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A Decade of Death and Decisions
In October of 2013, Drew Hayes began posting a story to his website. Written over the 13 days leading up to Halloween, when each chapter ended the next step was chosen by the readers. Sometimes this led to great discoveries and triumphs, other paths led to Dead Ends, though even in those there was much to be gleaned.
For ten years, this tradition occurred, until in the year of 2022, the readers chose a finale.
This is their a tale of deaths and decisions that spanned a decade.
For ten years, this tradition occurred, until in the year of 2022, the readers chose a finale.
This is their a tale of deaths and decisions that spanned a decade.
697 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2024
112 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 19, 2024
"Don't forget! Fulfilled or forsaken, you owe me a dream by All Saints dawn."
"Before we venture forth, Merlin, perhaps it is time you knew what to expect this evening. Tonight will truly be one of our most hideous destinations in all our years together. What you see may haunt you. Carve itself into the deepest core of your soul. Take heart and brace for the dangers ahead."
💭 Great writing and narration. Cool concept of using a poll to involve the audience in making a decision (a compilation of a decade worth of story and gets expanded each year depending on the poll results!) The storytelling is engrossing, makes you feel like you are part of the story and company. Like you are also there steeling your nerves whilst hunting a mysterious magical object - dreading whatever unknown horror that awaits. 17 hours and 13mins in audio format. This is something I'd probably enjoy more as a read along if I have either the ebook or physical copy since it's a lot to process in just 2 days.
📖 If you find these interesting:
everkey🔑, time-jumping anomaly, risky magic dust to bring any Halloween 👻 🎃 costume to life.
Thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for the arc 🖤
"Before we venture forth, Merlin, perhaps it is time you knew what to expect this evening. Tonight will truly be one of our most hideous destinations in all our years together. What you see may haunt you. Carve itself into the deepest core of your soul. Take heart and brace for the dangers ahead."
💭 Great writing and narration. Cool concept of using a poll to involve the audience in making a decision (a compilation of a decade worth of story and gets expanded each year depending on the poll results!) The storytelling is engrossing, makes you feel like you are part of the story and company. Like you are also there steeling your nerves whilst hunting a mysterious magical object - dreading whatever unknown horror that awaits. 17 hours and 13mins in audio format. This is something I'd probably enjoy more as a read along if I have either the ebook or physical copy since it's a lot to process in just 2 days.
📖 If you find these interesting:
everkey🔑, time-jumping anomaly, risky magic dust to bring any Halloween 👻 🎃 costume to life.
Thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for the arc 🖤
October 22, 2024
What I found most interesting about this book, is that it’s a collection of 10 years worth of story. Every year, for 13 days leading up to Halloween, Hayes would post a part of the story. At the end of each section/day, he would take a poll from his readers to decide which direction the story would go. Almost like a modern-day Goosebumps but funny and with way more adult language.
I would have enjoyed this audiobook more if I didn’t listen to all the “years” at once. I also would have loved to have spent multiple days, if not my own years, coming back to it for more. It’s just a lot of Halloween for me at one go. However, the characters are lovable, story can be funny and twisty, and every year there’s a new adventure that will allude to previous years. 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
Audiobook narrator was excellent! He made it super entertaining! It’d be great if you have a long commute. Also, I would definitely recommend to listen to two or three of the “years” every Halloween until you finish the whole album.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Drew Hayes, and Tantor Audio for this audiobook Arc in exchange for an honest review.
I would have enjoyed this audiobook more if I didn’t listen to all the “years” at once. I also would have loved to have spent multiple days, if not my own years, coming back to it for more. It’s just a lot of Halloween for me at one go. However, the characters are lovable, story can be funny and twisty, and every year there’s a new adventure that will allude to previous years. 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
Audiobook narrator was excellent! He made it super entertaining! It’d be great if you have a long commute. Also, I would definitely recommend to listen to two or three of the “years” every Halloween until you finish the whole album.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Drew Hayes, and Tantor Audio for this audiobook Arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2025
This was amazing I hope he does another one of these that I can be involved in such a great story with great characters
November 18, 2025
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Tantor audio for the ARC.
Man, this was just delightful…and I actually thought that several times while listening. Now I’ve heard of short stories, novellas, and even novels being written for author’s sites or patreons, but this is (or would have been at the time) an amalgamation of one of those with a crowd-style choose your own adventure. One that lasted for a decade! As the story inevitably built up to a decision, the author would offer up choices, and the readers would choose what or where or when or how. And while this is a collection of that decade’s long project, I really enjoyed that the audio still had the polls and then told you the decision people made. It felt unique and also allowed new readers to live a little vicariously through readers of the past.
Best friend (of the consistently drunk and high variety) Jim and magical member of an old family of All Hallow’s Eve Victoria, must help you on your journey to…well help them, or, help Victoria out most often actually. I loved the author’s use of the term/word “you” as it broke a lot of the normal constructs I think of for writing. And while most of those lessons pertained to essay writing in school, I still would never refer to a character as just you. It heightened the old school, it’s really YOU, choose-your-own path feel and I enjoyed how the author eventually tied it into the story’s lore. Jim, although I realize he must have appeared much younger as a college roommate, really brought to mind Doc from Z Nation. The cadence, the drug and alcohol use, the comedic timing, all felt reminiscent of that character, and he worked perfectly for a decade! Victoria, while introduced truly toward the end of year one, is actually the impetus that allowed the author to grow outward and continue on. She’s strong, snappy, and deep down kind of a really loyal person, all her power included.
I think year one is my favorite. As the original, I think it is also the longest. The best halloween party of the year, one so serious that if your costume sucks, you don’t get in. A bit of witchy dust and your wizard costume is not only way better than before, but totally and absolutely awesomely real. Like what are the chances you are now a freaking wizard real. From there, can’t you see the options are limitless? And not only that, those original readers actually got to decide for themselves.
Unique, refreshing, and filled with adventure, laughs, and a solid amount of heart. I really enjoyed that whenever a choice was made that felt out of character the author would literally start with something snarky, or the scene would ultimately lead to a dead end. I can’t imagine the amount of time and effort this must have taken, I’m truly impressed. Sorry to say though, I’d like a sequel decade…
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-a-deca...
Man, this was just delightful…and I actually thought that several times while listening. Now I’ve heard of short stories, novellas, and even novels being written for author’s sites or patreons, but this is (or would have been at the time) an amalgamation of one of those with a crowd-style choose your own adventure. One that lasted for a decade! As the story inevitably built up to a decision, the author would offer up choices, and the readers would choose what or where or when or how. And while this is a collection of that decade’s long project, I really enjoyed that the audio still had the polls and then told you the decision people made. It felt unique and also allowed new readers to live a little vicariously through readers of the past.
Best friend (of the consistently drunk and high variety) Jim and magical member of an old family of All Hallow’s Eve Victoria, must help you on your journey to…well help them, or, help Victoria out most often actually. I loved the author’s use of the term/word “you” as it broke a lot of the normal constructs I think of for writing. And while most of those lessons pertained to essay writing in school, I still would never refer to a character as just you. It heightened the old school, it’s really YOU, choose-your-own path feel and I enjoyed how the author eventually tied it into the story’s lore. Jim, although I realize he must have appeared much younger as a college roommate, really brought to mind Doc from Z Nation. The cadence, the drug and alcohol use, the comedic timing, all felt reminiscent of that character, and he worked perfectly for a decade! Victoria, while introduced truly toward the end of year one, is actually the impetus that allowed the author to grow outward and continue on. She’s strong, snappy, and deep down kind of a really loyal person, all her power included.
I think year one is my favorite. As the original, I think it is also the longest. The best halloween party of the year, one so serious that if your costume sucks, you don’t get in. A bit of witchy dust and your wizard costume is not only way better than before, but totally and absolutely awesomely real. Like what are the chances you are now a freaking wizard real. From there, can’t you see the options are limitless? And not only that, those original readers actually got to decide for themselves.
Unique, refreshing, and filled with adventure, laughs, and a solid amount of heart. I really enjoyed that whenever a choice was made that felt out of character the author would literally start with something snarky, or the scene would ultimately lead to a dead end. I can’t imagine the amount of time and effort this must have taken, I’m truly impressed. Sorry to say though, I’d like a sequel decade…
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-a-deca...
December 9, 2024
Basically a fun read.
No serious stories, no high stakes. Just flow of unnatural life.
But the Romance of Merlin and Victoria was hinted but no idea what the author did with it. Would loved it if it was well concluded.
No serious stories, no high stakes. Just flow of unnatural life.
But the Romance of Merlin and Victoria was hinted but no idea what the author did with it. Would loved it if it was well concluded.
October 25, 2024
Read this book if you're in the mood for something: adventurous, emotional. funny, lighthearted, & medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
A Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
A Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Book Rating: 4.25 stars
This book was mostly humorous and an overall fun journey. I truly loved the format and would have loved to read the blog and be part of creating this romp. It did get emotional in parts, which I liked as it was balanced out by humor. The ending was excellent as well, a great twist!
The only element that I didn't enjoy was Jim, who got to be a bit repetitive and annoying around 80%. But once you get to the ending his over-the-top character makes more sense. So I guess narratively it worked. It was also a bit too long and didn't keep my attention past a certain point. Overall, a very enjoyable Halloween book that's satirical instead of scary.
Narrator Rating: 4.5 stars
The narrator did an excellent job. While Jim's voice fits his character, it got grating at points. However, the narrator did a great job doing different voices for each character.
Content Warnings
October 9, 2024
(4.0 Stars)
There are a few things that can be said about Drew Hayes. He is a great story teller. He is a very good writer. He has a lot of fans of his writing. And he gives his fans what they want.
This book is a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, ten years in the making... But instead of just turning to page ##, the fans decide the direction of the book by way of "polls" and popular consensus.
The result is a wonderfully written tale with relatable characters, richly detailed environments, and a successful expirimental novel almost guaranteed to be enjoyable.
So, if you like Horror, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, or even just Halloween... this book is for you!
There are a few things that can be said about Drew Hayes. He is a great story teller. He is a very good writer. He has a lot of fans of his writing. And he gives his fans what they want.
This book is a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, ten years in the making... But instead of just turning to page ##, the fans decide the direction of the book by way of "polls" and popular consensus.
The result is a wonderfully written tale with relatable characters, richly detailed environments, and a successful expirimental novel almost guaranteed to be enjoyable.
So, if you like Horror, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, or even just Halloween... this book is for you!
October 16, 2024
An author writes 13 days up to Halloween on an online forum where the readers decide what happens next via polls. The tradition continues for 10 whole years before the finale hits everyone.
The plot and the writing style of the book was surely one of a kind! I never had the opportunity to read a story where the plot twists were in the hands of readers. This made the book quite unpredictable & alluring. I wish I had the same luck with the narrative style of the story. For as long as the narration was in the perspective of communicating with the online readers, it went well. Though when the narrative shifted to the actual story, it felt pretty flat.
The plot and the writing style of the book was surely one of a kind! I never had the opportunity to read a story where the plot twists were in the hands of readers. This made the book quite unpredictable & alluring. I wish I had the same luck with the narrative style of the story. For as long as the narration was in the perspective of communicating with the online readers, it went well. Though when the narrative shifted to the actual story, it felt pretty flat.
November 10, 2025
This book was a fun little Halloween listen and funny at times. This is the only book by Drew Hayes I have ever read, so I’m sure if I had read his other books this one would’ve been 100x more enjoyable. I loved that he let his fans choose the path of the book. Heartwarming overall.
October 16, 2024
I picked up this book without knowing much about it. I simply knew it had a huge jack-o-lantern on it, and seemed to harken of death and choices. So let's just say, I was pretty intrigued.
Drew Hayes started the journey of writing this story in 2013 when he started sharing the beginnings of this with his readers on his blog. Over the course of the next ten years, he provided prompts, expanding the story each year. For his blog readers, it was a choose your own adventure, which unfolded year after year. For the readers of this book, you will see the prompts which were provided but the chosen choices will be the ones which lead the reader further into the story. I had the audiobook, so I had a great time picking what I wanted and seeing if the blog readers also chose the choices I wanted. A lot of times they did but a couple of times they didn't but it was still really fun.
Each year is a different Halloween adventure with the narrator, Jim, his chemically fueled roommate, and a mysterious yet fall connected girl, Victoria, who seems to gain certain abilities around the spooky season. there are a couple other side characters which come along during various other years, such as Thad, the narrator's golden brother, who is actually a super cool and supportive dude. The story does get kind of weird the more years that pass but, dang, what a fun ride. I had a really great time on this adventure!
Drew Hayes started the journey of writing this story in 2013 when he started sharing the beginnings of this with his readers on his blog. Over the course of the next ten years, he provided prompts, expanding the story each year. For his blog readers, it was a choose your own adventure, which unfolded year after year. For the readers of this book, you will see the prompts which were provided but the chosen choices will be the ones which lead the reader further into the story. I had the audiobook, so I had a great time picking what I wanted and seeing if the blog readers also chose the choices I wanted. A lot of times they did but a couple of times they didn't but it was still really fun.
Each year is a different Halloween adventure with the narrator, Jim, his chemically fueled roommate, and a mysterious yet fall connected girl, Victoria, who seems to gain certain abilities around the spooky season. there are a couple other side characters which come along during various other years, such as Thad, the narrator's golden brother, who is actually a super cool and supportive dude. The story does get kind of weird the more years that pass but, dang, what a fun ride. I had a really great time on this adventure!
October 12, 2024
I started listening to this on the peripheral edge while working. But then I found myself being so caught up in the twists of the saga, that I had to stop listening while doing things that I needed to focus on.
The characters really grew as the story progressed, and I found myself in the middle of moments where I got the chills during climaxes in the story. I was so engrossed that I teared up at a certain point.
I ended up caring about all of the main characters without realizing it.
This reminds me of the How to Survive Camping series by Bonnie Quinn. She had a living series on reddit that interacted with the readers, which she turned into 4 books. Though, Drew may have predated that series at the start.
I believe that the combined efforts of the author and narrator really brought this world to life. I can only hope that this gets optioned for a TV series. I would love to see this in a place that's not my imagination. Until then, I'm also going to buy the ebook. I want to experience this via both methods of consumption.
The characters really grew as the story progressed, and I found myself in the middle of moments where I got the chills during climaxes in the story. I was so engrossed that I teared up at a certain point.
I ended up caring about all of the main characters without realizing it.
This reminds me of the How to Survive Camping series by Bonnie Quinn. She had a living series on reddit that interacted with the readers, which she turned into 4 books. Though, Drew may have predated that series at the start.
I believe that the combined efforts of the author and narrator really brought this world to life. I can only hope that this gets optioned for a TV series. I would love to see this in a place that's not my imagination. Until then, I'm also going to buy the ebook. I want to experience this via both methods of consumption.
October 10, 2024
A Decade of Death and Decisions by Drew Hayes is fun and nostalgic Halloween story. This is the first book I've read by the author and just wow. I'm going to have to check out his other stuff because I enjoyed this so much. This book started off as a choose your own ending story that went on for ten years. I find this incredible! As someone who grew up reading Goosebumps books, this felt like pure nostalgia. The plot was fun and engaging.
The audiobook really brought this one to life. Matt Godfrey did a wonderful job at interpreting the characters emotions then portraying them so vividly. I loved the subtle shifts in his tone for each character. It wasn't dramatic but it made it clear who was speaking.
I highly recommend this one if you're a fan of fun Halloween adventures or choose your own ending stories.
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
The audiobook really brought this one to life. Matt Godfrey did a wonderful job at interpreting the characters emotions then portraying them so vividly. I loved the subtle shifts in his tone for each character. It wasn't dramatic but it made it clear who was speaking.
I highly recommend this one if you're a fan of fun Halloween adventures or choose your own ending stories.
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2024
Halloween Insanity
Imagine you found a choose your own adventure book in a charity shop that had already been completed.
Also imagine that both the author and the previous owners were drunk as hell.
This book is a lot of fun, but so so so messy. Especially the first 2 or 3 parts. There are literally hundreds of typos, which almost made me give up on it. However it was enough campy fun to carry me through.
If you're interested in a book by Drew Hayes, don't start here, go read Super Powereds first!
Like some of his other works, this book lets you watch an author find their niche over the course of a decade, which is a pretty unique experience.
Imagine you found a choose your own adventure book in a charity shop that had already been completed.
Also imagine that both the author and the previous owners were drunk as hell.
This book is a lot of fun, but so so so messy. Especially the first 2 or 3 parts. There are literally hundreds of typos, which almost made me give up on it. However it was enough campy fun to carry me through.
If you're interested in a book by Drew Hayes, don't start here, go read Super Powereds first!
Like some of his other works, this book lets you watch an author find their niche over the course of a decade, which is a pretty unique experience.
November 12, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review
I believe this is supposed to be a choose your own path book so listening to it was really interesting where I didn’t actually get to choose. Was kinda fun seeing if I picked the chosen path though. I’d love to read this properly and go through all of the paths. Always have loved a choose your own path. The characters in this were really good, the Halloween facts were great, the whole idea of it was well done. I really enjoyed it even though it took me a bit to get into the “you do this” kind of writing style. I recommend !
I believe this is supposed to be a choose your own path book so listening to it was really interesting where I didn’t actually get to choose. Was kinda fun seeing if I picked the chosen path though. I’d love to read this properly and go through all of the paths. Always have loved a choose your own path. The characters in this were really good, the Halloween facts were great, the whole idea of it was well done. I really enjoyed it even though it took me a bit to get into the “you do this” kind of writing style. I recommend !
December 15, 2024
This book was weird man! I loved the concept and the characters and the never ending halloween... It literally spans halloween night over 10 years and man oh man I wasn't sure I was gonna like it to be honest but I couldn't get enough! WOWSER! The writing was BRILLIANT!!!
It was clever, it was quick paced, the connection between the characters was top notch.
I felt a bit sad it was over to be honest. I read it was pretty much reader lead as he was writing it and I am bereft I missed out on that! This was one heck of a book. I need more books like this. It was pretty funny and a whole lot of wild fun
4 stars
It was clever, it was quick paced, the connection between the characters was top notch.
I felt a bit sad it was over to be honest. I read it was pretty much reader lead as he was writing it and I am bereft I missed out on that! This was one heck of a book. I need more books like this. It was pretty funny and a whole lot of wild fun
4 stars
October 7, 2024
What a fun concept! I love the idea of using a poll to decide what happens next in the story a la Choose Your Own Adventure but for adults. Add in the story continuing over years and it will keep you hooked. For me, I think the thrill would have been in tuning in every day, every year, to see what happened next. I think a lot of the fun is lost in the story being laid out as one long continuous one, even if it has the polls added in. The story didn’t really appeal to me as much as the process but I can see where this would be a fun story for others.
October 22, 2024
This book was freaking amazing! It gave me Brandon Sanderson vibes the way the narrator told the story. The way the years of the reader-driven story were broken down and carried over into the next chapter was genius! The banter, spooky, and comedic elements were spot on!
10 out of 10 recommend for me!
I will definitely look for more titles from this author.
Thank you Netgalley, Tantor Audio, and Drew Hayes for the ALC of this immersive book.
I am leaving this honest review voluntarily and uncoerced.
10 out of 10 recommend for me!
I will definitely look for more titles from this author.
Thank you Netgalley, Tantor Audio, and Drew Hayes for the ALC of this immersive book.
I am leaving this honest review voluntarily and uncoerced.
October 11, 2025
This is a great Halloween story! I listened to the audiobook, but I’d love to get my hands on the physical copy too. The story takes place over about fifteen Halloweens and has a fun choose-your-own-path style. In the audiobook version, every time you hit a dead end, it circles back to your last choice and takes the story in a new direction. It’s such a creative and interactive experience that really captures the Halloween spirit. The narrator did an amazing job bringing the story to life—I absolutely loved it!
November 13, 2025
This interesting compilation of story with audience participation. This compilation while fun and clever is annoyingly written in 2nd person. I nearly stopped reading this book because of that fact and would have missed on a very fun Halloween adventure. That said this is written for a mature audience due to language, alcohol and drug abuse references. If you’re looking for a fun Halloween book with a cast of over the top characters, look no further than this little gem.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
November 1, 2024
Just finished the audible version of this. It's wild, an original format that works, and the narration at the second person is strange but works too. It feels like a loooong game of some custom roleplaying game, one on one with a great DM :)
November 11, 2024
Be forewarned, this is a like a bunch of short stories as 1 story. I have to say that I enjoyed the first 3 years...but then it became a bit eh and then got weird. I'm usually a huge fan of Drew's, but can't really recommend this one. Granted..maybe my expectation was way to high.
October 22, 2024
That was the perfect Halloween listen/read!
Still the distinctive « interesting solution finding » style of Drew Hayes, but with choices from the fans. I. Loved. It.
Still the distinctive « interesting solution finding » style of Drew Hayes, but with choices from the fans. I. Loved. It.
October 27, 2024
I didn’t see the end coming!!! So good! It was a little weird to follow at first but that was my fault for not reading about how he wrote it. Still it’s really good.
October 29, 2024
Really fun and unique story telling.
October 30, 2024
Only Drew Hayes could have written this and made it so engaging, fresh, and funny. Now I have to go read something else while I wait for him to publish another book. Hurry up!
November 12, 2024
Mostly spooky good fun. A tad inconsistent in places and badly needing a proofread, but still an anthology worth having.
January 8, 2025
I think maybe you had to have been there. Drew's other novels are better constructed and funnier; this one was lackluster in comparison.
January 13, 2025
Lighthearted and fun. Wishing I was part of polling to help pick the adventure. Almost wish he would circle back continue the plot for each of the responses.
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March 3, 2025Audiobook
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