The Remaining: Allegiance

Without spoiling, I was quite disappointed withe the first 70% of this book. It seemed like nothing was happening except an excessive amount of details that I don't care about. The last 30% moved at a better pace and things began to take shape. Too bad the whole book wasn't like that. I am looking forward to the next book though. The last 30% hooked me in for more. Hopefully the author packs it with more action and less descriptive narratives on how someone feels about walking from here to there.

There were some things I wished were done differently, but overall I think this was a great book and I have recommended it to my friends. These last books were like Game of Thrones...hope you don't have any favorite characters...lol.

D.J. Molles continues his withering march across the zombie apocalypse landscape with his fifth installment of The Remaining series, The Remaining: Allegiance. For those who have never read these, The Remaining tracks the story of Army Special Forces Captain Lee Harden, as he attempts to implement his final post-doomsday mission to re-establish order in the United States, a super-secret operation called Project Hometown. By this, the fifth installment, a well developed post-apocalypse universe has emerged featuring increasingly aggressive and lethal mutant zombies, a rogue "Acting" President of the United States named Briggs, a nomadic religious cult called "Followers of the Rapture," and surviving elements of the US Army and USMC -- most of whom are trying to kill Harden and the survivors at Camp Ryder; all of whom are desperately trying to gain control of the super-secret logistics bunkers only Harden can access. The Remaining: Allegiance story plot involves an attempt to stop the infected from crossing into North Carolina by blowing the bridges on the Roanoke River; Captain Harden's negotiations with a Camp Lejeune Colonel named Staley and his Marines to ally with the survivors at Camp Ryder; and an attempt by Captain Tomkins to reach Fort Bragg in the hopes of linking them all up with the Army. The series has expanded in characterization and plot since the first installment, when Captain Hardin was a naïve, knight-in-shining armor Eagle Scout type with serious feet of clay. Almost all of the suspense in the first two books was created by his dubious operational decisions. But things have changed since book one. Harden is a darker, more complex character. Cynicism and bitterness have invaded his soul. The cast has grown. It's more of an ensemble book now. There is also a tremendous amount of back-story for this installment -- not only from the earlier books but also from Molles' two e-novellas. That means The Remaining: Allegiance can't be thoroughly enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. You need the back-story to really get it. While for some serials this would be annoying, I can't help but feel I am following an HBO series like The Walking Dead where the plot drags on through each episode... but you keep coming back for more because it's so well done. And this is the strongest installment yet. For those who are bothered by such things, there are more obscenities and adult situations in this installment (though we are still left waiting for Harden to move forward with Angela). The Remaining resembles The Walking Dead in another way some may find annoying. When the zombies aren't attacking, the uninfected humans turn on each other with in-fights, bickering and drama queen behavior. It's a zombie soap opera from time to time but the action scenes always break through at about the moment you are sick and tired of it and want to stop reading. And the action scenes are very good. The cult name, "Followers of the Rapture" sounds suspiciously like an unnecessary cheap shot aimed at prophecy believing Christians. Outlaw motorcycle gangs, white supremacists and/or the Black Panthers couldn't be enlisted for this role? Molles' military characterization is strong although there are a couple of minor holes (as a testy old vet I notice these things) but nothing as glaring as those in the first installment. I like the new characters from Bragg and Lejeune. The Remaining: Allegiance ends on a more hopeful note than previous installments. There might be a future after all. There certainly is for D.J. Molles' The Remaining series. Well done.

Best series in this genre by far, very tactical, and military minded, and DJ Molles went as far, as to send me an autographed copy of the newest book, before it even was released while I was deployed overseas!

DJ Molles has not disappointed with this continuous story. Full of action and adventure it keeps me on the edge of my seat until the very last page! I really hope that they decide to do a movie and capture the best parts of these books. Highly recommended read.

Omg! Like Pringles you just can't stop !
DJ Molles delivers another exciting novel to the series THE REMAINING...on to the final book. I'll hate to see it end.
We can only hope for a movie, hint hint ;)

Storyline is excellent and the continued action in this series keeps my interest,Making me want to look for the next release. Occasionally I find myself skipping over some of the excessive details,but the scenes are well described.

Not as interesting as earlier episodes, but still a compelling read. If you have not read the first four episodes this one may not make sense, but still a worthwhile read. D. J. Molles is a superb writer......

My favorite zombie series but this one just didn't have the feel of the others. Not enough Lee Harden. Too much exposition. Way too much superfluous verbiage. Anyway, I'm going to buy the last one because I'm invested in the series.

Not as interesting as earlier episodes, but still a compelling read. If you have not read the first four episodes this one may not make sense, but still a worthwhile read. D. J. Molles is a superb writer......

My favorite zombie series but this one just didn't have the feel of the others. Not enough Lee Harden. Too much exposition. Way too much superfluous verbiage. Anyway, I'm going to buy the last one because I'm invested in the series.

this series started out really strong. I loved the first couple o books and was looking forward to this newest release. As in all series there is a lull before the storm and i hope that is what happened here. I would recommend this series to people and hope the author finishes with a flurry.

Molles is starting to get it; the characters are starting to have more depth, the chapters are starting to flow better. However, the rather abrupt suspense ending was just far too abrupt. There was not even so much as an epilogue about what we might expect in the next installment. It just made the book feel far too short.

Mr. Molles does it again. Fantastic story, he keeps the story moving fluidly. Great characterizations. I felt like the characters were well rounded and that they were believable. I Love this series and am looking forward to the next installment.

I have read many apocalyptic book series and this is my favorite. Great characters. Great story. Very well written. I can't wait for the next book! Infected are much more believable than zombies. Outstanding!

I have read all the books, and enjoy this series. I just wish they could come clouded together. I have spend a lot of time remembering what is going on. Maybe I should have waited until they were all out to start. Anyway, I am still looking forward to the next book.

Still good writing but the series is starting to feel like a Game of Thrones with all the plotting and planning and the blah and blah...

I wish there was a little more bang bang to with all the blab blab.

I found this book really dark and disturbing, ended up not liking the lead character Lee Hardon very much. There was very little hope or optimism for the future with people turning on each other. Don't think I will read any more of this series.

Molles has done it again, wonderful book!! Love the character development! Each book sees its characters growing and changing! Some for the better and some for the worst! Can't wait for the next book!!!!

Continuing on the series. Filling in some more gaps but as many reviewers have noted, slowly. There maybe something big coming up but the series is getting a little static with nothing much new added in this novel. Still a good enough read on what has been a great series and hopefully some of the original DJ Molles magic will come back in the last(?) installment.

This is one of my favorite series of books ever. The first four books were 5 Star Plus. Simply incredible books that made my spine tingle. This one is a big drop off. The first four books were centered around Lee Harden, and made me feel like I was in his head walking around. Lots of action, lots of fighting, and just non-stop excitement.

This book distances itself from Lee. He was hardly in it, and when he was he was in the position of Secretary of State more than hands on, kick ass Soldier. A lot more political maneuvering and compromising going on in this one. I think this series could easily be ten books. I am kind of sad that the next one is the last, because there seems so much more that needs expanded on. Alas, all good things must end. Thank you Mr. Molles for bringing us these books.

P.S. For a similar style of writing, check out Robert Adams The Horseclans. Billy the Axe is basically a medieval Captain Lee Harden.

I am a little conflicted here... I have purchased and read every novel in the series. The writing is getting better as they have progressed. But I have a few issues to discuss:

Issues:
1. I know that the author is a military guy, but his myopic republican theme of "God/Country/Service" gets a little tiresome. Politicians can't be trusted. Educated people are worthless. Women are weak and irrational. The only solid, stand-up characters are the army guys. They can do it all and they can do it righteously!
2. Not edited very well. Far too man run-on sentences. Far too many meandering passages that do not advance the story.
3. Sadistic punishment doled out to the main character. It is difficult to identify with the main character because the author seemingly wants to kill, main, and disfigure him every novel. Not really fun to read, sir.
3. The covers are crazy. I have to fold the covers back because they cause odd stares when I am on public transportation.

What I like:
1. An interesting, if simplistic, premise.
2. Unique take on zombies
3. Story tends to get bogged down, but the characters really develop throughout the books and series.

In all, they can be frustrating to read for the issues outlined above. Yet, if you are looking for an escape, then why not?

Another great addition to my all time favorite series. While not as dark as the fourth book I might venture, it still leaves you on the edge of your seat. Some new and very interesting players are entering the game as well.