This book was phenomenal and it's most likely going to be on my top reads of the year list. That should tell you everything that you really need to know. I just hope that it finds its readers, because while I loved everything about it - it isn't your typical thriller - maybe more suspense bordering on horror if I had to label it. I thought it was absolute perfection! This is one of those books where you just need to trust the author and the ride that she is taking you on. It's a slow burn but completely worth it. I'm being deliberately vague because I don't want to spoil a single part of the reading experience. The homage to It by Stephen King, the look at the Evangelical church, the journey we go on with these characters...I loved every minute of it! I'm going to need to read everything/anything that this author writes after loving this book so much.

Readers who enjoy slow burning, suspenseful reads that completely suck you in need to give this book a try. She reminds me a bit of C.J. Tudor in the way her book straddles the lines between horror and suspense perfectly. Five stars and a book that I highly recommend!

A fabulous character-driven tale of friendship and coming-of-age, with a truly chilling villain. This was so different from Kurian's first book, NEVER SAW ME COMING, which I adored, so I was nervous going into it, but highly enjoyed this one. It reminded me so much of the 2017 It movie, in the best way, and I loved how each character was so fleshed out and we got to see pieces from all of their perspectives.

With the caveat of heavy themes of religious trauma, I would recommend for fans of sinister slower-burn, character-driven stories, with lots of povs. So grateful to Netgalley and Park Row for the arc!

Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for my ARC.
3 stars

I thought this was okay. It definitely had interesting points, but it didn't fully capture my interest.

This book was a bit different than what I would normally read and I really did enjoy it. There were a lot of supernatural elements though and at times I was a bit lost. The writing was atmospheric and you could really feel like you were in the settings. The story is told in two time periods and there were various POV’s. The main characters all had interesting lives and their connections to each other from the past really made the story connect. Overall I liked the book and the plot was interesting and multi layered.

I read another review that compared this novel to "It", and I completely agree. It had the same type of feel: be it the dual timelines, the flawed characters, or the struggle to defeat the "villain". I went into this one blind, and it did not end up being what I expected. I liked it, but didn't love it. It definitely was far too long, however, it did hold my interest throughout. 3.5 rounded up to 4.

"A Step Past Darkness" is a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With its intricate plot twists, well-developed characters, and intense suspense, it's a must-read for fans of the genre. The author masterfully crafts a world of mystery and intrigue, leaving readers eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth behind the darkness.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I loved this authors first book and was excited to get this one. The story started out strong but really dragged on and on. Overall and okay read.

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

Similar to other reviewers, I requested this one after absolutely loving her previous book, Never Saw Me Coming. I was immediately intrigued by the premise of A Step Past Darkness and was quickly hooked with the intense first handful of chapters, but coming in at almost 500 pages this one really lost my interest after a while. I definitely think books can be that long if warranted (The Reformatory for example), but for a thriller this was so incredibly unnecessarily long. Maybe if this was 150-200 pages shorter I may have really loved this one, but instead just felt meh overall after all of the very slow lulls in the story.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my review copy!

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!!