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
.
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.
.
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.
.
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

I couldn’t put this book down once I started. Labeled as a YA thriller, it’s really about toxic masculinity and what happens when we don’t trust our instincts.

The end was a bit formulaic and predictable, the writing was great and the characters, especially Mercy, were believable and interesting. I’ll definitely read it again when it’s released 7/29/2025.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP for the eARC!

Tense, twisty, and emotionally charged, We Won’t All Survive is a thrilling read. After surviving a mall shooting, Mercy Gray joins a reality show for the chance to finally move forward, but once the cameras stop rolling and contestants start dying, survival becomes all too real.

Kate Alice Marshall crafts a suspenseful mystery with a strong, relatable heroine at its center. The isolated setting, rising body count, and shifting alliances create nonstop tension, while Mercy’s backstory adds emotional depth. This is a smart, fast-paced read that will hook teen readers from the start and keep them guessing until the very end.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Let me just say- this book took a turn. In the beginning I was nervous I was not going to get interested because I felt like it was moving a little slow. However, once we got into the characters and started to realize their similarities then it started to build up the momentum to keep reading. Once I got past the “first day” I felt like i knew the characters and the dialogue between them made it easy for me to be able to picture this. By the time I was in the middle of the book trying to figure it all out my mind kept going back and forth on who was doing what. Satisfying ending for a book that keeps you guessing who will survive ?!!! Look out for this — this summer !

I really enjoyed this!! There was a few things I was left wondering but overall a fast paced read and Kate Alice Marshall thrillers just do not miss. Would def recommend

Mercy was the hero in a mass mall shooting and now she feels like she owes her sister an immense debt. When an opportunity arrives to participate in a survival show, Mercy jumps at the chance to pay back her sister. She arrives at a remote off-grid location with seven strangers to try to survive and win life-changing money. When the gates lock them in and a contestant ends up dead, Mercy wants to get out as soon as possible. But the game creator is not going to let them go that easily.

I devoured this book. I couldn't put it down. I loved the fast pace and unexpected twists and turns. If you're in the mood for a quick thrilling read, this is the one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the ARC of We Won't All Survive.

I finished this in a day. What a fun book, full of twists, and interesting characters. Kate Alice Marshall does not disappoint.

Honestly sometimes I think YA thrillers are more enjoyable than adult ones because there’s a certain amount of buy-in you have to give the book to even consider a bunch of barely legal teenagers would end up in such a fucked up situation. For me, this ultimately leads to a “sure, why the hell not” reading experience which feels more entertaining and made this a page turner.
The characters and writing are the prize in this weird-as-hell plot with some weird-as-hell turns. Mercy’s character development felt slightly slower in some ways than her comrades - Trust yourself, girl! Men are freaks! - but I still loved that this book really made an effort to celebrate each of its characters’ inherent strengths in the midst of very reasonable human weaknesses.

Highly recommend this for a summer read when you have the time to consume a book in massive chunks because you can’t put it down. ☀️

⭐️: 3.75
📕: Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for allowing me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review 🌸