Zombies—fictional undead creatures often depicted as reanimated corpses craving human flesh—have become iconic figures in horror literature and popular culture. Originating from Haitian folklore and evolving through countless novels, films, and video games, zombies represent themes of apocalypse, survival, and societal collapse.
Best Zombie Books
For readers fascinated by post-apocalyptic fiction, horror thrillers, or dystopian narratives, zombie novels offer intense, immersive experiences filled with suspense, moral dilemmas, and gripping action.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best zombie books—including classic horror titles, modern survival epics, and innovative takes on the zombie apocalypse—that every fan of the undead should read.
Beyond These Walls - Books 1 - 6 Boxset: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller (Beyond These Walls Boxset)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Robertson, Michael (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 1497 Pages - 02/09/2020 (Publication Date)
Last Man Standing: The Complete Trilogy: A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller
- Taylor, Keith (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 702 Pages - 01/09/2019 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
Dead Meat: The Complete Zombie Apocalypse Series
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Clausen, Nick (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 811 Pages - 12/31/2021 (Publication Date)
The McClane Apocalypse Book One
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Morris, Kate (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 405 Pages - 04/10/2014 (Publication Date) - Ranger Publishing (Publisher)
Rust-Colored Rain: A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller (Wrack and Ruin Book 1)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Schafer, Otto (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 238 Pages - 10/25/2023 (Publication Date) - Sound Eye Press (Publisher)
Surviving the Fall: Book 1 of The Fall Series - A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Cross, Stephen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 496 Pages - 08/12/2016 (Publication Date) - Stephen Cross (Publisher)
My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish Boxed Set: (My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish; The Seaquel; Fins of Fury)
- O'Hara, Mo (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 10/10/2017 (Publication Date) - Square Fish (Publisher)
End of Summer: A post viral-apocalypse story: Book One of the Seasons of Man
- Anderson, S.M. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 410 Pages - 08/24/2019 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
Chihuahuas of the Zombie Apocalypse
- Hawk, Steven L. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 321 Pages - 11/03/2013 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
Blue Plague: The Fall: A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller (Book 1)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Watson, Thomas A. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 358 Pages - 08/06/2020 (Publication Date)
This Is the Way the World Ends: An Oral History of the Zombie War
- Audible Audiobook
- Keith Taylor (Author) - Matthew Crow (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 08/31/2022 (Publication Date) - Keith Taylor (Publisher)
Zombies Easy Piano Collection - Songbook with Lyrics and Souvenir Photos
- Pages: 72
- Instrumentation: Piano/Keyboard
- Zombies (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 64 Pages - 12/01/2022 (Publication Date) - Hal Leonard (Publisher)
Best New Zombie Tales, Vol. 1
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Strand, Jeff (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 350 Pages - 04/22/2010 (Publication Date) - Books of the Dead Press (Publisher)
Diary of a Minecraft Zombie Book 3: When Nature Calls
- Zombie, Zack (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 138 Pages - 03/28/2015 (Publication Date) - Zack Zombie Publishing (Publisher)
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Brooks, Max (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 09/12/2006 (Publication Date) - Del Rey (Publisher)
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!
- Audible Audiobook
- Seth Grahame-Smith (Author) - Katherine Kellgren (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 05/19/2009 (Publication Date) - Audible Studios (Publisher)
The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade
- The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade
- Brallier, Max (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 304 Pages - 08/08/2019 (Publication Date) - Egmont (Publisher)
Oh No! The Zombies Have Escaped!: A Fun (Slightly Scary) Search And Find Book For 2-5 Year Olds
- Coleman, Laura (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 38 Pages - 02/01/2018 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
Zombie colouring book for adults and teens: Awesome comic style detailed zombie designs zombie apocalypse enthusiasts. Adults, teens boys and girls. Practice for Stress Relief & Relaxation
- Mutch, James (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 132 Pages - 03/21/2023 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
Hatchet
- Great product!
- Paulsen, Gary (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 192 Pages - 12/26/2006 (Publication Date) - Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Whether you’re drawn to classic zombie apocalypse stories like World War Z by Max Brooks, gritty survival novels, or fresh reinterpretations blending science fiction and horror, the best zombie books offer more than just scares.
They delve into human resilience, ethics, and the breakdown of civilization under extreme pressure. These books not only entertain but also provoke thought about humanity’s response to crises.
If you’re ready to immerse yourself in tales of infection, survival strategies, and undead hordes, these top zombie novels will keep you on the edge of your seat—reminding us all why the zombie genre remains a powerful lens for exploring our deepest fears and hopes.
