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What Zombies Fear #2
The Maxists
This is the second book in the "What Zombies Fear" series. Victor Tookes and his family are still struggling to survive after a parasite that turns people into zombies wipes out civilization. After reaching the relative safety of the family home in Virginia, the danger only intensifies. Zombies still stalk their every move but now Victor and his friends have another threat to deal with - a rogue military unit whose commander wants Victor's son.
When Max is kidnapped, Victor goes on the warpath, moving mountains and destroying everything that stands between him and his son. Victor, John, Leo, and Marshall discover Max is being held a few miles from their home. The rescue attempt and the small child’s attempt to escape result in the rise of a new cult, The Maxists.
When Max is kidnapped, Victor goes on the warpath, moving mountains and destroying everything that stands between him and his son. Victor, John, Leo, and Marshall discover Max is being held a few miles from their home. The rescue attempt and the small child’s attempt to escape result in the rise of a new cult, The Maxists.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2011
6 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Kirk Allmond
13 books55 followersKirk Allmond: Author, Zombie Expert, Survivalist, Teacher.
Kirk Allmond takes on all aspects of zombies. This isn’t just a vocation, it’s a passion. In 2006, The Zombie Preparedness Initiative was formed as a global project to prepare the world for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. Or, whatever disaster may occur. The Zombie Preparedness Initiative, or ZPI, is unique in that it connects zombie literature, survivalism, and a dash of humor. The site provides a useful service with wit and wisdom.
On the site, there's an article about creating a zombie plan. The article is a thoughtful and thorough discussion of what an ordinary person should learn about being prepared for any emergency or disaster, not just a plan for when the dead walk the earth. Alongside this article are postings about gardening and food preservation, including the all-important topic “How to Make Bacon Post Apocalypse”, weaponry and supplies.
Kirk didn't write all the articles, and gives the majority of the credit to his Advisory Board, a group of writers, survivalists, and zombie enthusiasts who oversee the content of the site. Many ideas are contributed by members of the large community of readers, who also participate in the discussion forums.
Allmond’s novels, the “What Zombies Fear” series are co-authored with Laura Bretz. What Zombies Fear: A Father’s Quest has reached the number one spot on Amazon’s Horror, Paranormal, and Superhero best seller lists.
The series follows Victor Tookes in his quest to keep his son safe. It’s different than most zombie novels in that these zombies are caused by a parasitic alien, which hitchhiked to earth aboard a meteor. These aliens invade the brain of the host, taking control of the body. In the case of a weaker infection, the corpse becomes the traditional Romero style zombie. But in cases of severe infection, the parasites can control more areas of the brain, allowing for zombies that can pass as human. In rare cases of the strongest infection, those zombies are able to access areas of the brain that normal humans did not, giving them heightened abilities.
Their latest novel, Declaration of War was published April, 2013, and reached the number 1 spot on Amazon’s Best Seller list in the Horror category.
There are currently five novels published in the series, and a new novel in progress.
Kirk Allmond takes on all aspects of zombies. This isn’t just a vocation, it’s a passion. In 2006, The Zombie Preparedness Initiative was formed as a global project to prepare the world for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. Or, whatever disaster may occur. The Zombie Preparedness Initiative, or ZPI, is unique in that it connects zombie literature, survivalism, and a dash of humor. The site provides a useful service with wit and wisdom.
On the site, there's an article about creating a zombie plan. The article is a thoughtful and thorough discussion of what an ordinary person should learn about being prepared for any emergency or disaster, not just a plan for when the dead walk the earth. Alongside this article are postings about gardening and food preservation, including the all-important topic “How to Make Bacon Post Apocalypse”, weaponry and supplies.
Kirk didn't write all the articles, and gives the majority of the credit to his Advisory Board, a group of writers, survivalists, and zombie enthusiasts who oversee the content of the site. Many ideas are contributed by members of the large community of readers, who also participate in the discussion forums.
Allmond’s novels, the “What Zombies Fear” series are co-authored with Laura Bretz. What Zombies Fear: A Father’s Quest has reached the number one spot on Amazon’s Horror, Paranormal, and Superhero best seller lists.
The series follows Victor Tookes in his quest to keep his son safe. It’s different than most zombie novels in that these zombies are caused by a parasitic alien, which hitchhiked to earth aboard a meteor. These aliens invade the brain of the host, taking control of the body. In the case of a weaker infection, the corpse becomes the traditional Romero style zombie. But in cases of severe infection, the parasites can control more areas of the brain, allowing for zombies that can pass as human. In rare cases of the strongest infection, those zombies are able to access areas of the brain that normal humans did not, giving them heightened abilities.
Their latest novel, Declaration of War was published April, 2013, and reached the number 1 spot on Amazon’s Best Seller list in the Horror category.
There are currently five novels published in the series, and a new novel in progress.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 27, 2016
This is a totally different kind of zombie book with some zombie types I am starting to see more often. I give this a 3.5 stars because while I liked it I was not really all that impressed with it. The characters are at one minute crisp and then can fall into mediocrity within the next chapter. The action is rather lackluster as far as the battles between the humans and zombies are concerned. The dialogue is good and the descriptions are good enough to make you visualize a lot of what is happening.
A man representing the military comes to the Tookes family farm and offers help but with a price. Victor only wants to take care of his family and those survivors who have found their way to his property, about 300 people. Nobody knows the extent of Max's powers, not even his mother or brother, and Victor wants to keep it that way. The zombies however know all about Max and have set out to get him away from his father, by any means necessary.
I am not sure whether I will even read the rest of the series since I was less than thrilled by this entry. It was way to predictable for my taste, even for a zombie tome. But I would not discourage anyone else from trying it out if you have read the first book.
A man representing the military comes to the Tookes family farm and offers help but with a price. Victor only wants to take care of his family and those survivors who have found their way to his property, about 300 people. Nobody knows the extent of Max's powers, not even his mother or brother, and Victor wants to keep it that way. The zombies however know all about Max and have set out to get him away from his father, by any means necessary.
I am not sure whether I will even read the rest of the series since I was less than thrilled by this entry. It was way to predictable for my taste, even for a zombie tome. But I would not discourage anyone else from trying it out if you have read the first book.
May 3, 2019
Action-packed extravaganza
Book 2 what zombies fear has been a Non-Stop action-packed Extravaganza of zombie killing goodness it's kind of a cross between X-Men rated R and The Walking Dead But way better way way better this has to be hands down my favorite characters and storyline that I have read in a really long time and I read a lot of books and the plot is only getting better and better, Jack Reacher and Mitch Rapp ain't got nothing on Victor Tookes My new American Hero, on to book 3 for me
Book 2 what zombies fear has been a Non-Stop action-packed Extravaganza of zombie killing goodness it's kind of a cross between X-Men rated R and The Walking Dead But way better way way better this has to be hands down my favorite characters and storyline that I have read in a really long time and I read a lot of books and the plot is only getting better and better, Jack Reacher and Mitch Rapp ain't got nothing on Victor Tookes My new American Hero, on to book 3 for me
July 12, 2022
With some zombies and humans having superpowers this is a bit like the TV series Heroes during a zombie apocalypse.
I also like the different take on what started the zombie apocalypse... In this book we got quite a bit of info about it and I hope we'll find out even more in the next books.
Loved little Max and his ability to control zoms... little 3-year-old Max with his pet zombies, so funny!
I also like the different take on what started the zombie apocalypse... In this book we got quite a bit of info about it and I hope we'll find out even more in the next books.
Loved little Max and his ability to control zoms... little 3-year-old Max with his pet zombies, so funny!
January 18, 2016
What Zombies Fear is a five-book series by Kirk Allmond which reverses much of the usual drama of a zombie-apocalypse. Instead of being books about scared, desperate, and lonely survivors--it's a book about low-leveled superpowered humans kicking undead ass while rebuilding society. The zombies have many members who are intelligent and it co-ops many alien invasion motifs, providing a central antagonist as well as motivation behind the attack.
For some, this may distract from the zombie narrative. Unintelligent zombies make the resulting apocalypse seem more like a natural disaster while this is very much a case of evil beings doing evil things. However, part of what I enjoy about this series is it's different from other bog-standard zombie novels and that is something which deserves to be noticed.
The science fiction elements are also something I appreciated. We learn the origin of the alien invasion this book and while I object to the manner its conveyed (see below), I'm glad Kirk Allmond explained his zombie's origin.
The premise of The Maxists is that Victor Tookes, the titular being which zombies fear, has just defeated a massive herd of zombies. One the size of a small city. This has caused the remnants of the United States military as well as the intelligent zombies to sit up and take notice of his village.
Victor has no love for the United States government, blaming them for failing to protect the world (which is cruel given the majority of its soldiers DIED fighting the zombie menace), and finds the attempts by Colonel Fryes to bring his group back under its purview to be offensive. Given Victor and the rest of his secessionist state have superpowers, it's not something the US remnant can pressure them on.
I was intrigued by this plotline and am saddened the United States remnant comes off as the duplicitous bunch of scumbags it does in this book. I was hoping there would be room for moral ambiguity in The Maxists but, by the end, any of it is dissolved. Victor Tookes and his settlement are not only in disagreement with them but the moral right. The United States remnant has reasons for acting the way they do but, bluntly, I find it difficult to imagine any readers sympathizing with them.
A major subplot of the book also deals with Victor's precocious son, Max, who has developed possibly the most useful power in the world--the ability to control zombies. As one might guess, this makes him the most important three-year-old in the world. The chapters from his perspective are the most enjoyable part of the book, in my opinion.
I loved watching him and his 'pet' zombies move through the world with an almost complete innocence of what is really going on. The terrifying potential of his abilities is also explored in interesting ways that reminded me of how a young Charles Xavier must have been.
As before, much of the book is about action and acquiring supplies to rebuild human civilization--or, at least, Victor Tooke's small part of it. Zombies are rarely a threat to Victor and his group, which, after thousands of movies have portrayed them as invincible in great numbers--is cathartic. While Victor Tookes isn't up there with Ashley Williams of the Evil Dead franchise yet, he's still a good candidate for the zombie slayer.
My only problem with the book is the introduction, really, where Victor Tookes explains how the zombie/alien invasion began as well as what the source of his superpowers is. While a great piece of exposition and world-building, there's never an explanation how the hell Victor Tookes knows any of this. I think the book would have been improved if we'd been given an explanation how he knew this or just had it given to us by an omniscient narrator.
In conclusion, I think the What Zombies Fear remains a fun little series about a guy who has a great deal of luck kicking zombie butt. It's an independence fantasy, showing the post-apocalyptic world as a place where a person might be able to build a new life as well as a more equitable world.
I don't believe an actual apocalypse would be anything like this as I'm quite fond of my creature comforts and the benefits of civilization but I can understand the appeal of the daydream. I will, however, continue reading the books and expect them to remain about the same level of quality, which is excellent light-reading.
8/10
For some, this may distract from the zombie narrative. Unintelligent zombies make the resulting apocalypse seem more like a natural disaster while this is very much a case of evil beings doing evil things. However, part of what I enjoy about this series is it's different from other bog-standard zombie novels and that is something which deserves to be noticed.
The science fiction elements are also something I appreciated. We learn the origin of the alien invasion this book and while I object to the manner its conveyed (see below), I'm glad Kirk Allmond explained his zombie's origin.
The premise of The Maxists is that Victor Tookes, the titular being which zombies fear, has just defeated a massive herd of zombies. One the size of a small city. This has caused the remnants of the United States military as well as the intelligent zombies to sit up and take notice of his village.
Victor has no love for the United States government, blaming them for failing to protect the world (which is cruel given the majority of its soldiers DIED fighting the zombie menace), and finds the attempts by Colonel Fryes to bring his group back under its purview to be offensive. Given Victor and the rest of his secessionist state have superpowers, it's not something the US remnant can pressure them on.
I was intrigued by this plotline and am saddened the United States remnant comes off as the duplicitous bunch of scumbags it does in this book. I was hoping there would be room for moral ambiguity in The Maxists but, by the end, any of it is dissolved. Victor Tookes and his settlement are not only in disagreement with them but the moral right. The United States remnant has reasons for acting the way they do but, bluntly, I find it difficult to imagine any readers sympathizing with them.
A major subplot of the book also deals with Victor's precocious son, Max, who has developed possibly the most useful power in the world--the ability to control zombies. As one might guess, this makes him the most important three-year-old in the world. The chapters from his perspective are the most enjoyable part of the book, in my opinion.
I loved watching him and his 'pet' zombies move through the world with an almost complete innocence of what is really going on. The terrifying potential of his abilities is also explored in interesting ways that reminded me of how a young Charles Xavier must have been.
As before, much of the book is about action and acquiring supplies to rebuild human civilization--or, at least, Victor Tooke's small part of it. Zombies are rarely a threat to Victor and his group, which, after thousands of movies have portrayed them as invincible in great numbers--is cathartic. While Victor Tookes isn't up there with Ashley Williams of the Evil Dead franchise yet, he's still a good candidate for the zombie slayer.
My only problem with the book is the introduction, really, where Victor Tookes explains how the zombie/alien invasion began as well as what the source of his superpowers is. While a great piece of exposition and world-building, there's never an explanation how the hell Victor Tookes knows any of this. I think the book would have been improved if we'd been given an explanation how he knew this or just had it given to us by an omniscient narrator.
In conclusion, I think the What Zombies Fear remains a fun little series about a guy who has a great deal of luck kicking zombie butt. It's an independence fantasy, showing the post-apocalyptic world as a place where a person might be able to build a new life as well as a more equitable world.
I don't believe an actual apocalypse would be anything like this as I'm quite fond of my creature comforts and the benefits of civilization but I can understand the appeal of the daydream. I will, however, continue reading the books and expect them to remain about the same level of quality, which is excellent light-reading.
8/10
April 10, 2014
Picking up immediately after the final battle in book 1, Tookes is immediately visited by the secretive Colonel Frye. The battle may have been won, but it was through no help of Frye or his men. So, in thanks of a job not well done, Tookes delivers a wallop of a punch to Frye's now not-so-pretty nose. Having gained some control over his new 'super powers' Tookes can tell when someone is lying, their aura becomes streaked with red lines. Despite being warned, Frye just can't help himself, and so begins the book anew with deceit in the form of omission.
Tookes and his group are more like super heroes than Joe Shmoe fighting for survival. Each of them has developed special abilities that not only make them an elite fighting team, but a group of unlikely saviors for the human race.
What Zombies Fear is a fresh take on the genre. Equal parts suspense, horror, action, drama and fantasy; Kirk Allmond capitalizes on this story by offering a full range of features to appeal to a much broader audience. To say I was kept on the edge of my seat would be a gross understatement. The action never stops, and even in times lacking crisis, there is always a struggle. I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that I love the unlikely heroine that saves Tookes' bacon. I'm glad Allmond found a way to work this (she who shall not be named) character into the story.
I am really enjoying this series, and am excited to read the next three books. If you're looking for something outside the box, but still rich with zombie lore, blood and guts, this series is for you.
Tookes and his group are more like super heroes than Joe Shmoe fighting for survival. Each of them has developed special abilities that not only make them an elite fighting team, but a group of unlikely saviors for the human race.
What Zombies Fear is a fresh take on the genre. Equal parts suspense, horror, action, drama and fantasy; Kirk Allmond capitalizes on this story by offering a full range of features to appeal to a much broader audience. To say I was kept on the edge of my seat would be a gross understatement. The action never stops, and even in times lacking crisis, there is always a struggle. I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that I love the unlikely heroine that saves Tookes' bacon. I'm glad Allmond found a way to work this (she who shall not be named) character into the story.
I am really enjoying this series, and am excited to read the next three books. If you're looking for something outside the box, but still rich with zombie lore, blood and guts, this series is for you.
November 3, 2013
Excellent sequel!! I'm totally hooked!! This series is highly addicting and unlike most of the typical zombie stories I've read (and I've read MANY)! Victor Tookes adventure continues in, What Zombies Fear: The Maxists. Colonel Frye leads the group on a wild goose chase which leaves the homestead a little unsafe. The unthinkable happens while they're gone. The second Tookes is made aware of a very dire situation, he and his team, are back on the road again!
If you are a fan of zombie books but are getting a little bored with the same old "text book" zombies, this is the series for you. If you read the first installment and are unsure if you want to continue, I strongly recommend that you read this book!!
If you are a fan of zombie books but are getting a little bored with the same old "text book" zombies, this is the series for you. If you read the first installment and are unsure if you want to continue, I strongly recommend that you read this book!!
June 17, 2016
Second in the series of What Zombies Fear, and still enjoying the books. Like many 2nd books, this one does not do a lot to advance the story; and I'm not nuts about the upping the woo-woo factor a tad with the possibility of the introduction of a "spirit". Also, the fact that the powers of the immune and bitten humans keep morphing as needed to get the characters out of perilous situations. Come on, quit changing the rules! But I still like the characters and find them and the basic plot interesting enough to continue. So we'll see ....
September 26, 2012
Still a great series.
The characters are so vivid. The story line is very well thought out. The action almost makes you feel as if you were there.
Tookes is a great character, forced in a way to be a leader. His actions may not be agreeable to everyone but, he is doing his best.
Leo, Martin and are three I would like to have on a team as well.
If you like action, a story that is completely unpredictable, great characters this is defintely the series to read.
The characters are so vivid. The story line is very well thought out. The action almost makes you feel as if you were there.
Tookes is a great character, forced in a way to be a leader. His actions may not be agreeable to everyone but, he is doing his best.
Leo, Martin and are three I would like to have on a team as well.
If you like action, a story that is completely unpredictable, great characters this is defintely the series to read.
March 21, 2013
Good story,the father/son dynamic was particularly touching. Some aspects could have been built up more and there could have been less detail in the summaries of the other characters. Felt too inauthentic and author-like considering they were supposed to be giving an account of a zombie apocalypse.
June 29, 2013
Don't read if grammar mistakes drive you crazy. The Kindle version needs some serious editing. I like the story and the family dynamics. I don't remember there being as much foul language in the first book.
September 12, 2013
Loved this book! I think Max is adorable and will most likely grow up to be a force to reckon with. The Maxists are a little on the crazy side but all in all I find the book to be very believable and interesting. I can't wait to read the next book!
October 10, 2014
Can't wait to start book 3! Glad I bought it this morning. This series is really great. The characters are fun and different. I like that the zombies and the hunted/hunters are different too! Can't wait to see what happens next.
March 29, 2013
Might have given it a higher rating if author had not felt the need to insert political nonsense in beginning of book.
May 16, 2013
Really enjoy all the extras with a few super powers shared around, still a story about a loving family
August 14, 2014
Further development into the team of "super hero" survivors surrounding Max, the "special" young son of Tookes.
November 12, 2015
Great Series! I read the whole series one after the other. It is a zombie series but with a slightly different take, and I definitely liked it!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews