The Third State: Project Lazarus

by C.L. Ambrose

A secret US government research project codenamed Lazarus.
A small group of world-renowned scientists sponsored by big pharma.
A single goal: developing a formula to reverse death.

Instead, they fabricated the end of the world: a third state between life and death.

Only one of them remains to undo it – Dr. Milton Hayes. At least, if he can survive on the road from D.C. to Atlanta.

On his journey through the post-apocalyptic Southeast, Milton encounters both the living dead – and survivors who might be willing to help.

Like Dax O’Hara and his sister Kim, whose neglectful, conspiracy-obsessed father taught them one main skill: survival at any cost.

But in a world where death is not the end, survival is only the beginning…

[The Third State – Project Lazarus is the first part in The Third State trilogy, a post-apocalyptic zombie horror series with queer romance subplots in the later installments.]

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2026

About the author

C.L. Ambrose is a queer author of LGBTQ+ slow burn novels. Encouraged by their schoolteachers, they have been writing fictional stories from an early age on. Although first choosing an entirely different career path to make a living, involving numbers and statistics rather than words and books, now they want to make this childhood dream become a reality.

Reviews

[Lauren Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on the absolute edge of my seat! I loved every second of it. Watching the virus come to life from the very beginning, unfolding alongside Milton, one of the very scientists who helped create it, was both chilling and electrifying; instead of being dropped into the aftermath, we witness the outbreak spark, spread, and spiral into catastrophe in real time. Then there’s Dax and Kim O’Hara, siblings fighting to survive as the world collapses around them, hope thinning with every passing moment until their paths collide with Milton’s, and the tension ignites. The slow-burn buildup, the tangled character dynamics, and the bursts of bloody chaos make for a pulse-pounding ride, but what truly sets this story apart is how deeply character-driven it is. Even as society crumbles, we’re plunged into the raw, emotional depths of these characters, their inner conflicts and relationships crafted so vividly that you feel every ounce of fear, guilt, and determination. Though there’s no full romance yet, the groundwork is subtly laid for something powerful between Milton and Dax in future installments, and I’m already desperate to see it unfold. This fiercely queer, emotionally charged beginning to a trilogy promises so much more to come and I cannot wait to dive back into this apocalypse.

[Zarlina · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride this was! It's been a while since I felt like reading a zombie apocalypse book, but I'm really glad I decided to pick this one up. I loved how we got to follow the whole thing as it went down, from the small cases to absolute chaos, and I especially enjoyed how we got to see it from both the pov of one of the important scientists who were there from the start, and a couple of civilians who learned about it from the information that spread through conversations, and eventually the news. It gave the story two completely different views, and the leading up to their paths crossing was equally interesting from all three points of view.

The book ended with a cliffhanger, and I'm so excited for the next one to come out. I can't wait to see where this will lead us!

[Shrike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Project Lazarus is an exciting departure from Ambrose's low-angst romances. I sense a slow-burn simmering, but this book is first and foremost a scifi survival story. I like how each chapter is framed as records with locations and timestamps. It keeps those sweet sweet scifi vibes going strong. I struggled with the pacing and number of characters early on. Once the scope narrowed to a few main characters, though, I started feeling more invested. I'm curious to see what happens next, especially between a certain gruff fella and scientist...

Thanks so much to the author for a chance to check out an advance copy. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.

[Nanette Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author. I really appreciate that the author disclosed that they got their inspiration from TWD, specifically a favorite character from that series. I see a little correlation, but I also see the authors personal spin on their characters.

This book was a breeze to read, it was fast paced and easy to not put down! The majority of my reading happened in one evening, as a mom that is tough to do. The characters were so likable, I am not sure who is my favorite, Milton, Dax or Kim? I really find something great in all three of them. This book is for the zombie apocalypse fan! I did like that we know where the outbreak originated and that the series begins with the quest to save the world. Yes, it does end with a cliffhanger, but I would definitely continue this series!

[Elizabeth King · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you @ ashley independent house for the arc 🫶🏻

i’m ngl i don’t do a whole lot of sci fi and i’ve never done a zombie novel before so this was fun! the writing was a bit clunky but overall, it kept me interested enough to keep reading 💖

[S.S. Genesee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat, I loved it so much!! The twists and turns of how the virus came to be, and watching it all unfold as you sit right there with Milton, one of the scientists that helped "create" such a thing. It was very exciting seeing a zombie story from the LITERAL beginning, from the way the outbreak first starts and spreads rather than being thrown into the dystopia later on.

On the other hand we have Dax and Kim O'Hara, two siblings trying to survive out in this crazy world as things only get worse and worse with no hope in sight. That is until they cross paths with Milton. Oooooo just the buildup, the characters' relationships with each other combined with some bloody action was all so thrilling! This is a trilogy too so there's much more of the story to be told, I can't wait until we meet even more characters and see how this zombie apocalypse will be contained. Ambrose's writing is superb and is sooooo good at writing emotions. This is a very character-driven story even with all the plot of the world falling down, and I love how we get to dive deep in these characters' heads! Their stories are so well thought-out, you can tell there NEEDS to be multiple installments for the entire thing to be told. 💕

While there is no romance in this first book, it sets it up for something happening between Milton and Dax later in the trilogy. This book is very queer and I adore it so much!! Can't wait to read the rest of the series 💕

[A. Hold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am normally more of a romance reader, but when I saw this book on my IG FYP, and knowing how much I like C.L Ambrose's other books (and the Walking Dead) I knew I had to read it. Even if romance is nowhere near a main plot point

And boy did it not dissappoint, it's well written and like the other books I've read from this author you cannot help but love the characters. Rocky is my absolute favorite though.

There are funny moments, sweet moments, and especially a sibling bond that is everything. But like a good book it has drama and pain too. And like a good zombie book it gets gorey without it being too much, or overly done. And scary moments, I had a jump scare when my partner walked into the bedroom with me and said something.

This is not just a book for people who love zombie novels, or the walking dead, or queer stories. This is a book for everyone who doesn't mind some well done gore and scary moments and just wants to read a genuinely well written book with an amazing plot

[Kyle Montes · Rating 5 out of 5]

** ARC Review, no spoilers **

I was fortunate enough to ARC read this story. As a fan of Ambrose's writing style, I was intrigued by their dip into zombie story telling. I knew there'd be loads of fantastic dialogue and detail, making each scene feel that much more real. And I was correct. The world building in this book is superb. The interactions and forming of relationships is both realistic yet entertaining. There are parts that melt your heart and those that get your pulse racing, worried for what could happen next. There's a great ebb and flow between suspense and normalcy as these characters do their best to figure out what to do next. Ambrose is a master of slow burn and this series proves to be their slowest burn to date. I'm excited to see how that plays out. Also, you don't want to miss the ending as it does a great job of creating intrigue for what could potentially happen next. I will be reading every book in this series.

[Maddison Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of The Third State: Project Lazarus in exchange for an honest review.

This book pulls you in quickly with a strong premise and keeps the tension high throughout. The worldbuilding is immersive without slowing the story, and the sense of unease, about power, control, and survival, lingers long after each chapter ends.

What really stood out to me was the moral complexity. Characters are forced to make difficult choices, and the story doesn’t offer easy answers. The pacing is tight, especially as revelations build and the stakes escalate, making it difficult to stop reading once things start to unravel.

If you enjoy dystopian or speculative fiction that blends action with deeper ethical questions, The Third State: Project Lazarus is well worth your time. I’m definitely keen to see where the series goes next.

[Heidi H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horrors in society can look like a lot of things. What better than zombies? C.L. Ambrose has given readers a terrifying look at what could happen if the wrong thing gets out of a lab and no one speaks up until it's too late. Dr. Milton Hayes has been working on a top secret government project when suddenly everything he thought he knew crumbles. Dax and Kim O'Hara are adult siblings who have only ever had each other and the knowledge their prepper father gave them. The world building and characters are so well done. Both male leads are queer, but this installment doesn't include romance. They just are who they are. This is the first book in the trilogy and I can't wait for the rest! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading!

[Mal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ The world is one mistake away from total annihilation. We have taken too much and reached too far. Project Lazarus wants to cure death like gods and instead brings about its own destruction. CL Ambrose shakes the comfortable predictability with the origin of total apocalyptic collapse but in a way where the dominoes are falling fast and being 2008 information flow is horrendously restricted. This makes for a fantastic helpless ride. The second half amps it up to the edge of your seat as slowly the band of our protagonists are uniting against a goal but are faced with insurmountable obstacles and the horror that has befallen the world. Loss is the theme, people and an entire way of life gone in a blink, the speed at which this is happening is eerie and believable.

We are introduced to 3 fantastic characters and a sneak peek into one more. Absolutely loved their dynamic, cannot wait to get to See where they are going.

With total collapse, insurmountable odds and quest to return to a semblance of normalcy by righting what went wrong, Ambrose it telling us an amazing story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the next instalment.

[Patrycja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not something I would usually go for, but I so glad I picked it up!

Usually, when we read zombie apocalypse books, we start years after the outbreak/virus strike or is released, but not here. Here, we get a glimpse of how the virus came to be from the perspective of one of the scientists and it was so really interesting!

But things got more interesting when we first met the siblings: the grumpy and the sunshine (as sunshiney as you can get living in a zombie world 😅)

This book was interesing, it was full of blood and gore, and while there is no romantic subplot, there are some glimpses of potential 👀.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO good. Zombie Apocalypse novels aren't my usual fare, but this one captivated me from the beginning. It really read just like it was a movie. I could see the whole story playing out before my and I was so so into it. If you're a fan of The Walking Dead, I guarantee you'll be a fan of this one, with it's nods to the TWD, but also, so much new and interesting worldbuilding that it never felt like the same old zombie story.

The romance is still building at this point. In fact, it would be hard to see that it's even on the horizon with where we have left our MCs, but I'm super excited to see where we end up!!

[J. Tobias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved an ARC of this book from the author. I really loved this dystopian and found it hard to put down. If you love TWD and The Last of Us, you will absolutely love this book. Most dystopians begin after the world ends. This one shows what happened to create the apocalypse. It's a refreshing view into how something like this can happen. I love the characters, especially Rocky. 😁

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m obsessed with this book. I’m on chapter 14, I’m sat and ready to loose my shit. I already know I will be invested in Milton and Dax’s relationship until the very end. I’m already excited for the next two books.

[Del · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most interesting part of this book was that it showed how the apocalypse started, you don't find many books that do this. I enjoyed all the main characters a lot and cannot wait for the second book in the series to find out what happens next!

[The Book Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the premise of this story, the way we have answers to what happened but don't at the same time left me wanting more.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the pacing was a little off for me at times but I am still hanging out to read the next one!

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humans truly know how to create their own destruction. How can a scientist (a group no less) work on a project titled “project Lazarus” and not foresee problems? 🤣 I did enjoy the premise of this story, the horror was jaw dropping. I liked how the chapters were laid out with an exact timeline which I do enjoy when reading apocalyptic books. The zombies are interesting especially since there seems to be multiple ways to get PhoneiX into a person system. My favorite character by far in the story is Dax, truly the only sensible person in the story so far (however I truly just agree they should've stayed in the Appalachian mountains 🙄) this book also has a hand full of thriller moments that makes you anxious to turn the page. The pacing was a bit difficult for me in terms of flow, but the ending had me on edge!


I received this as an ARC and this review is my own opinion, thank again to the author! Order their book!

[Jordyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve ever read a post-apocalyptic sci fi that had zombies. I’ve watched quite a few zombie films, but never read about it. This story had me gripping the edge of my seat just like I do when watching the movies!

I love how the book starts from the beginning. And I do mean before the outbreak happens! Quite often I’ve noticed that stories like this throw you in the middle of the fray and expect you to adapt from the flashbacks to ‘before’. Not this book. It begins with Milton, Dax, and Kim and how their lives operated prior to the outbreak. It’s such an interesting, and well done, take on how the narrative is perceived!

As expected, this book has gore and violence, as well as a very detailed description of what these “shufflers” look like (ended up spooking myself a bit and had to take a break for a bit that night 😆)

This is an amazing first book in a trilogy, there’s so much more to uncover and see how the characters will grow and change throughout their journey. This book ends on a CLIFFHANGER (as it should but I will still ✨lightly complain✨about it) and I will be anxiously waiting for book two!