3.5⭐
This started out so well I was really enjoying it I was invested it was fast paced then I got to the middle part which fell a bit flat but then it picked up again around the last 100 pages specially with the horror elements I was really enjoying that and I was picturing it so well Darcy coates really knows how to set up a scene and make you picture everything like a movie but then we hit the ending ...and I was severely underwhelmed I really was expecting more and I wasn't satisfied with that ending so I would say this was a great read the writing is beautiful and it was fun, easy to read but it just needed some changes to make it a fav,well def pick up more books by the author I previously read dead of winter by her which I think I enjoyed a tad more cuz it was more on the horror this is more of a thriller with horror elements but yeah still highly recommend!!

Wow wow wow! This book had everything! A kick butt main character, betrayal, murder, cults, influencers. I was hooked from the very beginning and this book was fantastic! 5 stars!!!!

I do not know what I was expecting with the descriptions of this book but it hit all the marks. It kept me engaged and wanting to pick it up. If I didn’t have adulting to do it would have been a single day read.

It’s creepy and nerve racking. It kept me intrigued I needed to know and truly I had no clue how or where this was gonna go but it was Awesome!!! I love all of Darcy coats books and she is an author you do not sleep on. Grab this one if you love creepy, cults and island fear.

So while this wasn’t a good read for me, I think people that are into that cult horror, would really enjoy it. I’m not sure what it is but cult mystery and horror just annoy me. I get so frustrated with that state of mind and find it so unrealistic because I can’t imagine being persuaded so easily. It’s a cult horror fight for survival on an island type theme.

Boy, was this one dark. I went in thinking it would be a little murder on an island but I was very wrong. Truth be told, I found this book quite disturbing and I briefly considered DNF’ing.

The cultish aspect of this book was really bizarre and I found the many descriptions of the drugs that made the members kill each other from madness incredibly difficult to read. The unending death was a lot too.

This book is perfect for you if you love:
• Cults
• Multi-POV
• Lord of the Flies meets Survivor

Having no prior knowledge of this book, I'm really glad I decided to read it during the day (gulp!). I highly recommend picking it up around Halloween; it truly enhances the reading experience and makes it even more impactful! It’s both gruesome and wonderfully captivating!

A party on Prosperity Island for an influencer and his fans turns dark when the island’s sinister past is revealed. Ruth, a cult survivor trying to hide her identity, discovers that guests are going missing, and they may not be in paradise, but are facing a terrifying threat.

The main character has faced significant hardships at a young age, and you can’t help but wish she would finally catch a break and leave the horrific trauma behind. But as life often goes, why not add even more to her already overflowing plate of suffering? I admire strong female leads who can keep their heads above water and remain rational in unimaginable situations! Ruth, the protagonist, was particularly inspiring as she refused to adopt the victim mentality. I hope I never find myself in her shoes!

The vividly described environment added so much to the overall feel and experience of the story; honestly, I think I still hear strange noises when I try to go to sleep! It’s been a while since I read such a detailed book that I could visualize every traumatic event inflicted on the characters. Leave it to the queen of creepy tales, a bestselling author I always turn to during the fall and Halloween season.

This book is perfect for anyone who embraces a gory, eerie, and atmospheric read, especially with its isolated island setting and plenty of suspenseful moments that will keep you hooked. The fast pace will have you turning pages faster than your Kindle can keep up! You absolutely must read this and let me know how grossed out or creeped out you are—because I’m already at 100%!!!

Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A chilling blend of horror, thriller, mystery, and suspense, How Bad Things Can Get kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. The story follows Ruth, the only survivor of a cult, as she and her friends travel to a festival on a remote island- only for the fun to twist into something far darker when the games turn dangerous and people begin to disappear. Darcy Coates builds tension masterfully, pulling me deeper with every chapter. My only wish is that we could've seen more of the aftermath to fully explore the impact of the events - - but overall, it was an excellent, edge-of-your-seat read.

How Bad Things Can Get - Darcy Coates
Pub Date - 8/26/25
Rating - 2/5
Trigger Warning(s) ⚠️ - Explicit Gore
Thoughts - Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for my honest review. The premise of this book was interesting - a cult history + influencer weekend gone wrong seemed unique and worth the snag. Unfortunately, I don't think the book was for me and I should have DNF'd. There was a ton of graphic gore (which I normally don't mind), but I felt like the story wasn't really going anywhere. Without spoiling the book for anyone, I just will say that it seemed repetitive and nothing really happens. I didn't really understand the author's purpose with the plot, but I've seen really good reviews, so maybe it's just me!

This story starts with Ruth and three friends, arriving on a remote island for what is supposed to be "the party" of a lifetime. Eton, a wealthy YouTuber who gives away tons of cash and plays games that involve his followers, is hosting a private getaway, and they've somehow scored an invite, along with hundreds of other influencers and online personalities.

Eton felt like a mix of Elon Musk and Mr. Beast, and I don't care for either of these people, so it was easy to dislike Eton. There are a lot of side characters in this story; however, the story continues to come back to Ruth. The side characters move the plot forward, but you never feel like you're trying to keep track of who is who.

The way the story is laid out leaves it primed for non-stop action. There was very rarely a dull moment. The other thing I enjoyed is that this was a thriller, but it did have aspects of horror, but it never crosses all the way over. For me, I felt like I was getting a thriller and then some.

I'd recommend this book for readers who love a lot of action and twists upon twists. I also think if you like aspects of locked room mysteries, this book would satisfy that as well.

How Bad Things Can Get is Darcy Coates at her finest!

The story follows Ruth, a young lady that has embarked on an adventure weekend with her boyfriend, and friends—but all is not as it seems. With good pacing and character development early on, this novel builds to an excellent conclusion. There were quite a few twists in this novel that I didn’t see coming (the hallmark of a good thriller), and the characters were (mostly) likable. A handful of logic leaps that you just had to go with didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of this well thought out thriller.

I find Darcy Coats to be pretty hit or miss, but this one is definitely a hit!

ARC Review:
Thanks NetGalley, Darcy Coates, and Poisoned Pen Press. I was very excited to get this one, but Aug is busy month for me so it took alil longer to read then I wanted. (Had nothing to do with the book) this was my 3rd Darcy book… and I definitely plan to read more. ❤️‍🔥

This was a thrilling and very atmospheric read. I felt like I was reading a script to a movie! There was multiple POV’s and you wasn’t sure who to trust. The island was creepy and a perfect setting. I felt like I could see it all play out in my mind. I love that it was something in present day, using online influencers as great characters. And a great cult influence to make you question everything. Blood and violent making me cringe at some of the descriptions. 4.5 ⭐️


What to expect:
High-stakes games
Cults
Online influencers
Cannibalism
Deserted island
Blood and guts
Violence

This is such a good book!!! It is a perfect thriller with so many twists and turns. You never really know where the book is going. I think it was full of emotion and great writing! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this one! Darcy Coates always has a way of keeping me hooked, and this book definitely did that. The atmosphere was creepy and liked the way the tension built up.
Some parts moved a little slower than I expected, but overall it kept me invested and wanting to know what was going to happen next. Definitely worth the read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you #PoisonedPenPress and #NetGalley for this #ARC of #HowBadThingsCanGet

How Bad Things Can Get is a chilling, atmospheric horror-thriller that keeps you on edge from start to finish. Darcy Coates expertly builds suspense with a slow-burn tension that makes ordinary settings feel unsettling and every shadow suspicious.

The characters are relatable and well-drawn, which makes the escalating danger feel immediate and personal. Coates balances creepy, spine-tingling moments with engaging storytelling, delivering a haunting experience that lingers after the final page.

If you enjoy horror with psychological depth, eerie atmospheres, and tension that never lets up, this is a must-read.

Darcy Coates trades haunted houses for haunted memories in How Bad Things Can Get, a blood-soaked thriller that blends influencer culture, cult trauma, and survival horror into a sun-drenched nightmare. It’s a departure from her usual gothic fare, but one that still pulses with dread and psychological tension. Prosperity Island promises paradise: white sand beaches, jungle foliage, and five days of games and revelry hosted by a charismatic online influencer. But beneath the curated perfection lies a dark legend and a much darker truth. Enter Ruth, the lone survivor of a notorious cult, who joins the festivities hoping to stay anonymous. Her past is a closely guarded secret, but the island has other plans. As guests begin to vanish and the games turn deadly, Ruth is forced to confront the sinister connection between her childhood and the island’s bloodstained history. Coates uses the backdrop of a tropical retreat to explore: The blurred line between fandom and fanaticism, especially in the age of influencer worship; The long shadow of trauma, and how survival doesn’t always mean healing; The illusion of safety, where curated experiences mask real danger. The novel cleverly critiques the performative nature of online culture, asking: when does a following become a cult? And what happens when the past refuses to stay buried? This is Coates at her most visceral. The pacing is relentless, the atmosphere claustrophobic despite the open setting, and the gore while never gratuitous is unflinching. The narrative is laced with flashbacks that deepen Ruth’s character and add emotional weight to the unfolding horror. Ruth is a standout protagonist: haunted, resilient, and deeply human. Her internal struggle between self-preservation and the need to confront her past drives the story’s emotional core. The supporting cast, while not as richly drawn, serve their purpose as both victims and mirrors to Ruth’s trauma. The influencer host is particularly chilling in his obliviousness, a symbol of curated charisma masking real danger. Get is a brutal, fast-paced thriller that trades subtlety for spectacle but never loses its emotional anchor. It’s a summer slasher with brains, and while it may not reach the eerie heights of Coates’ haunted house classics, it’s a bold and bloody detour worth taking.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates. 👏🏼

This utterly disturbing read kept me on edge the whole way through, and I can’t wait for everyone else to experience the atmosphere Coates creates so flawlessly. 👻

Question: What’s the best thriller or horror you’ve read recently? 🤷🏻‍♀️

#booktok #bookstagram #upcomingrelease #bookish

My first Darcy Coates read and it did not disappoint! A creepy island setting, a cast of shady characters, and plenty of gore made this a wild ride. The beginning starts a little slow, the second half absolutely explodes with chaos and tension. If you love survival horror with cult vibes, this is one to grab. Thank you NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC. Out 08.26.25

This book is eerie, chilling, and impossible to put down. Every page tightens the suspense, every chapter makes you wonder just how much worse things can truly get. It’s a wild ride of atmosphere, tension, and creeping dread that shows exactly why Coates is a master of horror.

Ruth and her friends win tickets to a dream influencer event on a private island. It is supposed to be sun, games, laughs, and content creation. Ruth’s nightmares and a haunted past make her dread the getaway right from the start. Almost as soon as they land, the games begin, alarms start blaring, guests go missing, and things turn deadly. It becomes clear this was not paradise, and Ruth’s past is threatening to pull everyone under.

The multiple POVs work well to build tension. Getting glimpses of what others are experiencing adds a chilling, wider view of the chaos. Although, at times I wanted a scene to stay with one person longer to keep the wire stretched tight, but the approach still pays off, especially when everything crashes into betrayals, reveals, and a finale that begs for a creepy season binge.

The pacing is strong. The early chapters let the dread simmer, then the back half punches the gas. The POV shifts did distract me a few times. A dedicated chapter here and there might have kept me even more on edge. That said, the momentum never slips. By the climax I was fully invested, breath held, and flying through pages.

The island setting pulls double duty as a character. Prosperity Island is lush and beautiful yet full of hidden threats, from cult lore to traps in the dark. The way Coates threads true crime style realism into the folklore feels unsettling and familiar, like a story lifted straight from a headline you wish you had not read.

Plot, characters, pacing. I was hooked. I only wanted a few longer stretches in single POV to sharpen the suspense, but the twists and the island as character easily elevate this one. If you want a slasher tinged, cult infused, influencer gone wrong thriller with bite, this will scratch the itch.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC that let me dive in early.

3.5⭐️

I saw another review say this gave B-list horror movie and that really enraptures what this book felt like for me. I love a good cult story and was excited when this immediately started out with a group suicide of a cult. I also really liked the Frye Fest vibes of the secluded island that a majority of this took place on. The build up and the illness that the staff had built a great, terrifying pace through out the story.

Where this turned B-rated was the characters. I didn’t feel a connection with any of them and so many of their actions felt hare brained. For being a traumatized survivor of a cult, Ruth felt like she had no survival instincts. A lot of the plot lines felt salacious but then fell kind of flat.

Thanks Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing this ARC to me!

Remote island. Influencers. Games. And survival. How bad things can get?

Ruth, the lone survivor of Petition, an infamous cult, was invited by her friends to go a legendary party on Prosperity Island hosted by the online influencer Eton.

Prosperity Island was supposed to be a paradise of fun and games, however Ruth felt uneasy about going. She wanted to make sure no one would recognize her as the Petition Child. She worked hard all her life to keep it a secret.

As the games started, things started to feel out of place. People getting hurt. Some were missing and concerns were starting to spike. Petra, one of the lead, tried her best to take the situation in hand but everyone was accounted for within the guests and staff.

Little did they know, it was about to get worst. The games weren’t done yet.

This gripping, fast pace thrilling and unsettling book kept me on my toes. I had goosebumps while reading this one.

I highly recommend if you’re looking for something that would make you feel helpless, and uneasy.

Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press and Darcy Coates for the ARC.