The Compound

After a long day, there’s nothing I enjoy more than watching a reality show. Whether it’s a dating competition, a game show, or just a bunch of people summering in the Hamptons, I love it all! So, when I read the premise of The Compound, I was sold! Love Island meets Lord of the Flies – what more could I possibly want?! I went in expecting a fun read – and I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Lily wakes up in a large house surrounded by desert. There are nine other women there, all beautiful. Then nine gorgeous men arrive. ‘The Compound’ is their new home, for as long as they can last. Together, the contestants must complete tasks to gain things for the house: food, furniture, a front door; everything needed to make it a home. They can also complete personal tasks to receive luxuries for themselves. The harder or more embarrassing the challenge, the higher the value of the items. At the end of each day, the contestants must couple up or they will be banished. The cameras are rolling; the viewers are watching. Lily knows she must put on a good show: she must be the last one standing.

I consumed this book much like I would a reality show, delighting in the drama and devouring each delicious detail as it was revealed. I just had to know more about the contestants, the reality show and the world within and beyond The Compound. But the more I read, the more uneasy I felt. By the end, I was unable to comprehend what exactly I had read and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.

This is a dark, compelling read that will have you questioning everything. It’s the perfect read for fans of reality TV, Black Mirror and anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller.