Less Than Dead: Survival in the Zombie Apocalypse, Book 2

by Cal Brett

The zombie apocalypse caught everyone by surprise. The hungry dead have eaten their way through most of the world's population, leaving only the shells of humanity behind. Kelly and Rob have survived in the ruins of their city by sheer luck avoiding being eaten by the undead, killed by human marauders or starving to death. Now they must venture out into the lands beyond to guide a group of friends to an old airfield where they might find a way home. A trip that takes them right through the realms of the unknown and the undead.

Genres: Zombies

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2022

About the author

Cal Brett is a horror and thriller fiction writer best known for his zompoc novels; Worse than Dead and Less than Dead. His most recent short stories appear in the 'Through the Aftermath' and 'Nano Nightmares" anthologies. These works are available through Amazon and other fine retailers. When you read his work please leave a rating and review.

Keep an eye out for the indy film 'Stiffs' (based on a screenplay by Brett) which is currently in production and scheduled to be released onto the film festival circuit soon.

Prior to taking up writing horror, Brett served in the US Navy, where he travelled the world, serving on warships and in warzones before retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. He is a graduate of Florida State University and now lives in the southeastern US with his wife, kids and four dogs.

Find him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other "dope" social media platforms.

Reviews

[Stitching Ghost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes there are red shirts that you are just so happy to see go that you go back to reread their last moments, there's one such red shirt in this book, so satisfying.

That being said, Brett also took things in directions I didn't quite expect and it made for a pretty enjoyable reading experience.

[Kayleigh Marie Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kelly and Rob are back with their marine friends for some more zombie-killing adventure! Great imagination and I bonded with a couple more characters and quite liked them. I would have given this book a higher rating if there was a bit more focus with whose POV we were following. It's very much Kelly's story in the first one but in this sequel it feels a bit more unfocused and it jumps from character to character quite a lot. I do like ensemble cast stories but I think this needed a bit more in regard to secondary, personal stakes, as well as the overall plot, to keep me hooked. Will read the third one though!

[Jackson Arthur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a mixture of The Walking Dead and World War Z. It's full of suspense and zombie slaughter. It's a good read for fans of the zompoc genre.

[Zombie Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent follow on to Brett's previous book - Worse than Dead. Opens up almost where the other left off and the adventure continues right out of the gate. Kelly and Rob return as the main characters, now guiding the stranded group of UK Royal Marines towards an abandoned airfield where they might find a working aircraft that will take them back to England. Its a long way to the airfield on foot and multiple dangers stand in their way. The undead are a constant threat but they must also survive the weather, wild animals, other survivors and crumbling infrastructure. An entertaining and thrill filled scrap through the zompoc. Highly recommended.

[Michael Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob and Kelly share their new digs.

With the help of the officers and men of the Royal Marines, Four – Three Commando unit, stuck in the US following a joint training operation with American forces, the Royal Marines traded their experience and training for safe quarters with Rob and Kelly. Restoring the electricity, plumbing, and water to the newly built townhouses Rob and Kelly had found and occupied.

The Royal Marines want to return to England to help there, although no communication has been received to indicate what, if anything, remains of their country. Rob and Kelly have agreed to help them find a working way home.

Many exciting, dangerous, sometimes humorous episodes bring them all closer and advance an amazing storyline! I'm really looking forward to the next exciting book in this series and the continuing adventures of Rob and Kelly and the Royal Marines! Maybe Kelly will tell Rob her secret - maybe. Soon, she'll have to! This is a great book!

[Ashley Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next?

Usually when reading a book that mostly takes place years after the apocalypse I tend to get bored but not with this book. Plenty of action and drama and a little suspense. I'm not ready for the story to end. I've grown partial to the characters.

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

Rob and Kelly join up with a band of UKMarines trying to get back home. They promise to guide them to a airfield to find a plane. Read about the dangers they face on their trip

[Happy Goat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rob and Kelly continue to survive in the zombie apocalypse, with the help of their new marine friends, and the... well, not exactly "help" of some rich woman they find on a boat. Once again, Brett displays an impeccable imagination for circumstances and scenarios in this sort of environment (when the zombies inevitably come, I hope he's on my survival team!). My only major gripe is that story-wise, we end sort of in the same place as we did in the first book. For my tastes, I would have preferred some bigger changes, but overall, another fun zombie read!