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After the End: Undead Fear
Rule Nowhere is safe, only safer.
Rule People will do insane things to survive, so trust no one.
In a walled city at the end of the world, with zombies shambling everywhere, Gwen has a choice. Stay in a place where things are mostly safe, but is probably going to fall. Or go out on her own again.
Surviving the zombies is something she knows, something she's good at. It's just too bad other survivors make the surviving part so damn hard.
Rule People will do insane things to survive, so trust no one.
In a walled city at the end of the world, with zombies shambling everywhere, Gwen has a choice. Stay in a place where things are mostly safe, but is probably going to fall. Or go out on her own again.
Surviving the zombies is something she knows, something she's good at. It's just too bad other survivors make the surviving part so damn hard.
197 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2025
2 people are currently reading
About the author
C.M. Adams
11 books4 followersC.M. Adams writes dark romance and speculative fiction for readers who crave intense worlds, unapologetic heroines, and love stories forged in fire. Her novels blend danger, desire, and high-stakes survival — whether in the chaos of a zombie apocalypse, the iron grip of a dystopian regime, or the treacherous courts of magic and power.
Her heroines fight, bleed, and sometimes burn, but they never bow. Her love interests are morally grey, fiercely protective, and just dangerous enough to keep you up all night turning pages.
Her books are published first on Amazon — available in Kindle Unlimited, eBook, paperback, and hardback — and are also available on Barnes & Noble, as well as through Gumroad, Payhip, IngramSpark, and directly on her website for the ultimate reader experience.
When she’s not building new worlds or breaking hearts on the page, C.M. Adams connects with readers on Facebook and Instagram, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, character art, and upcoming release news.
Her heroines fight, bleed, and sometimes burn, but they never bow. Her love interests are morally grey, fiercely protective, and just dangerous enough to keep you up all night turning pages.
Her books are published first on Amazon — available in Kindle Unlimited, eBook, paperback, and hardback — and are also available on Barnes & Noble, as well as through Gumroad, Payhip, IngramSpark, and directly on her website for the ultimate reader experience.
When she’s not building new worlds or breaking hearts on the page, C.M. Adams connects with readers on Facebook and Instagram, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, character art, and upcoming release news.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 18, 2025
A gripping story of resilience and determination
Gwen is one tough cookie. She's anti-social and snarky and determined to survive at any cost. I absolutely loved how brutally honest and unapologetic she is about her actions. She felt like a normal girl (admittedly with a few mental issues) in an extraordinary situation doing what she had to do to save herself and her 'family.'
The zombie apocalypse serves as a vehicle for dissecting human behavior under stress. This story could've been told with the backdrop of war, famine, or any number of politically driven crisis, so readers wary of zombie horror can rest assured: it's background static, not the main theme. I know I, for one, would've loved to know a little more about the origin of the zombie menace, but in the end it wasn't necessary to tell Gwen's story.
Gwen's frustrations about the so-called leadership of the safe-zone she's found herself in was a palpable thing. Sometimes I wanted to reach right into my Kindle and throttle the idiots myself. Her relationships with Owen (a soldier charged with guarding her) and Vincent (a sweet young man she rescued in the wilds) gave the story emotional depth, something that only grew when Gwen is reunited with her baby brother. If the story was just about Gwen saving herself and surviving on her own, I doubt I would have enjoyed it as much. There is a little romance which develops between Gwen and one of the men, but it isn't your typical blooming flower... Gwen is emotionally stunted, so their relationship initially felt like two people satisfying a need. But gradually we see him chipping away at her emotional barricades and earning her trust and respect. At first, I wasn't sure CM Adams could bring me around to liking this guy (he was quite the blowhard in the book's early chapters) but I have to admit I started to fall for him just as Gwen did.
As part of a series, and with only this first book currently out, be prepared for an unresolved and nail-biting ending. Hints of another love interest, the ever-present doom of the undead, and Gwen's sweet relationship with her baby brother will have me waiting like a ravenous zombie for the next installment.
Final rating: 4.5 stars
Gwen is one tough cookie. She's anti-social and snarky and determined to survive at any cost. I absolutely loved how brutally honest and unapologetic she is about her actions. She felt like a normal girl (admittedly with a few mental issues) in an extraordinary situation doing what she had to do to save herself and her 'family.'
The zombie apocalypse serves as a vehicle for dissecting human behavior under stress. This story could've been told with the backdrop of war, famine, or any number of politically driven crisis, so readers wary of zombie horror can rest assured: it's background static, not the main theme. I know I, for one, would've loved to know a little more about the origin of the zombie menace, but in the end it wasn't necessary to tell Gwen's story.
Gwen's frustrations about the so-called leadership of the safe-zone she's found herself in was a palpable thing. Sometimes I wanted to reach right into my Kindle and throttle the idiots myself. Her relationships with Owen (a soldier charged with guarding her) and Vincent (a sweet young man she rescued in the wilds) gave the story emotional depth, something that only grew when Gwen is reunited with her baby brother. If the story was just about Gwen saving herself and surviving on her own, I doubt I would have enjoyed it as much. There is a little romance which develops between Gwen and one of the men, but it isn't your typical blooming flower... Gwen is emotionally stunted, so their relationship initially felt like two people satisfying a need. But gradually we see him chipping away at her emotional barricades and earning her trust and respect. At first, I wasn't sure CM Adams could bring me around to liking this guy (he was quite the blowhard in the book's early chapters) but I have to admit I started to fall for him just as Gwen did.
As part of a series, and with only this first book currently out, be prepared for an unresolved and nail-biting ending. Hints of another love interest, the ever-present doom of the undead, and Gwen's sweet relationship with her baby brother will have me waiting like a ravenous zombie for the next installment.
Final rating: 4.5 stars
September 29, 2025
“Nowhere is safe, only safer.” Gwen's two rules—“Nowhere is safe, only safer” and “Don't trust anyone”—will stay with me forever. "After the End: Undead Fear" is not about heroic headshots, but about people who become unpredictable when the world collapses. The author carefully places the heroine between the crumbling “order” behind the wall and the wasteland outside, where a simple handshake can cost you your life.What I liked the most was the honesty of her voice: Gwen is not a superhero, she is one of those who knows the value of fear and knows how to make cold-blooded, necessary decisions. Zombies are more of a constant mistake than a major theme; the real tension is who to trust and when. There is a spark of romance in this, but it never extinguishes the tension — love here is not an ease, it is a risk.Disadvantages? I wanted more details about the world (this is the first book, and it complements the narrative), and obviously the biggest stakes are waiting for the sequel. But the pace remains, and the minutiae of survival — from safety procedures to less obvious threats — create a sense of reality
for readers who value moral choice
for readers who value moral choice
October 6, 2025
After the End: Undead Fear drops you straight into the chaos without wasting a page. Gwen isn’t the chosen one—she’s just competent, tired, and smart enough to know that safety is temporary and trust is dangerous. The world has already ended, and what’s left are walls, scavengers, and the uneasy question of whether the dead or the living are worse company.
What makes it work is the stripped-down realism. The book doesn’t romanticize apocalypse life; it’s pragmatic, tense, and grimly believable. Gwen’s inner voice—equal parts cynicism and reluctant hope—keeps the pacing sharp while still giving the story emotional grit. The “rules” structure (nowhere is safe, trust no one) gives the narrative rhythm, and each chapter tests how long she can keep those rules before humanity demands she break them.
What makes it work is the stripped-down realism. The book doesn’t romanticize apocalypse life; it’s pragmatic, tense, and grimly believable. Gwen’s inner voice—equal parts cynicism and reluctant hope—keeps the pacing sharp while still giving the story emotional grit. The “rules” structure (nowhere is safe, trust no one) gives the narrative rhythm, and each chapter tests how long she can keep those rules before humanity demands she break them.
October 9, 2025
A Gritty, Fast-Paced Zombie Survival Story
This book throws you right into the chaos of a world where the rules of survival are simple but brutal: nowhere is safe, and people can be more dangerous than the undead. Gwen is a strong, capable lead who feels believable—not some overblown action hero, but someone hardened by loss and survival.
The writing moves fast, keeping the tension high and the danger constant. The zombies are terrifying, but the real suspense comes from not knowing who Gwen can actually trust. That edge of paranoia makes the story feel more real and keeps you turning pages.
If you enjoy survival horror with a tough, determined protagonist and plenty of nail-biting moments, this is a solid start to a series. It’s raw, gritty, and doesn’t let you forget that in the end, people might be scarier than
This book throws you right into the chaos of a world where the rules of survival are simple but brutal: nowhere is safe, and people can be more dangerous than the undead. Gwen is a strong, capable lead who feels believable—not some overblown action hero, but someone hardened by loss and survival.
The writing moves fast, keeping the tension high and the danger constant. The zombies are terrifying, but the real suspense comes from not knowing who Gwen can actually trust. That edge of paranoia makes the story feel more real and keeps you turning pages.
If you enjoy survival horror with a tough, determined protagonist and plenty of nail-biting moments, this is a solid start to a series. It’s raw, gritty, and doesn’t let you forget that in the end, people might be scarier than
October 7, 2025
Who do you trust
This zombie story takes a less than typical path—it's less about the undead and more about trusting people when civilization crumbles. Gwen's practical survival mindset feels real, not heroic. The tension comes from wondering who'll betray you next and less from wondering where the zombies will come from. Dark, gritty, and grounded. The human threat outdoes the zombies every time.
This zombie story takes a less than typical path—it's less about the undead and more about trusting people when civilization crumbles. Gwen's practical survival mindset feels real, not heroic. The tension comes from wondering who'll betray you next and less from wondering where the zombies will come from. Dark, gritty, and grounded. The human threat outdoes the zombies every time.
January 31, 2022
A different take on the end of the world about a misanthrope young woman who finally learns to build a relationship with someone else; all while trying to stay alive. I enjoyed the story. The author really developed the characters well.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews