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Decay
When Sam Williams wakes up to find himself locked in a room, he realizes the experiment he signed up for is far more horrifying than he could have imagined. With something hungry and less than human after them, Sam and the other participants must work together to pass a series of deadly trials if they hope to survive.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 19, 2024
Thanks to Andrew Kibe for sharing this ARC of Decay. The following is an honest review of my reading experience.
Andrew Kibe has killed it with his first novel, Decay, the start of a horror trilogy, set in what is essentially a series of escape rooms with quite deadly consequences. Decay had me constantly wanting to know what was next and was an enjoyable (albeit bloody) read.
One thing that I felt was really well done in Decay was the character development. I felt like each character had their own developed background, with relevant information revealed at the right times to really make you empathize with the characters and understand their motivations. The plot had good pacing and also felt like it was a unique take on a common subject. (not getting more into that without getting close to spoilers!)
Kibe's writing is very descriptive and detailed, which can be both invigorating and disgusting in the horror genre. It was incredibly easy to picture the scenes in my mind, but I also had to read quick over some of the more gory parts. :) It really gives depth to the storytelling, though, and makes it feel like it could be real.
Overall, I really enjoyed Decay and am looking forward to the next books in the trilogy. 4 stars probably just because this isn't a genre I typically enjoy, I am particularly squeamish and there were a lot of gross details (which I know is a bonus for many!). BUT - the plot and the characters really did it for me. I feel Kibe does a great job writing characters and making them feel like real people, as he has previously shown in his collection of short stories, Five. Would highly recommend!
Andrew Kibe has killed it with his first novel, Decay, the start of a horror trilogy, set in what is essentially a series of escape rooms with quite deadly consequences. Decay had me constantly wanting to know what was next and was an enjoyable (albeit bloody) read.
One thing that I felt was really well done in Decay was the character development. I felt like each character had their own developed background, with relevant information revealed at the right times to really make you empathize with the characters and understand their motivations. The plot had good pacing and also felt like it was a unique take on a common subject. (not getting more into that without getting close to spoilers!)
Kibe's writing is very descriptive and detailed, which can be both invigorating and disgusting in the horror genre. It was incredibly easy to picture the scenes in my mind, but I also had to read quick over some of the more gory parts. :) It really gives depth to the storytelling, though, and makes it feel like it could be real.
Overall, I really enjoyed Decay and am looking forward to the next books in the trilogy. 4 stars probably just because this isn't a genre I typically enjoy, I am particularly squeamish and there were a lot of gross details (which I know is a bonus for many!). BUT - the plot and the characters really did it for me. I feel Kibe does a great job writing characters and making them feel like real people, as he has previously shown in his collection of short stories, Five. Would highly recommend!
January 31, 2025
Andrew Kibe’s Decay plunges readers into a nightmarish, high-stakes experiment that questions the boundaries of human endurance and morality. The story begins with Sam Williams waking up in a mysterious steel room, disoriented and desperate for answers. He and a diverse group of strangers are thrust into a deadly game where survival hinges on their ability to navigate escalating trials filled with horrifying threats, including zombified creatures and brutal ethical dilemmas. Each step in the experiment pushes them closer to their physical and psychological limits while revealing unsettling truths about their captors and themselves.
Kibe’s writing is immersive and visceral, pulling no punches in its depiction of terror and chaos. The opening chapter hooked me instantly; the claustrophobic imagery of Sam’s initial confinement was so vivid that I could almost feel the cold steel walls closing in. Kibe excels in creating tension, whether through eerie silences or the grotesque, blood-soaked battles against the zombified enemies. For instance, the description of the first encounter with a zombie was so graphic and intense that I could practically hear the crunching bones and taste the metallic tang of blood in the air. Yet, amidst the gore, Kibe threads a moving narrative about familial love, as Sam’s quest is deeply rooted in his longing to reunite with his sister.
While the action sequences are gripping, the character dynamics elevate the story further. Sam’s reluctant heroism contrasts with Leon’s hardened pragmatism and Walter’s paranoid conspiracy theories, creating friction that feels raw and believable. The inclusion of Kelly, a ten-year-old girl, adds a heartbreaking layer to the stakes. Watching her try to navigate this hellish reality alongside her protective mother, Heather, and then seeing her resilience after her mother’s tragic death, was both gut-wrenching and inspiring. Kibe’s ability to capture human vulnerability amidst monstrous chaos is commendable.
One aspect that stood out was the philosophical undertone running through the narrative. As the group progresses through the trials, they’re forced to confront not only external threats but also their moral boundaries. In one chilling moment, Leon’s assertion that they must kill to survive raises uncomfortable questions about humanity’s instinctual drive for self-preservation versus its capacity for compassion. Similarly, Sam’s internal struggle weighing his promise to protect Kelly against his own desire to find his sister adds depth to his character and keeps readers emotionally invested.
Decay is a gripping blend of survival horror and psychological drama. Andrew Kibe’s prose is sharp, his pacing relentless, and his world-building immersive. The book is perfect for fans of dystopian thrillers like The Hunger Games or survival horror stories such as The Walking Dead. If you enjoy exploring the darker corners of human nature under extreme circumstances, this book is a must-read. But fair warning: it’s not for the faint-hearted; brace yourself for a bloody, emotionally charged ride that will linger with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
Kibe’s writing is immersive and visceral, pulling no punches in its depiction of terror and chaos. The opening chapter hooked me instantly; the claustrophobic imagery of Sam’s initial confinement was so vivid that I could almost feel the cold steel walls closing in. Kibe excels in creating tension, whether through eerie silences or the grotesque, blood-soaked battles against the zombified enemies. For instance, the description of the first encounter with a zombie was so graphic and intense that I could practically hear the crunching bones and taste the metallic tang of blood in the air. Yet, amidst the gore, Kibe threads a moving narrative about familial love, as Sam’s quest is deeply rooted in his longing to reunite with his sister.
While the action sequences are gripping, the character dynamics elevate the story further. Sam’s reluctant heroism contrasts with Leon’s hardened pragmatism and Walter’s paranoid conspiracy theories, creating friction that feels raw and believable. The inclusion of Kelly, a ten-year-old girl, adds a heartbreaking layer to the stakes. Watching her try to navigate this hellish reality alongside her protective mother, Heather, and then seeing her resilience after her mother’s tragic death, was both gut-wrenching and inspiring. Kibe’s ability to capture human vulnerability amidst monstrous chaos is commendable.
One aspect that stood out was the philosophical undertone running through the narrative. As the group progresses through the trials, they’re forced to confront not only external threats but also their moral boundaries. In one chilling moment, Leon’s assertion that they must kill to survive raises uncomfortable questions about humanity’s instinctual drive for self-preservation versus its capacity for compassion. Similarly, Sam’s internal struggle weighing his promise to protect Kelly against his own desire to find his sister adds depth to his character and keeps readers emotionally invested.
Decay is a gripping blend of survival horror and psychological drama. Andrew Kibe’s prose is sharp, his pacing relentless, and his world-building immersive. The book is perfect for fans of dystopian thrillers like The Hunger Games or survival horror stories such as The Walking Dead. If you enjoy exploring the darker corners of human nature under extreme circumstances, this book is a must-read. But fair warning: it’s not for the faint-hearted; brace yourself for a bloody, emotionally charged ride that will linger with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
January 31, 2024
It is very rare for me to read an entire book from start to finish in one sitting. In fact, I cannot remember ever having done so for a full length novel before. However, that is what I did with Decay. This speaks volumes about the book’s moreish quality, its swift pace, and the compelling nature of its story. The setup will surely resonate with fans of the Netflix show Squid Game, while tabletop role-players, like myself, may also draw parallels to classic horror-themed funhouse dungeons in the Dungeons and Dragons tradition.
Kibe has written a tight plot, involving a small cast of realistic and relatable characters who are thrust into a relentless pressure cooker for twenty intense chapters. There are some elements of mystery, a handful of significant moments that stick out as emotional highs and lows, and a strong sense of who to root for throughout. It is, on the whole, a resounding success.
Sam wakes up at the start, along with a small group of companions, to find himself part of a lethal competition in which herds of zombies provide deadly obstacles for participants at every stage. The only way to escape is to play, and winning this competition is necessary in order for each participant to achieve their real-world goals (with a different reward having been promised to each person). In order to survive, Sam has to rely on wits, skill, and teamwork – even when his fellow team members are not always reliable – and Kibe executes this tension well. His explanations of puzzles and challenges, which are often quite visual or spatial in nature, are also very good, in that they never felt as if they encumbered the narrative or slowed down the pace.
I do have some minor criticisms. Similes were used too frequently for my taste, in places where I felt metaphors would have been more powerful. Additionally, it seemed odd to me that participants, though sceptical about various aspects of the competition, never seemed to question the sponsors’ ability or willingness to deliver on their promised rewards in the event of their victory. This feels a noteworthy omission, given the often far-fetched or difficult-to-guarantee nature of these rewards, on top of the competition organisers’ evident willingness to deceive participants and take advantage of their vulnerability to persuade them to sign up for the game. That said, these things are small quibbles, in that they did not spoil my overall reading experience.
Overall, Decay marks a successful debut contribution to the survival horror genre by Andrew Kibe, and is worthy of recommendation to anyone with a fondness of zombie fiction.
Kibe has written a tight plot, involving a small cast of realistic and relatable characters who are thrust into a relentless pressure cooker for twenty intense chapters. There are some elements of mystery, a handful of significant moments that stick out as emotional highs and lows, and a strong sense of who to root for throughout. It is, on the whole, a resounding success.
Sam wakes up at the start, along with a small group of companions, to find himself part of a lethal competition in which herds of zombies provide deadly obstacles for participants at every stage. The only way to escape is to play, and winning this competition is necessary in order for each participant to achieve their real-world goals (with a different reward having been promised to each person). In order to survive, Sam has to rely on wits, skill, and teamwork – even when his fellow team members are not always reliable – and Kibe executes this tension well. His explanations of puzzles and challenges, which are often quite visual or spatial in nature, are also very good, in that they never felt as if they encumbered the narrative or slowed down the pace.
I do have some minor criticisms. Similes were used too frequently for my taste, in places where I felt metaphors would have been more powerful. Additionally, it seemed odd to me that participants, though sceptical about various aspects of the competition, never seemed to question the sponsors’ ability or willingness to deliver on their promised rewards in the event of their victory. This feels a noteworthy omission, given the often far-fetched or difficult-to-guarantee nature of these rewards, on top of the competition organisers’ evident willingness to deceive participants and take advantage of their vulnerability to persuade them to sign up for the game. That said, these things are small quibbles, in that they did not spoil my overall reading experience.
Overall, Decay marks a successful debut contribution to the survival horror genre by Andrew Kibe, and is worthy of recommendation to anyone with a fondness of zombie fiction.
January 31, 2024
Wow! This was a fast read that I enjoyed way more than I thought I was going to. Even though I am a usual fan of zombie stories I can be picky about which ones I like.
In this story, we follow Sam as he makes his way through the craziness of a zombie experiment? and learn a great deal about the characters around him. Throughout the story, we follow Sam's internal struggle of making the right decision for himself vs. the right decision to be supportive of others. This ends up being a key thing at the end of the book, something I did not see coming (a big thing for me - why are so many of these books so incredibly predictable?).
There were a couple of moments I had a hard time following - I had to reread a few sections to understand where characters were in relation to each other, but because they were in a maze this may have been intentional but hard for me to follow. It's what brings it down a star.
Overall an excellent read.
In this story, we follow Sam as he makes his way through the craziness of a zombie experiment? and learn a great deal about the characters around him. Throughout the story, we follow Sam's internal struggle of making the right decision for himself vs. the right decision to be supportive of others. This ends up being a key thing at the end of the book, something I did not see coming (a big thing for me - why are so many of these books so incredibly predictable?).
There were a couple of moments I had a hard time following - I had to reread a few sections to understand where characters were in relation to each other, but because they were in a maze this may have been intentional but hard for me to follow. It's what brings it down a star.
Overall an excellent read.
February 21, 2024
A thrilling adventure! I generally prefer my zombie movies to have either a humorous side or a good science fiction backdrop, and I've never read a zombie novel (and completed it) until now. I couldn't put this one down. Sam is a well-written MC, and following his struggle lets the reader build connections with each of the other players of the "game." I could see through his eyes, and feel his pain and frustration. Kibe built a truly original world and pulled it all together in the end with a lovely bit of sci-fi twist. Well well-written, quick read, intriguing plot/concept. I'm looking forward to the continuation!
February 5, 2024
This is a no-nonsense full-on action packed Zombie horror story with a big twist. There are echoes of Squid Game in the way "contestants" are eliminated from existence with only one standing at the end. If you like your horror to be violent and yet thoughtful, this book is for you.
April 24, 2024
I devoured this book. It was Squid Game meets Walking Dead meets Lost. Expertly paced with a twist I did not expect at the end.
May 12, 2024
Couldn’t put book down. Looking forward to the next
April 30, 2025
Story kept my interest and had some good thrills, but didn't love that ending
June 12, 2025
Inventive
I hate to write these but this book was worth reading. I can't say that about hundreds if others I have wasted my time with.
I hate to write these but this book was worth reading. I can't say that about hundreds if others I have wasted my time with.
July 15, 2025
Different
A zombie story with a different perspective. Feels unfinished without second book available yet .
Good character creation. Enjoyed it
A zombie story with a different perspective. Feels unfinished without second book available yet .
Good character creation. Enjoyed it
September 29, 2025
Sam Williams and others must survive the horrendous results of their experiment
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews