I was immediately hooked by the premise of this book—and it absolutely delivered. The story follows Lily, a contestant on a popular reality TV show where the goal is simple: be the last one standing. From the very first paragraph, the eerie atmosphere pulls you in, setting the stage for a mystery that deepens with every chapter, constantly asking what are the contestants really competing for and what are they willing to sacrifice to win.

This book is a blend of genres—part psychological thriller, part horror, with bits of literary fiction, character study, and even a touch of romance. The social commentary was interesting, exploring the world of reality television, consumerism, and the disturbing extent to which media can manipulate people and manufacture relationships purely for entertainment. It’s unsettling, thought-provoking, and incredibly timely.

A truly unique read—I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sharp, addictive, and unsettling

The Compound is like Love Island crash-landing into Lord of the Flies with a dash of Black Mirror. Lily wakes up in a desert “reality” compound with nineteen strangers, where every interaction is part of a game and survival comes at the cost of dignity, loyalty, and sometimes morality.

Rawle’s writing is deceptively simple but razor-sharp, pulling you into a world that’s equal parts glossy entertainment and creeping dread. The social commentary on consumerism, exploitation, and the commodification of relationships hits hard—especially if you’ve ever been sucked into the drama of reality TV.

It’s compulsively readable (I inhaled it in two sittings), but don’t expect a neat bow on the ending. Rawle leaves you with questions—and that’s the point. Perfect for fans of unsettling social satire that stays in your head long after you’re done.

Genre: Dystopian

4.5🌟 - I really liked it!

Love Island meets Lord of the Flies…say less! I will say I can see why this wouldn’t be for everyone, but this was for me! To me it had more of a literary lens, so if you tend to enjoy lit fic I think this is one that you would really like!

There is a lot of ambiguity and questions left unanswered, so if you like things tied up perfectly at the end you won’t find that with this book! I like that in a book especially in this kind of context, but I definitely would have loved to see more about the world outside the compound!!

I love commentary of reality tv, society, and a dystopian book so this was so much fun to me!

Would like to see LIUS S6, LIUK S12, and BB S26 all participate in The Compound 😇

Was a bit slow in parts, but overall I really enjoyed the modern Lord of the Flies vibe. I don’t say this often, but I really wish there was an epilogue!

<i>Thanks NetGalley for sending the arc in exchange for honest review</i> 🫶🏻

Small error in writing (loc 3753) “prize” should be “pry”

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7678994004

Put your favorite reality TV franchises in individual circles and make a Venn Diagram. This show would be in the middle. The best and worst impulses come to the surface and there really are no limits.

Brutal best describes it. Some of it was too much for me, but greed pushes some to places we’d hope people wouldn’t go. Sometimes it’s helpful to read a book and think, “Wow, these people are absolutely horrible.” and then remember that they are human just as I am.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This was so compulsively readable! I ate it up so quick and was excited to pick it up every day. It’s very much a dystopian, slightly darker Love Island and makes for a perfect summer read. I found the concept very interesting, but my main gripe with this book is that I felt like I was waiting for a big plot twist the whole time but… there really wasn’t one. I wish the author had leaned into the dystopian elements a little more in the end, but I still enjoyed the reading experience.

Read this if you like Love Island, dystopian, reality TV, Black Mirror, and eerie summer vibes.

Well, that got intense.

3.75 rounded up to 4. Thanks Random House for having invited me to review an advanced readers copy - this one is out now and was GMA Book Club’s pick in July!

I’ve never been a “reality TV” person but I still know the gist of what to expect: it’s absurd, exaggerated, and manipulated, full of drama drama drama… this story really is no different.

This is a guilty pleasure book, much like many who watch reality TV refer to them as their guilty pleasure shows. It’s entertaining, there’s seemingly not much substance, and easily bingeable (I listened to 80% in less than half a day); a decent palate cleanser when you’re a mood reader unsure of what to pick up next. It’s quite clear the points Rawle sets out to make about consumerism and materialism, appearances and fame, community and survival, and the lengths people will go to achieve these, while also asking the question “what will truly satisfy and make us happy?”

Though it’s labeled as dystopian there is very brief and vague descriptions to the outside world, and I wish there was some more about this. Also, despite an ensemble of characters we only get Lily’s POV and I would’ve liked a few, not all, of the others. Although we see the story through Lily’s eyes, I would’ve liked to have gotten to know her better as she comes across as superficial as she engages in tasks to remain on the compound. We don’t get into the gritty emotions and motives, so that makes most of the characters appear shallow, but I believe Rawle intentionally wrote as such as even the rules on the compound forbids the disclosure of personal information and just like if us readers were watching, we only see what they (the producers for a show, author for the book) want us to.

It does have some intense moments between characters and the situations they end up in but come the conclusion things fizzled out. Again, I think that was intentional and overall I thought Rawle did a good job with writing an entertaining, thought-provoking, and despite the “reality TV” setting, a relatable story. I probably won’t reread this one but I’ll keep an eye out for future stories from her.

Content includes light profanity, references to sexual encounters and infidelity (vague descriptions), violence (physical, one scene mirrors drowning, brief encounters with animals)

For a novel on the shorter side, The Compound packs in a surprising number of highs and lows. Aisling Rawle’s take on a dystopian reality TV setting is a compelling premise that hooks from the start—especially for those intrigued by the intersection of media, power, and survival. While I'm not a fan of reality television myself, I was curious enough about the dystopian elements to give this one a try.

That said, the dystopia didn’t go quite as deep as I’d hoped. The world outside The Compound—marked by war and climate disasters—is often more mentioned in passing than explored, and while it serves as a backdrop for the contestants' desperation, I wanted more immersion in that external collapse.

Our protagonist, Lily, is a complicated figure. She’s not particularly likeable, and that seems intentional. Her belief that happiness comes from getting whatever she wants—and winning the game—is a direct reflection of the consumerist mindset the show preys on. Her determination to stay inside the compound rather than return to the harsh realities outside is one of the more thought-provoking threads in the book. Still, at times, the message stumbles in its delivery. Moments that aimed for impact occasionally missed the mark.

What the book does well is explore manipulation—both by the unseen producers and perhaps by the audience themselves. Yet, the ambiguity about who's really pulling the strings is both intriguing and frustrating. There’s a strong undercurrent about performativity, control, and the ethics of entertainment, but I found myself wanting a clearer exploration of these themes.

Overall, The Compound is an entertaining, fast-paced read with flashes of sharp commentary. It didn’t quite hit as hard as I hoped, especially on the dystopian front, but it offers plenty to discuss—particularly for fans of reality TV or character-driven narratives. Definitely a solid debut novel for Aisling Rawle, and one that shows promise for future works. If you're interested in stories that blur the line between spectacle and survival, this one’s worth checking out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with a digital review copy!

I really enjoyed The Compound, a debut literary novel set on a reality TV show that resembles a cross between Love Island and Lord of the Flies. I always love a novel with a reality TV premise that takes things just a step further than they go in real life and The Compound was no exception.

Our narrator Lily, a young woman whose primary asset is her exceptional beauty, is committed to staying at the compound as long as she can. The producers supply her with challenges to win all sorts of luxurious rewards, which she treasures, but more importantly, Lily desperately wants an escape from reality—a dreary job, an unsatisfying life, and the slow decline of human society. There are vague allusions to the world outside—wars, climate catastrophe, economic decline. By contrast, life in the compound is drastically simpler: complete tasks, couple up, care for the compound, and win rewards. But the isolated setting and competitive nature of the show escalate and so do the stakes.

As a reader, I flew through the book, constantly on edge to find out what would happen next to the participants, even as the story is relatively mundane. Author Aisling Rawle has put together a fantastic debut that feels relevant and provocative. I was somewhat disappointed by the ending but overall really enjoyed this novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

All the trappings of a reality TV series, ratcheted up for a time -- close to now -- when the world is at war, hillsides burn in the distance, and the job market is its own dumpster fire. Lily wakes up in a desert compound, the latest competitor on a hugely popular reality dating show wherein you have to outlast the other 19 contestants to remain in the compound. Lily is a beauty, but she admits she's got nothing else going for her, no talents or ambitions. She dislikes her job in retail as a makeup counter girl, and she lives with her mom, whom she doesn't get along with. Winning this will bring her all the luxuries, instafame, and mindless consumer goods she can ever want. Cuz what else is there? It's a thrilling read that asks us to examine modern society's hunger for vapid, materialist entertainment even as the world burns. Characters are nuanced, the pace is gripping, the plot thrilling. What truly shines is the way debut author Aisling Rawle conceals the heavy questions beneath the thrilling veneer. 

[Thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.]

✨BOOK REVIEW✨


The Compound - Aisling Rawle

The Compound is a book that was not initially on my radar but when I received an email asking if I would like to review it, I was immediately intrigued. Have you ever wanted an insider view into the seedy underbelly of popular reality competition shows like Love Island or Big Brother? If so, this book is for you.

Lily wakes up on a compound in the middle of nowhere with 19 other strangers and she is ready to do whatever it takes to outlast them all and win the final prize. The Compound is a reality show where 20 contestants live together and complete varying tasks to win items they want/need to maintain a comfortable (and at times extravagant) lifestyle in the middle of nowhere. Ultimately there can only be one winner, the last man standing if you will. What happens when 20 strangers are forced to live together and work together with no structure or controls in place?

The Compound is a psychological thriller that reads like a modern day Lord of the Flies. I really enjoyed this story, it was the perfect summer read. I did have some issues with the pacing and I didn’t really love the ending, it left a lot to be desired. That being said, it felt intentional and reflective of the fact that this reality show never really ends, once abandoned entirely, a new set of contestants show up and it starts all over again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for my copy; all opinions are my own. The Compound is out now!

As a reality television fan I expected to love this book but like the characters, it’s a vapid waste of time. The Compound is a reality show where gorgeous young people live communally, couple up and complete tasks for rewards. It’s a mix of Love Island and Big Brother. Aisling Rawle had a great idea. However, she limited herself by not allowing the residents to reveal personal information in the show. As a results the characters lacked depth and it was difficult as a reader to build an emotional tie to any of them. The main character, Lilly hates her mundane life. She’s not especially smart or talented so the opportunity to simply be beautiful and pampered in the Compound is something she’s willing to do anything to achieve. 3.5 stars for me and tough to recommend as it’s not enjoyably mindless or funny or suspenseful. For me, it misses the mark.

Thank you to Random House publishing for the copy of The Compound! I really enjoyed this book and tore through it quickly. Based on the concept of people on a reality show living in a house in the middle of the desert. Two people of opposite genders had to share a bed to stay until the next day (or they would be kicked out of the house). The final 5 could stay without having to share a bed. Starting with 19 people and involving typical reality TV drama but with richer context - this story explored the psyche of contestants and gave implications of dystopian conditions outside of the house that was their oasis. I loved envisioning this through Lily’s perspective and her desire to stay. The ending felt right to me and I would definitely recommend to my reality TV fan friends and Mystery/Sci-Fi! There was action, mystery, romance and more!

Thank you to Random House for the free ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is out now!

Dystopian/Sci-Fi. Lily is a beautiful, young 20-something who wakes up on The Compound - a mansion in the middle of a desert and part of a reality competition series - along with nine other beautiful women. Soon 10 beautiful men join them. The point of the show? To pair off and complete tasks - both as a group and individually - to earn increasingly more valuable rewards and avoid being banished from The Compound. The longer you stay, the better the rewards become…but the more dangerous life becomes. Especially since no one is supposed to speak about their previous lives, and you aren’t sure who you can trust or what is real. But Lily is determined to make it to the very end, even if it means sacrificing those around her.

Oooo this was *delicious*. A blend of Love Island, Survivor, Black Mirror, and Lord of the Flies, I read this in a single sitting and it busted my reading slump. A dark look at what people are willing to do to feed their need of always wanting something better. This NEEDS to be picked up by some production company because I would watch the shit out of a limited series (as much as it pains me to say, Sydney Sweeney would be the perfect vapid blonde who becomes more and more unhinged as Lily). Loved it, no notes.

What the heck did I read? Was this a weird version of Love Island? or Survivor? or Abuse Island? I don't know. It was definitely a description of some form of an exploitation of young and impressionable people with luxuries that were not within their reach.

Lily along with 19 other people ended up on this compound to win a great prize if they ended up winning all challenges. Your typical reality TV show. What could go wrong, right? Once cameras are off, they should be well fed and pampered. But nope - this show has a more sinister agenda. It's almost like a social experiment to see who will do what at what price.

I had to really push myself to finish this book because I was clinging on that last bit of hope that maybe I'll get a good twist at the end. I did not and I was disappointed. It was very obvious where this was going and I unfortunately did not care about it

3.5 ★

The Compound follows a group of young adults competing in a reality television show, where they live together in a compound and compete in challenges to acquire gifts and luxury items. It definitely has a dystopian vibe and is very much a critique on society.

As an avid reality tv watcher- I think this does a fantastic job of portraying that kind of show and setting. It was super interesting to see the dynamic in the compound as it unravelled throughout the story. It started out with such harmony and felt like a vacation/show you’d want to be a part of too and then continued to descend into something darker, with stakes getting higher and tasks getting more unhinged. Really goes to show what one might do when they’ve been cut off from society for so long and when fame and riches are waiting for them on the other side. I didn’t really find myself rooting for any of the characters and it overall felt really grim. Even though this is meant to be thought-provoking, I kind of kept waiting for something to happen that never came. So for that I am left feeling slightly unsatisfied.

Overall an intriguing novel that will leave you thinking about it!

Content warnings: violence, injury/injury detail, infidelity, fire, war

Thank you to Netgalley, Aisling Rawle, and Random House Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book follows the contestants on a new reality show that is a dystopian mix of Love Island, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, and Survivor. As contestants are eliminated from the Compound, competition gets more intense as the incentive to protect yourself until your the last one in the Compound gets bigger.

As someone who never watched Love Island previously to reading this, I thought this book was extremely dystopian, not realizing a lot of its plot was directly taken from the design of the actual reality show, so I think that shock factor is part of the reason I enjoyed this more than some. It is definitely not fast-paced until the last 30-40%, but it reminded me of Annie Bot in that even in the longer, slower beginning chapters, the commentary on gender roles, consumerism and surveillance in modern day kept me intrigued until I got to the faster plot points.

I would recommend this for someone who wants a beach read that isn't super light and fluffy and is a bit of an outside-of-the-box pick --more dystopian lit fic than full-blown thriller while still keeping you guessing.

Not a hit for me. there were some intense scenes (the ducks D: ) but the tone never felt as heavy as I thought it should. I get the contestants know they’re playing a game but I expect there to be a certain point where they truly horrified or things would be more bizarre but everything just kind of play out like a game would.

Will recommend it for the library. I think with Love Island viewers are going to love this.

This was a pale imitation of the Hunger Games, like ridiculously derivative in its prose and characterization and plot, and I wouldn't care about stuff like that if anything of substance happened in it. The word dystopia has lost all meaning once attached to books like these. There's a more interesting plot in the setup of the whole book, and it is never explored.

So this is a Love Island x Hunger Games fic essentially, and I thought my love for the latter will help me get over my indifference of the former. I don't doubt that this would be an entertaining page-turner for people who are really into reality TV and slow thrillers. Now, did I enjoy parts of this? Did it also send me into a slump and have me ranting in this review? Two "yes"es make two stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House publishers for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an <b>honest</b> review!

I featured The Compound in my June 2025 new releases video and recently did a vlog on it. I'm obsessed with the group psychology of it all in the beginning! I could not get enough. I wish we could have kept going at a slow pace but I also understand why things had to pick up. Overall, RIVETING !