The Night Is Not for You

By Eman Quotah

Book Overview

" A] wonderfully chilling and entirely immersive feminist horror story." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

When her sense of safety is shattered, a young girl realizes she must become something untamable--even otherworldly--to find freedom, in this visceral coming-of-age horror debut.

She's a cautionary tale for children, "Come back before it gets dark."

A man's body is found viciously murdered behind a neighborhood corner store, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community. All the victim's family and bystanders want is to make sense of this brutal crime and move on with their lives. All Layla dreams of is freedom--to think for herself, go anywhere, and live an independent life.

She's a warning to men, "Don't wander the streets late at night."

When a second man is murdered, rumors fly of hoofprints and a woman with hair like black silk. Ambiguous messages in lipstick and sweet smell of perfume at the crime scenes causes the men to suspect the women around them. As Layla's world unravels, she realizes that if she wants freedom she must grow into the type of woman she's always dreamed of becoming. A woman with sharp instincts. A woman who cannot be tamed.

The night is not for you. It has always belonged to her.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316595810
• ISBN13: 9780316595810
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Run for It
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Interesting

I can understand why Layla would feel the way she does, growing up in a neighborhood plagued by mysterious murders supposedly committed by a woman with donkey legs and knives for hands, leaving behind hoofprints and the smell of perfume. How it and the after effects of curfews, areas blocked off or destroyed, and the fear that the Umm Al-Duwais might come after your father, lover, brother or son if they prove to be troublesome to women. As well as Layla's desire to become like the Umm Al-Duwais and take her vengeance on those who hurt her, or tried to take what didn't belong. I am pretty sure most women have thought that way one time or another. So, it was an interesting story in the regard. I do wish there had been more background on the folklore of the area where Layla and her family lived and grew up, more on the Umm Al-Duwais and her infamous reputation though Layla's experiences were intriguing, especially when she became serious about becoming a perfumer and how smells shaped her memories and experiences. It would be tough to live in her world and I was amazed at her strength when it mattered. I am glad I got the chance to read this view into another culture and a bit of their folklore and how it shadowed Layla's generation and how she dealt with it on her journey to find herself and freedom from the terror of men.