Andrew Matarazzo is no stranger to fiction or drama, having appeared as an actor in series like 'Teen Wolf.' Now he brings that same passion for storytelling to the page. His three-part trilogy—BEDLAM, SWEVEN, and ZENITH—showcases his gift for immersive world-building, gripping twists, and unforgettable bonds between characters.
I genuinely don’t think I was emotionally prepared for this book. Zenith completely wrecked me in the best possible way.
From the first few chapters, I could tell the stakes were higher than ever, and Andrew Matarazzo did not hold back. The tension felt real, the consequences felt real, and the emotional moments hit so hard because they were earned. Nothing felt forced or thrown in just for drama - everything had weight.
One thing I really admire about Andrew’s writing is how balanced it is. There’s action and danger, yes but it’s the relationships and character growth that makes everything matter. I was so invested in what would happen that I had to keep reading, even when I was stressed out of my mind.
And the ending? It felt satisfying without being too perfect. Emotional without being overdone. It gave closure while still honouring everything the characters went through. When I finished, I just sat there for a minute trying to process it.
This is such a strong finale and a reminder of why I got hooked onto this series in the first place. I’m honestly not ready to say goodbye to these characters & I don’t think I’ll stop thinking about this book anytime soon.
The perfect ending to an absolutely wild zombie adventure! Each book all leading to the finale in Zenith has its own unique world within the same apocalyptic universe. Zenith being the most contrasting and entertaining of the 3. Andrew masterfully created an ultimate divide between the cause of the virus and its consequences for those responsible and those who suffered from it. Absolutely LOVED this series. I hope this is not the end.
Zenith completely pulled me in and didn’t let go. From the opening pages, the story is tense, fast-paced, and emotionally charged, with a high- stakes sci-fi world that feels dangerous and immersive. Andrew Matarazzo’s writing is sharp and cinematic, but also deeply intimate - every scene feels deliberate, and every choice carries real emotional weight.
What truly elevates Zenith is its exploration of ambition, power and identity. The characters feel painfully real: messy, driven, and vulnerable, shaped and sometimes broken by the world around them. Their internal struggles hit just as hard as the external conflict, and the quieter moments linger just as much as the explosive ones. I found myself pausing more than once just to sit with what had happened.
By the time the story reaches its climax, the tension feels both inevitable and devastating. Zenith isn’t just about winning or losing - it’s about what you’re willing to sacrifice to become who you think you’re meant to be, and whether that version of yourself is worth the cost. This is the kind of book that stays with you after the final page, leaving you slightly wrecked and still thinking about it long after. A gripping thoughtful YA sci-fi with real emotional depth.
ZENITH brings heightened stakes, deeper bonds and a payoff that is hard won and utterly deserved. The found-family theme that has threaded through the series is ever-present, with returning favourites and new faces thrown together in ways that test their trust, loyalty and nerve. Some newcomers endear themselves, others set alarm bells ringing, and the villain above all others, while never written as dehumanised or clichéd, is so diabolical that I couldn’t *wait* to see him fail.
Seeing the hardened-yet-hopeful survivors from BEDLAM reunited is a joy — their shared history adds emotional weight to their interactions, and the story always weaves in the memory of what they’ve been through to reach this point. Tye and Willa’s arc, in particular, lands with great heart; their resolution feels respectful to who they are and hits every emotional beat I wanted it to, while the characters who occupy the shades of grey in between good and bad continue to keep me guessing. (Speaking of emotional hits: there’s a brief nod to a four-legged character from SWEVEN that put a tear in my eye!)
As always, the pacing is excellent — every chapter introduces a new threat or morsel of information that builds intrigue, not just in what it reveals but in who is revealing it. As soon as we get onto the path to the final confrontation, the pace picks us up and doesn’t put us down again until a certain someone is defeated. The dual POVs of Tye and Willa are a great addition to ZENITH, which is especially beneficial as the tension builds towards the climax, allowing us to witness the drama from each stage of our heroes’ operation.
While we are rewarded with seeing all loose ends satisfyingly tied up, there is definitely scope for the author to write more in this universe, and I truly hope that is the case!
ZENITH is a gripping, heartfelt conclusion to a trilogy that consistently balances action and dread with character and humour. I finished the last page feeling immensely grateful that these characters got the endings they deserved, and that I got to follow them all the way to the finish line.
"People die twice. Once when their physical body passes away and again when the last person speaks their name."
The ending of ZENITH felt like a big hug — and at the same time, like I desperately needed one.
SWEVEN left us hanging with questions about the origin story of the virus, which were fastly answered in ZENITH and threw us into a whole new part of the world; an isolated utopia called Ylem. The third and final book in the series follows both Tye and Willa with a very well chosen dual point of view. Starting at different locations, their stories give us the chance to reunite with beloved characters from earlier books, while also introducing new ones — some of whom leave a lasting impression almost instantly (I have to mention Harlow, who became a new favourite the moment she appeared).
Having read BEDLAM and SWEVEN, I could really feel it in my bones that none of these characters would be safe until the very end, which kept me on the edge of my seat during the whole read. They go through hell and back, and even when there isn’t always time to mourn everything they’ve lost, Andrew still manages to capture their emotions in a painfully real way — their suffering, their anger towards their enemies, and the love they hold for each other. It gives them the drive and determination needed to see this journey through, no matter the cost.
After the first two books, I couldn’t imagine this story ever coming to an end — yet ZENITH never loses its pace. Instead, it carefully builds tension towards a powerful and emotional finale, leaving no question unanswered. I found myself making predictions along the way, thinking I knew where this would end — something that usually leads to disappointment for me. This time, however, the ending couldn’t have been any more perfect and I am sure it will leave everyone completely hooked and holding their breath until the last page. Andrew even managed to still keep a small opening for a possible spin-off epilogue, which I am honestly dying to read.
So this book pretty much threw my heart into the blender. I may sound like a broken record for saying this, but that is not a bad thing. I did not expect myself to become so enthralled with these characters. I legit felt afraid for the lives of FICTIONAL characters. Lol!
Unlike many other books currently circulating, I can actually remember their names and the plot. That is how much they mean to me.
This also felt like it was two books, because there was THAT MUCH going on. Again, this isn't a bad thing. It keeps you guessing, wondering, pondering, and flipping through those pages.
So while this book threw my heart into the blender, it's because it's over. I can visualize the list of rules written in the warehouse during the events of bedlam. Man, my heart hurts, but don't let that deter you. This is a series that'll make you feel something. It stays with you. Those are the best kind.
When you read a book that keeps you thinking and lives rent free in your head, it's amazing. When you read one that gives you Book/Trilogy Hangover, it's nothing short of BRILLIANT. Zenith is the latter. I love that in Midas we get a villain that readers can understand and still hate. I love that we get a wonderfully healthy and equal relationship between Tye and Willa. They never ask the other to become something they aren't, and even potentially awkward conversations are handled masterfully and have healthy outcomes. Ava and Otto are Secondary Character Relationship Goals--Ava has come so far from who she was in book one and I'm here for it. Maverick is...Maverick gave me So Many Feelings. that's all I'll say. If you haven't read this book, do it! Go buy it! Go tell your friends! Let it live on your shelf! And add Andrew Matarazzo to your Author Follow List because !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even if this third book is longer than the other two, it didn't seem long at all as the story unfolded through the alternating points of view of Tye and Willa. I was both curious and worried to find out what would happen to the group of friends we followed since book 1, and then new friends added to the number of characters for me to be worried about. (Not that I'm complaining. I liked them, so I wanted them safe too.) I'll have to read the whole series again someday. It'll be nice to read it more calmly, knowing what to expect.
A really amazing and emotional ending for this trilogy. I fell in love with the characters and all the little details that you'll read about them in the books. You can really feel with the characters and it feels like you really know them. I also love that, even though an apocalypse like this never happened, it feels like the society would act like the people in these books in real life. The whole story is very catching and it has everything from action and survival to emotions, friendship and love. Well done, I just love this trilogy!
The concluding part of this trilogy did not disappoint at all. Seeing all the different perspectives was great. How all the plots intertwined was excellently done but when one of the unexpected twists happened my heart sank but was resolved beautifully. The high stakes were felt in this zombie filled world that was crafted perfectly. It even made me question - would I have been able to survive in a world like this?