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The Great Undead War #2
On Her Majesty's Behalf
The outrageously inventive follow-up to By the Blood of Heroes-Inglorious Basterds meets Dawn of the Dead in this steampunk alternate history World War I zombie novel
At the close of 1917, the Germans introduced a new type of gas, T-Leiche-"corpse gas"-a revolutionary weapon that changed the war. Instead of killing the living, T-Leiche resurrected the bodies of the dead.
Though they survived the killing fields of France, the danger has only just begun for veteran Captain Michael "Madman" Burke and company. They've just been assigned a new mission: rescue Princess Veronica, the sole surviving member of the British royal family. But Kaiser Manfred Von Richthofen, the undead Red Baron and new leader of Germany, is determined to find Veronica as well.
In the devastated, zombie-infested city of London, Burke and his men will face off in an unholy battle with their most formidable opponent yet: a team led by none other than his infected former right-hand man, Sargeant Moore. If they don't succeed, all of Britain will fall into undead Central hands.
At the close of 1917, the Germans introduced a new type of gas, T-Leiche-"corpse gas"-a revolutionary weapon that changed the war. Instead of killing the living, T-Leiche resurrected the bodies of the dead.
Though they survived the killing fields of France, the danger has only just begun for veteran Captain Michael "Madman" Burke and company. They've just been assigned a new mission: rescue Princess Veronica, the sole surviving member of the British royal family. But Kaiser Manfred Von Richthofen, the undead Red Baron and new leader of Germany, is determined to find Veronica as well.
In the devastated, zombie-infested city of London, Burke and his men will face off in an unholy battle with their most formidable opponent yet: a team led by none other than his infected former right-hand man, Sargeant Moore. If they don't succeed, all of Britain will fall into undead Central hands.
336 pages, ebook
First published December 2, 2014
10 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Nassise
99 books331 followersI'm the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including the Templar Chronicles series, the Jeremiah Hunt trilogy, and the Great Undead War series. I've also written several books in the Rogue Angel action/adventure series from Gold Eagle. I'm a former president of the Horror Writers Association, the world's largest organization of professional horror writers, and a multiple Bram Stoker Award and International Horror Guild Award nominee.
When I'm not writing, I'm hanging out with dogs, practicing recurve archery, or off-roading in the desert around my home in Phoenix, AZ.
When I'm not writing, I'm hanging out with dogs, practicing recurve archery, or off-roading in the desert around my home in Phoenix, AZ.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 24, 2015
On Her Majesty’s Behalf: The Great Undead War Book II is the 2nd in Joseph Nassise series of World War II set in a Steampunk, Zombie World.
Burke and his team have just recently returned from saving Jack Freeman, the top American ace who was being held by the Germans. On a mission to England which has been gassed by the Germans, they receive word that the royal family is still alive. Burke and his team get sent to London to rescue the royal family. They are only a little bit ahead of a German invasion team that has also gone to get the royal family.
When Burke’s team arrives they find only one surviving member. The action is breathlessly fast as Burke’s team stays just one step ahead of the Germans.
This is a great follow-up to the first in the series. Waiting for the third, especially in light of the ending of this story is going to be very difficult. This story is great for those who like stories about warriors, war strategy, zombies, science, and non-stop action. I recommend for youth as well as adults.
Burke and his team have just recently returned from saving Jack Freeman, the top American ace who was being held by the Germans. On a mission to England which has been gassed by the Germans, they receive word that the royal family is still alive. Burke and his team get sent to London to rescue the royal family. They are only a little bit ahead of a German invasion team that has also gone to get the royal family.
When Burke’s team arrives they find only one surviving member. The action is breathlessly fast as Burke’s team stays just one step ahead of the Germans.
This is a great follow-up to the first in the series. Waiting for the third, especially in light of the ending of this story is going to be very difficult. This story is great for those who like stories about warriors, war strategy, zombies, science, and non-stop action. I recommend for youth as well as adults.
November 18, 2014
The adventure continues! The continuation of Major Burke continues the fight against the undead in his thrilling way. This book and it's predecessor both keep zombies fresh when elsewhere they're quickly losing appeal.
November 23, 2014
On Her Majesty's Behalf by Joseph Nassise was an amazing book! Full of action and thrills and an ending that left me wanting more! I had a difficult time putting it down! Loved it!
November 26, 2014
Nassise continues his streak! I was partial to his Jeremiah Hunt series but "The Great Undead War" has such promise it's becoming my favorite work of JN's. A great blend of action and awesomeness!
July 15, 2017
Better than "By the Blood of Heroes", but still far from perfect.
December 11, 2014
First things first let me get this out of the way this is the second book in a series and normally I would never start a story in the middle but I jumped at a review copy of this novel because I have been interested in Joesph Nassie's work. I met him briefly during his time as president of the horror writers association and knew his work was well regarded.
It would be easy to dismiss this novel as fitting several genre publishing trends at once. Yes, It is a alternate history zombie steampunk novel. That sounds like it could be super cheezy but it is not. Nassie pulls it off.
I consider this novel to be a great crossover between a Alistair MacLean (Guns of Navarone) novel meets zombie apocalypse. Set against the great war (WW I to us) this novel finds under seige from zombie hordes created by German chemical weapons.
Madman Major Burke is our hero and he is given the job of getting into zombie occupied London to rescue the royal family. There are two styles of zombies Shamblers and Shredders.
This short novel is rare case where I could have handled another hundred pages. The pace is great, the action fast and the vibe feels like a War mission novel when it needs to, and a horror novel when it needs to feel like that. It is well written and seems well researched.
I recommend this series to readers who like adventure fantasy and libraries should have this available for younger readers. They will love it. I intended to go back and read the first book and will be in line when the next one comes out.
It would be easy to dismiss this novel as fitting several genre publishing trends at once. Yes, It is a alternate history zombie steampunk novel. That sounds like it could be super cheezy but it is not. Nassie pulls it off.
I consider this novel to be a great crossover between a Alistair MacLean (Guns of Navarone) novel meets zombie apocalypse. Set against the great war (WW I to us) this novel finds under seige from zombie hordes created by German chemical weapons.
Madman Major Burke is our hero and he is given the job of getting into zombie occupied London to rescue the royal family. There are two styles of zombies Shamblers and Shredders.
This short novel is rare case where I could have handled another hundred pages. The pace is great, the action fast and the vibe feels like a War mission novel when it needs to, and a horror novel when it needs to feel like that. It is well written and seems well researched.
I recommend this series to readers who like adventure fantasy and libraries should have this available for younger readers. They will love it. I intended to go back and read the first book and will be in line when the next one comes out.
August 20, 2020
Now Major, Michael Burke and his newly named team of 'Marauders' had recently returned from their mission to save his half-brother, American flying Ace Major Jack Freeman who had been lost behind enemy lines. To make matters worse, they had to make their way through deadly 'shamblers' who were zombies raised from the dead through some form of insidious gas created by the Kaizer's scientists to bolster his army. The mission was successful but was costly not only to the team but to Burke himself.
Now, a new mission requires the skills of Major 'Madman Michael Burke and his Marauders and the hope and the heart of an entire nation depends on their success.
Meanwhile, the war has escalated as those same German scientists have created a second version of the zombie gas. And this gas horribly affects only the living changing them into a new breed of fast moving, super strong...and even more incredibly terrifying...thinking monsters.
It's through these new horrors that Burke must take his team into the heart of London in a desperate race against time and terror.
Joseph Nassise returns to the alternate history world of THE GREAT UNDEAD WAR in this, the second book in his series set during a steampunk version of World War II and where Germany's reach goes vastly beyond its original European conflict.
I typically am not much of a zombie fan as they are relatively redundant throughout most stories and, with a modicum of awareness and preparedness, fairly survivable...BUT...Nassise's horrors turn that trope on its head as he gives us a laundry list of differing types of the undead as well as creating a villain that is perhaps one of the most truly evil that I can remember in recent history.
No sophomore jinx here, Nassise took the fun and adventure...and horror... of the first book in the series and ratcheted it up to the next level for this volume.
NEW READERS: You can pick this book up as a cold read and enjoy the adventure without having read the lead in story as the author gives more than enough back story and exposition during the 322 pages to bring you up to speed...but...once you're done you'll have twice the excitement by going back and reading the first story BY THE BLOOD OF HEROES.
Can't wait for book III.
Now, a new mission requires the skills of Major 'Madman Michael Burke and his Marauders and the hope and the heart of an entire nation depends on their success.
Meanwhile, the war has escalated as those same German scientists have created a second version of the zombie gas. And this gas horribly affects only the living changing them into a new breed of fast moving, super strong...and even more incredibly terrifying...thinking monsters.
It's through these new horrors that Burke must take his team into the heart of London in a desperate race against time and terror.
Joseph Nassise returns to the alternate history world of THE GREAT UNDEAD WAR in this, the second book in his series set during a steampunk version of World War II and where Germany's reach goes vastly beyond its original European conflict.
I typically am not much of a zombie fan as they are relatively redundant throughout most stories and, with a modicum of awareness and preparedness, fairly survivable...BUT...Nassise's horrors turn that trope on its head as he gives us a laundry list of differing types of the undead as well as creating a villain that is perhaps one of the most truly evil that I can remember in recent history.
No sophomore jinx here, Nassise took the fun and adventure...and horror... of the first book in the series and ratcheted it up to the next level for this volume.
NEW READERS: You can pick this book up as a cold read and enjoy the adventure without having read the lead in story as the author gives more than enough back story and exposition during the 322 pages to bring you up to speed...but...once you're done you'll have twice the excitement by going back and reading the first story BY THE BLOOD OF HEROES.
Can't wait for book III.
March 11, 2017
I really enjoyed this combination of horror, military, zombie, fantasy, and steampunk, right up until the end. It was like watching a really great movie, then right at the climax the film broke. The end.
This is touted as a series, with this one being The Undead War Book II, so I really hope there are more books to come!
This is touted as a series, with this one being The Undead War Book II, so I really hope there are more books to come!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2025
Great novel. I enjoyed it immensely. But I also really like reading about World War 1 and books about zombies. So I am probably biased in favor of this book, just for having a WW1 story with zombies in it. Well, it's a book written for someone like me. The only complaint I have is, I wanted a 3rd book and looks like this is the last one.
April 3, 2019
Great read. One of a great set of stories and I am sure hoping for a third to be available soon.
I still hate zombies.
I still hate zombies.
January 4, 2015
"On Her Majesty's Behalf" is the second book in the The Great Undead War series by Joseph Nassise and continues where the first one left off.
Set during an alternate timeline, during WWI, the Germans have discovered a terrible new weapon which creates zombies on the battlefield and the Allied forces are pushed back. City after city is ravaged by this horrific weapon.
A band of courageous commandos must enter fallen London to rescue the Royal Family against all odds. Some might imagine it a cross between "The Dirty Dozen" and "Walking Dead" and it would not be too far off the mark.
All in all, the book is engrossing and a fun read. There are all manner of close calls, furious combat action and a surprisingly high body count on both sides of the field.
Dialogue, pace, characters and tension are all done very well and it makes for a very entertaining book.
One aspect which I did notice is that the author has an unusual method of handling plot twists, changes and direction. In my opinion, many of the "main" plot points were twists and wholly unexpected yet the minor flourishes and subplot elements, usually very unpredictable in most novels, were in many cases quite predictable. It did not detract overall and many of the conscious decisions about plot, pace and characters were simply great.
But there were too many minor elements which were telegraphed from miles away.
Still a very great read for any fans of horror / alt-history / steampunk-ish elements.
Set during an alternate timeline, during WWI, the Germans have discovered a terrible new weapon which creates zombies on the battlefield and the Allied forces are pushed back. City after city is ravaged by this horrific weapon.
A band of courageous commandos must enter fallen London to rescue the Royal Family against all odds. Some might imagine it a cross between "The Dirty Dozen" and "Walking Dead" and it would not be too far off the mark.
All in all, the book is engrossing and a fun read. There are all manner of close calls, furious combat action and a surprisingly high body count on both sides of the field.
Dialogue, pace, characters and tension are all done very well and it makes for a very entertaining book.
One aspect which I did notice is that the author has an unusual method of handling plot twists, changes and direction. In my opinion, many of the "main" plot points were twists and wholly unexpected yet the minor flourishes and subplot elements, usually very unpredictable in most novels, were in many cases quite predictable. It did not detract overall and many of the conscious decisions about plot, pace and characters were simply great.
But there were too many minor elements which were telegraphed from miles away.
Still a very great read for any fans of horror / alt-history / steampunk-ish elements.
December 29, 2014
The Great Undead War: Book II by Joseph Nassise
This book is set in a World War I environment. The forces of Germany have been multiplied by the addition of the undead. The main protagonist is Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron who is a special breed of undead. Facing off the Red Baron are "Madman" Burke and the American Ace, Major Jack Freeman. This is the second book in the series. This book involves Madman and Major Jack in a mission to London.
The characters are memorable in Nassie books. He does a nice job with his action and his character development. His explanations for the undead are "reasonable" or at least as reasonable as most of the explanations in the Zombie books seem to be.
There is plenty of action and heroics.
The book is part one of a series and I intend to read them all.
I recommend the book.
Here are links to other reviews I have done on Joseph Nassise books.
King of the Dead
The Heretic
Eyes to See
By The Blood of Heroes
Site: http://josephnassise.com/
This book is set in a World War I environment. The forces of Germany have been multiplied by the addition of the undead. The main protagonist is Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron who is a special breed of undead. Facing off the Red Baron are "Madman" Burke and the American Ace, Major Jack Freeman. This is the second book in the series. This book involves Madman and Major Jack in a mission to London.
The characters are memorable in Nassie books. He does a nice job with his action and his character development. His explanations for the undead are "reasonable" or at least as reasonable as most of the explanations in the Zombie books seem to be.
There is plenty of action and heroics.
The book is part one of a series and I intend to read them all.
I recommend the book.
Here are links to other reviews I have done on Joseph Nassise books.
King of the Dead
The Heretic
Eyes to See
By The Blood of Heroes
Site: http://josephnassise.com/
August 5, 2015
I finished the last book with thorough enjoyment, After reading the first book in this series and liking it, I can say in all honesty I love this series now. This second novel is better than the first. The dialog reads like an old 1940's war movie.
The story picks up a few weeks after our last adventure with Madman Burke and his team of men. London and New York have been bombed by corpse gas and a new breed of undead stalks the land. Suffice it to say, there is another hair raising, impossible mission in the works (pulpy to the max and amazing!)
I started to get the impression he might have been copied, then I opened the previous book, and looked at the character descriptions and realized he had.
The series is amazing, but that kind of sloppiness is unforgivable.
The story picks up a few weeks after our last adventure with Madman Burke and his team of men. London and New York have been bombed by corpse gas and a new breed of undead stalks the land. Suffice it to say, there is another hair raising, impossible mission in the works (pulpy to the max and amazing!)
I started to get the impression he might have been copied, then I opened the previous book, and looked at the character descriptions and realized he had.
The series is amazing, but that kind of sloppiness is unforgivable.
January 30, 2015
I loved the 1st The Great Undead book and this want as well. This series is introducing me to the Steampunk world of writing. I am a zombie junkie and I love the WWI and beyond aspect. Tons of action, both shooting and zombie style. Could have done without the cliff-hanger ending...I was going to continue on with this series anyways.....Thrills and chills......Hope it is not too long a wait until Book III.
July 14, 2022
Nassise has done it again. He is the only author I know who can do a steampunk/zombie book and hold my attention.
Our heroes are sent into the middle of infested London to attempt a rescue of the British Royal Family. Men will be lost, revelations will come, and death awaits at every corner. Nassise does a wonderful job of keeping you at the edge of your seat and his willingness to kill characters means no one is safe.
Our heroes are sent into the middle of infested London to attempt a rescue of the British Royal Family. Men will be lost, revelations will come, and death awaits at every corner. Nassise does a wonderful job of keeping you at the edge of your seat and his willingness to kill characters means no one is safe.
May 26, 2016
Steampunk-zombie-WWI. How could such a combo ever be bad?
As with most series, it is always best to start at the beginning to fully comprehend the storyline and get the full depth of the characters. Despite the fact I began with this book (#2), it stands on its own merits quite well. Originally expecting a zombie book set against WWI, I was pleasantly surprised to see the steampunk aspect interwoven.
I will go back to the library to get the first book and see what all I missed.
As with most series, it is always best to start at the beginning to fully comprehend the storyline and get the full depth of the characters. Despite the fact I began with this book (#2), it stands on its own merits quite well. Originally expecting a zombie book set against WWI, I was pleasantly surprised to see the steampunk aspect interwoven.
I will go back to the library to get the first book and see what all I missed.
Read
January 19, 2015"There’s something dark looming over this fast-paced romp of a book, though, and Nassise leaves Burke — and us — hanging on by a thread at the end. Book Three can’t come soon enough."
Read more here.
Read more here.
February 14, 2015
What a great series. Yes it deals with WWI, Zombies, and death, but it does so in an alternative reality and new way :).
So quite enjoyable :)
So quite enjoyable :)
January 2, 2015
Awesome story. My only complaint is having to wait over 2 years in between the first and second books.
January 27, 2015
Fantastic book. Better than the first and a perfect fusion of steampunk,, zombie horror and superb war novel. Cannot wait for number 3!
March 9, 2015
I've really enjoyed this series. It's got a nifty pulp groove going on that puts me in mind of Doc Savage. Yes, it does have rampant cliches, but that's part of it's appeal.
July 9, 2016
I really liked this book, once I started I got hooked. Sad part is book three is not out from what I can tell so the story leaves me wanting more..... Mr Nassise, please complete book III!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews