When I requested this galley, I don't know that I realized it was YA. I think I would have enjoyed this more if I was in the target demographic. That said, the story wasn't awful, but it didn't make me want to spend the precious time I have to read, reading it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Ohhhh, this one was fun—edge-of-your-seat, who's-gonna-make-it fun. Kate Alice Marshall's We All Won't Survive kicks off at a full sprint and never looks back. If you're looking for a pulse-pounding YA thriller that reads like Squid Game meets a deranged version of Survivor (or, honestly, Mr. Beast's worst fever dream), add this to your list immediately.

This book is pure adrenaline from page one, and it kept me flipping pages like my life depended on it. After reading No One Can Know last year, I already knew Marshall could write. That was an adult thriller with dark, twisty layers, but after crushing this one, I think I love her even more in the YA space. She gets the tone right—dangerous but fun, dark but addictive.

The premise follows a group of teens and young adults between 18 and 20 who are chosen for a mysterious, high-stakes reality show. They're locked in a remote compound and told to play… but things start to go wrong really fast. Are the producers just a little too twisted, or is something way more sinister happening? More importantly, who's running the reality show, and why does it feel like they're being hunted?

The characters aren't that in-depth, but what sets them apart is their trauma. Each player has survived something: mass shootings, near-death accidents, stalkers—you name it. And these aren't just trauma checkboxes. These are their scars, their survival stories, and the reason they've been chosen.

Trigger warnings abound—mass shootings and obsessive stalker behavior being the big ones—so definitely research the book first if that's a concern. But if you can stomach the darker elements and you like your thrillers fast, flashy, and unrelenting, this one is going to be your summer obsession.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the eARC.

I couldn’t stop reading! There were so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. It kept me on the edge of my seat guessing who did what. It was really interesting to hear about the past of each character, and what led them to where they are. I highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick, thrilling read!

I found it difficult to get into the first thirty or so pages, but as soon as the suspense started, I devoured it rather quickly. Although somewhat foreseeable, the final plot twist is nevertheless surprising. Because of the characters' brief introductions, the reader is unsure of which symbol each character belongs to during the first game. The idea for the reality show seemed to be a cross between "Survivor" and "Squid Game”, which actually is rather intriguing. Overall, it's a really interesting and enigmatic tale that, despite a somewhat sluggish beginning, succeeded in capturing my interest.

ARC received from NetGalley. I enjoyed this book, and will be interested in reading more of this author!

What a wild ride!! There have been, and will continue to be. a lot of reality tv show based thrillers and this is a shining light in the mix.

From the very beginning we are handed a whole lot of mystery, suspense, and interesting plot by Kate Alice Marshall. While I wouldn’t say it’s the most inventive plot out there right now, there were still a lot of new ideas in this new genre of reality tv thrillers.

I don’t want to give a lot away but there was beautiful commentary in this, a thrilling plot-line throughout, lovable and diverse characters, and poignant writing that makes this book stand out amongst the rest. I have yet to be let down by Marshall and will readily eat up anything she graciously feeds us.

An edge-of-your seat survival story. A group of young adults pulled to a remote location for the hopes of a show and winning a lot of money. But when they get there, there's no one there to greet them, make them sign final pages, nothing. But a voice blares out and a gate starts closing, they give into it panic to still be a part of the challenge, at the option of the money.

I loved the adventure of this one. The challenges, the little locked-room type puzzles, the working together and splitting up. The stories of survival were surprising and I loved the prevailing theme of danger we don't always see coming because is disguised. The ending was the satisfying icing on the cake. A compelling murder mystery, I loved it!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I don't know what it is, but YA thrillers just hit different. I absolutely flew through this book. It was so intense, I felt like I was being watched the entire time. This book reminded me a lot of Natasha Preston, so if you are like me and love her books, I think you will really enjoy this one! I certainly did, and will be buying a copy once it comes out! Thank you Penguin Teen and Netgalley for the arc!

This book was nuts and had lots of potential, but:

There are too many characters introduced at once (the players of the “game”). Keeping Spencer, Milo, Eli, Colby, and Harrison separate didn’t happen for me until towards the end of the book. (Even then, it seemed like Eli came out to his parents but also has a (spoiler) fling with Alethea? Then there are the girl characters (and the name Alethea… just, no), all characters introduced in flashbacks, and oh - the games were super confusing for me. They play 2 games but I had to skim because these parts just didn’t read well - especially the icons matching up to the contestants (that we just met) in the first game.

The twists were really good and I liked the ending, but a chunk of the middle was really sloppy to me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC!

🎥 Survivor meets One of Us Is Lying—but make it deadlier. We Won’t All Survive hooked me right from the premise: a reality show in a ghost town? Yes please. But what starts as a competition quickly spirals into a fight for survival with no cameras in sight. Mercy is the kind of fierce, layered heroine I love—equal parts guilt, grit, and “get it done.” I couldn’t stop turning pages, waiting for the next twist (and trust me, they keep coming).

This is one of those books where you think you know what’s going on, and then Kate Alice Marshall laughs in your face. It’s sharp, fast-paced, and full of that simmering dread that something—or someone—is always just around the corner. If you love survival stories, murdery mayhem, and teen characters you’ll want to scream at (but also hug), add this to your TBR. Just maybe read it with the lights on. 🔦📖

I really enjoyed this and flew through it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Okay look this was a fun and crazy ride! I actually really enjoyed the roller coaster! A group of teens with secrets, a looming sense of doom, and enough trust issues to fund a therapist’s retirement. I am not kidding you go it all in this one! We Won’t All Survive delivers drama, dread, teenager angst, and disaster—and that’s before the bodies drop. It reminds me some of I Think I Know What You Did Last Summer but with much more moral ambiguity, weird connections and escape room vibes. No one’s okay, and frankly, they probably shouldn’t be.

A fun ride. I think a YA audiene would really like this book. The idea of the reality show was exciting. Kate Alice Marshall's writing style is always fun to read.

Marshall is talented when it come to character development in her stories and We Won't All Survive is no exception. Crafting a diverse cast of contestants, each with their own traumatic pasts and motivations kept this book flowing for me from start to end. The connection between the characters' personal histories and their escalating danger helped to add depth to the narrative, making each twist and turn more impactful and surprising. The survivalist reality show theme created an atmosphere that heightened the stakes and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen around the next page.

Some readers may predict certain plot developments (I try not to figure out the "who did it", I just enjoy the read), the plot's strength lies in its emotional resonance and the unraveling of complex relationships under pressure. The pacing was quick, ensuring that the tension remains high throughout. The conclusion delivered a satisfying revelation, piecing it all together in a way that felt both surprising and earned.

Thank you, NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for the ARC.

I love reality shows so this was a must read! Very enjoyable with lots of action. It was a little far fetched in some places but it was a fun ride!

I liked the reality show element with the various challenges the characters had to complete. It was over the top but in a fun way. I did think the reveal was predictable but I still had a fun time reading.

This is my third book by Kate Alice Marshall and slowly they’re becoming an auto-read author! I love the reality show trope in thriller/horror books and that (paired with the author) immediately drew me in. No spoilers but I really enjoyed the twists and I wasn’t able to fully predict them so that’s a miracle in itself! I can’t wait to listen to the audiobook when it comes out!

rating: 3.75/4

Spoilers below!
The synopsis gave me Hunger Games vibes, not in a dystopian way which was intriguing. This book kept me on my toes and I genuinely wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to these kids, how they'd get out, who might die next!

From the start, the author opens up with a warning that this as a story about toxic masculinity and the burden of men’s emotions. That theme was not overtly present throughout but it stayed in the back of my mind as I read. Looking back, it worked so well that it was subtly present which is how toxic masculinity often works.

As for characters and theories, I wasn’t immediately suspicious of Milo but I did get hinky vibes from him. It wasn’t until his first mention of Rancom that I realized that we had to pay attention to him (how did he know where she was from when she only said that she was from the Bay Area?). When we get the receal, I was certainly shocked at the extent to which he knew things about Mercy (like it’s creepy).

I found the epilogue to sweet! loved that Harrison referred to the others as his three closest friends. The little hint that he and Mercy end up together was cute, though I would’ve been happier if they stayed just friends. Overall, I enjoyed this. The pacing worked, the stakes felt real, and I wanted to keep going to see how it all played out!

This book!!!!!! I love reality shows and this just puts the icing on the cake. Reality series meets murder mystery. It's a thriller and you never know who's next. It's survival of the fittest.

Survivor’s Guilt follows Mercy Gray, a hero from a mall shooting, as she competes on a survivalist reality show with a huge cash prize at stake. But when the contestants are trapped on the off-grid set and one by one begin to die, Mercy must uncover the deadly truth behind the show before she becomes the next victim.