As an avid reality TV consumer, I was all over this concept. Rawle successfully captures the allure of reality TV that kept me hooked and needing to keep reading! In The Compound, we follow Lily as she wakes up in a strange house in the desert and begins to compete in a Love Island-esque dating competition, except we are definitely in a dystopian future and you are not allowed to discuss your past. Overall, it was a fun read if not a little lackluster by the end (but I feel that way about dating reality shows anyway, it is all about the lead-up!). I kept waiting for something truly bad to happen, to meet the game makers, or for someone to die.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an advanced copy through Netgalley.

I love books that explore the reality show model. My favorites of these tend to have a lot of humor, so I wasn't sure The Compound would work for me, but the slow building of tension and the naked calculation in Lily's narration was really intriguing. My only criticism is I think the rule against sharing of personal details was a real hinderance to character development, but overall this was a quick and interesting read.

3.5 stars.

The press for this book calls it “Love Island” meets LORD OF THE FLIESand though I’ve never seen “LI” it was not as violent as LotF (too bad!). It WAS surprisingly engaging.

Lily is a gorgeous, but maybe not so bright twenty something who works selling makeup she could never afford. Her out is joining this long-running and popular reality show along with eighteen others. They are isolated in a house and must pair off so as not to be banished. They do various tasks, both as a group and on their own to win prizes for themselves and to furnish their home…like to get a front door, and sometimes even more vital things. Cameras watch it all and broadcast it to the public; the goal is to be the one contestant left and then you can stay as long as you like and gather as many high dollar prizes as you can, plus the fame, of course.

As I said, it was the LotF reference that drew me in but I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. I loved that Lily wasn’t the most clever and knew it. She and a number of the other contestants were well-drawn (if not particularly admirable) and they acted in understandable ways. I could see this becoming a sleeper hit among younger readers. Nicely done.

3.5 stars!
I was a huge fan of this book going in, like Love Island meets the Hunger Games? But the last part really fell flat for me, especially the ending. I expected this story to take a significantly darker twist, but it just didn’t happen.
It’s for sure a commentary on capitalism and reality tv as a whole, and for that, I enjoyed it. This was still a bit of “safe fiction”, though. The Hunger Games aspect was how both the residents of the Compound and the producers and viewers alike would participate or watch crazy things for materialistic things or entertainment value.
I wanted to learn more about the world in this book as well, like the other residents from seasons past, the producers, the desert. I have a lot of questions left unanswered….
Still a good book! A great commentary on capitalism.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House for a ARC of this book. I’m leaving this review voluntarily

This book totally felt like *Love Island* meets *The Hunger Games*, and I was all in! The concept was so intriguing and unique that I couldn't put it down—it’s incredibly addictive. While there are a lot of characters to keep track of, I do think it could have benefited from a bit more character development to make them feel more layered. That said, the fast-paced plot and the sheer fun of the ride more than made up for it. If you're looking for a gripping, can't-stop-reading story with reality TV meets dystopian vibes, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Aisling Rawle's debut novel is completely bingeable. Twenty contestants compete to outlast each other at the Compound while being filmed for reality tv. At first the challenges are fun but eventually Lily, one of the contestants, begins to wonder how far producers will go and will this become a game of survival? This book is described as The Hunger Games and Love Island. It grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the end. I give it 5 stars. I absolutely loved it. It comes out June 3rd 2025.


Thank you #netgalley for a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

#thecompound #bookreview #5starread #bookrecs #2025read

The Love Island meets Lord of the Flies premise was irresistible for me. It began with a growing sense of unease even as "nothing" was happening in the day to day of being stuck on a reality show, waiting for challenges--like being in a fishbowl, but worse, because Lily is not just observed from afar but with pressure to "perform" for her audience if she wants to have longevity on the show.

Where the book struggled for me was in pacing past the halfway mark, as the dystopian elements increased and you are left with the tension of both nothing much happening, but a sense of distress and wishing the characters would choose to leave; and also a lack of backstory or depth in relationships (due in part to the rule to keep conversations in the here-and-now of the show). There are also mentions of war happening in the world outside but this isn't elaborated upon. I would classify the book as fiction, not a thriller. However I think as a commentary on what we ask of reality show performers the book is right to make us squirm and reflect on the sadistic, vapid and consumerist elements of this form of entertainment, as while as the appeal of participating in it. So for my discomfort this is a book I'm still thinking about. In that way, it reminds me a bit of the unsettled/tense feeling I got when reading Emma Cline's The Guest.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars; Fascinating subject matter but a bit dry for my taste. While it was a quick, engaging read I yearned for some levity. Just a joke here or there, some sarcasm or wit. The best way I can describe it is that the writing was monotonous. And while I think that was the aim - to paint our narrator Lily in the light that others saw her, beautiful but vacant - it made the story feel a little flat to me.

The story seemed to toe the line between what it was trying to be and what it really was. The vagueness of the outside world made it hard to know what world it even was. As if it was semi-post apocalyptic but not quite. And while the story is, at its core, about what you would do to survive and get what you think you've always wanted I would've been a bit more satisfied with some answers - the ending was irresolute, I wanted to know about the outside world after they all left the compound, etc.

This book is SUCH a blast. One of those where I was sad when it ended and wanted to go back into its world instead of starting a new book. Written for those of us who love dystopian vibes, but also watch Love Island every season. It was soooo up my alley.

Following a season of an unnamed reality show against the backdrop of a probably not to distant future, we get a glimpse into what reality tv will probably morph into within our lifetimes in the strangest of ways.. But we don't learn much about "the outside" world, only about the lives of the 9 boys and 10 girls who have been picked to live at The Compound. They must couple up, like Love Island, but they also much compete in personal and group challenges in order to gain rewards (they range from makeup and coveted slippers making them influencers, but also are offered important rewards too, like wood for doors for the house and even food making the show have some Survivor vibes as well). The best part? The show can last however long the contestants do. There are crazy rules like not talking about your past and no violence allowed until they've whittled it down to a certain number of players.

I had such a hard time putting this book down. I HAD to know what was going to happen next, and if our narrator Lily was going to make it to the end. It's an amazing debut, and while I think I would have appreciated some more characterization that a seasoned author could have provided, I will read ANYTHING Aisling Rawle writes next. Get this on your TBR immediately and thank me later!

The Compound by Aisling Rawle, the book is about Lily and 18 other contestants on a game show of survival where if they don’t sleep in the bed with a love interest the next day they have to leave. they’re given group task and personal task that they have the option of doing to get necessities and ultimately prizes, from toilet paper to diamond earrings. Lilly wants to be the ultimate winner because she is tired of living in the ruined world She lives in where she has to work every day and barely has enough to buy nice things and nice things are the reason she’s there. in the beginning of the book, I was so ready to read this. I love anything to do with reality shows and survivor type situations, but eventually it got to where I was bored then I thought a lot of the book was ridiculous. Not to say it wasn’t well written because it was. I just thought there would be more survivor and romance reality contest and then there was. After a certain point the whole romance thing went out the window and we were just left with bitter, angry vain, materialistic people who even win it win against their good health and well-being. They still wanted material things and would die trying to get it. I really liked and was rooting for Lily in the beginning but more than once she proved she had no humanity and kindness for those who were blind on the verge of death burn to a crisp ETC. I’m sure there will be those who loved this book and if so totally read it. This is just one person‘s opinion#NetGalley, #AislingRawle, #TheCompound,#RandomHouse

Thank you to the publisher, Random House, and Netgalley for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

I was sold on this book the second I read "love island meets lord of the flies" and I was hooked the whole way through. A super ominous setting that underscored the whole book, despite not really coming into play all that much. I think it was a really interesting look at how much joy we can really derive from material goods over relationships with others, especially in late stage capitalism (if you'll allow me to be "too woke" for a moment).

I would have liked a little more background and world building, although I figure that wasn't the point, I'm super curious about the general world where this all took place. I also would have liked more of an afterward and seeing people adjust back in to life, but I digress.

Regardless, this was a great book & an enjoyable reading experience. Would highly recommend.

The Compound had such an interesting premise that I haven’t seen in other books. I think it’s accurate to describe the reality show the characters were on in the book a mix of Love Island and Hunger Games. This book says it’s a mystery/thriller on GoodReads, but I would categorize it as fiction.

This book was interesting and I had fun reading it. At times it seemed slow and some of the characters drove me crazy. There was mentions of the dystopian like world outside of the compound, but there was never any further explanation.

Thank you to NetGalley and House Publishing Group - Random House for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been known to watch reality TV and I’ve got a weakness for dystopian books, so I jumped at the opportunity to read The Compound, which is billed as as “Love Island meets Lord of the Flies”.

Attractive, young people are deposited in a setting where they know the rules of this established reality show/game, compete for prizes, and angle for the cameras. There’s vague mention that the world outside is troubled, burning, and at war, but not enough time is spent on defining the contrast between this compound in the desert and the “real world” that exists beyond.

The prose is efficient, the pacing is swift enough (especially toward the end) to keep the reader interested. There are many characters; and because of their sheer number, they feel more like generic outlines of people. Because of this, the reader is not truly invested in them beyond wanting to know if the next twist is the one that makes the storyline turn toward the more Lord of the Flies territory. The author does a good job bracing us for the other shoe to drop…but it never feels like it does.

While the premise has a lot of potential, this book doesn’t quite reach it. The stakes of this competition, set in a neglected but sprawling villa, never reach a fever pitch that would give it the edge to make the plot truly compelling and unique.

There’s definitely a theme of consumerism that comes through effectively, and a lot of comment on influencer culture.

A quick, interesting read that readers will enjoy if they prefer more Love Island to Lord of the Flies.

This book will be released in June 2025. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance reader copy that I received in exchange for an honest review.

Took me reading about a third of this book before I became invested in the storyline, but wow what an engrossing read! This book had me sold at "Hunger Games meets Lord of the Flies" - I just wish there was a bit more depth to Lily as the main character. I also would've loved to learn more about the creators of the show outside of the gifts and tasks they gave to the contestants. Regardless, this novel includes plenty of commentary of the consumerism, overconsumption, class, gender - incredibly relevant and timely!

Sometimes you start a book late at night before bed and think, oh I'll just read a chapter. And then suddenly it's 3 am because you must know what happens next and you have work the next morning. I seriously couldn't put this book down. As someone who absolutely love reality TV and dystopian novels, I just ate this one up. Highly recommended!

This was a very intriguing plot. I really liked how the author upped the stakes. The mysterious parts (what’s happening outside of the Conpound) were almost too mysterious and left me wanting. If it was heavily edited, could work itself into a series…I truly just didn’t love the writing style.

3.5 stars. I felt it was a little misleading to market this as a "Hunger Games meets Love Island" as I went into this expecting there to be more bloodshed and violence and was let down. However, I did enjoy the book overall, even if the main character is not really likable and does not give the reader much to connect with, but I also recognize that is kind of the point with Lily. Overall, I would recommend this, as it was interesting and kept me interested, and the social commentary and message of the need for adoration and material prizes over human connection is alienating, was a timely message.

I've never read anything like this! As a huge fan of reality TV, I ate this one up. Super interesting and engaging- highly recommend if you love Big Brother!

This book was interesting to say the least. I loved the Love Island vibes but the idea of “the outside” being some scary place was just an element that felt…entertaining but super twisted. The end wasn’t too shocking because of all the previous twists and turns but definitely interesting.

Alright I see you Love Island meets Lord of the Flies.

Luckily for this reader (aka me), I watch almost exclusively horror movies and bad reality TV. This novel follows a group of young people during some unknown war/crisis who join a reality television competition show where you are in the middle of the desert and have to couple up and do tasks or you get banished.

No spoilers but I was hoping the book would go there way more in the extreme. It all felt kindof...meh. Even the villainous character kept having excuses made for his behavior through the narration.

However

I did enjoy this. It did feel like a first novel. I will read whatever she writes next.

Thank you to the publishers and sweet netgalley for the arc!