Step into the heart-pounding world of Arisen, where elite special operators battle a zombie apocalypse with grit, humor, and humanity! Co-authored by Glynn James and Michael Stephen Fuchs, this post-apocalyptic saga blends military precision with raw survival, captivating readers across its 14+ novels. If you crave action-packed zombie fiction that doesn’t skimp on character depth, Arisen is your next obsession.
From the desolate streets of a fallen Europe to the last bastion of Fortress Britain, Arisen follows Alpha team—a group of supremely trained commandos—as they fight to save humanity from seven billion animated corpses. With its relentless pace and vivid storytelling, the series has earned a devoted global fanbase.
How Arisen Began
British author Glynn James, inspired by horror icons like H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King, teamed up with American thriller writer Michael Stephen Fuchs to create Arisen. Their shared vision? To reinvent zombie fiction with a military twist. Launched in 2012, the series combined James’s dark, atmospheric style with Fuchs’s knack for high-stakes action, drawing from his D-Boys military novels. The result was a genre-defining saga that feels like World War Z meets Tom Clancy.
The authors’ collaboration thrived on their complementary strengths, with James crafting eerie, dystopian vibes and Fuchs delivering pulse-pounding combat scenes. Published initially on Kindle, Arisen’s first book, Fortress Britain, hooked readers instantly, setting the stage for an epic series.
The Heart of Arisen
The series kicks off with Fortress Britain, where a terrorist attack seals Britain’s borders, making it humanity’s last refuge. Alpha team, stationed at SAS barracks in Hereford, embarks on a desperate mission to scour Europe’s ruins for a vaccine. Mogadishu of the Dead follows, plunging the team into a zombie-infested Chicago via the world’s last supercarrier. Three Parts Dead ups the stakes as the virus breaches Britain, while Death of Empires delivers a cataclysmic showdown.
Arisen’s themes dig deeper than your average zombie tale. Survival, sacrifice, and the indomitable human spirit shine through as characters grapple with loss while cracking wise under pressure. The series’ military authenticity—think detailed weaponry and tactics—grounds the chaos, while its evolving zombies (some sprint, others leap!) keep the tension sky-high. Settings like the stranded supercarrier JFK or a ravaged London amplify the apocalyptic dread.
What sets Arisen apart is its cast. From the stoic Handon to the quippy Master Gunny Fick, each operator feels alive, their camaraderie and flaws making every mission resonate. Readers praise the series for balancing “insane propulsive storytelling” with emotional weight, a hallmark of James and Fuchs’s craft.
Why Arisen Resonates
With over 1.5 million copies sold and a 4.7/5-star average across 100,000 reviews, Arisen has redefined post-apocalyptic military fiction. Fans call it “the Game of Thrones of the zombie apocalypse” for its sprawling scope and fearless plot twists. Narrated by R.C. Bray, the audiobooks have grossed over $5 million, cementing Arisen’s cultural footprint.
Its legacy lies in its ability to blend relentless action with heart. By showcasing soldiers as both heroes and humans, Arisen honors the resilience of those who serve, resonating with readers who crave stories of hope amid chaos. Its influence has sparked discussions about adapting it for TV, promising to bring Alpha team’s saga to new audiences.
- First Published: 2012
- Number of Books: 14+ novels, plus prequels
- Authors: Glynn James, Michael Stephen Fuchs
- Narrator: R.C. Bray (audiobooks)
Ready for a zombie apocalypse that hits like a runaway freight train? Grab Fortress Britain and dive into Arisen’s thrilling world of survival, sacrifice, and epic battles!