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Z-Risen #1-3
Z-Risen: Books 1 - 3
When the USS McClusky (FFG-41) was overrun by the dead, Machinist Mate First Class Jackson Creed, and Marine Sergeant Joel "Cruze" Kelly, were forced to abandon the ship, and take their chances in San Diego.
Now they are stuck in a city that has been completely overrun with zombies and as the days go by they must range farther and farther away from 'fortress' in their search for supplies.
Relying on military training, guts, and pure force of will, the two of them will face a nightmare world that is intent on killing them one bite at a time.
Now they are stuck in a city that has been completely overrun with zombies and as the days go by they must range farther and farther away from 'fortress' in their search for supplies.
Relying on military training, guts, and pure force of will, the two of them will face a nightmare world that is intent on killing them one bite at a time.
- GenresZombies
592 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2015
196 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Timothy W. Long
63 books153 followersWhen not sitting around watching Rick and Morty reruns in a bathrobe, Timothy W. Long writes stuff. He has a predilection for weird literature and sometimes drinks Coke for breakfast. Don't tell his mom.
Tim is the author of over 30 novels in genres ranging from cozy/Isekai, to all manner of post-apocalyptic because no one has managed to take away his word processor.
Tim is an active member of SFWA, HWA, and Thriller Writers. He recently signed a three-book deal with Aethon Books for his Dark Lord Reborn Series.
Tim is the author of over 30 novels in genres ranging from cozy/Isekai, to all manner of post-apocalyptic because no one has managed to take away his word processor.
Tim is an active member of SFWA, HWA, and Thriller Writers. He recently signed a three-book deal with Aethon Books for his Dark Lord Reborn Series.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 13, 2024
What most impressed me about this book... Hmmm....
I'm personally a firm believer that the family you choose is at least as important as the family you're born into. And so was quite impressed with how this book captured that sentiment and the emotion behind it through three separate volumes.
Outbreak:
The first installment, Outbreak, book introduces and primarily features two main characters, Jackson Creed, a sailor/Machinist Mate First Class and a Marine Sargeant, Joel "Cruze" Kelly. They are quite different. One is tall and a big dude. He can't shoot for crap, but he's handy with tools, including a VERY heavy wrench that doubles as a club. He's a bit of a wise-ass. Funny. That's Creed. Creed is also the narrator, so you get his wiseass take on everything.
Joel is quite the polar opposite. Dude likes his guns. He's bad-ass. He's got tactics and survival scripted into his DNA. Maybe a bit less in touch with his emotions. Like I said, quite different.
So what could possibly bring these two together? Well...
How about being on the same ship when their whole world goes FUBAR from a zombie apocalypse?
Yeah... Yeah, that'd do it.
In this first installment, Creed and Kelly and thrown together and they form a bond. They argue, irritate one another, and insult one another. Know what else they do? Complement one another's skills, rely on the other, and survive some pretty hairy stuff and at the day have each other's back and save each other's lives in a world no one would really want to have to deal with. I was totally invested in their relationship. There's lots of action. You will totally buy the military part of it. But it is the authenticity of the emotional bond that will really draw you in. It sure did for me. It will make you feel their brotherhood and dedication.
Outcasts:
Of the three, I might have liked the second book/installment the best. Very entertaining. Credible. Creed, the Navy Machinist's Mate is almost comically incompetent with firearms but he brings a lot of stuff to the story and the to table as part of the group of survivors. I liked this one because it brought to the fore a wrinkle that I read it, thinking how much I would be interested to see how it plays out:
Poisoned Earth:
The series continues with Poisoned Earth. The new world of the zombie apocalypse starts to wear down our group of Creed, Joel, Roz, Anna, Christy, and Frosty. The bob, shoot, run, scavenge, rest a few, repeat is slowly grinding them down. This third installment was starting to wear on me too as the reader. In some senses I thought this was the least strong of the three I've read. I started to wonder if the narrative was only going to be a repetitive journey of breaking into another home or old business, describing what food and weapons they find, cap a few Zs, then move on.
But especially toward the end, I was pleased to see growth in the stakes and the narrative. There's a new world order vying for control and the zombies' role in it (the shamblers, especially) is up for debate.
Overall Impression:
Thing is, if I wanted to read a book about just some pointless, endless slaying of zombies I'd go play a video game. And that’s totally cool if you do. I’ve spent HOURS and HOURS of my life playing the resident evil games. But now that I’m older I find I want to immerse myself in feeling all the feels and sensing what it would FEEL like to be in a z-apocalypse.
And for that reason I will gladly read the rest of this series.
I'm personally a firm believer that the family you choose is at least as important as the family you're born into. And so was quite impressed with how this book captured that sentiment and the emotion behind it through three separate volumes.
Outbreak:
The first installment, Outbreak, book introduces and primarily features two main characters, Jackson Creed, a sailor/Machinist Mate First Class and a Marine Sargeant, Joel "Cruze" Kelly. They are quite different. One is tall and a big dude. He can't shoot for crap, but he's handy with tools, including a VERY heavy wrench that doubles as a club. He's a bit of a wise-ass. Funny. That's Creed. Creed is also the narrator, so you get his wiseass take on everything.
Joel is quite the polar opposite. Dude likes his guns. He's bad-ass. He's got tactics and survival scripted into his DNA. Maybe a bit less in touch with his emotions. Like I said, quite different.
So what could possibly bring these two together? Well...
How about being on the same ship when their whole world goes FUBAR from a zombie apocalypse?
Yeah... Yeah, that'd do it.
In this first installment, Creed and Kelly and thrown together and they form a bond. They argue, irritate one another, and insult one another. Know what else they do? Complement one another's skills, rely on the other, and survive some pretty hairy stuff and at the day have each other's back and save each other's lives in a world no one would really want to have to deal with. I was totally invested in their relationship. There's lots of action. You will totally buy the military part of it. But it is the authenticity of the emotional bond that will really draw you in. It sure did for me. It will make you feel their brotherhood and dedication.
Outcasts:
Of the three, I might have liked the second book/installment the best. Very entertaining. Credible. Creed, the Navy Machinist's Mate is almost comically incompetent with firearms but he brings a lot of stuff to the story and the to table as part of the group of survivors. I liked this one because it brought to the fore a wrinkle that I read it, thinking how much I would be interested to see how it plays out:
Poisoned Earth:
The series continues with Poisoned Earth. The new world of the zombie apocalypse starts to wear down our group of Creed, Joel, Roz, Anna, Christy, and Frosty. The bob, shoot, run, scavenge, rest a few, repeat is slowly grinding them down. This third installment was starting to wear on me too as the reader. In some senses I thought this was the least strong of the three I've read. I started to wonder if the narrative was only going to be a repetitive journey of breaking into another home or old business, describing what food and weapons they find, cap a few Zs, then move on.
But especially toward the end, I was pleased to see growth in the stakes and the narrative. There's a new world order vying for control and the zombies' role in it (the shamblers, especially) is up for debate.
Overall Impression:
Thing is, if I wanted to read a book about just some pointless, endless slaying of zombies I'd go play a video game. And that’s totally cool if you do. I’ve spent HOURS and HOURS of my life playing the resident evil games. But now that I’m older I find I want to immerse myself in feeling all the feels and sensing what it would FEEL like to be in a z-apocalypse.
And for that reason I will gladly read the rest of this series.
June 18, 2019
Brutal action
Friends made through watching each other's back. If this book had been the first zombie genre title I had read. I would have been afraid of walking alone for days. Gritty and good
Friends made through watching each other's back. If this book had been the first zombie genre title I had read. I would have been afraid of walking alone for days. Gritty and good
July 11, 2019
Z-Risen
Please tell me there will be more of this series! One of the best I have read! Great characters, superb story!
Please tell me there will be more of this series! One of the best I have read! Great characters, superb story!
July 14, 2019
Solid writing and realistic
I enjoyed all five books in this series. There are many poorly written Z books out there. Give this series a shot.
I enjoyed all five books in this series. There are many poorly written Z books out there. Give this series a shot.
April 17, 2023
Good read
Story pulls you along through all of the tripping, falling and rolling around of the main character. Information is at a premium so there is no knowing what's next.
Story pulls you along through all of the tripping, falling and rolling around of the main character. Information is at a premium so there is no knowing what's next.
October 18, 2023
A Zombie roler coaster ride.
This series of books had a fast pace and great action. Well done. Heck of a zombie series!
Lots of fun in the zombie apocalypse....
This series of books had a fast pace and great action. Well done. Heck of a zombie series!
Lots of fun in the zombie apocalypse....
March 6, 2016
Great series.
From the outset on the ship this is a heart pounding thrill ride. Running and fighting, the main characters struggle to survive the zompoc. I enjoyed the way that it is written as entries in a log book. Fun to read, I lost a lot of sleep as I didn't want to put it down.
From the outset on the ship this is a heart pounding thrill ride. Running and fighting, the main characters struggle to survive the zompoc. I enjoyed the way that it is written as entries in a log book. Fun to read, I lost a lot of sleep as I didn't want to put it down.
January 24, 2016
Good z-pic read
I enjoyed this it moved pretty good kept me interested
I only have one critic
How come nobody finds the fruit trees in California Everybody is out scouting for supplies but nobody looks for fruit trees
I enjoyed this it moved pretty good kept me interested
I only have one critic
How come nobody finds the fruit trees in California Everybody is out scouting for supplies but nobody looks for fruit trees
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews