I’m honestly not even quite so what to say about this book. I think maybe I’m not the target audience for this.. I kept hearing it compared to Love Island or other reality TV shows which aren’t really my jam. Initially the writing felt very flat for me. I also didn’t really connect with any of the character. It did gain momentum and start to build suspense towards the end but the ending really fell off for me. This was definitely unique but maybe not the right book for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lily wakes up in an isolated compound in the desert along with 19 other contestants. The objective is to out last all others in the house while competing for luxuries, necessities, and human connection. She is determined to win and live a life of comfort away from the outside world that is falling apart.

As the competition progresses the stakes become higher and higher, people become desperate and trust in each other evaporates. Lily knows if she makes it to the end, if she survives, and finds a love connection she can make it and have everything she could ever dream of, but the journey there is not what she is expecting and peoples true colours are scary.

This was honestly such a fascinating book and concept. I am a huge lover of reality tv, and this take on it and what a show does to the psyche of the contestants was mesmerizing. I could not put this down, and could not believe it was a debut. The exploration of what human become when they are desperate and isolated was so well done. The character work was a work of art, they all felt so human, and I couldn't help but empathize with every one of them. This is an example of how far people will go when they are pushed to the edge and I ate it up.

I love reality TV books (even though I don’t really watch reality TV) and this was such a weird, dystopian version of what reality TV could be. Initially I struggled with keeping all the characters separate, but as they got whittled down it became much easier. But even when I was struggling, it was a really fascinating look into how people act when they’re giving in to their basest instincts (even when everyone is watching). I loved the choice of narrator and her reflections really made me think about how differently the story could have been told by any of the other contestants. The cover looks fluffy but this had some teeth to it.

This was Love Island meets Big Brother meets Black Mirror meets Lord of the Flies—and I was absolutely here for it. Sign me up for this wild, dystopian reality TV series in book form!

While the pacing was a bit slow in the beginning, once the story picked up, I was fully invested. The world Aisling Rawle created was eerie, captivating, and disturbingly plausible. The setting, a hyper-controlled environment built for entertainment and surveillance, was the perfect backdrop for the chaos that unfolds.

What I really appreciated was how this book didn’t just serve drama—it thoughtfully explores our cultural obsession with reality TV, the extremes of consumerism, and what happens when survival and love collide in a public arena. The characters were layered and vulnerable, and watching their relationships shift under pressure made for such an addictive read.

Also, as someone currently watching Love Island USA, this made my viewing experience even spicier. The parallels between entertainment and exploitation were so well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

A slightly dystopic take on reality TV with a life-or-death version of a Love Island-type show. It leaves you wanting more, for better or for worse.

3.5/5

A satirical and disturbing look at reality tv, specifically a show like Love Island, The Compound was an uncomfortable read that had me binging it. I wanted the descriptions of the outside world to be a bit more ominous - the vague talk of wars and a climate crisis didn’t do it for me. The abrupt ending also took me out of it a little bit. Overall, I think this is a great read that many will like- I just wanted a little bit more from it.

This was a refreshingly different read for me. Prior to this book I had never seen Love Island (now I have seen one season since this book and pop culture influenced me) and had only seen one season of Big Brother so I was only vaguely familiar with the concept of competitive reality tv where a group of people live in a house together for extended periods of time. I think my limited knowledge on the topic made this read fascinating. Most characters in this story were insufferable but I was still entranced and eager to keep reading. Points of this story were really hard to read and made me uncomfortable but overall I had a great time.

This was gripping all the way through, with reality tv meets lord of the flies. While I wasn’t particularly attached to any of the characters I flew through it. I did find the end disappointing.

Thank you so much prha and Random House for the audio/eArcs

When I tell you I had such high expectations for this that I talked friends into reading it with me bc l was so confident we would love it.

.... And I did, until it just straight up failed to have an ending. It felt like this was building towards an exploration of hell being other people, and instead it just built to other people as... I dk? Awful in a very boring way. There's not a likeable character in sight, and by the end I was hoping they would choke on an individual reward. You never find out about the external circumstances, which makes their tenancy in an obviously undesirable place even more confusing. That being said, it was very readable and I loved the way the show aspect was designed!

The Compound was so eerie! I couldn’t put it down and needed to know what would happen. I loved the little vague mentions of what was going on outside the compound back in the real world.

I do wish we’d have gotten some answers. The ending fell a bit flat for me and I had a lot of questions but overall it was a good time and I’d recommend! 3.5 stars

I REALLY wanted to like this book. It was on my most anticipated read for the year. The book was marketed differently from how it really was. Which had a huge impact on my enjoyment. Once I readjusted my thoughts, I tried to enjoy the story. The writing flowed easily and I was able to get into the story, but I couldn't keep wishing it would end. Even though the ending somewhat picked up, it wasn't enough to make me care.

#NETGALLEY
#THECOMPOUND
#AISLINGRAWLE

I never knew exactly where this was going but I was along for the ride! I wish the ending had a little more conclusion but it was effective in its own way. Could definitely see this as a TV series in the future.

This book was a dark look at how far reality tv could go. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering just how far the contestants would go and the ending was just perfect! However I wanted a little (but not too much) more about how the show escalated from previous seasons and about the producers perspective which kept it from being a 5 star book for me.

I really liked this one, it felt like a reality show but darker, with a dystopian twist. Big Brother meets Black Mirror. I was totally sucked in and flew through it on the beach(even though I didn't think it would be a beach read). Super unique and unlike anything else I’ve read!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!

This was a very unique read. I typically don't read many books like this one and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

The Compound by Aisling Rawle
☑️ ebook via @netgalley and @randomhouseca @randomhouse @penguinrandomca

Wow. Ok. I read this in a day. And that’s saying SO MUCH because I have not been in the mood to read much lately and just inching through books like a slug.

It helps to be a reality tv girlie fresh off a Love Island obsession (Nicolandria 💕) but definitely not necessary. Because this book surprised me with its depth. It’s not a juicy silly summer read, it has some of those elements, but it’s also preoccupied with staring into the abyss of consumerism, the dystopian and parasocial state of celebrity and influencer engagement and existentialism especially as it pertains to desire, fulfillment and capitalism. But it’s ALSO a juicy silly reality tv show about finding love on a compound where everything you need and want is provided to you by completing tasks given to you by producers.

The whole book is tense with this underlying fear and realization how vulnerable these people have become in their desire to stay on The Compound and on the show. We don’t really know what’s going on in the real world but for what they’re willing to put up with, it’s got to be bad right?

I loved this book, everything about it was my cup of tea and I am SO SURE I would one hundred percent be sat watching this psychotic show every day if it was real…. Which… what does that say about me?! I dunno. 😆

4.5 stars

This was such a great read—and with Love Island making waves in the US and UK, the timing couldn't be better. Set in a vaguely dystopian future, which readers only get flashes of through protagonist Lily, a group of late teens and twenty-somethings arrive at a compound for a Love Island-type dating show. But it's not just romance and days by the pool as the challenges test their relationships and survival skills. Soon the islanders are living their own lux Lord of the Flies scenario...It was absolutely a riveting read!

The Compound by Aisling Rawle is a gripping, tense thriller that explores reality TV culture, materialism and the fight for survival, and love. Engaging characters, relentless pace. Thanks to Random House for the ARC!









Sources

Ask ChatGPT

This was a quick read, but it left me thinking for a long while. I'm someone who enjoys reality television, especially dating/romance-based shows, so the premise of the book was intriguing from the very beginning. The description led me to believe this would be more of a thriller, but instead it felt like a very real glimpse into the horror of current day life.
Take that as you will. There's an interesting discussion to be had about the commentary of privilege and the imbalance it creates both inside and outside The Compound.
I don't want to say much because I think it's more satisfying as a blind read, but I will say go in knowing you'll leave as blind to the processes as the contestants of The Compound are, that seems to be the point.

If you're a reality TV lover this is a book for you! Imagine "Love Island" but everyone is competing to see who can be the last one standing... manipulation, violence and complete mayhem enough to keep you on the edge of your seat!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the advance review copy!