**3.5 STARS**

Content Warning: violence

I saved this arc to read for Fall and honestly after reading it, it was the perfect book for spooky season:

Likes:

+ There is a famous, mysterious game maker named Louisiana Veda. Her board games are rare and highly coveted. So when a chance to win one of these games presents itself to Arcadia Gannon, she takes it. The whole history and mystery about Louisiana Veda is very fascinating and interesting! It kept me hooked to the story because of the lore about her life and the unique games she created. It made me want to see one of these games in real life! The story is dark, and thrilling with some good twists.

+ There is a group of kids who are chosen for this internship but they realize their internship is actually an investigation! One person will win the grand prize if they can help the company who manages Louisiana’s empire with their quest – so who will win? Can these kids trust one another? There are many instances where I didn’t trust any of the kids and I liked that it kept me guessing.

+ I love the atmosphere and how spooky the island is where the kids have to stay during their quest. It’s the island where Louisiana Veda lived and her game factory which is all boarded up now. It’s dark, creepy and these kids are always trying to go in there in the dead of night. And speaking of creepy – the game itself where the kids have to participate – is straight out scary (if I ever had to encounter that in real life).

Dislikes:

~ There is a love triangle that wasn’t needed but since it’s there, I wish was more developed.

Final Thoughts:

This book was really entertaining especially because of the game-come-to-life concept and how dark the lore and history is about Louisiana Veda. I was intrigued from start to finish loved all the chills and thrills I had while reading this! You won’t find me playing Valkyrie haha, but I would definitely want to see these board games because they sound amazing. I hope there is a sequel to this book because I feel like there’s more to be explored in this fascinating world of Darkly!

For fans of: The House on Needless Street, The Bad Ones
Avail: Nov 26
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Genre: YA Thriller
Violence: 🪓
Spice: 🔥

Synopsis: It’s like a dream when Dia wins 1 of 6 coveted internships at mysterious board game company, Darkly. But dreams can easily morph into nightmares.

Thoughts: Words nearly fail me as I craft praise for this book, because it is so unique. Like if Willie Wanka were a Gothic horror novel. Or your favorite board game became an escape room peopled with all-too-corporeal spirits. Who might be trying to kill you. I was not sure what genre of book I was reading from moment to moment—mystery, thriller, horror, YA romance—and I loved it! While the plot is innovative, the characters are also richly developed. In particular, Arcadia “Dia” Gannon grabbed me from page 1. She is an old soul in a 17-year-old’s body, quirky in the best possible way, her vintage-clad shoulders carrying the weight of running a store & caring for the two old dears employed there as her flighty mother wafts about. She is the perfect heroine for this darkly Gothic tale. And for those writing nerds out there like me, Pessl is one the most skilled practitioners I’ve read at beginning “en media res.” In other words, she doesn’t plod along with details on how the character got from here to there. She throws us in the middle of the action. The end result? A well-paced novel that’s a treat to read.

"Darkly" is a beautifully crafted novel that immediately draws you in. Its intricate storytelling weaves a captivating tapestry of mystery, leading you into a world where every subtle hint promises a rich and complex narrative waiting to be discovered. This book is an adventure.

The captivating cover and skillful execution make this story truly remarkable. The fast-paced plot immerses you in the mystery of a missing boy, Louisiana Veda's mysterious past and troubled upbringing, the ominous Derringer Street, and the enigmatic layers of secrets, all building an atmosphere of escalating suspense. Each twist and turn will keep you spellbound. The conclusion, coupled with all the tension and relentless action, will leave you eager to delve back into the mesmerizing world of "Darkly." I already miss it.

I will say that the integration of the game within the narrative adds an enthralling layer, making it one of the novel's standout features. Perhaps my favorite part!! The games are depicted so vividly that you'll wish to experience them yourself, evoking the allure of a "secret club" and casting an enchanting spell over the story.

My only con is that I still have questions and wish for a little more from the ending. The twists were great, but maybe another chapter before the "epilogue" would have bumped this into a five-star read for me. Despite this, this book is still incredible, and I hope it reaches a wide audience. Despite this being more YA, I do not doubt that many will absolutely devour this book. I know; I'll definitely be reading more from Pessl.

4.25 -4.5 stars, but rounding down.

🖤✨

Thank you to the publishers at Random House for providing me with this ARC—all thoughts are my own. Be sure to dive into "Darkly"—you won't be disappointed. It was such a fun and unique read! The publication date is expected to be November 26, 2024.

Let me just start this review by saying I love board games. So, when I saw an arc for a thriller that involved complex board games, I was sold. And, then the board game descriptions made it seem less like a board game and more like an escape room in a box that you could try multiple times. And, I disliked how this board game designer is described as ‘revolutionizing board games’ when we barely hear about these board games, and the rule books seem more like storybooks than rulebooks with how long they are. This part of the story was really frustrating, especially when I was excited to see a book representing the board gaming community.

The characters were also not great. They didn’t feel like actual teenagers, and Poe was not very likable. We are told he is a genius, but his insights were sometimes painfully obvious, like deducing that someone who stole from a famous person might not have liked her. Also, all the characters introduced themselves to one another, and I don’t know if I’ve ever read a more obnoxious introduction than Poe’s. And, none of the other characters really made much of an impression.

The plot was pretty meh, and I don’t feel like there was a lot of logic behind it. There were a lot of parts that left me confused, and not in a good way. And, I also couldn’t tell if the world was supposed to have magic or not. Some things didn’t seem easily explained by logic, but the book seemed to be set in a world without magic.

I was really excited for this book, and it was pretty disappointing. Maybe I’m just not the target audience for this book, as others have enjoyed it. But, from the perspective of a teenager, a board gamer, and a lover of a good thriller, I was not impressed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read another fantastic book by this author in exchange for an honest review. Though I really enjoyed Night film I enjoyed this one even more. Similar to Night Film, I had no idea what was going on for a large part of the book and I certainly wasn't smart enough to put all the pieces together. Despite this, I couldn't stop reading. I loved seeing how the story came together and it was so imaginative and fun! I really want to go back and reread it knowing the ending to see what was hidden along the way that I wasn't smart enough to catch. This author is definitely becoming an auto read for me.

Dramatically interesting and impressive tale of horror and mystery with a super interesting tale and unique score. very interezting.

Super good! Would read it again., thanks to the publisher & author for the ARC copy! Loved the main characters! The suspense and not knowing what was going to happen next.

I’m still giving this 5 stars even though there are a few flaws. I found the story very interesting and novel. Really kept my interest.

I agree with some reviewers that some of the characters lacked depth. Not sure why there were seven participants, fewer would have worked and those could have been more developed.

I disliked how both love interests were WASPy pretty boys. I mean really? It’s 2024, let’s get creative. Those characters are very 1980s.

And as a veterinarian, I have to point out the irresponsible pet ownership on display. 😂

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

In her latest YA novel, Darkly, Marisha Pessl takes us on a gripping journey through a world of games, secrets, and unexpected betrayals. From the very first page, I was drawn into a mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.

I thought Darkly was brilliant, especially for fans of Pessl's earlier work, Night Film. Just like its predecessor, this novel is filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Pessl has a knack for blending psychological depth with thrilling plots, which makes this book hard to put down.

As a high school English teacher, I appreciated how accessible the writing is for younger readers while still delivering all the excitement that older readers crave. The characters are richly developed, and I found myself constantly trying to figure out who might betray me—the reader who loves and trusts them—by the time I reached the end.

Pessl’s vivid descriptions create an immersive atmosphere that pulls you deeper into the story. With her sharp wit and engaging dialogue, Darkly is a must-buy for anyone looking to escape into a captivating world of intrigue and suspense. Don’t miss out on this fantastic read!

PHENOMENAL READ!

I love everything about this book from the very start. Author, Marissa Pessi, is an eloquent writer who drew me deep into the characters, their backstories, and the mysterious Darkly Universe!
Character development, story complexity, continual non-stop mayhem! I also loved that every few chapters there was a picture or letter adding to the complexity of the story as it progressed. I found myself excited when a chapter ended and the next started with a little glimpse into the bigger picture.
I did not want this story to end! In fact I was pleasantly delighted when I thought the book was concluded after a chapter, but the chapters kept going and I am so glad they did as WOW! What an ending!

The premise sounded like something I’d be into, and while I was invested in the story, I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. I still gave 4 stars because I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would! It’s a page turner for sure, and I would recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I think I'm settling somewhere around a 3-3.5/5. This book was fun and easy to read, but it really had a lot more potential.

Starting with the pros: the setting, the idea of Darklys, and Valkyrie itself. I thought the locations the gang visited were interesting and well-defined, lending to the overall vibe of the story. I enjoy board games and video games, so the thought of playing a Darkly seems intriguing - but an immersive one like Valkyrie would be quite cool.

And the cons: there was far too many instances of cut to black, then being told what happened in retrospect. It was overused and wasted almost all the tension that the story tried building. It got to the point that I was never worried about the MC if she found herself in a precarious position at the end of a chapter, since it inevitably would cut to half an hour later where everyone's totally safe and discussing the crazy thing that just happened. The characters also all blended amongst each other by the end: we were given caricature of each person, which then was either obnoxiously over-blown or totally forgotten about within a few pages. Dia's introduction was the worst of them all, we hear about how much she likes to dress like an old person, act like she's from another generation, and is called "Nana" at school, but once she's on the plane it never really comes up again (save for the occasional reference to an old movie or how outdated guns work). Finally, the classic problem of centering the plot around the concept of a super hard to beat game... at times the tricks to Valkyrie seemed glaringly obvious, but at others it would have been quite literally impossible to solve without knowing Louisiana's personal history. That doesn't seem too in line with the Darkly spirit, imo.

This is Pessls’ first YA book but you can see the intricacies of her will known writing within these pages. Lovely and bright and intriguing is how I’d describe this!

This is a very interesting book! I enjoyed the story telling and how the book flowed! I loved the characters a lot!

Arcadia “Dia” Gannon is our protagonist and much like a Willie Wonka story, she has won the lucky lottery ticket. She and a handful of other mismatched geniuses of sorts have been shuttled to an island for an "internship."

The internship is with the most famous game design company in the world. There is a huge following due to the lore surrounding now passed creator Louisiana Veda. When Dia arrives, she learns that the internship is closer to a game - a real life game where staying alive is main theme.

Pessl can build a world out of anything and I am here for it! I loved the world, was confused about the game, but enjoyed every minute of it. If you love a game-themed story, a when-there-were-none style setting or just want to follow a group of highly unusual protagonists, this book is for you!
#randomhouse #delacortepress #darkly #marishapessl

Thank you to Marisha Pessl, NetGalley, and Random House Childrens for the opportunity to review the ARC that I received for this captivating tale. I very much liked the characters and the twists and turns of this story. I thought that Valkyrie was an intriguing thing all its own, and I could have read more. You never really saw what was going to happen, and those that I thought were behind everything, it changed every chapter. I appreciated this immensely and will be getting a copy when it comes out. Everyone should read this, you will not be disappointed!

With how much I loved Neverworld Wake, I was expecting this book to be amazing. Neverworld Wake is my favorite young adult book of all time. And when I heard that this was about board games, another favorite thing of mine, I was very excited. However, this book disappointed me in many ways. Let's use the CAWPILE rating system to talk about the book.
Characters - didn't seem very much like young adults in the way that they talked. I liked the main character but really didn't care about anyone else, and the romance seemed very forced.
Atmosphere - One of the only parts I liked. I enjoyed the setting very much.
Writing - The writing quality was fine. But like I mentioned with the characters, the teen dialogue did not feel realistic.
Plot - this was the weakest part for me. The actual board game they play isn't really a board game. I never really understood the rules of the game. To be about board games, you would expect more board games in the book. The ending was very predictable. Not to mention that the main character's decision on the last page made no sense.
Intrigue - I was not really intrigued enough to keep going. I only finished the book because I had received the ARC, and I needed to write this review. This is a book I would have normally DNFed.
Logic - The logic in this book really didn't make much sense. I never quite understood why the characters were doing the things they were doing. Everything felt very forced, and it was like I could feel the author plotting the book.
Entertainment - overall, I did not find this book to be very entertaining and gave it two stars.

I'm a big Pessl fan and this book did not disappoint (even though it was YA, which isn't quite my speed). Really kept me reading to figure out the mystery.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the arc!

<b>Releasing Nov 26, 2024</B>

This book was so good! Such a great and unique storyline. The perfect spooky setting. It had great twists and turns. I am a fan of mysteries/thrillers so this was right up my alley. The ending left me like :O

Definitely worth a read!

Oh boy! This book gives me serious Burtonesque vibes, with its alluring puzzles and mind-blowing, visionary world-building. The plot feels like games within games—complex, chaotic, and utterly captivating. As a reader, you want to dive into the challenges yourself and solve the intricate puzzles, but the pace is so fast, you have to be quick, agile, and a marathon reader just to keep up with Arcadia (or "Paradise" as Poe calls her) and the other six teenagers. And honestly, you might fail. Instead of pushing your brain to its limits, I suggest just sitting back and devouring the book, letting yourself get swept away by the experience without burning out!

I’m giving it four stars, though I’m conflicted. Marisha Pessl’s incredible world-building and game design deserve a perfect 10, but the character development held me back. The six other characters (and if you count Choke Newington, seven—an interesting name for someone caught in a bizarre love triangle, though there’s little romance here) felt defined more by their abilities than their emotional depth. I could barely differentiate between them. Poe, for example, left me with nothing but negative feelings, thanks to his arrogance and superiority. I didn’t connect with the characters or feel the camaraderie I expected from this ‘partners in crime’ type of story. That cost the book a star.

In Darkly, Arcadia "Dia" Gannon, a devoted fan of game designer Louisiana Veda, is shocked when she’s chosen for an exclusive internship at Darkly, the game-making empire once led by Veda before her mysterious death. Alongside six other teens from around the globe, Dia enters the dormant company where Veda’s intricate, terrifying creations have become rare, coveted artifacts. As the group uncovers hidden symbols, buried secrets, and intriguing puzzles within the labyrinth of Darkly, they begin to wonder why they were chosen—and what the true nature of this summer internship really is. In a chilling, immersive read by Marisha Pessl, these teens find themselves drawn into a dangerous game that may be the most twisted one yet.

The entire execution was gripping, and I’m crossing my fingers for a sequel to explore more unanswered questions in this universe.

The fast-paced trajectory, the missing boy mystery, the unrevealed past of Louisiana Veda and her traumatic childhood, the secrets behind Derringer Street, and the files with cryptic names—everything built up tension and kept me on the edge of my seat. The shocking conclusion and nonstop action made me want to dive back into this Darkly universe immediately. If I were younger, I’d definitely want to play Valkyrie!

Overall, I fell in love with this book and its dark, mesmerizing, multi-layered world. I need another book from Pessl ASAP!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s / Delacorte Press for sharing this remarkable YA mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.