Book Review: “Underground Railroad Undead: Slaves vs. Zombies” by Radley Veljohnson
“Underground Railroad Undead: Slaves vs. Zombies” by Radley Veljohnson (2025)
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical
Page Length: 208 pages (electronic review edition)
Synopsis:
Missouri, 1853. (but not the one from History class) Sixteen year-old Kenlee’s plan was simple: survive the brutality of the Gore plantation and chop enough wood to buy freedom for herself and her little sister, Sunday. But survival turns bitter when the dead rise, hungry and relentless.
When the Underground Railroad arrives to the rescue, led by the mysterious and fearsome Capt. Moses, Kenlee learns that the road to Freedom isn’t a train or road at all. It’s a system of portals called the North Star stretching across distant locations. Armed with plasma steampunk weapons and harboring dangerous secrets, the Shepherds of the Underground Railroad are Kenlee’s last hope against the zombies and those who still wield the whip.
But the portals to Freedom are failing, catchers are on their trail, and the undead’s numbers grow by the hour. As the secrets of the Railroad unfold, Kenlee realizes survival isn’t enough. To save Sunday, she must defy every rule she’s ever learned and carve a path out of slavery-and through the horrors waiting at every turn.
Kenlee has spent her life surviving by following the rules-submission, silence, and obedience-but when the dead rise, and survival demands defiance, she must break every rule she’s ever learned and fight for a freedom she never dared to imagine.
Review:
Underground Railroad Undead is a fast-paced novel that seeks to write a new chapter in the alternate history sub-genre of Fantasy. This novel seeks to give a supernatural take on history and also the reckoning of America’s racial past. The novel packs a powerful punch from beginning to end with the high stakes and constant danger our cast of characters face. It also felt uplifting at time despite the dire situations of fight or flight described in the novel.
“Freedom starts when you build your damn self. Piece by piece, you find your voice, the one they buried. You listen close. Then you speak. That’s where freedom begins.”
I thought the blend of steampunk and fantasy elements done within the novel were done well. It was an emotional read at times due to how Veljohnson reshaped the narrative and gave those who didn’t have a voice the chance to speak up and fight. The concept of portal technology for the Underground Railroad was so interesting especially the weapons used to defend them against the sombi (zombies) in the novel.
Like with most zombie fiction, the story can get a bit gory at times, but like the author said “I wanted to add monsters to history, but because the real ones were already there. I just added zombies and blue fire.” It’s action-packed with no dull moments and the variety of the characters featured allows the reader to connect to the story especially our heroine, Kenlee (who I was cheering for the entire novel). I could definitely see the world building expanding if the story continues in a future installment.
Final Verdict:
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
