Luckily for James and Connor, the world ended while they were on a hunting trip. When the brothers returned, they found civilization overrun with the ravenous undead. Fortunately, the hunters were well-armed. With their ally, Emmett, they begin their long journey. But danger obstructs every way, and if some survivors can be found, others will be lost.

In Outbreak, Joshua C. Chadd relates the fall of civilization, both to zombies and to the living whose wicked nature is unleashed by anarchy. Heroes ratchet up almost superhuman kill counts, but also heavy losses. In keeping with its genre, Outbreak escalates to considerable levels of violence as the protagonists mow through hordes of the undead. Unfortunately, the brothers are equally merciless to their human enemies, killing men in their sleep and shooting one fleeing enemy. The brothers even torture a captive for information. A few mercy killings further muddy the moral waters.

Sure, zombies are ubiquitous in popular culture, but this zombie thriller gets an unusual religious turn. Survivors both affirm and question God. One person speculates the undead are a plague of the biblical end times, and one fanatical priest presents a cruel distortion of religion. Despite its violence, Outbreak will doubtless thrill readers who enjoy a good zombie yarn.

Best for: Adults and fans of horror, especially the zombie subgenre.

Discern: Graphic violence with considerable gore and one torture scene; once, several people (mostly women) are beaten, but only the results are seen; moderate language; one instance of a nineteen-year-old person drinking alcohol.