Reviews with content warning for Death - A Guide to the Dark

Obwohl es nicht ganz mein Genre ist, hat mir die Geschichte größtenteils gefallen. Vor allem, weil die Charaktere das Herz des ganzen bilden und real und nachvollziehbar wirken. Genau die richtige Mischung aus Herz mystery und minimalem Gruselfaktor. Ich mochte die Stimmen, obwohl die beiden Mädels recht ähnlich klangen und ich manchmal nicht sicher war, welche Person gerade erzählt. Ansonsten fand ich die verschiedenen Blickwinkel gut. + + + SPOILER + + +Nur der vom Raum hat nicht wirklich viel beigetragen und die super kurzen Abschnitte haben manchmal eher verwirrt. + + + SPOILER ENDE + + +
Ich würde gerne eine spin-off story von Layla und Mira hören, die keine Horrorelemente beinhaltet.

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theromanticace's review

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dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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kayladaila's review against another edition

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dark sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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anna_23's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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booktribe's review against another edition

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When I first started this book, I was incredibly excited for it. It’s one of my most anticipated releases of 2023! And the beginning of the book was great! It started off very creepy and mysterious! The character development was good. The exploration of grief in this story was very impactful. I loved the mixed media format and how photographs were included in the novel. And the chapters from the motel room’s point of view were so creepy, I was excited to find out what was going on! But sadly, I had to DNF at 55%.

After the first few chapters, most of the time this did not feel like a mystery or horror book. There was way too much emphasis on a romantic subplot and it really took me out of the story and bored me. There was more pining than mystery. I don’t usually mind if there’s a little romantic subplot in my spooky books, but the two main characters pining took over the whole story. It was interesting at first but it just got exhausting when the story wasn’t moving forward, it was just all about romantic thoughts. It also seems like these characters don’t really care about their lives! At one point they learn about all the deaths in the room, they know there’s something sinister going on, and they still choose to stay there! That is very unrealistic to me. At about 49% into the story I decided to put it down for a week or so to focus on books that I was enjoying more. I eventually picked it back up to read more, got to 55%, and I just have no motivation to finish. I kind of care what happens at the end, but not enough to read 45% more pining instead of mystery. Maybe one day I’ll come back and try to finish, but not today.

Someone that knows going into the story that romantic thoughts are a heavy focus of this story and that it’s more character driven than plot driven might have a better time with it. I was just expecting paranormal mystery with little to no romance. But if you enjoy romantic plots in your spooky books, this could be a good read for you!

Thanks you Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.

TW: death of a family member, car accident, drowning, parental neglect

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kaseycanread's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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mari1532's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I would like to thank Netgalley and RB Media for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I first heard about this book on Instagram and after reading the synopsis and a few reviews I was desperate to get my hands on a copy of this book.

Synopsis: Mira and Layla are best friends and high school seniors taking a road trip for spring break to check out the colleges to which they have applied. Visiting New York, and Nashville, they are headed to Chicago before returning home.

Mira's motivation for the trip is to help Layla make an impression with her dream university which has waitlisted her for their photography program while in Chicago.

Layla's goal is to get Mira out of the house and perhaps take her mind off her grief.

However, fate has different plans for Mira and Layla. When their car breaks down just outside the little town in Indiana they are forced to stay at the Wildwood Motel while Mira's car is repaired. When strange things start to happen to Mira the girls must solve the mystery of what is happening with the help of another hotel guest and a few hotel employees. As Mira and Layla begin to unravel the menacing history of Room 9 it might already be too late.

Thoughts: The last hour of this book was insane in the best possible way for a book with a mystery component. I sat with my mouth agape as the plot unfolded and I can honestly say that until events unfolded I had no idea what was coming.

This book is a bit of a slow burn with regard to the resolution of the mystery, but it did not feel as if the plot was dragging along to the resolution. The dual viewpoints of Layla and Mira's experiences really held my attention. I also really liked how Metoui was able to weave typical teenage worries with, the experience of being children of immigrant parents, and the struggles of coming into one's own. Layla and Mira felt three-dimensional and were well-constructed characters that you were rooting for throughout the book. It was also really great how in the audiobook they were each given their own voice actor. Both of whom really brought the characters to life.

If you enjoy suspense-filled, mystery books with teenage angst and a friends-to-lovers story arch I highly recommend this book.

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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I received an audio review copy from the publisher through Netgalley all opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book a lot. However, I found Layla a bit difficult to like at times. She frustrated me in certain situations with her reactions. I had mixed feelings about the ending, since what was the cause of the problems in the room was never entirely clear, which was a bit frustrating, but the final part was also very good. I liked the diverse characters and the thoughts on immigrant parents and how they kind of get stuck in time. The romantic element was predictable. I wish the book had been longer, which is rarely a feeling I have in these types of books. Overall, a pretty good book!
The narration was excellent.

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