Finally completed the third book and have to admit that this one is the best. Some reviewers have commented about the lack of zombies and battles with the hordes...as in the first two books, but although these books are part of a zombie series (Surviving the Dead), one should consider that this series has always been about survival.

The Free Legion has been a threat to those survivors in the story and must be eliminated. Another reason for the lack of zombies in "Warrior Within" is because most of them within the vicinity have been eradicated during the past two-plus years.

Eric is captured by the Legion (planned) and is forever grateful for the information provided by a young Legion member - was captured himself during an ambush and ends up spilling his guts; without it, Eric would never have survived. They also learn that not everybody in the Legion wants to be there, many are forced into duty by the leaders; villains who become easy to hate. I even thought Eric would die on several occasions within the story as he is beaten, starved and thirsty for most of his first three weeks in captivity. The small town and the U.S. Army were counting on him to succeed in his mission of gathering intel.

The country has evolved into three distinct groups - the United States government continues to exist in Colorado and are attempting to bring all the groups together as one. However, the other two groups want to rule the United States and have joined forces against the U.S. government, sandwiching them between forces controlling the lands both east and west of the current government. The country is beginning to rise up out of the ashes. Farms, manufacturing, energy and fuel resources are starting up again. My guess is that if there is a 4th installment, it will have very little to do with zombies and will, instead, focus on a civil war between these factions.

Thank you, Mr. Cook, your series kept me entertained and reading way into the night. All the books are real page turners, difficult to put down and are highly recommended. You do have a talent for writing, but I strongly suggest you hire a line editor for your next story...so many people have taken away stars in previous reviews for your series because of editing errors. Take heed of their feedback - it will result in more books being sold.

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel ( )

At last!!! Warrior Within was on my most anticipated book list for 2013, and it did not disappoint.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a lot different from the first two – not much zombie action but a lot of human vs. human action.

The book deals primarily with Eric, and the plan for him to go undercover and infiltrate the Free Legion. The Free Legion is a military type group of ‘men’ (?) who have an agenda. No-one seems to know where they come from or who they are directly affiliated with, or what their plan for the future is, but one thing they do know, is that Hollow Rock, the town where Eric and Gabe currently live, is one of their targets.

There is a lot of action and suspense in this book, but there was also the budding romance between Gabe and the mayor (yes!!), and Eric and Allison, which brought another aspect to the story.

I loved the ending of this book ……………………. ( )