Zombie Dawn: Outbreak

Zombie Dawn #1

by Michael G. Thomas, Nick S. Thomas

The first novel in the exciting Zombie Dawn Trilogy that follows the outbreak of a deadly Zombie plague and the people that are left, fighting to survive. The first week is the most bloody and in just days the capital cities of the world are burning and hordes of the undead roam the streets.

In bitter North of Alaska, Dr Garcia the high level researcher and troubleshooter tries to halt the spread of the virus against impossible odds as her facility is torn apart from within. In the United Kingdom a bored office and his hapless friends find their building at the heart of a zombie infestation. Using everything at their disposal as well as their movie knowledge they try to escape to safety.

Thousands of miles away Sergeant Black of the US Marines faces the terrifying prospect of zombie Taliban suicide bombers in the middle of Afghanistan whilst trying to work his way into the heart of enemy territory. Gary, a police officer who finds himself caught up in a bloodthirsty undead riot find enemies on all sides, both living and the dead.

Bruce, the Australian medieval re-enactor who after hours of public demonstrations finally tests his armour and weapons for the first time against a drooling enemy that wants to simply tear him limb from limb. Lastly, Zack and his video gaming friends who grab their trusty zombie survival manuals and attempt to use their gaming and movie knowledge to get out of their city in one piece.

Part of the Zombie Dawn series of short stories and full length novels that chart the events of Zombie Apocalypse throughout the world. This series is written by the renowned authors of the ZOMPOC manuals ‘How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse’ and ‘Weapons & Tactics for the Zombie Apocalypse’.

Genres: Zombies, Horror

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2010

About the author

Michael G. Thomas, is a writer, martial artist and military historian. He has written books on European martial arts and military history as well as Zombie Survival books and fiction. He is the co-founder of the prestigious Academy of Historical Fencing that teaches traditional armed and unarmed European martial arts. His specialist subject areas are teaching the use of the medieval two handed longsword and the German long knife in both the UK and other parts of Europe.

His academic background is as varied as his writing with degrees in Computing, Classical Studies and Machine Learning. In recent years he has undertaken substantial research in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence as well as Ancient Greek and Byzantine military history.

Michael is currently completing his Champions of the Apocalypse Series and Star Crusades science fiction series.

Reviews

[Ebony Irby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book. The writing style was terrible! Said Barry, said Dave, said Bruce, said Tom. This is literally how the dialogue went throughout (what I read) of this book. No exaggeration. EVERYTIME there was a dialogue exchange, this is how the characters were read. There are a plethora of other words the Author could've used to describe speech ex. "Exclaimed Jacked, remarked Beverly, Shouted Jim!! instead of using SAID every time someone spoke. Because of this, I was not able to complete this book. Let me note that I was listening to the Audiobook, so it became annoying very early on, and it continued to be so as the story progressed. A shame really. besides that, this had the making of a good book to pass the time listening to whilst at work.

[Leeloo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really loved the stories but I am seriously disappointed in the flip-flopping. I have finished and don't really feel like I know any character all that well. I barely even remember their names. Quick and dirty stories. This book easily could have been 3x the size and maybe should have. Perhaps the story continues in the second book. However, if it's the same as the first, I probably won't invest my time to read the third.

[Brett Grossmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Run of the mill book. No new ground. No explanation how the outbreak gets around the world. At first it says the virus incubates for two days. Okay. The whole rest of the book has people change in minutes. How do you explain the virus getting to aphganistan ? Okay eventually... but at the same time as say New York? That makes no sense. Oh and machetes and store bought swords do not cut into skulls

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story jumps from one group to another without a common thread tying them together. If there is no connection between the groups in the next book I think I may pass on the third. It's a little too disorganized for my tastes.

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read : January 9, 2021
Rating :3,5 Stars

Pretty run of the mill zombie fare.
There's no big surprises or not seen before theories etc but that doesn't mean it was bad.

The beginning was interesting and pulled me in to read the rest of the story and the fact that it was a fast read helped too.

I mainly like the zombie books that start from either, just before the outbreak or right in the outbreak since I enjoy reading those a lot more.

Those seem to be focused more on the zombie side of the zombie apocalypse while a lot of books that are set further into the zombie apocalypse look mainly a lot at how normal humans treat each other. If I wanna see how humans treat each other I'll can just turn on the news..

There were some issues with this for me, mainly the use of weapons and the almost instant "Rambo effect".
- For example, the machete and katana, those are not willy-nilly capable of decapitation since, not only does it require a massive amount of force but decorative katanas are not sharpened to that degree.
I think Mythbusters even featured a bit on this actually if you wanna look it up(or just Google, whatever xD)

-the youngest kid being the one who has to come up with a plan, whut?

- lots of dying, winning, useless women, save for maybe the marine one and the "trouble solver/fixer" lady in the beginning.

Despite this I think I'll read the sequel.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I was captivated by this horror zombie apocalypse story. There were several characters' stories to follow as each faced and struggled through the outbreak of the zombie apocalypse. This was one of the elements which made this story a little different as there was no central character's story that was followed throughout the book. I am looking forward to the next book as I am curious as to where the authors will take this series. Mark Diamond's narration was great, and his performance added to the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review which reflected my opinions.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good characters and as well as the horror, there was some pretty funny black humour. This is by no means a comedy book tho. Really enjoyed one chapters in particular which centered around a IT support worker. I think he may have been shauns older brother 'Dave of the Dead'. It obviously was strongly influenced by the film. The only down side was there was no real storyline other than there's been a zombie outbreak. Saying that it does end setting the scene for book 2.

[Paul]

As with others members i enjoyed the book, i wish there was more on bruce and his aussie mates, but i really liked the boys who had read "how too survive a zombie outbreak. I also loved the iraq section and the IT GUYS. They were they were the best. hopefully a better and longer second book with the storylines coming together

[Ralph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much substance, even for a zombie book, we'll need to see how the next two books in the series pan out...

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book full of zombies..... Small novellas all adding up to a whole, something to get your teeth into!

[Jed Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome.

[Ralph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much substance, even for a zombie book, we'll need to see how the next two books in the series pan out...