Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Influencer Island starts off strong by introducing us to the major characters in the format of a podcast transcript which is something truly unique and gave the book a mysterious air right off the bat. I found myself getting completely invested in the events of the book and before I knew it, the cogs were turning in my head trying to connect all the pieces revealed.

At one point, I was so sure this was going to be epic that I was confused about the average rating being this low. But the last 20% or so of the book soured the whole experience tbh.

It felt like that part wasn’t written by the same author at all and it didn’t really make sense to me. I didn’t like that the author tried to absolve Wyatt and everyone involved of all guilt by trying to provide reasoning for all their actions and I feel like this would have been much better if the villains stayed just that, villains. This innate need of making everyone a hero is off putting. Also, I didn’t really get why Wyatt turning out to be a girl was significant? I mean does that make her actions any less horrible? I don’t think so.

It got so weird towards the end that I started doubting myself about whether the book was really that good at the start that I was contemplating 5 stars or I just didn’t understand it until the very end.

In any case, I am disappointed and was expecting a lot more from this book while picking it up.

I really wanted to love this book, but I just couldn't. I though the podcast way of writing would be just for the first chapter, so I kept reading. Once I finished the second chapter I was confused and lost interest.

It was a good story, I just found it had too many voices and just confused me. Would likely make a great audio book though

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and Greater Path LLC for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Influencer Island is a book that oozes potential. The premise is exciting, and the use of a podcast format instead of traditional prose is daring. Unfortunately, it just didn't quite land for me. If you're looking for a fast-paced read that tackles modern events with a more sinister twist, you'll probably enjoy this book.

<b>Plot Summary</b>
When elusive artist Wyatt James announces his latest project, Influencer Island, podcaster Cal seizes the opportunity to follow Carrie and Kiana's journey as they work to be one of the 10 lucky influencers chosen to attend. However, Influencer Island is far more sinister than it initially appears, and the journey ahead is nothing short of deadly.

<b>Format</b>
Ditching the traditional prose format, Influencer Island is written in the style of a podcast script. While I've definitely enjoyed books that use non-traditional or multimedia storytelling, this format didn't quite land for me.

For starters, in a podcast, it's easy to tell when the host is narrating the story versus audio clips of past news coverage or phone calls is being played. That doesn't quite translate as well in a written medium, and it was often difficult to follow the story as, especially in the first half, things would jump around between interviews, narration, news clips, and recordings, all within a few pages.

The pacing also took a hit with this format, especially in the second half of the book. Events that should have been given more attention were rushed through in the span of a paragraph as characters narrated what happened. It didn't leave enough breathing room to process emotions, motivations, or even aftermaths of decisions. The competition itself, I felt, took the brunt of this, as I desperately wanted things to slow down.

Finally, the format also seemed to become limiting in areas where the characters would narrate their actions, or things they had said to others, that would have better suited a traditional prose format. Overall, I couldn't shake the feeling that if the story was told from a multitude of formats (prose, newspaper articles, government reports, recording transcripts, etc.), and not just a podcast script, the overall plot would have landed much stronger.

<b>Plot Threads</b>
Rather than just sticking to a surface-level story about influencers, Influencer Island attempts to weave together a number of different plot lines concerning a variety of characters. While I was excited to see how everything came together, the end result felt a little messy, and I was left with a number of lingering questions as certain characters had their stories developed to a far greater extent than others.

<b>Assorted Musings</b>
• While the Fyre Festival comparison felt very apt, the Hunger Games comparison did not. Unfortunately, it felt like it was trying too hard to make that connection, as several blatant references to the Hunger Games were jarring.
• The overall commentary on Influencer culture was relatively well-developed and somewhat nuanced, but didn't have enough time to develop into a clearer thesis.

3.5 ⭐

So 3.5 seems like a meh kinda rating, right? You'll just have to trust me that it's actually not.

I loved everything about this book...except the ending. The cast of characters, although there are many, all have a place. The book would've felt incomplete without them. The writing style was absolute perfection, especially in the social media era. There was multiple storylines but not so many you are unable to keep track. However the ending was disappointing. I don't want to post any spoilers so all I can say is if you don't mind a bit of a flat ending, the rest of the book is worth it. There is a prequel, which I also read and gave 3 stars, but I don't feel it needs to be read first. With all of that being said, I absolutely plan to read the sequel and can't wait to read more from this author and I genuinely hope he keeps this series going!

After reading the description of Influencer Island, I was extremely excited to read it because I loved The Hunger Games and was fascinated by Fyre Fest. The format of this was very unconventional and unexpected. It is told through the lens of a podcaster in a podcast transcript format. I was initially excited for this uncommon format but quickly found that the way the story is told takes a lot of the actual drama on the island out of it. The way that we saw the competitors actions in live time in the Hunger Games is very different from how the story of Influencer Island is told, as the story is told after the competition is said and done and as a way to explain what truly happened on the island to the general public. I was disappointed that we didn't get to see the competitors time on the island because this is the perspective I was most looking forward to. This is also why this wasn't a 5 star read for me despite how intricate and interesting the ending was. The ending really saved this for me because I found the format to be a bit confusing with the contestants and Cals POVs bouncing back in forth so many times in the same page with no breaks or explanations. While I at first thought the format would lend a really unique style to this novel, I think it actually took away from how great this could have been. The ending explanations were really fantastic and deep and I felt like the rest of the book felt so superficial and surface level. This was a quick, unique read and although I felt it was lacking in many aspects, I still enjoyed it and would recommend it to others given its unique format. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Social media influencers all come together to compete amongst each other on Influencer Island, but what unfolds once everyone arrives is total chaos! You have the influencers that were found dead, and those that were still missing!
Cal Everett is a young reporter who hopes to get to the bottom of exactly what all happened on the Island!
The format of the book is told in episodes from podcasts. This was the first time reading a book solely in this type of format, although unfamiliar at first, it was very easy to follow along , an I ended up rather enjoying the way it was laid out!
This was very interesting, especially having more insight into the influence social media has on individuals!

Special thanks to NetGalley and greater path LLC for my arc in exchange for my honest review!

OMG what did I just read.This might the most fast paced and thrilling book I have read so far in this year.

The concept of gathering most followed influencers of the world on a remote island to fight for life and followers is captivating . In the current world social media is all we have in the name of social life.We follow and admire all these people we see via our screens without knowing what actually goes behind that perfect facade.

The book is written in a podcast format and I really wanted to listen to it. This is going to be a banger audiobook .

This book is a must read for all those who can digest violence, gore and horrors of humanity.

MAY FAME AND FOLLOWERS BE UPON YOU.
kmrutkin you are the one to watch .All my best wishes for you.
Netgalley thank you for providing the ARC of this amazing book.

📖 Influencer Island
✍️ Kyle Rutkin
💀 Horror

My rating: ⭐️⭐️💫

Thanks to NetGalley + Greater Path LLC for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Described as Fyre Festival meets Hunger Games, Influencer Island centers around a woman's mission to find out what happened to her brother who disappeared. Her journey for the truth leads her to apply for the competition that promises to make its winner infamous. But the contestants learn quickly that it will take more than selfies to win Influencer Island... or to even make it off the island at all.

I was incredibly intrigued by the premise of this book, and I actually like that it was told through the lens of a podcast script. I really enjoy stories that are told through unique formats (podcast scripts, emails, text messages, etc.). For me, the concept was there, but the execution fell a bit short. I thought the author tried to do too much by telling the Influencer Island competition story, Carrie's search for her brother story and Cal's search for the truth about his Father's story. I was intrigued by all three, but to try to tell them all together felt disjointed and there were several plot holes/decisions made by the main cast of characters that just made no sense. Not a winner for me, unfortunately.

🔪 Psychological horror/thriller
🔪 Multiple POV
🔪 Multiple timelines
🔪 Graphic violence
🔪 Told through podcast transcripts
🔪 Epilogue

#caitsquietplace #caitsquietplacereviews #cqphorror #cqpthrillers #greaterpath #netgalley

Thank you Netgalley, Greater Path LLC and Kyle Rutkin for the ARC.

While this is classed as a Horror (it wasn't), it's more of a mystery/thriller written as a podcast transcript style investigation. I was hoping for more blood, gore and horror in general. Don't get me wrong, this was a very unique way to write out this book and I did enjoy it to a degree, just not near as much as I had hoped.

This story takes place on a mysterious island, where the most elite influencers must go neck-to-neck in a challenge hosted by one of the most elusive and mysterious artists of the modern time. They know nothing about the challenge, and are not expecting what they have to face. We read the transcript of a podcast all about the horrors that these influencers must face on the island, while also figuring out the mystery behind the great Wyatt James.

While reading this, I was quite confused by the format. It's a podcast transcript, and most times there are two different stories happening on the one page. It took me a while to get into how to read it and how to follow along properly. Due to this, I did not really enjoy the first 30% of the book. However, once you get into to the groove of reading it, it does become easier to follow.

I thought the concept was absolutely fantastic. Think Hunger Games, but instead of unwilling teens you have fame hungry influencers. Really cool idea! However, the execution was just so-so. I thought things moved way too slow in the beginning, and way too fast at the end. I was left unsatisfied with the ending because I couldn't connect with the characters. It's hard to connect with characters when you're just reading a transcript.

I thought Cal was boring and whiny, and Carrie had no depth outside of the arc of her missing brother plotline. I just couldn't care! Despite this, it was interesting to read because the concept is kind of new and unwritten. I would definitely check out other books by this author in the future!

🤳 B O O K • R E V I E W 🤳

“When I close my eyes, I can still see them. I can still feel their warm blood splashing across my hands. Their frightened faces staring back at me. I did horrible things. Unspeakable things.”
•
•
🤳 Spoiler Free Review: Influencer Island by Kyle Rutkin
•
•
🤳 Synopsis:

“Welcome to Influencer Island, an experience for ten competitors to travel to paradise and compete for social media glory. Overnight, millions of users send off their submission videos, hoping for the chance to party with the biggest influencers and celebrities in the world.
Or so they thought…
By the time the contest went offline, over a dozen influencers were declared dead or missing. No winner was announced. The only hope for a conclusion lay in an unaired podcast produced by Cal Everett, a young reporter with his own mysterious connection to the murderous contest creator, Wyatt James.
As listeners will soon discover, James designed Influencer Island to be more than a battle of social media wits. If the contestants hope to survive, they will have to answer the question at the very heart of the competition: How far would you be willing to go for fame?”
•
•
🤳 Spoiler Free Review:

“How far would you be willing to go for fame and followers?”

What a fun read! I loved the format of this book- told through a series of interviews, that reads like a transcript. Fast paced, Influencer Island is constantly engaging the reader with multiple POVS and revolving story lines.

This novel is “Fyre festival meets Hunger Games”

Who will out last who in this dark psychological thriller- where the contestants will do anything for fame and fortune.

“Good luck. And as always, may fame and followers be upon you.”

A big thank you to @netgalley @kmrutkin & Greater Path LLC for sending me this in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Happy Pub Day to Influencer Island by @kmrutkin 🎉 📚 🎉

This style & sub genre reminds me of a darker, modern take on what Jackie Collins did for Hollywood thrillers.

Fresh take on the art world and how far people would go for a chance at fame. Really enjoying this bingeable book so far!

This would make a killer audiobook too because it’s written completely in podcast interview episodes!

Thank you 🙏🏼 @netgalley for the #advancedreaderscopy ♥️

#qotd: who is you favorite influencer? I’m a sucker for the Holderness Family

DESCRIPTION

FYRE FESTIVAL meets HUNGER GAMES in this dark psychological thriller about a social media competition that turns deadly.

Welcome to Influencer Island, an experience for ten competitors to travel to paradise and compete for social media glory. Overnight, millions of users send off their submission videos, hoping for the chance to party with the biggest influencers and celebrities in the world.

Or so they thought…

By the time the contest went offline, over a dozen influencers were declared dead or missing. No winner was announced. The only hope for a conclusion lay in an unaired podcast produced by Cal Everett, a young reporter with his own mysterious connection to the murderous contest creator, Wyatt James.

As listeners will soon discover, James designed Influencer Island to be more than a battle of social media wits. If the contestants hope to survive, they will have to answer the question at the very heart of the competition: How far would you be willing to go for fame?

I truly enjoyed this book. It is a fast-paced psychological thriller told in a podcast format. It is a very plot driven story pinpointing the shallowness of influencer culture. It focuses on the obsession given to certain individuals and the cult-like following that they can gain. It also reveals how the art world is trying to evolve using social media. The finale shows the dark side to our fixation to this media obsession. A lot to tackle in a 200 some page book. The characters could have been fleshed out a bit but using a podcast format makes this more of a social commentary. I have to say, though, I am a sucker for a good conspiracy theory plot so I quite enjoyed this book.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy in exchange for my review.

Influencer Island by Kyle Rutkin is like a Frankenstein’s monster of warped contemporary culture. The book is written as a podcast, and tells the story of what happened on “Influencer Island,” a reality show/art installation, set up by the reclusive artist Wyatt James, in which the top influencers from all over the world compete in deadly, gruesome challenges to become the most famous influencer alive. While on the island, it quickly becomes clear that every contestant is linked to the disappearance of contestant Carrie Andrews' brother.

There is much in this story that echoes pop culture—the insidious permeation of social media, the Fyre Festival fiasco, reality TV, true crime podcasts like Serial, Banksy (as inspiration for the character of Wyatt James), and so much more. It’s clear that the book is trying to make a point about how much we let social media control our lives and thoughts, but the narrative feels rambling, choppy, messy, and jumbled. The podcast-style format keeps all the characters at an emotional distance, which makes them difficult to care about. Without more description or inner monologue, understanding their histories is also difficult. The narrative voice doesn't feel believable, and the events of the plot stretch the bounds of credulity even more.

This book was a quick read, but the over abundance of characters, lack of emotion, strange narrative voice, and unbelievable plot made it fall flat for me.

With a fast turning of pages, Kyle Rutkin create a -not too far from reality- distopy. The podcast style it’s amazing, making the story addictive with all the information that every page adds to the plot.
The commentary that this books makes on Social Media leaves you thinking more of the question- Do you control Social Media or it controls you?
Thanks to NetGalley for this Earc in exchange for a honest review.

Thanks to @netgalley for letting me read this! I devoured this witching 2 days. Hooked me from the get go!
I love these books that are a bit unconventional in their writing style. It’s a podcast transcript of all that went down.
It was creepy, bloody, and downright dirty.
I’m hoping this comes out as an audio too. That would be such a fun experience 🙌🏻

A dark psychological thriller about a social media completion that turns deadly. Feyre Festival meets Hunger Games and Squid Games. Although the winner gains all the fame and followers on social media.

The format of this book is in podcast transcript, which I enjoyed.

This book had me hooked from the beginning and just keeps picking up as the story unfolds. I didn’t guess anything which I loved! I love when the twists surprises me 🫢 The reason why this isn’t a 5* is because I didn’t feel like the FMC, Carrie, had depth to her. I didn’t really care for her in my opinion. Although the MMC, Cal, did have depth to him. He wasn’t self absorbed like Carrie and theres more of a story to him as to why he’s on Influencers Island.

The ending was good, it explained it all. All the questions were answered and I loved how the epilogue was included after the competition.

If you liked the format of Daisy Jones & the Six or Sadie then you might like this one. This is a dark psychological thriller that is very graphic and fast paced.

Thank you @netgalley for providing me with an ARC. You can find this title out now and is available on Kindle Unlimited. You can find my review on this title on my Goodreads account and on my instagram @talkgoodbookstome

This was an interesting one. I always love creepy realistic books and this one was such an interesting premise. It was in an interesting format as well. I really wish I would have enjoyed this more as it had a lot to live up to, being compared to The Hunger Games. It was very dark but I think the writing and action parts of it left something to be desired.

I loved the premise of the book and mostly enjoyed reading it but I did have a hard time keeping track. The format was a fresh idea but it took some time to get used to and seemed to skip around quite a bit. There were many different story lines and POVs all being told at the same time and I had to backtrack a few times to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. But all in all, I really did like Influencer Island. I read it in a day because I felt a need to figure out all the secrets and will definitely read more from the author.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This was so good. I stared and finished it in a day. Once the action gets going you're not going to want to put it down.

I like how it's written as if it's being told through a podcast. There are several twists and turns that I thought I had it figured out but I was wrong.

I didn't realize there was a whole Died Famous series so I'm running to read the other books now.