The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed video game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been decimated by a fungal infection. The game’s gripping storyline, dynamic characters, and intense survival gameplay have captivated gamers worldwide. This game got its first season as web series adaptation recently. If you’re a fan of The Last of Us game or its adapted web series, you may be wondering what to do next. Fortunately, there are plenty of post-apocalyptic infection novels that can scratch that same itch for immersive storytelling and gritty survivalism. In this article, we’ve rounded up 10 post-apocalyptic infection novels to read after The Last of Us. From terrifying infections to desperate survival tactics, these books will transport you to a world where every choice could be your last. So grab your gas mask, stock up on supplies, and get ready to journey through the wasteland of post-apocalyptic literature.

“The Road” by Cormac McCarthy

The story of this book “The Road” follows a father and his young son as they journey through a desolate and dangerous landscape, trying to survive in a world where there is little hope for the future. The cause of the apocalypse is not revealed, but the world is barren, dark, and full of danger. The father and son face starvation, cannibalism, and other horrors as they make their way towards the coast in search of safety. Along the way, they encounter other survivors, both good and bad, and must make difficult choices to stay alive. McCarthy’s spare and poetic prose perfectly captures the bleakness and despair of the world he has created, and the relationship between the father and son is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. “The Road” is a powerful meditation on love, loss, and the human will to survive in the face of unimaginable hardship.

“Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel

“Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel is a post-apocalyptic novel that tells the story of a world devastated by a deadly flu pandemic. The novel weaves together the stories of a handful of survivors, including a famous actor, a traveling troupe of Shakespearean actors, and a young girl named Kirsten who was just a child when the pandemic struck. As the world falls apart, the characters struggle to come to terms with what has happened and to find meaning and purpose in their new lives.

One of the most striking things about “Station Eleven” is its focus on the power of art and culture in the face of adversity. The Shakespearean actors continue to perform in the ruins of cities, even as the world around them crumbles, and Kirsten carries with her a comic book called “Station Eleven” that has taken on a new significance in the post-pandemic world. Mandel’s writing is lyrical and evocative, capturing both the beauty and the horror of a world in which everything has changed.

“Station Eleven” is a novel that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. It is a poignant and hopeful reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty and humanity to be found.

“The Stand” by Stephen King

It is a classic post-apocalyptic novel that tells the story of a world devastated by a superflu virus that wipes out over 99% of the population. The novel “The Stand” follows a diverse group of survivors as they navigate a world in which society has collapsed, and a new order is emerging. The survivors include a young deaf man named Nick, a former convict named Tom, and a pregnant woman named Frannie, among others.

At its heart, “The Stand” is a story about the struggle between good and evil. The survivors are drawn to two leaders: Mother Abigail, an elderly woman who represents good, and Randall Flagg, a demonic figure who represents evil. As the survivors begin to gather together in different parts of the country, they must decide which side they are on and which leader they will follow.

“The Stand” is a massive novel, clocking in at over 1,000 pages, but King’s writing is so gripping that it never feels like a slog. The characters are well-drawn, and the world-building is meticulous, making the post-apocalyptic landscape feel both terrifying and eerily plausible. Overall, “The Stand” is a thrilling and thought-provoking read that has stood the test of time as a classic of the post-apocalyptic genre.

“The Passage” by Justin Cronin

A gripping post-apocalyptic novel that explores a world in which a military experiment gone wrong has unleashed a virus that turns people into vampire-like creatures called virals. The novel follows a diverse cast of characters, including a young girl named Amy, who may hold the key to stopping the virus, and a group of survivors who must navigate a dangerous and uncertain world.

One of the most impressive aspects of “The Passage” is its world-building. Cronin has created a vivid and detailed post-apocalyptic landscape, complete with abandoned cities, dangerous wilderness, and fortified settlements. The characters are equally compelling, and Cronin takes the time to develop each of them, giving readers a real sense of who they are and what motivates them.

“The Passage” is also a story about hope and redemption, as the characters must come to terms with the mistakes of their past and find a way to move forward in a world that has been forever changed. The novel is both epic in scope and deeply personal, making it a thrilling and emotional read that will keep you turning pages until the very end.

“World War Z” by Max Brooks

The novel is presented as a series of interviews with survivors from all over the world, including soldiers, scientists, politicians, and ordinary citizens. Through these interviews, readers gain insight into the different ways that people responded to the outbreak and the devastating impact it had on society.

One of the most impressive things about “World War Z” is its attention to detail. Brooks has clearly done his research, and the novel is full of realistic depictions of the way that different countries and cultures would respond to a global crisis. The novel is also deeply political, exploring themes of government corruption, military strategy, and the importance of international cooperation in the face of a global threat.

Despite its focus on the zombie apocalypse, “World War Z” is also a deeply human story. The characters are well-drawn, and their experiences are both harrowing and inspiring. Brooks is a talented writer, and his prose is both evocative and suspenseful, making “World War Z” a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

“I Am Legend” by Richard Matheson

Neville spends his days scavenging for supplies, fortifying his house, and hunting the vampires who terrorize him at night. As Neville struggles to survive, he also begins to question his own sanity and the nature of the world around him.

The vampires in the novel are not romanticized or glamorous, but instead are depicted as savage, animalistic creatures who have completely taken over the world. Neville’s struggle to survive is both physical and psychological, and Matheson does an excellent job of exploring the toll that isolation and fear can take on a person’s mind.

Neville is a complex and sympathetic character, and his journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Matheson’s writing is spare and evocative, creating a sense of claustrophobia and dread that is hard to shake off. Overall, “I Am Legend” is a classic of the post-apocalyptic genre that is not to be missed.

“The Girl with All the Gifts” by M.R. Carey

“The Girl with All the Gifts” by M.R. Carey is a post-apocalyptic novel that explores a world in which a fungal infection has turned most of humanity into “hungries,” zombie-like creatures who are driven by an insatiable hunger for human flesh. The novel follows a young girl named Melanie, who is one of a group of children who have been infected with the fungus but have retained their human intelligence and emotions.

One of the most impressive things about “The Girl with All the Gifts” is the way that Carey subverts the traditional zombie genre. The hungries in the novel are not mindless monsters, but instead are depicted as tragic figures who are victims of a fungal infection that they cannot control. The novel is also deeply emotional, as Melanie and the other children struggle to understand their place in a world that fears and hates them.

“The Dog Stars” by Peter Heller

A pilot who lives in a small airport community in Colorado after a pandemic has wiped out most of humanity. Hig spends his days flying his plane, fishing, and tending to his garden, but he is haunted by the memories of his wife and the life he lost.

One of the most impressive things about “The Dog Stars” is the beauty of Heller’s writing. The novel is filled with poetic descriptions of the natural world, and Heller does an excellent job of evoking the loneliness and isolation of Hig’s life. The novel is also deeply introspective, as Hig grapples with his own sense of purpose and the meaning of survival in a world that has been destroyed.

“Alas, Babylon” by Pat Frank

The novel follows the story of Randy Bragg, a former soldier and now a lazy, apathetic man living in the fictional town of Fort Repose. When he receives a warning from his brother, a high-ranking military officer, that a nuclear war is imminent, Randy starts to prepare for the worst. When the war does occur, Fort Repose is spared from direct attack, but the town is cut off from the rest of the world and must fend for itself.

As the people of Fort Repose struggle to survive in the aftermath of the nuclear war, they face numerous challenges, including food and water shortages, radiation sickness, and roving bands of violent gangs. Randy, who initially seems ill-suited to the task, steps up as a leader and uses his military training to organize the town and protect its residents.

Throughout the novel, Frank explores themes such as the nature of humanity, the effects of war on society, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The title “Alas, Babylon” comes from a biblical passage, referring to the destruction of the city of Babylon and its fall from greatness.

“The Book of M” by Peng Shepherd

It is a post-apocalyptic tale that explores the consequences of a world in which people lose their shadows and subsequently their memories.

The story follows several characters, including Ory and his wife Max, who have gone into hiding to avoid the “shadow sickness” that has befallen the world. When Max loses her shadow and disappears, Ory sets out on a journey to find her, encountering other survivors and facing dangerous challenges along the way.

The book also delves into themes of identity, memory, and the power of stories. It raises questions about what makes us who we are, and how our memories shape our understanding of the world.

Also Read: 10 Graphic Novels For Teens