What? A Step Past Darkness Is Like an Adult Stranger Things? Yes. In my review of A Step Past Darkness, I discuss how I really enjoyed Never Saw Me Coming, Vera Kurian’s first book about a female psychopath. But wow, she’s really mixed it up with this book. Plus I love the 1990s element. I admire an author who takes risks, so let’s discuss what she did and if YOU will like it!
Jen’s Quick Take on A Step Past Darkness
- A Step Past Darkness felt like an adult mash-up of The Breakfast Club and Stranger Things
- The book is a Friend Group Thriller
- There were a few paranormal elements, but I wouldn’t call it 100% paranormal
- It has a past/present narrative (very popular these days!)
- It’s also very long, at nearly 450 pages, but I wasn’t bored!
A Step Past Darkness by Vera Kurian
To be published on February 20, 2024 by Park Row Books
Click to Read my short Plot Summary for A Step Past Darkness
Something sinister lurks under the surface of Wesley Falls, and it’s not just the abandoned coal mine beneath it. During the summer of 1995, six high school students witnessed a horrifying crime during a party in the mine. They began to investigate what happened and soon realized that no one could be trusted. The six made a vow of silence, buried the evidence, and promised to never contact each other again. Their plan worked for twenty years. After that, one of their own gets murdered and the group heads back to Wesley Falls for answers.
Review of A Step Past Darkness
A Step Past Darkness was a crazy ride, but I think fans of (or those who look fondly back) on the 1980s and 1990s will love it.
The premise feels very Friend Group Thriller, as one member has to return to town after her mother dies and sends out an SOS to the rest of the group with some terrible news. One of their own has been murdered.
The action then goes back to the 1990s, when a random group of high school students is put together on a senior class project. Just like in The Breakfast Club, there’s an athlete, a nerd, a brain, a criminal, plus a psychic (no, there wasn’t a psychic in the movie!)
The group witnesses a terrible crime, tries to go to the adults in charge, realizes that would be putting them all in danger, swears a pact of silence, and decides never to speak to each other again.
But unlike the Breakfast Club, we find out what happened to them decades later!
What I Loved About A Step Past Darkness
A lot of books I read that are set in the 1990s just throw in a few references, but the 90s-set parts of the book felt really steeped in that decade. Diet culture, AOL, Blockbuster, Burn Books, megachurches and virginity pacts all brought me back to those days. If you love the 90s as much as I do, take my quiz!
I thought all the characters were interesting and well-developed from past to present day. To me, the key to a good friend group thriller is getting all the relationships right, and that was also handled really well, in both past and present.
At one point, the plot of A Step Past Darkness started leaning toward the wacky side, and I got worried. But if you like your mysteries to be rooted in the normal, not the paranormal, don’t worry. Yes, there were paranormal elements, but for me, it all worked.
If you’re a fan of Ashley Winstead’s books, like The Last Housewife and Midnight is the Darkest Hour, I think A Step Past Darkness will be a great fit for you.
Or if you enjoyed Stranger Things, because the vibe was similar: the friend group, the sinister small town, and the helplessness of a group of kids who is trying to set things right.
Let me know if you try this; I’d love to get your thoughts!
you almost lost me at the psychic but brought me back with this still being a logical book. this seems like a nice thriller book to try one of these days
“There was a logical explanation behind (most) everything. Just a hint of paranormal.”
I’m more of a paranormal gal, but I also love mysteries and Friend Group Thrillers, so I see no reason for not reading this (especially if it gets the relationships right!).
Hi Roberta and hope you are well!!
It does have a strong Stranger Things vibe, but I think there will be enough paranormal in there for you.
I loved all the friends and how they were all fully different and memorable. I did not like some of the random and convenient things that seemed to keep happening. That ending was so rushed and simplistic. Their plan just went completely perfect and all is well. Also- I felt there was a missed opportunity when they went to that other town. That little flashback they went on could’ve been so interesting. It seemed intentionally vague.
That is a good point. In that many pages, I think this all could have been accomplished. Still, I think her books are so interesting. Did you read Never Saw Me Coming as I think you’d like that!
I did read it & liked it. The M/C in that one was a tad annoying to listen to on audio though. Just some of her thoughts out loud we’re cringey haha. But it was an interesting idea!!