A review by alenka
A Guide to the Dark by Meriam Metoui

dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.75

Still processing this one but it ultimately got under my skin as good horror does. The exploration of Mira's grief and complex feelings surrounding her brother's death and how to move on was very well done; I think it's the strongest through line in the book. I was at times a bit stymied by Layla's hesitancy to be honest about her feelings, but Metoui does a good job of laying out the complexity of her family's expectations, and how as Egyptian immigrants their need to be true to their culture inhibits their ability to openly accept their daughter. I think this falls just a touch short of fully, properly laying out Ellis' story? It's not quite sitting right with me but this is a horror novel - it's not supposed to sit right.