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

Reviews tagging 'Grief'

A Guide to the Dark by Meriam Metoui

11 reviews

pey333's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.0

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dundiesbooks's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

4.5

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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cboddie's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

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

2.5

8th & up

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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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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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oldandnewbooksmell's review

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dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

Trigger Warning: Mentions of death and suicide, drowning, grief

While touring colleges around the east coast and the midwest during their spring break, best friends Mira and Layla get stranded at the Wildwood Motel in Indiana after their car breaks down in a rainstorm. But something is off about their Room 9 assignment. Mira begins having haunting nightmares and visions of her dead brother, but Layla doesn’t see anything. Sure, the place is a little run down, but it’s got that small town feel Layla can’t wait to capture on her camera.

When they learn that eight people have died in that exact same room, they realize there must be something sinister going on - they just need to find the connection before Mira becomes the next.

This was a page turner for me that though I kind of knew what was happening, it was intriguing to watch the characters connect the dots. I seemed to only be a few pages ahead of them when it came to that, so it was fun to see that I was almost always on the right path. I also enjoyed the deeper dive into grief and how everyone handles it differently.

I loved the pictures included in the novel, especially when I would find something in them. My only problem was, and it may have been just because I was reading a digital ARC and it wasn’t formatted correctly, was that sometimes the photos that would be mentioned or talked about you wouldn’t have access to until a few pages later. Wasn’t a big deal, but it would have been nice to have the comparison within a page flip.

It was also nice to read about two Arabic Muslim teenage girls as the main characters. They talk about their different dialects, the differences between their parents, how they both practice their religion, and even the differences between the Arabic pronunciation of their name versus the English pronunciation.

Overall, this is a fun, keep me near the edge of my seat, YA horror read. I will definitely be recommending this to anyone who loves YA horror, as well as those who want a bit of a spooky read some closer to Halloween.

*Thank you Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for a digital advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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goatsinspace's review against another edition

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2.75

This is an intriguing horror mystery that weaves together elements of the paranormal, grief, and friendship in a captivating young adult book. Set during a college tour road trip, the story follows two Arab-American best friends, Mira and Layla, as they find themselves stranded at an eerie motel in Indiana. Mira senses something amiss in Room 9, haunted by nightmares of her deceased brother. On the other hand, Layla, preoccupied with her feelings for Mira, doesn't notice anything suspicious. As they uncover the motel's dark history and learn about the deaths that occurred in that exact room, Mira becomes increasingly at risk of becoming the next victim.

One of the strengths of the book is its portrayal of the complexities faced by Arab American teens with immigrant parents. The insight into their struggle to hold onto traditions in a foreign land while feeling disconnected from their mother country resonates deeply. The exploration of grief, stemming from the loss of a sibling and a parent, adds emotional depth to the narrative, although it may be challenging for some readers. It certainly was for me.

The use of black and white photos in the story enhances the eerie atmosphere and brings an artistic element to the book. The small-town setting contributes to the overall creep factor, adding to the mystery and suspense. It's important to note that A Guide to the Dark delves into darker themes and doesn't offer a happy ending. The horror elements and emotional depth make this a compelling yet unsettling read.

Overall, a thought-provoking and captivating tale that combines elements of ghostly mystery, horror, and coming-of-age struggles. It's a tough yet rewarding read that offers unique perspectives and leaves a lasting impact on the reader.

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bookishmillennial's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don’t like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. Thus, no stars doesn’t indicate that the book wasn’t worthy of any starred system. It just means I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Happy reading! Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial

Premise:
Mira & Layla are two besties who go on a road trip (they're from Michigan & were on their way to Chicago to check out colleges) when their car suddenly breaks down. They check into a motel into room number 9 one night and immediately notice that the room feels dark and creepy, especially Mira. Mira lost her younger brother Khalil about a year ago and her entire family is still deep in their grief.

Mira is bisexual and out, and Layla is also queer but is not out yet because she is sure that her Muslim parents won't accept her, even though Mira's parents are also Muslim and were "pretty chill" (Mira's description verbatim lol) about her coming out. Also, these two are in love with each other and it's really cute how they don't see it yet hahaha. I'm not usually a friends-to-lovers girly but this was beautiful.

They research the dark history of room 9 with Ellis, the boy who works at the motel with his mom, along with Ellis' friend/coworker Izzy and a mysterious man named Devlin, who has shown interest with the room too. There are black and white photographs (that I believe the author also took!) interspersed throughout the book, with inexplicable distortions on them, that the group catches onto later.

CW: death, grief, blood, loss of a loved one, homophobia, suicide

Thoughts:
Wow, I can't believe this is the author's debut - this was creepy, dark, and devastating! It is more of a quiet buildup towards the room's jump scares but the menacing tension and the fear that crept up, especially in Mira, sent chills down my spine. I don't want to give anything away plot-wise but I think that Meriam unraveled the story perfectly that it was mysterious enough to keep the reader wanting more. Personally, I zoomed through this because I had to know what our group would find out next, and how this would all end. Meriam fleshed out each of the characters slowly but thoroughly that even though I was well aware that there *may* be losses (hi, it's a horror novel, I'm not spoiling anything) and held that cognitive dissonance, I still ended up caring for and rooting for all of them to make it out.

I think people who say they "aren't into horror" or make fun of the genre need to give the genre one more chance, with a book like this! One of the many beauties of horror is the pull towards a renewed sense of hope and a reignited fight to take back your life, whether that's the literal or figurative. Meriam does this so masterfully in the way she presents Mira's journey especially. Horror stories pull nefarious, unnerving truths to the surface, and force our "final girls" to confront them in order to overcome whatever supernatural force threatens to harm them. This operates as a metaphor for overcoming our own fears, guilts, and perceived missteps. This book and these characters embody everything I love about this genre, and when people say, "it's not that deep," I'm like excuse me how dare you?! YES IT IS! EVEN THO *I* CAN BE FAKE DEEP, HORROR IS NOT, OKAY?!

Anyway, this book pulled at my heart strings, had me yelling "JUST KISS ALREADY!!" and made me cry. I am so impressed by Meriam and will absolutely read more from the author in the future!

Quotations that stood out to me:

Room Nine’s history was dark and rotten and had a way of sinking into its guests. Their deaths within it were unfortunate in the same way. They all came too close to the flame, and when that happens, the fire takes care of the rest. Tonight is no different.

Both times, Mira quickly quelled the tide of panic that threatened to flood over. I was a little in love with the way she laughed at the punchline of every joke I made before I made it because she knew exactly what I was thinking. God, I loved her laugh. I loved making her laugh. What a fleeting high it was to hear it.

True darkness. The kind that makes you doubt if your body has ever existed. Have you always been a voice suspended in nothing? Little by little, pieces take shape.

Maybe this charged quiet was of my own making.

I barely understood it, what it meant, what it made me. But the second I started to consider telling them about whatever it was I was feeling, things would change. They were good people. I loved my parents. They loved me. But their love wasn’t unconditional, no matter how much they wanted it to be.

Beneath the noise of their presence, the marks they’ve made in this room, there is a pulse, a tone, a tremor in the air. Something is building, simmering just out of reach.

"The ocean is moody and temperamental and can swallow you up whole if it wants to. We’re nothing to the ocean.”

I moved to the desk near the bathroom door, studying the small stack of books that Layla had left there. I was surprised to see that one was about two brown girls falling in love, a YA sapphic romance with a pink cover and two hands with intricate henna designs reaching for each other. Not that it meant anything. Layla read widely. I wouldn’t read into this. I wouldn’t.

I did *NOT* expect a Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar cameo in here, YASSSSSS

Mine were different. Old and new ideas mixed like two seas. The divide would always exist. Mine would be convinced it was a passing phase brought on by too much Western culture. As if this didn’t exist back home in Egypt. As if this were special to America. I couldn’t hate them for it. Generations of bias and ideology are hard to do away with, with one queer daughter. And who was I kidding.

I never did tell her. I texted her about my parents and swallowed back everything else I wanted to say, let it live in the pit of my stomach, let it bloom in that space until it grew vines inside every inch of me, wanting, pleading to be let out.

“Don’t let anyone tell you the only tattoos you should get are the ones that mean something. It’s bullshit. We’re all skin bags walking toward death.”

All I knew was that something I couldn’t explain was happening to me and knowing that it probably happened to countless other people did not feel reassuring. It only scared me.

My parents weren’t conservative. If anything, they were progressive. They were self-proclaimed feminists. They attended protests. They believed in free health care and gun reform. But voting for Obama twice wasn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card. They were kind and accepting and loved me and my sisters. But their love had limits.

"It’s the only perspective they’ve known. You spend your whole life being told something is wrong, filling it with shame and secrecy. Most everyone back in Egypt validates the very thing they’re telling you by shunning anyone that identifies as anything LGBTQIA adjacent. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy of hate. It would take a lot to fight against that.”
“Maybe you coming out to them could be that.”
I wanted to believe her, but I knew better.

I told Ellis how the ocean dipped. It wasn’t this consistent decline that got deeper and deeper. There were sinkholes and shifts and trenches and God knows what else. The ocean floor was its own beast, its topography dark and as temperamental as the water’s surface.

It didn’t feel better to share it, that wasn’t it. But I didn’t feel worse for telling him. Maybe only for bringing it all back to the surface for the first time since it happened. Like I was getting a taste of what it would feel like not to have to hide this all the time. Like maybe I was beginning to face what I had done.

Maybe all I did was look for the bad, the dark, the shadows. I would only find what I searched for.

Guilt lives best in secret, and here was mine for the world to see.

I am more than a thing you can burn.

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