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The Apocalypse Crusade #2
War of the Undead Day Two
Day two. Quite simply, what could go wrong did go wrong.
Given the choice between assuming leadership of a situation that is pure chaos, where the National Guard is forced into a position of going to war against a trapped and possibly infected citizenry, the President choses to punt. He knows what enforcing a quarantined zone will require: the massacre of tens of thousands of terrified people demanding to get out, and there is no way he’s going to have his name and legacy sullied.
Suddenly a “States Rights” champion, he leaves the situation under the control of the Governor, but not before hampering the men on the lines with Rules of Engagement that are meant to sooth journalists instead of creating a possibility of victory.
Tasked with the impossible, General Collins, commander of the 42nd Infantry Division is in a meeting with the Governor when the perimeter of the quarantine zone is ruptured. When his command post is overrun he’s grinding his teeth, sitting in front of the President as he smiles for the cameras, makes jokes and demands answers. And in the dead of night when a hundred thousand Infected Persons slug it out toe-to-toe with the fractured remains of his division, he is the only reinforcement available to shoulder a rifle.
Inside the Zone, the survivors of Day 1 are dying by the score as Dr. Lee and her friends, hopelessly fight their way from one end of the Zone to the other, desperate to escape. But there is no way out except through death at the ripping teeth of the undead. Striving to put that horrible moment off as long as possible, she finds herself trapped alongside Anna Holloway and Lieutenant Eng—they are three scorpions in a bottle...a bottle surrounded by countless undead.
Given the choice between assuming leadership of a situation that is pure chaos, where the National Guard is forced into a position of going to war against a trapped and possibly infected citizenry, the President choses to punt. He knows what enforcing a quarantined zone will require: the massacre of tens of thousands of terrified people demanding to get out, and there is no way he’s going to have his name and legacy sullied.
Suddenly a “States Rights” champion, he leaves the situation under the control of the Governor, but not before hampering the men on the lines with Rules of Engagement that are meant to sooth journalists instead of creating a possibility of victory.
Tasked with the impossible, General Collins, commander of the 42nd Infantry Division is in a meeting with the Governor when the perimeter of the quarantine zone is ruptured. When his command post is overrun he’s grinding his teeth, sitting in front of the President as he smiles for the cameras, makes jokes and demands answers. And in the dead of night when a hundred thousand Infected Persons slug it out toe-to-toe with the fractured remains of his division, he is the only reinforcement available to shoulder a rifle.
Inside the Zone, the survivors of Day 1 are dying by the score as Dr. Lee and her friends, hopelessly fight their way from one end of the Zone to the other, desperate to escape. But there is no way out except through death at the ripping teeth of the undead. Striving to put that horrible moment off as long as possible, she finds herself trapped alongside Anna Holloway and Lieutenant Eng—they are three scorpions in a bottle...a bottle surrounded by countless undead.
490 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2015
210 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Peter Meredith
59 books666 followersPeter Meredith is the multi-genre author of an author of 35 novels in a variety of genres: Horror, zombies, post-apocalypse and Fantasy. Some of his creative work includes The Trilogy of Void, The Hidden Lands series, The Sacrificial Daughter, A Perfect America, Sprite and The Apocalypse Undead World.
Having tried his hand in real estate, as an emergency room nurse, and a CEO of a national lighting company, he has come to find that his true addiction is as an author.
Having tried his hand in real estate, as an emergency room nurse, and a CEO of a national lighting company, he has come to find that his true addiction is as an author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 3, 2016
The Zombies Are Upon Us - Again. Yawn.
I just didn't enjoy this second book anywhere near as much as the first. It was too long. It seemed to get bogged down early on, and I almost hit that Delete key. (I didn't though.) Perhaps there was just too much going on. It seemed very repetitive and boring but improved near the end...which turned out not to be the end. SIGH! Maybe it's because I'm all zombied out? Maybe, because I live in a country that most self-respecting zombies wouldn't even bother with, I don't want to bother with them anymore? Maaaaaaybe - I'm just sick of zombies? Whatever the reason - that's definitely IT for me and zombie stories (except maybe for the TV Series "Z Nation").
Pssst. When the Apocozombolypse does come, I don't know about you, but I'm nipping on down the road to Gallipoli Army Base to hang out with the boys who have guns and APCs.
I just didn't enjoy this second book anywhere near as much as the first. It was too long. It seemed to get bogged down early on, and I almost hit that Delete key. (I didn't though.) Perhaps there was just too much going on. It seemed very repetitive and boring but improved near the end...which turned out not to be the end. SIGH! Maybe it's because I'm all zombied out? Maybe, because I live in a country that most self-respecting zombies wouldn't even bother with, I don't want to bother with them anymore? Maaaaaaybe - I'm just sick of zombies? Whatever the reason - that's definitely IT for me and zombie stories (except maybe for the TV Series "Z Nation").
Pssst. When the Apocozombolypse does come, I don't know about you, but I'm nipping on down the road to Gallipoli Army Base to hang out with the boys who have guns and APCs.
April 26, 2020
Day Two finds the zombie horde growing from hundreds of the undead to thousands
Everything they could think to do only delayed the zombie problem. Even if they cleared away the immediate sections, they just pushed the problem onto someone else but it bought time. Time to secure their area, time to reload, rearm, or relax. Whatever they did, however they managed, a brief rest was all they found.
Excellent in depth coverage of the zombie outbreak. How it started. Where it got away from them. Whose fault was it. Great characters and a great depiction of the struggle. The storyline flows smoothly, each page a study in bravery, fear, greed and corruption, confusion and decision. The characters write the story, often in their own blood. The book is an honest treatment of courage and determination.
Courage keeps their attention focused on the problems while determination keeps them in action when all they really want to do is run far and fast, leaving their problems far behind.
Excellent work! I'll be rushing for the next volume in the series and cheering for the few.
Everything they could think to do only delayed the zombie problem. Even if they cleared away the immediate sections, they just pushed the problem onto someone else but it bought time. Time to secure their area, time to reload, rearm, or relax. Whatever they did, however they managed, a brief rest was all they found.
Excellent in depth coverage of the zombie outbreak. How it started. Where it got away from them. Whose fault was it. Great characters and a great depiction of the struggle. The storyline flows smoothly, each page a study in bravery, fear, greed and corruption, confusion and decision. The characters write the story, often in their own blood. The book is an honest treatment of courage and determination.
Courage keeps their attention focused on the problems while determination keeps them in action when all they really want to do is run far and fast, leaving their problems far behind.
Excellent work! I'll be rushing for the next volume in the series and cheering for the few.
Read
October 9, 2021If someone is reading the subsequent books, odds are we read the first one but even if we don’t fully recall every character - anyone who lists the characters and brief synopsis like they’re pitching it to a publisher is just being incredibly lazy. If the writer has any level of skill they can reintroduce the characters and refresh the readers memories through writing. This author has a continuing issue is show don’t tell.
With things reaching the president and starting to spread into other states why wouldn’t the hundreds of drones be used to provide recon and as weapons to clip down the spread right off?
Ahhh yes, a comic book/nerd is acne-ridden, slovenly, loser. Good job keeping with stupid tropes.
Wait! Janis lady is saying her husband had long teeth and extra ones. When did that start to happen? So random
Mid story change.
26 credits semester lol sure
Unless the toll worker was short 200 pounds isn’t as huge as the writer makes it seem. And why does everyone take 30 mins to die? Plus does he realize people would likely pass out due to pain and terror.
WE GET IT!!!! The officia term is infected persons. Holy hell how many times do you need to say this!?!?? And with the obsessive amount of times you’ve repeated this we can clearly deduce “IPs” means infected persons.
Sooooo much back and forth. So many subplots bogging down the main plot that we keep going back and forth but it’s not entertaining. Just as we get invested in someone’s subplot it switches to another line and goes on for so long we forget what’s going on with everyone else and then it’s switched again making it pointless to even bother following along on who is who or what’s happening with them and then randomly more character are thrown into the mix. Are they throw-away? Are they going to be permanent? Who knows. Who cares at this point!
How does someone having hands bound impede the use of their legs to run? Much less people highly motivated to run their asses off with zombies chasing them?
Are they zombies or vampire? Because there’s more talk about drinking blood and how blood is calling to them than flesh eating. And if you’re going to keep saying hunger but write about blood drinking then that’s thirsty not hunger. If you’re talking about hungry zombies there should be more flesh eating and less obsession with blood.
While we know who the geek and pretty blonde is, why is it an immediate assumption that a pretty girl wouldn’t date a nerd but the “clearly not a couple” or whatever comment.
There is no way that this much spread of zombies wouldn’t be all over the internet and while I get the point that politicians are slow pokes there’s no way by this point a full massive military response wouldn’t have been called in. Leaving it as basic guardsmen and not using property gear? Even if the governor banned it initially anyone with basic sense would have ignored that ban and used full weapons anyway opting for a court martial over complete annihilation. And not even local aid? Citizens?
Plus no international aid especially from Canada? Yeah they’d want to protect their borders obviously but if the situation isn’t contained asap in the US the odds of it spreading to other countries especially Canada would put the entire world at risk. Canada could move its entire troops/police/voluntary forces to the New England border and help with some of the US or at least send fuel and resources to help sustain the troops. Other countries could do emergency airdrops of supplies. The Red Cross is an international agency that does air drops all the time.
With things reaching the president and starting to spread into other states why wouldn’t the hundreds of drones be used to provide recon and as weapons to clip down the spread right off?
Ahhh yes, a comic book/nerd is acne-ridden, slovenly, loser. Good job keeping with stupid tropes.
Wait! Janis lady is saying her husband had long teeth and extra ones. When did that start to happen? So random
Mid story change.
26 credits semester lol sure
Unless the toll worker was short 200 pounds isn’t as huge as the writer makes it seem. And why does everyone take 30 mins to die? Plus does he realize people would likely pass out due to pain and terror.
WE GET IT!!!! The officia term is infected persons. Holy hell how many times do you need to say this!?!?? And with the obsessive amount of times you’ve repeated this we can clearly deduce “IPs” means infected persons.
Sooooo much back and forth. So many subplots bogging down the main plot that we keep going back and forth but it’s not entertaining. Just as we get invested in someone’s subplot it switches to another line and goes on for so long we forget what’s going on with everyone else and then it’s switched again making it pointless to even bother following along on who is who or what’s happening with them and then randomly more character are thrown into the mix. Are they throw-away? Are they going to be permanent? Who knows. Who cares at this point!
How does someone having hands bound impede the use of their legs to run? Much less people highly motivated to run their asses off with zombies chasing them?
Are they zombies or vampire? Because there’s more talk about drinking blood and how blood is calling to them than flesh eating. And if you’re going to keep saying hunger but write about blood drinking then that’s thirsty not hunger. If you’re talking about hungry zombies there should be more flesh eating and less obsession with blood.
While we know who the geek and pretty blonde is, why is it an immediate assumption that a pretty girl wouldn’t date a nerd but the “clearly not a couple” or whatever comment.
There is no way that this much spread of zombies wouldn’t be all over the internet and while I get the point that politicians are slow pokes there’s no way by this point a full massive military response wouldn’t have been called in. Leaving it as basic guardsmen and not using property gear? Even if the governor banned it initially anyone with basic sense would have ignored that ban and used full weapons anyway opting for a court martial over complete annihilation. And not even local aid? Citizens?
Plus no international aid especially from Canada? Yeah they’d want to protect their borders obviously but if the situation isn’t contained asap in the US the odds of it spreading to other countries especially Canada would put the entire world at risk. Canada could move its entire troops/police/voluntary forces to the New England border and help with some of the US or at least send fuel and resources to help sustain the troops. Other countries could do emergency airdrops of supplies. The Red Cross is an international agency that does air drops all the time.
April 28, 2021
While I'm interested in what happens to the characters in the future I don't think I will be going any further with this series. As much as I like to read and listen to audiobooks I would be more interested in a TL;DR of this because it's just so drawn out, too many perspectives, too many unnecessary scenes. The book itself takes place over a 24 hour period and in audiobook format it's nearly 13 hours and even with that much detail about what's going on in those 24 hours it still feels like there are some timing issues. The characters are interesting enough and the narrator does a great job with them it's just too much in my opinion and based on other reviews I may be the minority so I won't recommend it and I wont recommend it, read what you think you will like and what makes you happy.
October 27, 2019
Fantastic again, just perfectly executed. The slow indecisive politicians and the complex constitutional and legal roadblocks to get the military what they need to protect the country from the outbreak, making an impossible situation ever more frustrating.
I was amazed at the writer’s skill in being able to create moments that were so moving and heart wrenching, then also to how well he was at being able to continually shift from close up snapshots of one individual’s viewpoint of the outbreak and its impact on their life and family, then zooms out to the large scale scope of the problem, all the while, driving the story onward.
Can’t wait for book 3
I was amazed at the writer’s skill in being able to create moments that were so moving and heart wrenching, then also to how well he was at being able to continually shift from close up snapshots of one individual’s viewpoint of the outbreak and its impact on their life and family, then zooms out to the large scale scope of the problem, all the while, driving the story onward.
Can’t wait for book 3
June 17, 2018
Continues to captivate.
The second in the series continues to captivate.
As with the first, the editing could use a little polish but the few errors are nowhere bear enough to mar this exciting tale.
I was happy that the main protagonists from book one continue to be a focus and we also get some other, interesting viewpoints.
I shall definitely be continuing this series.
Highly recommended.
The second in the series continues to captivate.
As with the first, the editing could use a little polish but the few errors are nowhere bear enough to mar this exciting tale.
I was happy that the main protagonists from book one continue to be a focus and we also get some other, interesting viewpoints.
I shall definitely be continuing this series.
Highly recommended.
February 8, 2018
Another great series.
This author originally hooked me with his Undead World Series & now this Apocalypse Crusade Series is just as riveting. Another group of characters that I feel as if I know & actually feel sad, happy, scared for them throughout the book. It’s a great book, but don’t take my word for it...Read it!
This author originally hooked me with his Undead World Series & now this Apocalypse Crusade Series is just as riveting. Another group of characters that I feel as if I know & actually feel sad, happy, scared for them throughout the book. It’s a great book, but don’t take my word for it...Read it!
December 5, 2020
Again
Peter Meredith does it again. A well written and carefully narrated continuation of the unstoppable forces of zombies and the useless fodder of dumb people who weren't meant to last. One death that made me sad, but it was not without a certain valor. Looking forward to book three.
Peter Meredith does it again. A well written and carefully narrated continuation of the unstoppable forces of zombies and the useless fodder of dumb people who weren't meant to last. One death that made me sad, but it was not without a certain valor. Looking forward to book three.
August 26, 2018
Mr. Meredith keeps the tension ratcheted high.
It is day 2 of the apocalypse. The sickness spreads. People are dying. Politicians are stonewalling the military and interfering at all levels in the defense. Thuy and Deckard are trapped in the zone.
It is day 2 of the apocalypse. The sickness spreads. People are dying. Politicians are stonewalling the military and interfering at all levels in the defense. Thuy and Deckard are trapped in the zone.
May 20, 2020
Non-stop suspense
This is only the second day of the zombie apocalypse, and they seem to be winning. The humans continue to fight and some survive, but it's not looking good. Hard To put down
This is only the second day of the zombie apocalypse, and they seem to be winning. The humans continue to fight and some survive, but it's not looking good. Hard To put down
August 15, 2022
scary
This is so well written that you can actually imagine it happening. The details are amazing and you genuinely have no idea what’s is coming next.
You NEED to read these books!!!!
This is so well written that you can actually imagine it happening. The details are amazing and you genuinely have no idea what’s is coming next.
You NEED to read these books!!!!
February 19, 2018
Peter Meredith does goo zombiebooks. This was really av update since Crusade 1. From the lab to the streets.
September 3, 2018
Draws you in
Book 2 draws you in and keeps you riveted. Characters are very relatable and flawed in just the right ways. Going to continue this series.
Book 2 draws you in and keeps you riveted. Characters are very relatable and flawed in just the right ways. Going to continue this series.
June 27, 2019
Excellent!
Excellent suite of the first book, you can't put it back! I'll definitely follow that author! 4 more words required...
Excellent suite of the first book, you can't put it back! I'll definitely follow that author! 4 more words required...
September 7, 2019
This series isn't grabbing me as well as Peter's other ones, though it's still an enjoyable read.
May 8, 2025
Marginally better than the first book and I really didn’t like the first book anyway.
May 19, 2025
A lot better than book one, the imagery in this was insane, I felt like I was trying to hold the line with the characters - onto book 3
June 3, 2016
Boy, was I relieved to read that there will be a Day 3! Once I hit the epilogue, I was shocked that the story would end in a cliffhanger like that...but I guess there is no way to wrap up the second day of a zombie apocalypse in a nice tidy bow. Day 2 really helps you form a connection with the characters, as their feelings for each other become much more prominent (love & hate both). I have a hard time reading books like this where not one person is fighting for someone they love, but only to save their own skin. However, there are tons of people in this book who only want to save their own skin but you get tossed a few gems in Thuy & Decker, Courtney Shaw, and Chuck & Stephanie, and of course Sundance :) They really do make the book for me. Sundance better live! lol
Day 1 definitely had a big creep factor to it with Von Braun and the gore, but Day 2? Oh my gosh, get ready for your skin to crawl and your stomach to lurch - all from a tiny 8 year old boy who was plucked straight out of Children of the Corn. And don't get me started on Jamie Lynn. Having these villans be children was something I believe many authors (and producers) are afraid to do being that it can be a sensitive subject for people with children, but hats off to Peter Meredith for taking the chance - it definitely had the intended effect and added so much to the story. Not to mention, it could change the whole norm of zombie apocalypse stories. Having certain infected people be able to retain some of their faculties is just plain terrifying. I am certain I will be having nightmares about a little 8 year old boy in a striped shirt tonight :)
Day 1 definitely had a big creep factor to it with Von Braun and the gore, but Day 2? Oh my gosh, get ready for your skin to crawl and your stomach to lurch - all from a tiny 8 year old boy who was plucked straight out of Children of the Corn. And don't get me started on Jamie Lynn. Having these villans be children was something I believe many authors (and producers) are afraid to do being that it can be a sensitive subject for people with children, but hats off to Peter Meredith for taking the chance - it definitely had the intended effect and added so much to the story. Not to mention, it could change the whole norm of zombie apocalypse stories. Having certain infected people be able to retain some of their faculties is just plain terrifying. I am certain I will be having nightmares about a little 8 year old boy in a striped shirt tonight :)
March 21, 2016
As thrilling as the first
Mr. Meredith does it again. While some of the journey is concerned with the survivors of book one, he adds new and interesting characters and tells their story with the same interesting and thrilling narrative. He does a masterful job of telling the story from the newly infected side of the equation as well as those trying to survive. The insight provided, especially that of the infected is refreshing and brings a new dimension to the genre. Anxiously awaiting day 3.
Mr. Meredith does it again. While some of the journey is concerned with the survivors of book one, he adds new and interesting characters and tells their story with the same interesting and thrilling narrative. He does a masterful job of telling the story from the newly infected side of the equation as well as those trying to survive. The insight provided, especially that of the infected is refreshing and brings a new dimension to the genre. Anxiously awaiting day 3.
February 22, 2016
This was not of the best zombie books I ever read
As my intro stated, this has got to be one of the best zombie books I ever read. I can't wait from day 3.
If you want sure, you got it. If you want action, you got it. If you want raw emotion, you got it. This book had already the emotions and even our senses going. I could smell zombie blood and imagined myself slipping on the body parts and blood while feeling my adrenaline building.
Boy, I really can't war for day 3.
As my intro stated, this has got to be one of the best zombie books I ever read. I can't wait from day 3.
If you want sure, you got it. If you want action, you got it. If you want raw emotion, you got it. This book had already the emotions and even our senses going. I could smell zombie blood and imagined myself slipping on the body parts and blood while feeling my adrenaline building.
Boy, I really can't war for day 3.
September 6, 2015
Very disappointed with this one. I really liked the first book, and I'm not sure why I had so much trouble with this one. I just couldn't connect with any of the characters and the storyline just wasn't doing it for me. I started just skimming through about half way. I'll go back in a few weeks and give it another go. I liked book one and the Undead World series is in my top 10.
October 4, 2015
Day 2 is absolute chaos.
This book picks up where the last one left off. So if you haven't read the first book I'd recommend reading it first. This was an action packed story, filled with lots of battles between survivors and the undead. It will be interesting to see what happens on day 3. Who will survive?
This book picks up where the last one left off. So if you haven't read the first book I'd recommend reading it first. This was an action packed story, filled with lots of battles between survivors and the undead. It will be interesting to see what happens on day 3. Who will survive?
December 27, 2015
This book picks up where the first one left off. The action/plot is intense with several twists, the gory details are displayed face on without being sugar-coated, the intrigue is there full blown, and the determination of all the characters is on prominent display. If you read the first installment, then this one is a must.
Read
May 8, 2016Good second book in this series. Each book has covered a couple of days in a zombie apocalypse. There is a broad range of interesting characters. To me the best review includes a statement that the reader wanted to see another book in the series. In this case I want to see quite a bit more of this story.
July 27, 2016
This is the second book in the The Apocalypse Crusade series. Day Two picks up from where Day One left off as the sh*t is hitting the fan on a massive scale since the original outbreak at the hospital.
I really enjoyed the way the author tells the story from the perspective of many different but often related characters. I cannot wait for Day Three which is due in September of this year.
I really enjoyed the way the author tells the story from the perspective of many different but often related characters. I cannot wait for Day Three which is due in September of this year.
October 7, 2015
Good series
Good two book series, will read the next story when it comes out. Interesting and developed characters, fast-paced storyline, interesting spin on zombies.
Not really a fan of one day = entire book stories, but this series is a cut above.
Good two book series, will read the next story when it comes out. Interesting and developed characters, fast-paced storyline, interesting spin on zombies.
Not really a fan of one day = entire book stories, but this series is a cut above.
January 15, 2016
Another great Zombie read by Peter Meredith
I think I've fallen in love with Peter Meredith's zombie hero's. As a 56 yr old woman I never thought I would start reading zombie novels. Then I found Peter Meredith.
I think I've fallen in love with Peter Meredith's zombie hero's. As a 56 yr old woman I never thought I would start reading zombie novels. Then I found Peter Meredith.
May 10, 2016
Finished in a day! I could not, and did not want to, put this down! Even had nightmares last night! Great job.
Full audio review coming soon.
Received by audiobookreviewer.com in exchange for an honest review.
Full audio review coming soon.
Received by audiobookreviewer.com in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2016
A must read
This is not a stand alone book. Another great look into the nightmare world of Zombies. Cannot wait for Day 3 to come out! Please just edit better.
This is not a stand alone book. Another great look into the nightmare world of Zombies. Cannot wait for Day 3 to come out! Please just edit better.
May 1, 2016
Pretty AWFUL. Two stars is pushing it. Really. I would not recommend this to anyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews