Joel Kelly and Jackson Creed have managed to settle down in Oregon with both old and new friends. Having rescued a man named Erik Tragger, and his girlfriend Katherine from the clutches of a nest of shufflers, they learn that an offensive to take back the area is being organized in Portland. The stakes have never been higher as the entire land mass is about to go up in flames, thanks to a massive incursion by the shufflers. If Joel and Jackson can't break free, they may very well join the ranks of the undead. Z-RISEN 5: BARRIERS follows the events of BEYOND THE BARRIERS: GHOULS, however, the books can be read independently of each other.