Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was a fun book to read. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. It was a bit predictable though.

I will read anything that Marisha Pessl writes!

This gothic story surprised me. It was atmospheric and intriguing, I loved the mythology weaved through the story as well.

Highly recommend this one!

I love a good mystery and although this had the bones to be a good one I found it lacking when it came to the characters and the plot.

For me to enjoy a great mystery I need the characters to be worthwhile when it comes to reading or a plot that is hard to put down and I am dying for the answers. I didn't get one of those from this book. I did like learning about the MC and how her childhood had been messed up and was still not in a great place currently. She definitely deserved to have something good happen to her. The mystery was intriguing at the beginning because their was so much mystery surrounding the games and the maker. I liked the bits and pieces we got, but it kind of continues on like that and I was tired of just the crumbs with little to no payoff.

I think that this author has a lot of potential though and would try another book from her in the future.

For starters, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC. All opinions are my own. Now, onto the review!

Trigger warning for child abuse and suicide. Please tread carefully.

So, I finished Darkly a while ago. Like, a while while. And I put off doing the review because for once, I wanted to ruminate on the story. Normally, I don’t find myself needing more than a few days to a couple of weeks but this one? This one I needed time for. When the story ended, I was, at least satisfied with a good read. That should have been enough.

It wasn’t. Because when I though the next day about what I’d rate it, I came up blank.

Darkly is a story about a boardgame maker who created these intricate and disturbing games that were incredibly rare and detailed. Think Hasbro but goth. And way more expensive. Stupid expensive.

There aren’t that many games left and the games’ creator is a mysterious woman who apparently took her own life at some point.

Our main character who works in an antique shop, loves these games. And the company decides they’re going to run a contest where a few lucky winners will get to take part in something grand involving the games. A mystery itself.

Of course, she wins. Her home life isn’t great, her mom is flighty and very bad with money, which you don’t want in someone who runs a store. Her closes friends are the older people who work the store. Friends her own age just don’t happen.

Except for one boy.

Here’s where my first qualm appears.

This book, while interesting enough to hold my attention at first, has a horrible romance. And I truly mean that. We see the main character at school with a boy she used to be friends with and they’re alone in the hall. They kiss, suddenly and out of nowhere, then don’t talk.

And it was so odd, I just couldn’t get over it. It was awful.

When she meets the other winners in London, there’s another boy, an heir or something. He owns a Darkly game, keeps it in a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist. And this boy ends up the love interest. And it’s just as awful honestly. She knows him all of 4 weeks and thinks she’s in love, even though he’s kind of jerk.

Issue one: any semblance of romance in this book is bad. It’s not fleshed out, the characters don’t make sense together, the writing for it is awful. If you think it’ll be good, it won’t be.

Next, and honestly, this will just encompass the rest of the book. The mystery was odd. And yes there was danger, there was intrigue, but now, looking back, the ending wasn’t satisfying.

All of the Darkly games have to do with the abuse that the creator went through as a child due to her mother leaving her at the library at night. And the librarian was a scary witch. Everything in the games was tied to her time spent in the library as a child.

But the way it didn’t seem to matter really bothered me. Yes, they discovered it but, it was just something sad. And it didn’t explain why certain people, and a law firm, had behaved the way they did.

Like I said, I sat on this review for a long time. Just thinking about the characters and the overall plot. And I’ve gotta say, while it’s wrapped in pretty packaging, it just doesn’t deliver once you really sit and think about it. The characters are wooden, the relationships don’t feel well done and also very few teenagers have the ability to express themselves this way. They’re basically small adults and don’t feel like the personalities of teenagers at all.

I’m giving this 2 stars. I just couldn’t really get around the issues I had once I closed the book. I’ve seen the author has written another YA novel but also adult. I may try her adult fiction next but as for her YA I think I’ll skip the next one. I can’t really recommend this one.

**Book Review: *Darkly* by Marisha Pessl**

Marisha Pessl's *Darkly* is an intoxicating psychological thriller that will grip readers from the first page and not let go. With a labyrinthine plot, eerie atmosphere, and an unsettling sense of suspense, *Darkly* is a must-read for anyone who enjoys mind-bending puzzles and dark secrets lurking beneath the surface. Known for her previous bestseller *Night Film*, Pessl proves once again that she's a master of creating addictive, atmospheric narratives that keep readers guessing until the very end.

The story follows Arcadia “Dia” Gannon, an ordinary teenager who is suddenly chosen for a prestigious internship with the mysterious, once-renowned game company, Darkly. Darkly, founded by the enigmatic Louisiana Veda, was famous for creating eerie, elaborate games that had a cult-like following. However, after Veda's mysterious death, the company has fallen into disarray, with its prized games becoming rare, highly sought-after artifacts. Dia, along with six other teenagers from across the world, is invited to work at Darkly’s dormant headquarters, where she becomes embroiled in a twisted game that blurs the line between reality and fiction.

What follows is a nail-biting journey filled with cryptic symbols, buried secrets, and increasingly bizarre puzzles. As Dia uncovers hidden clues about the company's dark past, she starts to question everything—who are the other interns? Why were they chosen? And, most unsettling of all, what happens if they lose the game?

Pessl’s writing is sharp, clever, and filled with eerie, atmospheric details that build a sense of unease from the very beginning. The labyrinth of puzzles and clues tied to Darkly’s games forms a central theme of the novel, and readers will find themselves hooked on trying to piece together the mystery alongside Dia. The characters are equally complex, particularly the other interns, each of whom harbors secrets that add layers to the narrative and further fuel the tension.

One of the strengths of *Darkly* is the way Pessl weaves together the themes of obsession, trust, and identity. Dia’s fascination with the game designer Louisiana Veda and her company slowly turns into something darker as she delves deeper into the mystery, raising questions about the nature of obsession and the consequences of diving too deeply into a world built on secrets and deception. The psychological tension is palpable, and the stakes grow higher with each turn of the page, as Dia realizes that the game she’s playing may have deadly consequences.

The book’s pacing is superb, with each chapter revealing new layers of the mystery while keeping the suspense high. The atmosphere Pessl creates is haunting and claustrophobic—set against the eerie backdrop of the deserted Darkly headquarters, with the interns confined to a space where every action seems to be part of the twisted game they’ve been thrust into.

With its clever writing, unexpected twists, and a thrilling psychological core, *Darkly* is a standout in the genre of suspense and thriller. It’s a book that will leave you questioning the nature of games, secrets, and the lengths people will go to uncover the truth. The final revelation is both shocking and satisfying, making it a thrilling ride worth every page.

The book seemed very interesting at first but unfortunately it didn't hit the mark for me. I found it a bit convoluted, the character development wasn't great, the games weren't described properly, taking away from all the power and influence they were supposed to hold, and the ending wrapped up too quickly in my opinion. Sadly, this one wasn't for me.

This was my third Marisha Pessl read, and I was definitely hesitant going in. I loved Night Film, was made deeply uncomfortable by Neverworld Wake and didn't know if this would be for me, considering the synopsis. Luckily, the dark board game/escape room vibes worked for me, the setting was totally vivid, and she managed to write an expansive yet distinctive cast of characters. This follows Arcadia who ends up getting an internship with the estate of an elusive board game designer. We quickly realize this will not be a normal internship as it will involve the dark and often dangerous games the deceased designer created. There's several more interns, all with secrets of their own, a love interest that's likable enough but not a good use of page space, and a lawyer who is very demanding and scary. Arcadia herself is the most interesting of these characters because the mystery itself does the heavy lifting. Everything feels high stakes, and everything reveals more about Louisianna Veda, the game creator who is now dead. The twists are good, and the book often read like an elevated Inheritance Games to me. I love young adult mysteries, and this feels unique while still relying on classic tropes and settings. There are Agatha Christie vibes for sure.

I do wish we spent more time actually in the games, as that's where there was the most tension. Still, I think that take is dependent on the reader. I think this will be loved by teens who love the popular YA mysteries of today and want something more. Marisha Pessl is one of a kind and I'm so excited for whatever she writes next.

I enjoyed this one! I've read all of Pessl's previous books and while this one wasn't my favorite, it was a really solid read!

Pessl's first book, Special Topics in Calamity Physics, has stuck with me, nearly two decades later; Darkly will be with me for a long time as well. Louisiana Veda, board game designer extraordinaire, has left behind a mystery - where is the last game created before she passed? Dia and 6 other uberfans try to solve the conundrum in this dark and twisty book. Meticulously plotted, I was on edge until the very last page.

Brava!

This is my third book written by Marisha Pessl. I really enjoyed Night Film and Neverworld Wake. She just excels in creating mystery and creepy vibes! This book's atmosphere did not disappoint! I've never read a book like it.

The main character, Arcadia "Dia" Gannon is a devoted fan of Darkly games. The designer, Louisiana Veda and the games have a cult-like following. The games are near impossible to find and hugely expensive. Arcadia fills out an application to become an intern with no real hope of being chosen and no idea what the internship details. Seven interns are chosen and most of the book takes place in dangerous and isolated place. It could almost be considered a locked room mystery.

The book has so many layers upon layers of games and intrigue, characters wonder what is real. The readers do too. I was really drawn into this world and worried for the characters. The publisher lists it for readers 14 and up.

Thank you to the publisher Random House Children's / Delacarte Press and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love Marisha Pessl, her books have gotten me through some dark times. I've read and re-read Night Film, and still can't believe how underrated it is. I was immediately excited to see a new book because it's been a while since Neverworld Wake. I was slightly disappointed to find it was another YA book, but I don't disparage young adult fiction. In fact, I consume lots of YA Romantasy, I just prefer my heroines a bit more..... seasoned, these days. Anyway, I'll read anything Pessl writes, and I loved her last book, which was also classified as YA. The premise is incredible, and I was really looking forward to this book. It was only available to read on one specific platform, though, and it's not the one I'm most comfortable with using. So I kept forgetting to check the shelf, and the book expired before I could finish it. I was heartbroken. I downloaded the book twice, but this specific app has time limits and then the material expires, even when it's downloaded. What I did read of the book was really good, and I hope to get a copy to finish soon. 3 stars

This was a book that seemed very interesting but I ultimately found to be overly convoluted and unsatisfying. My biggest issue with this book was that the games were described as being so powerful and mysterious, but we never actually got an explanation of what they _were_. I had a lot of trouble picturing what a Darkly game actually was and how it was possible it could hold so much power and influence. Because of this, I had trouble suspending disbelief for why people would go to such lengths to get one and this book did not work out for me. Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc!

The first 10% of this book drew me in so quickly. I really liked Dia and her chaotic life and was so interested in her chance to intern at Darkly. Dia arrives to England and meets another group of teens from all over the world who are also there to intern, when they soon realize, they were there to solve a missing person mystery as well as a maybe murder. I really enjoyed the atmospheric and dark world building as well as most of the characters. I did find it a bit convoluted as there are MANY people to remember and keep track of. I also found the ending to have been wrapped up way too quickly with not enough expansion on Dia's future story. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for this ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley, Marissa Pessl, and Delacorte Press for gifting this digital advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Arcadia, aka Dia, is a young woman who is tired of the day to day working at her family’s store when she gets an exciting internship opportunity at Darkly, founded by famed game designer Louisiana Veda. After Louisiana’s mysterious death and the halt of production, her games are comparable to rare art and expensive collectibles and have since gained a cult following. As Dia and her fellow interns soon learn, there is a bunch of mystery behind Louisiana’s personal life, her creations, and why they were chosen.

I have never read a book by Pessl, but now I need to. She has a way with words and imagery. Overall, I thought the book was intriguing and full of mysteries with a great twist at the end. But there were times when I would get lost/bored or irritated by Dia’s character. I would still recommend reading and I am considering placing it in my “revisit” pile to read again one day.

This book hooked me from the moment Dia and the other seven arrived on the creepy island. They had no idea what they were getting into when they applied for an internship, although the question they were asked to answer on the application should have been a clue that things were a bit off.

Everything centers around this woman, Louisanna Veda. She invented 28 super interesting board games, and the descriptions had me itching to play them myself. Our group is tasked with finding out something, which involves exploring a town and a decrepit factory and diving deep into Veda's life. As the name suggests, it is a bit dark, suspenseful, and full of intrigue and backstabbing. All while uncovering something that, if accomplished, could lead to a whole new life.
As each new piece was revealed I was sucked deeper not only into the story but into Veda's life and I didn't want to put it down.

Darkly is an engaging and creative novel that will appeal to fans of immersive storytelling and board-game inspired mysteries. The use of documents and mixed media enhances the immersive experience. While its fast-paced plot and intricate world-building create an exciting mood, the book falls short in terms of character development and dialogue. Some twists feel a bit predictable, but it's still a unique format and thrilling adventure.

This is one to grab if you love game-based thrillers with eerie, immersive vibes, enjoy books like The Maze Runner or Jumanji but with a darker twist, are into mystery mind games, characters with hidden motives, and appreciate endings that leave room for interpretation

Arcadia "Dia" Gannon has always been obsessed with Darkly—a game company known for its haunting, obsessive creations. But after its founder, Louisiana Veda, died under mysterious circumstances, the company shut down, turning its games into priceless artifacts. So when Dia—who has never won anything—gets picked for an exclusive internship with six other teens, she’s shocked.

From the moment they arrive, everything feels off. There are hidden symbols, cryptic clues, and a growing sense that they weren’t chosen at random. As they dig deeper, they begin to question everything—including each other. And by the final act, nothing will be the same.

This book hooked me. Take The Umbrella Academy, mix it with Jumanji and The Maze Runner, but make it board game-based and slightly sinister—that’s *Darkly.* Some readers wanted more depth in the game mechanics, but personally? I loved that it wasn’t bogged down in endless detail or too niche-y. It's what made the book accessible and fun for me to read.

Dia was an easy character to root for—an old soul with something to prove. And the twists? Let’s just say the last third of this book had my jaw on the floor. Some reviewers wanted a tidy ending, but for me, that open-ended uncertainty made it real. She's a teenager that embarking on life's journey and so many things are still unwritten for her. Life isn’t neatly wrapped up, and neither is Dia’s story. If you’re looking for a YA thriller that does something different, pick this one up.

Seven teenagers with internships to Darkly. An intense thriller that will appeal to YA readers. A mystery with acdeadly board game. Didn’t want to put it down.

I tried to get through this book multiple times. I started from the beginning and got as far as 35% through the final time I picked it up. I love the concept for this book, but I just can’t find the desire to continue reading it.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.