First review after listening to nearly 200 books!

What made the experience of listening to The Undead the most enjoyable?

Finally a Zombie book based in the UK that we can relate to.

What other book might you compare The Undead to, and why?

I've read lots of Zombie books but I suppose the nearest thing to it for me is Keith C. Blackmore Mountain Man series. But the major difference is that its based in the UK and not the US for a change.

What does Dan Morgan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Clear and concise narrating. I tend to listen to audio books whilst driving.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All of it. I have listened and enjoyed the first two books in the series but this book gripped me right from the start. I love the way a Night Shift Supermarket manager can transform into a fighting zombie warrior who leads thousands.

Any additional comments?

This is a brilliant read and I'd recommend it to any Zombie Apocalypse lovers!

7 people found this helpful

Absolutely brilliant

I've listened to the first 3 parts of this book, I'm completely hooked! I've even abandoned watching Friends on telly so I can listen to it!!! The narration is excellent, Dan Morgan's voice draws you into the story. When they fight, you fight with them, when they're empowered, you feel empowered, you feel the emotion with the characters, you suffer their losses and rejoice in their victories.

I 100% recommend this audio book

6 people found this helpful

brilliant story

listing to this story has made me laugh so much its enthraling and a gripping story

4 people found this helpful

Powerful stuff.

The best one yet. Powerful emotions. Scary battles and some much needed humor and budding romance. Much of the book is about preparing for an epic siege battle with the Darren lead zombie army. Very well and interestingly told by R R Haywood. From the leaving for the fort, this book was VERY hard to put down

Great narration as usual from Dan Morgan.

1 person found this helpful

Outstanding delivery and narration.

Loved it, was prepared for it to get jaded or strange. But it kept up the relentless pace, authentic banter and brilliant character development. Could not turn it off.

1 person found this helpful

Loved it, a great follow up.

It’s been over a year since I listened to book 2 - mainly because I was reluctant to use a credit for a relatively short listen (I tend to aim for 12 hours plus).
That said I don’t regret it at all! The story followed on directly from book 2 with no loss of connection from the narrator. I do allot of driving and actually found myself driving slower on the motorway than usual so I could finish as I was so tuned in! Worked wonders for my MPG :-). It has everything from tension to laughs, you feel empathy for the characters and can’t beat the banter. Overall a great listen.

1 person found this helpful

Really enjoyed this one

The characters are starting to develop really well and the story telling is very good. I can see how the writer developed his skills which led to extracted which is sublimely written.

Can't wait to start the next one

1 person found this helpful

A fantastic climax to week one!

To begin with - like I do with all of the Undead books - I'm giving a lot of kudos to Dan Morgan, he's brilliantly captured the characters and does a fantastic job bringing these books to life.

Part 3 is really focused around build-up and delivery of Howie's biggest battle thus far; and it does not fail to deliver. This part is well-written, dramatic and goes someway to evolving out protagonist into the new zombie-battle-hardened version of himself. I will say that some of this part has to be taken with a pinch of salt as some of the themes are explored in later books (such as the religious tie-in that seems to draw some criticism). However I will note that some of the writing centred around Howie taking of leadership of the fort seemed a little bit forced.

Overall though, this is another enjoyable excerpt into The Undead series, and one that I'm sure will keep you hooked for part 4...

I love it

this just gets better and better I found myself now leaving everything Hayward has written

Mildly entertaining until it gets religious

Minor Spoiler Alert. Dan Morgan performs this book excellently. Clear speach and discernable characters. Well done.

Book three in the series was entertaining enough. Not as good as the first two, though it kept me interested. Dave demonstrating house to house searches for example.

Then almost at the end, overt Christian religion raised its ugly head as a source of strength in battle. Bummer. I almost turned off the recording and am unlikely to buy anymore.

The interaction between Howie and Dave continues a strength of the earlier books. There is a long tradition of "Daves" who provide skills the main character lacks. Haywood does this pair well.

The schoolboy macho banter of the army's recruits is credible as is their attachment to Howie. Initially through their mistaken belief that only a special forces officer could have a batman like Dave with his tactical and killing skills. Again this is written well.

The zombie fights are just that. Bloody and well written action scenes.

I am less comfortable with Chris. Ex special forces who organised a two thousand strong safety zone with a cadre of lieutenants. When zombies over-run the commune he teams with Howie to organise a convoy to a south coast fort. More mature and experienced Chris plays be second fiddle and this did not ring true.

The author keeps telling us Howie is very charismatic. But I didn't believe it. He just doesn't come across that way. A small group leader by accident. Yes. But someone deferred today by top class soldiers?

Outside of the main group we are in the realm of non-player characters. Some people don't even have names. They are just a chorus and background.

When the convoy arrives at the fort they meet up with the police from book one who have organised, with some help, six thousand refugees. Kitchens, toilets, infirmary, food and weapons.

Howie, Chris and the team just turn up and take over the defence. No explanation except by fait accompli. No protests. They just do it and none of the non-player characters seems to have a role to be consulted. Worse they just cheer Howie and his team who seem to be legends. This just felt silly.

In the previous books the organisation of small group tactics felt real. Not so the fort. It did not work with eight thousand people. An example, when a man complains about being exhausted he is abused into submission by Howie and Dave. Yet organising rest and shifts to fight an enemy of indeterminate numbers whose arrival time is not known, is a priority.

Howie and Chris agree not to share tactics without everyone for the fear of leaks to Zombie Command. They then proceed to order the occupants of the camp around, but don't make an effort to explain their reasons. Some written confrontational could have been avoided with one sentence. But presumably there author is wanted these scenes.

Finally, there seemed to be no consultation with the experienced soldiers and historian on how to defend a walled fort. Howie had some of great ideas and carried them through. Then there were some silly things. So at one point we get the gang charging out through the high walls rather than use the walls for their purpose.

I hope Howie and the gang get back on their own again.