𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

A book by Darcy Coates is a favorite of mine even before I read it because she never does me dirty. I devour Darcy’s books! This book has a bit of everything in it. Who needs to shop around for a genre when you have your suspense here, the horror, the thriller and some mystery sprinkled on top. I thought they all flowed brilliantly together here. This book teases you a bit in the beginning but then all of a sudden it gets you and sucks you right in and you’re on the ride of your life up until the very end. This book is so vividly written it plays in your mind like a movie, gosh what a movie this would make. Know what I love about this book first, the isolation, you’re on an isolated island and you invite a bunch of people and it’s supposed to be all fun and games until….it’s not because someone didn’t do their research very well and things start to go south. OOPS. Let the chaos unravel and unhinged unraveling it does. Cults…this book has cult and that’s another favorite love of mine in books. This book will give you the creeps, but not the sleep with the lights on heebie-jeebies but just that looming eerie creepy feeling, it’s SO GOOD. I loved this and if you’re reading this then that means you’re probably a Darcy Coates fan and you will love this one too!

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Horror, Eerie Creepy Vibes, Isolated Island, Influencer/Fans, Cults, ThrillerISH, Mystery Sprinkled, Lore

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Poisoned Pen Press

I've read a few Darcy Coates books, and I liked most of them; I look forward to exploring her backlog more. All this to say, I was excited for this book, but it was just okay. I give it 3.5 stars because it's a solid thriller/mystery that's very easy to read and keeps you entertained, but it's nothing out of the box. Still, I liked the cult element of it, the characters were fine, and the writing is very good. Darcy Coates has a way of sucking you in, even if she's not breaking the mold with the plot, and she can create a creepy atmosphere.

This has all the beats you expect from a thriller, and while some twists were a little surprising, it was nothing new. I think it's a great option if you're trying to get out of a slump and these elements work for you (an FMC with a past and secrets, cults, a festival gone wrong/turned violent), but it's not mind-blowing and it didn't give me that blood rush I expect from thrillers or made me feel particularly frightened for the characters. Not a bad book by any means, but I wanted more.

Holy mother of words I can’t even say! 😂
Now this.. this right here was a masterpiece.
If you are looking to go on an intense ride of your life, please read this book!

Immediately hooked from the first chapter. The middle was a tad confusing but give it time and everything will fall perfectly into place.

Absolutely a must read! 5 star for me! Brilliant!

Mood was eerie, spooky, intense.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this arc. You will NOT be disappointed!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Gather around fellow scaredy cats...
you all ready for this⁉️🫣

Viral online influencer Eton, known for his fun and games invited a few hundred of his loyal fans and influencers to a remote, deserted island with a terrifying history. It’s slated to be the party of the year! So really, what could go wrong? Ummm…Hold that thought🙋🏻‍♀️

Ruth will attend the party somewhat reluctantly, and for good reason. Ruth is the sole survivor of a cult. She’s managed to remain out of the public eye and the only person who knows just a bit of her background is her boyfriend Zach. Fortunately, he’ll be right by her side at the party.

But perhaps Eton didn’t prepare for the party as thoroughly as he should have. Guests are getting hurt or going missing. And that’s just the beginning!

WOW! This book gripped me from the start and I couldn’t tear my eyes away! Normally I avoid anything labeled horror, but come on, this was Darcy Coates! And after reading and loving one of her previous books, Dead Of Winter I knew this one was a must. Plus, I’m kind of a sucker for cult-ish books!

Is it scary? Yes!
Is it violent? Yes, you could definitely call it that.
But is it good? Survey says…Absolutely!

✍️Darcy Coates - How Bad Things Can Get
📆 Pub date August 26 2025
💭 horror/thriller/mystery
📈 5/5
👉 highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press

What a BLOODY good time!

Darcy Coates has done it again and delivered not only a bloody read but a FUN read.

I loved every second of this even though I was confused most of the book, the way she ties everything together in the end needs to be studied.

This is my favorite book from her!

How Bad Things Can Get is a horror-suspense novel where a party gone wrong reveals dark secrets and deadly consequences.

Ruth, the sole survivor of a notorious cult, tries to live quietly under a new identity. But when she attends what promises to be a lavish 5-day festival on Prosperity Island - hosted by a charismatic online influencer and attended by hundreds of fans - paradise turns into a nightmare. As the games become deadly and guests start disappearing, horrifying truths about the island's past - and it's connections to Ruth's own history - come to light. She must fight to survive as the dream devolves into a blood-soaked nightmare.

This was my first novel by Darcy Coates and unfortunately I found it a bit tame in terms of horror. For the most part I found the story to be quite slow and very YA - which would be absolutely fine if it hadn't been slated as an adult novel. I didn't connect with any of the characters at all and found them to be quite one-dimensional. The story really had such potential but certain ideas weren't developed and it took a good chunk of the book before things really started to improve, but by then it did feel like I was reading just to get it finished rather than really engaged with it.

However, the pace did pick up from the 70% mark and I ended up enjoying the last part of the book where the scenes were gory and the tension was high. So for that I will be giving it 3 stars. I'm sure fans of Coates' other work will appreciate this novel and if you're new to the horror genre then this would be a good place to start as it's very tame but with some occasional good gore (good gore? Is that a thing?). I think for me, it was just a bit too YA and basic for an adult novel - I need lot more horror in my horror books.

3 stars…read if you're a fan of Coates or graduating from YA horror to adult horror. Publishing 26th August 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Darcy Coates for the ARC.

i loved this one! it had the spooky vibes Coates always provides. I enjoyed how she twisted the plot

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

An exclusive invite-only party on a secluded private island turns bloody.  For a horror/thriller book, the imagery was spot on for making it just creepy enough.  The nonchalant attitude of some of the characters to hints of things that were going on wasn't super believable, not all of them could have been that naive or all of the guests just go on about their day after seeing a body.


It definitely hooked me in on trying to figure out why exactly this was all happening, turning pages faster and faster towards the end.  Despite her visions, the main character didn't seem to have much emotion to her in order to connect to her character, but her story was very well-written and dove very deep into her past.  The concept of her story was very interesting, as well as intertwining her story into what was happening on the island. I would definitely pick up another book by this author!

It always feels a little strange to say I loved a horror novel. After all, they’re grotesque, stressful, and absolutely not everyone’s cup of tea (especially the “stable” readers out there). But when it comes to Darcy Coates? She’s a master, and this book reminded me exactly why I devour everything she writes.

The setup is deliciously dark: a social media megastar famous for outrageous pranks buys a private island and invites influencers and followers for the “ultimate vacation.” The twist? One guest is a former member of a notorious cult. What unfolds is an irresistible blend of influencer culture satire and creeping dread—because in an era of YouTube spectacle, there’s something deeply satisfying about watching a publicity stunt spiral into a nightmare.

If you love cult stories, despise influencer culture, and don’t mind a little (or a lot) of gore, this book will absolutely scratch that horror itch.

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC

This one is perfect for summer. I love that Darcy Coates wrote something outside of the normal haunted house stuff. The "trapped on an island" vibe was really fun. The body horror was pretty intense in this one, too. It was a nice surprise.

I had such a great time reading this book! It pulled me in right from the start and kept me turning the pages. The writing flowed so well, and I found myself completely invested in the story and characters. It’s one of those reads you just don’t want to put down.
huge thanks to the publisher for sending me an early copy!! I’m so glad I got to read it ahead of the release day and can't wait for the world to get to enjoy it too!!

When I stumbled across the opportunity to read this book I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t even take the time to read the synopsis as Darcy Coates is one of my favorite authors. This book did not disappoint! I don’t know how she manages to keep up the suspense from the very first chapter to the last. We learn just enough about the main character to like and root for her, while still being curious about her story. The relationships in the book are clear and have distinct features to help you remember who is who in the zoo. The ambiance is full of island salt, sea and vegetation with a healthy dose of chilling fear.
Obviously, I highly recommend this book. If you are a fan of Darcy Coates, do not hesitate!!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This fast paced horror mystery is a wild ride from the beginning with the main character being a former cult member , the only survivor of a doomsday cult.
The gore was described a little too well for my taste.
Darcy Coates is one of my favorites, she can go from supernatural suspense to horror to gothic apocalypse. She is great at all of them.
Her characters in this book are influencers, many meeting gruesome ends. Deftly plotted with well developed characters, this roller coaster ride of a book is worth a read.

This was such a wild, gruesome, and unexpected ride. It felt very different from Darcy Coates’ usual ghost stories, but I was completely here for it!

The story follows Ruth, who joins her friends and boyfriend for an exclusive “influencer” getaway on a secluded island. It is meant to be five days of elaborate games, drinking, and carefree fun. Ruth, a cult survivor, is determined to keep her true identity hidden and live quietly under the radar. However, beneath the sun-soaked surface lies the island’s sinister history and the horrors that have unfolded there. When guests begin disappearing and bodies start turning up, things quickly spiral out of control.

I am a huge fan of the “holiday gone wrong” trope, and this one was a delightfully dark take on it. The slower start worked perfectly for me, giving time to get to know Ruth, her backstory, and the rest of the group. The story had strong Blair Witch Project vibes, with a touch of Survivor and LOST. There is some wonderfully gruesome imagery and moments of body horror I was not expecting, and I loved every bit of it.

As always with Darcy Coates, the writing was captivating. The flashbacks offered a raw and unsettling insight into Ruth’s psyche, her scars, and the past she cannot quite escape. Cults, cannibalism, and a cursed history weave together to create a fun, fast-paced, and deeply atmospheric read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Darcy Coates for the ARC.

“Did that just happen?” Yes—and then it gets even wilder.
Darcy Coates delivers suspense that grips you from the start, then plunges into classic horror territory with a fresh, modern edge. It’s got that nostalgic 80s/90s horror movie vibe, but with a twist that feels totally current. Throw in a creepy cult, and I was absolutely hooked. I couldn’t put it down.
Just when I started liking a character—boom, dead. LOL. No one’s safe, and that’s half the thrill.
Definitely a must-read.

How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a really exciting and creepy thriller/ horror story.
Ruth is invited to a luxurious island along with 200 other people for some fun and relaxation.
What could possibly go wrong at an island set for enjoyment? Ruth quickly finds out! She starts having nightmares from her past life in a cult and something from her past is tied to this island.
This book is full of twists, surprises and lots of creeps!
I really enjoy the way the author tells the story and how very detailed she is with the character development.

Think you to NetGalley for an arc of this exciting book!!
*It comes out August 26th!*
🩸🏝️Check it out!! 🏝️🩸

3.5🌟

Books involving cults can either be hit or miss for me - this one landed somewhere in the middle ...

What I liked: mystery set in a remote location (bonus points for that location being an island), the Survivor meets The Blair Witch feel to the story, killings that are very 80s/90s slasher film-esque.

What I didn't like: characters that I couldn't have cared less about - particularly Ruth, the main FMC. I found myself to be very ambivalent toward her and really wasn't all that invested in her fate.

Definitely check this one out when it publishes at the end of August if you are a fan of cult stories and shorter chapters ending on cliff hangers. Looking forward to more Darcy Coates in the future.

Darcy Coates isn’t messing around here—she legit opens with a cult suicide massacre and basically says, “Buckle up, loser.”

The best way I can describe the vibe of this book is if family friendly summer splatterpunk was a thing. You get the chaos, you get the blood, you get the “holy hell, did that just happen?” moments—but it’s wrapped in that Coates style that somehow makes carnage… fun? … cozy? There’s a lot going on in this book (like, A LOT), but my personal obsession became figuring out what the heck Carson’s problem was.

The POV shifts are pure cinema—quick cuts that keep the suspense wound tighter than my anxiety. The collision of “look at me” influencer culture with the grim, no-filters reality of a doomsday cult is absurd in the best way. I tore through it like there was an actual prize at the end this treasure hunt. This might just be Darcy Coates’ best book yet and the perfect little gateway drug into gorier stuff for adventurous book girlies. Fast-paced, bloody, and a ridiculously good time.

Thank you SO MUCH, NetGalley, for giving me an arc of this book. (side note: I just got an email saying my pre -order of this book is now on its way. 🤣)

Darcy Coates = queen! And the queen has done it again!

Apparently, I may not like real influencers in real life, but I love reading about how a group of them (or wannabe influencers) have to escape from a psychotic group of cult fanatics trying to recreate a famous cult's demise 20 years after the original cult was supposedly "wiped out."

I'm already eagerly awaiting her next book, even though I have no idea when it's going to be announced.