Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In the shadowy corners of Wesley Falls, a town veiled in secrecy and marred by a past that refuses to stay buried, lies the heart of Vera Kurian's latest thriller, "A Step Past Darkness." This novel is not just a mere foray into the depths of a psychological thriller but an intricate dance across the delicate threads of time, weaving a narrative that is as compelling as it is chilling.

The story unfolds with six classmates, each a distinct brushstroke of humanity, who find themselves entangled in a web of horror one fateful night in the summer of 1995. The abandoned coal mine beneath the town becomes the stage for a crime that will sculpt their lives for the next two decades. From Maddy, the devout churchgoer, to Jia, whose visions blur the lines of reality, Kurian masterfully crafts characters that are not only believable but resonate with the reader's own experiences of fear, doubt, and the hunger for truth.

As the narrative splits between the past and the present, we are taken on a journey that explores the complexities of friendships forged in the fires of shared trauma. The pact of silence they form is a testament to their desperation, a vow that is as fragile as it is fierce. Kurian's prose is sharp, her insight into the human psyche penetrating, making "A Step Past Darkness" a book that not only entertains but also provokes thought and introspection.

The return to Wesley Falls twenty years later is a descent into a maelstrom of unresolved tension and unanswered questions. Maddy's murder is the catalyst that reunites the group, and the mine beckons once more, promising closure or perhaps, final damnation. The author's background in psychology shines through as she delves into the minds of her characters, exposing their fears and motivations with surgical precision.

Kurian's novel is a labyrinth where each turn could lead to enlightenment or deeper into darkness. With its rich 90s nostalgia, "A Step Past Darkness" is a time machine that transports you back to an era that feels both familiar and hauntingly foreign.

In conclusion, "A Step Past Darkness" by Vera Kurian is a triumph of the thriller genre. It is a book that will resonate with those who appreciate a story that challenges them to look beyond the surface and question the nature of truth and the bonds that hold us together. It is, without a doubt, a novel that should not be missed by any aficionado of suspense and psychological depth.

In the Summer of 1995, in the suburban town of Wesley Falls, 6 students go to a mine for a party and end up witnessing a terrifying crime. Maddy, Kelly, James, Casey, Padma, and Jia start to investigate on their own, because they feel like they can't trust anyone. Eventually, things escalate to a point where they decided that they need to go their separate ways and never speak again - for their safety.

This works until 20 years later Jia tells them that Maddy has been murdered and everyone needs to come back to Wesley Falls. It's time for them to face the past and end things once and for all.

I wanted to read A Step Past Darkness, because I had read Kurian's Never Saw Me Coming and it was one of my favorite books of 2023. However, if you're going into this book thinking it'll be similar, you will find that it's extremely different.

A Step Past Darkness is a thriller with a paranormal twist and I absolutely loved it. The 6 main characters are extremely likable and I thought it was fantastic that we got to hear things for each of their points of view. Kurian not only shares the present story, but gives us flashbacks to 1995 so we get the whole picture. Throw in a cult-like religion and this book could do no wrong.

I found myself fascinated from page one and that didn't stop until the very end. I was invested in not only the main storyline, but each character's life. Kurian did a fantastic job of developing the characters and making me feel attached every last one of them.

Now I must admit, in the past I haven't been the biggest fan of thrillers that don't tell you there's a paranormal twist in the synopsis, but this time it didn't bother me at all. I absolutely loved every aspect of this book and it just cemented the fact that Vera Kurian is an auto-buy author for me. I highly recommend A Step Past Darkness, you will not be disappointed!

A STEP PAST DARKNESS is throughout an immensely perturbing and disturbing novel. I strove the entire time reading it to think of an analogy, or to remember if I had read anything else that affected me this strongly. I still haven't recollected; but I know that this novel is unrelentingly terrifying, even when (occasionally) life seems normal, routine, and mundane. The immensity of the Human Evil [nudged and directed of course by That Which Is Beyond] is nearly to the extent of the inhuman evil! Of course, even if there wasn't something Beyond orchestrating the human minions, Human Evil would still be rampant. Almost the Evil Beyond is simply the excuse. Now, that's terrifying.

This was the first 5 star book I’ve read all year! I was captivated by the story and the different timelines! I loved the Stephen King like dynamic of the story and appreciated the interwoven plot. I had no idea going into this it would be supernatural but I was pleasantly surprised.

I believe you should go in to this book blind (for the most part) for the ultimate experience! I highly recommend this book!

I loved the author’s first book, Never Saw It Coming so much and I was so excited to read this one. It was very much on the long, slow burn side, and with all the characters I could not get into it. I thought it had a solid premise, and it started off strong but it just went on a bit too long for me and lost my interest.

Thank you to Park Row for the digital copy to review.

Would recommend for fans of…
🏚️ IT
🏚️ The Last Housewife
🏚️ Yellowjackets
🏚️ The Only Survivors

A Step Past Darkness follows a group of high school students who witness a crime and vow to never speak of it – or to each other – again. Until they are brought back together to investigate the death of their friend 20 years later.

Wow! This book was so much fun, which is a weird way to describe a horror thriller about the dark side of religion. But this book truly captivated me and is perfect for horror fans that are looking for a story with supernatural scares and strong character development.

Fair warning though, A Step Past Darkness is long (nearly 500 pages) and covers a lot of ground with seven different character POVs throughout two different timelines. But once you settle in and get more familiar with the characters and the rhythm of the story, you won’t be able to put it down. When novels have that many character POVs, I find that they can sometimes get muddled with one another, so I was especially impressed with the way Kurian was able to create a distinct voice for each of the characters.

The other thing I appreciated was the way Kurian blended supernatural elements with classic thriller tropes, adding just enough of a supernatural element to emphasize the horror of the story, but not so much to compromise the strong character and emotional development.The way Kurian used the supernatural elements really reminded me of Yellowjackets in a way no other book has. I’d definitely recommend it for fans of lite horror or supernatural suspense.

A Step Past Darkness is out now. Thanks to Park Row and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I'm being completely honest when I say I have absolutely no idea how I could even go about describing this book. The plot is just so uniquely spun and is amazingly shocking. Is it a thriller, kinda but it defenitly leans more towards occult horror, in my honost opinion.

Your given a group of 5 adults returning back to their home town because the loss of one of their friends. With sections of flashbacks to their childhood, showcasing the events that lead up to why they fled this corrupt sinister town to begin with. But the town is just as strange and church ran as it was 20 years ago. And you will never believe the extreme depths they have to go to, to escape their hometown hell.

The alternating parts between past and present really held my attention. I was relating to the adult realness and then jumping back in time with nostalgia of the 90's seeping in. It really was the best of both worlds.

The spiritual and church aspects held corrupt standards and the fact they were forced upon others or else was absolutely ick and completely disturbing. But it did build an amazing strength and friendship in this young group of kids that all came from different backgrounds each with their own beliefs. Really showcasing a lesson to always stand up for what you believe in no matter who your standing up to.

And the side romance plot had me kicking my feet, that was defenitly a connection I didn't know I needed!

If your ready to suspend your beliefs this one's defenitly for you!

Sending a huge thank you to Vera Kurian, @netgalley
and @parkrowbooks for the advanced invitation to Wesley Falls. I had the best time 🖤

This book is told in alternating timelines, starting in 1995 when six teenagers party at an abandoned mine and witness an unimaginable crime. When they turn to the town elders they are immediately dismissed. They take it upon themselves to investigate, only for it to end horrifically. Twenty years later a similar tragedy brings the group back to town and together again, however this time they are unwaveringly determined to get to the bottom of what’s happening in their community, still heavily influenced by the church.

I was surprised at how long this book was (over 450 pages!) but the pacing was decently good. All of the characters were well-written and I loved the echoes of horror, especially Stephen King's It. I have never read anything by this author before but I will definitely be looking into her other books now!

I was excited about this book because I read the author’s first one and loved it!

But this book fell short for me. The first half of the book was super slow for me and trying keep the timelines and characters correct took a little bit. I also had no idea where this book was going and ended up hating church by the end of the book. Lol

This story is borderline supernatural and was slightly hard to grasp the concept of what was going on and how it actually worked. But I will say that it was an intriguing storyline!

Thank youNetGalley, Harlequin, and author Vera Kurian for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I did not enjoy this one. I felt lost and confused for a good portion and once I figured out what was going on I just wasn't into it anymore.
Thank you for the advanced copy!

This was such a fun and thrilling book! I love how the storyline has "IT" vibes, and I'm always up for a cult theme! The story being told in different timelines and POVs was done well, and I didn't see so many of the twists and turns coming! So, so good!!

I couldn't get into this one. I know fiction is fiction, but this one was a little out there. I wasn't particularly drawn to any of the protagonists either.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this advanced copy of A Step Past Darkness.
I was not prepared for all the twists and turns this story would take! It was character driven yet a fully well paced suspense story. Add in a little bit of gothic mystery and I have to say this is one of my favorite reads so far this year!

3.5 stars

As someone who grew up religious I usually enjoy this type of trope because I can identify. This is a real slow burn story, but for me it started out really strong as we get to know the characters. I was invested in their stories and how they came together as friends. However it definitely starts to lose steam around the 2/3 mark and it begins to feel overly long (this clocks in at almost 450 pages which was completely unnecessary) which made to start dragging for me. Overall I did enjoy this one, I just think it would’ve been much stronger if it was edited down a bit.

Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this novel. I was sent this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Vera Kurian does it again!! Instead of college psychopaths we are following 6 teenagers in 1994 and 5 adults in 2015. This tale starts with Jia Kwon coming back to her hometown of Wesley Falls to help find a missing woman with her psychic powers and the dead women turns out to be Maddy Wesley, her family is the founding family of Wesley Falls. This story follows the present and past in order for the reader to learn about what happened and what lead to the events happening in the current timeline. Maddy came back to Wesley Falls to bury her parents she finds out her family left everything to the church. Maddy goes to the church and sees the man that her and her friends murdered the summer of 1994. Maddy finds out the truth and before she could tell the other Capstone 6, she was murdered by the very people that she knew from her old church. Jia goes to the church as well and has the same surprised reaction and calls the other Capstone 5 and tell them about Maddy's death. The Capstone 5 start to retrace Maddy's steps and discover a secret about the town that the church wants to remain hidden. Turns out the pastor is a creature that needs dead bodies in order for the town to continue to prosper and The Elders to continue to be richer. Turns out the current pastor is the son of Taylor who was a church girl like Maddy. The church called Praise Church is basically a cult and kids get thrown in the old mine in order to become sacrifices to the pastor. Jia and her friends get him into the mine after Jia tells him that she can free him. Jia and her friends end up killing him and the church ends up burning to the ground along with the rest of the town that ends up quickly abandoned.

Jia never quite fit into Wesley Falls, being one of the few Asians in town with her mom running a quirky new age store. That's why she bolted as soon as she could. But a surprising revelation about her family's psychic abilities pulls her back into the fold. Teaming up with the town sheriff, whom she remembers fondly from high school, Jia gets drawn into investigating a long-standing mystery triggered by the discovery of a body, setting off a chain reaction that spans two decades. Rallying her old gang of friends, who swore never to return to Wesley Falls, they delve into unfinished business from their high school days.

"A Step Past Darkness" might have been a hefty read, almost 500 pages long, but boy, did it pack a punch. Vera Kurian skillfully weaves a tale that keeps you glued to the pages, painting vivid scenes of the eerie setting and building suspense that's as thick as the coal dust in the town's mines. Switching between past and present, Kurian crafts a narrative that's part mystery, part coming-of-age drama, and part psychological thriller, leaving you eager for more. This gripping tale explores themes of ambition, manipulation, and the darkness that lurks within us all, keeping you hooked until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley and HTP for this ARC!

Jia has never fit in living in Wesley Falls. Not only was she one of the only Asians in town (her mom was the other one), but her mother ran a new age type of store. It's the reason she got out the minute she could. But what brings her back is that there's a little bit more to her mom's interest than just stones. It turns out, psychic visions run in the family.

Jia has been helping out the town Sheriff, who she fondly recalls from high school, for several years. When she's called back to help investigate a disappearance and happens on a body, one-time mean girl, Maddy, it sets of a chain reaction of events that has been 20 years in the making.

Jia calls six friends who swore they would never set foot in Wesley Falls again back home to finish what they started in high school.

It took me longer than usual to read A Step Past Darkness. It wasn't until I finished that I realized the book is almost 500 pages long (Kindle problems). While it was a long read, I will say it was meatier than most of the books in this genre. It wasn't just a surface story with twists and turns. We really got to know the 6 characters and were really a part of their story from beginning to finish.

Vera Kurian did a superb job really painting a picture of the setting and developing the suspense in the story. It kept my attention all the way to page 448. Special thanks to Netgalley and Park Row publishing for an advanced e-galley in exchange for my honest review. This one is out now.

A Step Past Darkness follows six students, thrown together for a group project, and the secrets they discover about their small town. Wesley Falls seems like the perfect place - except for the weird, cult-like church that determines everyone’s social status in town. The book has a dual timeline - the kids at school in the 1990s, and their return to their hometown in 2015, where they gather for the memorial of one their own. Told through each of the six characters’ point of views, the past leads up to how the six of them swear never talk to each other again, and how they finally reunite.

The book starts off normally, but the story quickly becomes bizarre - in the best way. There certainly is something strange going on at the church, but the supernatural twists are unpredictable. I enjoyed Vera Kurian’s first book, Never Saw Me Coming, but A Step Past Darkness is a lot more fun, if also more unrealistic. A suspension of disbelief is definitely required, but this kept me hooked until the end.

"Pretty much every kid in Wesley Falls still remembered the rhyme taught to them in kindergarten. Allegedly something the miners sang when they worked down there.

Once healthy men with eyes bright,
Tunneled down to eternal night
Slaved away for a bit of coal
Came back not quite whole
Lost souls are buried deep
Dig too far, you'll fall asleep"

I adored Kurian's debut, Never Saw Me Coming, so I picked this book up just because her name was on it. And this book is sooo different from that book, but just as good.

The book begins with Jia returning to Wesley Falls. She has visions and has remained friends with the police chief, a boy she went to school with. He has called her back to help find a missing girl. Then we switch perspectives and are in the past--Jia's sophomore year in high school and the capstone group she is assigned to. The grouping is strange--as so many class projects are--and the group is Jia, her best friend, a jock, a burnout, a devoted churchgoer and a bookworm. At this point I was kind of like, what the heck is happening here, but I kept going and wow, did it pay off. I loved this book. It was like The Breakfast Club meets a cult meets the horror movie The Descent. Megachurches and mines and small towns--oh my! I laughed during the book, I got teary eyed during this book, I got creeped out during this book--it was awesome. And now I'm dying to see what Kurian comes up with next.

At the time, I was interested in mystery/thriller books; however currently I am no longer interested in reading the book.