When I first picked up We Won’t All Survive, I thought I was getting into just another survival thriller, but it surprised me in a lot of ways. It’s intense, emotional, and more layered than I expected. The story follows Mercy Gray, a teenager still recovering—physically and emotionally—from surviving a mass shooting. She’s carrying not just the trauma, but also medical debt and a heavy sense of guilt. From the very beginning, I could feel how much pain she was holding inside, and that made me care about her right away.

Mercy signs up for a reality survival show that takes place in a creepy, abandoned ghost town. She doesn’t go because it’s fun and she’s desperate for money, mostly to support her younger sister. But it’s clear from the start that this show is not what it seems. Eight teens are chosen, each with their own dark backstory, and almost immediately, things start to go wrong. One contestant dies, and it becomes obvious that someone might be trying to turn the game deadly.

What stood out to me most was how real the characters felt, especially Mercy. She’s smart, angry, anxious, and flawed—but she’s trying. I appreciated how the book didn’t try to paint her as a “perfect survivor.” Instead, it shows how trauma can twist your thinking and make you question who you are. Her inner monologue is raw and honest, and there were several moments when I felt like

I don’t know what it was about this one, but it just didn’t hit for me. I had a hard time staying focused. I think I am going to listen to the audiobook and then come back and see if I like that more. I have high hopes for the audiobook, I’ve heard good things about it. I just felt like the characters weren’t connecting with me when I physically read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and PRH audio for the early access to the digital and audio versions of this book! This was absolutely a page turner that I didn’t want to stop listening to. It had just the right amount of twists and turns so that you felt like you were figuring things out only to realize you were back where you started. This was a great YA thriller and definitely recommend!

This book was like Survivor but with teens…but then things go awry and it’s for real! How will they survive? How will they know who amongst them is trustworthy? How will they escape? I enjoyed this book with its twists and turns.

3.9/5 ⭐️ Stars - Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ALC of ‘We Won’t All Survive‘ by Kate Alice Marshall. I was especially excited to dive into this one since I adored her earlier release, 'A Killing Cold'—a 5-star read and my favorite book back in February!

From the synopsis, I was expecting something like Survivor meets Squid Game (and honestly, it feels like we’re seeing a lot of those “squid game-style” premises lately). But once I got into the story, the vibe shifted more toward The Hunger Games—or maybe even that short-lived MTV reality show Stranded with a Million Dollars (probably too obscure of a reference, but it came to mind!).

The story follows Mercy Gray, who became famous for saving multiple lives during a mall shooting. She’s recruited for a survival-style competition show, but things feel off right away—there’s no crew, only cameras, and no safety measures in place. What starts as an escape-room like game for food, water, and shelter quickly escalates, and when one contestant turns up dead, everyone becomes a suspect.

There are a lot of characters with layered backstories, which made it a little tough to keep track of everyone. I enjoyed Mercy’s backstory and how her past shaped her, but I occasionally mixed up some of the other contestants. Learning after the fact that this was categorized as YA helped me put certain aspects into perspective.

Overall, it was a suspenseful, engaging thriller with a satisfying conclusion. Not quite the knockout that 'A Killing Cold' was for me, but still a solid, enjoyable read!

Rating: 4 ⭐️

We Won’t All Survive is like Hunger Games meets One of Us Is Lying if the tributes were all emotionally scarred and the arena was a ghost town. It’s a fast-paced, twisty ride that’ll have you questioning who’s playing the game and who’s just trying to survive it

This story begins with a reality survival show with a big cash payout to the winner. The show has 8 contestants, and you go on to find out that each has survived some sort of a real-life disaster and endured.

Mercy is one of them. She survived a mall shooting where a man who was obsessed with her sister, went out to kill many innocent people. Because of her quick actions, Mercy saved her sister and many others, but was shot in the process. Her painful recovery and hospital bills drained their family's savings, including the money that had been earmarked for her sister to go to college. To help her sister, Mercy agrees to go on the reality show in hopes of using the prize money for her sister's education.

But from the start, things feel off. She meets the other contestants, but no one else from the show is there. They're stuck in a remote location with only video instructions and high-tech surveillance monitoring them. After the first challenge and the first night, they realize the stakes are even higher - one of the 8 is dead, and the killer could be any one of them..

As the group work through their own past traumas, try to determine who they can trust, and work to survive and get off the mountain, there are many twists along the way. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and although I guessed some of the reveals, it was a great read and kept me on my toes. Definitely a fun read!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐

I don’t believe in ghosts.
But I do believe in monsters.
And this one has me in its teeth.


Oh wow, I'm terrified of humans.... this book partially reminds me of Kingsman, the movie. I'm really at a loss for words. HUMANS ARE SCARY. I don't have anything else to say!

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

I received this early copy from Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group but can't get it on my Kindle if anyone can help I'd be thankful 🥹

I will always and forever devour a Kate Alice Marshall thriller!

There’s something about Kate Alice Marshall’s writing and storylines that is just so addicting and enthralling. I’ve not felt this way - and this consistently - with any other mystery/thriller author. Banger after banger!

We Won’t All Survive follows Mercy, a survivor (and, she wouldn’t call herself this, but the public likes to refer to her as a hero) of a mall mass shooting. After the surgery for a bullet wound she received during the incident drained her family’s bank accounts, including her sister’s college fund, Mercy signs up and is selected to participate in a survival competition show alongside seven other 18-20 year olds. The show is sponsored by kooky asf billionaire tech mogul Damien Dare and takes place in a ghost town on a remote mountainside.

When Mercy and her fellow competitors arrive, something immediately seems amiss. Where is the production crew? Why do they have to put their phones and car keys in a locked safe? How are they supposed to call for help if/when something goes terribly wrong?

This book had me anxious to read the next page (in a good way) — I became attached to the characters fast and was rooting for their escape and survival. What makes Kate Alice Marshall’s novels stand out to me is how I feel like I’m trying to solve the mystery alongside our main character and falling for the same red herrings/being shocked by the plot twists as much as they are. The story was fast-paced and didn’t drag on where it didn’t need to. I love how all of the pieces of information we receive throughout the first half of the book weave together at the end and paint a crazy, yet satisfying ending to the story.

Thanks to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for the #gifted copy of this book

Rating: 3.75/5

Summary: 🎥 Mercy Gray has been trying to hide from the limelight after being called a hero in the mall shooting. Not ever able to set aside the guilt from ignoring her sister's pleas for help with the sweet boy next door, Mercy carries the loss of every person from that shooting. Two years later, TV host Damien Dare wants Mercy to compete on his survivalist reality show. Once there, though, nothing seems right. The set is empty, the town is deserted, the gates have locked them in, and one of them ends up dead. As the group realizes that this was more than a tragic accident, they start to work through the clues, desperately trying to find a way out.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this one. Kate Alice Marshall is one of my favorites, and it was fun diving into this YA novel. This story really kept me on my toes, trying to guess what was happening. With elements of both survival stories and murder mysteries, the story had so many twists and turns that it was hard to pinpoint the real villain. The bond that the survivors created through this experience was strong and carried them through to the end. The only issue I had with this story was that there were so many characters throughout it. I had a lot of trouble keeping them all straight. Overall, this is a great YA thriller with some fantastic, unexpected turns. 🎢

Read if you love:
🎥Reality TV
🔎Escape Rooms
😳Thrillers
📖YA books
🎢Twists and Turns

Kate Alice Marshall's We Won’t All Survive is a gripping YA thriller that masterfully blends survival drama with psychological suspense. The story follows Mercy Gray, a young woman haunted by her past, who joins a high-stakes reality show only to find herself trapped in a deadly game where not everyone will make it out alive. Marshall crafts a tense atmosphere, skillfully exploring themes of trauma, trust, and the human instinct for survival. The diverse cast of characters adds depth and complexity, keeping readers guessing about alliances and motives until the final pages. With its fast-paced narrative and unexpected twists, We Won’t All Survive is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and survival stories.

Mercy survived a school shooting two years ago. A well-known billionaire TV host invites Mercy to take part in his new survival reality show. Mercy could certainly use the money with her medical debt from her injuries. This was definitely fast paced and you can feel the terror and despair of the teens involved. Mercy knows she can survive, but when others start dying she starts to question her abilities. Who will be the last standing?

Not sure how I did not come across this author before but I will no doubt read all she writes. This is a fast moving read which has no problem holding the readers focus. A cat and mouse survival game with all the elements needed for success. There ere few authors that have the ability to write successfully for both adults and young adults but Kate Alice Marshall has found what it takes to catch and hold onto both audience and I will continue to buy her works without any preview needed.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reading challenge category - 2025 Hoffbensen: BONUS: In the limelight - media/paparazzi

Mercy is called in to be part of a survivor-type show with other well-known/newsworthy/influencer-type people. Mercy goes to win the prize money to pay off her medical bills from getting shot by an incel who was into her sister. Once she arrives, it is not as advertised. Especially when people start dying. Who is doing this? why is Mercy even there?

I usually LOVE Kate Alice Marshall's work. I feel like because this was YA, it just didn't hit for me. I'll continue to read her adult stuff, but will not keep on with the young adult. It was predictable.

2.5 rounded up

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kate Alice Marshall for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for We Won't All Survive coming out July 29, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoy this author. I was really excited to get this book. I love YA horror and mysteries. The book started out really good. I was definitely into the mystery part of it. I wasn’t as excited about the last half of the book. Some of the characters weren’t as strong as others in my opinion. But I would definitely check out more books by this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We Won’t All Survive is a gripping, atmospheric thriller that blends tension, survival, and deep character dynamics in such an engaging way. Kate Alice Marshall’s writing pulls you in immediately—her pacing is sharp, and the creeping sense of dread builds beautifully. The characters are well developed, and I enjoyed the way their relationships and secrets slowly unraveled as the story progressed. While a few moments felt slightly predictable, the suspense and emotional weight more than made up for it. Overall, this is a dark, twisty, and compelling read that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love the way that Kate does setting. This was a departure from her typical YA. I enjoy her adult books. Usually LOVE her YA stuff. And I enjoyed this one, but it had a much different vibe. While I enjoyed it still....it just didn't hit the same way her other YA's did. I know it wasn't horror and that thrillers are a different genre. I have to give some consideration there, I just think she really shines in her horror space. But far be it for me to keep an author boxed in. I'm happy to see her spreading her literary wings. She did justice to the topics, and the characters, it just wasn't what I LOVE from her. Still a great read and one I'd recommend, though.

What a fun locked room (locked town?) thriller! I’m a huge fan of Marshall’s books, so I couldn’t wait to jump into this thriller! Despite it being a YA one, it didn’t fully have that feel for me, so I was pleasantly surprised! It had such an eerie setting, and I was on the edge of my seat to see how it all played out. My hunch on the main person was correct, but the why and how was a surprise to me!

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers | Viking Books for Young Readers for my ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

I wasn’t a huge fan of the reality aspect of this book. Maybe that’s just me also hating reality tv. I don’t know. It just didn’t seem the same as some of her other books, which I’ve loved. It was also way more YA than her other books, I feel. The characters weren’t bad, but somewhat underwhelming.
Overall, it wasn’t bad, I just ended up disappointed in it because I was expecting it to be like her other books.

I am a huge fan of Kate Alice Marshall books, so I read this one as soon as I was approved for the ALC.

I loved the isolated setting, the reality survival show aspect, and the twists and turns when it came to all of the characters and their stories. It grabbed my full attention from the start and I finished the entire audiobook in one day. It was the perfect read for the Summerween readathon!

Thank you NetGalley and and Penguin Young Readers Group for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

4/5 ⭐️