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Adrian's Undead Diary #11
No God: Adrian's March, Part Three
Adrian Ring is broken. He was wounded badly, and with dead loved ones on all sides, he makes a bold, life-changing decision; he’s leaving Bastion and its people to help the unknown second Trinity in Europe, where a terrible strain of faster, smarter undead still rampage in the streets. Clinging to what’s left of his tattered soul, he must assemble a small team to bring across the Atlantic aboard one of the few still-operational US Navy frigates. There, he is reunited with his lost brother William. The battle ahead is ominous enough, but the journey might kill him before he sets foot on European soil. He must battle the wills of those who will be left behind at Bastion, The Factory, Spring Meadows and MGR, plus ensure a proper transition of power. He must wage a war of wills against a rag-tag Navy crew who sees him as a self-proclaimed savior, and against a captain who is at odd with his risk-taking, bold nature. The zombies might be the least of his problems. No God contains Adrian’s Journal entries from July 4th, 2014 through Sept. 3rd, 2014. It also contains the side fictions; A Man of God, The Cleaving, I Can See Clearly Now, and The A Game.
Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2020
60 people are currently reading
82 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.
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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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 26, 2025
Another satisfying listen in the land of AUD. Especially enjoyed Adrian's reminiscing about his old nightclub time as a bouncer. Nice change-up and appreciated his perspective from part of his life pre-apocalypse. Only wish it was a bit longer - as it is such a fantastic series and the wait between books is difficult for this AUD super-fan.
James Foster is a master of voices and perfection with this series. One of the best narrators I have had the pleasure of listening too.
James Foster is a master of voices and perfection with this series. One of the best narrators I have had the pleasure of listening too.
December 30, 2020
I really missed this Universe. It might be not a 5 Star read for others but it is for me, missed all of it, the characters the writing, the intrigue, the horror bits, the psychological explorations. So glad to be back there with them all and especially now when they are in the UK! Can't wait for a continuation of the story this time somewhere where I can actually relate deeper to the places and the rest of the landscape. Awesome time reading this, just awesome!
August 31, 2021
Adrian and a few chosen from his Bastion family are heading to the UK on the fully crewed and ready to kick zombie butt USS Reuben James to find another Trinity. He has been reunited with another brother William and other chapters tell us how his brother Tommy and others are making out in their battles with the hordes. As Adrian and the others arrive in the waters off the shores of the UK, they are all hit with a feeling of dread, emptiness and pure evil. They are definitely in for another battle against zombies and a deadly battle of good vs. evil
July 25, 2021
It's really sad reading and listening to a long series of books when they start to get infected with current year nonsense, it's like a Woke Commissar was leaning over Chris Philbrook's shoulder halfway through this book.
After hearing the word "problematic" twice, I knew I was in trouble.
Adrian eaves drops on some sailors and then beats them up and shoots one for "MISOGYNY AND RACISM" He goes on to unironically say, "Words are violence" and no shit, "Diversity is our strength".
I was in disbelief at this series of events, it was so out of character for the author and protagonist, I had to re-listen to it to make sure I wasn't stroking out.
He then follows this up with a story about his bouncer days - that goes absolutely nowhere and isn't funny. It's like he was trying to recapture that Adrian magic from the earlier books and just whiffed after going full social justice warrior. As far as I'm concerned, this series ended at book 10.
When will content creators realize you can't cater to the woke mob? All you end up doing is alienating your current fans and retroactively ruin your previous books when sjw stuff like this is injected so ham-handedly. You'll never gain "new" fans, because they will always find "problematic" sentences from your earlier works to cancel you.
All this time I thought Adrian's BAD ASS GAY SEAL BROTHER was kind of a tongue in cheek joke, but I guess the joke's on me.
After hearing the word "problematic" twice, I knew I was in trouble.
Adrian eaves drops on some sailors and then beats them up and shoots one for "MISOGYNY AND RACISM" He goes on to unironically say, "Words are violence" and no shit, "Diversity is our strength".
I was in disbelief at this series of events, it was so out of character for the author and protagonist, I had to re-listen to it to make sure I wasn't stroking out.
He then follows this up with a story about his bouncer days - that goes absolutely nowhere and isn't funny. It's like he was trying to recapture that Adrian magic from the earlier books and just whiffed after going full social justice warrior. As far as I'm concerned, this series ended at book 10.
When will content creators realize you can't cater to the woke mob? All you end up doing is alienating your current fans and retroactively ruin your previous books when sjw stuff like this is injected so ham-handedly. You'll never gain "new" fans, because they will always find "problematic" sentences from your earlier works to cancel you.
All this time I thought Adrian's BAD ASS GAY SEAL BROTHER was kind of a tongue in cheek joke, but I guess the joke's on me.
June 3, 2020
Amazing!
Chris Philbrook is one of the most amazing authors ever! I have been in love with his books since the first line of the first page . This series is by far my most favorite. He makes you fall in love with Adrian, a deeply flawed character, and then takes you on an incredible adventure. His writing is so unbelievable you feel as though you are actually going through the same events as the characters. You can see it, feel it, touch it, smell it. I strongly urge you if you have not, go back to book one and start your own adventure!
Chris Philbrook is one of the most amazing authors ever! I have been in love with his books since the first line of the first page . This series is by far my most favorite. He makes you fall in love with Adrian, a deeply flawed character, and then takes you on an incredible adventure. His writing is so unbelievable you feel as though you are actually going through the same events as the characters. You can see it, feel it, touch it, smell it. I strongly urge you if you have not, go back to book one and start your own adventure!
June 10, 2020
Chris never disappoints.
What can I say about this book that I haven’t said about the rest of the series? Chris continues to craft a tale that I will never tire of. Crazy that I’ve invested so many years to a fictional set of characters, with the main one (Adrian) being someone that we could all be more like. Flawed, seen as strong, but inside is holding it together barely at times, and of course funny as hell. Thank you Chris for another installment of the AUD world. And as Oliver says, “Please May I have some more?”
What can I say about this book that I haven’t said about the rest of the series? Chris continues to craft a tale that I will never tire of. Crazy that I’ve invested so many years to a fictional set of characters, with the main one (Adrian) being someone that we could all be more like. Flawed, seen as strong, but inside is holding it together barely at times, and of course funny as hell. Thank you Chris for another installment of the AUD world. And as Oliver says, “Please May I have some more?”
May 31, 2020
Best AUD book yet?
That is my opinion and others may disagree, but this is the first AUD book that I read in one sitting. So as I type this quickly with about 2% battery left on my kindle, I loved Adrians evolution to his newest phase. No longer just trying to keep himself and his people safe, he's on a mission to save the world. I hope Evil brought a change of underwear, because I think it's going to need it.
That is my opinion and others may disagree, but this is the first AUD book that I read in one sitting. So as I type this quickly with about 2% battery left on my kindle, I loved Adrians evolution to his newest phase. No longer just trying to keep himself and his people safe, he's on a mission to save the world. I hope Evil brought a change of underwear, because I think it's going to need it.
May 28, 2020
If you haven't checked out this series yet, what are you waiting for?! It has action, drama, horror, comedy & a smidge of romance...and zombies
This is one of my favorite zombie book series and book 11 did not disappoint!! I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in about a day. I can hardly wait to see what happens in the next book!
This is one of my favorite zombie book series and book 11 did not disappoint!! I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in about a day. I can hardly wait to see what happens in the next book!
February 4, 2026
I'm really not sold on this book. I enjoyed it enough to give it 3 stars, but I'm not sure whether that is because I am already so invested in this story and these characters, or because it is actually worth those stars. The main reason for this confusion is that, now that I have read the book and it is time to write the review, I have only issues with it and am really struggling to find anything positive to say.
My biggest issues are:
1. This book made the deaths of the last book feel cheap - In the last book, the author made a huge decision to kill off a lot of big characters in this series. Some of those characters have been in this series since the early books, and it was devastating to see them go. In this book, though, I get the impression that they were killed off specifically so Adrian could leave Bastion, take the people who mean the most to the series with him, and then sever all ties with the past in the process. I know his brother, sister and nephew are still there, but the series has never spent much time exploring that relationship, so it's not one the author felt he had to worry about leaving in the background. It basically feels like those characters had to die so the author could abandon Bastion and its troubles for all the novels that Adrian is away, and that makes the death of those we love feel cheap.
2. Adrian is buying into his own legend - A big part of the charm of this series is that it is about a flawed guy just trying to stay alive and make a better life for those closest to him. He might be good at fighting and have solid leadership qualities, but he is a fundamentally flawed person who is always fighting the little battles of everyday life in a zombie apocalypse just to try and be a good man doing the right thing. In fact, that was actually the whole point. He is in the trinity specifically because he was a flawed everyman, someone who could be tempted by evil just as much as he could be tempted by good. He never bought into the idea that he was someone extra special; he was just a good man who made a difficult decision at the right time and, in doing so, redeemed humanity. In this book, he is no longer that simple man; he is someone who has completely bought into his own legend and leans really hard on that. He has lost most of his humility, he acts out when people question him, and basically, he has become a bit of a dickhead with an overinflated ego, the exact opposite of what he has been to this point.
3. Heavy handed messaging - For the first time in this series, there has been an injection of really heavy handed messaging... and dare I even say it, modern day politics. It takes a hard (if not over-the-top) stance on racism, sexism and homophobia. This in itself wouldn't be such a problem if it weren't so in-your-face and obviously forced just to get the message across. The situations all feel unnatural, and the conclusions for each of these situations are over the top to the extreme. Adrian, at one point, attacks three people to the point where one needs reconstructive surgery on his face, the second is left with massive bruises on his throat from where Adrian nearly killed him, and (I shit you not) Adrian literally shoots the third person. The reason for this extreme violence is that they used derogatory terms when speaking about Abbie and Hal. In Adrian's new worldview, words spoken in what they thought was a private setting (the author goes out of his way to say they didn't know anyone could hear them) is justification enough for grievous bodily harm and attempted murder. As repugnant as their words may have been, Adrian showed himself to be an unhinged lunatic in this situation, but the book almost sells the situation as though his actions were justified.
Abbie, Gavin and Otis going to Europe is the most stupid thing I've ever heard - Abbie is not just the logical person to lead Bastion with Adrian gone, but she is also a mother to a 1-year-old child. She has no place going on a dangerous mission to zombie-infested Europe, and that alone annoys the hell out of me. But her choosing to put her infant son in that danger is stupid beyond belief. What mother would do that to her child? It is beyond irresponsible. And as for Otis... he's a bloody cat. I get it, the series won't be the same without him (just as it wouldn't without Abbie), but let's at least try to be a little realistic here. Taking a pet cat and a baby into a zombie-infested war zone is so unrealistic that it takes you right out of the story.
Overall, this was a problematic outing for this series. I mentioned in my last review that a lot is riding on these next few books. The events of the last book significantly affected the ending of the first 8 books by removing any implied happily ever after. At the end of that series, we might have known logically that they still had a hard road ahead of them to rebuild after the zombie apocalypse, but we at least thought our survivors who had come through so much could persevere for the most part. The last book wiped out that notion by killing off half the cast from the first series, so these new books now have to make that act worthwhile without spoiling the series as a whole. Right now, given how this book has gone, I don't have high hopes for what's coming next.
My biggest issues are:
1. This book made the deaths of the last book feel cheap - In the last book, the author made a huge decision to kill off a lot of big characters in this series. Some of those characters have been in this series since the early books, and it was devastating to see them go. In this book, though, I get the impression that they were killed off specifically so Adrian could leave Bastion, take the people who mean the most to the series with him, and then sever all ties with the past in the process. I know his brother, sister and nephew are still there, but the series has never spent much time exploring that relationship, so it's not one the author felt he had to worry about leaving in the background. It basically feels like those characters had to die so the author could abandon Bastion and its troubles for all the novels that Adrian is away, and that makes the death of those we love feel cheap.
2. Adrian is buying into his own legend - A big part of the charm of this series is that it is about a flawed guy just trying to stay alive and make a better life for those closest to him. He might be good at fighting and have solid leadership qualities, but he is a fundamentally flawed person who is always fighting the little battles of everyday life in a zombie apocalypse just to try and be a good man doing the right thing. In fact, that was actually the whole point. He is in the trinity specifically because he was a flawed everyman, someone who could be tempted by evil just as much as he could be tempted by good. He never bought into the idea that he was someone extra special; he was just a good man who made a difficult decision at the right time and, in doing so, redeemed humanity. In this book, he is no longer that simple man; he is someone who has completely bought into his own legend and leans really hard on that. He has lost most of his humility, he acts out when people question him, and basically, he has become a bit of a dickhead with an overinflated ego, the exact opposite of what he has been to this point.
3. Heavy handed messaging - For the first time in this series, there has been an injection of really heavy handed messaging... and dare I even say it, modern day politics. It takes a hard (if not over-the-top) stance on racism, sexism and homophobia. This in itself wouldn't be such a problem if it weren't so in-your-face and obviously forced just to get the message across. The situations all feel unnatural, and the conclusions for each of these situations are over the top to the extreme. Adrian, at one point, attacks three people to the point where one needs reconstructive surgery on his face, the second is left with massive bruises on his throat from where Adrian nearly killed him, and (I shit you not) Adrian literally shoots the third person. The reason for this extreme violence is that they used derogatory terms when speaking about Abbie and Hal. In Adrian's new worldview, words spoken in what they thought was a private setting (the author goes out of his way to say they didn't know anyone could hear them) is justification enough for grievous bodily harm and attempted murder. As repugnant as their words may have been, Adrian showed himself to be an unhinged lunatic in this situation, but the book almost sells the situation as though his actions were justified.
Abbie, Gavin and Otis going to Europe is the most stupid thing I've ever heard - Abbie is not just the logical person to lead Bastion with Adrian gone, but she is also a mother to a 1-year-old child. She has no place going on a dangerous mission to zombie-infested Europe, and that alone annoys the hell out of me. But her choosing to put her infant son in that danger is stupid beyond belief. What mother would do that to her child? It is beyond irresponsible. And as for Otis... he's a bloody cat. I get it, the series won't be the same without him (just as it wouldn't without Abbie), but let's at least try to be a little realistic here. Taking a pet cat and a baby into a zombie-infested war zone is so unrealistic that it takes you right out of the story.
Overall, this was a problematic outing for this series. I mentioned in my last review that a lot is riding on these next few books. The events of the last book significantly affected the ending of the first 8 books by removing any implied happily ever after. At the end of that series, we might have known logically that they still had a hard road ahead of them to rebuild after the zombie apocalypse, but we at least thought our survivors who had come through so much could persevere for the most part. The last book wiped out that notion by killing off half the cast from the first series, so these new books now have to make that act worthwhile without spoiling the series as a whole. Right now, given how this book has gone, I don't have high hopes for what's coming next.
May 31, 2020
Wow, drags you down then builds you up
Finding the world of AUD was one of the best accidents to ever happen to me. I can't wait for the next book. Chris Philbrook just knows how to make you feel Adrian's emotions. Awesome entry.
Finding the world of AUD was one of the best accidents to ever happen to me. I can't wait for the next book. Chris Philbrook just knows how to make you feel Adrian's emotions. Awesome entry.
July 20, 2020
He did it again!
I dove back onto Adrian’s world with glee. I must read for any AUD fan. Thank you Chris for sharing your stories!
I dove back onto Adrian’s world with glee. I must read for any AUD fan. Thank you Chris for sharing your stories!
April 21, 2024
Probably more like 3 1/2 stars.
This was another really enjoyable entry in the saga of Adrian’s undead diary. While this might not have been my favorite entry, I still enjoyed it very much.
I absolutely loved meeting Adrian’s brother William. Wish we had gotten to know him even more.
Though that is true of all the characters in this series, we don’t really get much character development due to the journal entry format.
Side note: I cannot figure out the Michele angle. I don’t understand why Adrian has never said her name aloud, it feels like maybe because it’s too painful but it also feels like eh, she’s just another part of the journey. I wished for just at least a little expression of grief, dear journal.
This was another really enjoyable entry in the saga of Adrian’s undead diary. While this might not have been my favorite entry, I still enjoyed it very much.
I absolutely loved meeting Adrian’s brother William. Wish we had gotten to know him even more.
Though that is true of all the characters in this series, we don’t really get much character development due to the journal entry format.
Side note: I cannot figure out the Michele angle. I don’t understand why Adrian has never said her name aloud, it feels like maybe because it’s too painful but it also feels like eh, she’s just another part of the journey. I wished for just at least a little expression of grief, dear journal.
March 30, 2021
It’s great that a series this long has never failed to keep me engaged. Adrian is a great protagonist and Chris Philbrook continues to add layers to a setting that could easily get stale. I’m always excited to see another collection come out.
March 21, 2025
These books have me in their grip
I thought "how could a book about a guy writing in his diary possibly be interesting?" I was wrong... it's thrilling, I'm deeply invested in this series. Read it.
I thought "how could a book about a guy writing in his diary possibly be interesting?" I was wrong... it's thrilling, I'm deeply invested in this series. Read it.
April 25, 2025
OMGoodness
Absolutely fabulous.Just when you thought it couldn’t get better,it does.I was transported by the writer to be there!To be fighting by Adrian’s side.Bashing heads and saving the world!!!
Absolutely fabulous.Just when you thought it couldn’t get better,it does.I was transported by the writer to be there!To be fighting by Adrian’s side.Bashing heads and saving the world!!!
June 28, 2020
Although I love the series, this one didn't do much for me. But I just realized I haven't yet read the previous book, so that may be the problem?
July 19, 2020
A terrific tale in the series. And man did I love the ending!! Can't wait for the next one.
December 2, 2020
5 stars
So bummed I caught up to the end of the series already. I can’t wait for the next in this well written book series!
So bummed I caught up to the end of the series already. I can’t wait for the next in this well written book series!
February 2, 2021
A tad short but still a good read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2021
Great book and an amazing series, really looking forward to book 12.
November 23, 2021
I feel like this series maybe isn’t done even though I’m almost out of books… I hate when that happens.
October 2, 2022
Adrian is still at it, kicking ass and irritating others. Best of all, Otis is still around.
January 31, 2024
Good Series
I enjoy these books. Chris brings you right there sometimes with laughter and lots of perspective. I feel calm when I am reading one of his books.
I enjoy these books. Chris brings you right there sometimes with laughter and lots of perspective. I feel calm when I am reading one of his books.
April 7, 2025
My least favorite of the series so far. I understand having to relocate to keep the series fresh and moving forward, I just don't know how I feel about the jump to Europe 🤷♀️
September 1, 2025
Another good one
February 17, 2023
Normally love him but I feel like this book was too quick. Not enough going on.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews