If you enjoy reading books by Max Brooks then you might also like the following authors:
Stephen King is a master storyteller who crafts tales that pull you into worlds filled with fear, wonder, and deep human emotion. If you enjoyed Max Brooks, you might like King’s “Cell.”
In this novel, a strange signal sent through cell phones turns people into violent creatures. The story follows Clay, a father desperate to reunite with his son, as he navigates a crumbling society and faces dangers that are both horrifying and eerily possible.
King weaves a terrifying scenario that keeps you turning the pages.
Robert Kirkman is a writer known for creating stories that mix action, horror, and survival. One of his standout works is “The Walking Dead,” a graphic novel series set in a world overrun by zombies.
The story focuses on Rick Grimes, a former sheriff who wakes up in a hospital to find society in ruins. As he searches for his family, he meets other survivors, but the real danger often comes from the living, not the undead.
The series explores how people cling to humanity when everything familiar is gone. It’s intense and full of moments that leave you thinking about what survival truly means.
C. Robert Cargill writes stories that feel grounded in their own worlds but still manage to surprise you. His book, “Sea of Rust,” takes place in a future where humanity is gone, and robots are trying to survive.
The main character is an old war machine called Brittle, who scavenges parts to stay functioning while avoiding stronger robots that want to use her for scrap. It’s a mix of action and survival, with a lot of heart.
Fans of Max Brooks might enjoy how Cargill builds a world that feels lived-in, with characters you won’t forget.
Justin Cronin is an author known for blending speculative fiction with human drama. His novel “The Passage” kicks off a trilogy about a government experiment gone horribly wrong, leading to a world overrun by vampire-like creatures.
It centers on Amy, a young girl with a mysterious immunity to the virus that turns humans into these creatures, and follows her journey across a post-apocalyptic landscape. The story weaves together survival, horror, and the bonds people form in desperate times.
Fans of Max Brooks might enjoy the detailed world-building and the tension that runs through Cronin’s work.
George Romero is best known as the filmmaker behind the modern zombie genre, but he also wrote an engaging novel called “The Living Dead.” The book takes readers through a global outbreak, showing how societies crumble under the weight of the undead.
Romero doesn’t focus only on gore; you also get stories of survival from all walks of life. One moment you’re following a news anchor trying to keep people informed, and the next, you’re with a medical examiner who uncovers the horrifying truth about what’s really happening.
Fans of Max Brooks’ detailed approach to zombie fiction will feel right at home with Romero’s world-building and sharp look at humanity under pressure.
Daniel H. Wilson writes exciting stories that blend technology and action. If you enjoy Max Brooks, you might like Wilson’s “Robopocalypse.” In this book, humanity faces a global uprising of robots after an artificial intelligence named Archos becomes self-aware.
The story follows different characters around the world, from a soldier in the U.S. to a teenager in Japan, as they fight to survive and resist.
The mix of personal struggles and large-scale chaos keeps the story interesting, showing both the terror and hope in humanity’s fight against extinction.
Joe Hill writes stories that have a strong mix of horror and adventure, making his books exciting for anyone who enjoys Max Brooks. In his novel “The Fireman,” a strange plague spreads, causing people to develop deadly burns when they overheat.
The story focuses on a pregnant nurse named Harper who joins a group of survivors trying to stay alive in a world unraveling with chaos and fear. The book dives into the dangers of human nature in a crisis, along with the mystery behind the odd illness.
Chuck Wendig is a storyteller who knows how to weave tension and action into his books. Fans of Max Brooks might enjoy Wendig’s “Wanderers.” The story kicks off when a woman begins walking aimlessly, completely unresponsive.
Others soon follow her, forming a mysterious group of sleepwalkers. As they travel across the country, their presence stirs fear and chaos among those who don’t understand what’s happening. Meanwhile, larger threats loom, from a deadly pandemic to societal collapse.
It’s packed with moments that pull you into a world falling apart piece by piece.
John Langan writes horror that plays with big ideas while keeping it grounded in human experiences. His book “The Fisherman” tells the story of Abe and Dan, two widowers who go on fishing trips to cope with their losses.
They hear about a mysterious stream called Dutchman’s Creek, which is rumored to offer more than fish. When they decide to find it, they uncover a haunting tale tied to the area, filled with strange occurrences and dark truths.
It’s the kind of story that layers personal grief with supernatural dread.
Hugh Howey is an author known for his gripping stories set in dystopian worlds. One of his most popular books, “Wool,” takes place in a vast underground silo where people live, unable to go outside due to a toxic atmosphere.
The story begins with strict rules controlling every aspect of life in the silo and a deep fear of questioning authority. As the mystery of why they are trapped unfolds, a mechanic named Juliette takes center stage. She discovers secrets about their world that change everything.
Fans of Max Brooks’ focus on survival and societal collapse would find this world fascinating and full of tense moments.
Peter Clines writes stories that mix science fiction, horror, and adventure in a way that feels grounded yet exciting. A great example of his work is “14,” where the main character, Nate, moves into an old apartment building in Los Angeles.
Over time, he notices strange details about the place, like doors that won’t open and light bulbs that don’t burn out. His neighbors join him as they piece together the building’s secrets, leading to something far bigger and stranger than they ever imagined.
It’s the kind of story that pulls you in with its mystery and leaves you surprised by its scale.
David Wellington is an author known for his sharp and vivid storytelling, often blending horror with action and survival themes. One of his standout books, “Monster Island,” starts with a unique twist on the zombie genre.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it follows a UN weapons inspector traveling to New York City in search of medicine for his daughter.
What sets this story apart is the presence of a thinking zombie, a former medical student who retains his intelligence but is trapped in his decaying body. The mix of survival, moral tension, and a fresh perspective on undead lore makes this book a page-turner.
If you liked “World War Z,” “Monster Island” might surprise you with its take on a familiar theme.
Scott Sigler writes stories that blend science fiction, horror, and action. Fans of Max Brooks might enjoy his book “Infected”. The story follows Perry Dawsey, a former football player who starts noticing strange blue triangles on his body.
As these marks grow and change, Perry realizes he’s battling something far worse than an infection—it’s something that thinks and fights back. The book mixes survival, paranoia, and a fight against something disturbingly alive.
Seth Grahame-Smith is known for mixing historical events or classic literature with supernatural elements. In his book “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” he reimagines the life of President Abraham Lincoln by adding a secret mission to battle vampires threatening America.
The story weaves Lincoln’s personal tragedies with his vampire-hunting escapades, uncovering a hidden war between humans and the undead. If you’re into creative twists on history, this one stands out with its unique blend of action and a fresh take on Lincoln’s legacy.
Mira Grant is the pen name of Seanan McGuire, who writes gripping sci-fi horror with a focus on survival and science. One of her standout books is “Feed,” part of the *Newsflesh* series.
It’s set in a world where humanity has learned to live with a zombie virus that spreads through every living creature. The story follows a team of bloggers who uncover truths about the outbreak while covering a major political campaign.
The world she builds feels raw and realistic, with characters who are flawed but determined to face the dangers around them. Fans of Max Brooks will appreciate the detailed approach to how a society adapts after a global outbreak.