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Surviving The Evacuation #5
Reunion
Surviving is easy. It’s the next part, living, that’s hard.
It is seven months since the outbreak. The world is in ruins. Britain is a radioactive wasteland peopled by the undead. The few survivors cling to the hope that they might wake up tomorrow. For most, that is all they have left. But Nilda has something more; the chance that her son is alive. At least he was, months before.
She and Chester set out from Penrith, searching for her son. During the journey, Nilda learns more about this self-confessed criminal, Radio Free England, the conspiracy behind the outbreak, and how Chester was involved in it all. As they near Hull, she realises it is too late to change her travelling companion. She will need his help to escape the zombie infested city, and find her son.
Fleeing from the last remnant of the old government, Tuck and Jay head south in search for survivors. When they rescue a wounded man, their quest becomes one for medical supplies. That leads them to a rooftop city, and to the realisation that surviving out in the wasteland is easy compared to forging a new life from the wreckage of the old civilisation.
It is seven months since the outbreak. The world is in ruins. Britain is a radioactive wasteland peopled by the undead. The few survivors cling to the hope that they might wake up tomorrow. For most, that is all they have left. But Nilda has something more; the chance that her son is alive. At least he was, months before.
She and Chester set out from Penrith, searching for her son. During the journey, Nilda learns more about this self-confessed criminal, Radio Free England, the conspiracy behind the outbreak, and how Chester was involved in it all. As they near Hull, she realises it is too late to change her travelling companion. She will need his help to escape the zombie infested city, and find her son.
Fleeing from the last remnant of the old government, Tuck and Jay head south in search for survivors. When they rescue a wounded man, their quest becomes one for medical supplies. That leads them to a rooftop city, and to the realisation that surviving out in the wasteland is easy compared to forging a new life from the wreckage of the old civilisation.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2015
179 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Frank Tayell
54 books485 followersAuthor of post-apocalyptic and near-future science fiction, with a focus on democracies struggling against dystopia.
For more information, or to join the mailing list, please visit; www.FrankTayell.com, facebook.com/FrankTayell, or facebook.com/TheEvacuation
For more information, or to join the mailing list, please visit; www.FrankTayell.com, facebook.com/FrankTayell, or facebook.com/TheEvacuation
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 27, 2025
1st read: June 2022
2nd read: September 2025
Reunion continues the story of the last book, showing Nilda and Chester on their way to London and what Jay and Tuck have been doing since they were separated from Nilda. There are also a few flashback chapters featuring Chester right after the outbreak.
I really like Chester, Tuck, and Jay, but Nilda is still annoying. She is very dedicated to finding her son, but she treats everyone else as disposable, even the people who are risking their lives to help her.
Hopefully she improves in the next book.
2nd read: September 2025
Reunion continues the story of the last book, showing Nilda and Chester on their way to London and what Jay and Tuck have been doing since they were separated from Nilda. There are also a few flashback chapters featuring Chester right after the outbreak.
I really like Chester, Tuck, and Jay, but Nilda is still annoying. She is very dedicated to finding her son, but she treats everyone else as disposable, even the people who are risking their lives to help her.
Hopefully she improves in the next book.
September 6, 2019
I think I’m tired of zombies.
July 1, 2018
The story continues. I am loving this zombie universe. I’m enjoying the characters. Just a great series.
December 6, 2019
Keeps you on edge
The story continues! I can’t wait to read book number 6...this one is well exciting and keeps you reading through the pages, I immerse myself in this story which is so well written. Congrats to the writer!
The story continues! I can’t wait to read book number 6...this one is well exciting and keeps you reading through the pages, I immerse myself in this story which is so well written. Congrats to the writer!
July 24, 2022
Zombies. The undead. It has been seven months since the outbreak. The world is in ruins. Britain is a radioactive wasteland peopled by the undead. The few survivors cling to the hope that they might wake up tomorrow. For most, that is all they have left. But Nilda has something more; the chance that her son is alive. At least he was, months before.
She and Chester set out from Penrith, searching for her son. During the journey, Nilda learns more about this self-confessed criminal, Radio Free England, the conspiracy behind the outbreak, and how Chester was involved in it all. As they near Hull, she realises it is too late to change her travelling companion. She will need his help to escape the zombie infested city, and find her son.
Fleeing from the last remnant of the old government, Tuck and Jay head south in search for survivors. When they rescue a wounded man, their quest becomes one for medical supplies. That leads them to a rooftop city, and to the realisation that surviving out in the wasteland is easy compared to forging a new life from the wreckage of the old civilization.
She and Chester set out from Penrith, searching for her son. During the journey, Nilda learns more about this self-confessed criminal, Radio Free England, the conspiracy behind the outbreak, and how Chester was involved in it all. As they near Hull, she realises it is too late to change her travelling companion. She will need his help to escape the zombie infested city, and find her son.
Fleeing from the last remnant of the old government, Tuck and Jay head south in search for survivors. When they rescue a wounded man, their quest becomes one for medical supplies. That leads them to a rooftop city, and to the realisation that surviving out in the wasteland is easy compared to forging a new life from the wreckage of the old civilization.
January 9, 2017
Books five finds Nilda and Chester striking out to find Jay via Penrith and Hull and catches up on Jay and Tucks story and their journey to London. Redemption is very much a feature of this episode as Chester battles his demons, and Tuck hers. Previous crimes and misdemeanours are overlooked, sometimes grudgingly as bothe groups get closer to each other. Frank Tayell keeps the pace, plot and intelligence of this series going admirably, looking past just the viscerl nature of the subject matter to what makes us human and it just isnt enough to survive, you have to live too. Again highly recommended.
October 19, 2018
Have to admit this one didn't grip me like the previous 4 did. Hoping the next one picks up again
May 22, 2022
This was her generation’s legacy. The buildings would crumble, the books would rot, the music would fade, and only the great mounds of the dead would remain.
This one took me a long time to return to after plowing through the first four books in the series. Not that the story was any less interesting, but after getting to know, and losing so many characters in the preceding stories it’s harder to engage with and root for these characters in the same way we as readers did in the earlier novels.
Tayell’s use of characters and setting leaves little loose ends, looping back on previous stories and using dramatic irony masterfully to create a sense of hope and anticipation that drives the narrative that threatens to become repetitive in a desolate setting where survival is the beginning, middle and end of every story.
Tayell’s characters all explore the ambiguity of morality in this apocalyptic reality; robbing the youthful of their innocence, the moral of their purity and gives the immoral a chance to shine.
This novel felt very much like a bridging point between the 4th and coming 6th instalment which though exciting at times seemed at times drawn out to such an extent that the narrative felt flatter than some of the preceding novels, while not as inherently immersive as it’s predecessors Reunion is still a strong story and another great read within this ongoing series.
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This one took me a long time to return to after plowing through the first four books in the series. Not that the story was any less interesting, but after getting to know, and losing so many characters in the preceding stories it’s harder to engage with and root for these characters in the same way we as readers did in the earlier novels.
Tayell’s use of characters and setting leaves little loose ends, looping back on previous stories and using dramatic irony masterfully to create a sense of hope and anticipation that drives the narrative that threatens to become repetitive in a desolate setting where survival is the beginning, middle and end of every story.
Tayell’s characters all explore the ambiguity of morality in this apocalyptic reality; robbing the youthful of their innocence, the moral of their purity and gives the immoral a chance to shine.
This novel felt very much like a bridging point between the 4th and coming 6th instalment which though exciting at times seemed at times drawn out to such an extent that the narrative felt flatter than some of the preceding novels, while not as inherently immersive as it’s predecessors Reunion is still a strong story and another great read within this ongoing series.
DSC
www.fodibyli.com
#FoDiByLi
August 6, 2022
The Saga continues apace! We see this 5th installment from several points of view. On the one hand, we have Nilda and Chester, trying to find Nilda's son, and on the other, we have her son, Jay, and Tuck, trying to leave a trail of breadcrumbs for Nilda as they all try to get to a place of safety.
But this is post-apocalyptic Britain. There is no safety. There is only survival, day to day, and doing the best you can to make the best of it with the people around you.
There is no let-up here. The plot forges ahead at a rate of knots, and never flags. I can hardly wait to get started on book 6!
But this is post-apocalyptic Britain. There is no safety. There is only survival, day to day, and doing the best you can to make the best of it with the people around you.
There is no let-up here. The plot forges ahead at a rate of knots, and never flags. I can hardly wait to get started on book 6!
April 28, 2023
Nilda learns that Jay might be alive and searches for him - first returning to her house in Penrith and then on to London, where Jay says, in a note left for her, he will meet her. She is accompanied by Chester, a former associate of Cannock's (see Book 2). Meanwhile Jay, along with Tuck, is making his way to London...
One of the fine points of this series is the way people recur, sometimes very much after their introduction. This might be regarded as too coincidntal - but it should be remembered that the population of the living is relatively small. In addition there is the ongoing character development this allows.
There is some hope for the future at the end of this instalment...
One of the fine points of this series is the way people recur, sometimes very much after their introduction. This might be regarded as too coincidntal - but it should be remembered that the population of the living is relatively small. In addition there is the ongoing character development this allows.
There is some hope for the future at the end of this instalment...
November 17, 2024
Solid Next Chapter in This Apocalypse Tale
Frank Tayell continues to deliver here in Book 5 of Surviving the Evacuation. Which is somewhat of a misnomer, as plenty of people do NOT survive. But that’s simply what life is like when zombies are everywhere you turn, and just finding shelter, food, and water is a challenge. What makes this book stand out is how Tayell continues to reveal the interconnection of the many different characters and plot threads he’s laid out over the past books, and showing that clearly more is to come. Which I’ll be discovering, as I’m off to Book 6!
Frank Tayell continues to deliver here in Book 5 of Surviving the Evacuation. Which is somewhat of a misnomer, as plenty of people do NOT survive. But that’s simply what life is like when zombies are everywhere you turn, and just finding shelter, food, and water is a challenge. What makes this book stand out is how Tayell continues to reveal the interconnection of the many different characters and plot threads he’s laid out over the past books, and showing that clearly more is to come. Which I’ll be discovering, as I’m off to Book 6!
November 12, 2017
And so the story continues.... I do love a Zombie film so thought I'd give this series a go. Gripping.
As a Londoner, I am familiar with many of the landmarks Bartholomew passed at the start.
It is 7 months later; zombies abound and Britain is radioactive. Nilda is surviving and desperate to find her son Jay. She's accompanied by Chester (the former? criminal) who offers some of his own backstory. In the meantime the deaf soldier, Tuck, and Jay are headed down south.
I love the way the author has woven the various characters throughout the series into the story.
As a Londoner, I am familiar with many of the landmarks Bartholomew passed at the start.
It is 7 months later; zombies abound and Britain is radioactive. Nilda is surviving and desperate to find her son Jay. She's accompanied by Chester (the former? criminal) who offers some of his own backstory. In the meantime the deaf soldier, Tuck, and Jay are headed down south.
I love the way the author has woven the various characters throughout the series into the story.
January 12, 2019
The surviving the evacuation series books are good reads. The characters are like-able, and I enjoy how the character's stories are interwoven between the books. Not five stars because I feel like they are a little on the short side and sometimes the resolution is a bit fast and/or almost seems a bit of a let down to me, but maybe that is because there is always going to be another book to keep the story going (at least for awhile)...it certainly hasn't stopped me from investing in the next one to see what happens though.
April 4, 2018
I really liked this book and it would have gotten 4 stars but I didn't like how it was set up. Chester's backstory, while interesting, should have been a separate novella or not as long while Jay and Tuck's story should have been told along side Nilda and Chester's. I did not like having to go all the way back to March to find out what happened with Jay and Tuck after leaving Nilda and Chester in September. We already knew Jay was alive so not sure why the author chose to write it that way.
March 12, 2019
These books have been fun. I can't keep track of the different offshoots, and will have to research if I want to continue. Not interested in the ones in America (not sure why, they just don't appeal).
They are really good and except for one of the Surviving books, proofread and well edited. It will be time well spent if you decide to go for it and can decipher the different threads and book order. :)
They are really good and except for one of the Surviving books, proofread and well edited. It will be time well spent if you decide to go for it and can decipher the different threads and book order. :)
April 19, 2023
Surviving the Evacuation book5 of 20 Reunion, Frank Tayell. Gripping page turner. Nilda and Chester have left Anglesey to go to Hull and then London undead are travelling in hordes. Jay and Tuck are heading to London, both stories side by side. Gripping page turner great characters. Looking forward to book 6 4* kindle.
August 6, 2017
Nilda and Chester travel to London to find her son Jay. Jay and Tuck meet others in London and join forces to survive the mass of undead. Continues to build characters though sometimes feeling somewhat repetitive.
May 3, 2018
I love this series
I was very wary at the start of this book, it was starting to become very repetitive of the previous books in the series. But then it came together and turned into another gripping read.
I was very wary at the start of this book, it was starting to become very repetitive of the previous books in the series. But then it came together and turned into another gripping read.
May 13, 2021
Really enjoy this series but just can't stand Nilda. Will keep reading but really hope the focus shifts away from her soon and either back to Bill or another more interesting and less self-centred character.
March 15, 2017
Engrossing
The book keeps you on the edge of your seat to see who, what and how of the next chapter.
The book keeps you on the edge of your seat to see who, what and how of the next chapter.
May 6, 2017
So glad Nilda found Jay 😆
January 27, 2018
Loved this book!
This series has been so much fun to read and get lost in. I highly recommend it if you like the Zombie genre. Cannot wait to read the next one!
This series has been so much fun to read and get lost in. I highly recommend it if you like the Zombie genre. Cannot wait to read the next one!
December 31, 2018
Easy read
This book is simply written and very easy to read. While being easy, it is also entertaining enough that I wanted to keep reading. I recommend for an easy read.
This book is simply written and very easy to read. While being easy, it is also entertaining enough that I wanted to keep reading. I recommend for an easy read.
April 25, 2019
Captivating
Keeps your mind alert as so many twists and turns. Can't wait for the next one, an enjoying series for me
Keeps your mind alert as so many twists and turns. Can't wait for the next one, an enjoying series for me
May 2, 2020
Another good addition to the series, and I particularly liked the increasing intertwining of the various characters stories, though can't help but feel it might all end badly!
May 22, 2020
Book 5 was fantastic, I really enjoyed the character arc's in this one and the development of the interweaving stories. I'm still hooked and look forward to reading the next installment.
June 5, 2020
Sacrifice
Another adventure finishes and another one starts,the story line,gets you thinking,where does it go from here, can't wait to read the the next one
Another adventure finishes and another one starts,the story line,gets you thinking,where does it go from here, can't wait to read the the next one
Read
June 27, 2024DNF
September 2, 2025
Fighting for a future
The group is trying to find a future in the Apocalypse where they can have safety and be self-sufficient. Will they find it, who knows.
The group is trying to find a future in the Apocalypse where they can have safety and be self-sufficient. Will they find it, who knows.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews