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The Z-Virus toppled the state in a week, the country in a month, and the world in a year. But that won’t stop Brock Skeller’s retirement.

In the colonized west, a final resistance, the United Militarized Front, is working to control the virus. A rapid response team of telekinetic soldiers, led by Brock at the UMF Kinetic Academy, destroy the dead before they can herd, and it was working.

But three days into retirement, Brock learns that the UMF has been taken out by anarchists who like the world in ruins. Forced from his mountain retreat, Brock travels to Deep Vale, Texas in search of safe haven.

No longer alone and just as sour, the retired commander discovers that the town hides a secret that can change the world and level the playing field against the undead.

Clear your head and beware the dead! Follow Brock as he once again leads the charge against scores of walking corpses, only to find the most terrible monsters may not be zombies after all.

Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2021

80 people are currently reading
125 people want to read

About the author

David Viergutz

29 books194 followers
David Viergutz is a disabled Army veteran, a law enforcement veteran, a husband and a proud father. He's also a storyteller, an author of thrillers and horror novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
 
As a teenager, David would often be found dragging a backpack full of books to class, leaving his textbooks behind. He was always captivated by the worlds that authors like Nix, Tolkien, King and Patterson created, and he dreamed of one day creating his own.
 
Years went by and David found himself serving his country in the military, and later in law enforcement. The experiences he had during those years were both thrilling and terrifying, and they left a deep impression on him.
 
One day his wife sat him down and gave him the confidence he needed to start putting his imagination on paper. From then on, his creativity knew no bounds and he poured his heart and soul into his writing.
 
Now, David weaves tales of pulse-pounding realism and nightmare-inducing horror where his years in uniform have given him an unparalleled understanding of the criminal mind. Take the plunge and start reading David’s thrilling crime novels and terrifying horror adventures.

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5 stars
53 (43%)
4 stars
35 (28%)
3 stars
23 (18%)
2 stars
10 (8%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Chrystal Roe.
1,300 reviews13 followers
May 31, 2021
I liked it

This is a rather unique zombie story. The characters fight the dead in a very different way. It is exciting and scary. I look forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Anja Peerdeman.
319 reviews2 followers
May 3, 2021
For years I believed that nobody could ever write a zombie-story that I liked.
Just not my thing, like, ever.

I was SO wrong.

Because David Viergutz did it, people. He wrote ‘ReZist’ , a novel I refused to put down until I finished reading it till the last page. It’s filled with a great main character and lots of danger and mayhem.
And you know what the best part is ? It’s part 1 of the ZURVIRAL series.

So there will be more :)
Profile Image for Ziggy Nixon.
1,167 reviews36 followers
October 12, 2021
2 stars. A decidedly amateurish book let alone zombie story that suffers from inconsistent characters, very poor dialogue, and far too many editing mistakes. It reads quickly yes (less than one sitting's worth of reading), but only because the prose is unsophisticated and not much imagination is required to follow along at all.

I have read a LOT of zombie tales over the years and upon seeing not only the very clever cover for this book but the covers of the entire trilogy, I was hoping for a lot more originality that what was delivered. Yes, the aspect of the TK's is somewhat interesting but the powers they possess are used unevenly throughout. There is little to set this book apart from the "herd" of similar tales out there, which unfortunately, doesn't motivate me to continue this series despite the Kindle Unlimited offer. With this collection of clichéd, almost caricature-esque players, I've really no interest in seeing what comes next. The book would have been much better served if it had slowed down significantly, first exploring more the original mountain-top hide-out before continuing on to the requisite "town in trouble" scenario. As it is, I don't know how this motley crew of misfits has managed to survive as long as it has!
194 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2021
The story takes off right smack-bang in the middle of some gruesome and bloody actions by main character Brock Skeller. Turns out he’s a retired instructor of telekinetic soldiers in the battle against roaming zombies, and is now lying low in a remote mountain cabin. But there’s no rest for the weary, and once again Brock has to streak off…
This first book in the Zurviral series is well-written and has great characters, lots of suspense and action, ingenious plans and tragic events. Can’t wait for the second book !
I received a preview copy of this book which I am voluntarily reviewing.
Profile Image for DeeDeeWReads.
1,175 reviews17 followers
May 3, 2021
Okay... WOW.. let me say that first... I have read many zombie/undead books and I thought I knew all that there was to know. WAS I WRONG! David took me to places and new experiences that I didn't know could happen.

We have zombies, people with special telekinetic abilities, a dog (loved the dog), and mountains of snow. I am not one to give things away, so I'll just say you have to read this book. Brock needs to you read this story and witness his life so far. I need you to read so I know you have read the beginning of what is going to be an UHMAZING series.

I think this book is good for young adults all the way up. Read..... before they find you.....
Profile Image for JL.
319 reviews6 followers
April 22, 2021
wow!!! this was the first book of David Viergutz's that's I've read! i was so thoroughly impressed by his writing! it didn't hurt that it's in my absolute favorite genre... post-apocalyptic zombie book! i absolutely loved it. i found that i just couldn't put it down. it kept me turning and turning and turning pages well into the night. it was so intense and kept my full attention. this will not be the only book from David Viergutz that i will read! great job, Mr. Viergutz!
Profile Image for Amber.
402 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2025
so during a time when zombies are taking over this guy is kind of known as a traitary traits with people stuff. and he loses his dog so he asked a guy to go get him another one he trades him like a pack of cigarettes. everybody knows he wants to travel with a woman and she died. the guy goes to bring him back a dog and find set the woman he was traveling with is tied up in his basement as a zombie of course there's an altercation he gets bit and the guy comes back to find that his friend who is getting him the dog has now been bit. in this new world if somebody gives you a purpose you have to do it it's a life purpose. so this guy tells him his life Fair purpose is to kill as many zombies as possible this is what he's done is saved one and kept in his basement. there's an incident and his house catches fire and he goes off into another civilization that's a couple Towns over they find out he was actually somebody who fought in a war and they decide they kind of one of force him to join their team and go on a mission to receive notes from a doctor and two vehicles to get the people out of their Village to another one because a big group of zombies is coming he ends up helping and is able to retreat one of the vehicles and the Notebook.
Profile Image for Mark Richard.
178 reviews4 followers
January 31, 2024
...A great start to a Zombie survival trilogy.......

The first part of the book is slow and steady - in that David Viergutz style I am getting to know and very much enjoy - setting the scene and building the characters which is done really well. We meet Brock who is living in this cold isolated mountains to keep away from the undead.(I guess not wanting to climb freezing cold steep inclines stays with you after your dead) His existence is tough but simple. The feeling of isolation and living in fear works really well here until a huge turn of events see's Brock have to leave his home and flee. He meets up with this failing community who can see Brock as a real asset and of course danger and peril sets in here on in until the very end which sets up the next instalment perfectly . A very realistic read.
Profile Image for Dwayne Young.
6 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2021
I have tried to read zombie books, However I have never been able to finish the book because I just did not like the way it was going. David wrote an excellent book the way he keeps his readers involved in what’s going on in the book, I loved it! The way he writes made me keep reading, once I was done with this first book I had no choice but to get into the second book luckily I had already purchased it and a third one because once I was done with the second one how to get into the third one very good highly recommended!
Profile Image for Oralee.
145 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2021
A great start to what looks like an awesome series. This well written story follows ex Military Brock Skeller a leader in telepathy as his personal hideaway from the apocalypse goes to heck and forces him to leave. Ending up in Deep Vale he soon learns that other telepaths are fighting the zombies, soon he is forced in only to find things are tougher than he expected. Interesting characters and good writing make this an up and coming series for zombie and apocalyptic readers
119 reviews
May 7, 2021
Great start to this series

Whether your a fan a zombie novels, post-apocalyptic of any kind, survival against the odds or unwiling heroes this is for you. As always David has a different take with telekentic people leading the fight but that comes with it's own issues. Don't write it off as just another zombie novel as it's far more than that! A great read that I couldn't put down - definitely one to read!!
Profile Image for Tahnia Ross.
2,184 reviews9 followers
May 14, 2021
Brock Skeller was in the military when the nuclear missiles went off. After that, the dead rose and the survivors struggled to stay alive. Brock happened to be one of the people that developed the Broker gland which gave him telekinetic power. When the United Militarized Front formed, Brock joined the other telekinetics and formed a formidable force against the dead. This story has plenty of fighting between humans and the dead. Highly recommended.
2,067 reviews9 followers
December 11, 2021
This was my first experience with David Viergutz's work, and it was fascinating. The author added an interesting factor into his apocalyptic zombie story by adding a protagonist with telekinetic powers. The action was pretty much non-stop. I was entertained by the tale. I recommend it to others who enjoy this genre. George Kuch's narration was great and added a layer of entertainment to the story. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily left this review.
Profile Image for Bambi Goggio.
198 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2021
Normally, I'd politely pass on the zombie apocalypse scene. I'm so glad I didn't skip this gem. The story has a great flow and momentum to it that seems to turn the pages by themselves. I am actually excited about the next installment around the corner. Great book even if you aren't a big fan of the zombie apocalypse. lol,
Profile Image for Bambi Stroup.
20 reviews3 followers
May 26, 2021
Amazing ride

Wow. Just so impressed with this book. How have I never heard of David Viergutz?! I’m heavily into Zombie/apocalypse books, and this is one of my new favorites. I even pre-ordered the new book that’s coming out in a couple days, not something I usually do. Do yourself a favor and check this book out, you won’t be sorry.
Profile Image for Jenna D Morrison.
Author 3 books27 followers
January 16, 2022
I love zombies, so I was excited to jump into this one. I listened to the audiobook and was glad I did. The narrator read with an appropriate amount of emotion and tension. The story was good, with good pacing. I wanted to know more about Brock, the main character, and his past. Hopefully we will get more backstory in subsequent books. I’m looking forward to reading the rest.
Profile Image for Billie.
5,786 reviews71 followers
May 3, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
Profile Image for fred jones.
1,806 reviews12 followers
May 3, 2021
A great post apocalyptic zombie story with difference. I was hooked from the first page. Excellently written with great style. A impressive storyteller. Loved it and looking forward to the next story.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and am leaving a honest voluntary review.
574 reviews1 follower
June 13, 2021
Different take on zombie fighting and surviving the apocolypse...TK protanganist. Viergutz brings humanity with a touch of madness to Brock. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my hinest review.
Profile Image for Marsha.
544 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2021
A scary zombie story.

I was effectively scared, grossed out a d relieved by the end of the book. Excellent writing and story telling from this author. Can't wait to read some of his other books.
320 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2021
It was slow start to the book but eventually picked up and brought in some characters that I liked. And the MC began to take shape. The story just gets going near the end and is clearly a set up for future books.
116 reviews12 followers
February 11, 2022
I was not sure if I would like listening to this book. However, I did enjoy listening to it. if you are into zombies, you will not be disappointed listening to this book.

I was provided a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Jon.
52 reviews
November 8, 2025
The story is incomplete and ends on a cliffhanger, but there isn't enough world building for me to want to continue the series. I think the entire story could've been done in a single book and didn't warrant another part.
32 reviews2 followers
May 3, 2021
Excellent book which kept me reading avidly. I look forward to the release of the next issue as it’s definitely a not to be missed series!
1 review
July 20, 2021
Awesome! can't wait to read the next two books!
Profile Image for Nikki.
126 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2021
Love a good zombie book. Plenty of nail biting moments and great story line. Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
Profile Image for Angie Anderson.
584 reviews7 followers
November 1, 2021
I liked it, A lot.

I wasn't sure as I started this book, but within a few pages I was hooked. The characters are gritty and the story is a good one
Profile Image for Kent Mattoon.
61 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2021
If you are a fan of a good zombie story, this is a great read! This book had some great characters, both good and bad. The story flowed nicely with a good amount of back story (but not to much) mixed with great character interaction and a healthy dose of action. I can’t wait to see where the story takes us next!
Profile Image for Nancy (The Avid Reader).
3,093 reviews131 followers
May 4, 2021
First off let me say that ReZist just may be one of the best zombie books I do believe I have ever read. I loved the mixture of zombies and humans with special powers.

ReZist has everything I love in a story like zombies which is my favorite of all times. Anyone who follows my reviews probably already knows this about me. Second, it has magic or special powers, and third but not least it has blood, fighting, and all the suspense you could ever ask for in a novel.

ReZist is a very intense read that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Once I picked it up I couldn’t lay it down again until I had read the last page. It was unpredictable with so many turns, turns that I never expected it can’t the adrenaline pumping and the heart racing as the pages kept turning waiting for more.

I can’t wait to read more from this zombie-filled world. I definitely recommend ReZist to all horror and zombie fans!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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