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Zombie Castle #1
ZC One
It was intended to eradicate the common cold; instead it eradicated most of the human race.
A genetically modified virus killer mutates, transforming everyone it infects into zombies. As it rapidly spreads across the globe, small groups of survivors battle to stay alive and escape the growing hordes of flesh eaters.
Tom, Becky and their two children are on a family holiday when the virus hits. Follow them as they try to fight their way to safety, gathering others along the way.
They soon realise that their best chance of survival will be to reach an ancient symbol of power and strength.
Their future and safety lie behind a castle’s walls.
Together they must undertake a daunting one hundred mile journey. Will they make it?
A genetically modified virus killer mutates, transforming everyone it infects into zombies. As it rapidly spreads across the globe, small groups of survivors battle to stay alive and escape the growing hordes of flesh eaters.
Tom, Becky and their two children are on a family holiday when the virus hits. Follow them as they try to fight their way to safety, gathering others along the way.
They soon realise that their best chance of survival will be to reach an ancient symbol of power and strength.
Their future and safety lie behind a castle’s walls.
Together they must undertake a daunting one hundred mile journey. Will they make it?
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2017
126 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 18, 2019
Trying to decide if i should actually waste my time reviewing this book. 
is a valid question at this point.
Not going to lie this book actually started out great. I thought i had a gem of Zombie book on my hand and based on that, i almost went and bought the other 2 books going for £2.99 a pop. Gosh, i'd have been so gaddamn mad if i did that.
Based on this book plot, all i can say is, if a zombie apocalypse happens, you'd probably want to be in England cos everyone is so nice and they'll share their provisions with you cos hello everyone is so nice and you'll DEFINITELY DEFINITELY can't stress this enough, get tea never mind that the world is falling apart, and chances are the people you'll run into are OBVIOUSLY OBVIOUSLY going to have skills that you'll need to survive.
Anyways, Chris Harris,
August 21, 2016
English zombies...
Quite a read. I really liked the storyline and I can't wait to read about their stay in the Castle.
Lots of action, characters are good but maybe need to be fleshed out a little bit more. With England's no gun law it's interesting how they've got around this problem.
Ok, ready for the next book...
Quite a read. I really liked the storyline and I can't wait to read about their stay in the Castle.
Lots of action, characters are good but maybe need to be fleshed out a little bit more. With England's no gun law it's interesting how they've got around this problem.
Ok, ready for the next book...
August 4, 2024
I was genuinely tickled to discover that the protagonist family in this are from Birmingham, and narrated as such.
April 11, 2018
A meh kind of three stars. No serious issues, but I've read a lot of books like this one.
The thing that stood out to me when I picked it was the idea of people defending a castle against zombies! Well, there's a "castle" in this book, but not a real castle. I was okay with that because they are fighting through a zombie apocalypse to get to a castle. Thing is, I might not read the next book when they actually get to the castle.
None of the characters stood out. In fact, they all had the same basic attitude, way of speaking, and were more or less different versions of the narrator. The thing that really bugged me was the way all the women went around making sandwiches and tea for the fighters who were mainly men. One woman got a gun. The wife of the narrator doesn't even get a weapon until after her 10 year old son kills a zombie. Like... really? A grown woman is going to stand back and let a 10 year old fight for her? Really?
It wasn't a terrible book. Smooth, fast paced writing. Some cool zombie scenes. And the occasional side bit showing what was happening in the rest of the world was good. I might pick up the second book to see what happens once they reach the castle. Or if I'm in a desperate need for a readable zombie novel.
Sorry for not being more enthusiastic. There needed to be more, and this book didn't quite get there.
The thing that stood out to me when I picked it was the idea of people defending a castle against zombies! Well, there's a "castle" in this book, but not a real castle. I was okay with that because they are fighting through a zombie apocalypse to get to a castle. Thing is, I might not read the next book when they actually get to the castle.
None of the characters stood out. In fact, they all had the same basic attitude, way of speaking, and were more or less different versions of the narrator. The thing that really bugged me was the way all the women went around making sandwiches and tea for the fighters who were mainly men. One woman got a gun. The wife of the narrator doesn't even get a weapon until after her 10 year old son kills a zombie. Like... really? A grown woman is going to stand back and let a 10 year old fight for her? Really?
It wasn't a terrible book. Smooth, fast paced writing. Some cool zombie scenes. And the occasional side bit showing what was happening in the rest of the world was good. I might pick up the second book to see what happens once they reach the castle. Or if I'm in a desperate need for a readable zombie novel.
Sorry for not being more enthusiastic. There needed to be more, and this book didn't quite get there.
May 12, 2017
Excellent
Brilliant story. Just like the emp book I couldn't put it down. I found it strange but unique that the characters of both books have the same names but loved the storyline and makes you want more. All in all....love it x
Brilliant story. Just like the emp book I couldn't put it down. I found it strange but unique that the characters of both books have the same names but loved the storyline and makes you want more. All in all....love it x
October 24, 2019
An entertaining book.
There were small inconsistencies and little errors in details. But all in all not so bad.
What I found refreshing was that the book was set without the trigger happy Americans and their tendencies to see every human being as a threat, presented in most of the apocalyptic stories I have read so far. The black and white mentality as well as the “everyone for themselves” attitude.
Many people do not know that, but from my own experiences, I can tell you that the Scots and Irish are very hospitable and generous people. On various occasions on holidays, we traveled with a horse-drawn caravan through the countrysides and they all offered us to stay on their lands over night, you simply had to ask, even invited us to eat with them without any conditions. We were just strangers on a holiday. Those were ones of the best holidays I can remember to this day.
It is just a different culture.
The writing style wasn’t really to my liking. It irritated me, when you present a single persons point of view and the person acts at times as a story teller.
Commenting on their own actions and explaining them.
Which also leads to less dialogues and takes the action away from me as a reader. And when those few dialogues mostly repeat what we got told before, it makes for a boring book revealing not much substance and depth to the characters.
The short episodes where we got information about the background and spreading of the virus were good.
I sometimes wished the author would have taken the time to add more personal interactions and dialogues, instead of summarising it almost all the time. One time he described them sitting together and getting to know each other.
And I thought to myself, yes I would have liked that too.
But it wasn’t meant to be.
Characters need to talk, to express themselves, to interact with each other, so as a reader I can get to know them better. How they tick and their different personalities.
This book had potential, but the execution was too simplified in that aspect to give it a higher rating.
It is on kindle unlimited and therefore I will happily read on.
There were small inconsistencies and little errors in details. But all in all not so bad.
What I found refreshing was that the book was set without the trigger happy Americans and their tendencies to see every human being as a threat, presented in most of the apocalyptic stories I have read so far. The black and white mentality as well as the “everyone for themselves” attitude.
Many people do not know that, but from my own experiences, I can tell you that the Scots and Irish are very hospitable and generous people. On various occasions on holidays, we traveled with a horse-drawn caravan through the countrysides and they all offered us to stay on their lands over night, you simply had to ask, even invited us to eat with them without any conditions. We were just strangers on a holiday. Those were ones of the best holidays I can remember to this day.
It is just a different culture.
The writing style wasn’t really to my liking. It irritated me, when you present a single persons point of view and the person acts at times as a story teller.
Commenting on their own actions and explaining them.
Which also leads to less dialogues and takes the action away from me as a reader. And when those few dialogues mostly repeat what we got told before, it makes for a boring book revealing not much substance and depth to the characters.
The short episodes where we got information about the background and spreading of the virus were good.
I sometimes wished the author would have taken the time to add more personal interactions and dialogues, instead of summarising it almost all the time. One time he described them sitting together and getting to know each other.
And I thought to myself, yes I would have liked that too.
But it wasn’t meant to be.
Characters need to talk, to express themselves, to interact with each other, so as a reader I can get to know them better. How they tick and their different personalities.
This book had potential, but the execution was too simplified in that aspect to give it a higher rating.
It is on kindle unlimited and therefore I will happily read on.
December 10, 2025
I loved just about everything about that book. At first, I was skeptical because of the title I found a bit cheap. But then I was swept by the humanity of this book, the relationship between characters and their evolution, growing together. It's very classic in terms of zombie apocalypse scenario, but boy does it do things well.
I listened to an audiobook of this, on Nextory read by Rory Barnett who does a fantastic job.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The two things I loved most in this book is the relationship between the characters, and the growing idea that the zombie castle is not only your typical stone castle, but wherever the characters consider home and a minimum safe. The humanity in this book is very warm and well written, and appears in touching moments such as Tom and Becky watching their children and adoptive child laugh in front of the Simpsons after a day of fighting zombies, or through the counting of the team at the end of each chapter. This account, "now we were X", underlines how each life is precious, how each character might come and go but leave a palpable trace.
In terms of critics though, I was a bit annoyed that the women were systematically relegated to cooking (okay Maud is older) and caring for the children. There are exceptions though, because we understand that Maud can kill zombies as she smashed her dick husband's head in cold blood, Becky is strong willed and smart, and Louise is a badass shooter. But there were a bit too many moments where the caring of the children automatically falls within the women's charge and that bothered me a little. It would have been great to have a male character bearing that role alongside them, and more women than just Louise assigned to fighting.
But let's hope it gets better in the series, I can't wait to read them all.
I listened to an audiobook of this, on Nextory read by Rory Barnett who does a fantastic job.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The two things I loved most in this book is the relationship between the characters, and the growing idea that the zombie castle is not only your typical stone castle, but wherever the characters consider home and a minimum safe. The humanity in this book is very warm and well written, and appears in touching moments such as Tom and Becky watching their children and adoptive child laugh in front of the Simpsons after a day of fighting zombies, or through the counting of the team at the end of each chapter. This account, "now we were X", underlines how each life is precious, how each character might come and go but leave a palpable trace.
In terms of critics though, I was a bit annoyed that the women were systematically relegated to cooking (okay Maud is older) and caring for the children. There are exceptions though, because we understand that Maud can kill zombies as she smashed her dick husband's head in cold blood, Becky is strong willed and smart, and Louise is a badass shooter. But there were a bit too many moments where the caring of the children automatically falls within the women's charge and that bothered me a little. It would have been great to have a male character bearing that role alongside them, and more women than just Louise assigned to fighting.
But let's hope it gets better in the series, I can't wait to read them all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2023
One of the easiest feel good novels that I have read despite the nature of it. This novel depicts the first few days of the launch of a man-made virus and how it wrecked communities across this world. It strayed with a businessman eager to bypass many hurdles and red tape bureaucracies within the FDA to get the stamp of approval for a new drug that utilizes the mRNA of a new virus; It is shocking how similar the sitting is to the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic origin. A leading researcher accepts $1M to be the first trial subject/guinea pig and get himself injected with the developed drug/virus. Unbeknownst to other leading researchers to the developing laboratory, he leaves the country.
As readers will guess correctly, he develops symptoms that range from fever, coughing, drowsiness, and sore throat which are soon picked up by fellow passengers and any person who had contact with him or with fellow aircraft passengers. The virus spreads and people turn with minutes into creatures that acts like Zombies feasting and biting healthy people. There are references to the Walking Dead to which the author appears to love and be inspired by it. The story shifts to an English family who is vacationing in Cornwall and it’s struggle to avoid zombies while befriending survivors within hours of the news.
The First book discusses how the survivors met and encountered each other as they think of ways to protect themselves and their loved ones from the creepy creatures.
The premise is not original and the characters are bland with no growth witnessed. Sadly, the novel is very predictable as it ventures between communities and Zombies’ encounters. But, I am surprised and amazed by the survivors; they resembles every day Joe and Jane with no super heroes powers or over the top knowledge of everything. As a reader, I related to them being normal and I liked the simplicity of them as a group. I probably felt if I survived an apocalypse, I want to be part of a group like them albeit I believe our chances of survival will be null 😅.
As readers will guess correctly, he develops symptoms that range from fever, coughing, drowsiness, and sore throat which are soon picked up by fellow passengers and any person who had contact with him or with fellow aircraft passengers. The virus spreads and people turn with minutes into creatures that acts like Zombies feasting and biting healthy people. There are references to the Walking Dead to which the author appears to love and be inspired by it. The story shifts to an English family who is vacationing in Cornwall and it’s struggle to avoid zombies while befriending survivors within hours of the news.
The First book discusses how the survivors met and encountered each other as they think of ways to protect themselves and their loved ones from the creepy creatures.
The premise is not original and the characters are bland with no growth witnessed. Sadly, the novel is very predictable as it ventures between communities and Zombies’ encounters. But, I am surprised and amazed by the survivors; they resembles every day Joe and Jane with no super heroes powers or over the top knowledge of everything. As a reader, I related to them being normal and I liked the simplicity of them as a group. I probably felt if I survived an apocalypse, I want to be part of a group like them albeit I believe our chances of survival will be null 😅.
January 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. You can't go wrong with a good zombie book. I particularly liked that this one was set in the UK and that characters in the novel referred to the zombies as zombies - not as walkers, the undead, the creatures or other euphemisms as well as making reference to other zombie films and series, especially The Walking Dead which is unusual as most books about zombies don't do this and the characters are completely taken aback and have no idea of what they are and how to survive. There was also a character who is a semi-prepper and who has a lot of useful information on how to help his group survive. The main characters are Tom and Becky and their two children, but the cast grows as they try to make their way to safety. Interesting characters, good story line and lots of helpful info for if (when!) the apocalypse happens. Will be moving straight onto book 2, I liked it that much.
June 28, 2020
Read all 4 so far
I read all 4 before leaving a review. Do you know why? Because i couldn't put the books down!
I honestly read this and needed to know more, i needed to see where it went and i didn't spend the 1 minute it takes to leave a review after the first book. I just needed to read the next one!
It is really hard to get a good UK based Zombie book and Chris Harris nails it on the head. He doesn't skirt around what most zompoc authors do, it is the pure realities of every day families and what homes would contain.
The plot is easy to follow but you can't predict it. The main characters and secondary characters are all believable, relatable and stay in your heart. If your 'rooting' for them then you know the author has done a good job. Descriptions of locations, ways of life and community are spot on.
Absolutely brilliant, thank you!
I read all 4 before leaving a review. Do you know why? Because i couldn't put the books down!
I honestly read this and needed to know more, i needed to see where it went and i didn't spend the 1 minute it takes to leave a review after the first book. I just needed to read the next one!
It is really hard to get a good UK based Zombie book and Chris Harris nails it on the head. He doesn't skirt around what most zompoc authors do, it is the pure realities of every day families and what homes would contain.
The plot is easy to follow but you can't predict it. The main characters and secondary characters are all believable, relatable and stay in your heart. If your 'rooting' for them then you know the author has done a good job. Descriptions of locations, ways of life and community are spot on.
Absolutely brilliant, thank you!
April 21, 2018
Great
I loved this book. It's a fast paced story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. How would you react if the zombie apocalypse happened right now? In this story the ones that survive are either very very lucky or are willing to fight.
The idea of getting to a castle is one that I admit I've thought about, yes I probably watch & read too many zombie stories but who doesn't like to?
If like me you love zombie stories you will love this one. It's full of nods to the Walking Dead, Mad Max & The A-Team. It has ideas on how to kill zombies. How to survive an outbreak & how an outbreak could occur & how quickly the outbreak would spread. Just a fantastic zombie novel.
Now I need to get & read the next book to see if they all get to Warwick Castle.
I loved this book. It's a fast paced story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. How would you react if the zombie apocalypse happened right now? In this story the ones that survive are either very very lucky or are willing to fight.
The idea of getting to a castle is one that I admit I've thought about, yes I probably watch & read too many zombie stories but who doesn't like to?
If like me you love zombie stories you will love this one. It's full of nods to the Walking Dead, Mad Max & The A-Team. It has ideas on how to kill zombies. How to survive an outbreak & how an outbreak could occur & how quickly the outbreak would spread. Just a fantastic zombie novel.
Now I need to get & read the next book to see if they all get to Warwick Castle.
April 3, 2018
Interesting zombie book, For a change you get a thorough description of the cause of the zombie virus and how it had spread, as well as some interesting What Ifs? how the Apocalypse could have been avoided.
The hero has a family and planning to return home when the virus hits, they pick up firstly someone well prepared for the apocalypse and others, on the way to Warwick Castle, where they hope to have a defensible place to live.
The book finishes with them not even half way there
I liked the characters, the ingenuity on making zombie proof vehicles, the weapons, a lot based on Walking Dead a good read
The hero has a family and planning to return home when the virus hits, they pick up firstly someone well prepared for the apocalypse and others, on the way to Warwick Castle, where they hope to have a defensible place to live.
The book finishes with them not even half way there
I liked the characters, the ingenuity on making zombie proof vehicles, the weapons, a lot based on Walking Dead a good read
January 23, 2026
I found this to be a breath of fresh air in the zombie genre. How good is it to read a book where 5 minutes into the zombie apocalypse you don't have a rambling gang of marauders pillaging, murdering, and adding to the chaos. Some might not see it as action packed, but I liked it because it came off as a more realistic response to how folks would respond when their world changes right before their eyes! Banding together! The characters were all the same, all nice, but I liked it that way. I can't wait for the next book. I thought the beginning and introduction of the virus was well done. I think this would make for a good movie or TV mini series.
January 31, 2019
Yes, this is a book about zombies, but the interesting thing about it is the way the author presented it. He first took the time to logically explain why it could happen, what would happen if those circumstances presented themselves, and the aftermath. He then made the survivors ordinary people struggling to survive and protect their families and loved ones. There were deaths, actually quite a few, but the writing was top notch, story absolutely believable and possible, the characters displayed in a very human light, and situations which tended to keep the reader engaged. A very good read.
March 24, 2020
I read it straight through in one sitting and enjoyed it very much. I got books 2-4 on Kindle Unlimited before I started this review so I intend to read the entire series. I really like the voice of the main protagonist. The book is well-written and there was a point where I had a few tears over a character I liked a lot. Please note that the information on this book states that the series is three books but there are already four and I believe a fifth is in the works.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
Read via Kindle Unlimited
October 13, 2024
I was pleasantly surprised how good the story turned out to be. If I was writing a story, I think it would go something like this only because my trainer tend to align with the author on how a zombie apocalypse should go. Now with that said, the writing could be better and I say that because again it aligns with what I would write in a zombie apocalypse, lol but the storyline is good. The characters are good and camaraderie is good as I said it’s something I would write and I’m not a writer so it’s good for what it is.
July 21, 2017
Lots of Zombie Action
I enjoyed this book and can hardly wait for the next one. It was full of lots of Zombies and the characters were interesting. It showed the struggle of good people wanting to survive in a world full of zombies. The main character Tom is trying to keep his family alive with the help of people he finds along the way to his hopeful sanctuary of a castle. Great read!
I enjoyed this book and can hardly wait for the next one. It was full of lots of Zombies and the characters were interesting. It showed the struggle of good people wanting to survive in a world full of zombies. The main character Tom is trying to keep his family alive with the help of people he finds along the way to his hopeful sanctuary of a castle. Great read!
July 21, 2017
As an Aussie reader, this was a pleasant surprise - a zombie novel set in the UK and not the US. It was an engaging, suspenseful read with interesting characters and moved along at a good pace making me long for more. What I also liked was that unlike a lot of other zombie novels, it wasn't just weapon-porn, but about a group's attempt to survive. Looking forward to the next book.
February 17, 2019
Awful. Cliché-ridden with papier-mache characters. There's zero conflict and the zombie attacks are devoid of tension.
If all of it had a physical form, a good downpour would wash the whole thing away. The only thing I can compliment is the cover art.
I finished the book as it's not a long read, but I won't be returning for the sequels.
Sorry Chris - it didn't work for me!
If all of it had a physical form, a good downpour would wash the whole thing away. The only thing I can compliment is the cover art.
I finished the book as it's not a long read, but I won't be returning for the sequels.
Sorry Chris - it didn't work for me!
July 9, 2017
Loved it highly recommend
This was my first time reading Chris Harris. I'm hooked now. Great characters with a good story that kept me pulled in. Can't wait for ZC Two in the meantime I'm going to check out his other series.
This was my first time reading Chris Harris. I'm hooked now. Great characters with a good story that kept me pulled in. Can't wait for ZC Two in the meantime I'm going to check out his other series.
January 10, 2018
Great British zompoc. Great pace and gruesome enough for die hard fans of the genre. Enough guns to keep gun fans happy, even a bit of prepped action going on. I read this in two days and I’ll definitely be reading the next one.
March 29, 2018
Excellent
I really enjoyed this story. It has great characters with varied backstories. Each of them is exposed to the beginnings of the ZA in a different way. The story itself is very well written and quit scary and exciting. I look forward to reading the next one.
I really enjoyed this story. It has great characters with varied backstories. Each of them is exposed to the beginnings of the ZA in a different way. The story itself is very well written and quit scary and exciting. I look forward to reading the next one.
April 29, 2018
honestly the writing isn't brilliant but I'd still recommend this book 100% to anyone who is interested in this genre. one of the most fun and entertaining survival books I've read in a while!
I've already bought book 2 and can't wait to start
I've already bought book 2 and can't wait to start
May 18, 2018
Good read
I loved the fact that the same family from the Dark series are the main characters, really nice surprise as I loved them in the authored 'other' prepper books. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in th series.
I loved the fact that the same family from the Dark series are the main characters, really nice surprise as I loved them in the authored 'other' prepper books. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in th series.
March 15, 2018
Great Read
I have read all 4 books by Chris so far and zombie fiction is what I love. The story is progressing quite well I can't wait for ZC 2
I have read all 4 books by Chris so far and zombie fiction is what I love. The story is progressing quite well I can't wait for ZC 2
April 7, 2018
Zombie Castle
Really enjoyed this book. Great characters that were very human and believable. Looking forward to starting the next book. Well and thoughtfully written.
Really enjoyed this book. Great characters that were very human and believable. Looking forward to starting the next book. Well and thoughtfully written.
May 25, 2018
This was good
I really enjoyed this book I felt like I was there the story was great can't wait to see what book 2 has to offer
I really enjoyed this book I felt like I was there the story was great can't wait to see what book 2 has to offer
January 29, 2019
Really enjoyed this book!
I like the characters in this book. They feel human and humane. Well all except the one man, he was an ass.
I like the characters in this book. They feel human and humane. Well all except the one man, he was an ass.
February 3, 2019
This was surprisingly good but not a bedtime book
February 13, 2019
Very much like r.r haywood The Undead series.Full of action and gore.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews