The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch, Volume Two: Empire Decayed

By: Daniel Kraus

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

A murdered teen is resurrected to walk the earth for more than a century in the second and final book in the sweeping epic that Entertainment Weekly called “utterly riveting.”

Zebulon Finch has faced more violence, lust, and heartbreak than any other seventeen-year-old in history. But nothing can prepare him for what is coming next.

Half a century has passed since Zebulon Finch was gunned down and then inexplicably resurrected to experience a second life. Picking up his tale where he left off, Zebulon heads to Nazi Germany on a top-secret mission. From there he escapes to the shiny new world of the suburbs—a tidy neighborhood hiding dark secrets. He will exchange the pains of this world for what he believes will be peace among the stars. He will march for social change all the way to Woodstock, go raving mad in the desert, and finally exit from humanity the only way he knows how. We first met Zebulon sealed in a tomb beneath the World Trade Center—might he yet crawl from the rubble to discover a different America?

Enthralling and gut-wrenching, The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch, Volume Two: Empire Decayed is the conclusion to the epic saga of one young man’s journey down the long road to redemption.

Bad is good, good is bad

This piece and the one before it are two books that someone can truly get lost in. Our protagonist travels through his death and realizes that life it self is indeed something truly worth living, cherishing, and remembering. He himself may not have deserved his blessing or was it a curse? The book itself gives a perspective of immortality that is quite raw and down right rancid at some points but is not ashamed of it, for that I admire it. The author keeps you enthralled with so many details that feel so vivid with the way adjectives are used. The way the reader is addressed really emerses one into the book and almost puts you right next to him.

26+ Hours Just Isn't Long Enough

What made the experience of listening to The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch, Volume 2: Empire Decayed the most enjoyable?

Aside from author Daniel Kraus creating one of the most unique, epic, and ambitious stories I've ever read, the reader, Kirby Heyborne, does a great job of breathing life into a book about a dead guy. Heyborne's narration, especially after listening to him narrate book one, drew me in and placed me in the story. The ways in which Heyborne voices the separate characters really helps the listener to identify and distinguish among the characters.

almost perfect

the book was almost perfect and it would have been were it not for the final chapter

Fascinating story and performance

Those of the second half of these story of Zebulon Finch, and while it's not quite as large in scope as the first book with the different time settings and locations, it is a fascinating read. The performer was as great as he was when reading the first book and I was so happy that they got the same person to do it. I highly recommend reading (hearing?) these two books; their length is worth it.

Unusual in every way

Truly strange and engrossing; unlike anything I’ve ever read, seen, heard. The tale of one man’s journey [who happens to be dead] through the history of America and the world…over 100 [1000?] years. Kirby heyborne’s narration is exceptionally good. A long strange trip but worth it. Kraus’ new novel Whalefall is also wonderful and terrible in equal measure [and a lot shorter].