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Rise of the Undead #5
Apocalypse Z book 5 Rise of the Undead
Survival is just the beginning…
After a daring escape, Amy faces a harrowing journey through a post-apocalyptic wasteland in the dead of winter. Pursued by a sadistic killer, she barely makes it out alive. Reunited with Alex at Fort Detrick, she believes the worst is behind her.
An audacious rescue attempt leads to disaster.
Upon learning the whereabouts of Tara, Saul and Dylan plan a hasty assault on King's hideout. Defying Nick's orders, they launch the attack only to run into a hail of gunfire. Defeated and demoralized, they retreat back to base forcing Nick to prepare for all-out war.
Book 5 of a thrilling new post-apocalyptic series, Apocalypse Z. Hold on to your seat because this is going to be one hell of a ride!
After a daring escape, Amy faces a harrowing journey through a post-apocalyptic wasteland in the dead of winter. Pursued by a sadistic killer, she barely makes it out alive. Reunited with Alex at Fort Detrick, she believes the worst is behind her.
An audacious rescue attempt leads to disaster.
Upon learning the whereabouts of Tara, Saul and Dylan plan a hasty assault on King's hideout. Defying Nick's orders, they launch the attack only to run into a hail of gunfire. Defeated and demoralized, they retreat back to base forcing Nick to prepare for all-out war.
Book 5 of a thrilling new post-apocalyptic series, Apocalypse Z. Hold on to your seat because this is going to be one hell of a ride!
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2020
72 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Baileigh Higgins
107 books438 followersSouth African writer and coffee addict, Baileigh Higgins, lives in the Free State with hubby and best friend Brendan and loves nothing more than lazing on the couch with pizza and a bad horror movie. Her unhealthy obsession with the end of the world has led to numerous books on the subject and a secret bunker only she knows the location of.
Visit her website at www.baileighhiggins.com for more information on her upcoming projects, new releases, and giveaways. Sign up for her Newsletter and get your Free Ebook, Tales from the Apocalypse, today.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 11, 2023
Apocalypse Z book 5 is the fifth entry in the Rise of the Undead series by Baileigh Higgins. Here, the initial group of survivors has changed a bit. In the previous book, Tara and Amy were abducted by a competing group of survivors. Amy has managed to escape, only to be pursued by a villainous cretin that is a gifted tracker that has been authorized to make certain she never discloses their location.
When Dylan and Saul learn where Tara is being kept, they launch an all-out assault on the competition lead by King, but not only was King expecting them, but he attempts to make retreat an out-right impossibility. With the penultimate book, Higgins continues to ratchet up the danger, action, horror, and suspense.
The situations that Higgins puts her characters through are compelling, filled with pathos, and heart-gripping terror. I am running out of descriptive language to describe the delicious angst Higgins causes in her readers.
Without a doubt, this is one of the best series I have read in the zombie-apocalypse subgenre. I have not given this five stars, because I am saving that for the last book, if warranted and the entire series, if I choose to write a review on it. (I probably will, because it is something special, IMHO,)
When Dylan and Saul learn where Tara is being kept, they launch an all-out assault on the competition lead by King, but not only was King expecting them, but he attempts to make retreat an out-right impossibility. With the penultimate book, Higgins continues to ratchet up the danger, action, horror, and suspense.
The situations that Higgins puts her characters through are compelling, filled with pathos, and heart-gripping terror. I am running out of descriptive language to describe the delicious angst Higgins causes in her readers.
Without a doubt, this is one of the best series I have read in the zombie-apocalypse subgenre. I have not given this five stars, because I am saving that for the last book, if warranted and the entire series, if I choose to write a review on it. (I probably will, because it is something special, IMHO,)
March 5, 2023
The series is almost done 🥲
November 4, 2020
Narrator Kristin James does a good job. Her voice fits the tone of the story nicely, and her voice expresses different emotions well. A good listen!
This is book 5 in this series and continues from the cliffhanger of the last book, so I’d recommend starting from the beginning of the series. Love books with zombies, so this series has been a fun, entertaining read so far!
In the last book leading into the beginning of this book, Amy has escaped from the bad guy alliance that kidnapped her, but when she gets home, she’s picked up by one of the bad guys undercover in the good guy alliance. Things get intense for Amy and some others! Also, Tara is still prisoner with the bad guy alliance, so she’s trying to find out a way to escape. Ooo man! Some brutal things happening around Tara! The good guy alliance is also trying to figure out how to save Tara, but they aren’t exactly finding things going their way. Lots of danger! Zombies are really the least of everyone’s problems. We get a lot of POV’s, which I like and dislike because I would like to get more in depth understanding of the characters. Still though, there’s lots on interesting characters.
Overall, a fun and entertaining episode in this series! It’s great to see characters discovering what type of person they want to be; growing and maturing.
This is book 5 in this series and continues from the cliffhanger of the last book, so I’d recommend starting from the beginning of the series. Love books with zombies, so this series has been a fun, entertaining read so far!
In the last book leading into the beginning of this book, Amy has escaped from the bad guy alliance that kidnapped her, but when she gets home, she’s picked up by one of the bad guys undercover in the good guy alliance. Things get intense for Amy and some others! Also, Tara is still prisoner with the bad guy alliance, so she’s trying to find out a way to escape. Ooo man! Some brutal things happening around Tara! The good guy alliance is also trying to figure out how to save Tara, but they aren’t exactly finding things going their way. Lots of danger! Zombies are really the least of everyone’s problems. We get a lot of POV’s, which I like and dislike because I would like to get more in depth understanding of the characters. Still though, there’s lots on interesting characters.
Overall, a fun and entertaining episode in this series! It’s great to see characters discovering what type of person they want to be; growing and maturing.
October 1, 2024
Liked the story and enjoyed the character development. I do feel like some things were rushed like Nick and Dylan’s relationship. I wished we saw more romantic interactions to see their love building. I don’t think Saul was very in character in this book. He has always been a very steadfast and direct man, him running off to go save Tara without a plan was just so unrealistic and out of character for me.
I also felt the ending was very anticlimatic. King dies in the attack that ended as soon as it started and he’s just shot by Saul? And then Tara and Bannick just leave completely unhindered and she comes back. As much as I love ladies saving themselves, this just seemed cheap and a quick way to get everyone back together.
Overall I liked it and look forward to finishing up this quick series.
I also felt the ending was very anticlimatic. King dies in the attack that ended as soon as it started and he’s just shot by Saul? And then Tara and Bannick just leave completely unhindered and she comes back. As much as I love ladies saving themselves, this just seemed cheap and a quick way to get everyone back together.
Overall I liked it and look forward to finishing up this quick series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2020
The Zombie Apocalypse is heading to the final battle – and I can’t wait! The plots and “extra” bits from the other four books are coming together, and it may be worthwhile rereading those before starting on this book. The characters are, as always, both readable and well-written, particularly Nick (my favorite), and it is chillingly close to the feelings around at the moment to make the reader slow down and re-read some events. Are these really zombies, even?
I received a free copy of this book, and I am reviewing it voluntarily.
I received a free copy of this book, and I am reviewing it voluntarily.
July 15, 2020
I can not say enough good things about this Apocalypse Z series. Each book is exciting and filled with action. There is a lot of romance between the characters which makes them that much better. When a character dies you really feel it. Book 5 has plenty of action and suspense and leaves you itching for book 6 to see how it all ends. If you really like Apocalypse books then you should get the set of Apocalypse Z and binge read. I plan on reading them all a second time, that is, after I finish book 6.
December 27, 2025
Apocalypse Z: Book 5 – Rise of the Undead marks a decisive shift in the series. This installment moves away from the immediate threat of zombies and instead follows the group’s search for Tara after her kidnapping; a narrative turn that exposes a more unsettling danger: human greed.
Higgins explores how strategic planning in times of crisis can quickly devolve into moral decay. Social justice becomes expendable when survival is framed as scarcity, and the vaccine itself is no longer a cure but a commodity. Whoever controls its narrative holds power, and power, in this world, is rarely neutral.
Particularly compelling are the inner conflicts of those who follow King. The novel raises an uncomfortable question: how should readers perceive followers of a corrupt leader? To what extent can they be held morally responsible and where does fear end and complicity begin.
Higgins does not offer easy absolution. Instead, she presents obedience as a choice shaped by fear, convenience, and self-preservation. In doing so, she challenges the reader to confront a troubling truth: in times of collapse, evil often wears the face of order.
I appreciated that Higgins does not shy away from these themes. Rise of the Undead is less about the monsters outside and more about the ones created when people surrender their moral agency.
Higgins explores how strategic planning in times of crisis can quickly devolve into moral decay. Social justice becomes expendable when survival is framed as scarcity, and the vaccine itself is no longer a cure but a commodity. Whoever controls its narrative holds power, and power, in this world, is rarely neutral.
Particularly compelling are the inner conflicts of those who follow King. The novel raises an uncomfortable question: how should readers perceive followers of a corrupt leader? To what extent can they be held morally responsible and where does fear end and complicity begin.
Higgins does not offer easy absolution. Instead, she presents obedience as a choice shaped by fear, convenience, and self-preservation. In doing so, she challenges the reader to confront a troubling truth: in times of collapse, evil often wears the face of order.
I appreciated that Higgins does not shy away from these themes. Rise of the Undead is less about the monsters outside and more about the ones created when people surrender their moral agency.
January 3, 2022
Book five of the series, included in the omnibus edition, sees more fighting for survival – who will win, who will die and who will survive the onslaught from many sides?
I really like the use of various characters that are involved in the plot – the way the author switches between them, though it’s still third person – gives an in-depth look into the character as well as the plot.
Despite the horrible subject, I enjoyed the storytelling.
Highly recommended.
I really like the use of various characters that are involved in the plot – the way the author switches between them, though it’s still third person – gives an in-depth look into the character as well as the plot.
Despite the horrible subject, I enjoyed the storytelling.
Highly recommended.
May 3, 2020
Higgins does it again. Tara tries to stay alive while trying to figure out how to escape. The rest of her group tries to rescue her. Strong female characters while maintaining strong relationships. Love the development of a town in the fort as well as the character developments . I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review .
May 7, 2020
As usual, another winner from Baileigh Higgins, one of my favorite authors of the genre. I love her writing as she creates such believable character with lots of action, twists and turns. Follow Amy after she escapes her kidnappers and makes her way back to Fort Detrick and her brother Alex. She must let Saul know that Tara is still a hostage. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
October 4, 2024
Book 5 of the 7 book series.
A great continuation of the series! Lots of action as usual which helps to keep the storyline moving but this book has a deeper sense of loss in it. It also shows the fracture of friendship, the ache of a massive mistake, the healing between friends and family, and a battle victorious.
Already have book 6 ready to start!
A great continuation of the series! Lots of action as usual which helps to keep the storyline moving but this book has a deeper sense of loss in it. It also shows the fracture of friendship, the ache of a massive mistake, the healing between friends and family, and a battle victorious.
Already have book 6 ready to start!
May 27, 2024
I enjoyed this story and I’m enjoying the series (so much so I’ve bought a couple more of series by the author) and I’m looking forward to the conclusion.
It is quite light reading so I have to admit I’m not hugely invested in any of the characters but it’s a fun read.
It is quite light reading so I have to admit I’m not hugely invested in any of the characters but it’s a fun read.
May 3, 2020
Another good read from this exciting zombie series! I was a little sad thinking it was the end! But no another is on it's way! Great! Looking forward to it already!!
May 9, 2020
The series continues very well. Once started hard to put down.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
June 28, 2020
Great read!
A fast pace and action filled story. I enjoyed the story and Book 5 is done and now onto book 6. Get the books and leave your reviews!
A fast pace and action filled story. I enjoyed the story and Book 5 is done and now onto book 6. Get the books and leave your reviews!
July 14, 2020
Another great book
Book 5 was really great . I am ready for #6! Baileigh really has a knack of developing characters that you really want to know more about
Book 5 was really great . I am ready for #6! Baileigh really has a knack of developing characters that you really want to know more about
October 5, 2020
Very good
The team roughed up and key members kidnapped, can they find them before it’s too late. Amy really shines in this book and I really enjoyed the story. Can’t wait for more.
The team roughed up and key members kidnapped, can they find them before it’s too late. Amy really shines in this book and I really enjoyed the story. Can’t wait for more.
February 13, 2023
Don't want this to end
August 11, 2025
Why do they all talk like that?
October 9, 2020
Well...
The weakest book of the series. Definitely too girly for my own taste. That one took me longer to read ( I normally read a small book like that in an evening). But, at least, the next one was as good as the other ones.
The weakest book of the series. Definitely too girly for my own taste. That one took me longer to read ( I normally read a small book like that in an evening). But, at least, the next one was as good as the other ones.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews