What do you think?
Rate this book
After Z Part 2
Six months ago, the world dived into chaos.The ImDED2 virus had been a mere nuisance for a decade. World powers were at a loss for a cure, but managed to keep isolated outbreaks from becoming a global pandemic.Until New Year’s Day of the year 2020. Just after midnight the Immuno-Degenerative and Epidermal Decomposition Virus (Strain 2) exploded, worldwide, subsuming humanity in tsunami of blood and terror.Amateur prepper, Ryan Maxwell, and his family were fortunate enough to have the means to fully prepare for a possible doomsday and were able to ride out the initial chaotic months in relative comfort. Now, however, it’s time to search for family and friends whose status is unknown.One member of Ryan’s party has already been able to find his family. Will Ryan’s quest to discover his own parent’s fate be as successful?Family and friends were important before the end came, but how many will be still be alive…After Z?
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2021
225 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 14, 2022
AZ2 picks up right where it's predecessor leaves off and doesn't miss a beat in continuing the adventures of the smart alec lottery winner / zompoc prepper Ryan Maxwell, his family and friends. The book is an ok follow on to the interesting premise in the first book - 'what would you do if you had all the money in the world to prepare for a zompoc?'
Patrick's story line in AZ2 is logical. Now that Maxwell and his group are safe in the bunker, they decide to head out into the world to rescue family and friends who are scattered around the country. They take a meandering route, trying to save people along the way, with the objective of ending in Texas to find his parents. During this road trip, AZ2 gets lost with several "side quests" that don't seem to have any purpose or do anything to, develop characters or move the story anywhere. We never feel the main characters are in any danger as they cross the country saving locals and solving problems like an old episode of Kung Fu or Night Rider.
The writing gets a little sloppy as, periodically, Patrick drops the third wall and just explains things or gives us information that the characters in the book would not know. Also, he doesn't put much effort into developing individuals and everyone starts to sound like the main character, Ryan. There are several interesting segments. In one, the group tries to persuade townsfolk around the bunker to join them, with varying levels of success. Later they ally with a besieged National Guard unit as they face off with a group of cannibals. This fizzles, however, when Maxwell saves the day by doing something the Guard troops could have, and probably would have, done long before he arrived. When they finally get to Texas, Ryan uses a police car to pied piper the Zs away from a hospital. The Zs, behind them, follow of course but there is no consideration that driving through a city with lights and sirens would attract every Z from every other direction as well (thus probably trapping the car).
I listened to the Audible version and the narration by Mathew Crow fits the voices and style of the characters very well. All in all the book was entertaining and there were interesting elements but it could have been better had Patrick thought it out a little more.
Patrick's story line in AZ2 is logical. Now that Maxwell and his group are safe in the bunker, they decide to head out into the world to rescue family and friends who are scattered around the country. They take a meandering route, trying to save people along the way, with the objective of ending in Texas to find his parents. During this road trip, AZ2 gets lost with several "side quests" that don't seem to have any purpose or do anything to, develop characters or move the story anywhere. We never feel the main characters are in any danger as they cross the country saving locals and solving problems like an old episode of Kung Fu or Night Rider.
The writing gets a little sloppy as, periodically, Patrick drops the third wall and just explains things or gives us information that the characters in the book would not know. Also, he doesn't put much effort into developing individuals and everyone starts to sound like the main character, Ryan. There are several interesting segments. In one, the group tries to persuade townsfolk around the bunker to join them, with varying levels of success. Later they ally with a besieged National Guard unit as they face off with a group of cannibals. This fizzles, however, when Maxwell saves the day by doing something the Guard troops could have, and probably would have, done long before he arrived. When they finally get to Texas, Ryan uses a police car to pied piper the Zs away from a hospital. The Zs, behind them, follow of course but there is no consideration that driving through a city with lights and sirens would attract every Z from every other direction as well (thus probably trapping the car).
I listened to the Audible version and the narration by Mathew Crow fits the voices and style of the characters very well. All in all the book was entertaining and there were interesting elements but it could have been better had Patrick thought it out a little more.
October 14, 2022
This is a waste of time, pure and simple. The author seeks to ride the wave of his first book, After Z, but this edition falls flat on its face. The characters behind the walls of the Bunker learned absolutely nothing from allowing any and all into their safe zone and decide to go out and save the world, so to speak. It turns into every author's idea of the ZA quickly and the maddening typos drove me nuts right away. Continuing a trend from the first book, this author just can't understand the difference between 'your' and 'you're'. He needs either an editor or a college level English grammar course. I closed this book after about 50 pages and dumped it.
July 20, 2023
Book 2 of the series continues with Ryan and his family along with new characters that have joined them. In this book, Ryan and his family are looking for his father and hoping he is still alive.
I have to say that while there isn't any gratuitous sex (Thank God) in this book, there is a LOT of gore described in detail(s).
Ryan has taken his lottery winnings and built a bunker in the backwoods of America. 55 billion dollars will build an excellent bunker and also leave plenty left over to stock it with everything you can think of for 25-50 years depending on the number of people staying there.
In this book, the reader learns that Ryan and his family are traveling in order to find the families of their companions. As you would expect, there are harrowing encounters with zombies and also the living. I would say the gore was comparable to the first book. :) Again, the reader becomes attached to the characters and even the new characters are written with a deft hand so that the reader won't take long to get attached to them. Unfortunately, there is a death or two but the reason for the death(s) adds to the storyline and is not there just for shock value and the whim of the author.
I've read a lot of books dealing with the zombie apocalypse and this series ranks up there with the best. In fact, I bought the entire series off of Amazon, that's how much I liked it and how involved I with the story.
I have to say that while there isn't any gratuitous sex (Thank God) in this book, there is a LOT of gore described in detail(s).
Ryan has taken his lottery winnings and built a bunker in the backwoods of America. 55 billion dollars will build an excellent bunker and also leave plenty left over to stock it with everything you can think of for 25-50 years depending on the number of people staying there.
In this book, the reader learns that Ryan and his family are traveling in order to find the families of their companions. As you would expect, there are harrowing encounters with zombies and also the living. I would say the gore was comparable to the first book. :) Again, the reader becomes attached to the characters and even the new characters are written with a deft hand so that the reader won't take long to get attached to them. Unfortunately, there is a death or two but the reason for the death(s) adds to the storyline and is not there just for shock value and the whim of the author.
I've read a lot of books dealing with the zombie apocalypse and this series ranks up there with the best. In fact, I bought the entire series off of Amazon, that's how much I liked it and how involved I with the story.
December 3, 2021
Ryan Maxwell and his family are doing well since the ImDed2 virus outbreak and now things have calmed down a bit it is time to go and get family and bring them to the compound. This is the story of their trials and tribulations what worked and what didn't.
I love this series, it would be awesome that when it came down to it what Ryan spent his lotto money on and right underneath peoples noses, even his family. It is also cool to know he will share with any willing to help, no free rides, but a way if willing to make it through this and in relative comfort. At least for me despite the death and destruction, some even friends, it in the end is a feel good book and one that was listened too when needed. This is a great book and I had the audio narrated by Matthew Crow, who sounds just like a person I know, has a amazing voice for this book, he is Ryan Maxwell and he will take you with him on this journey, so hold on tight it might get bumpy.
I love this series, it would be awesome that when it came down to it what Ryan spent his lotto money on and right underneath peoples noses, even his family. It is also cool to know he will share with any willing to help, no free rides, but a way if willing to make it through this and in relative comfort. At least for me despite the death and destruction, some even friends, it in the end is a feel good book and one that was listened too when needed. This is a great book and I had the audio narrated by Matthew Crow, who sounds just like a person I know, has a amazing voice for this book, he is Ryan Maxwell and he will take you with him on this journey, so hold on tight it might get bumpy.
July 6, 2021
Another amazing read, far exceeding my hopes and expectations, the Maxwell's and friends won my affection with their snark and one-liner's in the previous book, and their own style of bonding over zombie killing was hilarious, The dramatic trip to find family was well written with some great plot twists, and introduced some new characters, I can't wait for book 3, it can't be soon enough. I can't recomend this book highly enough and deserves the 5 stars across the board, the narration by Matthew Crow was amazing, memorable and deliciously toe curling as always! I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 5, 2024
Book two
I read book one a few years ago. Figured I would give reading the rest of the five book series a try.
I must say that I'm a bit spoiled, reading six to seven hundred page books just made this feel short at less than four hundred pages.
Multiple mistakes will be listed on Goodreads.
This is just some good fun. You can't take it seriously for your own zombie apocalypse plan.
Number one, you aren't likely to win a billion dollars in the lottery.
Number two, these guys probably should have been overrun in multiple different situations.
I still think it's a fun little book to kill half a day with.
5/10
I read book one a few years ago. Figured I would give reading the rest of the five book series a try.
I must say that I'm a bit spoiled, reading six to seven hundred page books just made this feel short at less than four hundred pages.
Multiple mistakes will be listed on Goodreads.
This is just some good fun. You can't take it seriously for your own zombie apocalypse plan.
Number one, you aren't likely to win a billion dollars in the lottery.
Number two, these guys probably should have been overrun in multiple different situations.
I still think it's a fun little book to kill half a day with.
5/10
September 23, 2025
Not a typical zombie story
If the reader can suspend their insistence on a realistic plotline, this book packs one heck of a fantastical story. Yes, there are a lot of cliches in this book, but the HOW those cliches come about is both creative and interesting. I found myself looking forward to the next 'impossible' situation for the team to overcome.
As a nitpicky reader, this book was chock full of typos, missing words, and grammatical errors. I had actually put the book down in disgust at the sheer number of errors. But my curiosity of the next trouble Ryan was going to find brought me back.
Now, it is on to the next book in this series!
If the reader can suspend their insistence on a realistic plotline, this book packs one heck of a fantastical story. Yes, there are a lot of cliches in this book, but the HOW those cliches come about is both creative and interesting. I found myself looking forward to the next 'impossible' situation for the team to overcome.
As a nitpicky reader, this book was chock full of typos, missing words, and grammatical errors. I had actually put the book down in disgust at the sheer number of errors. But my curiosity of the next trouble Ryan was going to find brought me back.
Now, it is on to the next book in this series!
July 14, 2021
Great follow-up
Wow! What a great part two. Non stop action and I love your main characters . I have to say my very favourite part of the story is when the young Congress woman from NY met her fate. I practically clapped out loud. Finally a book that doesn't bash conservatives.Though I can imagine we may not have seen the last of that nasty witch. I can't wait for Book 3 to see how they get back home. This is a series that I don't want to end. Thanks for the wonderful journey so far.
Wow! What a great part two. Non stop action and I love your main characters . I have to say my very favourite part of the story is when the young Congress woman from NY met her fate. I practically clapped out loud. Finally a book that doesn't bash conservatives.Though I can imagine we may not have seen the last of that nasty witch. I can't wait for Book 3 to see how they get back home. This is a series that I don't want to end. Thanks for the wonderful journey so far.
April 5, 2023
Good, fun read.
Good series so far. Some good laughs and a few tense moments to keep you on edge, and of course, plenty of zombie gore along with new and interesting situations. The story moves quickly and keeps you turning pages.
On the down side, not a perfectly polished product. A lot, and I mean a lot, of spelling and grammatical errors, but it didn't really bother me. Gives it the feel of a new Indy writer and that's a writer I’m gonna pull for as long as the story is good, which it is.
If you like this genre you'll most likely enjoy this series.
Good series so far. Some good laughs and a few tense moments to keep you on edge, and of course, plenty of zombie gore along with new and interesting situations. The story moves quickly and keeps you turning pages.
On the down side, not a perfectly polished product. A lot, and I mean a lot, of spelling and grammatical errors, but it didn't really bother me. Gives it the feel of a new Indy writer and that's a writer I’m gonna pull for as long as the story is good, which it is.
If you like this genre you'll most likely enjoy this series.
March 20, 2024
great 2nd book
The maxwells story continues, drama and gore abound in this bloody exploration into what happens when 99% of world wants to chew on your face, and use your intestines as spaghetti and if your a male a complete set of meatballs. This adventure details the group splitting up to go look for love ones and we all know what happens in horror books and movies. It almost never turns out good. But I enjoyed every skull popping , page turning minute. So get it and read it ..
The maxwells story continues, drama and gore abound in this bloody exploration into what happens when 99% of world wants to chew on your face, and use your intestines as spaghetti and if your a male a complete set of meatballs. This adventure details the group splitting up to go look for love ones and we all know what happens in horror books and movies. It almost never turns out good. But I enjoyed every skull popping , page turning minute. So get it and read it ..
May 26, 2025
Fantastic Second Instalment
I enjoyed book 1 so much I grabbed book 2 as soon as I was done and it did not disappoint. However it starts with a load of backstory that if you’re here because of book one is frustrating since these are not standalone books but written in a series and meant to be read one after the other.
Anyway, the author has done well with the world building and fleshing out characters… I am off to read book 3 and I highly recommend grabbing the whispersync audio as well since it’s brilliantly done.
I enjoyed book 1 so much I grabbed book 2 as soon as I was done and it did not disappoint. However it starts with a load of backstory that if you’re here because of book one is frustrating since these are not standalone books but written in a series and meant to be read one after the other.
Anyway, the author has done well with the world building and fleshing out characters… I am off to read book 3 and I highly recommend grabbing the whispersync audio as well since it’s brilliantly done.
December 10, 2021
J.S Patrick you got me!!!
Damn J.S. how am I supposed to get anything done when all I can do is keep saying one more page, just one more then I'll get to work, cook dinner, clean the house etc, ect. Man, characters you can relate to, action adventure, family and friendship all wrapped up in zombie killing, guns and apocalypse. Great read and looking forward to your next book. (Tips imaginary hat and winks)
Damn J.S. how am I supposed to get anything done when all I can do is keep saying one more page, just one more then I'll get to work, cook dinner, clean the house etc, ect. Man, characters you can relate to, action adventure, family and friendship all wrapped up in zombie killing, guns and apocalypse. Great read and looking forward to your next book. (Tips imaginary hat and winks)
May 5, 2025
Yes! It is so much fun for me when I find a new series where it is fast paced, not boring. Where the main characters are engaging and you want to root for them, and thank you, the author is not killing them off right and left.
This is a pretty good zombie apocalypse story. No nothing earth shattering different but that’s what I love about it. I am forever looking for good old fashion zombie apocalypse with survivors doing what they Gotta do.
Very good narration .
This is a pretty good zombie apocalypse story. No nothing earth shattering different but that’s what I love about it. I am forever looking for good old fashion zombie apocalypse with survivors doing what they Gotta do.
Very good narration .
September 4, 2021
Terrific Read
I vaguely remembered that I had read the first book. The reason I picked up this one was that it sounded really good and as I read it the first book came back to life. The author has such a good style of character development and plot lines! I can't wait to get the next one to read.
I vaguely remembered that I had read the first book. The reason I picked up this one was that it sounded really good and as I read it the first book came back to life. The author has such a good style of character development and plot lines! I can't wait to get the next one to read.
January 30, 2022
It was good, not great. I really enjoyed AFTER Z and had high hopes for a sequel but it felt a little short. The author definitely has a Walking Dead obsession (many Easter eggs throughout) and it was cute at first but it began to bug me. Like, come on, let’s get on with THIS story. I do really like the characters and am looking forward to the 3rd book. Let’s hope it gets better.
July 3, 2022
I really enjoyed this continuation of After Z. I loved the increase in character development and progression of the story. There are little things that bug me about this book, silenced 5.56, the explosive power of Tannerite, etc but it is just a good zombie book. I feel that there is this ongoing theme of luck, and given that Ryan won the lottery, is unsurprising.
May 13, 2021
5 stars
I really like how this book is written. The characters are like your neighbors and friends. Man, some super gory scenes. Wild boar. That is all I am gonna say about that! I noticed a few typos, but not enough to take away from the story. When is book 3 coming out?!?!
I really like how this book is written. The characters are like your neighbors and friends. Man, some super gory scenes. Wild boar. That is all I am gonna say about that! I noticed a few typos, but not enough to take away from the story. When is book 3 coming out?!?!
June 14, 2021
I picked After Z ages part 1 ago
When I saw this one I recognized the author and started reading. Did not realize this was #2 until I recognized the characters. (love Fonz)
Really hope there is a #3. Best book I've read in a long time.
When I saw this one I recognized the author and started reading. Did not realize this was #2 until I recognized the characters. (love Fonz)
Really hope there is a #3. Best book I've read in a long time.
June 22, 2021
Zfangram
I enjoyed this series, will read next book.
If this ever happened we all hope there is a Ryan out there to take us in! It would be just my luck to win lottery before world ends lol!!!
I enjoyed this series, will read next book.
If this ever happened we all hope there is a Ryan out there to take us in! It would be just my luck to win lottery before world ends lol!!!
July 13, 2021
Excellent second book. It totally complements the first book. If you enjoyed book one the tale is just as funny and entertaining. Ryan and company have a perilous journey to rescue family. Looking forward to listening to the next installment.
August 11, 2021
A well plotted story, even better than the first. The many typos and grammatical errors, however, make it difficult to read at times. The eyes keep stumbling over "your" instead of "you're" or "to" instead" of "too." Please, find a proofreader before you publish the next episode!
August 16, 2021
Keeps you on the edge of.your seat
I found J.S by accident and am loving it. Great writer and story linevery entertaining so much so I find myself smiling asI read.definitely.recommend
I found J.S by accident and am loving it. Great writer and story linevery entertaining so much so I find myself smiling asI read.definitely.recommend
September 17, 2021
Extremely good read
I am fan of the genre and out of books by my favorites Chesser, Tufo, and Meredith. Well now I am adding another to my favorites J.S. Patrick. You gotta give this a read, funny, tense, and characters to fall in love with.
I am fan of the genre and out of books by my favorites Chesser, Tufo, and Meredith. Well now I am adding another to my favorites J.S. Patrick. You gotta give this a read, funny, tense, and characters to fall in love with.
September 22, 2021
Series is getting better.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than the other two. There was a lot of action and fast paced storyline. Looking forward to the next book. Get the books and leave your reviews.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than the other two. There was a lot of action and fast paced storyline. Looking forward to the next book. Get the books and leave your reviews.
November 5, 2021
Excellent follow up
Loved the first book, se ond wasn't disappointing. Can't wait for the next installment from this series. This actually could be read standalone, but why bother when the first book sets this world up for you so well.
Loved the first book, se ond wasn't disappointing. Can't wait for the next installment from this series. This actually could be read standalone, but why bother when the first book sets this world up for you so well.
November 9, 2021
Great continuation of the series
This has been another nonstop adventurous continuation in the series. More characters are introduced and a long distance trip has commenced to rescue various extended family members of the Bunker’s residents. Now anxiously awaiting book 3.
This has been another nonstop adventurous continuation in the series. More characters are introduced and a long distance trip has commenced to rescue various extended family members of the Bunker’s residents. Now anxiously awaiting book 3.
January 5, 2022
Well Worth Reading!
I LOVED the characters in these books! Laugh, cry and cringe a bit. REALLY REALLY cannot wait for the 3rd installment! Please hurry , they have to...... Oops! No spoilers - jyst please get #3 out there :)
I LOVED the characters in these books! Laugh, cry and cringe a bit. REALLY REALLY cannot wait for the 3rd installment! Please hurry , they have to...... Oops! No spoilers - jyst please get #3 out there :)
July 13, 2022
Gory
Love the character's in this series, they have really entertained, touched, and horrified me. Little gory on details sometimes for me, but damn, it's a zombie book. Good survivor series and can't wait for the next
Love the character's in this series, they have really entertained, touched, and horrified me. Little gory on details sometimes for me, but damn, it's a zombie book. Good survivor series and can't wait for the next
July 20, 2022
Good
The moment that I hate is just there: you're reading a good book, you turn the page and SURPRISE! The book is already finished, and the next one isn't out yet... Coït interrompu...
The moment that I hate is just there: you're reading a good book, you turn the page and SURPRISE! The book is already finished, and the next one isn't out yet... Coït interrompu...
July 25, 2022
Great action, poor proofreading
Interesting premise, good action and character development, but very poor proofreading (like it used computer spell-check). Even saying that, look forward to a third book.
Interesting premise, good action and character development, but very poor proofreading (like it used computer spell-check). Even saying that, look forward to a third book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews