This book had an 80’s horror movie vibe with a modern day influencer twist. If gore is not your thing, you may want to pass. Otherwise, this read was entertaining enough (during certain passages) that it kept me turning the page.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this eARC!

I felt like this book was very unbelievable.. And even though a bunch of stuff happened it so kind of felt like nothing happened. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. I did like how it was different POVs and easy to keep track of who was who.

Things really can get bad… and they definitely did. In more ways than one.

This was my first Darcy Coates book, and I felt about it sort of how I feel about honeydew. I mean, honeydew is fine and all, but does anyone really crave it? It’s probably the most middling fruit in existence.

This had a b-movie vibe to it, but without the campy charm that makes b-movies fun. I didn’t click with any of the characters, and my only joy from them stemmed from the grisliness of their death. So that’s something I guess.

I wish more had been done to show us the Petition cult experience. It was like we got a few flashbacks, and then the author forgot to return to that storyline altogether. That was more interesting than anything going on with the FYRE island party.

Anyway, this book was fine. Now, let’s get serious about honeydew. Is this anyone’s favorite fruit? If so, are you ok? And let me know why.

I am an avid reader of Coate's books so was very excited to get the chance to read this. This book is a thriller rather than the horror and supernatural books I have read from this author before.
I thought this book was fantastic, it really flowed well for me and was incredibly well written. This book needs to be a movie it is just that good!
There is no slow burn with this story, it throws you right into the action from the first chapter, great for anyone inpatient. The characters are all very interesting the way in which they are written keeps you on your toes you'll never know who you trust.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping thriller.
5🌟

📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Darcy Coates and Poisoned Pen Press📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

Ok wow I don’t know what I was expecting but it was not that this was creepy, intense, scary, horrifying i totally loved it !!
I stayed up till 2 am as I couldn’t put it down when it got going it really got going!!
I’m just casually getting to know the characters and boom 🤯
Was amazing definitely kept me on my toes my heart rate was up and I was so nervous
Fantastic read!

Fyrefest meets the movie 'Blink Twice' meets Mr Beasts games in this absolute thrilling read 😍 This was SO much fun, and so much gore! So buckle in for a wild ride!

I love how the FMC was portrayed and written, from her past to her present and how interwoven it was and integral to the story! Although we got alot of characters small stories, hers was the one that pieced the puzzle together!

This is the first book I've read from this author, and I devoured it in one sitting, and I cannot wait to read more from them!

It's giving White Lotus meets Fyre Fest...if ya know what I mean (this place is a hot mess, minute the hot).

I was really excited to read this because I loved Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates so much!

I did not find this to be as captivating and entertainingly twisty as Dead of Winter was. The cult aspect of this book was fun, but it didn't get nearly as dramatic and spooky as it could've been.

I think another problem I had with this book was the characterization. I felt like these characters were quite flat at times, they needed more depth and backstory for me to get truly committed. It felt like their lives began when this book began, I want to feel as if these are real people with real lives that I am reading about. And that's an interesting critique because we do get a tiny bit of flashbacks, but they felt more like explanations. I don't really know how to explain that much better.

Personally, I was disappointed with this book, but I know a lot of people will absolutely love it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Darcy Coates has built a reputation for delivering fast-paced, creepy reads—and while readers can be divided on her formulaic approach, I’ve always found her books to be perfect palate cleansers. Sometimes you just want a fun, spooky escape, and How Bad Things Can Get really delivers on that front. In fact, I’d say this is one of her stronger titles in recent years.

This book mashes up the eerie dread of The Blair Witch Project with the chaotic excess of Fyre Fest, set on an idyllic island with a bloody past. What begins as an influencer’s dream getaway quickly descends into a nightmare. Ruth, the lone survivor of a notorious cult, thought she’d escaped her past—but when the island’s disturbing history is unearthed, everything she’s tried to forget comes rushing back.

As the games turn from entertaining to lethal and the guests begin to disappear, the tension ramps up quickly. Coates does a great job of mixing psychological unease with outright horror. While it does follow her usual structure—an isolated location, a mysterious past, and a heroine with hidden trauma—the execution is tight, suspenseful, and fun in that popcorn-horror kind of way.

If you're already a Darcy Coates fan, this one is worth bumping to the top of your TBR. And if you’re new to her work, this is a great introduction to her particular brand of atmospheric, twisty thrillers.

Not her most groundbreaking novel, but undeniably entertaining. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

Book Review: How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates: Cult Luggage, Body Bags, & Influencers With God Complexes 🏝️🩸📸
Because paradise is just another word for “we’re all going to die in matching wristbands.”

🌟 Rating: 5/5 Coconut Corpses
Because nothing says “self-care” like watching influencers get picked off one by one by an island with murder issues and a seriously bad vibe.

Darcy Coates said, “You want horror? Fine. Let’s go full cannibal cult PTSD meets Instagram thirst trap apocalypse,” and honestly? She delivered. This is not your usual ghost-in-a-Victorian-house Coates story. This one’s fast, brutal, and absolutely dripping in tension—and not the sexy kind.

🚨 Trigger Warnings
- Cult trauma (yep, the real nightmare fuel)
- Childhood abuse (past)
- Cannibalism (yes, actual)
- Psychological horror & anxiety
- Violence and murder galore
- Social media influencer energy (arguably the scariest)

✨ Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Welcome to Prosperity Island—an idyllic slice of sand, sun, and social collapse. A mega influencer decides to host a luxury festival for his followers. Think: Fyre Fest with more blood and fewer refunds.

Enter Ruth—quiet, scarred, surviving. She’s the last living survivor of a cult that would make Netflix cry and has been avoiding attention like it’s on fire. All she wanted was some quiet sand and a drink with a tiny umbrella. What she gets is a front-row seat to death, disappearance, and a history that won’t stay buried.

Paradise? More like PTSD-palooza.

🎨 Cover Art Review
Dark. Stormy. Sexy. That neon yellow font screams “bad decisions ahead,” while the silhouette of palm trees dares you to take a closer look—right before it clubs you over the head and drags you into the undergrowth. Honestly? A+ for visual vibes. You know something unholy is waiting in those trees.

💬 Favorite Quote
“She wasn't sure if they could even hear her. There was no flicker of reaction in their faces. They didn't even blink.”— How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates

Peak “nope” energy. This line crawled under my skin and stayed there rent-free. The dread? Palpable. The silence? Deafening.

🩸 What to Expect
⚔️ A main character with big “I’m just here to survive, not make friends” energy🧠 Trauma flashbacks that cut sharper than a machete📲 Influencer chaos that reads like satire but is somehow real life🌴 Survival horror with a hint of “what if the island hates us all?”🕷️ Suspense that builds until you want to scream into the jungle🎬 A story that plays like a film in your brain (casting suggestions welcome)

🌀 Final Thoughts
If you thought Darcy Coates was only capable of haunted attics and tragic ladies in old-timey gowns—think again. How Bad Things Can Get is a full-throttle, blood-soaked descent into cult horror and identity trauma, wrapped in influencer hell and psychological unraveling. It’s fast, freaky, and deeply satisfying.

Ruth is a quiet hurricane of a character—resilient, broken, and so compelling I wanted to hug her and also beg her for survival tips. This is the kind of book you read in one sitting and then stare at the wall afterward because yikes.

🥥 Rating
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Five stars. One coconut-scented existential crisis. Would recommend. Bring snacks—just maybe not the kind that scream.

📅 Release Date
How Bad Things Can Get is set to be released on August 26, 2025. Mark your calendars and prepare for a tropical nightmare you won't forget.

📢 CALL TO ACTION (aka GIVE ME VALIDATION)
Hey, if this review made you laugh, wince, or add the book to your cart like a gremlin at midnight, do me a solid:

📸 Instagram: @TreksManiacally (Yes, it’s under construction. No, I’m not okay.)
🌌 Bluesky: @treksmaniacally
📚 Goodreads: TreksManiacally
✍️ Substack: treksmaniacally.substack.com

Follow me or risk getting stranded on an island with no Wi-Fi and nothing but cult memories and sunscreen that’s SPF “bad decisions.”

Thank you to NetGalley, author Darcy Coates and Poisoned Pen Publishing for the ARC and opportunity to review this book.

I went into this blind and it didn’t disappoint. It was gruesome, full of horror and kept me on the edge of my seat. I felt it was cult meets the purge. I don’t normally read books about cults but this was a good one.

It is a fast paced read that constantly keeps you wondering what is going to happen next

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5 stars rounded up. Described as the Blair Witch Project meets Fyre Fest I was excited to read this book. I’m not really sure where the similarities are with the Blair Witch Project, but this did not spoil my enjoyment. The book promised to be a bloody thriller and it was very gory, which I personally liked. All the graphic scenes felt well done to me, they weren’t too much.

I loved the trapped island setting, this with staff members behaviours did create an eerie atmosphere while reading. I didn’t really like the game aspect, but this is just my preference and the games weren’t prolonged. I had hoped to be sucked into the story more and to feel more of the suspense than I did; but it was still a quick and worthwhile read.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for review.

Eton is a famous influencer known for his interactive games and comedy. When he announces a multi-day festival that is taking place on an idyllic island, 600 people excitedly join in.

Ruth is a less excited attendee. She is the only survivor of an infamous cult though her past has thus far been hidden away. Has someone put together who she is? The island locale has a dark history, is it possible the past is coming back to haunt all of them?

This is not a book for the feint of heart, it is a true horror story and gets graphic. That's not to say it's not good, just be advised: the title is almost a warning--things can get bad. I was actually unprepared for the brutality, but it wasn't out of place in the story, it did add to the action.

The remote island setting does its job too adding to the creepy factor, it's a murdery Fyre Festival for the ages.

This is my first Darcy Coates novel and she certainly does justice to the horror genre. 3.75 for this crazy, gory island adventure.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc. This was a difficult one to rate. 80% Scooby Doo 2, 10% cult and 10% The Purge. I think I’ll stick to Darcy’s haunted house stories.

First off, thank you so much for the advance copy!

Secondly, WOW!! I really enjoyed this book! I have read a few of Darcy’s other books and this one was very different from the paranormal I’m used too. I was hooked from the beginning. There were a few areas I thought it maybe was drawn out but then BAM another intense scene. I also went in not expecting the cult aspect but man was I excited since cults are so fascinating to me. It’s definitely got a lot of gore so if you’re squeamish I would use caution. Overall it was a great read!

I have read a lot of Darcy’s books and this one is my favourite!! I think it’s a perfect thriller for the summer time! :)

I have to start this off by saying I really adore Darcy Coates's works, and this is the first of hers that I have read that I did not enjoy. I found the pacing to be incredibly slow and drawn-out way too much, so much so that I almost chose to DNF. There was one thing that kept me going and piqued my curiosity, but ultimately, I don't feel it was worth it. I get where Coates was trying to come from with how her story unfolded, but to me it seemed like she was unnecessarily trying to put two completely separate stories together in a way that seemed to be way too much of a stretch. I will give a warning that this novel is filled with very descriptive gore scenes and murder, and if you are into that, those were very well written. They definitely aren't for everyone though. I read this to see if it could be an adult title that could crossover to YA readers, and aside from the fact I didn't care for the story, I would probably avoid putting it in the hands of general YA readers with how intense some of the descriptions were. Ruth's character was interesting some of the time and it was compelling to hear of her past experiences in the cult she grew up in. But again, everything about this story felt very forced to me. I gave it as high of a rating as I did simply because the writing itself was good, even though the plot was severely lacking and characters other than Ruth were under-developed. If you really want to read some gore, give this one a try, but otherwise I'd recommend reading any of the other titles by this author instead.

A group of friends win tickets to see their favorite online influence and win some money on Prosperity island. Guests start to go missing and the game turns deadly. Everyone starts to wonder, whether they were truly invited to paradise or is something darker waiting for them?

I love being on the edge of my seat and turning pages quickly while I’m reading a mystery & thriller book but I didn’t find that happening while I was reading this book. Darcy’s books can be a hit or miss for me. This one was definitely a miss.

This book was definitely creepy and gruesome. I didn’t find myself reaching for this book. It definitely gives Frye fest vibes.

I’m definitely planning on reading this again at some point and maybe I’ll have a different opinion when I read it again.

Rating: ✨✨✨
Publication Date: August 26 2025

Thank you NetGalley, Darcy and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC!!

Publishes August 26th and follows a group of people and a social media star who are spending 5 days on a tropical remote island competing in games and partying. One of the attendees, Ruth is the only living member of an infamous cult that once inhabited the island and she has made it her mission to keep her head down and not give herself up while visiting, but fate of course has other plans.

I went into this book totally blind. This one is different than the Coates books I’ve previously read, way more thriller/suspense forward and not a paranormal horror story. I’m a big fan of cult thrillers and vacations gone wrong, so while this was unexpected I was into it.

I thought this book was really good. While I think more time could’ve been spent developing more backstory on some of the characters, this book read very easy and I had no trouble picturing it as a movie in my head.

I always love a story where a character has to confront their past and this was a unique version of just that. The flashbacks paired with Ruth’s present day experience while she struggles to maintain her anonymity amongst her peers gives this peak into her psyche and her scars from a past she can never quite escape.

While this story didn’t scare me, there’s a level of unease insisting upon itself throughout the story like a nagging itch you can’t quite pinpoint the location of.
3.75

My nerves are shot, ruined. This book will have you on the edge of panic the whole time. This remote island, seemingly cursed no less, is the site of an influencer celebrity's getaway for hundreds of lucky VIPs and fans. Things go terribly, horribly wrong. The deaths are freaking BRUTAL and GRUESOME! The body count is so, so high. The back story is creepy and upsetting; not one, but two cults. I loved every page of this, great work Coates. This is an unhinged nightmare. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

WOW! So creepy, so intriguing, so good. I absolutely devoured this once I got into it - like stayed up late, couldn’t put it down (and may have been scared to turn out the light once I had to go to bed).

Imagine Mr. Beast buys a private island to have a festival of games, but it ends up more like Fyre Festival, with a dose of creepy cults. Ruth's boyfriend was among the anonymous mass selected, alongside influencers who were invited, to take part in Eton's latest and greatest video stunt: a festival where there's multiple opportunities to win life-changing amounts of money. And as much as Ruth would rather remain anonymous, she can't resist the opportunity to win big. When things start to go off-kilter, she realizes the drawbacks of being on an isolated island, away from anyone official to help.

The book starts off strong - I felt a little lost at times, with Coates hinting at Ruth's past while not exactly fleshing it out. It ended up working well, though, and when it came time to learn the nitty-gritty details, I was enthralled. There's plenty of gratuitous violence and graphic descriptions, but not an unbearable amount. Readers with delicate stomachs might want to skip this, but if you love horror and don't mind a bit of blood, you're in for a treat.