Divided

Surviving the Evacuation: Here We Stand #2

by Frank Tayell

It is a week since the outbreak in New York. The president was betrayed. The vice-president is dead. The conspirators are close to victory. Having narrowly escaped agents of the cabal, Tom Clemens heads to Washington in the hope of warning the president, but it is too late. The highways are impassable, filled with millions fleeing from the cities. As refugees storm the towns, and zombies fill the smoking ruins, survivors become more deadly a threat than the impossibly living dead. Still hopeful he can find the cause of the outbreak and so end it, Tom fights his way through an undead America, unaware that the cabal are searching for him. From Surviving the Evacuation this is the second part of Sholto’s escape from a collapsing United States. His story continues in Surviving the Evacuation, 1: London. 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.

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Post Apocalyptic, Fiction

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part two of Here We Stand, which is a spin-off of the Surviving the Evacuation series. It shows what Sholto goes through in America during the first few months after the outbreak. I guess Here We Stand could be read before Surviving the Evacuation, but I think that it works better if you read it after.

It's a solid read, even if I like the original series more.

[Terry Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I was really looking forward to this as soon as I'd read book one, so leapt on this when it came out. I read it in one day, it's really good!

The first half of the book tells of Tom and Helena's struggles through the newly zombie infected landscape of Pennsylvania and surrounding states, and they meet up with some other travellers, all of them heading to Maine, where Tom's hideaway cottage by the sea is situated. But then the dastardly Powell catches up with him..... added to the zombies, Tom also has to battle against his deadly enemies, and then the after effects of a nuclear attack. I won't say anymore because it'll give the plot away, but it's pretty gripping, and I couldn't put it down!

I wasn't so interested in the conspiracy underlying Powell and co's plan to grab power, perhaps because it became irrelevant once America was on its knees, but there were hints that all is not over on that front, and I expect all to be explained later in the STE series set in England, of which I have only read four books. This is more than just a fighting-the-zombies-blood-and-gore type of book, as Tom has other quests of his own. At his most desperate and lonely, the atmosphere and his feelings about the end of the world and life itself are so well written.

This series is always unpredictable and never boring, well thought out, and I recommend it highly if you're into the post apocalypse genre.

[Sarah]

Tayell's series comes full circle here... With the story behind Bill's brother Tom being told, right up until he heads for Britain. Not my favourite, possibly because I found the government conspiracy a little dull In comparison to the day to day living with the undead that filled the other books. Still a good read though and I eagerly await the next instalment of the U.K based characters

[Robd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second volume of 'Here we stand' and subtitled 'Divided', is a continuation of Frank Tayell's post apocalyptic series set in a world devastated by a zombie plague and nuclear bombs. As the protagonist Tom makes his way across wasteland America, sometimes accompanied, sometimes alone, he is pursued by those responsible for the catastrophe. Trying to get to his cottage in a remote coastal village, Tom is abducted by his pursuers because of his knowledge of their plans for world power that went so horribly wrong.
Another great instalment in the 'Surviving the Evacuation' series and one that acts as a backstory to the main series but also carries on the story started in book one of this complimentary spin off.
Lots of blood and gore as the battle to survive continues and as Tom encounters other survivors; some more friendly than others. Once again, I am left wanting more and I am sure that there will be; there being so many possibilities and situations that humanity would have to face.

Rob D

[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

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series, more sinister undertones than the first book, and kept me entertained throughout. The changing narrative perspective helped keep tension going.

The addition of new characters to supplement Bill was done well, and I quickly felt invested in the fate of Kim, Annette and Daisy, as well as sharing Bill's suspicion of the others they met.

An excellent piece of zombie fiction, and continue to enjoy the "journal" style. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Jim Scriven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Conclusion to the Prequel

I’ve read the Here We Stand duology after reading the first 7 books of Surviving the Evacuation. This beautifully filled in some background, broadened the picture of this particular version of the apocalypse — but most importantly, it brought was key character from the opening trilogy to life in a far better manner. This just made everything better, and I’m eager to continue through the core books.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the one before, but still containing the kind of exposition and other moments that you typically find in American mini-series, IYSWIM - though perhaps that’s fitting for a diversion like this. Nevertheless, eminently readable and I’ve just torn through it in one sitting, so...three stars, all told.

[Kell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things get pretty heated for Tom Clemens (aka Sholto) as he continues in his mission to find those responsible for the outbreak and take down the shadowy cabal behind it. Just surviving in this new world is hard enough, will anyone ever be able to actually *live* again.

Another thrilling installment in this zombie apocalypse saga.

[Suzanne Naisbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I've been reading this series for the last few weeks , find it really hard to put them down ! This is the second part of Sholto/Toms story which ties in with Bills story .

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

Totally loved this one. I really enjoyed Helena as a character and was genuinely sad when she was killed.
Tom/Sholto is really believable despite the unbelievable storyline.

[Sondra McCain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surviving the evacuation.

A great series about the survivors of a civilization ending event. The human choices made to survive the dangerous new environment are complicated by hordes of hungry zombies. I love these books.

[david melia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book, I know this picks up again in the main series however I certainly think there was more that could have been made of Sholtos trip after the final chapter, especially around him getting to the Uk and finding Bill

Other than that a fine addition to the overall series

[Samantha Shields Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another smash

Loved this book. Great seeing Sholtos POV. Straight on to the next
Installment. I'm going to be gutted when they end

[Doctor Doom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many of the books in this series [about 7 I think so far] and they have all been very good- no losers in my opinion but some have been excellent. This is one of those. Love Sholto.

[NormaCenva · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt a bit rushed in the ending, otherwise fine, hope there will be Book 3 to finish all of it off!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. I was more interested in the very end than the whole rest of the book.

[The Bauchler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nearly a 4*

More zombies here and less of the improbable, sinister cabal takeover.

[Julian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

On kobo: 1230001196160

Continuing Tom/Sholto/Thaddeus's travels in the first few weeks of the outbreak, leading up to his departure from the Americas to mke his amends with the past...

Not quite a seamless trnsition but an interesting look at his experiennces, compated to Bill's in the UK.

[Gary Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zombies everywhere.

Just finished another great read, 12 books in 12 weeks, now book 11 and after that back to the start. Happy days...

[Gary Letham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book of the Here We Stand sub series takes Sholto and helena finally to Maine via Pensylvania and New York State capture by the cabal and nuclear attack. Another superb book in the series exploring the American back story, at the same time Bill Wrights and Nilda's stories commence across the Atlantic. Looking forward to othe next installment to find out what happens in Maine when Sholto goes to Britain

[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.

[Doghouse Gav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fab

Another day another one of Frank's books finished!! Love this series and his writing style. Great characters and story. Recommended.

[Leigh Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the better of the two Sholto books!