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Adrian's Undead Diary #4
The Failed Coward
A sinister darkness has finally cast its long shadow across the world, and Adrian Ring now suspects he's at the center of the maelstrom. And he's not alone. Even overseas, his friend Kevin is somehow standing at his side. At Auburn Lake, Adrian and his adopted family finally understand that the dreams they have suffered since the end of the world are far more than restless imaginings. When a thousand mindless dead arrive holding books, can it be anything but a message from beyond the grave? Soon they will learn that what the dead say can be far worse than what the dead have done. In The Failed Coward, the fourth installment in the epic Adrian's Undead Diary series, Adrian realizes the scope of humanity's struggle, and just what's at stake. Despite all the dangers posed by the world around him, Adrian pushes out more aggressively, reclaiming more and more territory from the clutches of the treasonous survivors and the walking dead. Adrian’s world is also expanded with more short stories. New questions are raised, and new characters introduced. And they will need all the help they can get to stay alive. In the end, everyone may need Adrian's help. I am completely addicted to this series. I can't stress enough how fantastic it is. The characters are so cleverly written and the dynamic between them is exhilarating. The humor, the setting, the side stories, all add up to a big fat win for Chris Philbrook. Keep em coming Chris. Don't make me wait too long to get my next fix or I may go into withdrawals. Adrian's Undead Diary is on the fast track to solidifying it's place in The Bookie Monster's best of 2014 list! If you haven't started this series yet, well, then I don't know how else to convince you...short of bashing you over the head with the books. Give in, go grab your copy, and join me...I'll be drooling in the corner waiting for book five. Aren't ready to make the investment? -The Bookie Monster's 5 star review In this, the Fourth book of the smash zombie hit Adrian's Undead Diary series, readers will find Adrian's journal entries from March 5th, 2011 to April 29th, 2011. Included with his own writing are the short stories Sweetest Amy, Gasoline, The Siege of Mildenhall, and The Golden Palace.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2014
68 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Chris Philbrook
80 books443 followers About Chris Philbrook
I am the creator and author of Tesser: A Dragon Among Us as well as Elmoryn's The Kinless Trilogy, Colony Lost, Adrian's Undead Diary and the Darkness of Diggory Finch.
I've gone to a LOT of college. I've got a Business degree as well as a Psychology degree, and I've done the full program at the school of hard knocks. I've been a printing press operator, bouncer, purchasing agent, bodyguard, customer service representative, mental health counselor, and more. I can write about weird shit because I've done weird shit. Trust me.
I call the wonderful state of New Hampshire my home, but I love to travel. I love to read, write, play role playing games, miniatures games, video games, and Magic: The Gathering. When I find the time to be active, I like to hike, play basketball, and play football. I am married to a wonderful woman, and together we have two wonderful daughters.
I am the creator and author of Tesser: A Dragon Among Us as well as Elmoryn's The Kinless Trilogy, Colony Lost, Adrian's Undead Diary and the Darkness of Diggory Finch.
I've gone to a LOT of college. I've got a Business degree as well as a Psychology degree, and I've done the full program at the school of hard knocks. I've been a printing press operator, bouncer, purchasing agent, bodyguard, customer service representative, mental health counselor, and more. I can write about weird shit because I've done weird shit. Trust me.
I call the wonderful state of New Hampshire my home, but I love to travel. I love to read, write, play role playing games, miniatures games, video games, and Magic: The Gathering. When I find the time to be active, I like to hike, play basketball, and play football. I am married to a wonderful woman, and together we have two wonderful daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 30, 2014
It was Iike Christmas morning when I woke to find Adrian's Undead Diary, Book 4 in my inbox. I reacted like a five year old with A.D.D. So you can imagine my reaction when I found my name in the acknowledgement section of the book. I ran into my husband’s office and did some weird rendition of a touchdown dance mixed with the running man. Talk about starting my day off on a high!
It's been nine months since the world fell apart. The Failed Coward begins with an entry into Mr. Journal, and things look bleak for the group. The academy grounds are teeming with undead trying to get to the fresh meat in Hall A. Just when it seemed they had cleared the campus, hundreds more would show up. Luckily, making friends in Book 3 has worked out well for Adrian, and the Westfield clan comes to their aid.
Adrian still maintains the stronghold of Hall A, along with Patty and her badass daughter, Abby, Gilbert, the crotchety old veteran, and Otis the cat.
Like in the previous books, we are rewarded with offshoot vignettes of characters we've seen along the way, and their experience (read demise) when the outbreak began. Phillbrook gives us the story from Amy Gibson's perspective...an employee of the academy. Adrian arrives at the school to find a shotgun wielding parent bent on getting his (infected) child out of a locked classroom and to safety.
Plagued by regret, Adrian loses himself in self-loathing from his failures. Failure to find his girlfriend, Cassie. Failure to get to his best friend Steve's before he departed. One question that comes to mind is if Steve is his best friend, why didn't he think to go to the academy?
So many questions! Are the zombies getting smarter? Are they plotting? Why are they all holding books? Why are they acting so strange? Why is Adrian having strange dreams of a white room? What is the significance of the number three? The dead bring books to a school, weapons to a military base. What could this mean?
Continued toe pusher references had me chuckling. I love how he creates his own set of def-con levels. You'll have to read it to get the humor in that! I raised an eyebrow at the use of "kiting" the zombies. It makes me wonder if Philbrook is a nostalgic gamer. His use of "AFK" solidified this assumption.
I am completely addicted to this series. I can't stress enough how fantastic it is. The characters are so cleverly written and the dynamic between them is exhilarating. The humor, the setting, the side stories; all add up to a big fat win for Chris Philbrook. Keep em coming Chris. Don't make me wait too long to get my next fix or I may go into withdrawals.
Adrian's Undead Diary is on the fast track to solidifying it's place in The Bookie Monster's best of 2014 list! If you haven't started this series yet, well, then I don't know how else to convince you...short of bashing you over the head with the books. Give in, go grab your copy, and join me...I'll be drooling in the corner waiting for book five. Don't forget to check out my reviews of the first three books.
It's been nine months since the world fell apart. The Failed Coward begins with an entry into Mr. Journal, and things look bleak for the group. The academy grounds are teeming with undead trying to get to the fresh meat in Hall A. Just when it seemed they had cleared the campus, hundreds more would show up. Luckily, making friends in Book 3 has worked out well for Adrian, and the Westfield clan comes to their aid.
Adrian still maintains the stronghold of Hall A, along with Patty and her badass daughter, Abby, Gilbert, the crotchety old veteran, and Otis the cat.
Like in the previous books, we are rewarded with offshoot vignettes of characters we've seen along the way, and their experience (read demise) when the outbreak began. Phillbrook gives us the story from Amy Gibson's perspective...an employee of the academy. Adrian arrives at the school to find a shotgun wielding parent bent on getting his (infected) child out of a locked classroom and to safety.
Plagued by regret, Adrian loses himself in self-loathing from his failures. Failure to find his girlfriend, Cassie. Failure to get to his best friend Steve's before he departed. One question that comes to mind is if Steve is his best friend, why didn't he think to go to the academy?
So many questions! Are the zombies getting smarter? Are they plotting? Why are they all holding books? Why are they acting so strange? Why is Adrian having strange dreams of a white room? What is the significance of the number three? The dead bring books to a school, weapons to a military base. What could this mean?
Continued toe pusher references had me chuckling. I love how he creates his own set of def-con levels. You'll have to read it to get the humor in that! I raised an eyebrow at the use of "kiting" the zombies. It makes me wonder if Philbrook is a nostalgic gamer. His use of "AFK" solidified this assumption.
I am completely addicted to this series. I can't stress enough how fantastic it is. The characters are so cleverly written and the dynamic between them is exhilarating. The humor, the setting, the side stories; all add up to a big fat win for Chris Philbrook. Keep em coming Chris. Don't make me wait too long to get my next fix or I may go into withdrawals.
Adrian's Undead Diary is on the fast track to solidifying it's place in The Bookie Monster's best of 2014 list! If you haven't started this series yet, well, then I don't know how else to convince you...short of bashing you over the head with the books. Give in, go grab your copy, and join me...I'll be drooling in the corner waiting for book five. Don't forget to check out my reviews of the first three books.
January 17, 2014
I do love to be the first reviewer, eh?
I think this is some of the finest of the Adrian's Undead Diary series. It is in many ways the most simple and dare I say boring of all the books, but it's such a HUGE turn of the world Adrian is in.
Realizing what's going on, and how he fits into all of it, makes him a different character, and that evolution in this book makes it special.
I hope others love it as much as I loved writing it.
I think this is some of the finest of the Adrian's Undead Diary series. It is in many ways the most simple and dare I say boring of all the books, but it's such a HUGE turn of the world Adrian is in.
Realizing what's going on, and how he fits into all of it, makes him a different character, and that evolution in this book makes it special.
I hope others love it as much as I loved writing it.
January 21, 2016
The Failed Coward: Adrian's Undead Diary Book Four (Volume 4) by Chris Philbrook
Amazon search: Zombie Series
Began, ?? May 30?, 2014 Completed, June, 4, 2014
I was looking through some books on amazon and ran across this zombie apocalypse story. I noticed it is a series and since 4 of the books have been released, I thought I'd give it a change. This is the 4th book and I believe the 5th in the series will be released soon
In the first book, I feel in love with the protagonist, Adrian Ring. He was former military and I love military or former military in zombie books. However now that I am getting to know him better, my love has waned and I've gone a sort of respect/no respect relationship with him. Ha! But I still enjoy reading about him and especially all the work the survivors are doing to have a good quality life
Now the survivors have friends. They trade with another “camp” of survivors. They are developing the land they have and they will be farmers, hunters and gatherers.
Again the author take us on a journey not just of Adrian, but of how some of the people he finds have survived or dies. He actually finds the undead version of a lady and her child in a car...these 2 characters were introduced in the first book, but mentioned more in some of the others. There is a side story of a group of high level body guards, which is interesting. It will be fun, in future books, to see where this story is going
I am really enjoying this series. I could read about the farming, hunting and gathering for several more books. I hope the author does eventually write an ending. I hate being left in a fantasy land, with no way to escape. When authors do that, it's disrespectful to their fans and I would most likely not be interested in reading any more of their books. However, I am CERTAIN Mr. Chris Phillbrook will NOT do that to his fans. Right Chris?
Recommended for anyone who needs to complete their planning for the upcoming zombie apocalypse
Amazon search: Zombie Series
Began, ?? May 30?, 2014 Completed, June, 4, 2014
I was looking through some books on amazon and ran across this zombie apocalypse story. I noticed it is a series and since 4 of the books have been released, I thought I'd give it a change. This is the 4th book and I believe the 5th in the series will be released soon
In the first book, I feel in love with the protagonist, Adrian Ring. He was former military and I love military or former military in zombie books. However now that I am getting to know him better, my love has waned and I've gone a sort of respect/no respect relationship with him. Ha! But I still enjoy reading about him and especially all the work the survivors are doing to have a good quality life
Now the survivors have friends. They trade with another “camp” of survivors. They are developing the land they have and they will be farmers, hunters and gatherers.
Again the author take us on a journey not just of Adrian, but of how some of the people he finds have survived or dies. He actually finds the undead version of a lady and her child in a car...these 2 characters were introduced in the first book, but mentioned more in some of the others. There is a side story of a group of high level body guards, which is interesting. It will be fun, in future books, to see where this story is going
I am really enjoying this series. I could read about the farming, hunting and gathering for several more books. I hope the author does eventually write an ending. I hate being left in a fantasy land, with no way to escape. When authors do that, it's disrespectful to their fans and I would most likely not be interested in reading any more of their books. However, I am CERTAIN Mr. Chris Phillbrook will NOT do that to his fans. Right Chris?
Recommended for anyone who needs to complete their planning for the upcoming zombie apocalypse
April 1, 2014
This is the fourth book in the series. The quality of writing is consistent with the prior three. We continue with Adrian's diary but are also treated to chapter stories of other people during the outbreak. I love these. They are interesting breaks from just hearing Adrian's voice. In this book we see how the small groups interact with each other while we learn of a new threat. The action is played out with a good mix. I love how the author makes it safe to breath than whips away the net. One of the best zombie series I have read.
December 8, 2014
I'm binge reading these and I am invested in the characters but I have to say that I'm deliberately skipping parts where the main character starts his whole "Bro!" routines. This story is too good to be interrupted by juvenile inner dialogue about getting his "dick wet". I get that there would be downtime and sexual frustration but the main character can be hyper annoying with his misogynistic idiocy one moment and sensitive soul the next. It's distracting and unnecessary.
August 5, 2019
Great thing about this book is the fact that we can empathise with him. Making one mistake and trying to do the best you can with what you have. Gripping story arc.
May 8, 2025
I am absolutely loving this series of books. Just bought book five and super excited to read what happens next. Love all the characters and the uniqueness of the story (sorry diary).
March 9, 2015
ABR's full The Failed Coward (Adrian’s Undead Diary Book 4) audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
This is a review of the fourth book in a series, please check out the first three before reading this. As it could contain spoilers for those books.
For three books I have raved about how much I love this series. It is the depth to the characters, particularly Adrian, that makes it such a wonderful story. Typically I want zombie gore and more actions scenes than you can shake a stick at. This is not what you get from Philbrook in Adrian’s Undead Diary. What you get is a heart wrenching, tense and adrenaline pumping chronicle of how one band of survivors eek out their day to day lives that just happens to involve zombies wandering about.
The Failed Coward seemed to suffer from what often happens in a series, you know the transitional book that has to written and read. Pretty much all character development. But if it were up to me, I might have skipped this fourth book and jump to the fifth.
With the way the third book ended I expected a long drawn out defense of the school right of the bat. This was cut short with very little drama. Then right in to continuing to build their surplus of supplies.
The best part, again it seemed to have been cut short and I hope it is revisited, was Adrian’s feeling of failure to protect the ones that he loved the most, when he found his military buddy. Adrian is clearly damaged goods and I await the moment where this takes center stage.
Even though this book was not the best in the series, I will not let it sway me from continuing on with the rest of the books. I am all in a this point and I need to know how this series will wrap up as I am sure bad thing are to come for out lovable survivors.
I cannot think of anything new to say about James Foster’s performance. He has been able to keep the exact same tone and feeling to every single audiobook so far. If your main enjoyment from audiobooks come from a solid, unwavering performance, than he is a great go to narrator to choose from.
Audiobook provided for review by the author.
This is a review of the fourth book in a series, please check out the first three before reading this. As it could contain spoilers for those books.
For three books I have raved about how much I love this series. It is the depth to the characters, particularly Adrian, that makes it such a wonderful story. Typically I want zombie gore and more actions scenes than you can shake a stick at. This is not what you get from Philbrook in Adrian’s Undead Diary. What you get is a heart wrenching, tense and adrenaline pumping chronicle of how one band of survivors eek out their day to day lives that just happens to involve zombies wandering about.
The Failed Coward seemed to suffer from what often happens in a series, you know the transitional book that has to written and read. Pretty much all character development. But if it were up to me, I might have skipped this fourth book and jump to the fifth.
With the way the third book ended I expected a long drawn out defense of the school right of the bat. This was cut short with very little drama. Then right in to continuing to build their surplus of supplies.
The best part, again it seemed to have been cut short and I hope it is revisited, was Adrian’s feeling of failure to protect the ones that he loved the most, when he found his military buddy. Adrian is clearly damaged goods and I await the moment where this takes center stage.
Even though this book was not the best in the series, I will not let it sway me from continuing on with the rest of the books. I am all in a this point and I need to know how this series will wrap up as I am sure bad thing are to come for out lovable survivors.
I cannot think of anything new to say about James Foster’s performance. He has been able to keep the exact same tone and feeling to every single audiobook so far. If your main enjoyment from audiobooks come from a solid, unwavering performance, than he is a great go to narrator to choose from.
Audiobook provided for review by the author.
June 12, 2014
Hundreds of Zombies standing nonchalantly outside of Hall E all holding random books. These zombies are definitely not acting like any zombies Adrian's met before! What does it all mean? Book Four of AUD "The Failed Coward" begins to shed light on what exactly happened on "that day" and sends Adrian into a new direction. Not only is Adrian saving the residents of Auburn Lake Preparatory Academy from Zombies and other groups of survivors, perhaps he must also be part of saving the world. If you read this review then I know you already devoured books 1-3 and you will be picking up a copy of "The Failed Coward" without haste. As I have said in other reviews, getting your own copy is a no-brainer.
May 1, 2023
The characters kind of grow on you, but there are too many things that bother me about the writing that may keep me from moving forward past this installment. For example, the sex self-talk in the journal is off putting and annoying. In addition, writing to the journal and saying Mr. journal constantly is very annoying. It's very repetitive, and it doesn't really work. I was looking forward to the Kevin and senator story more than I was Adrian's story but that side plot moves too slow and unfortunately I may never get to figure out what happens to Kevin and the senator or what caused this particular zombie apocalypse. I do like the supernatural hint, it's a nice touch, and just the right amount of mystery. Who knows what the future holds, I may just read on after all.
February 2, 2014
Survivors & zombies & daycares OH MY!! Adrian is at it again and things actually seem kind of peaceful, or at least as peaceful as they can be when the dead are walking around. This book is the first in this story where you really get an idea of how scary the world is now...how much do you really want those chips? Enough to die for it?
Adrian and friends are facing some interesting issues that really make you realize how hard just surviving is. It isn't just about shelter, food and ammo anymore...
Adrian and friends are facing some interesting issues that really make you realize how hard just surviving is. It isn't just about shelter, food and ammo anymore...
October 9, 2015
3.5 stars
Chris Philbrook says it best himself:
"Reading my writing must be like watching a chimpanzee pick its nose." (pg. 310, The Failed Coward)
But seriously, the many errors aside, the story he is telling is riveting. I love where Philbrook took book 4, love the new additions and ever expanding world.
I dislike the breaks in the story. Some I find add to the story and are enjoyable but others I skim through so I can get back to the diary.
Chris Philbrook says it best himself:
"Reading my writing must be like watching a chimpanzee pick its nose." (pg. 310, The Failed Coward)
But seriously, the many errors aside, the story he is telling is riveting. I love where Philbrook took book 4, love the new additions and ever expanding world.
I dislike the breaks in the story. Some I find add to the story and are enjoyable but others I skim through so I can get back to the diary.
February 5, 2014
Adrian is sure he now plays a part in this new world, but how? Why him?........Lucky I guess. This next installment brings more survivors, more danger, more dark humor, and more side stories. I've re-read AUD over and over, and still thrill at every word.
Get the books, read them, then you'll be addicted too!
Get the books, read them, then you'll be addicted too!
February 23, 2014
One of the best of all zombie series. If you like Zombie stories read these 4 books.
March 2, 2014
Awesome! Chris really bring the AUD world to life. Highly recommend the entire series and cannot wait for book 5. Thanks Chris for hours of entertainment and a few creepy nights as well.
March 30, 2014
Omg. Kill me now. This author is awesome with the cliff hangers. Thankfully I already have the next book. Real reviews will take a bit.
February 11, 2014
Love, love, love this series. Have devoured the 4 titles and can't wait for the next.
July 17, 2025
I got this in an omnibus and this was the last book in it. I'm a little depressed that its done and I'm hoping that they come out with another omnibus but I just realized that their are 11 books in this series so far and I worry I will have to wait for that. I always struggle to review any book that's two or more in a series because I feel like if you invested this much your going to keep going. The character dynamics are always what drive the survival books and this is no different, Adrian and the rest of the crew feel like friends at this point, and all I want is for them to survive!
September 12, 2020
Adrian's group and Mike's group are continuing with the trades and becoming closer. Some in the group have been having strange dreams and the action of the zombies is becoming quite unsettling and terrifying. There are addition stories in this book of how others are making out in other parts of the world which adds more to this awesome book. Again, I highly recommend this book and series if you love zombies.
March 9, 2021
Love Love Love!!!
I'm not going to bore anyone with a detailed account of every point in this book/series I love. The long reviews I never read because they're long winded and quite annoying. This book is severely entertaining and quite funny, with some heart warming details. I also love the side stories. This series is great! So just read it! You will not be disappointed! 😊
I'm not going to bore anyone with a detailed account of every point in this book/series I love. The long reviews I never read because they're long winded and quite annoying. This book is severely entertaining and quite funny, with some heart warming details. I also love the side stories. This series is great! So just read it! You will not be disappointed! 😊
July 26, 2023
I loved the first four books in this series but what??? Why is a new plot line introduced moments before the whole book ends?? This is so not fair! Did Philbrook go to Anne Rice University? I’ve already bought #5 so clearly he’s got me but I’m docking him a star because I would’ve gone on with the rest of the books even without the cheap “but wait till next week…” ploy.
Great world, great hero, fun apocalypse.
Great world, great hero, fun apocalypse.
May 8, 2022
A really super fourth part to this amusing, zombie end of the world series! This series really tickles me, oddly enough! A really great read! Love the ideas & characters! Everything is great about this story & series! Yes I do strongly recommend to all that love zombies!
May 4, 2017
Another solid book
Another eeally good book in the series. On to book 5. Half way done. Looking forward to the rest of them.
Another eeally good book in the series. On to book 5. Half way done. Looking forward to the rest of them.
April 12, 2018
I really really enjoyed this.
Things are really ramping up and I cant wait to see what happens in future installments.
Things are really ramping up and I cant wait to see what happens in future installments.
September 6, 2018
As usual on awesome action filled snarky read. Thanks Chris for sharing your imagination with us!
September 6, 2018
Full of action love Adrian's snarky sense of humor had me chuckling several times during the read. Thanks for another awesome trip into Adrian's world Chris!!!!!
January 8, 2019
Every book in the series leaves me wanting more. On to book 5!
June 8, 2019
I have greatly enjoyed this entire series. Also the Audible narrations are terrific.
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March 9, 2020Simply amazing series of books. Very well written.
April 18, 2020
I love Adrian. I want to be with Adrian when the zombies come along.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews