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Dead Awake #1
Collapse
The bite infects you. Sleep seals your fate.
Noxidone was meant to be a miracle drug - designed to shorten the sleep cycle, unlock more hours in the day. Somewhere along the way, everything went wrong.
The town of Egglemore is waking up to a terrifying epidemic. Those who have taken Noxidone are trapped in a violent, hallucinatory state, attacking other residents in increasingly brutal ways.
Worse yet, the infection is transmitted through bodily fluids, activating when victims fall asleep.
Trapped in the midst of this chaos are a journalist on a last-ditch effort to save her career, a survivalist mother trying to protect her ailing daughter, and an introverted shut-in faced with the world outside his window.
The barricades are going up, escape less likely with every passing minute. When it takes just one mistake to become infected, how many second chances can you afford?
The first entry in the Dead Awake series, Dead Awake: Collapse offers a twist on the traditional zombie outbreak, with action-packed set pieces, ‘fast-infected’ and flawed characters doing whatever it takes to stay alive... and awake.
If you come into contact with the infected…
Do not go to sleep.
Noxidone was meant to be a miracle drug - designed to shorten the sleep cycle, unlock more hours in the day. Somewhere along the way, everything went wrong.
The town of Egglemore is waking up to a terrifying epidemic. Those who have taken Noxidone are trapped in a violent, hallucinatory state, attacking other residents in increasingly brutal ways.
Worse yet, the infection is transmitted through bodily fluids, activating when victims fall asleep.
Trapped in the midst of this chaos are a journalist on a last-ditch effort to save her career, a survivalist mother trying to protect her ailing daughter, and an introverted shut-in faced with the world outside his window.
The barricades are going up, escape less likely with every passing minute. When it takes just one mistake to become infected, how many second chances can you afford?
The first entry in the Dead Awake series, Dead Awake: Collapse offers a twist on the traditional zombie outbreak, with action-packed set pieces, ‘fast-infected’ and flawed characters doing whatever it takes to stay alive... and awake.
If you come into contact with the infected…
Do not go to sleep.
- GenresHorrorZombiesApocalyptic
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2025
132 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Rob Ulitski
20 books51 followersRob writes visceral, concept-driven horror stories, anchored by complex characters and offbeat narratives.
Born in Portsmouth, UK, Rob received his bachelor of arts in Film Production from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. Having trained in filmmaking, and working as a director and producer on everything from music videos to shorts to feature-length anthology films, Rob’s official writing journey started in 2020.
When not writing, he can be found watching cheesy 90s films, baking cakes and haunting local bookstores.
Born in Portsmouth, UK, Rob received his bachelor of arts in Film Production from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. Having trained in filmmaking, and working as a director and producer on everything from music videos to shorts to feature-length anthology films, Rob’s official writing journey started in 2020.
When not writing, he can be found watching cheesy 90s films, baking cakes and haunting local bookstores.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 26, 2025
This book is a lot of fun, with a powerful opening and a super-dramatic cliffhanger ending! Plotwise, it's fascinating zombie horror fiction based on an original premise, one which will make surviving this apocalyptic collapse far harder than anticipated in standard offerings of this type! The cast is large, the plot dense and complex, the zombie scenes quite well-crafted, keeping the story focused on the slowly spreading attacks but never forgetting the characters: they all feel like real people, with real problems and real relationships (except one flawed, larger-than-life guy, who's probably meant to become the villain among the survivors in the very short future).
I especially appreciated the inclusion of a socially awkward young man living with his grandmother (what do you do with your old people, when the zombies come crashing through your door? and you're averse to living your place?), and a strong mum who's trying to protect her semi-deaf daughter (some very nasty scenes take place at the hospital they're both visiting when the zombie attacks begin). The book conveys very effectively the confusion, the dilemmas, and the anxiety when one faces society collapse. For the time being, the action is limited to the town of Egglemore, the zombie outbreak developing in the form of an epidemic, the army called to quarantine the place. But it'll take just one mistake, and that will easily change!
The most intriguing feature is that It's not immediately clear what causes the activation of the virus after infection. There are some (intentionally) confusing scenes where people who've been bitten, nevertheless don't act like insane cannibals. By the time I realized what was really happening, the book was over - ughh. Thankfully, the next volume comes out very soon! I can't wait!
June 10, 2025
A normal day turns into a nightmare as an infection sweeps through the town of Egglemoor. Random people turn brutally violent and self destructive. The bodies litter the buildings, roads and pavements as the authorities try desperately to contain the spread.
Opens with a mystery followed by a bloodbath and that’s just chapter one. A breathlessly paced story that will get your heart racing. Told from five POV, each character alternating chapters as they try to survive and live through the event.
A fresh corpse of a take on zombies in a normal English town, the first in a six part series planned to be released over the next six months and I cannot wait for the next one.
Opens with a mystery followed by a bloodbath and that’s just chapter one. A breathlessly paced story that will get your heart racing. Told from five POV, each character alternating chapters as they try to survive and live through the event.
A fresh corpse of a take on zombies in a normal English town, the first in a six part series planned to be released over the next six months and I cannot wait for the next one.
August 7, 2025
one of the best books I've ever read. I never thought of reading books about an apocalypse collapse but thanks to this sweet author for sending me an ARC I will NEVER stop reading books like this. To the dark humor the well placed cliffhangers in chapters I just couldn't stop reading this book and managed to finish it in one day I stayed up reading it all night. I DID NOT see that twist coming !!
June 26, 2025
The end of civilization might begin with an odd bodily twitch, a primal scream breaking the silence, a hint of rot in the air, or a creeping sense of dread.
Dead Awake Collapse is the thrilling first installment in a six-part horror saga by the wildly creative and talented mind of indie author Rob Ulitski - this is only the beginning of a brutal, eerie and unmissable adventure.
In the British town of Egglemore, a sudden government-imposed curfew traps residents inside their homes via emergency broadcasts and army-enforced lockdowns. What begins as a subtle, but growing sense of unease - random outbursts of violence, people acting strangely - quickly escalates into chaos, as the air is suddenly filled with sirens and roads are closed off.
The paths of five complete strangers end up converging to the same nightmarish reality in the city: a driven young journalist, a socially anxious personal trainer, a mother tackling the challenges of her daughter’s illness, a homeless man with a kind heart, and a truck driver with mysterious intentions. Each of them will face this ominous threat in their own personal way, their stories unfolding over the first two days of an unimaginable event - adrenaline-fueled, raw and deeply human.
I read this in one sitting. It’s really well written, completely immersive and captivating through its many points of view. There’s horror, but also heart; darkness, but also flickers of hope. It immediately pulls you into the nightmare, and it doesn’t let go….
Dead Awake Collapse is the thrilling first installment in a six-part horror saga by the wildly creative and talented mind of indie author Rob Ulitski - this is only the beginning of a brutal, eerie and unmissable adventure.
In the British town of Egglemore, a sudden government-imposed curfew traps residents inside their homes via emergency broadcasts and army-enforced lockdowns. What begins as a subtle, but growing sense of unease - random outbursts of violence, people acting strangely - quickly escalates into chaos, as the air is suddenly filled with sirens and roads are closed off.
The paths of five complete strangers end up converging to the same nightmarish reality in the city: a driven young journalist, a socially anxious personal trainer, a mother tackling the challenges of her daughter’s illness, a homeless man with a kind heart, and a truck driver with mysterious intentions. Each of them will face this ominous threat in their own personal way, their stories unfolding over the first two days of an unimaginable event - adrenaline-fueled, raw and deeply human.
I read this in one sitting. It’s really well written, completely immersive and captivating through its many points of view. There’s horror, but also heart; darkness, but also flickers of hope. It immediately pulls you into the nightmare, and it doesn’t let go….
July 15, 2025
A Brutal, Brilliant Twist on the Zombie Outbreak Genre
Dead Awake: Collapse sinks its teeth in from page one and doesn’t let go. Rob Ulitski delivers a nightmarish, adrenaline-fueled story that breathes new life into the infected trope. The premise is disturbingly original, an experimental sleep drug gone horribly wrong, and the horror that follows is both visceral and deeply psychological.
What stands out most is the cast: flawed, raw, human. A journalist on the edge, a mother in survival mode, and a reclusive introvert are all thrown into a terrifying world where closing your eyes might be the last thing you do. The pacing is tight, the tension unrelenting, and the atmosphere? Drenched in dread.
Ulitski doesn’t just rely on gore (though there's plenty of that), he explores what happens when society unravels and fear strips us down to our most basic instincts. His background in film shows in the cinematic action scenes and the sharp, vivid imagery that pulls you right into Egglemore’s infected streets.
If you like your horror smart, fast, and unapologetically intense, this one’s for you. Just remember: don’t fall asleep.
Dead Awake: Collapse sinks its teeth in from page one and doesn’t let go. Rob Ulitski delivers a nightmarish, adrenaline-fueled story that breathes new life into the infected trope. The premise is disturbingly original, an experimental sleep drug gone horribly wrong, and the horror that follows is both visceral and deeply psychological.
What stands out most is the cast: flawed, raw, human. A journalist on the edge, a mother in survival mode, and a reclusive introvert are all thrown into a terrifying world where closing your eyes might be the last thing you do. The pacing is tight, the tension unrelenting, and the atmosphere? Drenched in dread.
Ulitski doesn’t just rely on gore (though there's plenty of that), he explores what happens when society unravels and fear strips us down to our most basic instincts. His background in film shows in the cinematic action scenes and the sharp, vivid imagery that pulls you right into Egglemore’s infected streets.
If you like your horror smart, fast, and unapologetically intense, this one’s for you. Just remember: don’t fall asleep.
September 4, 2025
You could easily be forgiven for thinking “I know every zombie trope like the back of my hand.” It’s been done before in a variety of ways. But what Rob Ulitski has done is turn a zombie story into a modern saga. Think The Lord of the Rings for zombies. By changing the typical incubation period of the virus, and giving a variety of scenarios where the infected run (and these guys are World War Z fast at times) riot, this is the start of something great.
I cannot wait to see where this story goes. Rob is incredibly talented at writing really realistic characters, and his use of dialogue is incredible. Every single character in this book embeds themselves perfectly, leaving you desperate for more. You’ll smile, you’ll gasp, you might even gag: whatever the emotion, it’s in these pages. And just at the moment you think things can’t get any more climactic…you’ll find out more in book 2.
Start this series, start it now. You will not regret it. In 6 parts, released a month at a time, this is the gift that keeps on giving.
I cannot wait to see where this story goes. Rob is incredibly talented at writing really realistic characters, and his use of dialogue is incredible. Every single character in this book embeds themselves perfectly, leaving you desperate for more. You’ll smile, you’ll gasp, you might even gag: whatever the emotion, it’s in these pages. And just at the moment you think things can’t get any more climactic…you’ll find out more in book 2.
Start this series, start it now. You will not regret it. In 6 parts, released a month at a time, this is the gift that keeps on giving.
December 17, 2025
A good series starter.
I have read a LOT of zombie series in my time, I believe this is my 8th or 9th, and I can't say I ever get fed up reading them. They just have so many different ways they can go.
This one was really enjoyable as we followed six different characters across the city, and we got to see the different ways in which the virus affects people.
I really liked Todd, Charles, and Maggie and felt more invested with their stories than Alice and Rowan (who are both unlikable to say the least, but it keeps it interesting).
I'm intrigued with where this one goes now that some of the characters have crossed paths and we are starting to see what the cause was.
Overall it was a wonderful start to the series, and has great potential.
7/10.
I have read a LOT of zombie series in my time, I believe this is my 8th or 9th, and I can't say I ever get fed up reading them. They just have so many different ways they can go.
This one was really enjoyable as we followed six different characters across the city, and we got to see the different ways in which the virus affects people.
I really liked Todd, Charles, and Maggie and felt more invested with their stories than Alice and Rowan (who are both unlikable to say the least, but it keeps it interesting).
I'm intrigued with where this one goes now that some of the characters have crossed paths and we are starting to see what the cause was.
Overall it was a wonderful start to the series, and has great potential.
7/10.
June 27, 2025
Dead Awake: Collapse by Rob Ulistki is a thrilling start to a new series. When a drug designed to shorten the sleep cycle causes a deadly outbreak, the residents of Egglemore must fight to stay awake and survive. The story follows a range of characters including: a journalist seeking redemption, a survivalist mother protecting her daughter, and an introverted shut-in forced into action. Their different perspectives bring depth to the chaos and create an intense, fast-paced narrative. With strong characters, suspenseful action, and a fresh take on the zombie genre, this book leaves you eager for the next installment.
July 4, 2025
Got bitten? Don’t go to sleep. A drug made to shorten the sleep cycle. More hours of the day which I think we all need. Those that have taken the drug become violent and is transmitted through bodily fluids like some form of STI. Sleep starts the process.
This one has one of the strongest openers of all. That alone left me breathless. Having 5 different POVs I was skeptical as I struggle to keep up sometimes but the author managed to make each POV memorable. So I never felt like I was lost. This is tense. Go into this knowing that! Brilliant descriptions of gore which I loved! The imagery portrayed was next level. I felt I was literally part of this world. I can promise you, you haven’t read a book like this one. Powerful on the emotions, characters well developed, solid storyline and the cliffhanger at the end? I’m excited for it!
Pros:
💀 Emotional
💀 Brill character development
💀 Solid storyline
💀 Well executed cliffhanger
Cons:
💀 Have to wait for the next one 😂
This one has one of the strongest openers of all. That alone left me breathless. Having 5 different POVs I was skeptical as I struggle to keep up sometimes but the author managed to make each POV memorable. So I never felt like I was lost. This is tense. Go into this knowing that! Brilliant descriptions of gore which I loved! The imagery portrayed was next level. I felt I was literally part of this world. I can promise you, you haven’t read a book like this one. Powerful on the emotions, characters well developed, solid storyline and the cliffhanger at the end? I’m excited for it!
Pros:
💀 Emotional
💀 Brill character development
💀 Solid storyline
💀 Well executed cliffhanger
Cons:
💀 Have to wait for the next one 😂
June 27, 2025
When I started reading this zombie story, although I had faith in the author, I was still afraid that it would end up being the same old trite zombie apocalypse plot. I can confidently say that I can’t wait to continue this series as I am hooked!
The story is told by several different characters not connected to each other (which I loved) and that in one way or another come into contact with whatever the hell is happening to people. This is what hooked me as I felt as unaware and brought into the story like any of the characters. After the shocking prologue, where we have a slight glimpse that something awful has begun, we never fully understand what is going on until the end. Rob unleashes upon the characters and the readers an additional fear, as the fear of becoming a zombie isn’t terrifying enough! And did I tell you there’s a serial killer in the mix?
I went blind into this book, without reading the book description, and I suggest you do the same to get the full surprising experience!
I can’t wait to see how the story continues and to know what happens to the characters!
Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
The story is told by several different characters not connected to each other (which I loved) and that in one way or another come into contact with whatever the hell is happening to people. This is what hooked me as I felt as unaware and brought into the story like any of the characters. After the shocking prologue, where we have a slight glimpse that something awful has begun, we never fully understand what is going on until the end. Rob unleashes upon the characters and the readers an additional fear, as the fear of becoming a zombie isn’t terrifying enough! And did I tell you there’s a serial killer in the mix?
I went blind into this book, without reading the book description, and I suggest you do the same to get the full surprising experience!
I can’t wait to see how the story continues and to know what happens to the characters!
Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
July 17, 2025
A zombie book with a difference, this story is nonstop action! Right from the very beginning this is a hard hitter, and I'm pretty sure I was pulling all manner of grimaces through the prologue! It doesn't let up either. With a selection of main characters, there are some you'll like, and some you'll hate, but all add their own unique voice and keep the action moving. I'm glad there's not a long wait for the second book- I need to know what happens next!
October 17, 2025
Collapse: Dead Awake
Dead Awake #1
Post-apocalyptic
Rob Ulitski
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ᴇᴍᴇʀɢᴇɴᴄɪᴇꜱ • ɢʀɪᴇꜰ • ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛɪᴏɴ •
I really liked this book. The premise was interesting and it was a unique take on zombies/how the infection spread.
The characters were developed very well and were full of depth, flaws and their fear felt real. Todd was one of my favourite characters.
The pacing was good although it did slow down slightly here and there.
I can't wait to read the next book!
Dead Awake #1
Post-apocalyptic
Rob Ulitski
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ᴇᴍᴇʀɢᴇɴᴄɪᴇꜱ • ɢʀɪᴇꜰ • ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛɪᴏɴ •
I really liked this book. The premise was interesting and it was a unique take on zombies/how the infection spread.
The characters were developed very well and were full of depth, flaws and their fear felt real. Todd was one of my favourite characters.
The pacing was good although it did slow down slightly here and there.
I can't wait to read the next book!
November 26, 2025
Good story, very good characters. So what only two stars. Simple, while I do enjoy books that are part of a series, I prefer to have most or all the threads tied off. In this case the story just ends, no wrap up, nothing. Buy book two in the series to know more. not for me.
June 27, 2025
Firstly thank you Rob for allowing me to read an advance copy!
Now I've always been obsessed with everything Rob writes and I can happily confirm that he did not disappoint with this one either.
This book is the first book in the series and what a perfect start to the series it is. Throughout this book we are introduced to a great mixture of different characters. Each having a varying range of different back stories and I’m very excited to learn more about these characters as the series goes on.
The book is thick with tension and filled with some absolutely brilliant (and disgusting) descriptions of gore. It’s also fast paced and has short chapters which makes it impossible to put down (I read the whole thing in one sitting and it took me less than two hours!) and to top it off it leaves you on a cliffhanger that will make you want to read the next book immediately too.
If you want to read a well written zombie book (and series, which I’m extremely confident will be just as great as the first book) then go and check out this one right now.
Now I've always been obsessed with everything Rob writes and I can happily confirm that he did not disappoint with this one either.
This book is the first book in the series and what a perfect start to the series it is. Throughout this book we are introduced to a great mixture of different characters. Each having a varying range of different back stories and I’m very excited to learn more about these characters as the series goes on.
The book is thick with tension and filled with some absolutely brilliant (and disgusting) descriptions of gore. It’s also fast paced and has short chapters which makes it impossible to put down (I read the whole thing in one sitting and it took me less than two hours!) and to top it off it leaves you on a cliffhanger that will make you want to read the next book immediately too.
If you want to read a well written zombie book (and series, which I’m extremely confident will be just as great as the first book) then go and check out this one right now.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews