Books On Board

Undead World Books in Order

  • 27 Books
  • 2012 – 2021 Published

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Reading order
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How to Read the Undead World Series

Peter Meredith's Undead World is a relentless, character-driven zombie epic that explores the absolute limits of human endurance, morality, and hope. To experience the main storyline as it was originally written and experienced by fans, we highly recommend following the publication order of the main series first, starting with the book that launched it all, The Apocalypse. Starting here allows you to watch the characters grow and witness the gradual collapse of society before diving into the various prequels, spin-offs, and companion series.

The Core Undead World Series in Publication Order

The main series spans 10 core novels and 2 crucial companion volumes/novella collections. It is best read in this exact order to preserve the unfolding mystery and character development, particularly the evolution of the fan-favorite character Jillybean:

  1. The Apocalypse (2013) – The outbreak begins, driven by terrorism and government incompetence, forcing survivors like DEA agent Ram and divorced mother Sarah to fight for their lives.
  2. The Apocalypse Survivors (2014) – Introduces Jillybean, a brilliant but traumatized young girl with her stuffed zebra, Ipes, who quickly becomes the heart of the series.
  3. The Apocalypse Outcasts (2014) – Follows the survivors as they establish a fragile sanctuary while dealing with external threats and inner demons.
  4. The Apocalypse Fugitives (2014) – The stakes rise as the group is forced back on the run, facing both massive zombie hordes and hostile human factions.
  5. The Apocalypse Renegades (2015) – Explores the breakdown of alliances and the extreme choices characters must make to keep their loved ones safe.
  6. The Apocalypse Exile (2015) – Introduces the Azael, a brutal, manipulative tribe capable of steering massive herds of the undead.
  7. The Apocalypse War (2016) – A massive, climactic showdown in the Estes Valley that tests the remaining survivors to their absolute limits.
  8. The Apocalypse Executioner (2016) – Deals with the heavy aftermath of the war and focuses on the toll of vengeance and survival.
  9. The Apocalypse Revenge (2017) – The conflict escalates as the remnants of humanity battle for control over resources and safety.
  10. The Apocalypse Sacrifice (2017) – The emotional and physical cost of survival reaches a peak in this intense penultimate novel.
  11. The Apocalypse Origin (2020) – A crucial collection of four prequel novellas (including Jillybean's First Adventure and The Witch: Jillybean in the Undead World) exploring Jillybean's earliest days.
  12. Jillybean and the Body (2020) – The definitive conclusion of the core Undead World timeline, focusing on Jillybean's final trials.

Chronological Caveats: When to Read Jillybean's Origins

While The Apocalypse Origin was published in 2020, its contents are chronologically set at the very beginning of the outbreak, detailing how six-year-old Jillybean survived the initial chaos. Readers have two choices here:

  • The Publication Path (Recommended): Read The Apocalypse Origin after Book 10 (The Apocalypse Sacrifice). This is the most satisfying path because Jillybean's mental state and survival skills are deeply mysterious in the main books; reading her origin story later acts as a rewarding flashback that explains her trauma and the origin of her stuffed zebra, Ipes.
  • The Chronological Path: Read The Apocalypse Origin (or at least its first story, Jillybean's First Adventure) first, before The Apocalypse. While this gives a linear view of her life, it may spoil some of the mystery surrounding her character when she appears in the second novel.

The Apocalypse Crusade: A Parallel Outbreak Companion

The Apocalypse Crusade (also known as the War of the Undead series) is a five-book series written by Peter Meredith that takes place in the same universe but focuses on a completely different set of characters during the very beginning of the collapse. Each book details the chaotic events of a single day as modern America falls apart.

Because it is a distinct narrative sequence, you do not need to read it to understand the main Undead World books. However, it is highly recommended for readers who want to experience the sheer scale of the initial panic on a day-by-day basis. We recommend reading this series after you have finished the first few books of the main Undead World series to get a firm grasp of the universe. The order is simple and linear:

  1. War of the Undead Day One (2014)
  2. War of the Undead Day Two (2015)
  3. War of the Undead Day Three (2016)
  4. War of the Undead Day Four (2017)
  5. War of the Undead Day V (2019)

Gods of the Undead: A Supernatural Spin-Off

For readers who want to explore a different flavor of the apocalypse, the Gods of the Undead series introduces elements of dark magic and necromancy. The story follows Jack Dreyden, a doctoral candidate who translates an ancient scroll and inadvertently unleashes supernatural plague and undead forces upon New York City, eventually being forced to master dark magic to survive.

Note on The Feylands Discrepancy: Some online retailers and bibliographies list The Feylands (2012) as the first book in the Gods of the Undead series. However, The Feylands is actually a pure fantasy novel that starts Meredith's Hidden Lands series. The true starting point for this supernatural zombie series is The Edge of Hell.

  • The Edge of Hell (2016)
  • The Edge of Temptation (2016)

Heroes of the Undead: Urban Chaos and Body Horror

Set in a claustrophobic, quarantined New York City, the Heroes of the Undead series is a fast-paced survival story focusing on Bryce Carter and Maddy Whitmore. They face a city pushed to the brink by Daniel Magnus, a man who believes humanity must be broken down to be remade. This series features faster, mutating zombies, body horror, and the looming threat of nuclear strikes.

  • The Culling (2020)
  • Anarchy (2021)

Generation Z: The Sequel Saga

If you finish the main Undead World series and want to know what happens next, the Generation Z series acts as a direct sequel saga set years after the events of the original books, with Jillybean returning as a central and increasingly complex figure. This series should only be read after completing the main Undead World books to avoid massive spoilers:

  1. Generation Z (2018)
  2. The Queen of the Dead (2018)
  3. The Queen of War (2018)
  4. The Queen Unthroned (2018)
  5. The Queen Enslaved (2019)
  6. The Queen Unchained (2019)

What to Know Before You Start

Peter Meredith brings a unique level of realism to the logistics of medical collapse and military tactics, drawing on his personal background as a former U.S. Army medic and ER nurse. His writing is fast-paced and graphic, blending traditional zombie horror with deep psychological exploration of how pressure breaks or strengthens human connections. Be prepared for a bleak, intense ride where beloved characters are never entirely safe, but where the bonds of loyalty and survival keep you turning pages late into the night.

Frequently Asked

What is the best starting point for the Undead World series?

The best place to start is with the first novel, The Apocalypse (2013). This book introduces the viral outbreak and establishes the core group of survivors, setting the stage for the rest of the saga.

Who is Jillybean, and which books feature her?

Jillybean is a brilliant but deeply traumatized young girl who becomes the emotional center of the series. She is introduced in The Apocalypse Survivors and features prominently throughout the main Undead World series, the prequel collection The Apocalypse Origin, and the sequel series Generation Z.

How does the Apocalypse Crusade series connect to the Undead World?

The Apocalypse Crusade (also known as the War of the Undead series) is set in the same post-apocalyptic universe but follows different characters. It focuses on the day-by-day panic and military collapse during the first five days of the outbreak.

Is The Feylands part of the Gods of the Undead series?

No. Although some online retailers group them together, The Feylands is a fantasy novel belonging to Peter Meredith's Hidden Lands series. The Gods of the Undead series begins with The Edge of Hell.

What is the Generation Z series about?

Generation Z is a six-book sequel series set years after the main Undead World books. It continues the story of the post-apocalyptic world and features an older, more complex Jillybean as she navigates new factions and threats.

Should I read the books in chronological or publication order?

We recommend reading in publication order. While The Apocalypse Origin contains Jillybean's chronological backstory, reading it after the main books preserves the mystery of her character and provides a more rewarding narrative experience.