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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
The moment I saw the blurb for Dark Room Etiquette I was ready to dive in. I have a rocky relationship with so-called psychological thrillers, but this book did not disappoint.
This is a brilliantly written, raw psychological thriller where we explore the journey that Saye goes on from having everything to nothing by being kidnapped and confined in a room. The idea itself is something that drew me in but the execution was amazing as well. We start by getting to know Saye who is a typical rich kid who is bored with his life. I think the only critique I have for this book is that it was initially slow and rather boring. It went the way most typically rich protagonists take their story but also the fact that Saye was bored of his life made me feel bored of it as well.
But things really take a turn once he gets kidnapped by a man who believes Saye is his son. It's the start of a great mystery because there are truly many times I questioned my own sanity and who Saye really was. The tension of what's going to happen to him, and how long will he be trapped there is really well built. I was thoroughly invested in it all.
From a psychological perspective, I love that the author was not afraid to write about dark, nitty-gritty things. In fact, you all should probably read the trigger warnings for this book, it does get rather intense as we progress. I don't know how much I can say without spoiling this book but the author gave us a very realistic portrayal of someone who is trapped with no hope. She explored the complex relationships he formed and how those around him were affected. The book explores how trauma can be different for many people and I think that's one of my favourite parts of this book. We also see how progress as a whole is not linear and it isn't simple to overcome your trauma once you're out of the situation. On a whole, this was truly well-researched and put together.
Also, the author's note had me crying, it was truly beautiful and shed some light on how the book came to be which I really appreciated.
I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who's looking for something dark or a psychological thriller that chills you to the bone.
Note: I was given an e-arc of this copy by the publisher but this does not affect my opinions or review in any manner.
This is a brilliantly written, raw psychological thriller where we explore the journey that Saye goes on from having everything to nothing by being kidnapped and confined in a room. The idea itself is something that drew me in but the execution was amazing as well. We start by getting to know Saye who is a typical rich kid who is bored with his life. I think the only critique I have for this book is that it was initially slow and rather boring. It went the way most typically rich protagonists take their story but also the fact that Saye was bored of his life made me feel bored of it as well.
But things really take a turn once he gets kidnapped by a man who believes Saye is his son. It's the start of a great mystery because there are truly many times I questioned my own sanity and who Saye really was. The tension of what's going to happen to him, and how long will he be trapped there is really well built. I was thoroughly invested in it all.
From a psychological perspective, I love that the author was not afraid to write about dark, nitty-gritty things. In fact, you all should probably read the trigger warnings for this book, it does get rather intense as we progress. I don't know how much I can say without spoiling this book but the author gave us a very realistic portrayal of someone who is trapped with no hope. She explored the complex relationships he formed and how those around him were affected. The book explores how trauma can be different for many people and I think that's one of my favourite parts of this book. We also see how progress as a whole is not linear and it isn't simple to overcome your trauma once you're out of the situation. On a whole, this was truly well-researched and put together.
Also, the author's note had me crying, it was truly beautiful and shed some light on how the book came to be which I really appreciated.
I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who's looking for something dark or a psychological thriller that chills you to the bone.
Note: I was given an e-arc of this copy by the publisher but this does not affect my opinions or review in any manner.
I would first like to thank Robin Roe & HarperTeen for a gifted copy of this novel. I loved Robin's other novel (A List of Cages) & I am honored to have received a copy of this novel to review. I had my eye on this book because it sounded perfect for spooky season. So I was ready to jump in when it found it's way to my mailbox!
Dark Room Etiquette follows the story of Sayers Wayte, the popular...but maybe not as well liked as he thought...rich boy of his hometown. Sayers is that teen whose family has all the money & the connections that come with it. He thinks that he is untouchable & that everyone exists in his world. Honestly, Sayers was very unlikeable in the beginning of this novel...he brought up thoughts of those types of kids from my high school days & although I was not targeted by bullies as a norm...it still made my skin crawl to hear of how Sayers & his group of "friends" treated others in their school & town. Everything changes when Sayers' gets lost on the dark backroads after having an argument with his friends at a diner far outside of his town. He forgot his phone as he rushed out of the diner after his rude actions caught up to him by way of a waitress pieing him in the face. Sayers gets turned around & lost rather quickly without the help of his phone & when his GPS cannot provide support. An unknown "mountain man" (as Sayers calls him) turns up in the dark to provide a helping hand. But this man has dark intentions & he kidnaps Sayers. Sayers wakes up in a room with a chain locked around his ankle. Of course, he is shocked but thinks it is a payback prank by one of the kids he & his friend group torments. He comes to find out that things are much more sinister than that.
From Robin's other novel (A List of Cages) I knew how much I enjoyed & appreciated her ability to write the emotions & thoughts of the characters. Dark Room Etiquette only made this appreciation grow. She has a talent for building empathy even for initially unlikeable characters. As Sayers realizes that the situation is much more complicated than he initially thought, Robin's writing helps you connect & empathize with Sayers in a way that is similar to how he begins to connect & empathize with his captor. It was amazing to see how Robin depicted the connection between Sayers and Daniel (the kidnapper) because that relationship is such a difficult one to explore. She did a fantastic job of weaving the complicities of both hating the person who is keeping you trapped, caring for them because they are the only interaction you have, & feeling scared because of their actions. I cannot imagine how confusing those emotions must be, but Robin helped to seamlessly navigate that web of feelings throughout this novel. I really enjoyed seeing Sayers' journey.
The most important part of this novel (in my opinion) is the highlight on hope & healing after traumatic experiences. Robin's author notes at the back of this novel speak very clearly about the importance of mental health & seeking treatment for those who need it. I appreciate her openness & honesty about her family's experiences & her own experiences with mental health & treatment. I did not know that Robin & I share a background in studying mental health. I have a Masters in Counseling & Development (specializing in Clinical Mental Health) & I have worked in inpatient facilities, outpatient facilities, & schools as a therapist for children & teens. It is hard to heal...it takes work. Not all treatment options are best for everyone...it may take some trial & error to find what works best for you on your journey. But I agree with Robin, there is always a way out of a dark room. Here's to the vulnerable but invincible.
Dark Room Etiquette follows the story of Sayers Wayte, the popular...but maybe not as well liked as he thought...rich boy of his hometown. Sayers is that teen whose family has all the money & the connections that come with it. He thinks that he is untouchable & that everyone exists in his world. Honestly, Sayers was very unlikeable in the beginning of this novel...he brought up thoughts of those types of kids from my high school days & although I was not targeted by bullies as a norm...it still made my skin crawl to hear of how Sayers & his group of "friends" treated others in their school & town. Everything changes when Sayers' gets lost on the dark backroads after having an argument with his friends at a diner far outside of his town. He forgot his phone as he rushed out of the diner after his rude actions caught up to him by way of a waitress pieing him in the face. Sayers gets turned around & lost rather quickly without the help of his phone & when his GPS cannot provide support. An unknown "mountain man" (as Sayers calls him) turns up in the dark to provide a helping hand. But this man has dark intentions & he kidnaps Sayers. Sayers wakes up in a room with a chain locked around his ankle. Of course, he is shocked but thinks it is a payback prank by one of the kids he & his friend group torments. He comes to find out that things are much more sinister than that.
From Robin's other novel (A List of Cages) I knew how much I enjoyed & appreciated her ability to write the emotions & thoughts of the characters. Dark Room Etiquette only made this appreciation grow. She has a talent for building empathy even for initially unlikeable characters. As Sayers realizes that the situation is much more complicated than he initially thought, Robin's writing helps you connect & empathize with Sayers in a way that is similar to how he begins to connect & empathize with his captor. It was amazing to see how Robin depicted the connection between Sayers and Daniel (the kidnapper) because that relationship is such a difficult one to explore. She did a fantastic job of weaving the complicities of both hating the person who is keeping you trapped, caring for them because they are the only interaction you have, & feeling scared because of their actions. I cannot imagine how confusing those emotions must be, but Robin helped to seamlessly navigate that web of feelings throughout this novel. I really enjoyed seeing Sayers' journey.
The most important part of this novel (in my opinion) is the highlight on hope & healing after traumatic experiences. Robin's author notes at the back of this novel speak very clearly about the importance of mental health & seeking treatment for those who need it. I appreciate her openness & honesty about her family's experiences & her own experiences with mental health & treatment. I did not know that Robin & I share a background in studying mental health. I have a Masters in Counseling & Development (specializing in Clinical Mental Health) & I have worked in inpatient facilities, outpatient facilities, & schools as a therapist for children & teens. It is hard to heal...it takes work. Not all treatment options are best for everyone...it may take some trial & error to find what works best for you on your journey. But I agree with Robin, there is always a way out of a dark room. Here's to the vulnerable but invincible.
This book had me riveted and drained me at the same time. Sayers has the perfect life: friends, money, a girlfriend who loves him. That all comes crashing down when he is kidnapped. What he thinks will end quickly becomes a daymare and nightmare all wrapped up in one. He begins to BELIEVE he is the son of his kidnapper due to the mental bashing he takes from Caleb. Will his daymare/nightmare end, even when he does escape? Has he lost who he was. There was the before, the after and the aftermath, having to discover who he truly is and how to live with the damage caused by his kidnapper.
I may not sleep for a while after reading this. This book packed a PUNCH. It should truly be 4.5 stars. Only gave it that rating because of the rawness and a couple of continuity issues, but other than that, just wow. Don’t read this book late at night. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.
I may not sleep for a while after reading this. This book packed a PUNCH. It should truly be 4.5 stars. Only gave it that rating because of the rawness and a couple of continuity issues, but other than that, just wow. Don’t read this book late at night. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.
Love that this thriller concentrated on the aftermath of the trauma victims. It was so interesting to see how different characters were affected.
I first heard about this book a month after it was published and was searching high and low for it everywhere. The relentless search was worth it because I couldn’t put down this book once I picked it up. It reminded me a lot of the movie “The Black Phone.” You go from absolutely hating the main character to truly feeling sorry for them. The writing style at first confused me with the sudden jumps from one “scene” to another but as the book went on it reminded me a lot of how our memory works when we look back at our past.
Unlike A List of Cage, I didn't care for the characters. I think the story was good as I wanted to finish it, but I never truly felt connected to the characters.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*Thank you so much to Robin Roe and NetGalley.
Dark Room Etiquette was out of my comfort zone but in a good way as thrillers aren’t normally what I read. This book is dark, twisted, and eerie. I loved almost all the characters, the relationships between them, and how they grew. I loved the conflict and how it was resolved. There were no loose ends and the ending was tied together very well and it wasn’t rushed. I loved the writing, the story, and how I felt like I was in it. Dark Room Etiquette is a great second novel and I can’t wait to read more from Robin.
Dark Room Etiquette was out of my comfort zone but in a good way as thrillers aren’t normally what I read. This book is dark, twisted, and eerie. I loved almost all the characters, the relationships between them, and how they grew. I loved the conflict and how it was resolved. There were no loose ends and the ending was tied together very well and it wasn’t rushed. I loved the writing, the story, and how I felt like I was in it. Dark Room Etiquette is a great second novel and I can’t wait to read more from Robin.