Harvest

Surviving The Evacuation #6

by Frank Tayell

A castle can be made safe from the undead, but not from the people inside the walls.
It is eight months since the outbreak. In the anarchy and chaos that came with the undead, civilisation was destroyed. In the wars that followed, the planet was nearly ruined. Billions died. Only a few thousand survived.

Fifty people have found refuge in the Tower of London. Zombies plague the city outside the old fortress. The wasteland beyond is filled with nothing but radioactive ruins. With nowhere left to retreat to, and in a final attempt to make the ancient castle a place where they can do more than just slowly starve, the survivors take their boat west, searching for food in the abandoned coastal farms. They find something else. They discover that hunger, thirst, and the undead aren’t the only threat they face.


Betrayal and danger lurk in the shadows in this, the penultimate book in the series.

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Dystopia

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Author 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

Reviews

[Zero · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st read: July 2022
2nd read: September 2025

This is the sixth book in the series, and I'm really impressed with how good the series still is. Chester (the criminal turned good guy), Tuck (the deaf and mute former-soldier), and Jay (Nilda's teenage son) are as likable as ever, plus there are some more characters that are given more depth and more of a story. Nilda has been pretty frustrating in the past two books, but I think she is improving, too.

I'm off to read the next book, then it will be the Here We Stand spinoff series, and then it will follow Bill's story again.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best one yet. A very worthwhile series. Never stagnates.

[Lorraine Southern · Rating 3 out of 5]

8/80.
3*, great audiobook narration.

[Justin Larimore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the stories are unfolding and bringing humanity back to a desolate world! This one had a lot of character to it as well as thought out steps. I wish we knew what Mac’s secret was!
There is not one part in the book that was boring! From first page to last was absolutely on my seat . Not to mention the dynamic of each character, and how each character intertwined with another . Fantastically written book. And with each passing scenario the group encounters the Apocalypse head-on.

[NormaCenva · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is progressing nicely. On to the next instalment I go!

[Doctor Doom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can be read as a stand-alone but probably shouldn't be. It is part of a great series and each book has been surprisingly good [in that there is no let down of interest to me]. I had plan to read this one and wait awhile before treating myself with the next in the series but I don't know if I can... this came close to ending in a cliff-hangar [it didn't mind you, but it surely enticed my interest in the next volume]. Highly recommended to anyone enjoying zombies, survival books, action, well-written books without foul language [the mark of an excellent vocabulary in the hands of a good writer] and a little intrigue.

[Orkney Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This series just gets better and better, will be sad to see an end to it ..... Must get onto book 7 immediately!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm pretty hooked on this series. So much so that I've already bought book 7 in the series.

[Julian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reestablishing themselves in the Tower of London the small group now faces the task of ensuring they have enough food and other supplies to last through the winter - while possibly seeking help from Anglesey as well. Chester leads a group down river to investigate the famed 'orchard of England' and returns with news of a group of children.

The increasing size of the group in the Tower means that food continues to be a major worry...

An engaging series, with believable characters - the next book will bring this section of the narrative to a pause.

[Kell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a roller-coaster ride that was! Despite this being the 6th installment, the saga shows zero sign of letting up, and there is so much happening here that my heart was kept pounding almost non-stop throughout. Its pacey, it has great character development and story arcs, and it ends on yet another cliffhanger - Tayell excellent at making absolutely sure his readers will want to immediately pick up the next episode and keep reading. Definitely my favourite author of zombie fiction!

[Cassandra Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much more character detail

I love how the stories are unfolding and brining humanity back to a desolate world! This one had a lot of character to it as well as thought out steps. I wish we knew what Mac’s secret was!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to London with a twist - the Tower is the focus of this story, and the different ways our protagonists try to survive in the city - with its ever present dangers and uncertainty. Security is an illusion, the thick walls not the guarantee you might expect.

[CG Birrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic book 6 in the series!

If you’ve been as wrapped up in this series as me read harvest it’s full of so many great scenes, new locations and brilliant characters. Hard to put down and a fast-paced, action-fuelled read! Read it!!

[Jane Wynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The refugees take refuge in the Tower of London and continue their fight for survival. Continues with interesting characters if slightly repetitive storyline.

[Eoin Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this series more with each new instalment.

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better

I enjoyed this more than the last one but still not as much as the previous ones. I almost feel that it's just stubbornness making me continue now.

[Lynda Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series

[Sharleen Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good read, this sequel picked up more momentum than the last, it's a page turner and I look forward to reading the next installment.

[Mark Dobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Loved the series so far amazing storytelling on the edge of my seat ready for next one starting now can't wait

[Tina M McCulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always Brilliant

I am rereading this series and revisiting all these wonderfully written characters! I have enjoyed every book in this series

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooooo hooked on this series, can’t stop!

[Freda Witt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, not what I read. I read Grace Lost by this author

[Mbickerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brill, gripping couldn't put it down onto the next to see if Tuck, took Graham down.

[Agnieszka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be quick: it's book 6 and I'm still reading... Great series!

[Gary Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing story of the pandemic and all its consequences, very appropriate reading for the current situation.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK I think its some of the characters that keeps me reading these, the characters are better than Bill (who I know does turn up in later novels again))

[Gary Letham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book six sees the little band of survivors strike out into Kent to assess the devastation and hopefully stock up on food for the coming winter. The story is tight and gripping as usual. Chester comes across another band of survivors and decides to head for Anglesey for help to boulster the Tower group. Nilda begins to emerge as a potential leader as McInery plays her games in the background. Jay starts to show natural leadership abilities and there is a cuckoo in the nest. Another superb installment in the story

[Robd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sixth instalment of Frank Tayell's post apocalyptic series continues following a group of survivors now living within the Tower of London making use of the nearby River Thames to forage into the destroyed and undead infested city. The search for food takes some of the group to the Garden of England, the orchards of Kent. Not knowing what they'll find there, they make a surprising discovery. One that demands an immediate response and a long term rescue plan and involving the Anglesey community. One that maybe offers some hope for future generations. All set against a radioactive and zombie plagued Britain.

Another great read, again forcing the survivors to reconsider everything from their previous lives; trust, justice, fairness and compassion. You can't help but think what you would do in the same circumstances. Could you cope and would you make the right choices?

Rob D

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sense of desperation and the very real bleak prognosis is strong in this chapter of the series. The fact that there had been rationing prior to the outbreak adds a difficulty not normal present in undead novels where all houses hold the promise of cupboards full of long forgotten food. There's a real sense of doubt as to whether or not human life is sustainable long term which makes for a very grey and somewhat depressing read at times! Brilliant though, despite the sense of hopelessness, looking forward to the next...surely Chester will not remain blind?!??

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a massive soft spot for very well witten zombie-apocalypse type books.

This is first rate.

Excellent characters that i feel that i actually know and grieve for. Great "real" locations that i easily recognise and also lament as they are destroyed.

I simply cannot get enough of the intrigue and struggles and look forward to the continuation of the series, as humanity clings precariously to survival amidst savage competition and diminishing resources.