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Adrian's Undead Diary #1-4
The Adrian's Undead Diary Omnibus: Volume One
Collected here are the first four books of the eight book, bestselling epic Adrian's Undead Diary.
The world crashed to pieces on June 23rd, 2010 and Adrian Ring wasn't anywhere near ready for it. He had no guns, no food, no friends around, a cat that wanted to slip out the back of the condo and a girlfriend trapped in the heart of the city.
This is the story of how he survived.
Bookie Monster Best series of 2014.
Book One: Dark Recollections
Beheading a zombie isn't easy in a world where you're more afraid of the living than the dead. Adrian Ring's simple life is thrown into chaos when the world is ripped apart by a plague of undead and legions of desperate survivors. Retreating to Auburn Lake Preparatory Academy, Adrian attempts to rescue friends and family on the way while dancing around his impending insanity over who and what he left behind, and evading maniac survivors. He saves his cat Otis, but shoots his mom. Pretty successful, all things considered. Of course, his sanity takes a hit as a result. Real, flawed, and raw, Dark Recollections is the first part of Adrian's own story of how he survived after "That Day." Told through his eyes as he talks to his laptop, affectionately named 'Mr. Journal," and through short stories that entwine with his tales that bring forth dark visions of a world being eaten alive by an unimaginable evil. Adrian's Undead Diary is an eight part epic about a solitary, guilt stricken man that didn't think he deserved to live, but realizes very soon that he survived, and suffered for a reason. Dark Recollections is the first book in the AUD series. It covers Adrian's journal entries from September 21st 2010, to December 1st, 2010. Intermingled with his personal diary entries, book one also contains the short stories Phil's Story, McGreevy's Report, and Soccer Mom. The second edition of the book contains slight revisions to the table of contents, a new foreword by the author, and some editorial revisions.
Book Two: Alone No More
Realizing you have a surviving neighbor after the world is overtaken by the undead isn't always a good thing. Unless that neighbor is the grumpy, armed and retired Green Beret Gilbert Donohue. In that case, finding out you've got a neighbor is a lot like hitting the proverbial jackpot. Adrian's piecemeal life on campus since "That Day" has been a struggle. Retrieving supplies from local neighborhoods filled with the walking dead has been dangerous for him, but he's stayed alive by being a little smarter than the other survivors, and a lot faster than the roaming, hungry zombies that have overtaken his home town, and the world. In Alone No More, the second installment in the smash hit series Adrian's Undead Diary, Adrian's life is poised to become even more complicated and dangerous when some familiar faces find their way to ALPA with some less than friendly folks on their tail. For the first time the breadth of Adrian's Apocalypse widens to reveal the death of one of the oldest cities of mankind in one of the most popular of all the AUD short stories: Jerusalem. Sometimes in the cold of winter, the only thing that can keep you warm is freshly spilled blood. Alone No More is the second entry in the AUD series, and covers Adrian's journal entries from December 3rd 2010 through December 27th 2010. Intermingled with his personal diary entries Alone No More also contains five short stories. One Mistake: The Last Stand of Hall B, Putting a Name to a Face, Exodus, Jerusalem, and The Chief.
Book Three: Midnight
Tap tap tap went the zombie on the bridge...
Book Four: The Failed Coward
A sinister darkness has finally cast its long shadow across the world, and Adrian Ring now suspects he's at the center of the maelstrom. And he's not alone.
The world crashed to pieces on June 23rd, 2010 and Adrian Ring wasn't anywhere near ready for it. He had no guns, no food, no friends around, a cat that wanted to slip out the back of the condo and a girlfriend trapped in the heart of the city.
This is the story of how he survived.
Bookie Monster Best series of 2014.
Book One: Dark Recollections
Beheading a zombie isn't easy in a world where you're more afraid of the living than the dead. Adrian Ring's simple life is thrown into chaos when the world is ripped apart by a plague of undead and legions of desperate survivors. Retreating to Auburn Lake Preparatory Academy, Adrian attempts to rescue friends and family on the way while dancing around his impending insanity over who and what he left behind, and evading maniac survivors. He saves his cat Otis, but shoots his mom. Pretty successful, all things considered. Of course, his sanity takes a hit as a result. Real, flawed, and raw, Dark Recollections is the first part of Adrian's own story of how he survived after "That Day." Told through his eyes as he talks to his laptop, affectionately named 'Mr. Journal," and through short stories that entwine with his tales that bring forth dark visions of a world being eaten alive by an unimaginable evil. Adrian's Undead Diary is an eight part epic about a solitary, guilt stricken man that didn't think he deserved to live, but realizes very soon that he survived, and suffered for a reason. Dark Recollections is the first book in the AUD series. It covers Adrian's journal entries from September 21st 2010, to December 1st, 2010. Intermingled with his personal diary entries, book one also contains the short stories Phil's Story, McGreevy's Report, and Soccer Mom. The second edition of the book contains slight revisions to the table of contents, a new foreword by the author, and some editorial revisions.
Book Two: Alone No More
Realizing you have a surviving neighbor after the world is overtaken by the undead isn't always a good thing. Unless that neighbor is the grumpy, armed and retired Green Beret Gilbert Donohue. In that case, finding out you've got a neighbor is a lot like hitting the proverbial jackpot. Adrian's piecemeal life on campus since "That Day" has been a struggle. Retrieving supplies from local neighborhoods filled with the walking dead has been dangerous for him, but he's stayed alive by being a little smarter than the other survivors, and a lot faster than the roaming, hungry zombies that have overtaken his home town, and the world. In Alone No More, the second installment in the smash hit series Adrian's Undead Diary, Adrian's life is poised to become even more complicated and dangerous when some familiar faces find their way to ALPA with some less than friendly folks on their tail. For the first time the breadth of Adrian's Apocalypse widens to reveal the death of one of the oldest cities of mankind in one of the most popular of all the AUD short stories: Jerusalem. Sometimes in the cold of winter, the only thing that can keep you warm is freshly spilled blood. Alone No More is the second entry in the AUD series, and covers Adrian's journal entries from December 3rd 2010 through December 27th 2010. Intermingled with his personal diary entries Alone No More also contains five short stories. One Mistake: The Last Stand of Hall B, Putting a Name to a Face, Exodus, Jerusalem, and The Chief.
Book Three: Midnight
Tap tap tap went the zombie on the bridge...
Book Four: The Failed Coward
A sinister darkness has finally cast its long shadow across the world, and Adrian Ring now suspects he's at the center of the maelstrom. And he's not alone.
898 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2015
339 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Chris Philbrook
80 books443 followers About Chris Philbrook
I am the creator and author of Tesser: A Dragon Among Us as well as Elmoryn's The Kinless Trilogy, Colony Lost, Adrian's Undead Diary and the Darkness of Diggory Finch.
I've gone to a LOT of college. I've got a Business degree as well as a Psychology degree, and I've done the full program at the school of hard knocks. I've been a printing press operator, bouncer, purchasing agent, bodyguard, customer service representative, mental health counselor, and more. I can write about weird shit because I've done weird shit. Trust me.
I call the wonderful state of New Hampshire my home, but I love to travel. I love to read, write, play role playing games, miniatures games, video games, and Magic: The Gathering. When I find the time to be active, I like to hike, play basketball, and play football. I am married to a wonderful woman, and together we have two wonderful daughters.
I am the creator and author of Tesser: A Dragon Among Us as well as Elmoryn's The Kinless Trilogy, Colony Lost, Adrian's Undead Diary and the Darkness of Diggory Finch.
I've gone to a LOT of college. I've got a Business degree as well as a Psychology degree, and I've done the full program at the school of hard knocks. I've been a printing press operator, bouncer, purchasing agent, bodyguard, customer service representative, mental health counselor, and more. I can write about weird shit because I've done weird shit. Trust me.
I call the wonderful state of New Hampshire my home, but I love to travel. I love to read, write, play role playing games, miniatures games, video games, and Magic: The Gathering. When I find the time to be active, I like to hike, play basketball, and play football. I am married to a wonderful woman, and together we have two wonderful daughters.
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March 13, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/13/2020)! 🎁
June 7, 2016
I read a TON of Zompoc. This is absolutely the best series I have ever read. Trust me when I say these books are worse than Pringles. Once you pop the top, there's no stopping until you hit the bottom of the can (or the last page of book 8 in this case).
Adrian is an amazingly complex character that you will grow amazingly close to - along with many other characters - as his journey unfolds. As with many zompoc novels, it isn't really about the dead. It's about the living, the bonds they form with other survivors and the lengths they will go to keep themselves and those they grow to love in the wake of unthinkable circumstances safe and alive. What makes this different is what lays beneath the surface. There is much more going on here which separates this series from all the others and the most original origin story to date is just the beginning.
This is the first four books. There is now a package containing all eight. I recommend just grabbing them all at once but at least start here. Clear your schedule and hold on...you aren't going to want to put this one down for even a second!
Adrian is an amazingly complex character that you will grow amazingly close to - along with many other characters - as his journey unfolds. As with many zompoc novels, it isn't really about the dead. It's about the living, the bonds they form with other survivors and the lengths they will go to keep themselves and those they grow to love in the wake of unthinkable circumstances safe and alive. What makes this different is what lays beneath the surface. There is much more going on here which separates this series from all the others and the most original origin story to date is just the beginning.
This is the first four books. There is now a package containing all eight. I recommend just grabbing them all at once but at least start here. Clear your schedule and hold on...you aren't going to want to put this one down for even a second!
March 22, 2019
Great series about the zombie apocalypse...
January 14, 2022
Epic!
I have finally got my life back and made a start on tackling some of the other books on my “to be read” list, after finishing the first eight books in the epic zombie apocalypse series Adrian’s Undead Diary.
I came across the author, Chris Philbrook, through the various zombie apocalypse social media groups I am a member of, and decided to give the books a go after being impressed by him when he was the guest speaker on a live Facebook writer’s event I took part in.
The books are largely written in a journalistic style and, as you might expect, tell the story of how a man called Adrian survives and thrives after a global zombie apocalypse. At first glance, Adrian appears to be an outwardly calm and capable, but otherwise remarkably ordinary, ex-military bloke who works nights as a sort of caretaker in a private residential school and lives with his long-term girlfriend, Cassie.
It turns out that our hero is not as “ordinary” as he seems. Not only is he extraordinarily resourceful and resilient, with a remarkable knowledge of guns and ammunition and a, bordering on unhealthy, obsession with recording every minute detail of his daily life during the apocalypse, but he turns out to be a central figure in the battle between good and evil and the survival of what is left of the entire (living) human race itself.
What I liked:
The addictive nature of the story. I literally could not put this down, reading for hours in the early mornings on my kindle in the dark before my husband was awake, and again at night while he was asleep. It disrupted my sleep patterns, my work patterns, my reading patterns, and my life in general. Thank goodness I started reading it in late November on a short holiday to celebrate my birthday, and that the couple of months it took me to get through all eight books included a couple of weeks over the Christmas holidays and a 10-day period of isolation due to Covid.
The journalistic style. The journalistic style was a big part of what made the book so compelling. When Adrian and his people were building up to a big event it was more than I could bear to read the start of each diary entry to find out how it went. Equally, the opening few words of each entry were the first indication of whether anything awful had occurred or not, and I always felt the need to read “just one more” to see how the group were progressing.
Adrian. I really liked (or should I say “like” as his story continues) Adrian. He was (is) a complex but likeable character. He does what has to be done to ensure his own survival, but also tries to help others when he can. He is strong and brave but not without fear. He constantly doubts himself and his decisions and beats himself up over his perceived mistakes. He is funny and irreverent and doesn’t take himself too seriously. He is not ashamed or embarrassed to talk about his sexual needs and desires and even about his bowel habits, however disgusting.
The other characters. For a very long time Adrian was the only person in his world. However, other characters are gradually introduced, and we slowly get to know and love them as we see them through Adrian’s eyes. I loved the way they develop and change as they get to grips with their new reality. I particularly liked Abby and Gilbert. I love the patient way that the number of survivors in Bastion and the extended community slowly builds at first from one, to two, and then a small handful, Then, in the last few books, how it increases exponentially to around one hundred people by the end.
The surprises. I liked some of the unexpected plot twists and turns. I actually don’t want to mention them specifically here because, if you do go on to read the books after reading this review, they would be spoilers of monumental proportions. Suffice to say, there were some things that happened and some things that were revealed that I would never have expected in a million years.
The non-journal chapters. The books are peppered with chapters that are not part of Adrian’s diary. While the first one took me by surprise, I came to enjoy them immensely as they provided insight into some of the other characters and their back stories and the plot in general, sometimes giving the reader forewarning of things to come. This contributed to the addictive nature of the read. Once you have read a chapter where something occurs that Adrian does not yet know about, you find yourself rushing through the next few journal entries until the unsuspecting hero catches up. The fact that throughout the books there are things that the reader knows that Adrian does not, is a very effective page-turning and tension building technique.
The level of detail. I was undecided at first whether I liked the excessive amount of tedious and monotonous detail in the books or not. I have come down on the side of “liked” as this is a key component of Adrian’s character and his role in the “Trinity” and the books would not be the same without it. It plays a key part in the complex world building process which enhances reader engagement and immersion and makes the books come alive. Nevertheless, I’m not going to lie and pretend that I didn’t skim over some of the endless accounts of everything they scavenged from all the buildings they raided, and the pages and pages of stocktaking of food and fuel, and don’t even get me started on the guns. Pages and pages and pages devoted to descriptions and pros and cons of different guns and their ammunition, all of which meant absolutely nothing to me.
The big spiritual good versus evil plot element. Somewhere along the road the book gets very spiritual, verging close to religious. At first, I wasn’t sure I liked this, as it is an usual and controversial explanation for the zombie apocalypse. However, it was managed well in my opinion. It didn’t go too far beyond the realms of plausibility – after all, how plausible is a zombie apocalypse in the first place? It was different, interesting, and original and gave the book a very Stephen Kingesque feel at times, almost reminiscent of The Stand.
What I didn’t like.
Repetition. There is not very much that I didn’t like about these books but sometimes the amount of repetition irritated me a little. When something happened in a non-journal chapter, it was often repeated by Adrian in his corresponding journal entry. When I was desperate to find out what happened next in the story, I found myself skimming these sections in frustration. This was linked to the fact that the books are very long. Well, the individual books are probably not very long, but reading all of them in two omnibuses took a long time and there were a lot of pages which involved the detailed accounts of stocktaking and scavenging mentioned above, as well as a fair bit of repetition.
Typos. There were few typos and missing or incorrect words which was a minor irritation and distraction.
The end! I loved the end but was a little dismayed when I realised that Adrian’s story is still not over, and that Chris Philbrook is still writing books about what happens to him next. Much as I’d like to, I am reluctant to read any more of them at the moment as there are other things I need to do and other books I want to read!
Adrian’s Undead Diary is at the top of the pile in the independently published zombie apocalypse category, and I would definitely recommend.
I have finally got my life back and made a start on tackling some of the other books on my “to be read” list, after finishing the first eight books in the epic zombie apocalypse series Adrian’s Undead Diary.
I came across the author, Chris Philbrook, through the various zombie apocalypse social media groups I am a member of, and decided to give the books a go after being impressed by him when he was the guest speaker on a live Facebook writer’s event I took part in.
The books are largely written in a journalistic style and, as you might expect, tell the story of how a man called Adrian survives and thrives after a global zombie apocalypse. At first glance, Adrian appears to be an outwardly calm and capable, but otherwise remarkably ordinary, ex-military bloke who works nights as a sort of caretaker in a private residential school and lives with his long-term girlfriend, Cassie.
It turns out that our hero is not as “ordinary” as he seems. Not only is he extraordinarily resourceful and resilient, with a remarkable knowledge of guns and ammunition and a, bordering on unhealthy, obsession with recording every minute detail of his daily life during the apocalypse, but he turns out to be a central figure in the battle between good and evil and the survival of what is left of the entire (living) human race itself.
What I liked:
The addictive nature of the story. I literally could not put this down, reading for hours in the early mornings on my kindle in the dark before my husband was awake, and again at night while he was asleep. It disrupted my sleep patterns, my work patterns, my reading patterns, and my life in general. Thank goodness I started reading it in late November on a short holiday to celebrate my birthday, and that the couple of months it took me to get through all eight books included a couple of weeks over the Christmas holidays and a 10-day period of isolation due to Covid.
The journalistic style. The journalistic style was a big part of what made the book so compelling. When Adrian and his people were building up to a big event it was more than I could bear to read the start of each diary entry to find out how it went. Equally, the opening few words of each entry were the first indication of whether anything awful had occurred or not, and I always felt the need to read “just one more” to see how the group were progressing.
Adrian. I really liked (or should I say “like” as his story continues) Adrian. He was (is) a complex but likeable character. He does what has to be done to ensure his own survival, but also tries to help others when he can. He is strong and brave but not without fear. He constantly doubts himself and his decisions and beats himself up over his perceived mistakes. He is funny and irreverent and doesn’t take himself too seriously. He is not ashamed or embarrassed to talk about his sexual needs and desires and even about his bowel habits, however disgusting.
The other characters. For a very long time Adrian was the only person in his world. However, other characters are gradually introduced, and we slowly get to know and love them as we see them through Adrian’s eyes. I loved the way they develop and change as they get to grips with their new reality. I particularly liked Abby and Gilbert. I love the patient way that the number of survivors in Bastion and the extended community slowly builds at first from one, to two, and then a small handful, Then, in the last few books, how it increases exponentially to around one hundred people by the end.
The surprises. I liked some of the unexpected plot twists and turns. I actually don’t want to mention them specifically here because, if you do go on to read the books after reading this review, they would be spoilers of monumental proportions. Suffice to say, there were some things that happened and some things that were revealed that I would never have expected in a million years.
The non-journal chapters. The books are peppered with chapters that are not part of Adrian’s diary. While the first one took me by surprise, I came to enjoy them immensely as they provided insight into some of the other characters and their back stories and the plot in general, sometimes giving the reader forewarning of things to come. This contributed to the addictive nature of the read. Once you have read a chapter where something occurs that Adrian does not yet know about, you find yourself rushing through the next few journal entries until the unsuspecting hero catches up. The fact that throughout the books there are things that the reader knows that Adrian does not, is a very effective page-turning and tension building technique.
The level of detail. I was undecided at first whether I liked the excessive amount of tedious and monotonous detail in the books or not. I have come down on the side of “liked” as this is a key component of Adrian’s character and his role in the “Trinity” and the books would not be the same without it. It plays a key part in the complex world building process which enhances reader engagement and immersion and makes the books come alive. Nevertheless, I’m not going to lie and pretend that I didn’t skim over some of the endless accounts of everything they scavenged from all the buildings they raided, and the pages and pages of stocktaking of food and fuel, and don’t even get me started on the guns. Pages and pages and pages devoted to descriptions and pros and cons of different guns and their ammunition, all of which meant absolutely nothing to me.
The big spiritual good versus evil plot element. Somewhere along the road the book gets very spiritual, verging close to religious. At first, I wasn’t sure I liked this, as it is an usual and controversial explanation for the zombie apocalypse. However, it was managed well in my opinion. It didn’t go too far beyond the realms of plausibility – after all, how plausible is a zombie apocalypse in the first place? It was different, interesting, and original and gave the book a very Stephen Kingesque feel at times, almost reminiscent of The Stand.
What I didn’t like.
Repetition. There is not very much that I didn’t like about these books but sometimes the amount of repetition irritated me a little. When something happened in a non-journal chapter, it was often repeated by Adrian in his corresponding journal entry. When I was desperate to find out what happened next in the story, I found myself skimming these sections in frustration. This was linked to the fact that the books are very long. Well, the individual books are probably not very long, but reading all of them in two omnibuses took a long time and there were a lot of pages which involved the detailed accounts of stocktaking and scavenging mentioned above, as well as a fair bit of repetition.
Typos. There were few typos and missing or incorrect words which was a minor irritation and distraction.
The end! I loved the end but was a little dismayed when I realised that Adrian’s story is still not over, and that Chris Philbrook is still writing books about what happens to him next. Much as I’d like to, I am reluctant to read any more of them at the moment as there are other things I need to do and other books I want to read!
Adrian’s Undead Diary is at the top of the pile in the independently published zombie apocalypse category, and I would definitely recommend.
February 26, 2021
This is a long review, but while I do criticize a lot I really did enjoy the series as a whole.
There are so many things I loved about this series and a few I didn’t. I found the diary format to be very interesting and although it did get a bit repetitive at times by necessity I never lost interest. Chris Philbrook is surprisingly good at making the little things that would go into surviving a zombie apocalypse interesting. The main protagonist Adrian Ring was well written as a relatable down to earth guy I could see myself having a beer or two with. The supporting characters were also well written and likable but the “villains” were another story. One character in particular called Sean was made cartoonishly evil. Yes he was a politician but I just could not believe that in the real world any rational group of people would trust such a person in any leadership role.
There are many things I liked about the series but there were are some things I found frustrating to downright irritating. My biggest gripe is how this story suffers from the tired old trope of the white savior complex. The zombie apocalypse is supposed to be a worldwide phenomenon yet somehow out of the Billions of potential saviors three white people are seemingly the only ones who can save the world. Really? Oh and one of the trinity of saviors is an attractive woman who is a beautiful with blond haired, blue eyes. More on this later.
There are minor supporting characters who are non white and to his credit he does not lean on racial stereotypes much. The one exception was a part involving the natives of the island in the Azores which made me wince on more than one occasion. If I were from the Azores I would have been more than insulted by the depiction of the islanders.
It also seems as if almost every women that is described as attractive is always white and blond. The author goes to great lengths to describe the fact that they are attractive and have blond hair, over and over and over again. We get it, he has a thing for blonds.
The crazy and incredibly detailed amount of detail Philbrook went into while talking guns and ammunition was downright overwhelming at times. Paragraph upon paragraph describing to the last detail each gun, semi automatic weapon, every bullet type and what they were useful for. The man absolutely loves his guns and it shows, but I can respect that. I love guns myself and would absolutely see how obsessing over ammunition in am apocalypse would be necessary. It is a detail, but one you will absolutely notice.
Philbrook’s spin on the zombie apocalypse as being devine in nature was a bit cheezy but at least it was a new take on the zombie trope. The whole concept of the “trinity” made no sense. The “protector” didn’t do much protecting, the “savior” was just a pretty blond who said some borderline interesting things but who’s main function seemed to look pretty enough so that Adrian could shoot his evil zombified girlfriend? (More on that later). And the “scribe” Adrian was just some guy who wrote a meticulous diary mostly about what they looted, the things they needed fixing and a whole lot about how much he liked guns and how much ammo he had left.
Speaking of which the “devil” was pretty bad at doing anything, comically bad. The devil literally controlled Billions of zombies yet never did much with them to further his plans. His plans were to “corrupt” Adrians soul and yet he never really did anything to go about it. When the devil decided to kill Adrian instead his attempts were to use inept stooges who are catastrophically bad at what they do. If he wanted to kill Adrian why did it never occur to the devil to send tens of thousands of zombies under his control to overwhelm the defenses of his compound and kill him? In fact there were countless opportunities where Adrian was exposed and could have been killed. The devil sure is bad at what he does.
The ending was horrible. So after 8 (pretty good) books the whole thing basically came down to Adrian seeing his rotting ex girlfriend and deciding he did not want to be with her? He said no to a rotting corpse that was obviously manipulated by evil and put a bullet through her head and all the zombies all over the world just dropped dead. Really? That was it? Weak
The series overall was pretty good but the last book and the ending were the weakest part of the whole series.
There are so many things I loved about this series and a few I didn’t. I found the diary format to be very interesting and although it did get a bit repetitive at times by necessity I never lost interest. Chris Philbrook is surprisingly good at making the little things that would go into surviving a zombie apocalypse interesting. The main protagonist Adrian Ring was well written as a relatable down to earth guy I could see myself having a beer or two with. The supporting characters were also well written and likable but the “villains” were another story. One character in particular called Sean was made cartoonishly evil. Yes he was a politician but I just could not believe that in the real world any rational group of people would trust such a person in any leadership role.
There are many things I liked about the series but there were are some things I found frustrating to downright irritating. My biggest gripe is how this story suffers from the tired old trope of the white savior complex. The zombie apocalypse is supposed to be a worldwide phenomenon yet somehow out of the Billions of potential saviors three white people are seemingly the only ones who can save the world. Really? Oh and one of the trinity of saviors is an attractive woman who is a beautiful with blond haired, blue eyes. More on this later.
There are minor supporting characters who are non white and to his credit he does not lean on racial stereotypes much. The one exception was a part involving the natives of the island in the Azores which made me wince on more than one occasion. If I were from the Azores I would have been more than insulted by the depiction of the islanders.
It also seems as if almost every women that is described as attractive is always white and blond. The author goes to great lengths to describe the fact that they are attractive and have blond hair, over and over and over again. We get it, he has a thing for blonds.
The crazy and incredibly detailed amount of detail Philbrook went into while talking guns and ammunition was downright overwhelming at times. Paragraph upon paragraph describing to the last detail each gun, semi automatic weapon, every bullet type and what they were useful for. The man absolutely loves his guns and it shows, but I can respect that. I love guns myself and would absolutely see how obsessing over ammunition in am apocalypse would be necessary. It is a detail, but one you will absolutely notice.
Philbrook’s spin on the zombie apocalypse as being devine in nature was a bit cheezy but at least it was a new take on the zombie trope. The whole concept of the “trinity” made no sense. The “protector” didn’t do much protecting, the “savior” was just a pretty blond who said some borderline interesting things but who’s main function seemed to look pretty enough so that Adrian could shoot his evil zombified girlfriend? (More on that later). And the “scribe” Adrian was just some guy who wrote a meticulous diary mostly about what they looted, the things they needed fixing and a whole lot about how much he liked guns and how much ammo he had left.
Speaking of which the “devil” was pretty bad at doing anything, comically bad. The devil literally controlled Billions of zombies yet never did much with them to further his plans. His plans were to “corrupt” Adrians soul and yet he never really did anything to go about it. When the devil decided to kill Adrian instead his attempts were to use inept stooges who are catastrophically bad at what they do. If he wanted to kill Adrian why did it never occur to the devil to send tens of thousands of zombies under his control to overwhelm the defenses of his compound and kill him? In fact there were countless opportunities where Adrian was exposed and could have been killed. The devil sure is bad at what he does.
The ending was horrible. So after 8 (pretty good) books the whole thing basically came down to Adrian seeing his rotting ex girlfriend and deciding he did not want to be with her? He said no to a rotting corpse that was obviously manipulated by evil and put a bullet through her head and all the zombies all over the world just dropped dead. Really? That was it? Weak
The series overall was pretty good but the last book and the ending were the weakest part of the whole series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2022
Fanatically Orgasmic lmao Brilliant Work 🤤🤤🔥
It’s probably my 10th time listening/ more so reading now in this case the Omnibus for Adrians Undead Dairy. I ain’t trying to just hype up whomever decides to check out the Reviews but i must admit you certainly don’t regret losing sleep while binge Reading/listening to this awesome work of art😁
To give you an idea of what makes this series is worth your time. You will be drawn and engrossed as you relive and also visualize how One man’s Tale becomes scripture of a sort. “Adrian” is his name and Little does he know, that his need to write out the experience, whims and realities of this new strange life he suddenly finds himself in will help share his escapades through this Zompoc that God felt the need to spank Humanity and tear them a new ass while he was at it.
For what its worth you have an amazing main character with life experience, which? Haha read it first… not point adding spoilers. But he has an outlook as to where and how to survive, has the ability and capability and though not a total instant gun totting bad ass right off the bat. Its thanks to his humanity and also those around him as he survives and saves people does he truly how cases why He is a chosen in the Rule of 3. 😁😅 besides unlike other series this story sounds real and has more reality ideas and scenarios which happens and not BS scenarios you end up fretting over telling the author as if he was there like hey why didn’t he do this or that.
In time though and as the story continues you that everything happens for a reason😁😖 even if you yourself wish it didn’t. Either way getting a 4 book advance gift in 1 package is pretty cool.
I give this a solid 5 because i can re-read and still end up wanting more and more 🤤🔥
You certainly meet some awesome characters and over all it makes you wonder or rather curious about the scheme of things with faith and religion. But nothing overtly preachy.
Classic zombies with a smidge of weird haha but like i said I’m a fan and I’ve read past these four. Its worth your time and money to ready or listen and enjoy be it whatever suits your fancy.
It’s probably my 10th time listening/ more so reading now in this case the Omnibus for Adrians Undead Dairy. I ain’t trying to just hype up whomever decides to check out the Reviews but i must admit you certainly don’t regret losing sleep while binge Reading/listening to this awesome work of art😁
To give you an idea of what makes this series is worth your time. You will be drawn and engrossed as you relive and also visualize how One man’s Tale becomes scripture of a sort. “Adrian” is his name and Little does he know, that his need to write out the experience, whims and realities of this new strange life he suddenly finds himself in will help share his escapades through this Zompoc that God felt the need to spank Humanity and tear them a new ass while he was at it.
For what its worth you have an amazing main character with life experience, which? Haha read it first… not point adding spoilers. But he has an outlook as to where and how to survive, has the ability and capability and though not a total instant gun totting bad ass right off the bat. Its thanks to his humanity and also those around him as he survives and saves people does he truly how cases why He is a chosen in the Rule of 3. 😁😅 besides unlike other series this story sounds real and has more reality ideas and scenarios which happens and not BS scenarios you end up fretting over telling the author as if he was there like hey why didn’t he do this or that.
In time though and as the story continues you that everything happens for a reason😁😖 even if you yourself wish it didn’t. Either way getting a 4 book advance gift in 1 package is pretty cool.
I give this a solid 5 because i can re-read and still end up wanting more and more 🤤🔥
You certainly meet some awesome characters and over all it makes you wonder or rather curious about the scheme of things with faith and religion. But nothing overtly preachy.
Classic zombies with a smidge of weird haha but like i said I’m a fan and I’ve read past these four. Its worth your time and money to ready or listen and enjoy be it whatever suits your fancy.
June 30, 2022
I really love this series. Adrian is real, wry, sad, funny and I rooting for him and can’t wait to hear what he is up to. Something weird happens in the last book of this series though. A previously respectful character who seems to really like and value women suddenly becomes weirdly adolescent, basically evaluating women for “f***abilty” and rating them and begins to refer to new characters by body part instead of skill sets or personality. If it hadn’t been such a weirdly jarring change I wouldn’t have noticed so much. Also, I’m bingeing the series on audible so it’s a more obvious translation than if I were reading the books as they were released. I found myself wondering if the author had gone through a bad divorce or something. Still love the book and can’t wait to see what happens next. I highly recommend it, it will be fascinating to see what happens next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2018
I love this world and story. Im a big fan of The Walking Dead and this is similar. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I very much liked the good vs evil battle. Yes Adrian is played up pretty good but hey, if the neighbors become zombies I want a hero to follow.
I am giving this only 4 stars because of the editing job. Being an author I found myself rereading many sentences because of the editing. This is written as a diary/journal entry story, and is in Adrian’s own words, but more editing and proofing are needed.
Also there were a couple inconsistencies with vehicles and guns.
I did learn loads of acronyms.
I am giving this only 4 stars because of the editing job. Being an author I found myself rereading many sentences because of the editing. This is written as a diary/journal entry story, and is in Adrian’s own words, but more editing and proofing are needed.
Also there were a couple inconsistencies with vehicles and guns.
I did learn loads of acronyms.
July 31, 2021
Anyone looking for a good apocalypse type book try this series I purchased the whole series on Audible I have read/listened to these book over the last few weeks a lot the best thing about this series to me is the main character Adrian is an awesome character but Gilbert is my Favorite!
I’ve read a lot of books but there’s only one book that’s ever made me cry and that’s this one.
I can’t recommend this one enough
I would recommend you getting snacks and drinks near you because you won’t want to stop once you start reading/listening
I’ve read a lot of books but there’s only one book that’s ever made me cry and that’s this one.
I can’t recommend this one enough
I would recommend you getting snacks and drinks near you because you won’t want to stop once you start reading/listening
June 4, 2018
I was there from the start.
I was there reading this when it was an online series. I remember sitting hitting refresh waiting for the next entry to be posted.
I really enjoyed re-reading this series. While there are parts I could do without, some of the side stories. Overall this is a lot of fun.
I like that a lot of spelling errors are left alone. It helps to give it that dear diary feel.
I'd gladly recommend this series of books to zombie lovers!
I was there reading this when it was an online series. I remember sitting hitting refresh waiting for the next entry to be posted.
I really enjoyed re-reading this series. While there are parts I could do without, some of the side stories. Overall this is a lot of fun.
I like that a lot of spelling errors are left alone. It helps to give it that dear diary feel.
I'd gladly recommend this series of books to zombie lovers!
Read
November 13, 2020Basic storyline is a more realistic take on the zombie apocalypse theme. The practical things needed to survive are played out here as in Adrian has to find things like loo roll something The Walking Dead never seems to have problems with. This makes the story interesting. Unfortunately the reason behind the dead rising isn’t some pandemic but something more quasi religious which sort of spoils it a bit.
December 16, 2019
I liked it quite a bit. The way Adrian thinks and behaves is reasonable and fun to follow. My only complaint is the endless descriptions of guns and ammo. I suppose if you love guns you will love that part but it became tedious for me. I get it that guns are important in the zombie apocalypse but how bout fire? I guess that would be too easy and you couldn't panic about running out of bullets...
July 28, 2020
Great read
As Dara’s apocalypse and zombie genre go this is a great addition. 2nd time reading and enjoying it! There’s a fine line between overly descriptive, informative and or repetitive and this book does a great job at being descriptive, informative and only somewhat repetitive (guns guns and more guns). One of the top five in apocalypse genre for sure!
As Dara’s apocalypse and zombie genre go this is a great addition. 2nd time reading and enjoying it! There’s a fine line between overly descriptive, informative and or repetitive and this book does a great job at being descriptive, informative and only somewhat repetitive (guns guns and more guns). One of the top five in apocalypse genre for sure!
December 16, 2021
Hello Mr Reviewpost. Its been an exciting set of weeks for me while i delved deeper into our story.(haha anyone who reads or listens will get my reference) From story to style to narrator huge thumbs up. Love the twist on the zombie phenomenon and look forward to the books that follow. Love the characters definitely may relisten to this whole thing again once i finish the rest. Many more to go
August 4, 2018
I first started reading this series along time ago when I was working overnights and it was online only.
Now that I have the ebook versions I am happy and getting reacquainted with the series.
Now that I have the ebook versions I am happy and getting reacquainted with the series.
May 18, 2022
This is a really excellent boxset of a really excellent zombie series set in the USA! A really good read! I can not recommend this enough! You will be pleased with the adventure if you love this genre!
September 16, 2025
rinse and repeat
Never makes any progress. Story teller just says the same thing just worded differently. I kept at it hoping for some action but it is just about raiding houses for spoils
Never makes any progress. Story teller just says the same thing just worded differently. I kept at it hoping for some action but it is just about raiding houses for spoils
January 4, 2019
If you like Zombie books this is a must read. I can’t wait to read the second one.
April 19, 2019
Great zompoc book
If looking for a great zombie book...here it is! New twist is this story. Really enjoying the characters and storyline. Can’t wait to start next book/books!
If looking for a great zombie book...here it is! New twist is this story. Really enjoying the characters and storyline. Can’t wait to start next book/books!
June 8, 2019
I have greatly enjoyed this entire series. Also the Audible narrations are terrific.
June 20, 2019
If you want an awesome zombie read this book is a wonderful choice!
September 29, 2019
Really enjoyed it
Even though it was written different than I'm used to, I really enjoyed this set. I would love to read more about Adrian and gang!
Even though it was written different than I'm used to, I really enjoyed this set. I would love to read more about Adrian and gang!
Read
March 9, 2020Simply amazing series of books. Very well written.
June 8, 2020
Chris Philbrook is on fire with AUD.
I just love the AUD universe. Holbrook has a way of making you feel the emotions of Adrian and all of the other characters. A must read!!!!
I just love the AUD universe. Holbrook has a way of making you feel the emotions of Adrian and all of the other characters. A must read!!!!
August 13, 2021
Loved it
This is a really good read. The characters are easy to relate to. It is actually a great depiction of what people would really be like in situation like this.
This is a really good read. The characters are easy to relate to. It is actually a great depiction of what people would really be like in situation like this.
September 13, 2022
New take
Not your typical zombie tale. Great cast of characters. The story takes unexpected turns. There is a lot to unpack here. Looking forward to the next.
Not your typical zombie tale. Great cast of characters. The story takes unexpected turns. There is a lot to unpack here. Looking forward to the next.
January 11, 2024
brilliant
Loved this omnibus, Funny,jumpy,gory everything and more,great characters, brilliant lead character, really loved it, onto volume 2 now, see you on the otherside.
Loved this omnibus, Funny,jumpy,gory everything and more,great characters, brilliant lead character, really loved it, onto volume 2 now, see you on the otherside.
April 3, 2024
Great story
I really enjoyed reading this. However there are tons of errors and typos that sometimes detracts from the story. Someone should have proofread it.
I really enjoyed reading this. However there are tons of errors and typos that sometimes detracts from the story. Someone should have proofread it.
August 12, 2018
I very much enjoyed this book, many hours of interesting reading. I’m looking forward to volume 2.
July 1, 2016
This is a great format for these books, you get the first 4 books in the series. So when you finish the first book you don't have to wait to start #2 (or #3 or #4)
The first book, Dark Recollections, is The END of the old world and the beginning of the new one. It follows Adrian as he realizes the news of zombies isn't a hoax or a joke. Adrian keeps a level head, arms himself, picks up some groceries and makes his way to the place he works, A.L.P.A. (Auburn Lake Prep Academy) and finds the school in a state of chaos and panic. He keeps his shit together and makes it through the first night.
You get to know Adrian and his story in this book. His flaws, his strengths, what makes him able to make the hard decisions and eats at his conscious.
In book two, Alone No More, Adrian finally gets some company that doesn't want to eat him or take his stuff away from. Gilbert is the Yin to Adrian's Yang - they are a great duo and he gives Adrian the kick in the ass that he needed.
The flashbacks continue, so you continue getting the the early part of the story, and so do the side stories. Some of the side stories get integrated into the main story and Adrian's world expands.
If you liked the first book, you will enjoy the second one as well. Our hero continues wrestle with his growth on an almost spiritual level. I think there's something special about our boy Adrian.
In book three, Midnight, the cast of characters continues to grow, but unfortunately they aren't always good guys. Adrian, ever the protector, doesn't disappoint with his ability to kick ass and kill zombies. We also meet a pair of doctors working in Africa on June 23rd 2010, whose actions are an integral part of the question of how the apocalypse was started and the answer of how to end it. And what do all these 3's mean?
In book four, The Failed Coward, we meet another group of people trying to make a stand and we find out that not all are willing to give away the last of their rights and independence to merely survive.
The first book, Dark Recollections, is The END of the old world and the beginning of the new one. It follows Adrian as he realizes the news of zombies isn't a hoax or a joke. Adrian keeps a level head, arms himself, picks up some groceries and makes his way to the place he works, A.L.P.A. (Auburn Lake Prep Academy) and finds the school in a state of chaos and panic. He keeps his shit together and makes it through the first night.
You get to know Adrian and his story in this book. His flaws, his strengths, what makes him able to make the hard decisions and eats at his conscious.
In book two, Alone No More, Adrian finally gets some company that doesn't want to eat him or take his stuff away from. Gilbert is the Yin to Adrian's Yang - they are a great duo and he gives Adrian the kick in the ass that he needed.
The flashbacks continue, so you continue getting the the early part of the story, and so do the side stories. Some of the side stories get integrated into the main story and Adrian's world expands.
If you liked the first book, you will enjoy the second one as well. Our hero continues wrestle with his growth on an almost spiritual level. I think there's something special about our boy Adrian.
In book three, Midnight, the cast of characters continues to grow, but unfortunately they aren't always good guys. Adrian, ever the protector, doesn't disappoint with his ability to kick ass and kill zombies. We also meet a pair of doctors working in Africa on June 23rd 2010, whose actions are an integral part of the question of how the apocalypse was started and the answer of how to end it. And what do all these 3's mean?
In book four, The Failed Coward, we meet another group of people trying to make a stand and we find out that not all are willing to give away the last of their rights and independence to merely survive.
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