One Day to Live

by Brendan Kage

366 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2025

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished One Day to Live a couple of weeks ago and originally planned to take a few days to reflect… but here I am, still thinking about it weeks later! This is the first psychological thriller that has truly lived in my mind rent-free.

It left me constantly asking, "What would I do?" The choices the characters made weren’t what I initially thought I’d make in their situation, but it’s made me question myself in ways I didn’t expect. That’s the kind of storytelling that sticks with you.

Cleverly written, utterly gripping, and packed with twists and jaw-dropping bombshells, this book had me hooked from start to finish.

I need Book 2 ASAP!

[Davinia Hinde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really interesting book based on the concept of what would you do if you knew you were going to die and how far would you go to live. It's based in the near future which I hadn't realised being a speed reader but makes sense now that's been told to me.

Great characters and it's a really gripping book that you don't want to put down and it's full of suspense and tension. It keeps you on the edge of your seat.

For me the chapters were a little long but that is a me issue and I'm sure other people wouldn't mind that.

I'm definitely going to look out for the others in the series and read them.

[Tracey Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast paced psychological thriller which kicks off right from the very first page when an unnamed man wakes up in a dark confined space, disorientated and with no memory of how he got there.
The story is structured around a countdown, with 24hours to solve the puzzle, only being given strange cryptic clues through a band on his wrist. What follows is a high pressure, unsettling situation. As time starts to run out the man, only known as number 36, is forced to make life or death decisions. I thought the idea of no character names and no known place setting was very clever. The anonymity gives the story an edge and makes for a very effective and unique style.
I particularly liked the Chinese whisper aspect, I was always thinking ‘is everything actually as it seems’ due to the fact that messages were getting passed on and could be getting distorted leading to false information being believed and then acted on, and things certainly get acted on in some brutal ways!

An absolute cliffhanger of an ending leaves you needing to read the next instalment and has left me thinking about what I would do in this situation.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down! So cleverly written and unlike anything I’ve read before. It really makes you think how you would react in that situation. Excited to hear of more books being released from this author!

[Debs Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping book from start to finish.. I could not put this book down. Each chapter kept me engrossed and wanting to read the next. Intriguing premise that forces the main character to make serious choices to help him survive.
A fantastic read, with twists and turns. The story definitely makes you ask yourself, what would you do in this situation! It plays with your mind about how you would cope and makes you question your own morals.
I would recommend this book.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a story quite like this and it was brilliant. Constantly trying to guess where it’s going and genuinely having no idea!
Cannot wait for book 2!