Altered Destinies

Zombie Fallout #18

by Mark Tufo

Jolly old England, where death has created an island of misfit zombies mutating rapidly in bizarre, deadly ways. The creatures have formed tribal groups intent on ending Humanity permanently.

Two hopeful survivors of the Apocalypse, Mac and his young friend, Wilkes, are on the run from a brutal regime of slavers, and the bright spot in their lives is reading the lost journals of Michael Talbot, living vicariously through his sensational, hair-raising exploits.

In this journal, Talbot and his squad are tasked with another dubious rescue mission, one more difficult than they've ever faced, and with far more at stake than just their own lives. Though the primary objective has failed, they are met with an unexpected mission, granting them access to a higher purpose, and a burning hope that still exists.

But the strife never ends, and one day it will all be too much for Captain Talbot, and the cracks are starting to show. How much battle, how much loss, can one man take and maintain what's left of his already damaged sanity?

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Audiobook, Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Action, Paranormal

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 16, 2022

Reviews

[Tracy P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Altered Destinies (Zombie Fallout, #18) continues the telling of Mike Talbot's adventures we have not yet heard. This is done through the lost journals found years later by two people - Mac and Wilkes -who have survived the apocalypse and currently on the run from slave catchers. It gives them some excitement and hope during the brief respites they receive from constantly fending off their foes or running for their lives.

I think I would have had more appreciation for the plight of Mac of Wilkes had I read Mr. Tufo's Lycan Fallout series. This book is told in two different timelines - Mike and B.T.'s story we have not yet heard through Mac and Wilke's reading of Mike's lost journals and Mac and Wilkes story in real time when they are not reading the journals. Since I have listened to every episode of the Zombie Fallout series I thoroughly enjoyed the journal stories about Mike and B.T's adventures as they fight zombies, save orphans, get trapped on top of mountain by hordes of the undead, etcetera, etcetera. All throughout I am also laughing hysterically at their constant quips and back and forth banter when they are stuck in the most precarious positions.

When the timeline switched to Mac and Wilkes I was unfortunately a bit lost - totally my fault for not being familiar with the Lycan Fallout series - yet, I also quickly became immersed in their story and invested in their plight. Mac and Wilkes are dynamic and very well developed characters who are forces to be reckoned with in their own right. Their story in this book has made me want to listen to the Lycan Fallout series because I think I have been missing out on another great Tufo series.

In addition, it was a thrill for me that Mike's wife, Tracy, made more of an appearance than she has in a while. She is another character whom I have become quite attached. She is spunky, puts Mike in his place when his head gets too big, has a great sense of humor, is super smart, and Mike's guiding light.

Narrator Sean Runnette has been the voice of this series since the very beginning and I think he is just fabulous. He has brought me hundreds and hundreds of hours of enjoyment as I listened to him narrate all the highs and lows of Mike Talbot's, B.T.'s - and their posse - fight for survival since day one of the Zombie Apocalypse. It has been quite a ride, and I cannot wait to find out what is planned for book nineteen.

Thank you so much, Mark and Sean, for keeping the party going. I hope it doesn't end for a long time...

[Cliff Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again.. this series has gone too far and deviated too much that it really needs to be divested from the Zombie Fallout franchise. More military missions... though I did really enjoy some of the parallelism between the "current" storyline and Mike's. I also really enjoyed the hour of classic Mike and Co plus the re-introduction of a past character and their known ties to other series.

Need to get Mike and Co out on their own again for this series to pick back up. Otherwise, would love to see a rebrand after 12. Continuing as I'm 18 books in and pot-committed... but only sort of enjoying these as we get further along.

[Kelsey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I surprisingly love Mac and Wilks. Yet again, as always, Mark has wrote an amazing book. 5 stars. Im so sad this series is almost over.

[Karen Mccollin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I love that this series is not over I can listen to this narrator over and over again between the humor and the zombie getting smarter i just can't get enough.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Multiple high points to this one. Azael (probably not spelled correctly) makes a much appreciated cameo. The framing story with Mack and friends continues to get more interesting. And, of course, the adventures of Mike in England have that classic Talbot/Tufo feel to it. Seems like he's been getting more and more depressed as the series goes on; so, it's nice to see him back in his comedic form again.

Oh, and the Talbotsode story at the end... wow. Was the total mindf**k of Butterly Effect in a fraction of the time. Well done Mark, appreciate the bonus story.

[Vanessa Kiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wit and sarcasm are strong with this one!!

Is it 11/22 yet??? Seriously I cannot WAIT for the next book. This one was awesome. The two intertwining stories, all the action, and the humor! Just exceptional!!!!!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I hate writing reviews. Seriously I'm on book 18 so I imagine the writing technique of our favorite author is of superior quality. No need to keep reviewing, right?

[MICHAEL S. SNYDER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just pure fun!

I have read all of the books in this series so far and have been enjoying them immensely. I am a Marine as well, so I get the author's sense of humor and can relate to most of the experiences. His sense of humor is great! I find myself laughing out loud a lot of the time. I'll admit that there are some things in the books that are very unrealistic but artistically they work with the story. Like I said in the subject line the books are pure fun. I'll read his next books as well and I recommend reading them to anyone who likes a quirky sense of humor and zombies. Go read them!

[Cecilia Corona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is this witch? I’ve listened to so many of these books throughout the years the name sounds familiar. I am throughly enjoying these new characters and getting some back story on why Talbet and the whole gang didn’t end up on good notes at the end of book was it 15? I love Mike and the family. BT by far my favorite. I miss loads of older characters from the first few books getting more book time. Hopefully I’ll get more insight on how his family ended up the way they did. I know it’s a zombie ish story but damnit I wanted Mike and the gang to be left off a bit better. That being said I’m starting on the next book. lol.

[Twainy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Installment 18 … I love this series. I find myself laughing, a lot. Sometimes a fart joke is just funny. I enjoy the Mike/BT banter, it’s the best part! Is Elam a Trip replacement? Azile is back? I love how pop culture is brought up like something ancient.

The team is based on a huge military ship. They are on a mission in the UK. Next might be Africa in search of a cure.

[Rebecca George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book. I love how this book brings into it elements that tie in with The Lycan Fallout. The reintroduction of Azile was awesome. Can't wait for the next instalment, already pre ordered it.

[Chrystal Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

As always this has been a very exciting tale. Mike, BT, and their team run into all sorts of new and unpleasant experiences. This time though we hear about it as someone else reads their adventures too his friends. I can't wait for the next one.

[Leva Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!

What an awesome read was you see timelines slowly start flowing together! Time to to back to other stories now that they line up a bit more! Absolutely excited for the next book!!

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book!

I enjoyed the book , but not as much as the
Previous novels. Every time we went to Mac And Wilkes story I got bored! The plot where Michael keeps complaining about England though was funny.

[Mark Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, can't wait till 19 comes out

[louise campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zombie fallout

Excellent read
Highly recommend any of his books
I have read these books over and over again never get bored

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m addicted.

This series, the writing style is fantastic. The way he brought it back is genius. Love Mark Tufo writing. Love Zombie Fallout.

[Michelle R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story - I especially enjoyed when Mike and BT were on their own together because who doesn't love their back and forth banter. :)

[Clayton Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another continuation. But I prefer the main storyline

[Jeremy Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic installment, i'm still unsure of the plot twist.

[Diora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad to read more of Azeal's story. When reading the Lycan Fallout series I often wondered how she got where & how she was.