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Z-Altitude: Book Two: Drift Protocol – A Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Thriller
Drift ProtocolBook Two of the Z-Altitude Series by D.C. Wolfe
The sky is no longer safe.
The outbreak began midair. Now the survivors of Flight 472 are still flying—but only just.
With systems failing and the world beneath them falling apart, the crew and passengers must chart a path across a continent gripped by silence, fear, and the undead. Borders are closing. Signals are fading. And nowhere feels safe for long.
But it’s not just the infected they have to worry about.
Tensions rise onboard as trust frays, secrets surface, and survival forces hard choices. Old roles no longer apply. New alliances form. And each step west is a battle to stay together—and stay human.
Drift Protocol is the gripping second installment of the Z-Altitude a cinematic, character-driven apocalypse thriller where the danger comes from both above and below—and staying in the air might be the only way to stay alive.
The sky is no longer safe.
The outbreak began midair. Now the survivors of Flight 472 are still flying—but only just.
With systems failing and the world beneath them falling apart, the crew and passengers must chart a path across a continent gripped by silence, fear, and the undead. Borders are closing. Signals are fading. And nowhere feels safe for long.
But it’s not just the infected they have to worry about.
Tensions rise onboard as trust frays, secrets surface, and survival forces hard choices. Old roles no longer apply. New alliances form. And each step west is a battle to stay together—and stay human.
Drift Protocol is the gripping second installment of the Z-Altitude a cinematic, character-driven apocalypse thriller where the danger comes from both above and below—and staying in the air might be the only way to stay alive.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 17, 2025
Giving fiction authors leeway is one thing, however, lazy writing is another.
We follow our gallant survivors again taking off in their damaged jet. They make it to Bari & only a few more catastrophic scenarios. Almost all of them due to stupidity (or stupid writing). Case - team splits in two, one heads into the city (a city they know nothing off, and don't take the local security guy) just because there was an evac point at a stadium. The city is totally dead, yet they believe there'll be help there. No prizes for guessing they get lost a lot. Really? So through this jaunt they pick up a few people, lose soldiers, almost get Grace killed (which I was hoping for, by far the worst character). They eventually see a cruise liner smashing into the port. Around 12 people ask, "Is that a cruise liner?". Wow. Not thinking tactically, they decide they want to go help the people on board. Only to have zombies jumping over to get at that.
Here's more bad story telling.
Petrov sees the zombie ship passengers falling. Then waking up & jerking etc, he wonders what they are. What in the world kind of lazy writing is this?
Amina & Ramsey get lost in an empty airport. Then she is FROZEN & doesn't help while he is killed. Petrov sees zombie Ramsey and hesitates. (he Is "frozen") . He knew the guy barely a day or so and didn't have any interactions so he would not have had any familiarity with him. Not enough to almost get killed.
Amina, when Petrov tells her he killed zombie Ramsey: "Her shoulders sagged. “You’re telling me he turned already?”
Like seriously? They've all seen how fast they turn and this is now quite a while after.
Jenna, as they enter Venice - “I can see people,” she said slowly, her voice low enough that it almost blended with the hum of the engines. “But… it doesn’t look right.” James flicked his eyes from the horizon to the navigation display, then back outside. “Define ‘doesn’t look right.’” “They’re not walking like normal. It’s—” She hesitated, searching for the word. “It’s like they’re wandering. Clumping. Not heading anywhere specific. Just… drifting.” So she doesn't recognise the zombies by now? Insanity.
“Runway not clear. Has to be.” “Not clear?” Grace turned in her seat. “You mean… debris? Wreckage?” Petrov shook his head once, sharply. “No. Not debris.” Grace, the worst character in this story by far.
Jenna, asking James if they can reach London, knowing full well they filled no fuel and have less than 90 mins flight time. While London is 4-6 hours away. “And London?” James gave her a look. “Not on what we’ve got left in the tanks. We’re not even close.”
Ridiculous writing. The military chaps always die, the annoying characters survive, they don't want to quarantine or make any decisions about injured personnel acting shady - knowing 100% how this virus works. Utterly unfathomable writing.
We follow our gallant survivors again taking off in their damaged jet. They make it to Bari & only a few more catastrophic scenarios. Almost all of them due to stupidity (or stupid writing). Case - team splits in two, one heads into the city (a city they know nothing off, and don't take the local security guy) just because there was an evac point at a stadium. The city is totally dead, yet they believe there'll be help there. No prizes for guessing they get lost a lot. Really? So through this jaunt they pick up a few people, lose soldiers, almost get Grace killed (which I was hoping for, by far the worst character). They eventually see a cruise liner smashing into the port. Around 12 people ask, "Is that a cruise liner?". Wow. Not thinking tactically, they decide they want to go help the people on board. Only to have zombies jumping over to get at that.
Here's more bad story telling.
Petrov sees the zombie ship passengers falling. Then waking up & jerking etc, he wonders what they are. What in the world kind of lazy writing is this?
Amina & Ramsey get lost in an empty airport. Then she is FROZEN & doesn't help while he is killed. Petrov sees zombie Ramsey and hesitates. (he Is "frozen") . He knew the guy barely a day or so and didn't have any interactions so he would not have had any familiarity with him. Not enough to almost get killed.
Amina, when Petrov tells her he killed zombie Ramsey: "Her shoulders sagged. “You’re telling me he turned already?”
Like seriously? They've all seen how fast they turn and this is now quite a while after.
Jenna, as they enter Venice - “I can see people,” she said slowly, her voice low enough that it almost blended with the hum of the engines. “But… it doesn’t look right.” James flicked his eyes from the horizon to the navigation display, then back outside. “Define ‘doesn’t look right.’” “They’re not walking like normal. It’s—” She hesitated, searching for the word. “It’s like they’re wandering. Clumping. Not heading anywhere specific. Just… drifting.” So she doesn't recognise the zombies by now? Insanity.
“Runway not clear. Has to be.” “Not clear?” Grace turned in her seat. “You mean… debris? Wreckage?” Petrov shook his head once, sharply. “No. Not debris.” Grace, the worst character in this story by far.
Jenna, asking James if they can reach London, knowing full well they filled no fuel and have less than 90 mins flight time. While London is 4-6 hours away. “And London?” James gave her a look. “Not on what we’ve got left in the tanks. We’re not even close.”
Ridiculous writing. The military chaps always die, the annoying characters survive, they don't want to quarantine or make any decisions about injured personnel acting shady - knowing 100% how this virus works. Utterly unfathomable writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2025
This one had the same level of writing but had a much looser plot. On one hand I like the tangents to other people's experiences of the outbreaks, the cruise ship at least tied into the plot, but at a certain point it begins to feel like we're just filling pages and distracting from the main characters. Like if they were going to be joining the crew that would be one thing, but we literally never saw them again and they are presumably dead.
Also I'm pretty sure we just straight up lost track of Luca, or maybe it was just me who did.
The zombies really seemed to vary in their behavior, timing of change, and speed depending on the plot; which isn't too unusual but doe make it harder to get a clear idea of what we're truly dealing with.
I also dislike the tendency to end on cliffhangers, this one was much more abrupt than the previous one.
Also I'm pretty sure we just straight up lost track of Luca, or maybe it was just me who did.
The zombies really seemed to vary in their behavior, timing of change, and speed depending on the plot; which isn't too unusual but doe make it harder to get a clear idea of what we're truly dealing with.
I also dislike the tendency to end on cliffhangers, this one was much more abrupt than the previous one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2026
Enjoyable read
Great characters and plot keeps you wondering who will survive. Bri is my favorite character, but James and Jenna are essential. i like that the passengers and those they pick up at each location are not all ready to deal with this unpredictable environment. Great ending, ready for the next book.
Great characters and plot keeps you wondering who will survive. Bri is my favorite character, but James and Jenna are essential. i like that the passengers and those they pick up at each location are not all ready to deal with this unpredictable environment. Great ending, ready for the next book.
December 7, 2025
Good Read!
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Those zombies had my anxiety on high. The whole time all I could think was these zombies are too fast, can they escape? I cant wait to see what's in store for us in Book 3.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Those zombies had my anxiety on high. The whole time all I could think was these zombies are too fast, can they escape? I cant wait to see what's in store for us in Book 3.
March 12, 2026
Just as awesome as Book 1!!
WOW! What a ride!!! Book 2 continues right where Book 1 left of and ends with you wanting more! I I’m writing this review and I am going to immediately download book 3.
WOW! What a ride!!! Book 2 continues right where Book 1 left of and ends with you wanting more! I I’m writing this review and I am going to immediately download book 3.
March 30, 2026
Did not Disappoint!
Just as good as Book 1. Pacing good and characters continue to develop realistically. I love how Wolfe paints a picture of what’s happening. On to Book 3 and this is rare for me.
Just as good as Book 1. Pacing good and characters continue to develop realistically. I love how Wolfe paints a picture of what’s happening. On to Book 3 and this is rare for me.
April 16, 2026
Let me say it again. This is a great novel!
This author is one of the best. He (if I can say he) can weave a story of zombies and commercial flying and cross country driving86.55.68by
and just good ol staying alive. Want to read a great novel without a ton of fluff? Then sit your bottom down with this series.
This author is one of the best. He (if I can say he) can weave a story of zombies and commercial flying and cross country driving86.55.68by
and just good ol staying alive. Want to read a great novel without a ton of fluff? Then sit your bottom down with this series.
March 29, 2026
Enthralling work of horror
Book one compelled me to frantically search for Book Two; I am now anxiously ready to read Book Three. Two reads of an enthralling work of horror.
Book one compelled me to frantically search for Book Two; I am now anxiously ready to read Book Three. Two reads of an enthralling work of horror.
June 17, 2026
Another good one.
This was a good second book in this zombie series. Lots of tension and great characters. Reads fast. I recommend for all zombie lovers.
This was a good second book in this zombie series. Lots of tension and great characters. Reads fast. I recommend for all zombie lovers.
June 26, 2026
Oh wow
The first book was brilliant and this book didn’t disappoint. The story’s carries straight on from the first and it’s speeding along like a run away roller coaster!!!
The first book was brilliant and this book didn’t disappoint. The story’s carries straight on from the first and it’s speeding along like a run away roller coaster!!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews