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Zombie Fallout #25
The End of The End
Just as you think you're awake, the nightmare sucks you back under.
Michael Talbot, his squad and followers have suffered hardship and loss along the way, but finally, after years of searching, they have reached their Colorado homestead and settled in. But the world hasn't finished with them yet. A ferocious and determined enemy draws them back into the war for Humankind, and this time the battle will be final.
As they make an uneasy alliance with Avalyn, who has taken her place as the zombie queen, it's a race to see if whether it's already too late to dismantle the deadliest weapon ever created. The enemy has developed both a means to salvation and absolute damnation, and there is no easy way to separate the two. In this all or nothing campaign, there are no guarantees of success or even survival, and everything must be sacrificed if anything is to be saved.
Fifteen years after its initial publication, the epic series, Zombie Fallout concludes.
Michael Talbot, his squad and followers have suffered hardship and loss along the way, but finally, after years of searching, they have reached their Colorado homestead and settled in. But the world hasn't finished with them yet. A ferocious and determined enemy draws them back into the war for Humankind, and this time the battle will be final.
As they make an uneasy alliance with Avalyn, who has taken her place as the zombie queen, it's a race to see if whether it's already too late to dismantle the deadliest weapon ever created. The enemy has developed both a means to salvation and absolute damnation, and there is no easy way to separate the two. In this all or nothing campaign, there are no guarantees of success or even survival, and everything must be sacrificed if anything is to be saved.
Fifteen years after its initial publication, the epic series, Zombie Fallout concludes.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 25, 2025
What will I do with my spare time now that this series has ended? 25 books and I loved every one of them. I will not spoil this for anyone, but I don’t think you will be disappointed- except for the fact that the end has finally come. Many old favourite characters were woven in and I am hoping one or two of them will find lives in other stories. Thank you Mark Tufo for the many hours of enjoyment you have given me. By the way Australians eat Vegmite and the British suffer through Marmite….. I know everyone is a critic 😁
July 26, 2025
Excellent as always
I am so sad that this is the end of the series. I have laughed and cried with the Talbot clan since the beginning. The characters are so well written and get you completely involved with them. I highly recommend this series! Mark Tufo is by far my favorite author! Mark, thank you for the adventures you have shared with us. I anxiously await what you have in store for us next
I am so sad that this is the end of the series. I have laughed and cried with the Talbot clan since the beginning. The characters are so well written and get you completely involved with them. I highly recommend this series! Mark Tufo is by far my favorite author! Mark, thank you for the adventures you have shared with us. I anxiously await what you have in store for us next
August 19, 2025
Such an amazing series
May 10, 2026
I was eager to start this book because I wanted to finally see how everything ended.
And as always, Mark Tufo finds a way to disappoint.
This did not feel like a finale. It just left me frustrated and still wondering what actually happened to half the characters.
The book starts in Colorado with the group trying to settle into their little community. Of course, Faros somehow makes it all the way from Brazil to Panama to Colorado, because logic doesn’t matter anymore. They explain it away by saying she has a spy and is obsessed with getting her twin back.
That spy turns out to be Lena. Shocker. We already knew she was a Russian spy, so now she’s just conveniently also working with the Brazilian military.
They capture her, tie her up, threaten her over and over… and do nothing. Mike doesn’t kill her. BT doesn’t kill her. Tracy slaps her for shooting her kid, but that’s it. Just a whole lot of talking.
Then Avalon comes in, shoots Stencil, shoots Justin in the leg, and escapes with Lena. Of course, neither of them actually die, so it’s just more fake tension.
Avalon fully steps into her role as the zombie queen, calling herself the “Great Unifier.”
She forces Lena, who she basically mind-controls after biting her, to reveal the truth. The original scientists are alive, Hammer is alive, and they’re working with Faros on a cure… but also trying to spread the virus to animals, including creating zombie mosquitoes.
So now we have that nonsense.
Avalon wants Mike to destroy the lab, and she surrounds the group with zombies to force them to go along. They head to the facility, fight their way in, and it’s the same formula again. Fighting, chaos, and way too much Mike and BT nonsense.
Then Tommy shows up.
And this part made me mad.
He tries to pull Mike away to save him, and Stencil shoots Tommy in the head. He runs off, and Mike just assumes Tommy turned evil because they left him behind.
Which is stupid.
Later, we find out the truth.
Tommy wasn’t evil at all. Azile had contacted him through astral projection and told him exactly what needed to happen to save Mike. He couldn’t use vampire blood. Mike had to be saved by normal human means.
So Tommy was trying to get him out of danger.
But because Stencil shot him, he had to adjust his plan.
He waited until Mike was injured, grabbed him, and brought him to a doctor so he could be saved the right way.
He even explains that he couldn’t tell Mike the truth because Mike would never have gone along with it.
And after all that?
Tommy leaves.
And that’s it.
We never hear from him again.
If you don’t read Lycan, you have no idea what happens to one of the most important characters in the entire series.
That alone is a huge problem.
Back at the lab, the scientists reveal they tricked Faros. Instead of a cure, they created a virus that spreads from zombie to zombie and kills them.
Avalon unknowingly helps spread it.
Mike and Faros fight and basically take each other out until Tommy intervenes and pulls Mike away.
And then suddenly… everything is just fine.
Mike heals. Everyone’s okay. Avalon disappears to go “do God’s work” by wiping out zombies. Hammer disappears. Justin is fine. Stencil is fine.
No real closure. Just… done.
Then we get this weird ending with Eric calling Mike and asking for a sharpshooter, which feels like a forced setup for another series. I don’t like being pushed into reading another author’s books just to understand an ending.
Switching to Azile’s timeline:
She tells the family Mike is dead, then reads Tripp’s note.
That’s when everything clicks.
Mike had to die in that timeline to fix the other one.
So Azile leaves to help Tommy set things right, which explains everything that happened earlier.
That part actually makes sense… but it’s rushed and buried under everything else.
Wilkins, Elam, and Mac get a small ending where Wilkins uses her pendant, they meet mysterious traders in a fog, and it’s heavily implied she has magic.
And then… that’s it.
Another storyline just left hanging.
Overall, this was not a satisfying ending.
Too many characters disappear. Too many storylines go nowhere. Too many things are introduced and never finished.
We never get real closure on Tommy, Avalon, Payne, Charlie, or several others.
And after 25 books, that’s unacceptable.
Final thoughts on the series:
I gave this book 1 star.
The series as a whole gets a 2, and that’s only because of Tripp and the Wilkins, Mac, and Elam storyline.
Everything else?
Repetitive, sloppy, overextended, and full of wasted potential.
Would I recommend this series?
No.
Not after this ending.
And as always, Mark Tufo finds a way to disappoint.
This did not feel like a finale. It just left me frustrated and still wondering what actually happened to half the characters.
The book starts in Colorado with the group trying to settle into their little community. Of course, Faros somehow makes it all the way from Brazil to Panama to Colorado, because logic doesn’t matter anymore. They explain it away by saying she has a spy and is obsessed with getting her twin back.
That spy turns out to be Lena. Shocker. We already knew she was a Russian spy, so now she’s just conveniently also working with the Brazilian military.
They capture her, tie her up, threaten her over and over… and do nothing. Mike doesn’t kill her. BT doesn’t kill her. Tracy slaps her for shooting her kid, but that’s it. Just a whole lot of talking.
Then Avalon comes in, shoots Stencil, shoots Justin in the leg, and escapes with Lena. Of course, neither of them actually die, so it’s just more fake tension.
Avalon fully steps into her role as the zombie queen, calling herself the “Great Unifier.”
She forces Lena, who she basically mind-controls after biting her, to reveal the truth. The original scientists are alive, Hammer is alive, and they’re working with Faros on a cure… but also trying to spread the virus to animals, including creating zombie mosquitoes.
So now we have that nonsense.
Avalon wants Mike to destroy the lab, and she surrounds the group with zombies to force them to go along. They head to the facility, fight their way in, and it’s the same formula again. Fighting, chaos, and way too much Mike and BT nonsense.
Then Tommy shows up.
And this part made me mad.
He tries to pull Mike away to save him, and Stencil shoots Tommy in the head. He runs off, and Mike just assumes Tommy turned evil because they left him behind.
Which is stupid.
Later, we find out the truth.
Tommy wasn’t evil at all. Azile had contacted him through astral projection and told him exactly what needed to happen to save Mike. He couldn’t use vampire blood. Mike had to be saved by normal human means.
So Tommy was trying to get him out of danger.
But because Stencil shot him, he had to adjust his plan.
He waited until Mike was injured, grabbed him, and brought him to a doctor so he could be saved the right way.
He even explains that he couldn’t tell Mike the truth because Mike would never have gone along with it.
And after all that?
Tommy leaves.
And that’s it.
We never hear from him again.
If you don’t read Lycan, you have no idea what happens to one of the most important characters in the entire series.
That alone is a huge problem.
Back at the lab, the scientists reveal they tricked Faros. Instead of a cure, they created a virus that spreads from zombie to zombie and kills them.
Avalon unknowingly helps spread it.
Mike and Faros fight and basically take each other out until Tommy intervenes and pulls Mike away.
And then suddenly… everything is just fine.
Mike heals. Everyone’s okay. Avalon disappears to go “do God’s work” by wiping out zombies. Hammer disappears. Justin is fine. Stencil is fine.
No real closure. Just… done.
Then we get this weird ending with Eric calling Mike and asking for a sharpshooter, which feels like a forced setup for another series. I don’t like being pushed into reading another author’s books just to understand an ending.
Switching to Azile’s timeline:
She tells the family Mike is dead, then reads Tripp’s note.
That’s when everything clicks.
Mike had to die in that timeline to fix the other one.
So Azile leaves to help Tommy set things right, which explains everything that happened earlier.
That part actually makes sense… but it’s rushed and buried under everything else.
Wilkins, Elam, and Mac get a small ending where Wilkins uses her pendant, they meet mysterious traders in a fog, and it’s heavily implied she has magic.
And then… that’s it.
Another storyline just left hanging.
Overall, this was not a satisfying ending.
Too many characters disappear. Too many storylines go nowhere. Too many things are introduced and never finished.
We never get real closure on Tommy, Avalon, Payne, Charlie, or several others.
And after 25 books, that’s unacceptable.
Final thoughts on the series:
I gave this book 1 star.
The series as a whole gets a 2, and that’s only because of Tripp and the Wilkins, Mac, and Elam storyline.
Everything else?
Repetitive, sloppy, overextended, and full of wasted potential.
Would I recommend this series?
No.
Not after this ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2025
Sad this series if finally over. I do have a few other books from the multiverse thing to finish so gone but not forgotten I guess. I have been reading this series for years now. (read the first one in April of 2021) It felt like the characters in these books were friends and family. I texted my buddies last night to tell them I was finishing a major book series tonight and was sad. They suggested another book series by another horror genre author. I responded, it's not the same man. This series had a sense of humor even in the darkest moments of the story. That was something I needed in my life. It'll be hard to find something new that measures up. Keeping things light and happy in such a dark genre is not something easily done. Mad respect to Mr Mark Tufo. Sean Runnette was an excellent choice for a narrator. I am legally blind so I listen to all my books. I have come across Mr Runnette in a few other books and it's kinda like my mind has typed casted him forever as Michael Talbot. Lol. Why is Mike in this romance book? Why is he the Nightlord? lol. Too funny to hear him in completely different stories. I see Mr Tufo has a new series coming out in December. "Reset" I have already tagged it on my wish list. It has a different narrator since it is a completely unconnected new story. Time to find out if it was the author's words that drew me in so well or the combination of the author and narrator working together. It was truly magic in the making with these two working together. Perhaps Vikas Adam will win me over as he recites the new story. Fingers crossed. I'm a big lover of post apocalyptic books so I am sure I will enjoy the new series as well.
PS: What the heck was up with leaving us hanging with Martha Talbot and Beatrice Tines? I really wanted to hear more about these ladies. I honestly thought they were gonna show up at the end of the book to save the day somehow then share some mystical adventure they had been on.....perhaps in another multiverse where they were the Talbot Tines duo that had saved their reality. I was super bummed to not hear more about these ladies' adventures. I realize this would have caused issues with BT and his current Talbot wife but.....if they came from another realm he'd owe her no allegiances. Bummer..... would have been cool if in at least one realm she lived since he mourned her so hard...
PS: What the heck was up with leaving us hanging with Martha Talbot and Beatrice Tines? I really wanted to hear more about these ladies. I honestly thought they were gonna show up at the end of the book to save the day somehow then share some mystical adventure they had been on.....perhaps in another multiverse where they were the Talbot Tines duo that had saved their reality. I was super bummed to not hear more about these ladies' adventures. I realize this would have caused issues with BT and his current Talbot wife but.....if they came from another realm he'd owe her no allegiances. Bummer..... would have been cool if in at least one realm she lived since he mourned her so hard...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2025
An incredible journey comes to an end. Sort of. This was a perfectly satisfying conclusion to the Zombie Fallout series, but it doesn't end the Talbot-verse. It included a very nice authors note at the end, with Tufo sharing things about the journey of writing these, and how he'll continue touching on other elements of the parallel worlds that were created. But the zombie apocalypse focus of THESE books? Yes, definitely ended. I enjoyed the ride, and found this to be a nice wrap up. But I'll miss those frequent Mike/BT interchanges, I truly will. Their humor - it worked for me. Well done, Mark Tufo, well done.
July 31, 2025
This was a good ending to one of my favorite series. We get plenty of the expected humor and sarcastic banter in the midst of life or death situations. The action sequences are pretty good although there's more human violence than zombie fighting. I like the introduction of new characters and how Kirby really shines in this one. The story flies by and is narrated expertly as usual. Of course, there's a bittersweet feeling the whole way through because you know it's the end, but I look forward to reading Mark's other material. Thank you for the excellent storytelling.
September 3, 2025
I'm crying
Mark Tufo's Zombie Fallout series has been the soundtrack to my life for the last 15 years , Mike's exploits have followed me through hard times , good times and everything inbetween. I've laughed out loud , cried in secret and gasped at the many glorious adventures of Mike & Co . Finishing the series has been emotional , I am going to miss all the characters so much and the thrill of waiting for a new book to be released , thank you Mark for the wonderful tales of Mike , Zombie Fallout will always remain an absolute favourite for me .
Mark Tufo's Zombie Fallout series has been the soundtrack to my life for the last 15 years , Mike's exploits have followed me through hard times , good times and everything inbetween. I've laughed out loud , cried in secret and gasped at the many glorious adventures of Mike & Co . Finishing the series has been emotional , I am going to miss all the characters so much and the thrill of waiting for a new book to be released , thank you Mark for the wonderful tales of Mike , Zombie Fallout will always remain an absolute favourite for me .
September 28, 2025
Love me some Talbot!
Man, it’s hard to believe Talbot’s story has been going on for fifteen years. That’s quite the testament to Tufo’s grey matter. To keep this one character so interesting that once you’ve met him you can stop looking for the next adventure. And then the next one after that. How I would live to know BT in real life. And Henry! And so many others.
Thank you Mike for losing your job all those years ago. And thank you to your wife for giving you the push you needed to bring Michael Talbot to life. I’m going to miss looking for the next Fallout book.
Man, it’s hard to believe Talbot’s story has been going on for fifteen years. That’s quite the testament to Tufo’s grey matter. To keep this one character so interesting that once you’ve met him you can stop looking for the next adventure. And then the next one after that. How I would live to know BT in real life. And Henry! And so many others.
Thank you Mike for losing your job all those years ago. And thank you to your wife for giving you the push you needed to bring Michael Talbot to life. I’m going to miss looking for the next Fallout book.
July 31, 2025
Are you kidding me?! I've been deprived of Garon Whited's next book for almost 2 years and you just sprinkle in Eric as a cliff hanger?!!!!!!! Mark if you're reading this, please tell your friend to take from you and to kindly write faster 🙏❤️
4 stars only because I was a little confused at the ending. I'm sure I'll understand all this time travel stuff someday.
4 stars only because I was a little confused at the ending. I'm sure I'll understand all this time travel stuff someday.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2025
great ending to an awesome tale!
Thanks Mark—not even upset I haven’t slept much in the past two days since I started reading this installment. Great way to tie things together and bring things to an end. For now. Looking forward to your next project(s). Congrats on a job well done.
Thanks Mark—not even upset I haven’t slept much in the past two days since I started reading this installment. Great way to tie things together and bring things to an end. For now. Looking forward to your next project(s). Congrats on a job well done.
August 19, 2025
25 isn't enough!
I usually read my Zombie Fallout cry quickly then reread to make sure I didn't miss anything. This time around was a slowly savored read knowing this was the end of 15 years of zombie gore,laughter, family ,friendship ,and travel . read this and the entire series if you like a y of the above. Thank you Mark Tufo for one of my favorite series.
I usually read my Zombie Fallout cry quickly then reread to make sure I didn't miss anything. This time around was a slowly savored read knowing this was the end of 15 years of zombie gore,laughter, family ,friendship ,and travel . read this and the entire series if you like a y of the above. Thank you Mark Tufo for one of my favorite series.
September 8, 2025
Bootylicious????
That was
Indeed the only way to end the series without ending talbot. I'm not gonna lie, I'm going to miss the crazy bastard as he's been with me for the last 10 years of my life. As a survivor of many unimaginable circumstances that most people couldn't fathom... I can relate. Even had a trip of my own for a time. Au revoir Michael talbot...
That was
Indeed the only way to end the series without ending talbot. I'm not gonna lie, I'm going to miss the crazy bastard as he's been with me for the last 10 years of my life. As a survivor of many unimaginable circumstances that most people couldn't fathom... I can relate. Even had a trip of my own for a time. Au revoir Michael talbot...
February 8, 2026
What a disappointing and terrible ending for a really great series.
Don't know what I expected as a final entry to the series, but this definitely wasn't it, I feel a bit let down by the author. I've read the entire series and expected something better as an ending for our favorite characters. This last book certainly didn't deliver it.
Don't know what I expected as a final entry to the series, but this definitely wasn't it, I feel a bit let down by the author. I've read the entire series and expected something better as an ending for our favorite characters. This last book certainly didn't deliver it.
July 26, 2025
Wow!!! I was almost afraid to start this book, afraid I would hate it because it's the last one. But I loved it. I'm only sad the series is finished. It was an amazing wrap. I look forward to many more Mark Tufo stories, he's just so good.
July 27, 2025
Fantastic series
So sad it ended. I am going to miss these guys. I have read this
series and others from the Talbot world. Funny and memorable characters. Just love loved this.
So sad it ended. I am going to miss these guys. I have read this
series and others from the Talbot world. Funny and memorable characters. Just love loved this.
August 6, 2025
Wow
What an adventure this has been. So much has happened to Mike's group. They've experienced horrors and loss. They have found love and friendship. But most of all they never have up. This book has been a fine example of the works in this series. I'm sad to see it end.
What an adventure this has been. So much has happened to Mike's group. They've experienced horrors and loss. They have found love and friendship. But most of all they never have up. This book has been a fine example of the works in this series. I'm sad to see it end.
August 29, 2025
A true love-hate journey. I often hated that the series never seemed to end, yet I still found myself preordering each new release. In the end, it was wrapped up nicely, and I’m grateful for the ride.
October 7, 2025
So this is the end. Well I must say it has been an amazing journey. I have laughed so many times and I have occasionally cried. Goodbye zombie fallout. Actually, I’m going back to listen to it all all over again.
October 17, 2025
Really the end?
After 25 books, I think Mark may have ended the series. Luckily, his main character is in many alternate reality series. I've read them all, and they're great. Lots of action and humor. Can't wait to see what he writes next.
After 25 books, I think Mark may have ended the series. Luckily, his main character is in many alternate reality series. I've read them all, and they're great. Lots of action and humor. Can't wait to see what he writes next.
November 3, 2025
This was an fantastic series, with yes it’s ups and downs but the characters always made it so special. It’s sad to know, we won’t here of most of them again, but i‘m already stoked to hear more of Michaels adventures in this weird multiverse
March 19, 2026
Loved it!
This middle-aged housewife has been a committed Tufo fan since I first encountered Zombie Fallout in 2011ish. This final in the series was entertaining as well as a satisfying ending to my favorite zombie series!
This middle-aged housewife has been a committed Tufo fan since I first encountered Zombie Fallout in 2011ish. This final in the series was entertaining as well as a satisfying ending to my favorite zombie series!
April 22, 2026
Mark does a great job finishing up his signature series with a bang and closing out our favorite character. Looking forward to future projects and Sean always does a wonderful job on everything he narrates.
July 25, 2025
Amazing ride
I can't believe its been 15 years and 20 some books, but what an amazing ride and amazing author. Thank you.
I can't believe its been 15 years and 20 some books, but what an amazing ride and amazing author. Thank you.
July 25, 2025
What a fantastic ending, although I'm sorry it's the end.
July 28, 2025
Very sad for it to end but the ride was incredible, and the story was wrapped up the way endings should be.
July 29, 2025
At the beginning of the year I found this series. What a wild ride it has been. I laughed, I cried, but most importantly I found my love for books again.
Most importantly...
"What a Trip it's been"
Most importantly...
"What a Trip it's been"
July 29, 2025
I have laughed, cried, and loved so much with this series. Well done Mr. Tufo!
August 8, 2025
Excellent series. All worth the read. Only thing I hate about the series is it's over. If you like ZA genre books, you'll love all of these!
August 13, 2025
I love Mike, BT & Sean Runnette. I don’t want it to end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews