It is in describing these confrontations and the vile acts of Eliza’s forces and giving the audience the scope of such battles that the third part of this series truly shines and becomes enjoyable. The second third of the story is the exciting highlight, as Eliza and her minions try to knock humanity out of their toehold on existence. Instead, we have another character for that much later on. It’s very rare to see a spiritual character, much less one who is not a psychotic murderer who thinks that God has used the zombie plague to purify the world of all sinners. Michael, after having a near-death experience, expunges his own spiritual beliefs and strong faith in Christianity, with a specific allegiance to Roman Catholicism. If there is one part of this first third that could be lauded, it would be the spiritual discussions between the characters.

The saving grace in those situations is how straight the doctor plays the conversations, acting as a good foil to Michael. It is true that humor is a common coping mechanism for stressful situations, but toilet humor is a bit too crude for my taste and just feels so out of place when it comes out of the mouths of grown men with families. The emphasis is on “try” here because every other line that comes out of Michael’s mouth is another ill-timed joke. While Michael convalesces, his wife and the doctor of the base try to explain the exposition to him. All fear of whatever could happen to him is forever dispelled by this little event, for we now know that not even death will hold onto Michael for too long. And this is where, on a personal note, Michael falls apart for me as a character. In these early chapters, if anyone had any doubts about Michael Talbot being an Author’s avatar, those fears are certainly put to rest as he apparently dies only to be revived twenty minutes later. Over the next few chapters, Michael is brought up to speed on the events leading up to the zombie apocalypse and what the Marines have been doing since everything began to unravel. I’m sure this base of operations is going to have a very long and fruitful history as the mighty bastion of humanity, aren’t you? Although the narrative proper does not get off the ground until a few chapters later, when Michael has woken from his coma and discovers that he and his family were rescued by Marines from the aptly named Fort Custer. The third book in Mark Tufo’s continuing series picks up with its chronicles of the Talbot family right at the battle where we left off. Well, now it’s time for the sequel’s brother to have a go as we continue on with Zombie Fallout Part Three: The End… As we see the approaching end of week four, it makes me think back to how we started this with a certain sequel.

Like a zombie catching the scent of fresh meat over an old kill, the sun rises on yet another week for the Month of the Living Dead.

Mark tufo