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Survival of the Fittest
Maggie and Daniel have a modest but meaningful life together. She is a vet tech. He is an environmental lawyer. Both of them are fierce animal advocates. But after an ill-fated decision goes horribly wrong, Maggie finds herself seeking solitude. She finds it at an abandoned campground that she turns into her business. She wants people to enjoy the beauty of nature and the animals we share the planet with. As long as they do so without harming any of them.
There is no greater crime in Maggie's eyes than harming an animal, and anyone who even considers it meets a side of her that she didn't know existed until it needed to. Maggie has taken possession of the forest, and she will protect it by any means necessary.
The prequel to the short story of the same title featured in the anthology, Vacay & Vacation Nightmares by The Ladies of Doom.
There is no greater crime in Maggie's eyes than harming an animal, and anyone who even considers it meets a side of her that she didn't know existed until it needed to. Maggie has taken possession of the forest, and she will protect it by any means necessary.
The prequel to the short story of the same title featured in the anthology, Vacay & Vacation Nightmares by The Ladies of Doom.
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 19, 2026
3.5 stars. This had some really fun ideas. I loved our lead, Maggie, and, especially, her sinister ambitions. Very unique character and the actual way she was written was solid. There were a handful of plot points that needed much more context and/or clarification. Most notably, the background to Maggie and why she was so viciously triggered and psychotic about animals. Some childhood trauma or really disturbing experience or criteria was needed here, especially in the beginning, to make this all feel warranted. I also went back and tried to understand how she was able to take over a random campground and turn it into a small business, without purchasing it or having some legal rights. But I couldn't find the internal logic for it. Also, the fact that there were so many victims that paid to stay in her cabins, all with clear lines leading directly to her, which almost felt trivial, without more suspicion, also just didn't make much sense to me. I didn't mind the body horror, but it could have been scaled back a bit, in order to hash out some of the aforementioned plot points that were unclear. However, beyond those tidbits, I still very much enjoyed this horror experience from Courtney Capone.
December 20, 2025
For a debut author, this is impressively well done. It’s a short, quick read that you won’t regret picking up.
January 11, 2026
I loved this creepy little story. We definitely need more of Maggie and Dahmer. Thank you for telling people not to mess with the animals. Hopefully we see more Maggie in the future.
December 16, 2025
gore paired with vengeance-style justice
“Survival of the Fittest” by Courtney Capone is a brutal, adrenaline-fueled prequel to a story in Vacay & Decay, and WOW—this one packs a punch. From start to finish, the intensity never lets up. Maggie is an incredible character—strong, fierce, and unforgettable. This story delivers plenty of gore paired with vengeance-style justice that is both shocking and wildly satisfying. I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in one sitting. Dark, fast-paced, and relentless, this is a must-read for fans of savage thrillers and revenge stories.
“Survival of the Fittest” by Courtney Capone is a brutal, adrenaline-fueled prequel to a story in Vacay & Decay, and WOW—this one packs a punch. From start to finish, the intensity never lets up. Maggie is an incredible character—strong, fierce, and unforgettable. This story delivers plenty of gore paired with vengeance-style justice that is both shocking and wildly satisfying. I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in one sitting. Dark, fast-paced, and relentless, this is a must-read for fans of savage thrillers and revenge stories.
December 11, 2025
If you know Maggie from Vacay and Decay, you already know you’re in for a ride. If you don’t, no worries, you can dive into this one first. Just be prepared to end up wanting both books in your cart.
What happens when someone hurts animals and crosses paths with a woman whose entire existence is built around protecting them? Simple: it’s a full-on “fuck around and find out” situation, and Maggie does not disappoint.
Don’t wait for this book. Add it to your cart, read it, and for the love of indie authors, leave a review! Reviews keep these brutal, brilliant stories alive.
What happens when someone hurts animals and crosses paths with a woman whose entire existence is built around protecting them? Simple: it’s a full-on “fuck around and find out” situation, and Maggie does not disappoint.
Don’t wait for this book. Add it to your cart, read it, and for the love of indie authors, leave a review! Reviews keep these brutal, brilliant stories alive.
January 11, 2026
This was a fast, dark, and seriously satisfying read. The pacing is strong, the writing keeps you locked in, and the attention to detail makes everything feel sharp and intentional.
Maggie is a compelling, trauma-driven character, and as an animal lover, the revenge aspect hits in the best way. You’re firmly in her mindset the whole time, and the people she targets are easy to hate.
Dahmer the cat was an absolute standout—dark, twisted, and oddly hilarious, adding just enough humor to balance the heaviness.
Check your triggers on this one. But a full 5-star read for me!
Maggie is a compelling, trauma-driven character, and as an animal lover, the revenge aspect hits in the best way. You’re firmly in her mindset the whole time, and the people she targets are easy to hate.
Dahmer the cat was an absolute standout—dark, twisted, and oddly hilarious, adding just enough humor to balance the heaviness.
Check your triggers on this one. But a full 5-star read for me!
December 22, 2025
Chilling and intense, Survival of the Fittest is a fast, ferocious thriller. Maggie’s devotion to the wild takes a dark turn, delivering a sharp, unsettling read that lingers.
January 20, 2026
Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Survival of the Fittest by Courtney Capone
Let’s start with the author’s own trigger warning because honestly? Respect. Author is unhinged (correct, adored), no children or animals harmed (bless), and the rest is pure, unapologetic batsh*t insanity. Accurate. No notes.
I loved this book. Deeply. Uncomfortably. With that part of my brain that should probably be supervised. The reason this woman snaps and goes full feral? Yeah. I get it. I don’t think I personally have the stomach—or the prison tolerance—to do what she does, but reading it? Oh, my twisted little mind had a great time. Every stomach-turning, brain-melting, “how did we even get here” moment. And just when you think it cannot possibly get more inventively disgusting, Courtney Capone looks you in the eye and says, hold my beer. Which does make me wonder what kind of movies she watched as a kid. And whether therapy was ever suggested. 😅
Also—public service announcement—it’s usually the guy who picks the wrong fight. But picking a fight with a woman? Rookie mistake. Female rage comes with creativity. And time. And imagination that should honestly be classified as a weapon.
This story is not for people who wear fur coats without thinking, enjoy dog fights, or shock their dogs into silence. It’s also not for nice people with soft hearts and delicate stomachs. If that’s you: don’t walk away. Run. And maybe don’t go camping alone ever again.
I’m not saying much more because I refuse to be that person who steals the gore-soaked joy of discovering the horror for yourself. Spoilers are crimes here.
So why four stars instead of five? The ending. It hits fast. A little too fast. Enough to make me suspicious—in a good way—that there’s room for more. Or at least that my brain wasn’t ready to be done yet.
If you’re in the mood for revenge, punishment, and a secluded nightmare you absolutely did not see coming—welcome to this camping ground. Just… maybe don’t read it while camping. Or in the dark. Or while trying to convince yourself humanity is mostly good.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Survival of the Fittest by Courtney Capone
Let’s start with the author’s own trigger warning because honestly? Respect. Author is unhinged (correct, adored), no children or animals harmed (bless), and the rest is pure, unapologetic batsh*t insanity. Accurate. No notes.
I loved this book. Deeply. Uncomfortably. With that part of my brain that should probably be supervised. The reason this woman snaps and goes full feral? Yeah. I get it. I don’t think I personally have the stomach—or the prison tolerance—to do what she does, but reading it? Oh, my twisted little mind had a great time. Every stomach-turning, brain-melting, “how did we even get here” moment. And just when you think it cannot possibly get more inventively disgusting, Courtney Capone looks you in the eye and says, hold my beer. Which does make me wonder what kind of movies she watched as a kid. And whether therapy was ever suggested. 😅
Also—public service announcement—it’s usually the guy who picks the wrong fight. But picking a fight with a woman? Rookie mistake. Female rage comes with creativity. And time. And imagination that should honestly be classified as a weapon.
This story is not for people who wear fur coats without thinking, enjoy dog fights, or shock their dogs into silence. It’s also not for nice people with soft hearts and delicate stomachs. If that’s you: don’t walk away. Run. And maybe don’t go camping alone ever again.
I’m not saying much more because I refuse to be that person who steals the gore-soaked joy of discovering the horror for yourself. Spoilers are crimes here.
So why four stars instead of five? The ending. It hits fast. A little too fast. Enough to make me suspicious—in a good way—that there’s room for more. Or at least that my brain wasn’t ready to be done yet.
If you’re in the mood for revenge, punishment, and a secluded nightmare you absolutely did not see coming—welcome to this camping ground. Just… maybe don’t read it while camping. Or in the dark. Or while trying to convince yourself humanity is mostly good.
January 22, 2026
Survival of the Fittest first appeared as a short story in the kick-ass anthology Vacay & Decay. Now we get the prequel, and with it, the full backstory of Maggie. A woman with an undying love for two things as this opens: Daniel and animal rights. That passion is what eventually leads her to a very specific campsite.
As menacing as Maggie is, it’s Dahmer who ends up stealing the show. That cat has a sick little perversion for helping select the weapons, and honestly? I’m never looking at certain kitchen tools the same again. Thanks for that, Capone. Earlier today, while making a smoothie, I found myself staring at other appliances even the larger ones and wondering if they were safe from future carnage. Deep down, I already knew the answer, and that made me sad.
There’s a deeper message pulsing through this story: be kind to animals. If not, Maggie turns inward and the cruelty humans inflict is met with violent, symbolic payback. I kept thinking of the Friday the 13th series not because of the setup, but because of the anticipation. Once it starts, you wonder how far it’ll go. Can the next kill top the last? Capone hits the same vein here, except the revenge has more emotional weight behind it.
Maybe it’s because this prequel expands so much, but I didn’t pick up on the campy tone the first time around (no pun intended). This time? I was hooting along with Maggie and her toys. There’s a reason readers love this character she’s unhinged, sharp, and somehow relatable in the most disturbing ways. And one thing I’ve always known about a Courtney Capone story: the writing will be flawless. That holds true here. There’s a moment late in this story that caught me completely off guard, and from that point forward, it was a straight shot to a brutal, satisfying conclusion.
If this series continues, I might need to start locking my kitchen drawers. But if Maggie wants in, I already know that won’t help.
5 Gold Stars
As menacing as Maggie is, it’s Dahmer who ends up stealing the show. That cat has a sick little perversion for helping select the weapons, and honestly? I’m never looking at certain kitchen tools the same again. Thanks for that, Capone. Earlier today, while making a smoothie, I found myself staring at other appliances even the larger ones and wondering if they were safe from future carnage. Deep down, I already knew the answer, and that made me sad.
There’s a deeper message pulsing through this story: be kind to animals. If not, Maggie turns inward and the cruelty humans inflict is met with violent, symbolic payback. I kept thinking of the Friday the 13th series not because of the setup, but because of the anticipation. Once it starts, you wonder how far it’ll go. Can the next kill top the last? Capone hits the same vein here, except the revenge has more emotional weight behind it.
Maybe it’s because this prequel expands so much, but I didn’t pick up on the campy tone the first time around (no pun intended). This time? I was hooting along with Maggie and her toys. There’s a reason readers love this character she’s unhinged, sharp, and somehow relatable in the most disturbing ways. And one thing I’ve always known about a Courtney Capone story: the writing will be flawless. That holds true here. There’s a moment late in this story that caught me completely off guard, and from that point forward, it was a straight shot to a brutal, satisfying conclusion.
If this series continues, I might need to start locking my kitchen drawers. But if Maggie wants in, I already know that won’t help.
5 Gold Stars
December 24, 2025
Survival of The Fittest Courtney Capone
Review time! Excellent read! Unique!
An exhilarating ride with Maggie and Dahmer her twisted little kitty just like Maggie!
After a bad decision that goes horribly wrong as she and Daniel are avid animal advocates, she packs up as her mind just wishes for solitude, to be alone to sort through everything.
The incident was horrifying as she lost a piece of herself. Raw and emotional we move on to Maggie finding a campground, isolated and beckoning her with open arms.
Maggie immediately starts a plan, a business for others to bask in nature, leaving the real world behind for vacations, and time to reflect the beauty of Mother Nature. But not all people are like her. They do not respect what she has set out to do.
Some people have other intentions setting Maggie off into a plan of her own.
The simple rule. Do not hurt an animal. Period.
Dahmer a pretty little twisted kitty comes into her life when she needs it most. Comfort and love and a mutual understanding between these two.
Maggie’s finds herself dealing with the public and some twist her mind into rage and how could any one ever hurt, hunt, kill an animal!
Maggie begins to enjoy the Hunt, watching others as her blood 🩸 boils, as she protects the wild and innocent.
Five stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for quick paced chapters, for the stew made, and the twisted objects she uses, as she begins to weave her own way of doing things!
Capone writes with intensity! She flourishes in dark terror, gruesome deaths and a beautiful laugh afterwards.
Review time! Excellent read! Unique!
An exhilarating ride with Maggie and Dahmer her twisted little kitty just like Maggie!
After a bad decision that goes horribly wrong as she and Daniel are avid animal advocates, she packs up as her mind just wishes for solitude, to be alone to sort through everything.
The incident was horrifying as she lost a piece of herself. Raw and emotional we move on to Maggie finding a campground, isolated and beckoning her with open arms.
Maggie immediately starts a plan, a business for others to bask in nature, leaving the real world behind for vacations, and time to reflect the beauty of Mother Nature. But not all people are like her. They do not respect what she has set out to do.
Some people have other intentions setting Maggie off into a plan of her own.
The simple rule. Do not hurt an animal. Period.
Dahmer a pretty little twisted kitty comes into her life when she needs it most. Comfort and love and a mutual understanding between these two.
Maggie’s finds herself dealing with the public and some twist her mind into rage and how could any one ever hurt, hunt, kill an animal!
Maggie begins to enjoy the Hunt, watching others as her blood 🩸 boils, as she protects the wild and innocent.
Five stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for quick paced chapters, for the stew made, and the twisted objects she uses, as she begins to weave her own way of doing things!
Capone writes with intensity! She flourishes in dark terror, gruesome deaths and a beautiful laugh afterwards.
January 28, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **5-Star Review**
*Survival of the Fittest* by Courtney Capone is a sharp, unsettling horror novella that packs a serious punch for its length. Tense from the very first pages, it wastes no time pulling you into a claustrophobic, high-stakes nightmare where survival comes at a cost.
Capone does an excellent job building dread without overexplaining, letting the horror creep in through atmosphere, escalating danger, and the characters’ raw instincts. The pacing is tight and relentless, making it impossible to put down. Every moment feels purposeful, and the fear lingers well beyond the final page.
For horror fans who love fast, brutal reads with strong tension and a dark edge, *Survival of the Fittest* is a standout. Proof that a short novel can still deliver big scares.
If you get squeamish about popping eyeballs or adorable 🐈⬛ that have a special dietary palette this is the book for you. 🐈⬛ 👁️
🦛
*Survival of the Fittest* by Courtney Capone is a sharp, unsettling horror novella that packs a serious punch for its length. Tense from the very first pages, it wastes no time pulling you into a claustrophobic, high-stakes nightmare where survival comes at a cost.
Capone does an excellent job building dread without overexplaining, letting the horror creep in through atmosphere, escalating danger, and the characters’ raw instincts. The pacing is tight and relentless, making it impossible to put down. Every moment feels purposeful, and the fear lingers well beyond the final page.
For horror fans who love fast, brutal reads with strong tension and a dark edge, *Survival of the Fittest* is a standout. Proof that a short novel can still deliver big scares.
If you get squeamish about popping eyeballs or adorable 🐈⬛ that have a special dietary palette this is the book for you. 🐈⬛ 👁️
🦛
December 29, 2025
Holy gruesome horror. DO NOT EAT WHILE READING THIS BOOK.
Courtney is absolutely unhinged. Free warning at the beginning of this book and she means it!... I LOVE IT!. Horror is a new adventure for me but I had to pause and truly dig deep on whether I could keep going to finish this book.
It's a quick one day read and I absolutely love Courtney's questionable mental state while writing this.
4.5-5 ⭐ my gut is still trying to decide. 🫣
Courtney is absolutely unhinged. Free warning at the beginning of this book and she means it!... I LOVE IT!. Horror is a new adventure for me but I had to pause and truly dig deep on whether I could keep going to finish this book.
It's a quick one day read and I absolutely love Courtney's questionable mental state while writing this.
4.5-5 ⭐ my gut is still trying to decide. 🫣
December 18, 2025
Loved this book!!
After reading the short story in Vacay and Decay, I knew I needed more Maggie in my life! She is such a great character who has her code that she lives by and her expectations of those around her. If people would just do what is asked of them, everything would be fine.
I truly hope we get to see Maggie again! And Dahmer, of course.
If you are a fan of horror, make sure you read this one!
After reading the short story in Vacay and Decay, I knew I needed more Maggie in my life! She is such a great character who has her code that she lives by and her expectations of those around her. If people would just do what is asked of them, everything would be fine.
I truly hope we get to see Maggie again! And Dahmer, of course.
If you are a fan of horror, make sure you read this one!
December 23, 2025
This is one sick and twisted story and a reminder to everyone "don't f*** with animals ".
Maggie is at her finest with her ever growing array of kitchen utensils and a cannabilistic cat named "Dahmer" there is NOTHING Maggie won't do to protect "her" animals.
Although, at times it did have me questioning the authors sanity. It is a must-read for the animal lover in all of us.
Maggie is at her finest with her ever growing array of kitchen utensils and a cannabilistic cat named "Dahmer" there is NOTHING Maggie won't do to protect "her" animals.
Although, at times it did have me questioning the authors sanity. It is a must-read for the animal lover in all of us.
January 9, 2026
A prequel to a short story in Vacay & Dacay comes a debut story filled with action packed vengeance and brutality to those that harm animals. If you love gore, vengeance, action packed, animals, and fantastic writing than this is for you!
January 11, 2026
You don't hurt animals
A deeply dark and satisfying revenge story that taps into the fierce protective instincts animal lovers know all too well.
A deeply dark and satisfying revenge story that taps into the fierce protective instincts animal lovers know all too well.
January 14, 2026
DAHMER is the REAL MC! that is all 🐈⬛ ☠️
December 29, 2025
Just WOW! This story took a turn that I wasn't prepared for! At all! Maggie doesn't play around. If you love a good revenge story, don't miss this one! Karma won't miss!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Maggie is a force to be reckoned with. She loves her animals and will do anything to protect them. And. I. Mean. Any. Thing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella and cannot wait to read soooo much more from Courtney. If you enjoy this, check out her stories in the anthologies she is in.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella and cannot wait to read soooo much more from Courtney. If you enjoy this, check out her stories in the anthologies she is in.
January 1, 2026
Great vengeance style novella. If you're an animal lover and maybe prefer them over humans, then this one is for you! Its a little graphic, but I promise no animals are harmed. If you enjoy this novella, go read Ms. Capone's short story of the same name in the Vacay & Decay Anthology. Her short story follows Maggie and her next set of campers.
January 13, 2026
I absolutely love Maggie and Dahmer. I was beyond excited when I found out Courtney was putting out a prequel to her short story in the Vacy and Decay anthology. The second I opened to the first page the time flew by. I couldn't put this down. It's dark, twisted, morbid, gruesome, and disturbing. What kind of crazy would love it....ME!! I loved every freaking second of this. It was educational and pet friendly 😂. Maggie has me looking at kitchen gadgets completely different now. Who knew they had so many other ways to use them. These scenes are forever engraved into my mind. Be kind to animals or Maggie and Dahmer are coming for you.
February 11, 2026
“Survival of the Fittest” is a twisted, fast-paced story that will have you on the edge of your seat. Maggie is a complex character, extremely violent but with an obvious soft spot for animals. If I ever rent a cabin in the woods from a woman of her description, I will definitely be telling her that I’m a vegetarian and I will nervous sweat to death if I accidentally step on a bug. This book was unique with the use of kitchen gadgets. I won’t say anything more for fear of spoilers, but it was a clever idea. I could see this becoming a graphic horror film. 5 blood drops 🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸
December 9, 2025
This is the perfect prequel to the Vacay & Decay story. Maggie is brilliant in her pursuit of justice on behalf of animals. I cheered her on the entire time. Capone sets the perfect scene. I found myself dying to know what happens next. If you love a good vengeance story with a bit of gore, this is for you! Can't wait to read more from this author!
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February 20, 2026Dont dance by yr sin around
y must nt live the rule
dont hurt soul even animal that rule
call me kitty
call me hunter city
i will nt make y breath if y hurt fure that ma truth
my blood boil
fittnss my pic by y
nt if y hurt animal sule
call me kitty
call me hunter city
y must nt live the rule
dont hurt soul even animal that rule
call me kitty
call me hunter city
i will nt make y breath if y hurt fure that ma truth
my blood boil
fittnss my pic by y
nt if y hurt animal sule
call me kitty
call me hunter city
February 16, 2026
Be kind to all...
December 13, 2025
I loved reading Maggie's backstory. Survival of the Fittest is the prequel to the short story in Vacay & Decay. Maggie loves animals more than people and will do anything to protect animals, including eliminating the people who harm animals in a most gruesome fitting way.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews