How Bad Things Can Get
The Blair Witch Project meets Fyre Fest in this bloody new thriller from the queen of scares, Darcy Coates!
It was supposed to be the party of the century: miles of idyllic white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage...and a dark legend nobody dreamed might be all too true.
When an online influencer and several hundred of his most loyal fans land on Prosperity Island, the plan is simple: five days of elaborate games, drinking, and suntanned fun.
A week in paradise should have been a welcome respite. The only survivor of an infamous cult, Ruth wants nothing more than to keep her head down and not draw attention. She's spent decades outrunning her blood-soaked childhood, and her identity is a closely held secret.
But then the true history of the island is revealed...along with its sinister connection to Ruth's past. As guests go missing and games turn deadly, Ruth and the rest of the attendees are forced to question whether they've really been invited to paradise...or whether something much darker--and far bloodier--is waiting for them just beyond the bonfire's light.
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Community Reviews
The beginning was tough to get through. It moved slowly with a lot of description, and I found myself disengaged instead of hooked. I wanted more tension and stronger characters early on. Ruth’s backstory was intriguing, but the rest of the cast felt thin and underdeveloped.
Things picked up about halfway through, when the creepy atmosphere really started to build. The employees with their unsettling smiles created some genuinely chilling moments, and the book leaned into fast-paced, high-stakes horror that was hard to put down. The final stretch was visceral, violent, and compelling, and I raced to the end.
Still, I finished feeling that it could have been more. The atmosphere was strong and the horror imagery unforgettable, but the lack of emotional depth kept me from fully connecting. This was an enjoyable read overall, but for me it was a “barely 4 stars” rather than a full-hearted one.
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