What do you think?
Rate this book
Red Eye
Cruel Castle
They thought the island was the end. It was only the beginning…
Having survived the horrors of Savage Island, Grady is now stuck working for Gold, the psychopath who masterminded the gruesome competition. Sent on a “team-building exercise” in a remote castle, he starts to plot his escape.
Ben and Lizzie are in hiding, presumed dead after escaping the island. If they’re ever to return to their families, they need to bring Gold down. So they secretly join Grady in the castle. But as the doors slam shut and the series of deadly challenges between them and freedom are revealed, it looks like history is going to repeat itself...
A RED EYE horror novel for teens, this gripping sequel to SAVAGE ISLAND is full of fast-paced action and gruesome twists and turns.
Having survived the horrors of Savage Island, Grady is now stuck working for Gold, the psychopath who masterminded the gruesome competition. Sent on a “team-building exercise” in a remote castle, he starts to plot his escape.
Ben and Lizzie are in hiding, presumed dead after escaping the island. If they’re ever to return to their families, they need to bring Gold down. So they secretly join Grady in the castle. But as the doors slam shut and the series of deadly challenges between them and freedom are revealed, it looks like history is going to repeat itself...
A RED EYE horror novel for teens, this gripping sequel to SAVAGE ISLAND is full of fast-paced action and gruesome twists and turns.
352 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2021
4 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Bryony Pearce
26 books188 followersBryony Pearce (formerly McCarthy) lives with her husband and two children in a village on the edge of the Peak District. She completed an English Literature degree at Corpus Christi College Cambridge in 1998 and afterward worked in the business-to-business market research sector. She went freelance in 2004 so she could devote more time to writing. Bryony was a winner of the 2008 Undiscovered Voices competition with her MG novel Windrunner's Daughter. Her first YA novel, Angel's Fury, will be published on 4th July 2011 by Egmont.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 1, 2021
It’s been six months since the Iron Teen Tragedy, something that readers of Savage Island will immediately recognise as PR spin. Only Grady, Ben and Lizzie know the truth about what really happened on Aikenhead, Marcus Gold’s private island.
While Ben and Lizzie have been in hiding from Gold, Grady has been working for him. For the past four months he’s been one of the participants in Gold’s graduate programme in London. When he learns he’s being sent on a team building weekend at Stowerling Keep, Gold’s castle in Scotland, Grady knows this won’t be any ordinary team building exercise. He is certain it’s going to be Aikenhead 2.0.
* Aanay, who seems too nice to have made it into Gold’s graduate programme
* Bella, a girl who uses her looks to manipulate others into doing her bidding
* Dawson, one of the “clones”, who won’t let anyone see what he’s written in the notebook he carries in his trouser pocket
* Iris, who doesn’t talk to anyone.
Of course, Ben and Lizzie aren’t going to let an opportunity to expose Gold’s nefarious deeds to the world go to waste. They may not have received a personal invitation from Gold to come to Stowerling Keep but that’s why infiltration was invented.
Savage Island was one of my favourite reads of 2018 and while many books I’ve read since then are now pretty fuzzy in my mind, my memory of it remains sharp. If I had to describe it in three words, it would be Survivor: Psychopath Edition. It felt fresh. It surprised me. I didn’t know where it was going. I’m all for gore in my horror and it gave me some “ew!” moments. I absolutely adored it!
Naturally, I was all in when I learned there was a sequel. I enjoyed it but it didn’t pack the punch of the original for me. In horror sequels I expect the body count to be higher, the deaths to be more gruesome and the twists to just keep on coming.
This sequel plays out in a series of escape rooms, which I’ve seen done so many times now, and for it to have given me the wow factor of the first book it would have needed to up the ante in a massive way. There is plenty of blood to paint the walls with, there’s bone crunching and some insides that are now your outsides action to look forward to but it felt somewhat tame to me when I compared it with Savage Island.
Told in four voices, Ben, Lizzie, Grady and another whose name I won’t mention because spoilers, I got a sense of what everyone’s state of mind was as we progressed through the ‘team building’. Switching up the perspectives also helped to propel the story along and provided opportunities for flashbacks to help explain the relevant backstories.
While I liked being able to get inside Grady’s head, I never really bought what was going on with Ben. If I hadn’t already encountered that explanation multiple times before, in books and movies, then it might have made sense to me but I’ve seen it done too many times (and usually not well) so I wasn’t as receptive to it here. This probably won’t be a problem for younger readers, who won’t have come across this or escape rooms as many times as I have.
It probably sounds like I didn’t have fun reading this book. I did, though, and I’m really looking forward to reading more books by this author. If anything, because I loved Savage Island so much, my expectations for this book may have been unreasonably high.
If a third book in the series is ever written, I’ll be there at the front of the queue to read it. I’d just hoped this book would be completely over the top (in a good way) like the first book was.
I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA horror. For context, though, and to understand what the three main characters have already survived, you’ll want to read Savage Island first.
Content warnings include mention of .
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Stripes Publishing, an imprint of Little Tiger Group, for the opportunity to read this book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
While Ben and Lizzie have been in hiding from Gold, Grady has been working for him. For the past four months he’s been one of the participants in Gold’s graduate programme in London. When he learns he’s being sent on a team building weekend at Stowerling Keep, Gold’s castle in Scotland, Grady knows this won’t be any ordinary team building exercise. He is certain it’s going to be Aikenhead 2.0.
Stowerling Keep. It’s going to make Aikenhead look like Disneyland.Accompanying conspiracy theorist Grady on this potential bloodbath are several of his fellow graduates:
* Aanay, who seems too nice to have made it into Gold’s graduate programme
* Bella, a girl who uses her looks to manipulate others into doing her bidding
* Dawson, one of the “clones”, who won’t let anyone see what he’s written in the notebook he carries in his trouser pocket
* Iris, who doesn’t talk to anyone.
Of course, Ben and Lizzie aren’t going to let an opportunity to expose Gold’s nefarious deeds to the world go to waste. They may not have received a personal invitation from Gold to come to Stowerling Keep but that’s why infiltration was invented.
Savage Island was one of my favourite reads of 2018 and while many books I’ve read since then are now pretty fuzzy in my mind, my memory of it remains sharp. If I had to describe it in three words, it would be Survivor: Psychopath Edition. It felt fresh. It surprised me. I didn’t know where it was going. I’m all for gore in my horror and it gave me some “ew!” moments. I absolutely adored it!
Naturally, I was all in when I learned there was a sequel. I enjoyed it but it didn’t pack the punch of the original for me. In horror sequels I expect the body count to be higher, the deaths to be more gruesome and the twists to just keep on coming.
This sequel plays out in a series of escape rooms, which I’ve seen done so many times now, and for it to have given me the wow factor of the first book it would have needed to up the ante in a massive way. There is plenty of blood to paint the walls with, there’s bone crunching and some insides that are now your outsides action to look forward to but it felt somewhat tame to me when I compared it with Savage Island.
Told in four voices, Ben, Lizzie, Grady and another whose name I won’t mention because spoilers, I got a sense of what everyone’s state of mind was as we progressed through the ‘team building’. Switching up the perspectives also helped to propel the story along and provided opportunities for flashbacks to help explain the relevant backstories.
While I liked being able to get inside Grady’s head, I never really bought what was going on with Ben. If I hadn’t already encountered that explanation multiple times before, in books and movies, then it might have made sense to me but I’ve seen it done too many times (and usually not well) so I wasn’t as receptive to it here. This probably won’t be a problem for younger readers, who won’t have come across this or escape rooms as many times as I have.
It probably sounds like I didn’t have fun reading this book. I did, though, and I’m really looking forward to reading more books by this author. If anything, because I loved Savage Island so much, my expectations for this book may have been unreasonably high.
If a third book in the series is ever written, I’ll be there at the front of the queue to read it. I’d just hoped this book would be completely over the top (in a good way) like the first book was.
I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA horror. For context, though, and to understand what the three main characters have already survived, you’ll want to read Savage Island first.
Content warnings include mention of .
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Stripes Publishing, an imprint of Little Tiger Group, for the opportunity to read this book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
August 30, 2021
So, firstly, I didn't realise this was book two of an on going series. I felt at a disadvantage because I didn't know the back stories.
Now I love horror films but this book made me sleep with the night light on. I'm still in two minds whether I want to read the first one. Hey, and I'm an adult. This is definitely not for the younger teens.
There are lots of twists and turns and a lot of violence. I guess I would recommend this book but be prepared for lights on.
Enjoy!
Now I love horror films but this book made me sleep with the night light on. I'm still in two minds whether I want to read the first one. Hey, and I'm an adult. This is definitely not for the younger teens.
There are lots of twists and turns and a lot of violence. I guess I would recommend this book but be prepared for lights on.
Enjoy!
Read
August 6, 2023Brilliant book, but not for the younger children
July 30, 2021
Savage Island messed me up pretty badly when I read it. This one isn't quite so bad; most of the characters are already psychopaths, so I don't have to worry about whether I'd do what they did in those circumstances.
The ending of Savage has been retconned slightly to allow for a new story, and from the ending of this one I'm guessing there'll be at least one more in the series. Bryony managed to raise the stakes very convincingly (I'm guessing she's visited a lot of escape rooms in her time.) I can't wait to see what's going to happen in the next one.
There's a few good twists I didn't see coming and some nice character moments. For a book with so much action, there are plenty of moments where people are talking and sharing parts of themselves.
I wouldn't read this without having read Savage first, but it's a fantastic follow up and I'm very excited for the next one.
The ending of Savage has been retconned slightly to allow for a new story, and from the ending of this one I'm guessing there'll be at least one more in the series. Bryony managed to raise the stakes very convincingly (I'm guessing she's visited a lot of escape rooms in her time.) I can't wait to see what's going to happen in the next one.
There's a few good twists I didn't see coming and some nice character moments. For a book with so much action, there are plenty of moments where people are talking and sharing parts of themselves.
I wouldn't read this without having read Savage first, but it's a fantastic follow up and I'm very excited for the next one.
April 30, 2023
Like most of the other books in the Red Eye series, Cruel Castle was a total binge read for me.
Being a follow up to Savage Island, it was cool to see some old characters return to fight for their lives once again. Cruel Castle also got a bit gorier with lots of blood splatter, bone splintering and a few grisly deaths.
I thought the idea to use a bunch of deadly escape rooms for the characters to survive, or meet their end, was a really good addition. It kept things interesting and the puzzles were well thought out.
If you've read any of the other Red Eye series and enjoyed them, you're sure to like this one.
If not, I'd definitely recommend giving Savage Island then Cruel Castle a read!
Being a follow up to Savage Island, it was cool to see some old characters return to fight for their lives once again. Cruel Castle also got a bit gorier with lots of blood splatter, bone splintering and a few grisly deaths.
I thought the idea to use a bunch of deadly escape rooms for the characters to survive, or meet their end, was a really good addition. It kept things interesting and the puzzles were well thought out.
If you've read any of the other Red Eye series and enjoyed them, you're sure to like this one.
If not, I'd definitely recommend giving Savage Island then Cruel Castle a read!
September 24, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. But after saying that, I don't know quite what to think or fully say about it. I guess somewhat I expected the sequel to be less violent amd gruesome than the first, though with no basis as to why. And in some ways it both was and wasn't. There were more 'on-screen' deaths in Cruel Castle. And to me, the plot and characters felt more complex than the previous book. A very enjoyable read, but not one for younger readers with a strong warning for violence, and language.l
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2021
What a page Turner! This book is a sequel and I didn’t read Savage Island before I read Cruel Castle and I now wish that I did!
It’s fast paced, scary and full of gore! It’s also open to another book if the author so wishes!!
I would recommend for ages 12+ as the violence & gore are pretty disturbing but it’s what makes this book so good!
It’s fast paced, scary and full of gore! It’s also open to another book if the author so wishes!!
I would recommend for ages 12+ as the violence & gore are pretty disturbing but it’s what makes this book so good!
March 5, 2024
In my last review, I mentioned that I got this book out the same day I finished 'Savage Island'. It didn't disappoint AT ALL, so good, loved the gruesome imagery and gore that was described so well it made me feel sick yet again! Honestly would be a dream to meet Bryony Pearce, to tell her how much I loved these two books of hers.
I definitely recommend this book.
I definitely recommend this book.
October 29, 2021
Really enjoyed this. I was sceptical at first that it may be a repeat of the Savage Island, but actually, with the different narrative perspectives, it kept this feeling fresh.
Will definitely be recommending to my Year 10 students, a good read for them with age appropriate content.
Will definitely be recommending to my Year 10 students, a good read for them with age appropriate content.
May 14, 2023
A brilliant sequel to Savage Island. I didn't realise it was the sequel until I started it. The story is still as grisley and I loved the escape rooms with a twist. I also enjoyed revisiting the characters from Savage Island.
June 25, 2025
3.5 stars. Not as good as Savage Island but still plenty of fun. And very gruesome! The whole Ben/Will thing was interesting and entertaining. Grady is as complex as ever and I appreciate that. Good ending. Perhaps set up for book 3?
Read
August 2, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Suicide
Suicide
December 21, 2021
Got so far through before finding out this was a sequel so had to stop and read the first one. The first one(Savage Island) as brilliant and this one was just as good.
January 4, 2023
A little bloody, but what can I say? I love the red eye series!
August 18, 2023
Savage Island has been one of my favourite books and to find out there was a second book made me ecstatic! Cruel castle was incredibly written and just amazing overall such an easy read with my dyslexia, and before I knew it I had finished the book. Both Savage Island and Cruel Castle are my favourite books of all time. Bryony Pearce has so much talent and I look forward if this series was to continue <3
August 5, 2021
Ben & Lizzie survived Savage Island but they are having to hide from their families just to keep the Machiavellian psychopath, Gold, ignorant of their whereabouts. Grady is working for Gold & secretly helping his former friends but when he is suddenly sent on a team-building exercise to a remote castle. Grady is suspicious of Gold's motives & he reaches out to Ben & Lizzie for help. Soon they are locked inside the castle with three other employees of Gold, & they have to navigate a series of lethal escape rooms to survive.
The follow-up to Savage Island is even better than the first book in my opinion as the plot & pace are tighter & keep the reader's interest fully engaged . I loved the deadly escape rooms theme & it was nice to catch up with some of the characters from the original. There are plenty of twists & turns as well as well as cut-throat betrayal , & as the violence quota is again quite high, I would definitely recommend both books for older teens. This is another thrilling read from the author.
Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, White Tiger Group/Stripes Publishing, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
The follow-up to Savage Island is even better than the first book in my opinion as the plot & pace are tighter & keep the reader's interest fully engaged . I loved the deadly escape rooms theme & it was nice to catch up with some of the characters from the original. There are plenty of twists & turns as well as well as cut-throat betrayal , & as the violence quota is again quite high, I would definitely recommend both books for older teens. This is another thrilling read from the author.
Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, White Tiger Group/Stripes Publishing, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
July 28, 2023
After being stunned and amazed at how savage Savage Island actually was, I had to get stuck into Cruel Castle straight away. I loved every minute of this brutal YA horror and although I was sceptical of how I would like Grady’s POV after the last book, I actually enjoyed this one more!
I was pulled into this escape room style sequel straight away and loved how it differed from the Hunger Games-style island approach in the first one. Grady and the other characters who have earned a place on Gold’s internship have to navigate through Stowerling Keep, Gold’s castle in Scotland. Only to find out if they escape the castle will they receive a promotion in the company. And it’s not going to be as easy as a team-building exercise like they thought.
I loved how each room had a different puzzle to solve in order to move on and escape. There is plenty of violence and tricky traps to keep the reader engaged. Pearce really doesn’t hold back with her descriptions of the gory game that plays out and as someone who doesn’t mind gore, I did squirm quite a bit! However, it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a book with this much bloodshed.
I’m such a big fan of multiple POVs so I was thrilled to find that Cruel Castle was told from a few different perspectives. It was very interesting to see how Lizzie and Ben’s characters developed from the first book, it was easy to see how much the ‘Iron Teen Tragedy’ affected them. Although I’m not the biggest fan of Grady, I loved being able to see into his mind and his way of thinking during everything going on.
Cruel Castle is the perfect twisty and gory sequel that you could ask for after Savage Island. I’ve tried not to include a lot of spoilers just so you can go away and read Savage Island first and get absorbed by the brilliantly thought out game as well as enjoying a little (a lot) of bloodshed! So if you have a strong stomach and have a love for horror, this is definitely the series you are wanting to read.
Rating 4.5/5
I was pulled into this escape room style sequel straight away and loved how it differed from the Hunger Games-style island approach in the first one. Grady and the other characters who have earned a place on Gold’s internship have to navigate through Stowerling Keep, Gold’s castle in Scotland. Only to find out if they escape the castle will they receive a promotion in the company. And it’s not going to be as easy as a team-building exercise like they thought.
I loved how each room had a different puzzle to solve in order to move on and escape. There is plenty of violence and tricky traps to keep the reader engaged. Pearce really doesn’t hold back with her descriptions of the gory game that plays out and as someone who doesn’t mind gore, I did squirm quite a bit! However, it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a book with this much bloodshed.
I’m such a big fan of multiple POVs so I was thrilled to find that Cruel Castle was told from a few different perspectives. It was very interesting to see how Lizzie and Ben’s characters developed from the first book, it was easy to see how much the ‘Iron Teen Tragedy’ affected them. Although I’m not the biggest fan of Grady, I loved being able to see into his mind and his way of thinking during everything going on.
Cruel Castle is the perfect twisty and gory sequel that you could ask for after Savage Island. I’ve tried not to include a lot of spoilers just so you can go away and read Savage Island first and get absorbed by the brilliantly thought out game as well as enjoying a little (a lot) of bloodshed! So if you have a strong stomach and have a love for horror, this is definitely the series you are wanting to read.
Rating 4.5/5
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews