From the bestselling author of I Am Still Alive comes a new nail-biter that’s part survival story, part murder mystery, and all thriller—perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson!
Two years ago Mercy Gray was hailed as a hero for saving lives during a mall shooting. She still carries souvenirs from that incident: the fragment of a bullet lodged in her back, a mountain of medical debt, and guilt for ignoring her sister’s warnings that the sweet boy next door was anything but.
When billionaire-turned-TV-host Damien Dare recruits Mercy to compete on his new survivalist reality show, she can’t turn down a chance at the whopping cash prize that could send her sister to college—but when she and the other contestants arrive at the off-grid location, something isn’t right. The set is empty. The gates close without warning, trapping them inside. Then one of them turns up dead. What appeared at first to be a tragic accident quickly transforms as more contestants start dying. With time and resources running low, surviving this show takes on a new meaning.
My thoughts:
“We Won’t All Survive” marks my introduction to Kate Alice Marshall’s writing, and I’m certain it won’t be my last. This book feels like the beginning of a thrilling new obsession. It exemplifies suspense done absolutely right, and it has me eagerly anticipating diving into her previous works.
It’s rare for a book to captivate me completely from the very first page, but this one achieved just that. The characters, the intricate plot, the sharp writing, the unexpected twists—every single element had me frantically turning pages. I found myself constantly formulating theories as I read, desperate to see if I was correct. For the record, I wasn’t, and that only heightened the experience. The narrative kept me perpetually on my toes, never knowing what shocking revelation awaited next.
While the core survival premise isn’t entirely novel, its execution is superb, enhanced by refreshing and unpredictable twists. It’s a gripping tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat, questioning who, if anyone, will make it out alive. The story masterfully builds suspense while incorporating entertaining horror elements, reminiscent of an end-of-the-world scenario meeting the relentless tension of a slasher film.
Although the plot is solid, it’s the profoundly developed characters that truly elevate this story. Each one is crafted with a unique personality and a compelling history. By the end, I felt genuinely devastated by every loss. These characters never felt expendable, a common pitfall in such genres. I was fully invested in each of them, and every injury or death landed with a powerful emotional impact. Mercy stands out as a formidable main character, but the supporting cast is so vividly drawn they effortlessly steal scenes.
In conclusion, “We Won’t All Survive” is an essential addition to every thriller lover’s TBR pile. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
This novel is a gripping, unputdownable page-turner that perfectly merges the desperation of end-of-the-world survival with the visceral suspense of a slasher narrative. Brimming with relatable characters, assured writing, and genuinely unforeseeable plot twists, “We Won’t All Survive” is a must-read for all thriller enthusiasts.