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Book 7 in The Orphans Series in no way slows down. This installment puts the phrase flight from hell into new light. There were other survivors, other warriors who were once civilians trying to make it just one more day. Follow a new group and see if there is hope, and a reason to think that this one day might end. Will they survive, can they outsmart the Turned, can they continue on! Remember things are always darkest just before a single ray of light breaks through!

283 pages, ebook

First published April 28, 2018

68 people are currently reading
58 people want to read

About the author

Mike Evans

78 books136 followers
Mike Evans lives in Iowa with his wife, children, and two adopted dogs Rusty and Harley Quinn. He writes with a passion to bring his characters to life, to make you fall in love with them, and then make you flip pages to find out if they’ll survive or perish. He keeps his characters realistic, there are no superheroes. There are no perfect characters in his books, everyone has their flaws much like that of life. Mike loves to write in different genres and is unafraid to try something new.

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5 stars
98 (67%)
4 stars
32 (22%)
3 stars
10 (6%)
2 stars
4 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Tracy  P. .
1,158 reviews12 followers
July 28, 2025
The Orphans series continues with Flight and the beginning of a brand new storyline. This can also be read as a standalone.

If you liked "Zombies on a Plane" this will not disappoint. Listening to the horror unfold at 35,000 feet literally turned my knuckles white.

Looking forward to moving on to the next edition. Whether it's a book about zombies or psychotic serial killers, Mike Evans always hits it out of the park.
Profile Image for C.M. Rutherford.
Author 3 books16 followers
May 8, 2018
This is a great zompoc series. The characters are very rich and developed as is the story. I was caught a little off guard, since I was expecting to have the story pick up with were book six left off. I was pleasantly surprised by a view of the apocalypse from the beginning by another group of people that eventually meet up with the main character Sean from the rest of the series. I highly recommend this series if you haven't read it yet. The stories have a great pace that keeps the pages turning and is engrossing to the last page.
Profile Image for Henry Hayes.
69 reviews
May 5, 2018
Cliffhanger following the cliffhanger

I kept reading through wondering if somehow the Kindle had gotten the books mixed up or something - but then the tie-in at the end.... I really hope the wait for book 8 won’t be as long as the wait for this 1 was!!!!!!!
5 reviews
July 2, 2018
Felt rushed.

I have loved all the others in this series.
However this one felt so rushed, and crammed with useless stuff. Time jumps felt all wrong you missed what they had been through during the year. I can only compare that to a bad walking dead episode that left you hanging within the storyline. Too many gaps it seemed, and while I want to like the Earl character.
I found myself skimming paragraphs just to keep from being bored. One minute it felt he would be this genius who is just very backwoods redneck to nope he's on the autistic spectrum. Basically all over the place. It made his character really confusing, and hard to like. I really felt this was a forced to throw something together type book. All the others were consistant or darn close.
If anything it should have been considered as a novella. I was shocked to see it ended so abruptly when their story was just getting started. I dunno it really felt like too many useless conversations or dragged out scenes within the story to fill pages ruined it. I know you can do better Mike!
1 review
May 13, 2020
Orphan series

While the story was very interesting the writing and editing was horrible! The writing was very repetitive and seemed like a child was trying to make an essay long enough to turn in. Editing was almost non existent! So many things that should have been corrected. The whole series could have been told in one novel if all the unnecessary words, explanations and reused sayings had been edited out and it would have been a great story!
111 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2025
A Frenzied Fight for the Future in a Dying World (4/5 Stars)

Okay, Orphans die-hards. If you've made it to Flight (The Orphans #7), you're not just reading a zombie series anymore—you're fully invested in the survival saga of Shaun, Ellie, and what's left of their fractured family. This installment earns its title: it's a breathless, desperate scramble across a hostile landscape where every sanctuary is temporary and every alliance is fragile. Picking up after the devastating schisms of Divided, this book trades the introspection of internal conflict for the raw adrenaline of external threats closing in from all sides. It's a gripping, action-packed ride that proves Mike Evans still has plenty of terrifying twists left in the tank for this bleak world.

Key Themes
The Exhaustion of Hope: After six books of relentless loss, "hope" isn't a motivator; it's a liability that gets people killed. Flight explores the sheer mental and physical fatigue of surviving in a world that actively wants you dead. The characters aren't fighting for a better tomorrow; they're fighting to see sunset, making their perseverance feel more desperate and grounded than ever.

Mobility as the New Survival: Static bases have failed. Safety is now found in movement. The theme of constant flight—from the Turned, from hostile human factions, and from their own past mistakes—creates a relentless pace and a palpable sense of being hunted. It forces the group to make snap judgments with permanent consequences.

The Weight of Leadership in a Splintered Group: Shaun's leadership is tested not by unanimous support, but by managing a group of traumatized, strong-willed individuals who may disagree on every decision. The book delves into the near-impossible task of maintaining unity and morale when the only consensus is that stopping means dying.

Character Analysis
By Book 7, evolution is measured in scars, both physical and mental.

Shaun has hardened into a strategic, if weary, commander. The optimistic teen is long gone, replaced by a pragmatist who calculates risks in terms of ammunition and lives. His relationship with Ellie remains the emotional core, but it's strained by the constant pressure, with debates over tactics often masking deeper fears for each other's safety.

The supporting cast gets crucial moments to shine, especially those who chose a side in the "civil war." Old faces resurface, forcing confrontations that are less about right vs. wrong and more about the brutal realities of conflicting survival instincts. New threats, both human and Turned, are smarter and more organized, raising the stakes exponentially.

Writing Style & Pacing
Evans's prose remains lean, gritty, and propulsive. He doesn't waste words on lavish descriptions of the ruined world; the focus is on immediate sensory details—the smell of decay, the sound of a horde, the taste of fear. The tone is unflinchingly tense, with brief moments of dark humor or tenderness serving as vital relief before the next crisis hits.

The pacing is, appropriately, a frantic sprint. The narrative structure mirrors the title: a cycle of finding temporary shelter, encountering a catastrophic threat, and executing a desperate escape. Some readers might find this "rinse-and-repeat" rhythm formulaic, but Evans excels at varying the threats and ensuring each flight has brutal, lasting consequences for the characters, preventing it from feeling like filler.

What I Liked/Disliked
Liked:

Relentless Momentum: The non-stop action captures the exhausting reality of their situation perfectly. It's a genuinely stressful, page-turning read.

Consequences That Matter: Decisions from several books ago continue to ripple outward, giving the series a satisfying sense of continuity and weight.

Elevated Antagonists: The threats feel smarter and more adaptive, ensuring the conflict stays fresh and dangerous.

Disliked:

Formulaic Structure: The cycle of run-fight-hide can feel repetitive, with fewer of the deep, group-centric character scenes that defined earlier books.

Emotional Fatigue: The constant high-stakes peril can, at times, make it hard to fully process individual character moments before the next disaster strikes.

A Niche Entry: This book does almost nothing to welcome new readers; it's deep-series territory.

Conclusion & Recommendation
Final Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. Flight is a strong, action-focused entry that successfully raises the stakes and propels the overarching narrative forward. It's a white-knuckle read that delivers exactly what committed fans want at this point in the saga.

You must read this book if: You are fully caught up on The Orphans series. This is a vital, non-negotiable chapter that advances the plot significantly. It's perfect for fans who want to see the consequences of past choices play out in a high-octane survival thriller.

Do not start the series here. You will be utterly lost. Begin with Book 1, Origins.

Content Note: As expected, contains graphic zombie violence, intense survival situations, strong language, and psychological stress.

For the devoted Orphans fan, Flight is a compelling, pulse-pounding installment that feels like the calm before an even bigger storm. It reaffirms that in Mike Evans's apocalypse, there's no such thing as a safe place—only places you haven't died yet. Clear your TBR for this one, because you'll read it in a single, anxious sitting.
Profile Image for Michael  Keller.
937 reviews10 followers
June 29, 2021
They split up!

Shaun is out in the world on a mission to teach people how to kill the Turned. Clear a town, free any trapped people, teach them to kill zombies, move on. It's a long slow process, but maybe he can get Iowa safe, then start on the rest of the US. Meanwhile, another story arc takes place in Chicago on Day 1. Earl, Frank and Frank's son Jude begin their story with a ball game - Cubs at Wrigley's Field while Earl starts a new job working construction across the street from the stadium. A plane takes off from Des Moines heading to Chicago when one of the passengers seems ill, until he suddenly jumps up and eats another passenger! The pilot makes an emergency landing in Chicago, near the stadium.
Meanwhile, also at the game, Scott and son Austin do the usual ballgame things, buy souvenirs and snacks and enjoy Cubbies baseball. What could be better? Scott and wife Becca both work at the CDC. Becca is on her way home when a plane drops out of the air, smoking and trailing streams of bodies. Belching out of the crashing plane, bodies flying everywhere, some reaching out to others falling, not to help but tearing into their victim, bloody mist following them down. There seems to be a problem here!
A whole new batch of characters deliver the Zombie plague to the CDC on Day 1. The characters show us what happens in Chicago and portray the CDC's work for a cure, or a weapon. The new story arc brings fresh faces and new problems, but follow the storyline in this loop backwards. Still amazing, this storyline continues in the next book. I'll be jumping on it real soon!
12 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2018
If you are looking for a good series to read this is it!

This review is on the entire series since I did not review any of the other books. I didn't find this series until book six was already published so I was lucky enough not to have to wait for each book. This is a great series that I have really enjoyed reading and to be honest I read each one in one sitting, I just could not out it down. The characters were so real I felt like I knew each one of them and felt bad if one of them did not make it. I just finished book seven and it was as good as the other six, now I will be waiting impatiently for the next one. This series is worth your time and Mr. Evans has become one of my favorite indie authors, give the series a try, you will not be disappointed!
Profile Image for Joan.
1,131 reviews7 followers
May 7, 2018

This 7th book in The Orphans series takes us back in time to the beginning of the outbreak and how other characters and cities fared. These new well fleshed out characters take us on their terror filled and heart breaking journey to the CDC building in Chicago. There are a couple of characters you may recognize from an earlier Mike Evans book with Earl being one of them. He is a bizarre character who at times if I'm being completely honest and if I was there,I would be torn between shaking my head or throwing him to the turned....lol. If you love the horror/zombie genre with a action packed, chilling story of survival against overwhelming odds, this is the book and series for you. There is also a welcome twist at the end of this book which will leave you, the reader, wanting more.
Profile Image for PHYL.
145 reviews5 followers
May 4, 2018
Wow ! This story takes the reader back to the beginning of the outbreak. The author adds an unexpected crossover, blending it in perfectly. The horror of a zombie outbreak has the reader on the edge of their seat, yet the author manages to throw in an unexpected touch of humor, causing me to laugh out loud. I could not put this book down, I read it non-stop from beginning to end. Another amazing and well written story by Mike Evans. I highly recommend this book, as well as the entire series. Great Zombie Apocalypse story and series. Read this book
Profile Image for Harry Thompson.
225 reviews5 followers
September 19, 2020
The last book started to get on my nerves. I started to get annoyed with the interactions between characters, it felt so unrealistic. This book has fixed my issues with the last book! It brought new characters and started from the beginning with them. I love the characters and enjoyed this book much better. Maybe it's because of the focus being adults and not kids (a lot less whining). It all ties together in the end and you say ahhh....
I love the comic relief of Earl. Please keep us laughing once in a while, it is nice! That is why I enjoyed the "Zombie Fallout" series so much.
Profile Image for Louise Feagans.
228 reviews7 followers
May 19, 2018
Orphans 7

This is my favorite series by Mike Evans, I really love Shaun, Joey, Clary and the rest of the gang but now we have some new characters with Earl and his cohorts. I felt really sad about Louise, the poor thing. But I guess it was bound to happen and she did save a young life. Thanks Mike for continuing to make a very enjoyable read. I recommend this book so get it and read it.
Profile Image for Christine E Butler.
74 reviews4 followers
October 28, 2018
Dang it, Mike Evans!

Don't panic. This book starts out with a whole new cast of characters, but there is a very good reason for it. I couldn't figure out out at first but about half way through, it but me why these new faces were going to be important later. I want disjointed with how they tied into our old characters, but I wish we'd gotten just a little bit more. Still an excellent book and now I have to wait for book 8.
442 reviews8 followers
May 5, 2018
Fabulous Addition

Wow! New characters in the mix! The story centered on new characters and how they survived the Turned. I had such a fun time reading the scenes with Earl. He brought humor to the story. No spoilers but these characters will make a discovery that will change the battle. I look forward to the next volume, loved the ending Mike Evans!
Profile Image for Chrystal Roe.
1,291 reviews13 followers
May 11, 2018
Excellent!

This segment of the story follows a different group. A couple of scientists, a cop, an army cook and a few civilians. It shows how they made it through the first year and how they meet Shaun. Things get really scary many times for them. They do figure out a few things though that keep them safe. I can't wait to see what the next book brings.
Profile Image for Tracey Mccall.
355 reviews8 followers
May 14, 2018
Wow

Okay this is an amazing series always leaves you wanting more and more! Well written with twists,, turns and omg moments that grab you and just don't let you go. This book brings you back to the beginning with new characters and some wonderful characters from his other books! I am looking forward to seeing where Mr. Evans takes the next book. Get to Amazon and start reading
873 reviews
April 10, 2021
Good Read

I like this series. Its interesting and has non-stop action . I was confused with the introduction of Earl and his friend Charlie and his son. I was thinking I missed something. It was good to see I hadn't when Shaun finally showed up. Earl is weird but somehow he gets things going. Theses new characters are ok but was expecting more from Shaun or the group at the base.
Profile Image for April Jessee.
22 reviews1 follower
May 19, 2018
Ok but ....

I was wanting to know about the original group and got a whole new group. This book was not one of my favorites but I loved the character Earl. He stole my heart and I keep reading because of his character. Looking forward to book 8.
Profile Image for Henry Boese.
11 reviews2 followers
December 22, 2018
Good series.

While I didn’t really enjoy this particular book in the beginning, the ending of it tied it really nicely together.
The author is a good writer and the characters are done and written in a way you can relate.
Profile Image for mia.
777 reviews
July 1, 2020
OMG serious cliff hanger, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out if Shaun would make it back to Ellie & the Orphans, what would happen to Earl and the gang and we're finishing on a cliff-hanger! I can't wait for the next book, how can I go on without knowing?!
Profile Image for Corinne Marshall.
409 reviews10 followers
November 21, 2021
Flight, book 7, was a great way to introduce new characters. Love Earl and his crazy personality, he brings laughter and other great qualities to the story. Lots of sad and horrorfying moments for our survivors. It's a well done tie in with our old favourites. The Orphans, fantastic series.
1,036 reviews3 followers
March 23, 2022
I love this story!

Just when I thought I would get a little breather from all the action…bam! Now we have a whole new set of people to worry about!
Nicely done Mike, the way you managed to blend the two groups together. I can’t wait to get to the next book.
164 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. The story started with a new set of characters on a flight and their experience during the outbreak. it was a real rollercoaster full of action. I can't wait to listen to the next one!
Profile Image for Lucille Bransfield.
1,048 reviews
December 7, 2024
Funny plus zombies is my favorite way to read zombie books. I love this series. I now have a favorite character. Earl had me laughing every time I put in my earbuds. This series is really great. It’s been a minute since I listened to one but I fell right back in. Can’t wait for the next part.
232 reviews3 followers
September 15, 2019
Another good book to a great series, although it felt like I was just getting into things when it finished but I guess that's how to keep a reader hooked and waiting for the next issue.
8 reviews
June 23, 2021
A must read series

The series continues with some unforeseen twists . can't put it down, gotta know so I can get to the next book
444 reviews3 followers
November 10, 2021
Very good

Good story, new characters & Earl. I'm not sure i could handle too much of Earl in person but he appears to have a good heart & does his best to help.
Profile Image for Angie Anderson.
584 reviews7 followers
February 16, 2022
Wow! What a book!

Mike Evans has done it again! This series is getting better and better. Shaun has met up with a new group, can he keep them alive? Only time will tell.
5 reviews
July 20, 2022
awesome read love it

Awesome read. I couldn’t put this one down. Spoiler alert you learn what happened to Charlie. Yes right though. Enjoy. Read and reread. Great
194 reviews2 followers
September 22, 2022
My name is Earl

The infamous Earl can makes me laugh in the middle of dire circumstances. And dire circumstances is what this book has inside
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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