📷 Book Review 📷
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: A Guide to the Dark
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Miriam Matoui
📷
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook!

This book follows two best friends, Mira and Layla, who are on their college tour road trip during their spring break. Unfortunately, they end up getting stranded in a remote town in Indiana. The only place to stay is the nearby Wildwood Motel but their rooms are strange and have a history of sudden deaths.

I was waiting for this book to get better but it didn’t. I love hearing horror on audiobook but this felt more like a thriller. The audio wasn’t very creepy and the whole plot is so overdone. It was advertised for fans of The Haunting of Hill House and if you’ve read that book or watched the show based off of it, the whole concept of Room No. 9 in A Guide to the Dark is the same as the Red Room in Hill House. All I know or have been told about the characters boils down to Layla’s brother being dead and that Mira likes photography and is in love with Layla. Even less is known about the two other side characters. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this book, it was very bland.
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️

What a ride! The funny part of that line is that the story mainly takes place at the Wildwood Hotel and not on the road. Meriam Metoui does not let that stop them from giving us a thrill ride into our own darkness.

First let me address the cover and the great job that Aurora Parlagreco did. I love how they captured the story. The color stands out among the new releases. The cover drew me to the book before I even knew what the synopsis was; I wanted to read it.

Metoui gives us the main characters' voices, plus the voice of the force in Room 9. We get to hear the motivation and realize early on that there is no stopping it. There is only one way to defeat it and rarely do people tell the truth to themselves or are able to release the guilt they feel when something horrible happens that they have had a part in. The circle goes around and around and Room 9 needs to be fed.

A Guide to the Dark is an entertaining study of first love, grief, identity, and of course guilt. The supporting cast is just as engaging as our leads. I would actually love to see more of Izzy. I want another book starring her. Adding this event to her life adds even more to her story which would give a great foundation for another battle against horror.

Mira and Layla’s dance was at times painful to watch and head shaking. Conversations never had and then postponed. Grief handled and secrets kept hidden. It all comes out when you are fighting for your soul. I think the only thing I was disappointed in was that Layla didn’t immediately have Mira’s back. I get the logic of the answers, but their long friendship should have risen above that disbelief.

Vaneh Assadourian, Ariana Delawari, and Ramiz Monsef give us drama. At times there seems to be more accent in the tone than at other times. It threw me because I thought another character was talking, but it was still the main character. Monsef gives chills as the entity in Room 9.

A Guide to the Dark takes readers on a dark journey into our own truths and what we show the world. Room 9 just takes advantage of what we hide in the dark until it literally swallows us whole. This is the hotel pool you are dying to sit by this summer. (evil chuckle)

I enjoy when a book starts out with action, just jumps right into the thick of things. This book opens with the girls on a road trip and they immediately get into an accident because one of the characters sees an apparition, or is it? Things keep a pretty quick pace throughout the story and the audiobook flew by, clocking in at under eight hours.

There are two main characters, Mira and Layla. They're best friends and share a lot in common, so much so that it was difficult to keep their parts separate. I think they needed to be more distinct if the book was going to switch between points of view because their individual personalities kind of blended together.

I wouldn't say this is horror, it's more of a paranormal mystery. Most of the time it felt like if the girls just left the motel, they could continue on with their lives. They weren't trapped and Mira wanted to stay because she was working through her grief and guilt.

The ending took a turn that I didn't love and wasn't quite sure why it happened. I think it was more of a surprise factor than important to the plot.

Not a bad debut book, just not quite what I expected based on taglines.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Recorded Books and NetGalley for the copy.

Overall enjoyed this one! I wish it was a bit creepier, and I just wanted a bit more from both chracters ,but otherwise pretty good!

The plot was interesting, but the execution was bad. I don't like the writing and the characters are flat and boring. For a book that's supposed to be centered around grief, it felt emotionless.

This was an enjoyable YA horror! It definitely felt like it had true horror themes that were drawn from more mature content. I enjoyed the exploration of grief and what it can compel us to do. The book is diverse and the horror of the book is influenced by the lived experiences of the MCs.

The narrators were great, and it was fantastic to have three narrators for the story. The audiobook is produced well.

Narrated from multiple PoV, the story kicks off with 2 girls on a gloomy night, stranded on the street with their broken car. Finding a repair shop and a hotel to stay in for the meantime has been successful, but 'Room 9' is implying that eerie edge to it. There is something there that plays with your insecurities and fears.
A ghost or a shadow? Something is not exactly correct, and these 2 girls have nowhere else to go!

I loved the gothic feel of this book and that it played around with the idea of something unimaginable by not exactly clarifying if it's a spirit, a ghost, or a voodoo of some kind. It's just there! And that's creepy as hell to be unable to point your finger at it and explain what you are talking about.

Another angle that the book played well was the "coming out" phase of one of the characters. It was an underlying current that was tapped frequently throughout the story. Shows how often they think of sharing who they are, but situations, reactions and fears preseed them.

Overall, I liked the characters and even the story pacing, the plot was a bit mediocre, but the pacing kept things lively.

Thankyou @netgalley @meriammetoui and @torbooks for the digital ARC

Genre: #horror #lgbtq
Rating: 3./5 ⭐️

Oooh—I enjoyed this a lot! A small-town horror set in a motel with a haunted room ala The Haunting of Hill House is absolutely up my alley and I devoured this in two sittings.

Not only was this an intriguing examination into grief over the loss of a loved one and survivor guilt through a great horror lens, but a fresh queer take on romance from a Muslim perspective. Both girls are queer, one bi, the other lesbian, with families that aren't exactly accepting of their identities. It added a huge emotional layer to their characters and their teenage angst that I really enjoyed reading.

Thank you netgalley for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
This book is creepy as hell ! Even tough I had a suspicion about what would be the plot when I read the comparison with Nina Lacour,I was blow away by the way tension was built (even tough the book felt a little bit too much longer sometimes.) Mira and Layla are such distinctive yet alike characters,and it was impossible to not cheer for them.
The narrators were also very good,even tough were hard to understand the male narrator sometimes. The feeling I got was to be watching a movie,audiobooks can be so immersive like that. Really liked my experience with this book.

Mira and Layla are best friends spending their spring break on a college tour road trip when they get into a car accident in rural Indiana. The car repairs will take a few days, so they check into room nine at the Wildwood Motel. Almost instantly, Mira is creeped out by the room, but Layla, who wants to be a photographer despite her parents' wishes, thinks it's charming. Mira starts being haunted by her deceased brother, whose death she's still grieving. However, Layla can't see him and worries it's a side-effect of Mira hitting her head in the car accident. Although Layla may be too distracted by her romantic feelings for Mira, who's bi, and the fact that Layla's Muslim family wouldn't approve. As more comes out about their room's sinister past, Layla and Mira have to work to stop the room's dark forces before they're its next victims.

I really enjoyed A Guide to the Dark and finished it in one sitting! The atmosphere was creepy, it kept me intrigued, and Mira and Layla were compelling characters who each had their own emotional journey. This would be perfect for anyone who likes YA horror/thriller and sapphic/Muslim rep.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for giving me an early copy. All thoughts are my own.

weeeeeell… did i like it or not? that’s what you wanna know huh? was i scared? the answer is yes and no. yes, i liked it, no, i wasn’t scared. although, i’d classify this as a psychological thriller and not horror. there’s nothing REALLY horrific here. maybe a little graphic at times but nothing disgusting or extremely scary. and i get scared really easily so you know it was fine if i tell you that. i enjoyed the story, the mystery of the room and what it ended up representing at the end. the characters’ development was great and it was cleverly intertwined with the events taking place in the book. our 2 main girls felt like actual people with flaws and quirks and their romance was really cute but also well written. i just think that giving the room a POV made it less scary because you knew what was going on and knowing the thoughts of the “villain” usually makes them less scary and intimidating because you know it, it’s not some unknown thing. definitely not a horror book though, maybe more paranormal/psychological thriller and perfect for a gloomy day! also shoutout the audio narrators they were quite good!! 4⭐️

"A Guide to the Dark" by Meriam Metoui is a captivating YA horror novel that skillfully explores the themes of grief, guilt, and the intertwining of these emotions. Reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House," this book takes readers on a chilling journey set in a small town in Indiana, where a motel room becomes the epicenter of malevolence.

What sets this book apart is its clever use of multiple narrators, including the room itself. Metoui's genius shines through as the room becomes a unique and sinister voice, taunting the characters while they remain oblivious. The presence of Room 9 as a narrator adds an extra layer of tension, intensifying the already eerie atmosphere.

The story follows best friends, Mira and Layla, each grappling with their own secrets and unspoken desires. Mira yearns to pursue her passion for photography in Chicago, but family expectations hold her back. Meanwhile, Layla embraces her identity as a bisexual individual, navigating the complexities of acceptance. The book skillfully weaves together romantic tension and psychological horror, creating a truly engaging experience.

Metoui's writing delves deep into the complexities of grief and guilt, showcasing how the loss of a loved one leaves an indelible mark on the psyche of those left behind. This is not a mere horror story; it is a layered narrative that explores profound emotions and the lasting impact of death.
If you are a fan of Shirley Jackson's chilling tales or enjoy psychological and paranormal horror, "A Guide to the Dark" is a must-read. With its rich layers and depth, this book offers a captivating blend of suspense, romance, and profound themes. Prepare to be immersed in a story that will linger in your mind long after you've turned the final page.

For the publisher: the review wouldn’t post to Goodreads because an error with the ISBN so I posted the reviews separately in there. Awesome book! I hope it finds its ideal reader…well it found me (wink)

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had high hopes for this book; a sapphic horror taking place in a spooky motel, what's not to love? It was a fun read with the potential for a lot more depth than it actually had. Mira is wracked with guilt over her younger brother, who died by drowning on a family trip back to Tunisia. Layla is consumed by her unrequited? love for Mira, her best friend.
However, there is not much development past that. Mira and Layla's voices were not different enough from each other, and even though there were only two main characters I actually found myself mixing them up because their voices were so similar. The motel room was not nearly as creepy as I wanted it to be - most of the book was some teenagers going to the library and researching old town records. Not terribly exciting.
I wish there was more development between Mira and Layla. Mira was by far the stronger and more well-developed character, but I didn't believe in their relationship at all, even by the end.

All in all, an average read, but I love the representation - we always need more diverse sapphic literature. I'd be interested to read more from Meriam Metoui in the future.

When Mira and Layla are on an epic spring break road trip to check out colleges, someone steps out in the middle of the road. Their car is trashed so they make their way to the Wildwood Motel to wait for repairs. When they get to the front desk, they're told there's no vacancy, but are ultimately handed the keys to mysterious Room 9. And Room 9? It has a body count.

I'm going to be honest with you - this didn't work for me in several ways.

The meat of the story was about grief and uncovering how insidious it can be, how it can eat you alive. I don't want to go into much detail here but for me that was the interesting part of this book.

I had a huge problem with the relationship between Mira and Layla. Mira is out and bisexual. Layla is not and is desperately in love with Layla. And I can deal with a little mooning, I can even deal with discussing the very real threat of not being accepted by your family, but Layla's jealousy was too much. And it was all. The. Time.

If I had any other comments, it's that there were also a lot of author/book name drops to the point it felt like it was strange. A kid is reading The Raven Boys. Angie Thomas is a great author (she is, but why all these drops?), a Pierce Brown quote. A Neil Gaiman mention. It felt very cringey.

All in all, the story was fine but the other elements made this a strange experience. I also liked the audiobook narrators, but apparently there are photos in the final text (Layla is a photographer) and I think some of the photos may enhance the story, but perhaps not enough for a higher rating.

A Guide to the Dark by Meriam Metoui was one of the best books I read this year by far. I loved every second of this book and I can't wait to see what comes next from Meriam Metoui

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Guide to the Dark is an emotional YA horror novel dealing with grief, crushes on your best friend and a creepy hotel. I liked that the main characters were not perfect and some of their actions annoyed me, and then the author would remind me - they're just teenagers. I would have preferred just a bit more history behind the horror (tell me about the past visitors!), but overall the creepy vibe was there. Especially the chapters from the 'room' POV. The narrators were easy to follow and contributated a lot in my quick finish of the book! An amazing read for those long summer evenings

This is a fun, creepy and addictive ghost story. YA is not my usual genre, but the synopsis sounded interesting and I’m very happy that I read it. After a minor car accident, Mira and Layla are forced to spend the night in a creepy motel. Mira, who lost her brother, starts seeing things that can’t be there. With the help of the motel owner’s son and a few locals, both girls will have to figure out why so many people have died in their room, so that they can avoid becoming the latest victims. One of the reasons I’m not a big fan of YA is that it’s hard for me to like the characters. This was not a problem here, Mira and Layla are hiding secrets, some darker than others, but they are resourceful and strong. It was interesting to read about Muslim teenagers, their traditions and perspective, and I was rooting for them. Their dialogues are believable and organic. The audiobook performances by Vaneh Assadourian, Ariana Delawari and Ramiz Monsef are well done. Their voices did sound they way that I pictured the characters. The plot maintains the tension throughout and, even when you think that they are safe… well, they may not be. For fans of fast-paced mysteries.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#RB Media!

A Guide to the Dark is the story of two girls stranded on their way to check out colleges. The end up in a creepy motel in room 9, where a a bunch of people just happened to be murdered. As the mystery unravels a lot of secrets come to light, some secrets that should have stayed buried.

This book started off great. It had just the right creepy, spine-tingling vibe, but then I'm not sure what happened. Instead of Haunting of Hill House as the blurb claims, we went straight into what I can only describe as Scooby Doo, and not in the cute way either. By the time the ending rolled around for all the big reveals, the book had lost me. Also, Layla and Mira really started to grate on me after a while. Mira is riddled with guilt over her younger brother's death, and Layla can't stop ogling Mira. It gets tedious real quick.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Of the narrators, Vaneh Assadourian, Ariana Delawari, Ramiz Monsef, the one who read Layla was fine. The other two were just meh. One had a very halting way of talking that was very jarring. All in all, this book just wasn't for me.

Thank you Netgalley, rb media for the free ALC in exchange for honest review. Wow this was a really good, creepy, coming of age book. Appreciate the photos as part of the book and story it helped visualize the scenes and what the characters look like in eyes (hand) of the author.

This was a bit darker (tw suicide, death etc) then I was originally expecting and crazy creepy should have read during day rather then just before bedtime..

I think I would have enjoyed this one much more without the interstitial chapters. If it was just Layla and Mira working through their issues large and small and finding a way to come together despite the darkness that surrounds and separates them. Mira’s grief is a hugely important part of the story, but I felt like things didn’t wholly come together until we also understood her guilt. I also think we saw Layla in too much of a negative light throughout the story - we don’t see her being supportive really until the very end, and it feels almost like a reward granted for being chosen.

I was also more than a little shocked by Mira and Layla’s complete lack of self-preservation being alone in a small town in the Midwest when they’re women of color. Like, wandering around through the woods alone? No way. Taking a jog through a town you don’t know alone? No way. Not mentioning the fear or awareness you’d have in those circumstances?