Isolation

Dead Awake #3

by Rob Ulitski

Against all odds, Egglemore's survivors have managed to stay alive, avoiding the escalating outbreak and the onslaught of infected. But with personal relationships frayed and trust broken, the city's residents are every bit as dangerous as the infection.

Genres: Horror

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 22, 2025

About the author

Rob writes visceral, concept-driven horror stories, anchored by complex characters and offbeat narratives.

Born in Portsmouth, UK, Rob received his bachelor of arts in Film Production from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. Having trained in filmmaking, and working as a director and producer on everything from music videos to shorts to feature-length anthology films, Rob’s official writing journey started in 2020.

When not writing, he can be found watching cheesy 90s films, baking cakes and haunting local bookstores.

Reviews

[Sharron Joy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The survivors of the Egglemoor infection are still trying to find a way out of their town or at least find somewhere safe to lie low. It soon becomes evident that the survivors are now just as deadly as the infected and survival involves making difficult choices.

This just gets better and better, by now you know the main characters, you hate or love them, you are rooting for them and as the situation gets more deadly you fear who will be the next to crash and burn. As secrets and lies are brought to the surface, the depth of Egglemoor’s involvement in the drug trials starts to be revealed. The breakdown in law and order is brutal and brings out the worst of humanity as all the rules of society disappear drenched in blood and viscera.

I’m giving no spoilers but you are in for a treat with this third instalment of this six book series, cannot wait for September and Book 4!

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting interesting, with more drama added to the already impossible situation the protagonists find themselves in!

I don’t lie when I say that every book in the series adds more to the story, developing the characters further, so much so that the reader sees their arc progression after each book. They are not the same characters as when we encountered them the first time. The plot as well, it is so much more now than a series around infection and the infected, but people’s past are starting to show and subplots are being revealed perfectly integrated within the main story.

I’m loving this series and I’m sure anyone reading will love it too. I want to highlight that this is an amazing series not just for zombie fans, but anyone that loves horror done right.

Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Isolation," the third entry in the "Dead Awake" series, Rob Ulitski's take on multi-volume zombie horror fiction, is the most complex part of the story so far: it picks up on everything that's gone before (so it's certainly not a standalone, even with the recap of the second book helpfully included), the short chapters driving the tale forward on all fronts, in unusually fast-paced and action-heavy sequences of violent and disturbing scenes. Several times, I had to pause reading and take a breath before diving in again; unlike the second book, however, I had no moments of audible yelling, since no major, unfair deaths take place in this one (OK, that's not entirely true, there are some deaths in the end but they are all well-deserved!).

There’s an idea I just have to mention, it's so brilliant and original! Another layer of the story's core premise is uncovered: the influence of the anti-insomnia drug which turns people into flesh-hungry monsters if they go to sleep after taking it, (or getting bitten and so on) is shown to have a basis on the brain's dreaming state. In brief, the zombies of this story act this way because they are people whose waking consciousness has been locked away in a state of non-stop nightmare. Their brain is led to transfer all authority to instinctive bodily functions (for example, low iron levels force them to seek meat instinctively). This is such a neat idea, it offers a novel perspective on what a zombie's interior life might be like!

Now the plot itself this time is quite complex and dense: people face other people far more often than zombies (called "screamers" or "ragers" for reasons found in the book). In fact, zombie hordes attacks usually provide the solution to ongoing human conflicts. This allows for more repetition in the story than I'd have liked, but it does feel real and is done skillfully.

Book 3 has a lot of cliffhangers, and there are many complications in every character's story, yet I hope Book 4 take things in an even more elaborate direction: the story is worth every moment spent on it, and the story turns are compelling and very well thought out. Highly recommended!

[Ashley Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written page turner!

My favorite part of a zombie apocalypse story has always been the beginning. How individuals react the first time they're face-to-face with the impossible. This story has made that part last for almost 2 books. Usually by the 3rd and 4th book the survivors are sheltering down or at least have a plan and the means to execute it and I love that too but I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this drawn-out story. The characters are well-developed and I'm definitely sucked into their lives and the outcomes of their struggles. I've finished this one the same day I started it and I'm about to begin the next instead of going to sleep like I should be. This has all the required elements, as far as I'm concerned, to keep me enraptured until I've finished the last sentence. It's just detailed enough that you know a decent amount of what's going on but not so much that you're guessing ahead at what will happen. I really hope Rowan gets what he deserves and that Alice comes out on top in the best way. Other than that I'll be happy with whatever the author has decided needs to happen.

[Sarahsbookishthoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Rob for allowing me to read an advanced copy!

The first thing I'd like to mention is the new recap section right at the start of the book. As someone with a terrible memory I really appreciate it as it ensures I know exactly where everything stands and it makes sure I haven't forgotten any important details.

Now when it comes to the book itself, I loved it just as much as the previous books. As the series goes on, the stakes and tension gets higher, you delve deeper into the psyche of each character and how they are coping. The gruesome descriptions don’t let up either and it helps completely immerse you in the story.

On top of all of that you're left on numerous cliffhangers which helps fuel the excitement for the next book. There is so much more to it than zombies but I’m not going to reveal more than that, this is definitely something you need to read for yourself!

I just know the rest of the series will live up to quality of each book so far and this series is something you don't want to miss out on! An absolute must read for all horror lovers!

[Jessie Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third instalment of the dead awake series. Egglemore is struggling. With no one they can trust and survivors still alive, how will they work through this infection?

First off I loved there was a recap. In case anything was forgotten. Was like a tv series where they do the recap. Absolutely here for it. As the community struggles through the trust issues and the infection still spreading, there is cliffhangers and intense moments I wasn’t quite ready for. However it definitely excites me for the next book! The story is getting super intense at this point and I’m getting a little too close to certain characters for my liking 😂 highly recommend reading this series as I bet you have never read a zombie series quite like this one!

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slowly amping up...

This one is a lot more interesting than book 2 (still not as enthralling as book 1). It would be a lower rating if it wasn't for the last quarter of the book and the dynamics between Alice/Charles, Maggie/Todd, or with Sonia.

I can see that it's heading towards a big explosive book 4 with the army coming into town, Rowan and his team looking for revenge, and Maggie trying to track down Claire (who is a selfish little b****).

The characters still aren't as fleshed out as I feel they were in the first book, and we don't know much else about them now that we did back then, I'm hoping we get to know more as the series continues.

Definitely keeping me intrigued for sure.

6/10.

[Sue and her books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob Ulitski did it again!
This third installment in the Dead Awake series is another action-packed, immersive ride straight into the infected nightmare. The city is still drowning in chaos - the infected thrash in their waking horrors, bodies breaking down, brains in overdrive, lashing out at any sign of life.

Egglemoor is a massive warzone: isolated, bloody, destroyed.
Each storyline is gripping in its own right, making you care about the characters as much as the relentless horror they face. Brutal, cinematic, and impossible to put down. By the time you turn the last page, you’re left desperate for the next chapter.

I can’t wait for Book 4, releasing this September!

[Kayley Bridgman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this series just keeps raising the bar. Book 3 throws you right back into the nightmare that is Egglemore, and things have somehow only gotten much more intense. It’s not just the infected that are terrifying now — the survivors are being pushed to their limits.
The characters feel even more real this time around, you’ve been with them long enough to feel genuinely attached and watching their struggles, mistakes, and desperate choices is both heartbreaking and gripping.
It’s brutal, fast-paced, and totally absorbing with one hell of a cliff hanger, cannot wait for the next instalment.

[Reads_Must · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isolation
Dead Awake #3
Post-apocalyptic
Rob Ulitski
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

• ᴇᴍᴇʀɢᴇɴᴄɪᴇꜱ • ɢʀɪᴇꜰ • ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛɪᴏɴ •

This book was full of twists and turns. The pacing was very good and I never knew what would happen next.

I liked the new friendships, particularly the bond between Maggie and Todd.

Maggie has become another favourite character. I like how savvy she is and how she's planned for almost everything and set her house up for it all.

It was sad when a certain character died but I hope her sacrifice was worth it.

I can't wait to read the next book.

[Lozz Jesson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Egglemore is still overrun by the infected and their town’s people are still trying to find a way out alive.
Secrets leaked, information found and hell is being unearthed just as quick as people are turning.

New characters thrown into the mix and it hasn’t failed.
This series is keeping me clutched to the edge of my seat.
I can’t wait for the next instalment!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles has my heart ❤️

[Gladys Olmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like lots of action, violence, blood, and gore; you get it in this book and the previous ones.