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THOSE BRAINDEAD ONES: A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE THRILLER
We thought our parents would protect us. We were wrong.
Enter the apocalypse, the most gruesome YA zombie novel you will ever read . . . where the horror is ruthless, the fear is dreadful, and the terror is relentless. And. It. Just. Won’t. Stop.
⚠ THIS SERIES DELVES INTO EXTREME HORROR, GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, UNRELENTING GORE. AND BRUTAL THEMES THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER. DISRUPT YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND LEAVE YOU NAUSEATED.
💀 When your home becomes a slaughterhouse, where do you run to?
💀 When your loved ones turn into the walking dead, who can you trust when they are out to get you?
Those Braindead Ones is a shocking, blood-soaked YA ZOMBIE THRILLER for fans of The Walking Dead, World War Z, The Last of Us, and Rot & Ruin. Survival is no longer about growing up . . . it’s about not getting eaten first.
The adults are changing. They turn into zombies. And they know your name.
👉 Click Buy Now to enter the pandemic . . . if you’re brave enough.
Enter the apocalypse, the most gruesome YA zombie novel you will ever read . . . where the horror is ruthless, the fear is dreadful, and the terror is relentless. And. It. Just. Won’t. Stop.
⚠ THIS SERIES DELVES INTO EXTREME HORROR, GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, UNRELENTING GORE. AND BRUTAL THEMES THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER. DISRUPT YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND LEAVE YOU NAUSEATED.
💀 When your home becomes a slaughterhouse, where do you run to?
💀 When your loved ones turn into the walking dead, who can you trust when they are out to get you?
Those Braindead Ones is a shocking, blood-soaked YA ZOMBIE THRILLER for fans of The Walking Dead, World War Z, The Last of Us, and Rot & Ruin. Survival is no longer about growing up . . . it’s about not getting eaten first.
The adults are changing. They turn into zombies. And they know your name.
👉 Click Buy Now to enter the pandemic . . . if you’re brave enough.
247 pages, Paperback
Published December 29, 2025
About the author
Nathan Harker
12 books14 followers# 1 Amazon Bestselling Author, full-time Engineer, husband, dog rescuer, and book hoarder. Writer of science fiction, Nathan Harker brings readers the ultimate experience of sci-fi horror and thriller in every book. To learn more about Nathan and his books, visit his Facebook page or follow him on Instagram.
Find out more about Nathan Harker at nathanharker.com
Find out more about Nathan Harker at nathanharker.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 1, 2026
This isn’t horror meant to entertain casually. It’s meant to confront you. The author creates a world where fear escalates logically, making the downfall feel disturbingly believable. What stands out is the discipline in the writing nothing feels random or excessive for shock’s sake. The author shows restraint where it matters and intensity where it counts. The emotional pressure builds steadily, turning familiar places into traps. I admired how the author let the story remain bleak without offering false hope. That honesty makes the experience stronger. The horror feels intentional, the violence purposeful, and the pacing unforgiving. This book demands attention and rewards it with a deeply unsettling ride. It’s clear the author poured precision and conviction into every page.
January 27, 2026
In "Those Braindead Ones," author Nathan Harker plunges readers into a harrowing zombie apocalypse. Imagine a world🌏 where the people you trust most become the monsters under your bed. That's the world of Those Braindead Ones, a heart-stopping journey into the heart of darkness.
The author's vivid prose brings the horrors of the apocalypse to life, making you feel like you're right there with the characters. It's a wild ride, full of twists and turns that will leave you breathless and begging for more.
The tension never lets up, keeping you on edge from beginning to end. Each scene escalates the fear and emotional impact. This story grips you with its relentless pace and refuses to let go. It’s haunting, disturbing, and unforgettable💖🎑
The author's vivid prose brings the horrors of the apocalypse to life, making you feel like you're right there with the characters. It's a wild ride, full of twists and turns that will leave you breathless and begging for more.
The tension never lets up, keeping you on edge from beginning to end. Each scene escalates the fear and emotional impact. This story grips you with its relentless pace and refuses to let go. It’s haunting, disturbing, and unforgettable💖🎑
January 8, 2026
I picked this up expecting fast horror, but what I got was psychological devastation wrapped in gore. The most disturbing idea isn’t the infection it’s the reversal of power. Adults don’t simply die or disappear; they remain present, aware, and violently altered. Schools turn into traps, homes become hunting grounds, and childhood collapses overnight. The underground experiment adds a grim sense of arrogance, as if humanity caused its own extinction out of curiosity. The writing doesn’t soften impact; scenes arrive sudden and merciless. What impressed me most was how fear is layered with confusion, not bravery. Survival feels accidental, messy, and terrifyingly unfair. This story doesn’t scare you with monsters it scares you with the loss of protection, authority, and trust. Once that’s gone, nothing feels safe again.
January 8, 2026
This book hurt more than it scared me, and that’s what makes it powerful. Watching young lives forced into constant alertness while grieving people they’re not allowed to mourn is brutal. There’s no space for processing loss, only movement and reaction. The infected adults aren’t distant villains; they’re reminders of everything that used to feel normal. The horror is relentless, but beneath it is a quiet ache about growing up too fast. I appreciated how fear isn’t romanticized. Panic, mistakes, freezing under pressure—everything feels painfully human. The violence is extreme, yet it reflects emotional collapse rather than shock value. By the end, I wasn’t counting bodies; I was thinking about innocence, and how quickly the world can strip it away without warning or mercy.
January 8, 2026
From a pure momentum standpoint, this story is ruthless. Every chapter pushes forward like a countdown you can’t stop. There’s no filler, no comforting pause, no false sense of control. The outbreak unfolds with terrifying speed, and the response is always one step behind. I liked how the narrative treats danger as unpredictable rather than strategic. Plans fail. Escapes go wrong. Luck matters more than skill. The confined locations amplify tension, making every hallway and tunnel feel like a gamble. The writing style is sharp and urgent, perfectly matching the collapse happening onscreen. This isn’t about winning; it’s about lasting one more hour. The pressure never lifts, and that constant urgency makes the experience feel breathless and uncomfortably immersive.
January 9, 2026
What terrified me most was how ordinary places became lethal. Classrooms, kitchens, streets I associate with safety are stripped of meaning here. The story turns familiarity into a trap. You don’t fear dark alleys you fear daylight. The idea that knowledge, experience, and adulthood no longer equal wisdom is deeply unsettling. The young characters aren’t heroes; they’re overwhelmed, improvising, and often wrong. That honesty makes every choice feel heavy. The violence isn’t stylized; it’s chaotic and fast, mirroring panic. I found myself holding my breath during scenes set in places that should feel neutral. This book understands that true horror comes when routine collapses. When survival replaces trust, and instinct replaces learning, the world doesn’t explode it quietly turns hostile.
January 9, 2026
What stayed with me wasn’t the gore it was the commentary hidden beneath it. This book explores what happens when systems designed to protect suddenly reverse. Authority, education, parenting, and leadership all fail at once. The infected adults symbolize unchecked power stripped of empathy. Meanwhile, children are left to build morality from scratch under fire.
There’s something deeply unsettling about seeing responsibility transferred so violently. The horror feels symbolic as much as physical. The world doesn’t end in fire; it rots from neglect and obsession. I admired how the story avoids moral speeches yet clearly questions blind trust.
Every chapter feels like a reminder that safety is fragile and often borrowed. It’s brutal, thought-provoking, and far more unsettling than standard apocalypse stories.
There’s something deeply unsettling about seeing responsibility transferred so violently. The horror feels symbolic as much as physical. The world doesn’t end in fire; it rots from neglect and obsession. I admired how the story avoids moral speeches yet clearly questions blind trust.
Every chapter feels like a reminder that safety is fragile and often borrowed. It’s brutal, thought-provoking, and far more unsettling than standard apocalypse stories.
January 9, 2026
This story dismantles the illusion that adults always know what they’re doing. Authority doesn’t fall gracefully it mutates into something dangerous. The outbreak feels like a punishment for unchecked ambition, secrecy, and ego. What I admired was the absence of comfort narratives. There’s no “chosen one,” no clean rescue arc. Children aren’t empowered; they’re cornered. The writing allows fear to exist without resolution. Scenes unfold with a sense of inevitability rather than surprise. You’re constantly aware that every decision has a cost, and most costs are paid immediately. It’s bleak without being empty. The tension comes from watching systems collapse rather than monsters attack. By the end, I wasn’t scared of death I was scared of how fragile order truly is.
January 11, 2026
This book is pure nightmare fuel in the best possible way. Those Braindead Ones takes the familiar zombie apocalypse and injects it with a horrifying twist: only adults are infected. That single idea transforms every scene into something deeply unsettling. Homes are no longer safe, schools become slaughterhouses, and trust becomes a deadly weakness. Nathan Harker’s writing is vivid and merciless, painting scenes of gore and chaos that are hard to forget. Yet beneath the bloodshed lies a powerful story about survival, betrayal, and forced maturity. The young characters feel raw and believable as they navigate a world that has completely turned against them. This is extreme YA horror done right, fast, gruesome, and emotionally devastating. If you’re looking for a zombie novel that refuses to let you breathe, this one delivers nonstop terror from start to finish.
January 12, 2026
Those Braindead Ones is not for the faint of heart, and it makes no apologies for that. From the opening scene in the tunnels beneath Franklin High School, the story drags you into darkness and never lets go. The concept of adults turning into zombies is terrifying on its own, but Harker elevates it by focusing on the emotional fallout for the kids left behind. Watching children realize their parents want to eat them is horrifying in a deeply personal way. The violence is graphic, the atmosphere oppressive, and the stakes constantly escalating. This book feels like a collision between YA survival fiction and hardcore horror. It’s relentless, shocking, and often disturbing, but that’s exactly what makes it effective. If you enjoy zombie stories that challenge your comfort zone and strip away any sense of safety, this is a must-read.
January 22, 2026
If you think you’ve seen every zombie twist imaginable, Those Braindead Ones will prove you wrong. The decision to turn only adults into the undead is genius and horrifying, creating a world where safety no longer exists. Nathan Harker’s writing is intense and cinematic, with scenes that feel ripped straight from a nightmare. The horror isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. Seeing children forced to fight, flee, and kill in order to survive hits hard. The story moves at a breakneck pace, never allowing the reader to relax. The gore is extreme, the themes are brutal, and the tension never lets up. This book feels like The Walking Dead filtered through a darker, more ruthless lens. It’s shocking, unsettling, and completely absorbing. Definitely recommended for horror fans who want something bold and uncompromising.
January 23, 2026
Nathan Harker delivers one of the most disturbing zombie stories I’ve read in years. Those Braindead Ones stands out because it attacks the idea of adulthood as protection. Parents, teachers, and authority figures don’t just fail, they become predators. The result is a constant sense of dread that seeps into every page. The pacing is fast, the action brutal, and the gore unapologetically extreme. Yet the heart of the story lies with the kids, who are forced to grow up overnight in a world that actively wants them dead. Seattle’s collapse feels vivid and terrifyingly plausible as the infection spreads. This book doesn’t shy away from cruelty or loss, and it doesn’t offer easy victories. It’s bleak, shocking, and unforgettable. Readers looking for a sanitized YA zombie story should look elsewhere, this one goes all in.
January 24, 2026
This book doesn’t wait for permission to hurt you. From the first pages, the fear feels personal, like the world has turned its back overnight. What struck me most was how sharply the author understands panic how quickly safety becomes memory. The writing is confident, ruthless, and deliberate, never wasting a moment. Every scene feels engineered to keep your pulse high and your trust low. The author deserves credit for committing fully to the darkness instead of diluting it. The horror feels earned, not exaggerated. This is storytelling that respects the reader’s stamina and intelligence. By the end, you realize the terror isn’t just the infected it’s how fragile order really is. Few books maintain this level of intensity without collapsing. This one does, and it lingers.
January 25, 2026
I've always been drawn to stories that push the boundaries of human nature, and Those Braindead Ones is a masterclass in terror. The author's unflinching narrative exposes the darkest corners of humanity, where the innocent are preyed upon by those sworn to protect them. The world of Franklin High School is a living nightmare, where the rules of society are shattered and the children are left to fend for themselves. The writing is visceral, raw, and unrelenting – I couldn't look away."
Every chapter tightens the sense of dread, forcing the reader to confront uncomfortable truths. The emotional weight of the story lingers long after the final page. This is not just horror for shock value; it is deeply unsettling and disturbingly real.
Every chapter tightens the sense of dread, forcing the reader to confront uncomfortable truths. The emotional weight of the story lingers long after the final page. This is not just horror for shock value; it is deeply unsettling and disturbingly real.
January 25, 2026
Those Braindead Ones is one of the most vicious YA horror novels I’ve encountered. From the moment the pathogen escapes Mister Grimshaw’s experiment, the story spirals into chaos and despair. The transformation of adults into zombies isn’t just a plot device, it’s the core horror, forcing kids to confront the ultimate betrayal. Harker excels at building dread, making even familiar locations like homes and schools feel dangerous. The action scenes are intense and graphic, but they’re balanced by moments of fear, grief, and desperation. This isn’t about heroics; it’s about survival at any cost. The warning about extreme content is well deserved, as the book doesn’t hold back on violence or emotional trauma. If you’re searching for a zombie thriller that’s relentless, disturbing, and emotionally raw, this novel delivers exactly that.
January 27, 2026
This story succeeds because it understands betrayal better than spectacle. Watching authority figures become threats is horrifying, and the author explores that idea without hesitation. The writing is sharp, efficient, and emotionally charged, stripping away comfort page by page. What impressed me most was the author’s ability to balance action with psychological tension. Quiet moments feel just as dangerous as violent ones. There’s confidence in how the narrative unfolds, never apologizing for its cruelty. The author clearly respects the genre and pushes it further instead of playing it safe. Every chapter reinforces the sense that survival isn’t heroic it’s desperate. By the end, you don’t feel relieved, you feel changed. That’s not easy to achieve, and the author deserves real credit for pulling it off so effectively.
January 27, 2026
This book left me shaken. Those Braindead Ones takes the zombie apocalypse and turns it into something deeply personal and terrifying. The horror of being hunted by your own parents is far more disturbing than any faceless horde. Nathan Harker’s world-building is sharp and unsettling, especially as Seattle collapses into panic and bloodshed. The kids at the center of the story feel authentic, reacting with fear, anger, and heartbreak as their world implodes. The violence is graphic and frequent, making the danger feel constant and unavoidable. There’s no sense of safety, no guaranteed survival, and that unpredictability keeps the tension sky-high. This is not a light YA read, it’s brutal, bleak, and relentless. Fans of darker zombie fiction will appreciate how far this book is willing to go.
January 28, 2026
Reading this felt like being locked inside a collapsing building with no exit signs. The tension never loosens, and that’s a bold creative choice the author handles with skill. Instead of relying on cheap shocks, the story builds dread through relentless momentum. The author’s control over pacing is impressive, making every pause feel dangerous. What elevates the experience is how emotionally grounded the chaos feels. Fear isn’t abstract here it’s immediate, messy, and human. I appreciated how the author trusted the story to be brutal without explanation. The violence has purpose, the panic has weight, and the consequences stick. This book proves that extreme horror can still be thoughtful. It’s uncomfortable, exhausting, and powerful by design and the author clearly knows exactly what they’re doing.
January 30, 2026
Those braindead.pre slot 7: This book is perfect for a chilly winter night - snuggle up in your warm blanket, dim the lights, and dive into the zombie world. But be warned, it's not for the faint-hearted! The twisted plot twists and eerie atmosphere will send shivers down your spine. I loved the horror feeling it evoked, something I hadn't experienced in a while. The author's vivid imagination will transport you to a world that's both fascinating and terrifying. With its unpredictable storyline and gruesome scenes, this book is a great way to kick-start your reading year. So, if you're ready for a thrilling ride, grab a copy and get ready to be spooked!
January 30, 2026
This book reads like a warning rather than a fantasy. The author captures how quickly trust erodes when survival becomes the priority. The writing is immersive, pulling you into decisions that feel impossible and irreversible. I appreciated how the author avoided glorifying the chaos. Instead, the focus stays on fear, loss, and endurance. The storytelling is tight, focused, and unafraid to linger on consequences. There’s a maturity in how the author handles brutality, allowing it to shape the narrative instead of overpower it. By the final chapters, the tension feels almost physical. This is horror crafted with intention and control. The author deserves recognition for delivering a story that doesn’t just scare it unsettles, provokes, and stays with you long after reading.
January 30, 2026
This book left me shaken. Those Braindead Ones takes the zombie apocalypse and turns it into something deeply personal and terrifying. The horror of being hunted by your own parents is far more disturbing than any faceless horde. Nathan Harker’s world-building is sharp and unsettling, especially as Seattle collapses into panic and bloodshed. The kids at the center of the story feel authentic, reacting with fear, anger, and heartbreak as their world implodes. The violence is graphic and frequent, making the danger feel constant and unavoidable. There’s no sense of safety, no guaranteed survival, and that unpredictability keeps the tension sky-high. This is not a light YA read, it’s brutal, bleak, and relentless. Fans of darker zombie fiction will appreciate how far this book is willing to go.
January 30, 2026
Those Braindead Ones is a savage take on the zombie apocalypse that flips the genre on its head.
Instead of strangers or distant monsters, the threat is made to come from parents, teachers and adults who once promised safety🤞
Mr. Nathan Harker wasted no time plunging readers into terror, beginning beneath 'Franklin High School' and spiraling outward into a nightmare that engulfs the whole of Seattle.
The idea of a genetic experiment going bizarre is chilling, but what truly unsettles is the emotional horror of children being hunted by the very people who raised them (heartbreak × 1000000😭).
The pacing is relentless, the violence...graphic and the tension really smothers.
This is not a “fun” zombie story, it’s all brutal, desperate and raw.
Fans of 'The Walking Dead" or "The Last of Us" will 100% appreciate its darkness🙌
Instead of strangers or distant monsters, the threat is made to come from parents, teachers and adults who once promised safety🤞
Mr. Nathan Harker wasted no time plunging readers into terror, beginning beneath 'Franklin High School' and spiraling outward into a nightmare that engulfs the whole of Seattle.
The idea of a genetic experiment going bizarre is chilling, but what truly unsettles is the emotional horror of children being hunted by the very people who raised them (heartbreak × 1000000😭).
The pacing is relentless, the violence...graphic and the tension really smothers.
This is not a “fun” zombie story, it’s all brutal, desperate and raw.
Fans of 'The Walking Dead" or "The Last of Us" will 100% appreciate its darkness🙌
February 1, 2026
Nathan Harker has crafted a zombie apocalypse that feels fresh, horrifying, and deeply unsettling. Those Braindead Ones thrives on its central idea: adulthood equals danger. Every encounter with a parent, teacher, or authority figure carries immediate threat, and that tension never fades. The writing is visceral, pulling no punches when it comes to gore or brutality. Yet the story also explores fear, loss, and the painful loss of innocence as kids are forced to fend for themselves. Seattle’s descent into chaos is vividly portrayed, making the outbreak feel massive and unstoppable. This book is relentless in its pacing and tone, offering no safe havens for characters or readers. It’s dark, disturbing, and unforgettable. Definitely recommended for readers who enjoy hardcore zombie horror with emotional depth.
January 24, 2026
I'm generally averse to zombie-themed content, but a friend's recommendation piqued my interest. I reluctantly decided to give this book a try, and my discomfort grew as I delved deeper. The tension is palpable, and the fear factor is undeniable. This book is a true page-turner, expertly pushing readers out of their comfort zones.
If you're an aficionado of scary stories, I highly recommend it. Be warned, though: it's not for the faint of heart! The eerie atmosphere and heart-pumping action will keep you on the edge of your seat. The author masterfully crafts a thrilling narrative that will leave you eager to uncover what happens next. It's a chilling tale that will haunt you long after you finish reading.
If you're an aficionado of scary stories, I highly recommend it. Be warned, though: it's not for the faint of heart! The eerie atmosphere and heart-pumping action will keep you on the edge of your seat. The author masterfully crafts a thrilling narrative that will leave you eager to uncover what happens next. It's a chilling tale that will haunt you long after you finish reading.
January 30, 2026
Honestly...this story weaponizes trust.
The moment adults become threats, the world fractures in ways that feel disturbingly real.
Fear...it starts to spread faster than infection!
Familiar spaces rot from the inside and survival becomes a cruel education.
The writing doesn’t soften the blow, rather it drags the reader through panic, grief and impossible decisions. Every chapter tightens the sense that escape is temporary.
This isn’t the horror that builds on jump scares, for it builds on betrayal.
One is forced to continue reading because a certain need gets created, the need to know how far the nightmare will go, even when a part of you hopes it won’t🤞
The moment adults become threats, the world fractures in ways that feel disturbingly real.
Fear...it starts to spread faster than infection!
Familiar spaces rot from the inside and survival becomes a cruel education.
The writing doesn’t soften the blow, rather it drags the reader through panic, grief and impossible decisions. Every chapter tightens the sense that escape is temporary.
This isn’t the horror that builds on jump scares, for it builds on betrayal.
One is forced to continue reading because a certain need gets created, the need to know how far the nightmare will go, even when a part of you hopes it won’t🤞
January 30, 2026
Those Braindead Ones is a gut-wrenching, soul-crushing tale of survival in a world gone mad. The author's bold narrative voice is both haunting and hypnotic, drawing you in with its relentless pace and gruesome imagery. It's a story about the horrors that lide within us all, waiting to be unleashed. If you're ready to confront the darkest aspects of human nature, then step into this abyss - just don't say I didn't warn you. It's a ride you won't soon forget."
The atmosphere is suffocating, filled with fear, desperation, and moral collapse. Every page pushes the limits of endurance. This is horror that challenges the reader emotionally as much as mentally, leaving a lasting, chilling impression.
The atmosphere is suffocating, filled with fear, desperation, and moral collapse. Every page pushes the limits of endurance. This is horror that challenges the reader emotionally as much as mentally, leaving a lasting, chilling impression.
February 2, 2026
Those Braindead Ones is a brutal reminder that horror hits hardest when it feels close to home. By turning adults into zombies, Nathan Harker strips away every traditional source of safety and replaces it with terror. The result is a story that feels claustrophobic and cruel in the best way. The opening mystery beneath Franklin High School sets the tone perfectly, blending science gone wrong with pure nightmare fuel. The pacing is fast, the stakes are high, and the gore is unapologetic. But what really stands out is the emotional impact, children realizing they can’t trust anyone over eighteen is devastating. This book doesn’t offer comfort or easy answers, only survival. If you’re a fan of extreme horror and zombie stories that push boundaries, this one will absolutely leave a mark.
February 4, 2026
Those Braindead Ones is one of the most intense zombie thrillers I’ve read, YA or otherwise. From the terrifying opening to the blood-soaked chaos that follows, Nathan Harker keeps the pressure on nonstop. The concept of adults turning into zombies is horrifyingly effective, turning everyday life into a constant threat. Schools, homes, and families become deadly traps, and the kids left behind are forced into impossible choices. The horror is graphic and relentless, fully earning its extreme content warning. What makes the story truly powerful is how it captures the terror of betrayal and the collapse of trust. This isn’t just about zombies, it’s about a world that suddenly turns against you. Dark, ruthless, and unforgettable, this book is perfect for fans of brutal apocalypse fiction.
February 4, 2026
Those Braided One's by Nathan Harker presents a relentless zombie apocalypse by adding tense atmosphere and human conflict. The novel takes the readers straightway into a world where safety is fragile and trust is dangerous. Harker’s portrayal of the braided infected is both grotesque and symbolic, reinforcing the sense of irreversible collapse. The pacing of the novel is sharp and that's what keeps the reader engaged and hooked to plot. The author also does not miss to add emotional balance to story. The context of survival is nothing near to heroic nor was it presented that way. Disturbing yet compelling, the book succeeds as both a gripping horror story and a thoughtful examination of humanity under extreme pressure.
January 9, 2026
The words covered the entirety of the thought.As soon as my body detected the wave, it disappeared. An emotionally draining and terrifying experience.The thing that most shocked me was how fast I reached the same level of terror as in the narrative.The acts are straightforward and minimal, and there doesn't seem to be any exaggeration. Fear is not caused by unforeseen circumstances, but rather by knowing what will happen. The onlookers know that something horrible is going to happen, but they don't know when. The narrative never seeks to be amusing or soothing. It is almost brutal in its severity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews