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.
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
- Brooks, Max (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 342 Pages - 10/16/2007 (Publication Date) - Three Rivers Press (Publisher)
The Last Man Standing Complete Series Box Set (Books 1-3): A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Taylor, Keith (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 704 Pages - 01/08/2019 (Publication Date)
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)
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)
- 1496 Pages - 02/08/2020 (Publication Date)
Dead Meat: The Complete Zombie Apocalypse Series
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Clausen, Nick (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 811 Pages - 12/31/2021 (Publication Date)
Edge of Collapse: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Stone, Kyla (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 316 Pages - 01/31/2020 (Publication Date) - Paper Moon Press (Publisher)
Rust-Colored Rain: A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller (Wrack and Ruin Book 1)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Schafer, Otto (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 252 Pages - 10/25/2023 (Publication Date) - Sound Eye Press (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)
Cadaver: The Complete Zombie Apocalypse Series
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Clausen, Nick (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 1229 Pages - 10/01/2024 (Publication Date)
Diary of a Minecraft Zombie Book 1: A Scare of a Dare
- Zombie, Zack (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 106 Pages - 02/15/2015 (Publication Date) - Zack Zombie Publishing (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)
Zombies!: Book 1: A Small World
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Merritt, R S (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 334 Pages - 01/01/2019 (Publication Date)
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
- Jane Austen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 320 Pages - 04/04/2009 (Publication Date) - Quirk Books (Publisher)
Incubation: A Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Survival Thriller Series (Green Fields Book 1)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Lecter, Adrienne (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 314 Pages - 08/25/2015 (Publication Date)
End of Summer: A post viral-apocalypse story: Book One of the Seasons of Man
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Anderson, S.M. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 412 Pages - 08/11/2019 (Publication Date) - MCE Press (Publisher)
Dead South: The Complete 8 Book Zombie Apocalypse Series
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Bohannon, Zach (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 1535 Pages - 06/02/2023 (Publication Date) - Molten Universe Media (Publisher)
Contamination Box Set: The Complete Post-Apocalyptic Series (Books 0-7)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Piperbrook, T.W. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 828 Pages - 07/22/2019 (Publication Date) - Post Script Publishing (Publisher)
Day by Day Armageddon
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Bourne, J. L. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 228 Pages - 09/23/2009 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)
The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead
- Max Brooks, The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead, paperback
- Brooks, Max (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 288 Pages - 09/16/2003 (Publication Date) - Del Rey (Publisher)
Diary of a Minecraft Zombie Book 8: Back to Scare School
- Zombie, Zack (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 196 Pages - 07/28/2018 (Publication Date) - Zack Zombie Publishing (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.
