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United States of Z - Book 1: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller
Hiding in plain sight, Protocol 9 agents live among us.
Protocol 9 was designed as the ultimate safeguard—a top-secret government program to counteract viral outbreaks or chemical weapon attacks. But no one expected to use until something turned the population cannibal.
For Special Operations soldiers finishing their tours of duty, signing on as Protocol Agents seemed like easy money—a cushy contract with no real danger. But when civilization collapses and the streets run red, they realize they’ve been recruited as humanity’s last line of defense against a nightmare they never saw coming.
Protocol 9: When Survival Becomes the Mission.
Protocol 9 was designed as the ultimate safeguard—a top-secret government program to counteract viral outbreaks or chemical weapon attacks. But no one expected to use until something turned the population cannibal.
For Special Operations soldiers finishing their tours of duty, signing on as Protocol Agents seemed like easy money—a cushy contract with no real danger. But when civilization collapses and the streets run red, they realize they’ve been recruited as humanity’s last line of defense against a nightmare they never saw coming.
Protocol 9: When Survival Becomes the Mission.
- GenresZombies
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
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January 14, 2026I'm not going to rate this one because I was pretty sure I wasn't going to be a fan to begin with. It's a tale of a military extraction of a doctor at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse absolutely not my jam (except for the zombie part).
I did like the zombies in this one and the way the infection operated, and I also liked how snappy things were. There were a couple of scenes that were really impressive too.
I didn't really connect with the characters and by now (a day after I finished reading the book) I only remember one of their names, Salazar and that's only because the author Jo Salazar wrote some of the best zombie novels I've ever read, there just wasn't enough about them for me to get invested. What we got was; they saw a lot of stuff in previous deployments, they're alone (no close relationships) but somehow not inhumane or plain bad people, and at least one of them is good at terrible inspirational stories, it felt very "yes and?" as far as character building goes. If you're down with beat by beat military style action your mileage will probably vary though.
I did like the zombies in this one and the way the infection operated, and I also liked how snappy things were. There were a couple of scenes that were really impressive too.
I didn't really connect with the characters and by now (a day after I finished reading the book) I only remember one of their names, Salazar and that's only because the author Jo Salazar wrote some of the best zombie novels I've ever read, there just wasn't enough about them for me to get invested. What we got was; they saw a lot of stuff in previous deployments, they're alone (no close relationships) but somehow not inhumane or plain bad people, and at least one of them is good at terrible inspirational stories, it felt very "yes and?" as far as character building goes. If you're down with beat by beat military style action your mileage will probably vary though.
May 18, 2026
Action packed
My first time with this author. This is about as action packed as a book can get. I don't want to write spoilers but are these zombies? A unique way to write an apocalypse story. Readers won't be disappointed. On to the next one.
My first time with this author. This is about as action packed as a book can get. I don't want to write spoilers but are these zombies? A unique way to write an apocalypse story. Readers won't be disappointed. On to the next one.
November 2, 2025
The soldiers on the Potacal 9 team are going to need a miracle. The outbreak is worse than anyone imagined. Fast-paced military thriller.
January 29, 2026
Great read
Pulse pounding to say the least . from page one till the end . great action , good characters and lots of action. Will definitely read book 2.
Pulse pounding to say the least . from page one till the end . great action , good characters and lots of action. Will definitely read book 2.
May 22, 2026
This book was start to finish action. I would not consider this a horror book, more of a military/zombie book. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
June 14, 2026
What a turn around!
This book was initially, not to my liking. Not because of the expected plot, or the action, but the poor writing and editing. Unfortunately, while this book is supposed to be a zombie apocalypse story, it’s more accurately a war story. Granted, it’s apocalyptic, with a zombie-esc virus, but the author seems to heavily focus in on the specifics of every weapon, bullet, plane, helicopter, and other gadget, more like what you’d expect in a non-fiction military book. Then they add in that the viral outbreak was instigated by Russia and they’ve infiltrated the US and are basically bringing war to the country. This all takes the focus off the zombies, who should be the main focus, so definitely not the story I expected.
Too much time was spent on describing and naming unimportant things, like his fishing rod. It had to be noted it was a Penn, more than once. And the details of what fish he might catch were so unnecessary. The naming of the exact rifle scope being used and its specs, the exact bullets being used over and over again was ridiculous. We get it, you researched the weapons and instead of writing rifle, scope, machine gun etc. you insisted on naming everything, including providing specs, in the middle of action sequences. This just takes away from the urgency and makes the writing feel clunky.
I also didn’t like any of the main character’s, they seemed like a caricature of a person, not fleshed out, their responses, mannerisms, grammar, inner monologue, all felt incomplete and disingenuous. Nothing about them felt like a real person.
Much of the book is supposed to be from Moon’s perspective, according to the chapter headers, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. This book is written in a weird first person and third person omniscient perspective mashup. Part way through multiple chapters, we suddenly get someone else’s first person narrative with zero warning. It’s distracting and disorienting.
None of the characters we’re introduced to in the first 8 chapters are in any way distinct in their mannerisms or speech. And I’m not sure we get descriptions for anyone. I honestly couldn’t even tell you what Moon looks like, or even his age for that matter. And none of them have a military/ex-military feel to them. Even the briefing they have at the start doesn’t have a military vibe, or even a “contractor” vibe. Very little important information is given by those in authority without a question being posed, which is not how a briefing is run. And so much that I’d expect to have known from the briefing wasn’t mentioned or questioned at all.
Then we come to issues of editing. So many issues. To and too are not interchangeable, nor are insure/ensure, or carnivore/cannibal. Nevertheless/nonetheless is heavily overused, as is wink, and “to say the least”, which is often used incorrectly as well. There are a lot of run on sentences, commas in bizarre places, and poor sentence structure. Oh, and let’s not forget missing words and incorrect word usage. You cannot use acronyms without first using the full term. It may seem like basic knowledge or common sense to you, but not necessarily to everyone else. Once you use an acronym, you do not randomly chop and change between the acronym and the full term; acronym only. Then there comes the inconsistencies. Moon is supposed to be first down the rope out of the helicopter with Ryan last, but then when it actually happens, Ryan goes first and it’s explained that was always the plan…but a fairly big deal was made of Moon going first initially. This was just the first inconsistency but there were quite a few.
By the time I finished chapter 12, I really wanted to call it quits. I like apocalyptic stories, and I like action, I also like military based characters and storylines, but this book was so hard to read. So much jargon, too many specifications, acronyms I had to google! It was like reading a weapons and military training manual in the middle of the action.
But, I persevered and by the last 30% of the book I was oddly hooked and now am off to read book 2. Craziness.
This book was initially, not to my liking. Not because of the expected plot, or the action, but the poor writing and editing. Unfortunately, while this book is supposed to be a zombie apocalypse story, it’s more accurately a war story. Granted, it’s apocalyptic, with a zombie-esc virus, but the author seems to heavily focus in on the specifics of every weapon, bullet, plane, helicopter, and other gadget, more like what you’d expect in a non-fiction military book. Then they add in that the viral outbreak was instigated by Russia and they’ve infiltrated the US and are basically bringing war to the country. This all takes the focus off the zombies, who should be the main focus, so definitely not the story I expected.
Too much time was spent on describing and naming unimportant things, like his fishing rod. It had to be noted it was a Penn, more than once. And the details of what fish he might catch were so unnecessary. The naming of the exact rifle scope being used and its specs, the exact bullets being used over and over again was ridiculous. We get it, you researched the weapons and instead of writing rifle, scope, machine gun etc. you insisted on naming everything, including providing specs, in the middle of action sequences. This just takes away from the urgency and makes the writing feel clunky.
I also didn’t like any of the main character’s, they seemed like a caricature of a person, not fleshed out, their responses, mannerisms, grammar, inner monologue, all felt incomplete and disingenuous. Nothing about them felt like a real person.
Much of the book is supposed to be from Moon’s perspective, according to the chapter headers, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. This book is written in a weird first person and third person omniscient perspective mashup. Part way through multiple chapters, we suddenly get someone else’s first person narrative with zero warning. It’s distracting and disorienting.
None of the characters we’re introduced to in the first 8 chapters are in any way distinct in their mannerisms or speech. And I’m not sure we get descriptions for anyone. I honestly couldn’t even tell you what Moon looks like, or even his age for that matter. And none of them have a military/ex-military feel to them. Even the briefing they have at the start doesn’t have a military vibe, or even a “contractor” vibe. Very little important information is given by those in authority without a question being posed, which is not how a briefing is run. And so much that I’d expect to have known from the briefing wasn’t mentioned or questioned at all.
Then we come to issues of editing. So many issues. To and too are not interchangeable, nor are insure/ensure, or carnivore/cannibal. Nevertheless/nonetheless is heavily overused, as is wink, and “to say the least”, which is often used incorrectly as well. There are a lot of run on sentences, commas in bizarre places, and poor sentence structure. Oh, and let’s not forget missing words and incorrect word usage. You cannot use acronyms without first using the full term. It may seem like basic knowledge or common sense to you, but not necessarily to everyone else. Once you use an acronym, you do not randomly chop and change between the acronym and the full term; acronym only. Then there comes the inconsistencies. Moon is supposed to be first down the rope out of the helicopter with Ryan last, but then when it actually happens, Ryan goes first and it’s explained that was always the plan…but a fairly big deal was made of Moon going first initially. This was just the first inconsistency but there were quite a few.
By the time I finished chapter 12, I really wanted to call it quits. I like apocalyptic stories, and I like action, I also like military based characters and storylines, but this book was so hard to read. So much jargon, too many specifications, acronyms I had to google! It was like reading a weapons and military training manual in the middle of the action.
But, I persevered and by the last 30% of the book I was oddly hooked and now am off to read book 2. Craziness.
January 1, 2026
United States of Z by Olin Lester is well worth reading. It kept me engaged from beginning to end.
The government created a secret group called Protocol 9. Comprised of former special operators who, during retirement, were specially trained and are on standby in the event of a biological attack on the country. It's easy money, as none of them ever expected such an attack. When it did occur, the teams reacted quickly.
Their first mission was to rescue a doctor who may have the cure against a biological weapon that has turned soldiers and citizens into zombies. Upon their arrival, the teams found the military base on the west coast overrun, and the zombie ranks increasing by the minute.
During the rescue, they are not only battling zombies, but it was discovered that Russian snipers are picking off Protocol 9 members during the chaos.
United States of Z is a fast-paced book and an excellent start to a new zombie apocalypse series. The characters are well defined and likeable, but how many of them will survive the mission? Highly recommended.
The government created a secret group called Protocol 9. Comprised of former special operators who, during retirement, were specially trained and are on standby in the event of a biological attack on the country. It's easy money, as none of them ever expected such an attack. When it did occur, the teams reacted quickly.
Their first mission was to rescue a doctor who may have the cure against a biological weapon that has turned soldiers and citizens into zombies. Upon their arrival, the teams found the military base on the west coast overrun, and the zombie ranks increasing by the minute.
During the rescue, they are not only battling zombies, but it was discovered that Russian snipers are picking off Protocol 9 members during the chaos.
United States of Z is a fast-paced book and an excellent start to a new zombie apocalypse series. The characters are well defined and likeable, but how many of them will survive the mission? Highly recommended.
January 22, 2026
Not your average Z book
Let's start off with mentioning that this book doesn't faff about before things get going. Major pro. Written by an ex-military man, rest assured the terminology and the like are real.
Another pro here is these zombies aren't really zombies. More along the likes of hyper-aggressive humans with a desire for flesh. That retain some thought. It's creepy and new, to me anyway.
It's pretty fast paced, felt a bit short. A suggestion would be to lengthen the chapters and remove the full page chapter preface.
One of the cons is the VIP doctor that needs rescuing, I mean it's too perfect the way the outbreak just happens to start at the hospital that she just happens to be at. She's not a good character and not likeable at all.
A major con for me is the whole, "Russians bad". Really. That's been shoved down our throats for decades. Though, I suppose, no author would use the real bad guys of the world. I'll give book two a chance and decide if I continue or not.
Let's start off with mentioning that this book doesn't faff about before things get going. Major pro. Written by an ex-military man, rest assured the terminology and the like are real.
Another pro here is these zombies aren't really zombies. More along the likes of hyper-aggressive humans with a desire for flesh. That retain some thought. It's creepy and new, to me anyway.
It's pretty fast paced, felt a bit short. A suggestion would be to lengthen the chapters and remove the full page chapter preface.
One of the cons is the VIP doctor that needs rescuing, I mean it's too perfect the way the outbreak just happens to start at the hospital that she just happens to be at. She's not a good character and not likeable at all.
A major con for me is the whole, "Russians bad". Really. That's been shoved down our throats for decades. Though, I suppose, no author would use the real bad guys of the world. I'll give book two a chance and decide if I continue or not.
November 2, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and I’m so glad I did!! This author is new to me. I read the prequel, then read this right after. The counteract the possibility of viral attack is a top secret government program to keep us safe. It doesn’t work as well as they had planned as the citizens become cannibalistic. The characters are so well developed. Humor,loyalty, stress and tears as losing some characters is heartbreaking. The plot is the doctor they need to help control the outbreak leads to the plot. I say grab this and enjoy!!
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January 7, 2026So, this book suffers from the usual typos and things you see with self-publishing. I personally didn’t love some of the language used, like describing gunfire as “the sound of freedom” and such. Also, there’s a fair amount of referring to the future that really undercuts the stakes. For instance, while deployed in this zombie hot zone, the writer says of a character, “it wasn’t his first rodeo, and it wouldn’t be his last.” Ok, well I guess we know this guy survives. All told, it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good enough to me to continue the series.
January 17, 2026
WOW!
BEST zombie apocalypse book I’ve read yet… and I’ve read several after running out of zombie flicks to watch. Can’t wait to continue into Book 2 and the rest of the books in the series. HIGHLY recommend! Fast paced and very well written as to both the characters and all the action… I’m not military, but I understood everything author discussed with respect to the weapons, vehicles/choppers, etc., gear … even their lingo which he explained without detracting from the plot.
BEST zombie apocalypse book I’ve read yet… and I’ve read several after running out of zombie flicks to watch. Can’t wait to continue into Book 2 and the rest of the books in the series. HIGHLY recommend! Fast paced and very well written as to both the characters and all the action… I’m not military, but I understood everything author discussed with respect to the weapons, vehicles/choppers, etc., gear … even their lingo which he explained without detracting from the plot.
February 24, 2026
Needs proofread
The idea for the storyline was good but the wrongly used words, bad punctuation and bad spelling made reading it a bit of a headache. It really could do with being proofread! I certainly would have read the series if not for that but I don't think my brain could take another however number of books in that condition which is a pity because aside from that it was good.
The idea for the storyline was good but the wrongly used words, bad punctuation and bad spelling made reading it a bit of a headache. It really could do with being proofread! I certainly would have read the series if not for that but I don't think my brain could take another however number of books in that condition which is a pity because aside from that it was good.
April 16, 2026
Jingoistic, xenophobic nonsense, poorly written by an author that seems to have just discovered thesaurus dot com. "The evil of the man slipped from his body along with his soul" and "his sandals obtusely sailed through the air" didn't do it for me. Perhaps if I was really into reading about the minutiae of a military service members' every movement, along with jargon I didn't understand (and is never explained), this would have been my bag. But I'm not, and it wasn't.
January 30, 2026
Better than okay
This book has the same tropes as most books. Zombie outbreak, valiant military fighting impossible odds, a doctor that holds the cure. It also has some of the same failings, most notably paper thin character development.
But the book is well written and the pacing is excellent. It's a comfortable book to wind down the day.
This book has the same tropes as most books. Zombie outbreak, valiant military fighting impossible odds, a doctor that holds the cure. It also has some of the same failings, most notably paper thin character development.
But the book is well written and the pacing is excellent. It's a comfortable book to wind down the day.
July 4, 2026
2.75 ⭐ I tried really hard with this book. The first several chapters were just boring to me. I stuck it out though. Why? Because I love zombie stories. It got better once the action started. Some of what happened near the end does not ring true for me. But I will not say more here. No spoilers from me. Just know that I was mehed out of the world with this one.
December 19, 2025
Fun adventure dystopian thriller that leans into military action. There is a fare amount of military jargon but there is a helpful glossary at the end of the book. This was a solid introduction to the series. I plan on reading the next installment.
June 23, 2026
good
Good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good this book was pretty well to read.
Good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good this book was pretty well to read.
November 26, 2025
I really liked this book. it was a great military adventure, with zombies. win win! can't wait for the next one to be released, and each one after that
December 2, 2025
I loved it
Quick read but action packed and I really enjoyed it. I think the author did a great job with the characters.
Quick read but action packed and I really enjoyed it. I think the author did a great job with the characters.
December 29, 2025
Good look on a Zombie Apocalypse
This book is different from what I normally read
Has great depth of character and the story has a good build
Will be reading book 2 definitely 👍
This book is different from what I normally read
Has great depth of character and the story has a good build
Will be reading book 2 definitely 👍
January 9, 2026
Good book, good story, but....
I find it hard to believe the author would use the word "medivac" instead of the proper word "medevac (medical evacuation)."
I find it hard to believe the author would use the word "medivac" instead of the proper word "medevac (medical evacuation)."
February 1, 2026
Fast read
Nerve racking action. Never a dull moment. If it had sound effects.. would of been a blast. Thank you so much!
Nerve racking action. Never a dull moment. If it had sound effects.. would of been a blast. Thank you so much!
February 14, 2026
lot in a little
Only slightly believable zombie apocalypse but the narrative of how it begun was just weird it just jumps into who’s the bad guys with no depth to there reasons.
Only slightly believable zombie apocalypse but the narrative of how it begun was just weird it just jumps into who’s the bad guys with no depth to there reasons.
February 26, 2026
It keeps you on your toes!
March 17, 2026
Rocky start
The writing focuses needlessly on details that aren't relevant. It changed the sex of one of the team 3 members from Chatty Cathy to just Mililken.
The writing focuses needlessly on details that aren't relevant. It changed the sex of one of the team 3 members from Chatty Cathy to just Mililken.
March 28, 2026
Great book
I love how they actually focus on the combat for once most zombie books either just don't get the combat right
I love how they actually focus on the combat for once most zombie books either just don't get the combat right
March 30, 2026
very fun read
March 31, 2026
United States of z. book 1
Very enjoyable read. Nonstop action up to the very end. More attention focused on the characters and less in the zombies. Can’t wait for Book 2.
Very enjoyable read. Nonstop action up to the very end. More attention focused on the characters and less in the zombies. Can’t wait for Book 2.
April 19, 2026
Nice.
Loved the action, went from 0 to 60 instantly and didn’t let up the whole time. Can’t wait to read Book 2.
Loved the action, went from 0 to 60 instantly and didn’t let up the whole time. Can’t wait to read Book 2.
April 30, 2026
Brilliant
I really enjoyed this story. There are twists and turns with suprises. The story flows well and is well written
I really enjoyed this story. There are twists and turns with suprises. The story flows well and is well written
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews