Kate Alice Marshall is an auto buy author for me, and I love her YA books as well! She has such an atmospheric way of writing, and that was no exception with this one. I loved the concept of the competition in an abandoned town -- it really played up the "who do I trust" trope often found in these books. Great from start to finish! I will definitely add this to my classroom shelves.

After saving multiple lives in a Mall shooting, hometown hero Mercy Gray just wants to give back what she took from her sister. Selected as a contestant for a TV game show of survival, Mercy is dead set to make it to the end and win the cash prize in hopes to give Jamie the life she deserves.

After making it to the set and meeting the contestants they all soon start to realized that something is very off. No staff are there to greet them. No camera crew in site. Not even the Host Damien Dare. And then....the alarm goes off and the gates roll to lock shut with no way out.

This novel is as if Mr. Beast went mad and tried to take on the host of survivor. I ATE THIS UP!!! Even with a bit of a predictable ending in my opinion this book was so well done. I was immersed in ever challenge, ever cross road, and ever back story. Specifically the character development was just impeccable, I truly couldn't put this book down.

I'm very excited to see what else Kate Alice Marshall has up her sleeve.

Thank you NetGalley, Kate Alice Marshall and Viking for this ARC release in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.

This story follows Mercy as she goes to a remote location to participate in a survival game sponsored by an eccentric billionaire to win $100K. Upon arrival, her Spidey senses start tingling. Something isn't right on the deserted set. Mercy and all the contestants have been traumatized by something in the past, and each has things to work through as they start the challenges.

Soon, a player is dead, and everyone is on edge. Was it an accident, or is one of the players a murderer?

This is a fast-paced and well-written YA suspense/adventure novel. The story kept me reading and interested. My only criticism is that the ending felt rushed.

2 years ago Mercy Gray was in a mall shooting. She was deemed a hero for saving multiple people and taking a bullet in the back in the process. Mercy needs money to send her little sister, Jamie, to college. To do some she's accepted a spot on a new survival reality game show in a deserted ghost town rigged for the game. When Mercy arrives she doesn't want to trust the other contestants but they're going to have to band together when they get locked in the ghost town with no one around and limited supplies. But is one of them not who they say they are?
I am such a sucker for reality game shows turned horror/thriller. This was such a fun read and reminded me of a less supernatural Hide by Kiersten White or The Island by Natalie Preston.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC!

First things first, thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this book in exchange for my review - all opinions are my own



this book took me on a wild ride. I do love K Alice Marshall’s writing, and this just proved that I would continue to read her books in the future. I was a little bit, taking it back with the fact that it was a young adult novel, but it didn’t exactly like that other than the main character I enjoy the ride and the twist and turn

This was a wild story. I audibly gasped through so many parts of this. This story sunk its teeth in me, and I couldn't put it down until I finished. I feel like it's been a minute when I got so lost in a book I stayed up until 2 am reading.
It starts off with 8 young adults competing on a survivalist tv show to win a cash prize. They are left in an abandoned town cut off from civilization, and from the moment they arrive, things seem amiss. One of the contestants is unalived, and from there, the story spirals downhill.
These contests were picked purposefully. They all experienced a traumatic event, and the host of the show, Damien Dare, thought they would be the best example for his sick mind game. Tensions were high, but eventually, the contestants bonded together and used their trauma as a weapon to get through the "game" and survive. I was a ball of anxiety reading this and sitting on the edge of my seat to find out who the killer was. I honestly didn't see it coming, and my jaw was on the floor. The pacing of this was just right, I feel like it was fast enough to keep me entertained but not too fast to where I was missing key things. I really enjoyed this thriller and feel like it's the best I've read in a minute.

We Won’t All Survive is a heart-pounding thriller that blends survivalist tension with a gripping murder mystery. Mercy Gray, a young woman scarred both physically and emotionally by a past trauma, is thrust into the high-stakes world of a reality TV survival competition. What starts as a chance to win life-changing money quickly devolves into a deadly game as contestants are trapped in an off-grid location, and one by one, they start turning up dead.

Marshall expertly builds suspense, drawing readers into a tense, isolated setting where trust is scarce, and the stakes are life or death. Mercy’s inner turmoil, tied to her traumatic past, adds depth to the narrative, making her a relatable and compelling protagonist. The mix of survivalist elements and psychological tension keeps the plot moving at a fast pace, while the eerie atmosphere of the show’s setting adds to the growing unease.

While the book features some familiar tropes, the unpredictable twists and the countdown of each contestant’s survival keep things fresh and exciting. Fans of survival thrillers with a dark twist will enjoy this high-stakes story, and the slow burn toward the shocking conclusion will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page.

4/5 stars! I really enjoyed this YA thriller that takes place in an abandoned town. Mercy was a compelling character and I was eager to discover why her and her sister's opinions on who owes who vary so greatly. It was painful watching Mercy come to terms with how to let go of her guilt. The other cast of characters, were at times compelling, but significantly more 2-dimensional. I liked the pacing and the ending was great.

4.5 Stars – A Dark, Gripping Triumph from One of My Favorites
Thank you to the author Kate Alice Marshall and the publisher for the ARC copy of this book.

I never miss an opportunity to snatch up a Kate Alice Marshall novel, and We Won’t All Survive might just be her best one yet. From the very first page, this story had me completely hooked. Marshall masterfully delivers one of my favorite tropes—mass murder with a single survivor—and crafts it into a chilling, unforgettable narrative.

The pacing is razor-sharp, the atmosphere is gripping, and the suspense holds steady from start to finish. I was fully invested in every twist and turn, and the emotional weight of the story hit exactly the right notes. It’s the kind of thriller that lingers long after you finish, and a standout addition to her already impressive body of work.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her writing, this one is not to be missed. An excellent, heart-pounding read.

We Won’t All Survive by Kate Alice Marshall
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Mercy is going to a compete on a survival reality TV show with seven other young people. When they arrive no one else is there and things are stranger then they expected. Then one of them dies suddenly and a bit suspiciously.
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What I liked:
-This story hooked me right away. I really liked Mercy and enjoyed all the pieces she gave us about her back story. She was a solidly good character.
-I loved all the suspense. It was deliciously intense.
-I kept going back and forth with my theories and loved how it ended.
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4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 I really enjoyed this one!

I was fortunate enough to get this as an ARC from Netgalley. The only thing I didn't enjoy about this was netgalley itself. I had to read this 336 pager on mf tiny cell phone and let me tell you i was not happy but the story was excellent.

This was a page turner alright. The story kept me guessing whose the murderer. I actually guess who it was but kept changing my opinions before going back. I should have just went with my gut but even figuring that out and all the other twists and turns kept me wowd. I kept wanting to see what would happen next. The characters were all pretty different and survivors from trauma and pretty horrific events. I wasn't sure if I'd like the gameshow aspect as well but it actually really worked.

4,5
“We Won’t All Survive” is what happens when Squid Game and Saw crashes into a YA thriller and throws in reality TV chaos for good measure.
Tropes:
- Survival game
- Whodunnit with a ticking clock
- Trapped location
- Everyone has secrets
- Final girl energy
Mercy Gray is that classic morally gray heroine—haunted, stubborn, and just trying to keep her sister’s dreams alive. Two years post-mall shooting, she joins a reality show with other disaster survivors, thinking she’s here to win money. Spoiler alert: this ain’t Survivor—it’s a death trap. The set’s deserted, no camera crew, and contestants start dropping like flies. I didn`t guess the killer but I'm really bad detective anyway. Characters aren't just blank canvas for oue MC, they have their flaws, strength and it's great.
Kate Alice Marshall’s writing? Really binge-worthy. Still has that tight pacing and emotional punch. If you’re into intense thrillers with a side of trauma and trust issues, this one’s worth your time.

Big thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers for the ARC in exchange of honest review

The atmosphere in this book is thick and suffocating, pulling you into its tension-filled world. You can't help but feel a knot in your stomach as you read, wondering what will happen next. The concept of the characters being chosen because of the traumatic events they've survived is so unique and powerful—it adds such depth to the story.

What really stands out are the characters. They're authentic and so real, you can almost imagine meeting them in your own life. You get emotionally invested in their journeys, especially in the most intense moments.

Speaking of intensity, the scene where Milo is sitting right in front of her in the dark was absolutely chilling. The silence before the terror struck was spine-tingling. It’s one of those moments that stays with you long after you turn the page.

Kate Alice Marshall can always be depended on for well-constructed, solidly entertaining thrillers, whether they veer supernatural or remain firmly in the real world. We Won't All Survive, a YA bloodfest with a reality TV angle, falls into the latter camp. It has an entertaining set-up with some topical (maybe a little too topical; it's just a little heavy-handed here and there) themes and enough twists to keep things going. The characters are the heart of the story, though, and keep some of the more frequently done tropes from feeling too dusty or over-used.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley to read and review. There aren't a lot of books with the premise of people being left somewhere to compete and "survive" like this book and beyond that there were plenty of aspects to distinguish it from similar books. I couldn't put this book down and read it every chance I could. There are very few lulls and always something happening. I did wish the book was a little longer and that it had gone on for more days than it did. I would definitely recommend it.

Kate Alice Marshall knows how to wright a page turner. I kept wanting to know what happened next. I wish the writing were a bit more atmospheric. I felt the emotions during the flashbacks. But the rest felt somewhat quick and dry. Either way, I enjoyed it and think it makes for a great YA thriller.

Overview: Mercy, the FMC, is recovering from a mall shooting while learning to trust her instincts again and decides to do a survival show to win 100k. Upon arrival, it is quickly noted that nothing is as it seems. Can the constants get out alive? Or will they fall one by one?

Book Review:
My first thoughts after finishing: WHAT?! Oh, my goodness. Amazing.
This thriller/murder mystery was a thrilling read. It starts off a bit slow with information gathering and setting the scene but once it gets going, it doesn't stop. It kept me on edge even while I was taking notes which can be tough to switch back and forth while keep focus on the story. The writing is great and to now know what I know the foreshadowing is so well done and detailed. The little clues, the misdirect, and everything is amazing. The characters you get only small snap shots and then the details get added a bit more and more with everything happening. Overall, I like the characters and have no issues with them. The whole book takes place very quickly, so you aren't going to get a ton of back story and other information that isn't needed; but at the same time, you get a good sense of everyone and how they are as people in the world or at least what they show people. The twist, I honestly didn't see coming until almost the very end. The ending as was very satisfying- I wish I could say more but no spoilers here! When this book is published, I might buy a copy just to have because I feel like it's going to be good reread.


Genres:
There is no spice or even romance in this story and honestly none is need. I feel that if the author tried to add it, it would have just taken away from the story line. I would say genre is thriller/mystery and could be read by some teenagers so maybe young adult (more around like 16–18-year range) mainly due to murder being a heavy theme, but it could also fall into the New Adult genre.

Editor/Publisher/Author:
There was one point in second mission where the color does NOT match the correct person. It's not a big deal but it did bother me.

This was part survival/part murder mystery & it held my attention the entire time! I didn’t realize it was YA until after I got the ARC from NetGalley, but it was still pretty good. This will be released on July 29th ☀️

3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#wewontallsurvive #katealicemarshall #mystery #thriller #netgalley #arc #newrelease

⭐⭐⭐⭐½ — 4.5 Stars!

Mercy and the Survivor Show from Hell (okay, not the real title—but it should be!) is a heart-pounding, can’t-put-it-down thriller that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. Kate Alice Marshall absolutely nails the tension, delivering a story that’s part survival game, part locked-room murder mystery, and 100% addictive. Mercy is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for — tough, smart, carrying scars both seen and unseen, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves. The survival reality show premise is clever and terrifying, especially when things take a deadly turn and it becomes clear that there’s no one coming to save them.

What makes this story stand out isn’t just the twisty plot (though, trust me, the twists hit hard) — it’s the emotional core underneath all the suspense. Mercy’s guilt, trauma, and desperate hope for a better future give the action real weight. This book serves up not just jaw-dropping reveals but also thoughtful questions about trust, survival, and how far we’ll go for the people we care about. If you're a fan of Karen McManus, Holly Jackson, or survival stories with serious teeth, do yourself a favor and pick this one up immediately. Clear your schedule—you won’t want to stop reading.

This one took a bit to hook me—the beginning felt slow, and I wasn’t sure I’d get into it. But once the characters started to open up and the stakes became clearer, it really picked up.

The story follows a group of traumatized teens thrown into a twisted reality show set in an abandoned town. It’s part Hunger Games, part Survivor, with a dark psychological edge. Mercy, one of the leads, stood out as she grapples with being called a hero and what that really means.

The tension and mystery were strong, especially in the first half, though things did slow down a bit midway through.

Overall, it’s a dark, intense thriller that kept me guessing. It didn’t fully blow me away, but it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re into survival stories with emotional depth.

Rating: 3.5/5