Day by Day Armageddon Beyond Exile

The second book of the Day by Day Armageddon series continues the tale of a ragtag band of survivors of a post-zombie apocalypse.

Written in diary form, it describes with vivid details the struggles of the protagonist, a U.S. naval officer, and his band as they seek to survive in an increasingly bleak world swarming with new and dangerous threats. Radiated zombies and raiders blight the desolate landscape; the remnants of military vie for power, and the need for supplies grow ever more desperate. With every turn of the page, the reader is assaulted by the desolation of the ravaged landscape. The narration brilliantly conveys the hopelessness and fear the protagonist feels as he fights his way across miles of zombie-infested wasteland.

Although the military jargon may confuse non-military readers, its inclusion imparts flavor. A U.S. naval officer himself, J. L. Bourne puts his military knowledge, tactical mindset and imagination to great effect, creating realistic scenarios beyond the ken of many would-be zombie writers.

Although an absorbing read, Beyond Exile pales slightly in comparison to its prequel in terms of sheer adrenaline pumping action. The story gets awfully slow at certain points; the tedium perhaps an unwanted effect of drawing emphasis to the mental turmoil the protagonist suffers. Bourne is a relatively new writer and he will improve with practice. I cannot wait for the release of his third book: Into Dragon’s Maw.

Rating: 3.5/5