The setting change in this book from another haunted house to an island was refreshing and needed, in my opinion. The pacing was steady and picked up where it needed to. The quote that sucked me in for the rest of the book was, "You hide. We seek."
I would have liked some clarification at the end on how it was important that Barom's son was supposed to be this special being that she ended up taking over.
I'm hoping that the book gets picked up by a production company for a TV show because that's how the book read for me. The imagery was stunning and haunting at the same time. The fact that this author was able to push the story far enough to kill several characters on and off the page was powerful and proved to be enough of a push for me to read more of her work (preferably the ones that don't take place in haunted houses).

I do appreciate the character development with Ruth; however, I wish there was more of a shift with her character at the end.

* The Gore: oh my god, have you ever seen so much blood?! (Don’t answer that) but wow! this was definitely the kind of take-no-prisoners, fight-to-the-death summerween slasher I desperately needed! I won’t spoil anything for y’all, but, OOOF, get ready for a bloody good time 😏

* The 4 Friends: Ruth, Zach, Carson, and Hayleigh. LOVED THEM. Could Ruth get on my nerves sometimes with how timid she was? A little, ngl. BUT, she grew on me, and each one of the characters was so different. OKAY, it did take me a second longer to also warm up to Carson, but once I did, I REALLY liked him. Each character had their own personality, their own purpose, and I just loved how well they interacted with one another. The chemistry was great!

* The Setting: umm a deserted island that is supposedly cursed with no access to the outside world occupied by a bunch of social media influencers competing in games for cash prizes? SIGN ME UP! I love the setting of a deserted island with no escape. Locked-room (or should we say locked-island 👀) mysteries are one of my faves.

* Eton: OKAY, this boi. He just wanted to have some fun. And can we blame him? Is he also a controversial character? Hmm, I’ll let you be the judge of that, BUT Eton was the kind of predictable character that you loved to love because although you could depend on him to run away from a knife (or machete) fight and hide in a corner, he knows how to have fun and doesn’t apologize for wanting to.

Overall, this was such a fun read!! And I recommend it to anyone who wants a twisty, cult-centric, isolated-island mystery!

This was such a wild, creepy ride! Darcy Coates really knows how to take an eerie setting and crank up the tension. The mix of cult backstory, influencer drama, and an isolated island worked so well to create that feeling that something is always about to go horribly wrong.

I loved how the story built up, starting with the excitement of the “party of the century” and slowly unraveling into chaos, danger, and blood. The pacing kept me hooked, and while some parts were brutal (definitely more gore than I expected), it added to the horror atmosphere in a way that made it hard to look away.

Ruth was a fascinating character to follow, especially with her past tied so closely to the island. I thought her perspective added a lot of depth to the story and made the stakes even higher.

The ending felt a bit abrupt. I would’ve liked just a little more space to see the aftermath, but overall this was a tense, fast-paced read that I flew through. Perfect if you like cults, survival horror, or thrillers that get under your skin.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I DEVOURED this!!
This was unsettling and creepy and fast paced thrills. I loved that we got a blend of a few stories, with the competitions, the backstory with Petition, and then the twists! I found myself physically clenching my jaw during parts because I was so nervous and tense!
This was my first book by Darcy but will definitely not be my last!

Eton, an internet celebrity famous for games he hosts and cash prizes, has purchased Prosperity Island with hopes of hosting an unforgettable festival for influencers and fans selected to attend via a random lottery.
Ruth finds herself anxiety-ridden to attend this festival. Something about it feels wrong... and she's been having dreams that echo her past. A past she has spent the last twenty years trying to hide from and forget entirely. She is the sole survivor of an infamous suicide cult, Petition.
Upon arriving to Prosperity Island, she begins to learn of the island's chilling history and a possible connections to her past. Ruth begins to question who she can trust and what the intent of this festival is - especially once attendees begin to get hurt and some even go missing.

HOW BAD THINGS CAN GET is unlike any book I've read to date. It's truly terrifying, dark, and unsettling. This is the first cult book that I've read that delivers on eerie and fear-inducing storytelling. Darcy does a spectacular job at creating a perturbing atmosphere with gruesome scenes. Ones that I felt were easy to visualize as I read - not too over-descriptive or wordy that it pulls me from the story to make sense of what I'm reading.

All of this to say, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in cult-themed horror. Rated 4.5 stars only because I wanted a little more from Epilogue 2.

Out TOMORROW, August 26th! Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the e-ARC.

Gore, cult based book/gruesome/ carnage, survival thriller.. this was NOT my cup of tea.. maybe I did not research the author enough when I received this book as an ARC from Poisoned Pen Press.
This book started out so good. Had me hooked from the minute I started it…. Guests, influencers win a trip to Prosperity Island for five days of games, drinking and fun.. sounds great… I was there for it… It was thrilling, fast paced, and I didn’t want to stop reading until I hit 70% and then dear lord… IT GOT BAD. The story is packed with gruesome scenes, chilling twists, and a sense of escalating danger as guests vanish and the games turn deadly. If you love dark, gruesome horror with cult elements and visceral shocks, this book doesn’t hold back on gore and gruesomeness. If this is for you, you will love it. I did find the ending lacking… I felt it had a great plot and then after all the excitement I went huh? That’s it? I felt it could have been tied up much better.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Darcy Coates, and publisher Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book is PERFECT for the upcoming spooky season. 100% a gross, bone-chilling, trust-no-one type read.

From the author of Where He Can’t Find You and From Below, described as “Blair Witch” meets “Fyre Fest”, How Bad Things Can Get is a written fever dream in the best possible way. From dangerous, death defying contests to win cash, followers, and fame to a “cult-like” following both metaphorically and literally, Darcy Coates does NOT disappoint for anyone searching for the spine chilling and truly messed up.

Start to finish, this book is an absolute hit and is a warning that not everything nor everyone is who they seem and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. As someone with typically no icks and consumes horror media on the daily, this book genuinely gave me the creeps in a way no other book has before.

Darcy Coates will always be one of those authors whom I will always trust with my literary life. Anything she writes and produces consider me first in line to preorder because I know she will never disappoint when looking for good, spooky horror.

Be sure to check trigger warnings!
-Grooming
-Cannibalism
-Cults
-Hooks/Knives/Pointed Objects
-Manipulation/Backstabbing etc

Me reading the first 75% of the book: This is actually pretty tame for a Darcy Coates book. That's...different.
Me reading the last 25%: Nevermind, I take it back.

Just a PSA--this is pretty dark, and there's a lot of gore/body horror/etc. If the idea of reading a novel adjacent to the movie 'Saw' isn't something you're interested in, you're better off not picking up this book. But if you hear that and go "HECK YES," hop on board--it's a WILD ride.

I actually really loved this! I love a good cult-based book, and the way that the characters end up tying together was very well done and for the most part didn't feel forced. I think more could have been done with Logan's character--he was missing SOMETHING to tie him to the events a little better, but I can't put my finger on what he needs. There's a bit of head hopping (delineated with page breaks) that I do feel was a little excessive sometimes with POVs that didn't necessarily add a lot and missing POVs that I think would have been interesting. But I did like it a lot more at the end when everything is in chaos, so it does ultimately work!

This was paced really well, and it does have a gradual ramp up to the shenanigans you generally expect from a Coates novel. I DO wish we got an extra chapter for the ending about the aftermath. While the ending is fitting, it is pretty abrupt. It would have worked as is better without the epilogue, but with the addition of that, I would have liked maybe one more chapter or "closure" to get an idea of how bad the damage/carnage was, who all survived, etc.

How Bad Can Things Get? Well pretty bad if you get stuck on this island! Once again Coates brings the mystery, twists, turns, and trill to the reader. This story is jam packed with angst and action and just when you think you have and idea what is happening... well get ready for the ride of your life!

I loved this story, it has everything I love an a trill ride, and more. I loved the characters, the isolated island, the past coming back to the present and the way it all filtered out. It is a heck of a story! 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC. I am leaving an honest review.

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