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Arisen #7

Death of Empires

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Hope Never Dies.

With over 175,000 copies sold, the world's most thrilling and best-loved military zombie-apocalypse series returns, powering toward its epic and cataclysmic conclusion.

457 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2014

448 people are currently reading
358 people want to read

About the author

Glynn James

92 books477 followers
GLYNN JAMES is an author of science fiction, post-apocalyptic, dark fantasy, horror, and dystopian fiction. His love of science fiction began when he was eight years old after discovering HP Lovecraft and Richard Matheson, and then later on Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, James Herbert, Clive Barker, and Stephen King.

In addition to being author of the “ALTERLIGHT” supernatural mystery thriller series, he is author of the dark sci-fi series "DIARY OF THE DISPLACED", the post-apocalyptic "THROWN AWAY" series, and co-author of the "ARISEN" series and the “DUSTFALL” series.

More info on his writing and projects can be found at -
Website - www.glynnjames.co.uk
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/glynnjamesfi...
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/GlynnJames

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5 stars
1,097 (54%)
4 stars
674 (33%)
3 stars
198 (9%)
2 stars
28 (1%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for chucklesthescot.
3,000 reviews134 followers
April 6, 2017
The surprise attack by the Russian ship shocks everyone and the crew battle to get things back under control with the loss of a key man. An outbreak inside CentCom threatens the safety of London and the Tunnel survivors are planning how to escape from the city which no longer seems safe. Wesley gets the mission of killing the remaining zombies below decks while Juice readies his team to go ashore for supplies from the naval base. Homer is convinced that the threat to the JFK is bigger than anyone realises and decides to take action while Ali races the Russian helicopter to try and save a downed F35 pilot.

The Russian ship in the dock launches an attack on the JFK but flee as they are unaware the JFK cannot fight back, and Drake knows that they will back if they realise this and the JFK will be doomed. Homer warns Drake that each Russian ship has a unit of Spetsnaz special forces who will either attack the ship or the onshore party but Drake is not ready to listen to him. Wesley leads him team through the ship and finds an infected man for Simon to use as a test subject for his cure. Drake watches grimly as the Russian ship begins to turn around and will be able to fire on them in thirty minutes.

Grews decides to pull rank and avoid quarantine when tests show he is clear of infection but when he wakes up feeling ill, he realises what a terrible mistake he has just made. When someone comes to check on him, Grews attacks him and an outbreak within CentCom itself begins. Mayes is completely unprepared for the disaster which is about to unfold around him. Jameson's team arrive back in London just as the new outbreak begins. The Tunnel survivors witness an armed raid on the relocation centre and no longer feel safe in the city. They meet Rebecca as she flees her home with the children, and she tells them that the city is on lockdown and they cannot leave.

Juice has been chosen to lead the onshore supply raid in the wake of a terrible loss for Fick's team. He has accidently triggered a bomb and considers giving up until he sees the supplies that the JFK needs and starts disarming it. It turns out that the bomb and zombies in the area are going to be the least of their worries as things take a deadly turn.

A miscalculation of the Russian weaponry on their ship dooms two F35's and a dangerous race begins to see if Ali can beat the Russians to the one living pilot stranded in the sea. Homer decides to enlist the rest of Alpha Team to assist him as he goes swimming to check for any underwater activity that might threaten the ship, fearing that mines or divers could be lurking under the ship. He is about to find more than he bargained for...

I've seen this book described in reviews as a lesser book in the series but I enjoyed this one as much as the others that come before and after it in the series. It still has the same kickass action as various members of Alpha Team are locked in deadly situations on the JFK and on land and CentCom is falling apart. These guys really cannot catch a break but that is what makes it exciting! I loved the CentCom outbreak which shows that the failure to follow safety procedures for quarantine will lead to many deaths. Having the Russians turn hostile with no warning was also a nice twist and added more tension to the plot. These guys are nasty!

I liked seeing Juice getting his chance to shine on a mission, and the fact that he was feeling scared about it and not feeling that he was as good as the other members of Alpha. He was well aware that he was chosen to lead the mission because he was seen as the most expendable, which is sad because I like Juice! I liked seeing a different side to a kickass soldier. I liked seeing how his head injury was starting to wear on Drake and his mistakes put the entire mission at risk. And seriously, when are people going to start listening to Homer??? He was right about the danger from the extremists back in book two which Drake ignored, causing an outbreak of zombies and the almost fatal beaching of the ship. Now is history going to repeat itself? I was also wondering what happened to Anderson so that question is also answered.

Another excellent book in the series!
Profile Image for David Dalton.
3,060 reviews
December 9, 2014
I love this series, I really do. I think I have given every book either 5 or 4 stars. Certainly more 5-Star reviews than 4. Full of zombie fighting action. But this story actually did not deal with too many zombies, but it added a whole new threat: The Russians are back in town and causing all sorts of havoc.

Within another week or so, the two authors will be releasing the 8th story in this series. Merry Christmas to me! I have always said it feels like the authors wrote this series just for me. I love zombie stories and I love special ops action stories. This series gives me both.

At times the action is VERY intense. Great set of characters and plot lines. Try one of the first books and see if you do not agree. Be aware it is very much of a zombie thriller and these guys/gals blow the C$%P out of them. If only Chuck Norris were 25 years younger this would be a perfect vehicle for him to film.......Action!
Profile Image for Cyc.
107 reviews5 followers
April 4, 2015
Another good book in the series. This one is more of a build up with the tense action coming later as a cliffhanger for the next book. England is failing to stay secure. And the Americans at sea have to deal with a deadly ship run by trigger-happy Russians. We also meet the man responsible for the outbreak. The next book is setting up nicely.
Profile Image for Randy Harmelink.
934 reviews257 followers
December 18, 2017
Not a fan of this book. For the middle third or so, I found it to be a chore to read. But it picked up after then, and then ended suddenly right in the middle of a scene.
Profile Image for Jen.
2,170 reviews155 followers
September 3, 2020
It just never stops.

At this point in the story, the plot has gone a way in which I'm not surprised. I'm just a little disappointed. And I'm disappointed because I think in real life this is exactly what would happen. You'd think the zombie apocalypse would unite people; instead, we're the same old flawed humans as we ever were.

I've gotten used to the suspense and holding my breath. But now things are challenging in different ways - the PTSD, head injuries, Russians versus Americans who still want to kill each other, gangs in the streets of London. The series has entered into the phase where the zombies are the least of their worries. It's the breakdown of society that's the trouble.

I'm marathoning this series so the cliffhangers don't bother me. But if I had to wait for the next book after this one? That would be difficult.

And as always RC Bray is amazing.
Profile Image for Angela Verdenius.
Author 66 books677 followers
March 29, 2017
A roller coaster ride as usual. It feels like you're there beside the different teams, the stench of the dead around you, them closing in on every side, the ocean beneath you, the enemy not just the dead. Where the unexpected and expected happen side-by-side. The scenes roll out over seemingly real time, and the ending of this book had me hopping straight into the next book - even though it was 10:30 at night and I had to get up at 5:30am for work! But soooo worth it! (I mean, what's sleep compared to a ripping good story, right?)
Profile Image for Chris Andrews.
201 reviews8 followers
January 28, 2020
A couple of unbelievable actions by people happened, or was that the last one? Either way when things happen that you don't believe would happen then it's easy to lose faith in a book a little.

Profile Image for Bryan .
561 reviews
July 1, 2024
This installment was much weaker than the last one. The revelation of where the virus actually came from was an identical plot point already used by Jonathan Mayberry 6 years before this book came out in the book Patient Zero, which is excellent. This book did a much weaker job of building up that same storyline and having it be the wrecking ball that tears down the world. There were several cliche plot points in this book too, that were so recycled they were simply off-putting. For example, the inclusion of the random Russian special ops team and their Navy ship as an intimidating and highly proficient antagonist in Somalia was just silly and less believable than the idea of zombies taking over the world, especially with the backdrop of what's happening in the real world in 2024. Anyhow, I'm still moving on to the next book and I have high hopes that there is more good to come out of the series. I sure hope so, I purchased every book already.
Profile Image for Brandon.
556 reviews35 followers
October 19, 2019
This time around the heroes are kept on the ropes the entire round. The Russians have tactically stayed a step ahead of the JFK every time, and it doesn't help it's commander is fading further and further into his possible brain injury from having a grenade go off near to his head previously. As the decisions only get harder, and with less and less time to make those decisions, every play is like stretching a dime to make a dollar. They hadn't counted on a flagship Russian cruiser and its detachment of Spetznas becoming their newest potential destruction.

Luckily, there's something to be said for the US/UK SOF guys' relentless determination and heart, not to mention tier one skills. This one was about as hard a fight as anyone had ever imagined possible during their training, the great battle against the Russkies. At least the zombies didn't shoot missiles or plant mines.
1 review
January 2, 2022
Man I love all the books so far specially when it really gets to the breath taking actions. What I hate is the authors love of talking through these books. They are so teeee..dious. It was a struggle to continue most times and the only way to get out of those very long "reflections by each character is to skip those parts. If I don't I would fall asleep and never get to finish each book. Book 7 is boring so I'm skipping most parts and hoping that I can still continue to finish this. The story is interesting, it's the tediousness of long storyline that can actually be shortened a bit that makes this a struggle to read.
537 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2025
Bring It On!

Seriously though? It’s just not right to put a cliffhanger **right there** in a tiny lull in combat…

Ah, well it’s called a cliffhanger for a reason. This is book seven, a massive secret gets revealed. It’s all about the action for this book. Especially considering that the “effluent makes contact with the rotary air device” in a series of significant instances. Book 8 coming right up there’s no chance that I won’t be glued to this series until the end! Go on you know you want to.
Profile Image for Nannika.
256 reviews17 followers
July 8, 2017
Hope may never die for these people...but my hope of finishing the series before the end of this year is. I've been reading this series for approx 1-2 years...can't remember the exact. But wheys...It really is one long book. While I appreciate the character development, attention to detail and plot...I just want to reach te end and see what happens...book 7 out of twelve...I've never read a series this long...I Haven't even reached this far in Emperor's Edge...sigh
44 reviews
September 18, 2021
Hands the worst book in the series. Ive read with 70% progress and the only thing that happen is a russian boat shoot a dud missile. The rest is just talking, thats right a book with zombie and guns but the author treat it like romance books with constant pointless talk, no action at all. What a waste of time.
Profile Image for Christina  Tyo.
19 reviews
November 10, 2016
Really good series

I just can't get enough of these books. I go for one book to the next, always excited to see the next plot twist. If you like zombies and lots of suspense these are the books for you
Profile Image for Tori Barlow-stamps.
10 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2017
This one took me awhile longer to read (most I finish in a day or 2). It wasn't that it was worse, it was just ?? slower?? Still good, I enjoy the characters and suspense. Not being military or medical minded, I find it fascinating.
Profile Image for James.
9 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2020
I started noticing more inner dialogue in the last book which was a bit distracting, but the abundance of "should I, shouldn't I", "What if I did this, what if I did that" in this one started to grate on me a bit. Otherwise a great read.
Profile Image for Linda.
299 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2021
Done with book 7

The authors continue to impress me on the wide array of huge challenges the character's in these book face. The stories unfold seamlessly from book to book. On to book 8!
Profile Image for Macaully Kearney.
158 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2025
3 Stars - I have no desire to continue this series... I'm seven books deep and wish I liked it more. However, throughout my journey with this series, I've been unable to connect with the characters. I'm not sure I enjoyed the heavy military aspects as much as many other readers but sometimes, the book just isn't for you.
Profile Image for Russell.
52 reviews
December 9, 2017
This instalment had me from beginning to end and absolutely did not let up. The amount of detail and sheer realism is unbelievable. Seriously, the best of the Arisen books I've read so far.
Profile Image for Tamer Sadek.
262 reviews9 followers
May 30, 2018
Solid and fun. Not exactly literature at its best and it would be generous to call the characters one-dimensional but I still find myself coming back for more!
570 reviews3 followers
June 5, 2019
Outstanding

Loved it. Full of action and well written. A great book in a great series. Going on to the next in line.
181 reviews
October 25, 2019
Wow

Just wow. Really enjoyed this and am about to start tearing into the next! If you like the genre then dive on in
Profile Image for [ J o ].
1,966 reviews551 followers
never-read
January 19, 2020
Read the novella Genesis in the "Arisen" series. 1 Star and did not enjoy, therefore will not be continuing with the series.
129 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2021
Drawn Out

Ok. This book is a bit drawn out, but still full of action! Alpha team and USS Kennedy not having luck in getting much needed resources.
Profile Image for Vanessa Kiger.
871 reviews5 followers
June 22, 2022
AWESOME!

I love this series. So full of action, danger, craziness and phenomenal badass characters!!! Always leaves me wanting more! This one ended in a MAJOR CLIFF!
Profile Image for Daniel Westman.
144 reviews2 followers
August 4, 2025
I especially enjoyed the addition of the super cruel Bond villain, inventing and selling viruses to the highest bidder and living it up in his own secret exclusive base.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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