good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2025
Set in Tennessee.
Back with Zach Gunderson, the apocalyptic wunderkind (he’s 16-17 throughout), and his found family: girlfriend Julie (16), ex-girlfriend Macie (16), father figure Fred McCoy (much older).
The speech patterns that are mostly tolerable in book one grate here. The author avoids contractions like…the plague. 🧟♂️
Gasoline operation with The Captain.
Harold Walsh’s journal.
Fred’s departure, and journey, throughout the novel.
The Captain’s niece, Andie (15).
Hot young women all throwing themselves at Zach. 🙄
The threesome is wholly unbelievable and is, very thankfully, a fade.
For all the talk of Zach being a genius, actively trying to impregnate all members of his growing teenage harem is probably not the wisest move—especially with no other skilled men around to guard the homestead.
The trading post.
Major Sarah Fowkes ✈️ and Fred.
They all go through ammo like it’s water…then bitch about the Captain’s men doing the exact same thing.
Rowdy Thomas, mid-thirties, the budding country music star.
The Allens—new neighbors. Losing one of their own.
The sexuality inserts are so clumsy, awkward, and unrealistic.
The arson. Payback.
Some rough and bloody fights.
The zombies are changing—evolving?
Memos dropped from the helicopter. 🚁
Various adventures and missions.
The last 20% is quite pleasant. Things make sense again.
Fred. Joe, now 11.
Little Rick. Tommy. It’s a cool cast of characters.
The ending is actually largely solid.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say there’s a 0% chance a very young wife would ever enthusiastically whore out her new husband to other females.
Overall, super uneven. The missions can be pretty cool, but the author should focus less on his own fantasy fulfillment. The book is tagged as Zombie Apocalypse, not Alternate Universe. 👀
Back with Zach Gunderson, the apocalyptic wunderkind (he’s 16-17 throughout), and his found family: girlfriend Julie (16), ex-girlfriend Macie (16), father figure Fred McCoy (much older).
The speech patterns that are mostly tolerable in book one grate here. The author avoids contractions like…the plague. 🧟♂️
Gasoline operation with The Captain.
Harold Walsh’s journal.
Fred’s departure, and journey, throughout the novel.
The Captain’s niece, Andie (15).
Hot young women all throwing themselves at Zach. 🙄
The threesome is wholly unbelievable and is, very thankfully, a fade.
For all the talk of Zach being a genius, actively trying to impregnate all members of his growing teenage harem is probably not the wisest move—especially with no other skilled men around to guard the homestead.
The trading post.
Major Sarah Fowkes ✈️ and Fred.
They all go through ammo like it’s water…then bitch about the Captain’s men doing the exact same thing.
Rowdy Thomas, mid-thirties, the budding country music star.
The Allens—new neighbors. Losing one of their own.
The sexuality inserts are so clumsy, awkward, and unrealistic.
The arson. Payback.
Some rough and bloody fights.
The zombies are changing—evolving?
Memos dropped from the helicopter. 🚁
Various adventures and missions.
The last 20% is quite pleasant. Things make sense again.
Fred. Joe, now 11.
Little Rick. Tommy. It’s a cool cast of characters.
The ending is actually largely solid.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say there’s a 0% chance a very young wife would ever enthusiastically whore out her new husband to other females.
Overall, super uneven. The missions can be pretty cool, but the author should focus less on his own fantasy fulfillment. The book is tagged as Zombie Apocalypse, not Alternate Universe. 👀
June 21, 2021
The first book wasn’t too bad. It had a good plot, the characters were developing and you could see things going somewhere. I could skim past the ridiculous sex related stuff, the constant notes about characters becoming aroused and the weird timeline inconsistencies.
Second book was a slog though. Why are these people so obsessed with coupling up and forking each other? Sexual abuse was pushed aside. How someone who was violently and incestuously assaulted day-in day-out for who knows how long could want to jump straight into an initiate relationship, I personally don’t understand. I know everyone is different- but really? And then actively pushing and encouraging the same character to couple up with a 30-something alcoholic?
Zach became progressively harder to like as the book progressed too. It wouldn’t kill the MC to not know all of the things. I can’t even put my finger completely on why I disliked him so much by the end? Maybe it’s because he makes so many dumb choices, the way he speaks and interacts with people (yuck), knowing overly much on every single thing and he comes off as arrogant and a know it all. Yeh, maybe that’s a little bit why.
Lastly, why can’t the women in this book do any hard work? Why don’t they seem to be helping out with the farm yard chores or the more difficult tasks? The only women that seem capable are portrayed as either ugly or too much work to be around.
There’s so much more I could list off that went wrong in this book. It had so much potential but seemed to devolve into some sort of teenage soft erotica novel.
Second book was a slog though. Why are these people so obsessed with coupling up and forking each other? Sexual abuse was pushed aside. How someone who was violently and incestuously assaulted day-in day-out for who knows how long could want to jump straight into an initiate relationship, I personally don’t understand. I know everyone is different- but really? And then actively pushing and encouraging the same character to couple up with a 30-something alcoholic?
Zach became progressively harder to like as the book progressed too. It wouldn’t kill the MC to not know all of the things. I can’t even put my finger completely on why I disliked him so much by the end? Maybe it’s because he makes so many dumb choices, the way he speaks and interacts with people (yuck), knowing overly much on every single thing and he comes off as arrogant and a know it all. Yeh, maybe that’s a little bit why.
Lastly, why can’t the women in this book do any hard work? Why don’t they seem to be helping out with the farm yard chores or the more difficult tasks? The only women that seem capable are portrayed as either ugly or too much work to be around.
There’s so much more I could list off that went wrong in this book. It had so much potential but seemed to devolve into some sort of teenage soft erotica novel.
July 1, 2018
The second installment of the Zombie Rules series was not on the same bar as its predecessor. The story of Zach and his friends continues with Fred leaving to LA searching for his only child, Zach attempting to establish an alliance with the Captain and his crew, and the appearance of a platoon under the command of a provisional government. Civilization can be restored as the story unfolds. However, derogatory attitude towards women has been noted throughout this volume. Zach , The Anti-Hero, has been an interesting character in the first Book of the series but establishing him as the one and only savior of Mankind, appreciated by every character is over the top. The boy is barely 17. After encountering many characters of various position prior and after the zombie plague, it was expected that Zach would discuss plans , brainstorm ideas and be warned sometimes of certain issues. However, none of these was materialized; Zach was the only one who was alluded who never sat a foot wrong.
In addition, women in general expect Sarah, the pilot were weak , sexually frustraters, and had no survival extinct. I understand that the majority of the women in this novel are teenagers , but if Zach , is depicted as a calm genius, couldn’t the author invent a teenager with the same characteristics ? Obviously not, because it is not possible. Zach is a laughable character on its own!
Fred has been the only grace of this installment!
In addition, women in general expect Sarah, the pilot were weak , sexually frustraters, and had no survival extinct. I understand that the majority of the women in this novel are teenagers , but if Zach , is depicted as a calm genius, couldn’t the author invent a teenager with the same characteristics ? Obviously not, because it is not possible. Zach is a laughable character on its own!
Fred has been the only grace of this installment!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2019
This was the second audiobook in the Zombie Rules series and, while it was still good, it wasn't really as great as the first one was.
In this book we continue to follow Zach and his rag-tag group of survivors as they figure out how to live through the Zombie Apocalypse. I have to say, for a seventeen year old, this guy is pretty smart and basically figures out everything they need to do to survive. Which is definitely interesting to read about.
As I said, this book was good. It was interesting had a great story line, but it wasn't really all that action packed. Like the first book had it's up and down moments, where things would start to get complacent and then BOOM something happens that has you on the edge of your seat. This one wasn't really like that. Now, I'm not saying it was boring or didn't keep the pace, because it did and I still enjoyed it. It just wasn't really an edge of your seat kind of thing.
There were definitely a few OMG WTH moments and a few moments that almost made me cry and it is still very well written. I will be continuing on with this audiobook series as well.
4 out of 5 stars :)
In this book we continue to follow Zach and his rag-tag group of survivors as they figure out how to live through the Zombie Apocalypse. I have to say, for a seventeen year old, this guy is pretty smart and basically figures out everything they need to do to survive. Which is definitely interesting to read about.
As I said, this book was good. It was interesting had a great story line, but it wasn't really all that action packed. Like the first book had it's up and down moments, where things would start to get complacent and then BOOM something happens that has you on the edge of your seat. This one wasn't really like that. Now, I'm not saying it was boring or didn't keep the pace, because it did and I still enjoyed it. It just wasn't really an edge of your seat kind of thing.
There were definitely a few OMG WTH moments and a few moments that almost made me cry and it is still very well written. I will be continuing on with this audiobook series as well.
4 out of 5 stars :)
February 25, 2024
Because I’m a sucker for free audiobooks, I read many less than stellar zombie novels. I even try to finish mediocre series. However, I have no interest in reading the next books in this series, even though 4 of them are free. This novel feels like the author would swear he’s not racist or sexist despite textual proof to the contrary. The protagonist also becomes increasingly annoying and unbelievable. Geez… he’s like 17 and knows ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! All of the other characters-old and young, military and drunkard, follow him without question. And who talks like that? He sounds like someone’s war seasoned grandpa. There are other zombie series out there. I encourage you to find one of those.
February 20, 2017
Picking up where the first book left off, Zach continues to adapt to the new world situation while still making new observations (rules) about the zombies. While the zombies are changing, Zach finds that some things never change. Namely the fact that someone is always going to try to take advantage of a horrible situation to benefit the self, not caring about the future or others. Zach continues to try to carve out a niche in which humanity can attempt to make a comeback by establishing crops, trade, and hopefully a community. If only everyone else shared his views...
May 7, 2018
Love love this book!
This has been my favorite zombie book series I have read. The Storyline is so realistic . I find myself thinking about this book even when I'm not reading it . I love the characters and the way they act with each other makes me feel like I am reading something about my friends . With so many zombie books movies shows out there it gets kind of repetitive .
None of that here , David Achord has made it feel new . A little bit of zombies and a little bit of human discord because the right amount of balance . Can't wait to start the new one .
This has been my favorite zombie book series I have read. The Storyline is so realistic . I find myself thinking about this book even when I'm not reading it . I love the characters and the way they act with each other makes me feel like I am reading something about my friends . With so many zombie books movies shows out there it gets kind of repetitive .
None of that here , David Achord has made it feel new . A little bit of zombies and a little bit of human discord because the right amount of balance . Can't wait to start the new one .
February 3, 2017
I read book 1 and got caught up in the Nashville scene with zombies. Somehow this one didn't grip me in the same way. I'm not upset about the sex as I could imagine if you're surrounded by zombies and hungry, sex would be a welcome distraction.
I think I'm too old for zombie books but the author is my Twitter friend and I'm loyal to my friends. I'll keep reading because the zombies are evolving.
I think I'm too old for zombie books but the author is my Twitter friend and I'm loyal to my friends. I'll keep reading because the zombies are evolving.
January 23, 2018
Disappointed
I really loved the first book, so naturally I was excited about this book. It's weird, and not in a good way. A sixteen year old girl wanting to hook up with a man in his 30s. I know it's the end of the world, but it was still unsettling. I tried to keep an open mind, but I swear the last 15 chapters I rushed through because it felt so drawn out, nothing climatic or anything. I didn't even feel close to the main character Zach anymore.
I really loved the first book, so naturally I was excited about this book. It's weird, and not in a good way. A sixteen year old girl wanting to hook up with a man in his 30s. I know it's the end of the world, but it was still unsettling. I tried to keep an open mind, but I swear the last 15 chapters I rushed through because it felt so drawn out, nothing climatic or anything. I didn't even feel close to the main character Zach anymore.
May 5, 2018
This the middle chapter of a curiously engrossing tale of teenagers dealing with a zombie apocalypse. It also seems to be written by a teenager as well, given the (not very complicated) plot driven nature. The characters are thinly drawn, based mainly on tropes, but do have endearing qualities nonetheless.
Will likely do part 3 at some point, but am in no hurry, what with my better half now working at an independent bookstore and brining home some galleys for perusal.
Will likely do part 3 at some point, but am in no hurry, what with my better half now working at an independent bookstore and brining home some galleys for perusal.
January 1, 2024
I am really, "liking," this zombie series. Very smart survival TIDBITS and an ever increasing cast of pretty decent characters having a pretty good subplot for each.
The 2nd book in this series made me less critical of the main protagonist, Zach, but still have to question if he is truly just a little psychopath free to be who he really is? Or is he the savior of those in need we will see in book 3?
The 2nd book in this series made me less critical of the main protagonist, Zach, but still have to question if he is truly just a little psychopath free to be who he really is? Or is he the savior of those in need we will see in book 3?
January 21, 2024
The series starts off really strong and this book follows that pattern with well thought out responses to issues. My only problem is towards the end the main character starts getting what seems to be unreasonable flack for making hard decisions. For example the survival group is disappointed that Zach choose to kill one of the antagonistic that attacks them saying its to gruesome. Buy hello its the apocalypse and the man literally planned to kill you all and would have had he survived.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2020
Nice!
This book has a purpose, and it delivered in ways that other zombie books does not capture the toll of living in a world where death can happen at any given time. The rules are rules that can help others survive, so pay attention and lend a hand to others when survival is paramount. Can't wait for the next book to see how the characters evolve in a zombie apocalypse.
This book has a purpose, and it delivered in ways that other zombie books does not capture the toll of living in a world where death can happen at any given time. The rules are rules that can help others survive, so pay attention and lend a hand to others when survival is paramount. Can't wait for the next book to see how the characters evolve in a zombie apocalypse.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews