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Survival Show
DARKNESS, DRAMA AND DEATH FROM THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED AND BESTSELLING* AUTHOR OF CLEAN AND HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL COVEN.
SING FOR YOUR LIFE!
Welcome to the New Alliance – a reimagined world after a war and a flood. Taryn Beck and her family don’t have much, and her younger brother needs vital medication to survive. Medication they can’t access or afford. Taryn secretly enters Network G’s reality show: Starmaker , the most watched TV show in the world.
The rules are simple; young women from all over the globe compete to join an all-singing, all-dancing pop outfit, DOLLHOU5E. If you win, a life of luxury, stardom and wealth awaits . . . But there’s a catch. Eliminated contestants are literally eliminated; “volunteered” to Project Population, an initiative designed to cull the community.
Sequestered in the sinister Dreamhouse, and filmed 24 hours-a-day, Taryn soon realises that reality TV is far from real. She and her fellow trainees are pitted against each other in cruel challenges. Working with gorgeous boyband mentor, Cade, Taryn covertly plots to expose this brutal regime and destroy Starmaker from the inside.
Get ready for the performance of Taryn’s life.
The explosive new YA novel from Juno Dawson.
*Her Majesty’s Royal Coven reached TCM category number one on 26th July 2022.
SING FOR YOUR LIFE!
Welcome to the New Alliance – a reimagined world after a war and a flood. Taryn Beck and her family don’t have much, and her younger brother needs vital medication to survive. Medication they can’t access or afford. Taryn secretly enters Network G’s reality show: Starmaker , the most watched TV show in the world.
The rules are simple; young women from all over the globe compete to join an all-singing, all-dancing pop outfit, DOLLHOU5E. If you win, a life of luxury, stardom and wealth awaits . . . But there’s a catch. Eliminated contestants are literally eliminated; “volunteered” to Project Population, an initiative designed to cull the community.
Sequestered in the sinister Dreamhouse, and filmed 24 hours-a-day, Taryn soon realises that reality TV is far from real. She and her fellow trainees are pitted against each other in cruel challenges. Working with gorgeous boyband mentor, Cade, Taryn covertly plots to expose this brutal regime and destroy Starmaker from the inside.
Get ready for the performance of Taryn’s life.
The explosive new YA novel from Juno Dawson.
*Her Majesty’s Royal Coven reached TCM category number one on 26th July 2022.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2026
54 people are currently reading
4416 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
April 19, 2026
sooooo much fun
May 3, 2026
When Juno Dawson was asked what her dream YA novel would be she said "The Hunger Games meets the Spice Girls." Survival Show was the novel that Dawson created from this idea, and while I'm not really a fan of either of these this was a great novel.
Juno Dawson brings us a brilliant dystopian world and while some authors of dystopian fiction spend long chapters explaining how society has become Dawson brings it naturally to life through story and dialogue. The characetrs are great, the plot fast paced and it builds up to a tense and satisfying ending.
Being a 61 year old man I may not be the obvious target audience for a YA novel about a teenage band, but I found Survival Show to be the sort of escapism that I love. Let's hope that my daughter enjoys this book as much as I did when I pass it on to her next week.
Juno Dawson brings us a brilliant dystopian world and while some authors of dystopian fiction spend long chapters explaining how society has become Dawson brings it naturally to life through story and dialogue. The characetrs are great, the plot fast paced and it builds up to a tense and satisfying ending.
Being a 61 year old man I may not be the obvious target audience for a YA novel about a teenage band, but I found Survival Show to be the sort of escapism that I love. Let's hope that my daughter enjoys this book as much as I did when I pass it on to her next week.
April 10, 2026
Thank you Simon & Schuster YA for sending me an ARC copy of this book!
Taryn is a 17 year old girl who wants to financially help her family, especially her sick brother, so she signs up for Project Population’s ‘Star Maker’ show, where you train to be a part of a global idol group, where the judges & the public vote for who they want to make the final cut of the group. However, if you’re eliminated from the show, you die as part of the show’s contract with project population.
As soon as i read the premise for this book, i was immediately intrigued and desperate to pick this up. As a huge fan of girl groups, I have a huge interest in girl groups produced from survival shows, like katseye in HXG dream academy, and girlset (formally VCHA) from JYP a2k and more. So the twist of ‘if you’re eliminated you die,’ was just such a genius concept i needed to get my hands on a copy!
The book overall I did enjoy. And I think if you are also interested in girl groups, and celebrity pop culture then you’ll likely enjoy it too!
I liked the structure of this book, how the chapters belong to different sections of the process, like applying, the group challenges etc. it’s clever and mimics how survival shows work, so it works really well and fluidly here!
However, there was just a few areas of this book that bugged me a little bit, that made me knock it down a few stars quite early and throughout.
SPOILERS BELOW!
The book is set in the UK. Despite the dystopia plot, the book is set in a very lightly slightly twisted United Kingdom, Scotland and England. Taryn, the fmc, mentions passing Newcastle and Leeds on her way to London, and as a northern it really took me out of the book. I was thinking, why is it relevant that we need to name these cities? That exist today? When this book feels like dystopian rather than realistic? Also, Taryn mentions never having visited London, doesn’t know what Wembley Stadium is, however knows exactly how to get to Victoria Coach Station to travel home? It just didn’t make sense to me. It would’ve been more believable if the cities were made up but faintly represented London to make it familiar but not extremely on the nose.
Another thing that was too on the nose for me personally, was the direct mention of girl groups alike Katseye, that have very similar experiences to what these characters are going through in this novel. It was a little too close to them, which is likely to excite their audiences when reading this book, but it concerns me a little. If this book is to critique the kpop industry and the music machine, you probably shouldn’t be mentioning multiple real examples of young girls who went through it in your dystopia novel of their experience.
The book definitely picked up the pace once the tv show was in progress and especially towards the end I couldn’t put the book down! Although the ending was a little rushed but still okay! But because of this significant great pacing, it meant the first quarter of the book’s pacing stuck out a little because the build up was slow. Doesn’t necessarily mean it was a bad time, the exposition was definitely essential to understand the motivation for Taryn signing up for the show and understanding why she would risk her life, but it did mean you need patience to stick with the book.
With the characters, I felt like Taryn and Leela’s friendship could’ve had more moments together, because the set up pre-dollhou5e felt like they were going to be ride or die best friends, but during the show it felt quite distant, like Taryn wasn’t really spending much time with anyone but Cade. It felt like the focus was only on one pairing at a time, rather than how Taryn is developing friendships simultaneously. Further, I saw the potential with the Taryn and Cade pairing, but the age difference between them just didn’t have me rooting for them like I wanted to. It is explicitly stated that Taryn is 17, and towards the start it’s unclear how old Cade is, only that he has been an idol since Taryn had posters of him on her walls at 12. but towards the end we discover he’s 21. As someone who turns 21 this year, I’m not even looking at anyone under 20 - and while that is a personal preference, and a 4 year age gap isn’t problematic, i don’t think 17 and 21 together is appropriate, because she’s still a minor and underage. And personally, I feel uncomfortable with the ages of this romantic pairing.
As previously stated, I enjoyed reading this book, I liked the premise, I was hooked, the writing was easy to read and the structure was formatted nicely - despite many of grammar & spelling errors in this copy, so i’d definitely recommend if you’re already interested! Check it out on April 23rd 2026!
Taryn is a 17 year old girl who wants to financially help her family, especially her sick brother, so she signs up for Project Population’s ‘Star Maker’ show, where you train to be a part of a global idol group, where the judges & the public vote for who they want to make the final cut of the group. However, if you’re eliminated from the show, you die as part of the show’s contract with project population.
As soon as i read the premise for this book, i was immediately intrigued and desperate to pick this up. As a huge fan of girl groups, I have a huge interest in girl groups produced from survival shows, like katseye in HXG dream academy, and girlset (formally VCHA) from JYP a2k and more. So the twist of ‘if you’re eliminated you die,’ was just such a genius concept i needed to get my hands on a copy!
The book overall I did enjoy. And I think if you are also interested in girl groups, and celebrity pop culture then you’ll likely enjoy it too!
I liked the structure of this book, how the chapters belong to different sections of the process, like applying, the group challenges etc. it’s clever and mimics how survival shows work, so it works really well and fluidly here!
However, there was just a few areas of this book that bugged me a little bit, that made me knock it down a few stars quite early and throughout.
SPOILERS BELOW!
The book is set in the UK. Despite the dystopia plot, the book is set in a very lightly slightly twisted United Kingdom, Scotland and England. Taryn, the fmc, mentions passing Newcastle and Leeds on her way to London, and as a northern it really took me out of the book. I was thinking, why is it relevant that we need to name these cities? That exist today? When this book feels like dystopian rather than realistic? Also, Taryn mentions never having visited London, doesn’t know what Wembley Stadium is, however knows exactly how to get to Victoria Coach Station to travel home? It just didn’t make sense to me. It would’ve been more believable if the cities were made up but faintly represented London to make it familiar but not extremely on the nose.
Another thing that was too on the nose for me personally, was the direct mention of girl groups alike Katseye, that have very similar experiences to what these characters are going through in this novel. It was a little too close to them, which is likely to excite their audiences when reading this book, but it concerns me a little. If this book is to critique the kpop industry and the music machine, you probably shouldn’t be mentioning multiple real examples of young girls who went through it in your dystopia novel of their experience.
The book definitely picked up the pace once the tv show was in progress and especially towards the end I couldn’t put the book down! Although the ending was a little rushed but still okay! But because of this significant great pacing, it meant the first quarter of the book’s pacing stuck out a little because the build up was slow. Doesn’t necessarily mean it was a bad time, the exposition was definitely essential to understand the motivation for Taryn signing up for the show and understanding why she would risk her life, but it did mean you need patience to stick with the book.
With the characters, I felt like Taryn and Leela’s friendship could’ve had more moments together, because the set up pre-dollhou5e felt like they were going to be ride or die best friends, but during the show it felt quite distant, like Taryn wasn’t really spending much time with anyone but Cade. It felt like the focus was only on one pairing at a time, rather than how Taryn is developing friendships simultaneously. Further, I saw the potential with the Taryn and Cade pairing, but the age difference between them just didn’t have me rooting for them like I wanted to. It is explicitly stated that Taryn is 17, and towards the start it’s unclear how old Cade is, only that he has been an idol since Taryn had posters of him on her walls at 12. but towards the end we discover he’s 21. As someone who turns 21 this year, I’m not even looking at anyone under 20 - and while that is a personal preference, and a 4 year age gap isn’t problematic, i don’t think 17 and 21 together is appropriate, because she’s still a minor and underage. And personally, I feel uncomfortable with the ages of this romantic pairing.
As previously stated, I enjoyed reading this book, I liked the premise, I was hooked, the writing was easy to read and the structure was formatted nicely - despite many of grammar & spelling errors in this copy, so i’d definitely recommend if you’re already interested! Check it out on April 23rd 2026!
May 9, 2026
Labelled as The Hunger Games meets the Spice Girls/K-pop, Survival Show is a high stakes Y.A. novel featuring a singing competition that literally ends in death for the unsuccessful participants.
The idea of this one was fun but I just didn't connect with it. The Hunger Games aspect just felt very much like a filter or aesthetic being used - there's a reason the original novels (can't include the spinoffs, still gotta read those 😅) hit so hard, with their strong political message. Here it feels like the message is barely present, as the girls go from worrying about their potential live-broadcasted deaths, to squealing over guest judges and having makeovers. It all felt very surface level.
It was a fun concept, and most of the cast were great, but Survival Show seems much too caught up in the facade of appearing like a quirky dystopian novel to really make a statement.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
The idea of this one was fun but I just didn't connect with it. The Hunger Games aspect just felt very much like a filter or aesthetic being used - there's a reason the original novels (can't include the spinoffs, still gotta read those 😅) hit so hard, with their strong political message. Here it feels like the message is barely present, as the girls go from worrying about their potential live-broadcasted deaths, to squealing over guest judges and having makeovers. It all felt very surface level.
It was a fun concept, and most of the cast were great, but Survival Show seems much too caught up in the facade of appearing like a quirky dystopian novel to really make a statement.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
April 14, 2026
oh my god this book had me HOOKED
where do i even begin??
i could definitely see the popstar/dream academy inspo (basically that but make it hunger games style) and omg if there’s one thing i’m weak for, it’s some reality tv vibes i love it sm
firstly, i love love loveeee this and when i saw that there was gonna be a sequel in the acknowledgments, i screamed
like it’s been so long since i felt so passionate about a book i finished from an author i’ve never read from (i NEED to pick up her majesty’s royal coven ASAP now omg)
anywaysss
the dystopian aspects was also so good but so jarring?? like it’s set maybe 50ish? 100? years into the future? so the stuff they call “classics” are the things that are trendy today (did i have a ✨moment✨ when they featured kateye’s gnarly as one of the songs? yes. like will that stand the test of time? who knows) and also seeing the us split into red states and blue states i was like okay i see what they’re doing here
and i loved the gameshow aspects (of course) and i LOVED the sisterhood vibes (pls pls plsss i need more of the girl group in the next book like sure i want to see them take down the system but PLS can i guiltily ask for them absolutely rocking it on stage too??)
but also like was the writing a tiny bit funky at times? was taryn a little bit too childish and mary-sue with her voice? yes. but was it entertaining as hell and i basically read it in one sitting WHILE in a reading slump so likeeee
aaaaa anyways omg i cannot waitttt for the sequel (i PRAY a certain someone isn’t dead omgggg SURELY??! i know it would be so cliche but IT WOULD BE THE BESTEST PLOT TWIST PLSSSS JUNO??? BUT ALSOOOO IM ALSO CONSIDERINGGGG THE OTHER OPTION WHICH WOULD BE SO SO GOOD TOO)
thank you sm s&s for the arc!
okay spoilers below bcos i need to yap
.
.
.
[redacting spoilers till post publication]
where do i even begin??
i could definitely see the popstar/dream academy inspo (basically that but make it hunger games style) and omg if there’s one thing i’m weak for, it’s some reality tv vibes i love it sm
firstly, i love love loveeee this and when i saw that there was gonna be a sequel in the acknowledgments, i screamed
like it’s been so long since i felt so passionate about a book i finished from an author i’ve never read from (i NEED to pick up her majesty’s royal coven ASAP now omg)
anywaysss
the dystopian aspects was also so good but so jarring?? like it’s set maybe 50ish? 100? years into the future? so the stuff they call “classics” are the things that are trendy today (did i have a ✨moment✨ when they featured kateye’s gnarly as one of the songs? yes. like will that stand the test of time? who knows) and also seeing the us split into red states and blue states i was like okay i see what they’re doing here
and i loved the gameshow aspects (of course) and i LOVED the sisterhood vibes (pls pls plsss i need more of the girl group in the next book like sure i want to see them take down the system but PLS can i guiltily ask for them absolutely rocking it on stage too??)
but also like was the writing a tiny bit funky at times? was taryn a little bit too childish and mary-sue with her voice? yes. but was it entertaining as hell and i basically read it in one sitting WHILE in a reading slump so likeeee
aaaaa anyways omg i cannot waitttt for the sequel (i PRAY a certain someone isn’t dead omgggg SURELY??! i know it would be so cliche but IT WOULD BE THE BESTEST PLOT TWIST PLSSSS JUNO??? BUT ALSOOOO IM ALSO CONSIDERINGGGG THE OTHER OPTION WHICH WOULD BE SO SO GOOD TOO)
thank you sm s&s for the arc!
okay spoilers below bcos i need to yap
.
.
.
[redacting spoilers till post publication]
April 26, 2026
This was fantastic! I cannot wait for the sequel. It's chilling in how you can see all of this might actually happen.
February 13, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Survival Show is set in a reimagined world after a war and flood. It follows the story of Taryn Beck, a teenager who makes it her mission to provide her brother with life saving medical treatment, by entering the reality TV show “Starmaker” - if Taryn wins, she, along with her 4 band mates, will live a life of luxury, stardom and wealth. But if she’s eliminated, she will lose her life to “Project Population”, an initiative designed to cull the community.
This story is a mix of The Hunger Games and The X Factor which makes for a unique and clever plot which lovers of Dystopian YA novels and KATSEYE will absolutely adore.
I really liked Juno Dawson’s writing style, it was clear and easy to read. I think Dawson also did a really good job at portraying the darker side of the music industry and these competition shows. I particularly loved the Nadine Coyle/Irish PopStars reference “you told us you were born in June, and that you are a Gemini. But you lied about the year that you were born, didn’t you?”
With that being said, in all honesty, this was not the most enjoyable read for me. I do, however, think that my main issues with the book were solely due to my age, and had I been reading this at 16/17 years old, I would have LOVED it.
First of all, I did not fully connect with any of the characters, they felt incredibly young and I actually found them quite frustrating. Again, this could be an age thing, but I found myself wanting to shout at them and tell them “just stop bickering, stop making poor choices, stop selling each other out, and why didn’t you just get out of there when you had the chance!” The death and loss of each other was never a surprise to them, it was fully expected but never taken seriously until it happened.
I also really struggled with the pacing of this book. I felt like the build up to the start of the show went on a little bit too long whereas the results show felt too rushed, and although the writing was good, those moments felt too short for me to fully experience the emotions of the remaining girls and the eliminated contestant.
Things seemed to pick up a bit towards the finale/ending of the book, and I was satisfied with the way it ended. Iappreciated the twist at the end, I genuinely didn’t expect that reveal and I did gasp a little.
Survival Show is set in a reimagined world after a war and flood. It follows the story of Taryn Beck, a teenager who makes it her mission to provide her brother with life saving medical treatment, by entering the reality TV show “Starmaker” - if Taryn wins, she, along with her 4 band mates, will live a life of luxury, stardom and wealth. But if she’s eliminated, she will lose her life to “Project Population”, an initiative designed to cull the community.
This story is a mix of The Hunger Games and The X Factor which makes for a unique and clever plot which lovers of Dystopian YA novels and KATSEYE will absolutely adore.
I really liked Juno Dawson’s writing style, it was clear and easy to read. I think Dawson also did a really good job at portraying the darker side of the music industry and these competition shows. I particularly loved the Nadine Coyle/Irish PopStars reference “you told us you were born in June, and that you are a Gemini. But you lied about the year that you were born, didn’t you?”
With that being said, in all honesty, this was not the most enjoyable read for me. I do, however, think that my main issues with the book were solely due to my age, and had I been reading this at 16/17 years old, I would have LOVED it.
First of all, I did not fully connect with any of the characters, they felt incredibly young and I actually found them quite frustrating. Again, this could be an age thing, but I found myself wanting to shout at them and tell them “just stop bickering, stop making poor choices, stop selling each other out, and why didn’t you just get out of there when you had the chance!” The death and loss of each other was never a surprise to them, it was fully expected but never taken seriously until it happened.
I also really struggled with the pacing of this book. I felt like the build up to the start of the show went on a little bit too long whereas the results show felt too rushed, and although the writing was good, those moments felt too short for me to fully experience the emotions of the remaining girls and the eliminated contestant.
Things seemed to pick up a bit towards the finale/ending of the book, and I was satisfied with the way it ended. Iappreciated the twist at the end, I genuinely didn’t expect that reveal and I did gasp a little.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really loved it. No surprise really as I've been a Juno fan since Hollow Pike. Hunger Games meets X Factor.
April 1, 2026
I was in a pretty big reading slump which made picking up this book kind of hard, but once I did boy was it hard to put it down!!
Imagine you mix Popstar Academy with Black Mirror, you’d find something almost like Survival Show.
Survival Show follows Taryn Beck, a flood refugee from the Republic of Scotland whose younger brother is in dire need of medication. Her dad sees the only way for his son to survive is to donate his life to “Project Population” and get the payout( aka paying people to undergo euthanasia). But Taryn has another plan. Use her voice to get onto Starmaker, the most popular girl group survival show on the airways.
This book I think proves dystopian literature is starting to be less like a scary, far-away future and lean closer towards being a pretty damn accurate reflection of society. So be warned and read with caution, this book might sound a lot like your socials feed rather than a fictitious story!
My only tiny issue with this book was that sometimes it over explained situations and emotions but I can let that slide as it is YA.
Survival Show has solidified itself as a new favourite YA dystopia in my rotation of recommendations! A must read when it releases on the 28th of April!
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Imagine you mix Popstar Academy with Black Mirror, you’d find something almost like Survival Show.
Survival Show follows Taryn Beck, a flood refugee from the Republic of Scotland whose younger brother is in dire need of medication. Her dad sees the only way for his son to survive is to donate his life to “Project Population” and get the payout( aka paying people to undergo euthanasia). But Taryn has another plan. Use her voice to get onto Starmaker, the most popular girl group survival show on the airways.
This book I think proves dystopian literature is starting to be less like a scary, far-away future and lean closer towards being a pretty damn accurate reflection of society. So be warned and read with caution, this book might sound a lot like your socials feed rather than a fictitious story!
My only tiny issue with this book was that sometimes it over explained situations and emotions but I can let that slide as it is YA.
Survival Show has solidified itself as a new favourite YA dystopia in my rotation of recommendations! A must read when it releases on the 28th of April!
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Want to Read
February 18, 2026this sounds hilarious actually I am very happy for the teens of 2026
May 4, 2026
This was a fun, easy read! I feel like being compared to the hunger games was a big stretch but it was still entertaining. Good characters, great storyline.
April 28, 2026
I first heard about this book when I saw Juno summer 2025, promoting book 3 of HMRC and I knew this was going to be such a fun read!
This is like a black mirror episode, where the hunger games meets pop star academy! And I couldn’t put it down.
I also hear the audiobook has the songs as actual SONGS?? I’ll be running to BookBeat for an instant re read.
Thank you netgalley and Simon YA for this e ARC
This is like a black mirror episode, where the hunger games meets pop star academy! And I couldn’t put it down.
I also hear the audiobook has the songs as actual SONGS?? I’ll be running to BookBeat for an instant re read.
Thank you netgalley and Simon YA for this e ARC
February 16, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
For the first time, I find myself rounding up and not down on a rating! Realistically, Survival Show was a 3.5 for me, but there's something about it that is so endearing, in its own way, that I couldn't resist adding that extra half a star.
Dawson's Hunger Games x X-Factor dystopia sounded right up my alley immediately, so when I dived in I worked really hard not to over-anticipate the read. I think this set me up well to enjoy it, because Survival Show won't really blow you away with plot twists and turns (except that one, I guess, iykyk!). But it's an easy read that I blew through in just one day.
The Plot
Generally, the plot is quite simple. 17 year old Taryn Beck is a struggling refugee who needs to help her sick brother, and when she enters a sing or die competition, she has the opportunity to do just that. If she can survive.
The premise is clever, but I found the execution to be a little clumsy - the pacing of the book feels a little all over the place, with the first half of it seeming to tick by slow and steady, and the second half rushing past. This left me stumbling on some of the bigger plot points because they aren't given room to breathe, and there's a fair amount of telling over showing. Taryn generally takes peoples' words at face value, and we're shown those to be true, meaning that overall, most of the information we need to know comes from conversations rather than anything particularly being discovered.
That said, it's a fun (Can you say that when teenagers are getting murdered?) plotline with a twist on the classic battle royale style of fiction that's been so popular recently.
There's also one particular plot point that is brought up, and then goes nowhere, which is a bit weird. Did Dawson forget about it, or did it just not quite make the cut to resolution?
The Characters
Okay, first of all, I'd die for Leela.
Now that's out of the way...The characters absolutely carry this book. Taryn's a little bumbling and frankly a little daft in her naivety, but it's quite endearing in its own way.
The other major characters are the girls selected to run this survival show gauntlet alongside Taryn, and each fit the usual stereotypes we might see in a teen high school film. We've got the spunky sidekick, the fiesty rival, the older quiet one, the shy one. It's a format that's tried and tested, and it works again here. The character dynamics are the majority of the book, and frankly, I'd read a high school teen book about these girls happily.
However, I'd have liked to get to know the girls on a deeper level. While we are given some depth to certain characters, it's not particularly fleshed out throughout, and it feels superficial. I can't say I felt much at any of the pivotal deaths in the book; I think this is for two reasons.
a) Obviously some folks are going to die. That's kind of...the whole point.
b) I didn't know these girls well enough. It's hard to form that emotional connection, because I know them only as stereotypes and plot points.
The overall vibes
As a summary, because I've rambled on far too much, the general vibes of Survival Show are pretty good. I could do without some of the heavy handed "the planet was destroyed, why didn't people know better?" symbolism (I'm all for this messaging, but I don't think it serves much of a purpose in the book, which makes it feel all a bit like an empty gesture), but generally I enjoyed reading it and I enjoyed connecting with Taryn's world. There's just some lovable qualities to the writing that I can't refute, and despite knowing that I've had a lot of "complaints" in my review, I can't help but love this one.
Is it a perfect book? No.
Is it more suited for a potentially younger audience than a chronically online 31 year old? Probably.
Would I recommend it to fans of dystopian battle royale style reads? Yes!
For the first time, I find myself rounding up and not down on a rating! Realistically, Survival Show was a 3.5 for me, but there's something about it that is so endearing, in its own way, that I couldn't resist adding that extra half a star.
Dawson's Hunger Games x X-Factor dystopia sounded right up my alley immediately, so when I dived in I worked really hard not to over-anticipate the read. I think this set me up well to enjoy it, because Survival Show won't really blow you away with plot twists and turns (except that one, I guess, iykyk!). But it's an easy read that I blew through in just one day.
The Plot
Generally, the plot is quite simple. 17 year old Taryn Beck is a struggling refugee who needs to help her sick brother, and when she enters a sing or die competition, she has the opportunity to do just that. If she can survive.
The premise is clever, but I found the execution to be a little clumsy - the pacing of the book feels a little all over the place, with the first half of it seeming to tick by slow and steady, and the second half rushing past. This left me stumbling on some of the bigger plot points because they aren't given room to breathe, and there's a fair amount of telling over showing. Taryn generally takes peoples' words at face value, and we're shown those to be true, meaning that overall, most of the information we need to know comes from conversations rather than anything particularly being discovered.
That said, it's a fun (Can you say that when teenagers are getting murdered?) plotline with a twist on the classic battle royale style of fiction that's been so popular recently.
There's also one particular plot point that is brought up, and then goes nowhere, which is a bit weird. Did Dawson forget about it, or did it just not quite make the cut to resolution?
The Characters
Okay, first of all, I'd die for Leela.
Now that's out of the way...The characters absolutely carry this book. Taryn's a little bumbling and frankly a little daft in her naivety, but it's quite endearing in its own way.
The other major characters are the girls selected to run this survival show gauntlet alongside Taryn, and each fit the usual stereotypes we might see in a teen high school film. We've got the spunky sidekick, the fiesty rival, the older quiet one, the shy one. It's a format that's tried and tested, and it works again here. The character dynamics are the majority of the book, and frankly, I'd read a high school teen book about these girls happily.
However, I'd have liked to get to know the girls on a deeper level. While we are given some depth to certain characters, it's not particularly fleshed out throughout, and it feels superficial. I can't say I felt much at any of the pivotal deaths in the book; I think this is for two reasons.
a) Obviously some folks are going to die. That's kind of...the whole point.
b) I didn't know these girls well enough. It's hard to form that emotional connection, because I know them only as stereotypes and plot points.
The overall vibes
As a summary, because I've rambled on far too much, the general vibes of Survival Show are pretty good. I could do without some of the heavy handed "the planet was destroyed, why didn't people know better?" symbolism (I'm all for this messaging, but I don't think it serves much of a purpose in the book, which makes it feel all a bit like an empty gesture), but generally I enjoyed reading it and I enjoyed connecting with Taryn's world. There's just some lovable qualities to the writing that I can't refute, and despite knowing that I've had a lot of "complaints" in my review, I can't help but love this one.
Is it a perfect book? No.
Is it more suited for a potentially younger audience than a chronically online 31 year old? Probably.
Would I recommend it to fans of dystopian battle royale style reads? Yes!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Huge thanks to Juno Dawson, Gallery YA, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for my honest review. "Survival Show" is expected to release on April 23rd, 2026.
//
The world is different now, after the war and the flood that turned Taryn Beck and her family into refugees, shuttled away into "camps" and forgotten about, barely making enough to scrape by. And the little they do make barely covers the medication that Taryn's brother needs to survive. Enter "Starmaker," another "win or die" reality TV show from Network-G. "Starmaker" is THE most watched TV show in the world-a show that creates new idol groups from a carefully selected group of ten singer-dancer teenagers. You win? You get to be part of DOLLHOU5E. You lose? You get to be part of Project Population. Translation? You die, your execution televised for the entire world to witness.
And all Taryn has to do now is sing and dance for her life. Literally...well, that, and attempt to bring this brutal regime crashing down once and for all...that's all.
//
I saw this book described as Hunger Games meets American Idol and HOLY CRAP, they were...right on the money there. I have been steering away from dystopian books lately because, well...*gestures at everything*, but I could not resist this description. I also have never read anything by Juno Dawson before-no clue why!- and figured this would be a great place to start.
I read this entire book in ONE DAY. I could not put it down. I spent my entire afternoon with my nose crammed against my Kindle, desperate to see how this would turn out. I am in love with this strong, brave, incredible cast of characters, each with personalities so distinct...it broke my heart. This book absolutely had me in tears multiple times.
This was SUCH a fresh take on the dystopian thriller. It didn't feel like the same-old-same-old AT ALL, left me with a genuine cold feeling in my stomach...it hit the nail right smack on the head. When this one comes out, you need to be the first in line to get your hands on a copy. 10/10, no notes.
//
The world is different now, after the war and the flood that turned Taryn Beck and her family into refugees, shuttled away into "camps" and forgotten about, barely making enough to scrape by. And the little they do make barely covers the medication that Taryn's brother needs to survive. Enter "Starmaker," another "win or die" reality TV show from Network-G. "Starmaker" is THE most watched TV show in the world-a show that creates new idol groups from a carefully selected group of ten singer-dancer teenagers. You win? You get to be part of DOLLHOU5E. You lose? You get to be part of Project Population. Translation? You die, your execution televised for the entire world to witness.
And all Taryn has to do now is sing and dance for her life. Literally...well, that, and attempt to bring this brutal regime crashing down once and for all...that's all.
//
I saw this book described as Hunger Games meets American Idol and HOLY CRAP, they were...right on the money there. I have been steering away from dystopian books lately because, well...*gestures at everything*, but I could not resist this description. I also have never read anything by Juno Dawson before-no clue why!- and figured this would be a great place to start.
I read this entire book in ONE DAY. I could not put it down. I spent my entire afternoon with my nose crammed against my Kindle, desperate to see how this would turn out. I am in love with this strong, brave, incredible cast of characters, each with personalities so distinct...it broke my heart. This book absolutely had me in tears multiple times.
This was SUCH a fresh take on the dystopian thriller. It didn't feel like the same-old-same-old AT ALL, left me with a genuine cold feeling in my stomach...it hit the nail right smack on the head. When this one comes out, you need to be the first in line to get your hands on a copy. 10/10, no notes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for my review.
I don't even know where to start with this book, holy shit. Not since The Hunger Games have I been so immediately and compellingly dragged into a dystopian fiction, this was both fantastic and absolutely chilling to read. It was pacy and dynamic and gripping and horrifying.
The thing that really got me about Survival Show was how incredibly possible it all felt, it's not a far future dystopia but one that could happen within my lifetime, caused by events that in the current political climate seem not only possible but at times even probable, and that made it feel so visceral to read. Since finishing it I haven't been able to get it out of my head, I keep thinking how the jump from watching people suffer for our entertainment on reality TV to watching them die is not as big a leap as we might think it is. And it really rams home the point that the moment we start letting the rights of minorities be eroded, the minute we start to see some lives as disposable, which is already happening in parts of society, we start down a very slippery slope. Absolutely nobody could read this and think reading isn't political.
As well as all this, the horror and the realism and the terrifying possibility of it all, it's also an incredibly well written and gripping dystopian story, and very accessible and engaging for a YA audience (and an adult audience tbh), I literally couldn't put it down. The characters are easy to fall in love with and care for, which makes the harrowing things that happen feel so much more painful. Also, a lot of the awfulness behind the scenes of the reality show are actually happening in real reality TV shows already, it's a harsh reality that the book doesn't shy away from at all.
My only critique of the book would be I found the ending a little bit rushed and unsatisfying but given that there's clearly a sequel coming, I can let that go in the hopes that the sequel will find a way to resolve that.
I don't even know where to start with this book, holy shit. Not since The Hunger Games have I been so immediately and compellingly dragged into a dystopian fiction, this was both fantastic and absolutely chilling to read. It was pacy and dynamic and gripping and horrifying.
The thing that really got me about Survival Show was how incredibly possible it all felt, it's not a far future dystopia but one that could happen within my lifetime, caused by events that in the current political climate seem not only possible but at times even probable, and that made it feel so visceral to read. Since finishing it I haven't been able to get it out of my head, I keep thinking how the jump from watching people suffer for our entertainment on reality TV to watching them die is not as big a leap as we might think it is. And it really rams home the point that the moment we start letting the rights of minorities be eroded, the minute we start to see some lives as disposable, which is already happening in parts of society, we start down a very slippery slope. Absolutely nobody could read this and think reading isn't political.
As well as all this, the horror and the realism and the terrifying possibility of it all, it's also an incredibly well written and gripping dystopian story, and very accessible and engaging for a YA audience (and an adult audience tbh), I literally couldn't put it down. The characters are easy to fall in love with and care for, which makes the harrowing things that happen feel so much more painful. Also, a lot of the awfulness behind the scenes of the reality show are actually happening in real reality TV shows already, it's a harsh reality that the book doesn't shy away from at all.
My only critique of the book would be I found the ending a little bit rushed and unsatisfying but given that there's clearly a sequel coming, I can let that go in the hopes that the sequel will find a way to resolve that.
February 24, 2026
I've been waiting for a YA dystopian book and this one was an enjoyable, nolstagic read for me! I think if I had picked it up as a young adult, I would have really enjoyed it, and as I believe that is the target audience, I will try and review it with that in mind.
Tayrn comes from a world, where poverty and inequality is rife. She enters a competition to become a part of a girl band, where the contestants that are voted off, are put to death. It was very black mirror vibes, and whereas I didn't feel much tension build up to the death overall as it was a fade to black situation (they go into a pyramid), I feel that younger readers will find it a very edge of the seat, relatable read. I appreciated the emotional development of Tayrn - her struggle to do what is right to destroy Starmaker, versus her want to win to save her brother (who needs medicine they can't afford) however immoral doing so would be - was really clear, and a strong plot point.
I also appreciated the show of the harsh realities of famedom and how being in the public eye, isn't as glamourous as it may appear. For children, growing up with tiktok and social pressure etc, I think this was a clever plot point, and I imagine will be a good discussion moment for teenagers to share with parents. I think I'd enjoy re-reading this with my daughter when she becomes older. (Maybe I'm delusional here, but a mum can dream!).
Personally, I'm happy with how it ended, and don't think i'll move on to the sequel, but I can imagine it'll end up being a popular well-loved series.
(Just a little side note - I did find some of the slang took me out of the read, due to my age, which was a shame. I appreciate that the tone is to entice younger readers, but there are many young adult dystopian books (hunger games comes to mind!) where there is no slang, so it can be more universally enjoyed.)
Thank you for the advanced reader copy!
Tayrn comes from a world, where poverty and inequality is rife. She enters a competition to become a part of a girl band, where the contestants that are voted off, are put to death. It was very black mirror vibes, and whereas I didn't feel much tension build up to the death overall as it was a fade to black situation (they go into a pyramid), I feel that younger readers will find it a very edge of the seat, relatable read. I appreciated the emotional development of Tayrn - her struggle to do what is right to destroy Starmaker, versus her want to win to save her brother (who needs medicine they can't afford) however immoral doing so would be - was really clear, and a strong plot point.
I also appreciated the show of the harsh realities of famedom and how being in the public eye, isn't as glamourous as it may appear. For children, growing up with tiktok and social pressure etc, I think this was a clever plot point, and I imagine will be a good discussion moment for teenagers to share with parents. I think I'd enjoy re-reading this with my daughter when she becomes older. (Maybe I'm delusional here, but a mum can dream!).
Personally, I'm happy with how it ended, and don't think i'll move on to the sequel, but I can imagine it'll end up being a popular well-loved series.
(Just a little side note - I did find some of the slang took me out of the read, due to my age, which was a shame. I appreciate that the tone is to entice younger readers, but there are many young adult dystopian books (hunger games comes to mind!) where there is no slang, so it can be more universally enjoyed.)
Thank you for the advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Juno Dawson's books are wildly unpredictable, and you never quite know what she will write next. This particular book marks her return to YA and continues the use of her razor sharp pop culture knowledge. Described by Dawson as the Spice Girls meets Hunger Games, this is an expert extrapolation of where our society is headed.
A climate crisis has created refugees out of most of the English, and right wing laws have been allowed to progress. Life in Scotland as English refugees is pretty miserable. Food and medicines are scarce. Morality laws have forced queer and trans+ people into hiding.
Into this scenario we meet Taryn, her brother Jenson and her Dad amongst others. Taryn has a stunning voice and the only way to help her brother get medication and survive is to enter the ultimate reality competition, Starmaker. It shares the DNA of Pop Idol, and like everything in the future is corporate controlled, but is also part of Project Population, a scheme by which you can sacrifice your life for a payout for your loved ones.
In this show, every eliminated contestant - is killed. On camera.
The premise sounds cheesy and farfetched but Dawson does what she does best and grounds the show in reality, mixes in realisitic pop culture references and tropes and then injects great characters with different motivations. This stops the book becoming a parody and instead becomes a twisty turny thriller, with just the right level of emotions and humour. Whilst it follows most of the beats of a dystopian thriller and indeed a reality show with manipulated storylines, having a main character like Taryn is enough of a wildcard to ensure you have no idea how Dawson might end the book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story - fans of Benjamin Dean, or the Inheritance Games will too, and can't wait to see this release at the end of the year.
This is released on April 23, via Gallery YA
I was provided an e-arc via NetGalley for review.
A climate crisis has created refugees out of most of the English, and right wing laws have been allowed to progress. Life in Scotland as English refugees is pretty miserable. Food and medicines are scarce. Morality laws have forced queer and trans+ people into hiding.
Into this scenario we meet Taryn, her brother Jenson and her Dad amongst others. Taryn has a stunning voice and the only way to help her brother get medication and survive is to enter the ultimate reality competition, Starmaker. It shares the DNA of Pop Idol, and like everything in the future is corporate controlled, but is also part of Project Population, a scheme by which you can sacrifice your life for a payout for your loved ones.
In this show, every eliminated contestant - is killed. On camera.
The premise sounds cheesy and farfetched but Dawson does what she does best and grounds the show in reality, mixes in realisitic pop culture references and tropes and then injects great characters with different motivations. This stops the book becoming a parody and instead becomes a twisty turny thriller, with just the right level of emotions and humour. Whilst it follows most of the beats of a dystopian thriller and indeed a reality show with manipulated storylines, having a main character like Taryn is enough of a wildcard to ensure you have no idea how Dawson might end the book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story - fans of Benjamin Dean, or the Inheritance Games will too, and can't wait to see this release at the end of the year.
This is released on April 23, via Gallery YA
I was provided an e-arc via NetGalley for review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ARC Review
Thank you to Simon & Schuster / Simon Teen for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Survival Show by Juno Dawson.
Release Date: August 4, 2026
Synopsis:
A group of teens sign up for what they believe is the ultimate reality TV competition. With high-stakes challenges and cameras capturing every move, the pressure is already intense. But as the competition unfolds, it becomes clear this is far more than a game. Alliances begin to crack, secrets rise to the surface, and the contestants realize that survival isn’t just part of the show, it’s the only way out.
Review:
From the very first page, Survival Show pulled me in and refused to let go. Juno Dawson delivers a fast-paced, tension-filled story that feels both wildly entertaining and eerily relevant.
What stood out most to me was how layered this book is. On the surface, it’s a gripping, binge-worthy thriller, but underneath, it offers sharp commentary on fame, social media culture, and the lengths people will go to for validation and success. That duality made the reading experience even more compelling.
The characters were messy in the best way, complex, flawed, and incredibly real. I found myself constantly shifting between who I trusted and who I didn’t, which made every twist hit even harder. And speaking of twists… this book delivers. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story flipped in a way that genuinely surprised me.
The pacing is relentless, with each chapter raising the stakes higher than the last. It’s the kind of book that keeps you saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly you’re at the end.
Final Thoughts:
An addictive, high-stakes thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. If you love stories filled with tension, twists, and social commentary, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Make sure to pre-order your copy and grab it on release day, August 4, 2026.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster / Simon Teen for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Survival Show by Juno Dawson.
Release Date: August 4, 2026
Synopsis:
A group of teens sign up for what they believe is the ultimate reality TV competition. With high-stakes challenges and cameras capturing every move, the pressure is already intense. But as the competition unfolds, it becomes clear this is far more than a game. Alliances begin to crack, secrets rise to the surface, and the contestants realize that survival isn’t just part of the show, it’s the only way out.
Review:
From the very first page, Survival Show pulled me in and refused to let go. Juno Dawson delivers a fast-paced, tension-filled story that feels both wildly entertaining and eerily relevant.
What stood out most to me was how layered this book is. On the surface, it’s a gripping, binge-worthy thriller, but underneath, it offers sharp commentary on fame, social media culture, and the lengths people will go to for validation and success. That duality made the reading experience even more compelling.
The characters were messy in the best way, complex, flawed, and incredibly real. I found myself constantly shifting between who I trusted and who I didn’t, which made every twist hit even harder. And speaking of twists… this book delivers. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story flipped in a way that genuinely surprised me.
The pacing is relentless, with each chapter raising the stakes higher than the last. It’s the kind of book that keeps you saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly you’re at the end.
Final Thoughts:
An addictive, high-stakes thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. If you love stories filled with tension, twists, and social commentary, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Make sure to pre-order your copy and grab it on release day, August 4, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
💓 Blurb-
Welcome to the New Alliance – a reimagined world after a war and a flood. Taryn Beck and her family don’t have much, and her younger brother needs vital medication to survive. Medication they can’t access or afford. Taryn secretly enters Network G’s reality show: Starmaker, the most watched TV show in the world.
The rules are simple; young women from all over the globe compete to join an all-singing, all-dancing pop outfit, DOLLHOU5E. If you win, a life of luxury, stardom and wealth awaits . . . But there’s a catch. Eliminated contestants are literally eliminated; “volunteered” to Project Population, an initiative designed to cull the community.
Sequestered in the sinister Dreamhouse, and filmed 24 hours-a-day, Taryn soon realises that reality TV is far from real. She and her fellow trainees are pitted against each other in cruel challenges. Working with gorgeous boyband mentor, Cade, Taryn covertly plots to expose this brutal regime and destroy Starmaker from the inside.
Get ready for the performance of Taryn’s life.
🩵 Review -
I have enjoyed Her Majestie's Royal Coven series by Juno Dawson and when I saw that she was doing a new YA release, I knew that I had to request it on Netgalley. This was such a brilliant read, Juno always has a way to grip you from the very first page and doesn't let you go until you finish. It was so good that I read it in less than a day. I found the story brilliantly written and well paced. I loved the reality TV concept of the story, it was very well done. Plus there was a great cast of characters. I will definitely be getting a physical copy when it releases so that I can read it again. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK children's, the author, Juno Dawson and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Welcome to the New Alliance – a reimagined world after a war and a flood. Taryn Beck and her family don’t have much, and her younger brother needs vital medication to survive. Medication they can’t access or afford. Taryn secretly enters Network G’s reality show: Starmaker, the most watched TV show in the world.
The rules are simple; young women from all over the globe compete to join an all-singing, all-dancing pop outfit, DOLLHOU5E. If you win, a life of luxury, stardom and wealth awaits . . . But there’s a catch. Eliminated contestants are literally eliminated; “volunteered” to Project Population, an initiative designed to cull the community.
Sequestered in the sinister Dreamhouse, and filmed 24 hours-a-day, Taryn soon realises that reality TV is far from real. She and her fellow trainees are pitted against each other in cruel challenges. Working with gorgeous boyband mentor, Cade, Taryn covertly plots to expose this brutal regime and destroy Starmaker from the inside.
Get ready for the performance of Taryn’s life.
🩵 Review -
I have enjoyed Her Majestie's Royal Coven series by Juno Dawson and when I saw that she was doing a new YA release, I knew that I had to request it on Netgalley. This was such a brilliant read, Juno always has a way to grip you from the very first page and doesn't let you go until you finish. It was so good that I read it in less than a day. I found the story brilliantly written and well paced. I loved the reality TV concept of the story, it was very well done. Plus there was a great cast of characters. I will definitely be getting a physical copy when it releases so that I can read it again. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK children's, the author, Juno Dawson and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Actual rating of 3.5 stars.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster and Juno Dawson for providing me with a free advanced reader copy. This is an honest review and the thoughts and opinions below are my own.
"The wind seems to howl. It's as if we're surrounded by the ghosts of every trainee who went before."
This was a promising book that delivered on an entertainment level. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and watching the story unfold. I think, when it all boils down, that I could not justify a lack of enjoyment for the more shallow nature of the writing, because this is definitely a YA novel. I think I was expecting harsher training conditions for the contestants, based on the description of the novel that I read when I applied for an advanced copy. That is not a failing on the authors part at all.
Unfortunately, introducing the FMC as having kissed girls and referring to herself as queer was a part of the story that didn't really make sense, for me. Not when the author created a secret romance between her and a male character for the second half of the book. It felt like it was ticking a diversity box and not actually adding depth to the character.
I can tell that this one will be popular because of the context of the story - Dystopian (Hunger Games) meets worldwide singing competition/quest for fame (This did stir up some nostalgic feelings, because TV shows like Popstar used to exist, where contestants would form a singing group at the end, and it wasn't one winner take all).
The ending was pretty satisfying. I won't say much (for spoiler reasons) other than it had the action and suspense it needed and enough of a conclusion that even though the author has hinted at a second book, it can absolutely be read as a standalone.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster and Juno Dawson for providing me with a free advanced reader copy. This is an honest review and the thoughts and opinions below are my own.
"The wind seems to howl. It's as if we're surrounded by the ghosts of every trainee who went before."
This was a promising book that delivered on an entertainment level. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and watching the story unfold. I think, when it all boils down, that I could not justify a lack of enjoyment for the more shallow nature of the writing, because this is definitely a YA novel. I think I was expecting harsher training conditions for the contestants, based on the description of the novel that I read when I applied for an advanced copy. That is not a failing on the authors part at all.
Unfortunately, introducing the FMC as having kissed girls and referring to herself as queer was a part of the story that didn't really make sense, for me. Not when the author created a secret romance between her and a male character for the second half of the book. It felt like it was ticking a diversity box and not actually adding depth to the character.
I can tell that this one will be popular because of the context of the story - Dystopian (Hunger Games) meets worldwide singing competition/quest for fame (This did stir up some nostalgic feelings, because TV shows like Popstar used to exist, where contestants would form a singing group at the end, and it wasn't one winner take all).
The ending was pretty satisfying. I won't say much (for spoiler reasons) other than it had the action and suspense it needed and enough of a conclusion that even though the author has hinted at a second book, it can absolutely be read as a standalone.
May 4, 2026
✨3.5 stars✨
I flew through this and overall had a fun time reading this. I really enjoyed all the mixed media we got in this book, especially when the makeover scene was happening and we got to see the outfits and hairstyles through the dolls. I always find that I gel well with Juno Dawson's writing and this was no different.
I think what let this book down slightly was the world-building and the inconsistencies. For example, Taryn used to live in Exeter but due to flooding has had to move with her family to a refugee camp in Scotland near the border. That's fine until we're told that Taryn is driven to Berwick to get her train to London. The Berwick that is closer to the sea than Exeter... So is it only the South-West of England that is flooded? Because it's not the whole of the South because she goes to London and that seems fine? They even mention driving on the M25. So if it's only the South-West or Exeter that is affected than wouldn't they have been able to build a refugee camp a little closer instead of having to go all the way to Scotland? Like I know I'm probably thinking to much about this, especially as on second glance the description on Goodreads calls this a "dystopian satire" which I didn't realise, but still this dragged me out of the story.
However, if you're looking for a fun read that has dystopian elements with a deadly singing contest to form a girl band then you might enjoy this. It's blurbed as being The X Factor meets the Hunger Games and I would add a sprinkling of Big Brother as well, so if that sounds appealing to you I would recommend. Just don't think too hard about the world-building and you'll be fine! I will still be reading the sequel and anything else Juno Dawson writes in the future.
I flew through this and overall had a fun time reading this. I really enjoyed all the mixed media we got in this book, especially when the makeover scene was happening and we got to see the outfits and hairstyles through the dolls. I always find that I gel well with Juno Dawson's writing and this was no different.
I think what let this book down slightly was the world-building and the inconsistencies. For example, Taryn used to live in Exeter but due to flooding has had to move with her family to a refugee camp in Scotland near the border. That's fine until we're told that Taryn is driven to Berwick to get her train to London. The Berwick that is closer to the sea than Exeter... So is it only the South-West of England that is flooded? Because it's not the whole of the South because she goes to London and that seems fine? They even mention driving on the M25. So if it's only the South-West or Exeter that is affected than wouldn't they have been able to build a refugee camp a little closer instead of having to go all the way to Scotland? Like I know I'm probably thinking to much about this, especially as on second glance the description on Goodreads calls this a "dystopian satire" which I didn't realise, but still this dragged me out of the story.
However, if you're looking for a fun read that has dystopian elements with a deadly singing contest to form a girl band then you might enjoy this. It's blurbed as being The X Factor meets the Hunger Games and I would add a sprinkling of Big Brother as well, so if that sounds appealing to you I would recommend. Just don't think too hard about the world-building and you'll be fine! I will still be reading the sequel and anything else Juno Dawson writes in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What if being voted off on the X-Factor didn't mean going home, but being put to death? Survival Show is a YA dystopian story about just that.
The author did a great job portraying the behind the scenes reality of this brutal TV show. While viewers around the globe see the glitter and glam, we see the exploitation and manipulation, and what happens when the cameras stop rolling. The story doesn't shy away from pointing out racism, fatphobia, transphobia and other forms of prejuice that are particularly prevalent in the world of celebrity and social media.
Each wannabe idol gets a makeover and is pushed into the stereotype the network chooses, whether they like it or not. Baby doll, rebel doll and so on become the personas they are forced to play. Unfortunately, this is where the book slightly missed the mark for me. Whilst I liked our protagonist Taryn, I didn't feel like we really got to know many of the secondary characters beyond a superficial level. It felt like the story was trying to comment on how girl group performers get boxed into specific labels, and never get seen or understood as individuals. Yet as a reader, we don't really get to know most of these girls either. Of course they are on a show where one of them is literally eliminated each week, but because I hadn't connected with them, those moments didn't hit as hard as I wanted them to. There's still a lot to like in this story, even if the characters didn't quite connect for me.
A dark, reality TV inspired dystopia that will appeal to YA fans of high stakes competition stories.
Thanks to Netgalley for the e-copy.
The author did a great job portraying the behind the scenes reality of this brutal TV show. While viewers around the globe see the glitter and glam, we see the exploitation and manipulation, and what happens when the cameras stop rolling. The story doesn't shy away from pointing out racism, fatphobia, transphobia and other forms of prejuice that are particularly prevalent in the world of celebrity and social media.
Each wannabe idol gets a makeover and is pushed into the stereotype the network chooses, whether they like it or not. Baby doll, rebel doll and so on become the personas they are forced to play. Unfortunately, this is where the book slightly missed the mark for me. Whilst I liked our protagonist Taryn, I didn't feel like we really got to know many of the secondary characters beyond a superficial level. It felt like the story was trying to comment on how girl group performers get boxed into specific labels, and never get seen or understood as individuals. Yet as a reader, we don't really get to know most of these girls either. Of course they are on a show where one of them is literally eliminated each week, but because I hadn't connected with them, those moments didn't hit as hard as I wanted them to. There's still a lot to like in this story, even if the characters didn't quite connect for me.
A dark, reality TV inspired dystopia that will appeal to YA fans of high stakes competition stories.
Thanks to Netgalley for the e-copy.
April 29, 2026
I have been a huge fan of Dawson’s wiring for years so when I saw that they had a new book coming out it was instantly on Pre Order and I was counting down the days until It was released so that I could dive right in and what a ride this book was, The Cover says that its “Hunger Games Meets X-Factor” and it is not wrong at all!
The world is different now, after the war and the flood that turned Taryn Beck and her family into refugees, shuttled away into "camps" and forgotten about, barely making enough to scrape by. And the little they do make barely covers the medication that Taryn's brother needs to survive. Enter "Starmaker," another "win or die" reality TV show from Network-G. "Starmaker" is THE most watched TV show in the world-a show that creates new idol groups from a carefully selected group of ten singer-dancer teenagers. You win? You get to be part of DOLLHOU5E. You lose? You get to be part of Project Population. Translation? You die; your execution televised for the entire world to witness.
What got from the very start was how incredibly realistic and possible it all felt and could really happen within any of our lifetimes because of events from our current political climate. Since finishing it I haven't been able to get it out of my head, I keep thinking how the jump from watching people suffer for our entertainment on reality TV to watching them die is not as big a leap as we might think it is.
This book was unlike anything I’ve ever read. Unable to put it down, I was completely hooked and totally unable to guess what was going to happen next. It was filled with action, drama and high stakes which kept me turning the pages.
The world is different now, after the war and the flood that turned Taryn Beck and her family into refugees, shuttled away into "camps" and forgotten about, barely making enough to scrape by. And the little they do make barely covers the medication that Taryn's brother needs to survive. Enter "Starmaker," another "win or die" reality TV show from Network-G. "Starmaker" is THE most watched TV show in the world-a show that creates new idol groups from a carefully selected group of ten singer-dancer teenagers. You win? You get to be part of DOLLHOU5E. You lose? You get to be part of Project Population. Translation? You die; your execution televised for the entire world to witness.
What got from the very start was how incredibly realistic and possible it all felt and could really happen within any of our lifetimes because of events from our current political climate. Since finishing it I haven't been able to get it out of my head, I keep thinking how the jump from watching people suffer for our entertainment on reality TV to watching them die is not as big a leap as we might think it is.
This book was unlike anything I’ve ever read. Unable to put it down, I was completely hooked and totally unable to guess what was going to happen next. It was filled with action, drama and high stakes which kept me turning the pages.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Simon and Schuester for sending me a proof of this book I am unbelievably grateful!!!
I really loved this book, it’s my second story by Juno Dawson and she doesn’t miss! In Survival Show we follow a dystopian setting around 30 years in the future where the south of the UK has sunk underwater meaning all southerners and now refugees in the north of the country. This world is run by billionaires, thriving on a dictatorship to make the poor poorer and the rich richer. Our main character Taryn enters a music show which if won offers a large cash prize and housing, which her family are in desperate need of as her brother dies of an illness they can’t afford the medicine for. However, in the singing show, those who make the final ten must compete to make it into the new girl band. But if you’re eliminated you are entered into Project Population where you are killed immediately.
This was an excellent dystopian story, extremely reflective of the current political state of the world, making the book all the more harrowing. I became completely immersed in this from the start, loving the concept and the characters! I loved how each character was given such depth, warring with the ideas of fighting the system or needing it to survive, fear of breaking out from it.
As the book went on I felt it lost a little momentum and I was a little underwhelmed by the ending, but I still absolutely adored the story. This was unique and different and tackled a number of important ideas around capatlism, mistrust of the media and more! I really recommend this book!!
I really loved this book, it’s my second story by Juno Dawson and she doesn’t miss! In Survival Show we follow a dystopian setting around 30 years in the future where the south of the UK has sunk underwater meaning all southerners and now refugees in the north of the country. This world is run by billionaires, thriving on a dictatorship to make the poor poorer and the rich richer. Our main character Taryn enters a music show which if won offers a large cash prize and housing, which her family are in desperate need of as her brother dies of an illness they can’t afford the medicine for. However, in the singing show, those who make the final ten must compete to make it into the new girl band. But if you’re eliminated you are entered into Project Population where you are killed immediately.
This was an excellent dystopian story, extremely reflective of the current political state of the world, making the book all the more harrowing. I became completely immersed in this from the start, loving the concept and the characters! I loved how each character was given such depth, warring with the ideas of fighting the system or needing it to survive, fear of breaking out from it.
As the book went on I felt it lost a little momentum and I was a little underwhelmed by the ending, but I still absolutely adored the story. This was unique and different and tackled a number of important ideas around capatlism, mistrust of the media and more! I really recommend this book!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was so much fun! Blending The Hunger Games with The X-Factor and the myriad of talent shows made for a thrilling, dark and compelling read. I've been a big fan of Juno since day one and have seen on instagram her musical loves and all of the pop culture references featured just screamed Juno in the most delightful way. It was so fun to pick out the little easter eggs, from Beyonce to Adele and so much more.
I also loved the darker tones of the book. We've known for a while now that those pushed through the talent show system and spat out the other end haven't always had it the easiest. It brings to mind images of Liam Payne, the stories that former X-Factor contestants have told about their time on the show, from racism to being told to stay firmly inside the closet, from bullying to being told to go on a diet in order to get to the live shows and make their dreams come true. I found it to be very thought provoking about what we will do for fame, the lengths we go to in order to achieve even a slither of it and what we sacrifice to get it.
Taryn as a narrator was so fun. Seeing her go from excited to get into the competition to wanting to lead a rebellion against the system that's catapulting her into the public consciousness.
All in all I adored this book and cannot wait for the sequel. Bravo Juno, bravo!
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my earc!
I also loved the darker tones of the book. We've known for a while now that those pushed through the talent show system and spat out the other end haven't always had it the easiest. It brings to mind images of Liam Payne, the stories that former X-Factor contestants have told about their time on the show, from racism to being told to stay firmly inside the closet, from bullying to being told to go on a diet in order to get to the live shows and make their dreams come true. I found it to be very thought provoking about what we will do for fame, the lengths we go to in order to achieve even a slither of it and what we sacrifice to get it.
Taryn as a narrator was so fun. Seeing her go from excited to get into the competition to wanting to lead a rebellion against the system that's catapulting her into the public consciousness.
All in all I adored this book and cannot wait for the sequel. Bravo Juno, bravo!
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my earc!
April 3, 2026
Thank you so much to SimonYA for the advance copy!
This book genuinely surprised me in the best way. Imagine X Factor meets America’s Next Top Model, but set in a hauntingly believable dystopian future. Set in 2070, the world as we know it has collapsed, and the atmosphere feels unsettlingly realistic at times.
We follow our main character, living in a refugee camp in Scotland after Edinburgh has been lost beneath rising waters. Her younger brother is seriously ill, and with no money for treatment, his fate feels inevitable. That is, until the opportunity of The Survival Show arises, an annual global competition where contestants fight for a chance at survival.
But the stakes are even darker: if they don’t make it through, they forfeit their lives to the company.
This is where the story really shines. The reality TV element adds such a gripping layer, the finalists are placed in a house under constant surveillance, with daily episodes broadcast to the world. It’s intense, dramatic, and at times uncomfortably close to our own obsession with entertainment and spectacle.
One of the standout aspects for me was the representation. It felt authentic and thoughtfully done, never forced or tokenistic, just naturally woven into the story.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, addictive read with strong dystopian themes and a powerful undercurrent of female rage, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
This book genuinely surprised me in the best way. Imagine X Factor meets America’s Next Top Model, but set in a hauntingly believable dystopian future. Set in 2070, the world as we know it has collapsed, and the atmosphere feels unsettlingly realistic at times.
We follow our main character, living in a refugee camp in Scotland after Edinburgh has been lost beneath rising waters. Her younger brother is seriously ill, and with no money for treatment, his fate feels inevitable. That is, until the opportunity of The Survival Show arises, an annual global competition where contestants fight for a chance at survival.
But the stakes are even darker: if they don’t make it through, they forfeit their lives to the company.
This is where the story really shines. The reality TV element adds such a gripping layer, the finalists are placed in a house under constant surveillance, with daily episodes broadcast to the world. It’s intense, dramatic, and at times uncomfortably close to our own obsession with entertainment and spectacle.
One of the standout aspects for me was the representation. It felt authentic and thoughtfully done, never forced or tokenistic, just naturally woven into the story.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, addictive read with strong dystopian themes and a powerful undercurrent of female rage, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Survival Show by Juno Dawson is my first 5 star book of this year, and I absolutely devoured it in 2 nights!
It's a not too distant future, and the planet is wrecked by global warming, war, political upheavals, and a mysterious group of 5 who secretly run the world. What's left of humanity do what we always do in times of crisis - turn to reality TV. And the hottest show is Starmaker - a distant relative of Dream Academy, American Idol and Squid Games, all in meshed into one.
We follow Taryn, an English immigrant forced to relocate after a series of devastating ecological disasters leaves the south of England in ruins. Impoverished and scrappy, she sees the only way to provide a better life for her family is to enter Starmaker, and become one of the 5 girls chosen to debut into the newest girl group. Fortunately, she really can sing. Unfortunately, if she doesn't make it, she's killed on live TV.
I adored this book. The worldbuilding feels really genuine, the characters well written and jump off the page, and the plot is fast paced and twisty. I wanted to inhabit this world, even if I really didn't want to be be part of it. Plenty of YA dystopian novels have been written, but Survival Show feels fresh, a new take on a classic genre. I am so excited to see what Dawson pulls off with her next novel!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's a not too distant future, and the planet is wrecked by global warming, war, political upheavals, and a mysterious group of 5 who secretly run the world. What's left of humanity do what we always do in times of crisis - turn to reality TV. And the hottest show is Starmaker - a distant relative of Dream Academy, American Idol and Squid Games, all in meshed into one.
We follow Taryn, an English immigrant forced to relocate after a series of devastating ecological disasters leaves the south of England in ruins. Impoverished and scrappy, she sees the only way to provide a better life for her family is to enter Starmaker, and become one of the 5 girls chosen to debut into the newest girl group. Fortunately, she really can sing. Unfortunately, if she doesn't make it, she's killed on live TV.
I adored this book. The worldbuilding feels really genuine, the characters well written and jump off the page, and the plot is fast paced and twisty. I wanted to inhabit this world, even if I really didn't want to be be part of it. Plenty of YA dystopian novels have been written, but Survival Show feels fresh, a new take on a classic genre. I am so excited to see what Dawson pulls off with her next novel!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2026
“In a world where seventy per cent of the population is starving, we’re being told to lose weight.”
Survival Show by Juno Dawson follows a group of young women in a dystopian future competing on a reality TV show to win a place in a new pop band.
But the twist is deadly: contestants who are eliminated aren’t sent home - they’re killed. As the stakes are raised, the competition becomes a fight for survival, where staying in the spotlight is the only way to stay alive.
Survival Show by Juno Dawson was billed as The X Factor meets The Hunger Games - and while that’s not far off, it’s not quite what I expected either. The focus leans much more toward the machinery behind reality TV - social media, manipulative producers, and men in suits - than on the actual deaths of the eliminated girls.
That said, it very much reads as a bold, unapologetic “fuck you” to the industry, which I enjoyed.
Taryn is a likeable main character, easy to root for, although her romantic arc felt a little rushed and slightly shoehorned in.
Overall, it’s a fun, slightly chaotic, and knowingly silly read, elevated by Dawson’s signature sharp and witty writing. I also have to mention how much I adore Her Majesty’s Royal Coven - and while this is a very different vibe, you can still feel that same voice coming through.
Survival Show by Juno Dawson follows a group of young women in a dystopian future competing on a reality TV show to win a place in a new pop band.
But the twist is deadly: contestants who are eliminated aren’t sent home - they’re killed. As the stakes are raised, the competition becomes a fight for survival, where staying in the spotlight is the only way to stay alive.
Survival Show by Juno Dawson was billed as The X Factor meets The Hunger Games - and while that’s not far off, it’s not quite what I expected either. The focus leans much more toward the machinery behind reality TV - social media, manipulative producers, and men in suits - than on the actual deaths of the eliminated girls.
That said, it very much reads as a bold, unapologetic “fuck you” to the industry, which I enjoyed.
Taryn is a likeable main character, easy to root for, although her romantic arc felt a little rushed and slightly shoehorned in.
Overall, it’s a fun, slightly chaotic, and knowingly silly read, elevated by Dawson’s signature sharp and witty writing. I also have to mention how much I adore Her Majesty’s Royal Coven - and while this is a very different vibe, you can still feel that same voice coming through.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Survival Show by Juno Dawson was an easy 5 star read for me. Honestly, I loved this so much that from now on, if she writes it, I’m reading it. No questions asked.
This is a dystopian thriller following Taryn, who is living in a camp after her home was swallowed by the sea. Her family has nothing, and her brother desperately needs medication he won’t survive without. In a last chance move, Taryn secretly enters Starmaker, the biggest reality TV show in the world.
Ten girls compete for a place in a pop group, where fame, wealth and luxury await the winners, but the five contestants who are eliminated are killed. Yes, literally. The stakes could not be higher.
This gave me X Factor meets The Hunger Games vibes and I was absolutely here for it. It was addictive, intense, brutal and impossible to put down. Big Brother is always watching, the people in charge are ruthless, and nothing is ever quite what it seems. I loved the twists, the tension, the world building, and the extra storylines woven through the main plot. There’s also a love interest that added even more to the story for me.
This book had me hooked from start to finish and I flew through it. Sharp, clever, dark and wildly entertaining.
Survival Show by Juno Dawson was an easy 5 star read for me. Honestly, I loved this so much that from now on, if she writes it, I’m reading it. No questions asked.
This is a dystopian thriller following Taryn, who is living in a camp after her home was swallowed by the sea. Her family has nothing, and her brother desperately needs medication he won’t survive without. In a last chance move, Taryn secretly enters Starmaker, the biggest reality TV show in the world.
Ten girls compete for a place in a pop group, where fame, wealth and luxury await the winners, but the five contestants who are eliminated are killed. Yes, literally. The stakes could not be higher.
This gave me X Factor meets The Hunger Games vibes and I was absolutely here for it. It was addictive, intense, brutal and impossible to put down. Big Brother is always watching, the people in charge are ruthless, and nothing is ever quite what it seems. I loved the twists, the tension, the world building, and the extra storylines woven through the main plot. There’s also a love interest that added even more to the story for me.
This book had me hooked from start to finish and I flew through it. Sharp, clever, dark and wildly entertaining.
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