What do you think?
Rate this book
The Great Decay
"Stand By Me meets World War Z."
Like so many towns and cities, the giant walls around Camberwood stand as silent reminders of humanity's darkest hour—The Great Decay: a zombie invasion that nearly wiped-out mankind.
For seventeen-year-old Ruby and her friends, these walls are nothing more than relics of a history they're too young to remember, monuments to their parents' trauma.
Ruby dreams of a better life away from this small, soul-crushing town. Away from her alcoholic mother who still grieves the loss of her husband.
But boredom suddenly lifts when Ruby and her friends discover what seems impossible: a lone, emaciated zombie, perhaps the last of its kind, trapped in an abandoned coal mine. The creature appears docile, almost pitiful—a living artifact begging to be studied. Against all reason, they keep it secret, drawn to this rotting piece of forbidden history.
But their dangerous game of friendship with the undead is about to shatter their safe, uneventful world.
As a new wave of infection erupts within Camberwood's walls, Ruby faces a devastating realization: she and her friends haven't just unearthed a scientific curiosity—they've unleashed the very nightmare the last generation barely survived.
As the shadows of the past rise again, Ruby must fight to prevent a second Great Decay—or watch everything she loves crumble into ruin.
Like so many towns and cities, the giant walls around Camberwood stand as silent reminders of humanity's darkest hour—The Great Decay: a zombie invasion that nearly wiped-out mankind.
For seventeen-year-old Ruby and her friends, these walls are nothing more than relics of a history they're too young to remember, monuments to their parents' trauma.
Ruby dreams of a better life away from this small, soul-crushing town. Away from her alcoholic mother who still grieves the loss of her husband.
But boredom suddenly lifts when Ruby and her friends discover what seems impossible: a lone, emaciated zombie, perhaps the last of its kind, trapped in an abandoned coal mine. The creature appears docile, almost pitiful—a living artifact begging to be studied. Against all reason, they keep it secret, drawn to this rotting piece of forbidden history.
But their dangerous game of friendship with the undead is about to shatter their safe, uneventful world.
As a new wave of infection erupts within Camberwood's walls, Ruby faces a devastating realization: she and her friends haven't just unearthed a scientific curiosity—they've unleashed the very nightmare the last generation barely survived.
As the shadows of the past rise again, Ruby must fight to prevent a second Great Decay—or watch everything she loves crumble into ruin.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2025
6 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Steven Jenkins
34 books198 followersBorn in the small Welsh town of Llanelli, Steven began writing stories at the age of eight. His inspiration came from his love for ‘80s horror movies, and novels by Stephen King and the late Richard Matheson.
During Steven’s teenage years, as well as being a black-belt kickboxer, he became a great lover of writing dark and twisted poems – six of which gained him publications with Poetry Now, Brownstone Books, and Strong Words.
Over the next few years, and after becoming a father and a husband, Steven's passion drove him towards writing short stories, gaining him further publication with Dark Moon Digest: an American horror magazine. His terrifying tales of the afterlife and zombies gained him positive reviews, particularly his story, Burning Ambition, which also came runner up in a Five-stop-story contest.
Finally, in 2013, after years of hard work (and countless rejection letters), Steven got his debut novel, Fourteen Days, published by Barking Rain Press.
During Steven’s teenage years, as well as being a black-belt kickboxer, he became a great lover of writing dark and twisted poems – six of which gained him publications with Poetry Now, Brownstone Books, and Strong Words.
Over the next few years, and after becoming a father and a husband, Steven's passion drove him towards writing short stories, gaining him further publication with Dark Moon Digest: an American horror magazine. His terrifying tales of the afterlife and zombies gained him positive reviews, particularly his story, Burning Ambition, which also came runner up in a Five-stop-story contest.
Finally, in 2013, after years of hard work (and countless rejection letters), Steven got his debut novel, Fourteen Days, published by Barking Rain Press.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 5, 2025
I really liked Rotten Bodies by the same author so I was really hopeful for this one, but it was kind of a letdown. The kids in the book all sounded alike, even their internal monologues were really similar. The redshirting was extremely obvious (). There were quite a few points that didn't really add up/were exceedingly plot convenient.
Neutral 2.5 rounded up.
Neutral 2.5 rounded up.
June 17, 2025
Zombies are not your friend!
Ruby and her friends find what may be the last zombie on earth, and they make him their friend. They hang out at the cave with him, until…
The group of friends are too young to remember The Great Decay, a zombie apocalypse that nearly wiped out the human race.
Of course, I know what’s coming. I mean, look at that cover. Is there anything good about it?
The towering walls that had been built fifteen years ago during The Great Decay…Are they there to keep the zombies or the humans, in or out?
The short chapters and shifting points of view make The Great Decay an easy, fast paced read.
I’ve read enough zombie stories to be on the lookout for one that I can’t predict who will live and who will die. I want to be surprised. AND, I don’t mind if it’s one that has me wanting to throw my ereader at the wall. In fact, that gets my emotions riled up and makes if even better. Then I know, I have to be on my toes, and so do they.
My thanks go out to Steven Jenkins for the opportunity to share The Great Decay with you.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
Ruby and her friends find what may be the last zombie on earth, and they make him their friend. They hang out at the cave with him, until…
The group of friends are too young to remember The Great Decay, a zombie apocalypse that nearly wiped out the human race.
Of course, I know what’s coming. I mean, look at that cover. Is there anything good about it?
The towering walls that had been built fifteen years ago during The Great Decay…Are they there to keep the zombies or the humans, in or out?
The short chapters and shifting points of view make The Great Decay an easy, fast paced read.
I’ve read enough zombie stories to be on the lookout for one that I can’t predict who will live and who will die. I want to be surprised. AND, I don’t mind if it’s one that has me wanting to throw my ereader at the wall. In fact, that gets my emotions riled up and makes if even better. Then I know, I have to be on my toes, and so do they.
My thanks go out to Steven Jenkins for the opportunity to share The Great Decay with you.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
May 21, 2025
*** NO SPOILERS ***
Steven Jenkins is one of my most favorite authors, and with good reason. He manages to "set the hook" as a fisherman might describe his catching a fish right from the start. Even with the minimal starting cast, he had me concerned about them as my mind is both envisioning the setting and situation and wondering what is going to happen. I like zombie horror fiction and have read quite a few. Like anything, some better than others. His are among the best and he managed to put a different spin on the story which I had not seen before.
I was anxious to start the book as soon as I got it and gave in to the urge, knowing that my situation was such that i would have to put it down unfinished. Couldn't wait to pick it back up!
Whether you are already a loyal reader of Steven Jenkins or someone just trying his work for the first time, I am confident you will not be disappointed. Highly Recommended!!!
*** NO SPOILERS ***
Steven Jenkins is one of my most favorite authors, and with good reason. He manages to "set the hook" as a fisherman might describe his catching a fish right from the start. Even with the minimal starting cast, he had me concerned about them as my mind is both envisioning the setting and situation and wondering what is going to happen. I like zombie horror fiction and have read quite a few. Like anything, some better than others. His are among the best and he managed to put a different spin on the story which I had not seen before.
I was anxious to start the book as soon as I got it and gave in to the urge, knowing that my situation was such that i would have to put it down unfinished. Couldn't wait to pick it back up!
Whether you are already a loyal reader of Steven Jenkins or someone just trying his work for the first time, I am confident you will not be disappointed. Highly Recommended!!!
*** NO SPOILERS ***
April 25, 2025
Ruby lives in a world where zombies destroyed it when they were still babies, along with her friends Tom and Lee. That is until they come across one in an old, abandoned mine, Ruby, Tom, and Lee had never seen a zombie. They choose to keep the zombie a secret rather than telling anybody about it. They find the zombie amusing until it breaks free.
Dan, Lee's younger brother, learns about the zombie and is eager to see it. As Lee leads him to the mine, Dan is attacked by the rogue zombie. Lee kills the zombie after removing it from Dan. Naturally, Dan responds negatively when Lee asks if he was bitten or scratched. Nevertheless, the town is once more rocked by a zombie outbreak.
Zombies are my favorite thing ever, so The Great Decay had me completely engrossed from the moment I started reading. I couldn't look away. The action picked up as soon as the zombies appeared, and I had a hard time turning the pages quickly enough. The tension in the story was intense, and I had the impression that I was right there with Tom and Ruby when the mayhem broke out.
The zombie tale in The Great Decay was incredible. It's different from other zombie books I've read, I don't think I've ever read anything like it. From the first page on, you will be engrossed in the story and will want to read every word until the very end. I actually believe this is one zombie story that will stay with me forever. I would love to see this one made into a TV show like The Walking Dead. I need more zombies now.
I highly recommend The Great Decay to all zombie fans! Grab a copy of The Great Decay today!
Dan, Lee's younger brother, learns about the zombie and is eager to see it. As Lee leads him to the mine, Dan is attacked by the rogue zombie. Lee kills the zombie after removing it from Dan. Naturally, Dan responds negatively when Lee asks if he was bitten or scratched. Nevertheless, the town is once more rocked by a zombie outbreak.
Zombies are my favorite thing ever, so The Great Decay had me completely engrossed from the moment I started reading. I couldn't look away. The action picked up as soon as the zombies appeared, and I had a hard time turning the pages quickly enough. The tension in the story was intense, and I had the impression that I was right there with Tom and Ruby when the mayhem broke out.
The zombie tale in The Great Decay was incredible. It's different from other zombie books I've read, I don't think I've ever read anything like it. From the first page on, you will be engrossed in the story and will want to read every word until the very end. I actually believe this is one zombie story that will stay with me forever. I would love to see this one made into a TV show like The Walking Dead. I need more zombies now.
I highly recommend The Great Decay to all zombie fans! Grab a copy of The Great Decay today!
May 3, 2025
I do love a good Zombie story and this is one of them and another hit from an author I enjoy reading.
The Great Decay is everything you would expect in a zombie story and more; great characters, great setting, horror, humour, action, suspense and all written at a great pace with a satisfying ending.
Another cracker from Steven Jenkins ... if you haven't read anything by him before, you won't be disappointed if this is the first book of his you read.
Many thanks to the author for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this great book.
The Great Decay is everything you would expect in a zombie story and more; great characters, great setting, horror, humour, action, suspense and all written at a great pace with a satisfying ending.
Another cracker from Steven Jenkins ... if you haven't read anything by him before, you won't be disappointed if this is the first book of his you read.
Many thanks to the author for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this great book.
May 5, 2025
I enjoyed how it was delivered by each person’s view by having their name at each chapter so you can see what they are talking about.
I liked how it was being told through them as young adults who don’t really understand what life is about until some older characters start telling them about their great decay and how they are all lucky to not have witnessed it.little did they all know that these younger ones would start off another great decay in their own small town by not thinking straight!
Anyway it’s a good book which I did enjoy though I don’t really read zombie books no more because they are overdone, yet this was a bit different which made it more enjoyable.
I liked how it was being told through them as young adults who don’t really understand what life is about until some older characters start telling them about their great decay and how they are all lucky to not have witnessed it.little did they all know that these younger ones would start off another great decay in their own small town by not thinking straight!
Anyway it’s a good book which I did enjoy though I don’t really read zombie books no more because they are overdone, yet this was a bit different which made it more enjoyable.
April 28, 2025
No spoilers in this review, but you really need to pick this up. If you've never read any books by Steven Jenkins, this is a GREAT place to start. I highly recommend this book; hopefully, this is just the first in a new series. It was so good and kept my attention throughout, making it difficult to find a stopping place. Fast-paced with well-timed action, a real page-turner with a satisfying ending. Horror was never my genre until I started reading books by this author. Get this book, you won't be disappointed.
May 4, 2025
Brilliant! This was a truly brilliant zombie adventure! It had everything I love about zombie books & was told in such a way that I found myself living the nightmare with the characters! I did like that it was set in the UK, it makes a nice positive change to the energy & language used! I do recommend this & all I have read by this author! You will not be disappointed!
April 29, 2025
An excellent, well-written Zombie Horror with a difference, revolving mainly around teenagers. I liked the way it unfolded; humour, horror and danger fills the pages and kept me entertained throughout. Highly recommended.
June 9, 2025
Good solid zombie story, moves at a cracking pace. Jenkins shines once the action kicks in, with plenty of good tense zombie encounters and enough gore and violence to satisfy your horror cravings.
Somewhat familiar tropes at times, but placed in an interesting setting and told in an engaging manner that will keep you turning the pages.
Somewhat familiar tropes at times, but placed in an interesting setting and told in an engaging manner that will keep you turning the pages.
April 26, 2025
This was a fun read. It's a short novel that packs a lot of action. This is probably my favorite book to date by Steven Jenkins.
April 29, 2025
What an impressive book , totally strong storyline and great characters.
I read this in one go as I couldn't put it down.
I only have one left to say so no spoilers
I absolutely recommend this book
I read this in one go as I couldn't put it down.
I only have one left to say so no spoilers
I absolutely recommend this book
Read
April 29, 2025A great read
A great stand alone that sucks you in until the very end. Would love for this to be a series!!
A great stand alone that sucks you in until the very end. Would love for this to be a series!!
May 5, 2025
A page-turner…
Really enjoyed this, read it in one sitting as I just had to know what happened. I think this is probably my favourite of his books that I’ve read.
Really enjoyed this, read it in one sitting as I just had to know what happened. I think this is probably my favourite of his books that I’ve read.
May 21, 2025
Ruby and her friends have made a mind-blowing discovery. Now, the infection is spreading. Ruby must stop the spread before it is too late. Zombie apocalypse at its best.
May 21, 2025
I hardly ever give five stars. Now I couldn't help but do so!
May 23, 2025
This book was so good. I love Steven’s writing, I get pulled straight into the gritty narrative. I love the characters; they’re flawed a feel real. The setting was interesting, the knowledge that the older members have lived through and survived the apocalypse before made the whole situation feel realistic. All in all a very satisfying read with some good jump scare moments.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews