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Arisen #8.5
Nemesis
ARISEN
Hope Never Dies.
Africa Wasn't Ready.
Between the fall of man and the arrival of the JFK, the Horn of Africa is a battleground.
Salvation. Vengeance. Vanity.
NEMESIS
Hope Never Dies.
Africa Wasn't Ready.
Between the fall of man and the arrival of the JFK, the Horn of Africa is a battleground.
Salvation. Vengeance. Vanity.
NEMESIS
589 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2015
250 people are currently reading
579 people want to read
About the author
Michael Stephen Fuchs
57 books490 followersMICHAEL STEPHEN FUCHS is author of the #1 bestselling epic ARISEN series of special-operations military ZA novels, which have repeatedly been Amazon #1 bestsellers in Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction, #1 in Dystopian Science Fiction, #1 in Military Science Fiction, #1 in War Fiction, and #1 in War & Military Action Fiction, as well as Amazon overall Top 100 bestsellers. The series as a whole has sold over 1.5 million copies. The audiobook editions, performed by R.C. Bray, have generated over $5 million in revenue. He is also author of the D-Boys series of high-tech special-operations military adventure novels, which include
D-Boys
,
Counter-Assault
, and Close Quarters Battle (coming in 2026); as well as the existential cyberthrillers
The Manuscript
and
Pandora’s Sisters
, both published worldwide by Macmillan in hardback, paperback and all e-book formats (and in translation). He lives in London and blogs at www.michaelfuchs.org/razorsedge. You can follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, or by e-mail.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
June 23, 2015
What can I say? This is the best zombie/military series out there.
Nemesis is a separate story from the Arisen series, yet it provides a lot of information we readers need to finish off the series. Tons of unbelievable way over the top action that we have come to love. This is only the 2nd companion Arisen book written solely by Fuchs. The other being
(which is one of my all time favorites....I need to add it to my Profile shelf). Well, Genesis and Nemesis go hand in hand, and tie into the Arisen series.
If you love zombies, and military special forces, then you will love this series.
Nemesis is a separate story from the Arisen series, yet it provides a lot of information we readers need to finish off the series. Tons of unbelievable way over the top action that we have come to love. This is only the 2nd companion Arisen book written solely by Fuchs. The other being
(which is one of my all time favorites....I need to add it to my Profile shelf). Well, Genesis and Nemesis go hand in hand, and tie into the Arisen series.If you love zombies, and military special forces, then you will love this series.
April 10, 2017
This book follows on from the Arisen book #3.5 Genesis and continues the story of the original outbreak in Africa. It becomes relevant to the main Arisen series when it reaches book #10 The Flood. So read Genesis and Nemesis before The Flood!
Kate arrives at Camp Lemonnier for an eight month deployment with Triple Nickel just as the base comes under attack. A recon team is missing, the local hospital is lost, there are guns on the street and the epedemic is causing panic. Triple Nickel are forbidden to go on a rescue mission but as they are gearing up, the dead invade the camp and all hell breaks loose...
This book covers a changing timeline. It starts with Kate's arrival, the zombie attack on the Camp and the escape. It then jumps forward 18 months to the rural Camp Price that the survivors have set up while they watch a zombie horde coming their way and hoping it passes by without finding them. But life is about to get dangerous when a drone flies over their camp, exposing their existence to Al Shabaab at the compound. It's likely that the enemy will be coming to get them so it is decided that with their smaller numbers, an ambush will be the best option to stop an attack on Camp Price. But to even attempt that they will need the big weapons back at Camp Lemonnier, an area overrun with zombies. Time is also short with the big zombie horde closing in...
We also follow our CIA survivors from Genesis, Zach and Baxter. They were given sanctuary by Al Shabaab in exchange for use of their drone which kept them alive but both men fear that the paranoid leader no longer trusts or needs them which leaves them fearing for their lives and looking to escape. When they see the Special Forces group in Camp Price, it gives them hope that there is somewhere to go if they can escape. Al Shabaab are well aware that Camp Lemonnier might be a target for the group they have spotted and it will be a race to see who gets there first...
We also get vital information in this book concerning how the virus broke out. I'm not going to spoil it in case you read the series but call it a crazy accident. Now Al Shabaab have a big secret in the Compound that Zach has discoverd-information that will be vital in the search for a cure if Zach can escape. I really enjoyed getting this background to the virus which fills in the gaps from Arisen. Brendan is a good leader, similar in my mind to Handon in the Arisen books, viewed sometimes as too soft by Jake, the indestructable warrior of the group who likes to do his own thing. The dynamic between them was similar to the mistrust between Handon and Henno but not quite as volatile. Todd is a great character-the laidback surfer dude guy that everyone likes. He was my favourite in this book.
Kate is the first character in the Arisen series that I seriously disliked and didn't care if she lived or died. She is supposed to be Special Forces but she is totally useless. She stands about in a daze the whole time when things are happening around her instead of adapting and getting on with it like the rest of the team. She cannot seem to do basic weapons functions as shown when she is to shoot out the gate for their escape. Instead of hitting that big target she somehow manages to blow up the gatehouse and kills two soldiers. Then she starts to cry. Seriously??? Todd has to keep telling her what to do ie 'shoot the zombies' or 'shoot the gate before we crash into it' while she worries about her hat blowing off. On their escape she drives looking behind her and almost puts them into a ditch, and then nearly knocks down some fleeing kids by not paying attention again. With a man trapped inside a crashed vehicle and zombies in it, is Kate rushing to his aid? Nope, she is thinking how hot Jake is. WTF??? If this woman got through Special Forces training then I question their selection methods.
Despite my contempt for Kate this is still a darn good book. It may be different characters from the main Arisen series but the action is just as crazy and everything is pretty exciting. The battle scenes in this book are numerous as you would expect from this series and they are so tense and well written. The Compound battle was brilliant with so much happening that it made my head spin. It is impossible to predict what is going to happen in these books and twists are around every corner which makes it another compelling read. Who will survive the battle?
Another great Arisen read!
Kate arrives at Camp Lemonnier for an eight month deployment with Triple Nickel just as the base comes under attack. A recon team is missing, the local hospital is lost, there are guns on the street and the epedemic is causing panic. Triple Nickel are forbidden to go on a rescue mission but as they are gearing up, the dead invade the camp and all hell breaks loose...
This book covers a changing timeline. It starts with Kate's arrival, the zombie attack on the Camp and the escape. It then jumps forward 18 months to the rural Camp Price that the survivors have set up while they watch a zombie horde coming their way and hoping it passes by without finding them. But life is about to get dangerous when a drone flies over their camp, exposing their existence to Al Shabaab at the compound. It's likely that the enemy will be coming to get them so it is decided that with their smaller numbers, an ambush will be the best option to stop an attack on Camp Price. But to even attempt that they will need the big weapons back at Camp Lemonnier, an area overrun with zombies. Time is also short with the big zombie horde closing in...
We also follow our CIA survivors from Genesis, Zach and Baxter. They were given sanctuary by Al Shabaab in exchange for use of their drone which kept them alive but both men fear that the paranoid leader no longer trusts or needs them which leaves them fearing for their lives and looking to escape. When they see the Special Forces group in Camp Price, it gives them hope that there is somewhere to go if they can escape. Al Shabaab are well aware that Camp Lemonnier might be a target for the group they have spotted and it will be a race to see who gets there first...
We also get vital information in this book concerning how the virus broke out. I'm not going to spoil it in case you read the series but call it a crazy accident. Now Al Shabaab have a big secret in the Compound that Zach has discoverd-information that will be vital in the search for a cure if Zach can escape. I really enjoyed getting this background to the virus which fills in the gaps from Arisen. Brendan is a good leader, similar in my mind to Handon in the Arisen books, viewed sometimes as too soft by Jake, the indestructable warrior of the group who likes to do his own thing. The dynamic between them was similar to the mistrust between Handon and Henno but not quite as volatile. Todd is a great character-the laidback surfer dude guy that everyone likes. He was my favourite in this book.
Kate is the first character in the Arisen series that I seriously disliked and didn't care if she lived or died. She is supposed to be Special Forces but she is totally useless. She stands about in a daze the whole time when things are happening around her instead of adapting and getting on with it like the rest of the team. She cannot seem to do basic weapons functions as shown when she is to shoot out the gate for their escape. Instead of hitting that big target she somehow manages to blow up the gatehouse and kills two soldiers. Then she starts to cry. Seriously??? Todd has to keep telling her what to do ie 'shoot the zombies' or 'shoot the gate before we crash into it' while she worries about her hat blowing off. On their escape she drives looking behind her and almost puts them into a ditch, and then nearly knocks down some fleeing kids by not paying attention again. With a man trapped inside a crashed vehicle and zombies in it, is Kate rushing to his aid? Nope, she is thinking how hot Jake is. WTF??? If this woman got through Special Forces training then I question their selection methods.
Despite my contempt for Kate this is still a darn good book. It may be different characters from the main Arisen series but the action is just as crazy and everything is pretty exciting. The battle scenes in this book are numerous as you would expect from this series and they are so tense and well written. The Compound battle was brilliant with so much happening that it made my head spin. It is impossible to predict what is going to happen in these books and twists are around every corner which makes it another compelling read. Who will survive the battle?
Another great Arisen read!
March 4, 2018
I enjoyed the first 20% or so and the last 20% or so, but the middle really dragged on for a while. For this series, the military acronyms and detail are starting to get a bit monotonous...
May 8, 2015
One of the best, if not THE best Z Series written
There are so few decent series out there, in any genre.
They tend to pander to the young set, hence the blood and guts, or the writing becomes so militaristic, that those of us who don't know all that much about guns and military protocols are lost before the next wave of undead begins to swarm.
This series has found that balance between keeping all types of readers happy. There's the weaving of each character with the others, and enough telling of their own story to provide a springboard into the main reason we are all here.
The story is rich with substantial amount of smaller plots, enough to keep it interesting, but not so much that it becomes distracting. Understanding the how and why this apocalypse is taking place is like a bloom slowly being unwrapped. It slowly reveals itself to the reader as a believable, and sadly feasible tale of what can happen, should the hatred of men be left unchecked.
I can see this as being a successful, thought provoking tv series,d
There are so few decent series out there, in any genre.
They tend to pander to the young set, hence the blood and guts, or the writing becomes so militaristic, that those of us who don't know all that much about guns and military protocols are lost before the next wave of undead begins to swarm.
This series has found that balance between keeping all types of readers happy. There's the weaving of each character with the others, and enough telling of their own story to provide a springboard into the main reason we are all here.
The story is rich with substantial amount of smaller plots, enough to keep it interesting, but not so much that it becomes distracting. Understanding the how and why this apocalypse is taking place is like a bloom slowly being unwrapped. It slowly reveals itself to the reader as a believable, and sadly feasible tale of what can happen, should the hatred of men be left unchecked.
I can see this as being a successful, thought provoking tv series,d
June 12, 2019
Four star series all the way.
Love it.
Love it.
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never-read
January 19, 2020Read the novella Genesis in the "Arisen" series. 1 Star and did not enjoy, therefore will not be continuing with the series.
August 21, 2019
The comic is actually fabulous.
November 3, 2016
Staff Sgt. Kate Dunajski is military through and through. Eighteen months ago she was in the reserves, hoping to pay for school. Then she was called upon to serve in Afghanistan and finds, after three deployments, that her niche is helping the people of that country. Instead, the military decides she belongs in Somalia, Africa. This is where it starts.
Her arrival is met with utter chaos, spilling throughout the town and a certain amount of confusion at Camp Lemonnier, her station. People are firing guns and fighting to get through the gate, onto the base. Helicopters are bringing in wounded soldiers and suddenly the bullets are coming her way. About this time I was able to put myself in her shoes and wonder, "What would I do in this situation?" She does the same thing I would have. She ducks and hides. After that she makes the decision to run for the JOC, or Joint Operations Center. FYI: There are a ton of acronyms in this book, so you might want to jot them down for reference.
At first I was completely confused, until I realised, just keep your eyes on the people; that's where the action is. Bullets herald her boisterous entrance into the building, but the numerous people around her, sitting at tactical stations, hardly take notice. Each person has a specific job and each is utterly absorbed by it. Thankfully, she is approached by a soldier who introduces himself as her teammate, Elijah. He takes her under his wing and she is able to observe, without the fear of being shot.
From this point on, the story becomes more about the team. All, except for Kate, have been together for a long time and know each others' quirks, vices, and aspirations: the fun they have quoting movie lines that fit any given moment in their daily lives, to knowing that when times are frighteningly serious they can count on each other to have the primary goal of protecting the team.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. There is a lot of action and it's not just about Kate. It's about her blending into the unit and being a soldier just as much as anyone else. It's about these capable men realizing that she is as driven as any other soldier when it comes to the fight. The title alone informs readers that there is a nemesis. However, is it Triple Nickel or is it someone else? That question is part of the excitement of the book. Even though there is an epidemic and, unfortunately, there are zombies running around, that is not the focus of the story. This is a large series with plenty of room for zombies and everybody else. The undead do affect how some things get accomplished or not, but I recommend this book for several other reasons. First, the action is a huge draw, then there are the exhilarating wins and devastating losses, and overall, I wasn't bored for a single minute. The characters were engaging and the ending was a surprise. Although, I did find that the epilogue is just a lead-in to the next book and it was not particularly interesting.
My rating:
Genre and reading age: Definitely action. I think a teenager interested in military action would enjoy this book and, of course, adults.
Level of sexuality: Very little.
Was there graphic language? Some, but not too bad.
Did I cry? No. It's almost as if the story prepares you for the fact that there are losses in battle. Was I saddened? Absolutely.
Is it part of a series? Yes, there are several other Arisen novels, including a prequel.
Level of character development: It was very well done.
Did I laugh? The subject was serious, but there were a few grin-worthy moments.
Overall, I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.
Her arrival is met with utter chaos, spilling throughout the town and a certain amount of confusion at Camp Lemonnier, her station. People are firing guns and fighting to get through the gate, onto the base. Helicopters are bringing in wounded soldiers and suddenly the bullets are coming her way. About this time I was able to put myself in her shoes and wonder, "What would I do in this situation?" She does the same thing I would have. She ducks and hides. After that she makes the decision to run for the JOC, or Joint Operations Center. FYI: There are a ton of acronyms in this book, so you might want to jot them down for reference.
At first I was completely confused, until I realised, just keep your eyes on the people; that's where the action is. Bullets herald her boisterous entrance into the building, but the numerous people around her, sitting at tactical stations, hardly take notice. Each person has a specific job and each is utterly absorbed by it. Thankfully, she is approached by a soldier who introduces himself as her teammate, Elijah. He takes her under his wing and she is able to observe, without the fear of being shot.
From this point on, the story becomes more about the team. All, except for Kate, have been together for a long time and know each others' quirks, vices, and aspirations: the fun they have quoting movie lines that fit any given moment in their daily lives, to knowing that when times are frighteningly serious they can count on each other to have the primary goal of protecting the team.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. There is a lot of action and it's not just about Kate. It's about her blending into the unit and being a soldier just as much as anyone else. It's about these capable men realizing that she is as driven as any other soldier when it comes to the fight. The title alone informs readers that there is a nemesis. However, is it Triple Nickel or is it someone else? That question is part of the excitement of the book. Even though there is an epidemic and, unfortunately, there are zombies running around, that is not the focus of the story. This is a large series with plenty of room for zombies and everybody else. The undead do affect how some things get accomplished or not, but I recommend this book for several other reasons. First, the action is a huge draw, then there are the exhilarating wins and devastating losses, and overall, I wasn't bored for a single minute. The characters were engaging and the ending was a surprise. Although, I did find that the epilogue is just a lead-in to the next book and it was not particularly interesting.
My rating:
Genre and reading age: Definitely action. I think a teenager interested in military action would enjoy this book and, of course, adults.
Level of sexuality: Very little.
Was there graphic language? Some, but not too bad.
Did I cry? No. It's almost as if the story prepares you for the fact that there are losses in battle. Was I saddened? Absolutely.
Is it part of a series? Yes, there are several other Arisen novels, including a prequel.
Level of character development: It was very well done.
Did I laugh? The subject was serious, but there were a few grin-worthy moments.
Overall, I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.
November 22, 2016
Each book tells the continuing saga of a world upside down where everything has changed due to an infection that turns 7 billion people into raving, human hungry zombies. This goes well beyond the Walking Dead for action as Fortress Britain, the only country left standing, is trying to reset the world to being zombie free.
The missions are many and the action is hot as American and British military conduct missions across the globe trying to find materials and people in a race to stop the extinction of the human race.
There are many characters in this saga and yet the author develops them with depth and reality. The protagonists and the antagonists seem to be so real, as does the action. Reading this saga pulls you in and places you in the middle of the action.
This HAS to be one of the BEST Zombie saga's going !!! Detail, information and realism pervades throughout the 12 books (books 13 & 14 will arrive) and I can't wait !
The missions are many and the action is hot as American and British military conduct missions across the globe trying to find materials and people in a race to stop the extinction of the human race.
There are many characters in this saga and yet the author develops them with depth and reality. The protagonists and the antagonists seem to be so real, as does the action. Reading this saga pulls you in and places you in the middle of the action.
This HAS to be one of the BEST Zombie saga's going !!! Detail, information and realism pervades throughout the 12 books (books 13 & 14 will arrive) and I can't wait !
May 8, 2015
This book is a great continuation of the series! It is a nonstop thrill-ride! Cannot wait until the next installment!
March 24, 2019
A lot going in in this one, plus a nice tie-in to the original story line. Which reminds me, its time to grab book 11. :)
September 11, 2024
Book:-ARISEN NEMESIS BY MICHAEL STEPHEN FUCHS.
A military,Islamic fiction set in east Africa and middle east on conflict and humanitarian military conflict intervention and crimes.The story looks at various ways soldiers withstand enemy assault;fight to curb terrorist insurgency or incursions and resist al-shabaab;losing military colleagues and what it potends for their platoon;training a countries military to resist insurgency through teachers;need for medical expenditionary teams in humanitarian military reinforcement;getting back on reinforcement even after an attack that put team members down;overseas combat operation by military personnel;religion and conflict;military signal transmission and communication importance in conflict for soldiers; soldiers and controlling self not to panick at the fire of an AK gun;self control to save situations for the military;Islamic extremism and military combat;handling the cultural challenge of being a woman in the military;the importance of rest time for the combatant;being alert and watchful of ones back from time to time as a combatant;combating conflict without harming innocent survivors;team splitting strategy in combating conflict; soldiers and camping in conflict;knowing when to hold and when to fold;traditional stool leadership and conflict;gun safety;
A military,Islamic fiction set in east Africa and middle east on conflict and humanitarian military conflict intervention and crimes.The story looks at various ways soldiers withstand enemy assault;fight to curb terrorist insurgency or incursions and resist al-shabaab;losing military colleagues and what it potends for their platoon;training a countries military to resist insurgency through teachers;need for medical expenditionary teams in humanitarian military reinforcement;getting back on reinforcement even after an attack that put team members down;overseas combat operation by military personnel;religion and conflict;military signal transmission and communication importance in conflict for soldiers; soldiers and controlling self not to panick at the fire of an AK gun;self control to save situations for the military;Islamic extremism and military combat;handling the cultural challenge of being a woman in the military;the importance of rest time for the combatant;being alert and watchful of ones back from time to time as a combatant;combating conflict without harming innocent survivors;team splitting strategy in combating conflict; soldiers and camping in conflict;knowing when to hold and when to fold;traditional stool leadership and conflict;gun safety;
July 9, 2024
This stand-alone connector book was a nice idea by the author and provided a good tie-in to book eight. There's definitely a lot of action which is engaging and exciting, however, I'm just not struck by the whole al-shabab storyline and it's just silly to me how juiced up the author made this ragtag bunch, similar to how he did with the Russians in the last two books. Anyhow, you've got to have a protagonist so I understand and forgive, I just didn't like it much. Once the story gets passed these bits I have confidence it will resume being as solid as the books that came before. I still recommend the series to anybody interested in the ZA genre.
June 10, 2021
W.O.W.!
I read this book a bit out of order. Two familiar character's from book 1 join a new cast of characters. First hour or two were hard to get into...but, then,, BAM!!! So many twists and turns and less focus on zombies was a nice change! I say this just about every book, but this one is my favorite so far!
I read this book a bit out of order. Two familiar character's from book 1 join a new cast of characters. First hour or two were hard to get into...but, then,, BAM!!! So many twists and turns and less focus on zombies was a nice change! I say this just about every book, but this one is my favorite so far!
February 21, 2024
This is a really good military thriller! I saw the zombie tag & was pulled in, but it is not really a zombie story. It is a very fast paced military adventure, with an incredible action & high levels of tension & stress! Interesting plot, good group of characters which I found created a great read!
August 6, 2017
This book took me awhile to read. There was a lot more military references and action vs the normal military references and a lot of dead. It didn't make it less enjoyable but it was a much slower read for me.
September 28, 2019
This was not a bad story, but it was by far not my favorite of the Arisen books. Much of the language was repetitive. There were too many grammatical errors. There were several glaring instances of problems with descriptions of uniforms or rank.
September 17, 2022
Interesting back story
I liked this fill in. Gave good character information on Zach, Kate, Baxter and Jack. Good action as always. A lot of military lingo and very long descriptions of guns and weapons.
I liked this fill in. Gave good character information on Zach, Kate, Baxter and Jack. Good action as always. A lot of military lingo and very long descriptions of guns and weapons.
January 4, 2019
Great book, though I wish I had read it before finishing the series (but, it did answer a lot of questions about characters).
May 6, 2019
Excruciatingly painful battle descriptions.
September 10, 2019
Ace
One of the most , action books I've read in a long time.
Now I've got to read the rest of his books.
One of the most , action books I've read in a long time.
Now I've got to read the rest of his books.
October 22, 2019
This was much more than I expected for a series addition novella. It's a full book in itself. The characters, ODA 555, were great and the action was just as good as the rest of series.
February 10, 2020
New blood at last, needed when a series is based upon people entering situations where many must die...
June 14, 2020
Blood and thunder in spades
Absorbing unputdownable the pace of the action incredible towards the end I was beginning to worry that no one would be left to tell the tale.
Absorbing unputdownable the pace of the action incredible towards the end I was beginning to worry that no one would be left to tell the tale.
September 5, 2020
More backstory and more characters to care about - these books are just flat stressful! At least now we know about how things started.
RC Bray is amazing as usual.
RC Bray is amazing as usual.
April 30, 2023
Badass!
Been a good few years since I read a book in this series, bloody great to be back into it.
Been a good few years since I read a book in this series, bloody great to be back into it.
August 6, 2024
Enjoyed this action-packed military zombie story. I admit to skipping over all the descriptions of the military hardware.
July 13, 2025
I read this after the Arisen series. This book fills in the gaps. I love the Arisen series and Nemesis starts where the series wraps up. Cleverly written offering thrilling suspense.
September 21, 2023
Good again. The whole series was fantastic!!
July 4, 2024
This was a good story, following on group of Tier-1 special forces trapped on the ground in Africa at the start of the outbreak. Of the 3 stand alone novels from Arisen, this is probably the one that adds the least to the Arisen universe. Genesis tells of how the plague started and Odyssey tells of Homer's search for his family. This one is simply a story about surviving the early days of the apocalypse and then a battle some 18 months later.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews