Infected

Surviving the Evacuation: Here We Stand #1

by Frank Tayell

The first outbreak was in New York. Within hours, the city was quarantined, but it was too late. Nowhere is safe from the undead. Tom Clemens has been living in the shadows, searching for those responsible for the death of his family. Framed for murder, he is on the run when the first outbreak occurs. With thousands of others, he fights his way out of New York and joins the exodus searching for a safe refuge somewhere in America. On that journey he learns the identity of those responsible for the betrayal of the species, and of a scientist who might be able to stop the living dead. So begins his quest to save humanity. Here We Stand 1: Infected & 2: Divided are part of the post-apocalyptic series Surviving the Evacuation. This story of patient zero and Sholto’s attempt to stop the outbreak can be read before or after Surviving the Evacuation Books 1-7. Please As the President of the United States is a background character, and the presidential election a background event, American English has been used in this book though with some British spellings as most of Surviving the Evacuation takes place in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Dystopia, Science Fiction

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2016

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 (semi-hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here We Stand is a spin-off of the Surviving the Evacuation series. It shows Sholto's experiences in North America right after the outbreak. This should be read after books 1-3 of the original series and before book 8.

This is a fun book about a zombie outbreak and a guy trying to uncover a government conspiracy. I love the original series more, but I liked learning about Sholto's past and what he went through in America while Bill was in London.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started as a two, ended as a three; I can’t decide if it actually improved any or if Tayell’s somewhat choppy style is simply better suited to action. This wasn’t as gripping as the series proper, but it was a pleasant way to while away an afternoon, and I’ll pick up a copy of the next companion piece before returning to the main series, which is saying something; I’m not that kind of a completist.

Final verdict: ‘enjoyable enough’.

[Jim Scriven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Prequel Novel

My last completed read of 2024 turns out to be another great one. I enjoyed this return to the Surviving the Evacuation series, getting another setting and some greatly appreciated background experiences for Sholto. I’d read the first seven books before taking a pause of a couple months - this was a great return. The tone of this writing is just perfect for the subject. Moving right on to the finish of this prequel duology!

[Leigh Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!!!!

I enjoyed this book and getting the background to Sholto was interesting but I don't think this book flowed as well as the Surviving the Evacuation series.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first outbreak was in New York. Within hours, the city was quarantined, but it was too late. Nowhere is safe from the undead.

Tom Clemens has been living in the shadows, searching for those responsible for the death of his family. Framed for murder, he is on the run when the first outbreak occurs. With thousands of others, he fights his way out of New York and joins the exodus searching for a safe refuge somewhere in America. On that journey he learns the identity of those responsible for the betrayal of the species, and of a scientist who might be able to stop the living dead. So begins his quest to save humanity.

Here We Stand 1: Infected & 2: Divided are part of the post-apocalyptic series Surviving the Evacuation. This story of patient zero and Sholto’s attempt to stop the outbreak can be read before or after Surviving the Evacuation Books 1-7.

Please note: As the President of the United States is a background character, and the presidential election a background event, American English has been used in this book though with some British spellings as most of Surviving the Evacuation takes place in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
**

[Robd · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a companion story and background to the Surviving the Evacuation series, Frank Tayell sets 'Here we stand' in the United States. The story begins with the outbreak in Manhattan and the subsequent attempts to contain the infection; attempts that mean abandoning the island's inhabitants to fend for themselves and leaving them with the choice of trying to escape or dying. The central character Tom's story overlaps with the original series through his contact with the UK and his uncovering of the plans of a small, elite cabal of powerful individuals to control the world.
Tom's exploits continue as he attempts to reach a person who may have answers to what has happened and as he tries to contact and warn his friend, the recently elected President. During his flight from New York he encounters others fleeing the crisis and quickly learns how to tackle the increasingly large number of undead.
This complementary volume continues the story perfectly and is once again a real page turner. I am already anticipating the next instalment. I would also add that this volume could be read without having knowledge of the main series.

Rob D

[Kell · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this novel, we go back to the beginning of the zombie outbreak in New York, and follows Tom Clemens (AKA Sholto, among other aliases) as he tries to stop the outbreak in its tracks and take down a shadowy cabal hell bent on world domination.

This is part of the Surviving The Evacuation series, and should be read after book 7, although this (and its immediate sequel) could also be read before the first book in the series, making it an excellent entry point to the series.

I didn't really connect as well with the characters in this novel as quickly or easily as I did with the other books set in the UK, but I think it was largely because I was thrust right back to the beginning and it initially felt like I was starting all over again, however, it did quickly build, leading into its sequel very well.

[Robert Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up at a book swap having read nothing else by the author. I wasn't sure whether to give it 3 or 4 stars as I did enjoy it. First off this is part of a serial so there's no clear resolution to any of the plot lines at the end. If that sort of thing bothers you then you really need to commit to reading at the very least the next book in the series. The positives I found were that this is a fast-paced, imaginative and action-packed story, and it was refreshing to have a protagonist that was not only middle aged but actually acted like he was, such as feeling a bit knackered after running from zombies all day. On the other hand I suspect this book has been heavily influenced by the recent popularity of zombies in film and TV; its a very visual narrative but I found the characters rather two dimensional which made them both less believable and less sympathetic.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was under the impression that this was the first of a series? Maybe not?
Tom is a competent MC. Smart, thinks fast.
This isn't a tense zombie read. This is a conspiracy plot in the government read that contains zombies. Dont go into it thinking the zombies are going to be scary and/or fast moving.
Helena (Toms travel companion from NYC) got on my nerves. Tom gave her options to leave. She didn't. But is also nosy on top of everything. I get it. Apocalypse isn't a time to travel with someone blindly. But still.
I will def check out the whole long list of books in time. It's good enough to want to read more. But, not scary or tense enough to want to do it now.

[Doctor Doom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was already a fan of Tayell's before reading this book. I have read 5 or 6 of the "Surviving the Evacuation" from the British side and decided to use some Christmas money to get this one- which tells the same story but from the American perspective. This book ranks up as one of the top two in the series. All have been good, readable and even re-readable, but this one is not just good, it is great.
We get Sholto's backstory as never fully given in the British stories and it is exciting.
As usual - there is no foul language, there is plenty of action and suspense, and there are zombies!

[Michelle Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book series is wonderful, thank you FB for advertising it and to Frank Tayell for writing them all.. it kept appearing book 1 free to download and eventually I did, no going back I purchased books through to 12 and didn’t put my kindle down. Now just read book 15 which has just been released and reading them all again for the 4th time.

I am 44, my son is 13 but also totally enthralled, zombies are not my thing but this series is so much more than blood and gore, I feel lost when I finish the set and wait patiently for the next book to be released.

Long may they continue

Thank you

[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.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know what I was expecting with this, but it wasn’t as good as the others. Also, a criticism from someone who loves the zombie genre: human bodies that have just become zombies within the last few days are not going be easy to kill. Body parts aren’t going to just fall off. They are “fresh,” so their bodies would be like regular human bodies. There were just parts that took me out because I was eye rolling. But that’s because I’m obsessed with zombies.

[david melia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not quite sure how I missed the Hear We Stand Books while reading Surviving series but I did. Simply put this book does not disappoint, excellent background on the outbreak and Thaddeus. If I was reading the whole series again I would certainly read this between book 3 of Surviving and Book 7.

Just started Here we Stand Book :)

Great read as always Frank

[Julian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

On kobo: 1230001034271

Here we follow the progress of the outbreak as seen by Tom Clemens/Sholto/Thaddeus first hand - previously we've had this as reported by Bill in his journals (Books 1 -3).

A good look at the effects of the conspiracy while Tom tries to make sense of things - and avoid being killed by zombies as well as 'security' agents...

[Ma’am · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one but it definitely wasn’t as good as book one in the evacuation series he wrote. I would still listen to this again but I feel something was missing. Here’s to hoping book two will be better.

I do like that we got to know about sholto from another side and how he was doing with everything.

[April Parrish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book doesn't flow as well as the original series, maybe because I'd gotten used to the way the original was written. It was nice getting to know more about Sholto which will continue in book two.

[Joshua Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Great Book good pace and action and of course zombies what more could you want from Frank Tayell great author

[Sharon Webster · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 Stars

Zombies and conspiracy theory; kind of boring. I would read the next book in the series if it were free.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Alethea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight books in. Rather obsessed. Read them.


The only zombie books that have ever held me. Seriously good reading. Eight books in. I'm obsessed. Well worth it.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to being fantastic

I was totally gripped with this instalment and loved finding out some background on sholto. Can't wait to start the next book.

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget "The Walking Dead". The entire sequence of these books is a must for any 'zombie' book fan. Seriously, brilliant.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book~in this instalment we find out what happened to Sholto during the outbreak. Links up to the earlier books in the Surviving the Evacuation series.

[NormaCenva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good spin-off duology! Excited for book 2.

[Richard Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Very simple a great read start to finish, brilliant how it connects with others in this series. Buy it now

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to see the other half of the story from 'surviving the evacuation'. Not as locally detailed as the London based books, but an enjoyable read still.

[Sharleen Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing perspective on the series. sholto's story is interesting and fast paced. A really good page turner.

[dc · Rating 3 out of 5]

started strong, a bit too much paramilitary paranoia and the dependable female there only so he had somebody to explain things too.... eessh

[Brian Switzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Here We Stand' is a fast-paced and entertaining mix of political thriller and story about the zombie apocalypse.

Protagonist Tom is an ex-CIA agent and current political operative who's just gotten his friend elected President of the United States. Tom steals the election in a variety of ways as part of a plan to overthrow a shadowy cabal that cares only about power and that is bent on world-domination.

Before he can inform the president about the existence of the cabal Tom is framed for murder and forced to go on the run. While he's running the nation suffers a series of terrorist attacks- the cabal places the blame for the attacks at Tom's feet as well.

The morning after the attacks Tom sees people killed on the streets of New York City rise up and kill others. In a matter of hours, the apocalypse is in full swing in Manhattan. Tom meets a woman named Helen and the two of them barely escape the island before it is sealed off, the residents left to fend for themselves. There doesn't seem to be a full-scale rescue effort by either the state or federal governments, and the various forces fighting the zombies seem to working at cross-purposes. Tom lays that at the feet of the cabal. As he sees it, they either created or allowed the creation of the zombie virus and are allowing it to continue because it serves their purposes.

That is one of the book's two weak points- Tom sees the cabal everywhere. If a bus blows up, Tom thinks it's the cabal. If he gets a head cold- cabal. Thanksgiving turkey takes too long to cook- cabal. Also, for an all-powerful, ultra-secret organization, Tom is incredibly well-informed about its members and activities. He knows all of their deep, dark secrets. It's difficult to believe a person could learn all there is to know about a group that secret and powerful.

Thr rest of the book is Tom and Helen trying to get the information Tom has about the cabal and the outbreak to the President. The zombies are a backdrop and exist mainly as an impediment to the pair reaching their goals.

The book's other weakness is Helen. She's just...weird. At times naive and at other times judgemental, she seems to feel the outbreak is mostly an inconvenience and she'll be glad when things soon get back to normal.

'Here We Stand' is crisply written, with a strong narrative and some surprising plot twists. The characters are a little one-dimensional. One of its strengths is very well-written dialogue, some of the best and most natural that I've read in this genre. All-in-all it's a good enough book for me to download the rest of the series.