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Adrian's Undead Diary #9

The Dealer of Hope: Adrian's March Part One

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Adrian forgave himself. The undead have been banished and he's accepted the love of friends, family, and some strangers. He's started a better life.

Bastion grows day after day as pilgrims come to put down roots near the vaunted Trinity. Crops are growing, babies are being born, supplies are being salvaged, restful dreams are being had, and there's even talk that the government is surfacing to reform.

All his problems should be getting better now, right?

But some battles start after the last shot is fired.

They call themselves The Northern Valley Cooperative.

Adrian's known about them for years. Always on his fringe, never in his face, they built a fortress out of a ski resort, and brought everyone near them to heel. And now, with winter bearing down on Adrian's world, the NVC is marching south.

Are they friends, or are they foes?

Either way, Adrian's got a loaded gun on his hip, and he's surrounded by people he'd die for.

He just might.

The Dealer of Hope contains Adrian's Journal entries from September 21st, 2013 through November 30th, 2013. It also contains the side fictions Desperation, Junkyard Dogs, Strange Bedfellows, No One's Home, A City Laid Asunder, and One Last Hurrah.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2018

126 people are currently reading
148 people want to read

About the author

Chris Philbrook

82 books446 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.

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5 stars
214 (60%)
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97 (27%)
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39 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Randy Harmelink.
934 reviews258 followers
November 12, 2018
This book alternated between two stories from the AUD world. The first was about Adrian's brother in Afghanistan during the breakout of the ZA. The second was about the Bastion rebuilding after the big event. Neither story is concluded in the book. I preferred the breakout story, but both were great.

Now, on to the 10th book of AUD.
Profile Image for Paperback Shawty LaQueshia.
81 reviews18 followers
August 3, 2025
I really liked how the story continues as we get to see the aftermath, the rebuilding, and how the community is trying to move forward. The POV from another one of Adrian’s brothers during the apocalypse added a fresh layer. Still loving this series and excited to keep going.
Profile Image for Annie.
938 reviews32 followers
August 16, 2018
AWESOME AND I NEED MORE MORE MORE!!! LOL This was an incredible addition to the series and everything I have come to expect from Chris Philbrook...great story, great writing, great narration...I love this series, and I am so glad it is back!!! YAY!!!

I RECOMMEND!!! :)
Profile Image for Missy~.
1,023 reviews17 followers
April 25, 2020
I was super excited to learn that Chris Philbrook had written more entries in Adrians undead diary series.
The continuation book splits between present day Adrian who is 1/3 of the Trinity of people who helped shut down the zombie Apocalypse, and who now work to restore a somewhat normal life for the survivors.
The other story thread introduces us to Adrians brother Thomas, who is a navy seal, On assignment in Afghanistan when the Apocalypse starts, Thomas's storyline takes us back to the beginning of the zombie Apocalypse.
So these 2 stories are not concurrent. That didn't bother me at all, I loved getting to know Thomas and his navy seal partner Chad scrambling to understand whats going on, while disconnected and cut off from civilization in remote Afghanistan.
Adrian in post Apocalyptic time line is trying to rebuid his life, falling in love with Michelle, and working with Kevin to make a better life for everyone.
That struggle is made more difficult when the evil that is man, in the form of the NVC, or the Northern Valley CO operative.
These evil douchebags have declared themselves govt leaders and are killing, forcing, kidnapping and bullying other survivors to join their community by force.
Resolution is left up in the air somewhat, as the NVC out guns and out mans Adrians community at Bastion. No confrontation happens in this book, hopefully we will see a happy ending in the next book!!!
I listen to the audio version of this book, it was awesome to revisit James Anderson Fosters amazing narration of this world.
Looking forward to the next.
Profile Image for Laurie C..
175 reviews5 followers
July 29, 2018
Dealer of Hope: AUD; Adrian's March Bk 9-Pt 1

I'm very excited to be in Adrian's world again! With Bastion thriving, the main community, and the other smaller ones can relax now that the undead, well died. When one of the settlement's is massacred and a few of the survivors make their way to Bastion, Adrian finds out that the dead may have died, but it's the living that's causing hell. They're called the NVC.
During the book, time flashes back to Adrian's brother, Thomas Ring. He is a Navy SEAL and is stuck in the middle of nowhere, with his fellow SEAL Glen. They've been watching a village for Taliban activity, but not even the alive have been moving around for a few days. Stuck with no instructions how to proceed, and since they're running out of supplies, the two decide to recon the village and gather whatever food and water is down in the village and hike on out back to the nearest est base.
What a great way to bring back Adrian and his brother. One fighting the living and one fighting the dead! 👣
Profile Image for Zombie Reader.
132 reviews17 followers
March 1, 2023
Another great 'Adrian's Diary' book by Chris Philbrook. The narrative weaves between post zombie troubles at home and flashbacks to the early zompoc as Adrian's brother, a Navy SEAL, fights to get back from overseas. At home, Adrian & company navigate the new trials & tribulations of managing people and resources while attempting to forge bonds with surrounding communities. There is also a new threat as a well equipped National Guard unit begins to expand its own influence & dominance into the area. Meanwhile several years prior in Afghanistan Adrian's brother, a Navy SEAL, fights to save others, survive the zompoc and get out of that war torn land. This is the more interesting of the two stories and really could have been its own stand alone book. Overall, enjoyed and will read on!
218 reviews3 followers
July 29, 2018
NO! I can’t already be finished!

What can I say? This series about Adrian Ring and his group battling the Zombie Apocalypse is probably the best ever. Adrian is Joe Public who steps up to the plate when Zombies take over. A damaged man that does everything in his power to save his new family of friends and become a better person. These characters become your friends and you yearn for their survival. I have read the first 8 books twice, something I rarely do. My only complaint is that I have finished it and now can hardly wait for more. Go back and start with book one. You will love every moment!
517 reviews6 followers
September 3, 2018
When you describe this series out-loud it never sounds like much. It is a hard series to sell to someone else.

But when you read it, Phillbrook's writing is such that it pulls you into the story in such a way that you both really care about what is going on, and want to read more. A lot of this is down to the way Adrian Ring is written. A character that is almost a stereotype, but also very much not. An almost-every-man, a hero-with-self-doubt.

Can't wait for more.
Profile Image for Joan.
1,154 reviews6 followers
October 12, 2020
The dead are gone and people are coming from all over to see and meet The Trinity especially Adrian. Everything should be good now right, but there is another heavily armed group called The Northern Valley Cooperative around, are they friend or foe? Adrian is prepared to protect the people he's gathered up during the apocalypse even if it costs him his life, hopefully it won't come to that. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a great tale in the horror/zombie genre
23 reviews
July 27, 2018
I was a mixture of excited and curious when I started reading the latest installment of AUD. I mean what is AUD without zombies? Well it's just as fun to read as it is dangerous for Adrian and crew. The side chapters involving his brother Thomas were exciting and I sincerely hope that by the time this new series is over, they're reunited.
Profile Image for Jenyfer Conaway.
14 reviews
August 8, 2018
Mr. Philbrook continues to deliver in his post-apocalyptic AUD series. Before reading this volume, I started back at one and read straight through. His characters and talent have grown with each novel. If you are into zombies, the apocalypse, or WTSHTF, this series should be on your to be read list.
Profile Image for Chuck Mankin.
58 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2019
Another awesome book in the AUD series. Chris had an awesome talent not just in telling a story but making it really flow. You really feel like you are right there in the middle of things. The Zombies may be gone but life still isn't unicorns and fairy dust at the Bastion. Check out the latest threats and how things are progressing in the post Zombie World.
Profile Image for Joshua Bachand.
46 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2019
Just when you thought the series may have been over with Cassie, Chris pulls you back in with another great tale from Bastion. This is a great new story arc for the characters we have grown to love, and with the new challenges of life in the new world. If you enjoyed following Adrian and company before this one will not disappoint.
Profile Image for Nannette.
537 reviews22 followers
January 1, 2019
What does our Adrian, the zombies worst enemy, do when the Zombie disappears from the Zombie Apocolypse? He starts to live and to plan how to take care of his people. Living may be harder than surviving. Added bonus, the reader gets to meet another Ring family member.
12 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2018
The return of Adrian Ring!!! It’s been to long.

Felt so good reading about Adrian and everybody in the AUD world. Really enjoyed the Thomas Ring side stories too...hopefully there will be more. Keep up the great work Chris.
1,222 reviews17 followers
May 7, 2021
Not sure what the title implies.

The only exciting part of this book had to do with Adrienne‘s brother in Afghanistan. Don’t know what the title implies adrian‘s march, marching to wear? Will go on and read the next book.
Profile Image for Jay Kiros.
Author 1 book
August 19, 2018
Philbrook is a master storyteller with characters and situations that are believable and compelling.

149 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2018
Love this series!

I'll say it again I love this series. Just read it again for the third time and I really hope the next book comes out soon!
Profile Image for Hammy.
145 reviews
September 28, 2018
Pretty good but not as good as the first 8, more interested in the side story about the brother. Kind of hard to have an undead diary when they zombies are all gone.
2 reviews
January 12, 2019
Another great one!

I love these books! I can get lost for hours.... live another more exciting life. Can't wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Nancy Daily.
41 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2019
I have greatly enjoyed this entire series. Also the Audible narrations are terrific.
Profile Image for Angie Anderson.
584 reviews7 followers
June 17, 2020
Another hit!

Chris Philbrook has a way to pull you in and make you feel the emotions of the characters. I highly recommend you read this series.
488 reviews4 followers
November 29, 2020
5 stars

Another winning book in this series. Great characters and plenty of action l looking forward to the next installment in this series.
Profile Image for Lukas Lovas.
1,405 reviews64 followers
December 24, 2021
Interesting to see the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse...not many books go there, so this was fun to see :)
Profile Image for Laqueesha.
27 reviews
April 21, 2022
Bit better than the previous one. I enjoyed the side story about the two SEALs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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