Everything by Lisa is amazing!!! She is one of my favorite writers and I’ve never seen the show or read Marvel comics so it was a fun read!

As a long time fan of the Marvel Universe, I was very excited to hear about the new books slated to be released. In true Lisa Jewell fashion, she didn't disappoint. She did a good job of staying true to the original Jessica Jones character while still showing her growth throughout the book. The plot itself was interesting and twisty with a true Marvel ending!

In Breaking the Dark, Lisa Jewell takes us back to the Marvel world of Jessica Jones, a slightly rumpled, semi retired superhero.
Now working as a private investigator, Jessica is hired to investigate a set of twins who came back from vacation abroad looking and acting like different people, once average kids, now with "perfect" skin, grades, and skills, while simultaneously struggling with her own mental health and worth. The nostalgia of the Marvel universe combined with the signature Lisa Jewell mystery is a crossover I never knew I needed, full of twists and turns, you will never guess what's coming next.

A thrilling book that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Full of twists and turns and shocks. Brilliant! I highly recommend reading this book! 📖

My first mistake was not realizing that this book was a marvel superhero book. I picked this book based on the author and the author alone. However, a few chapters in I went back and read the blurb about the book, and some pieces came together. However, this book was a miss for me. I didn't find it as much of a thriller or a mystery as I anticipated from Lisa Jewell. I didn't feel connected to the main character Jessica or really any of the characters. The villains and their story was so out there that I couldn't get into it. The dad being so dumb things were happening right under his nose was also really hard to buy into. It felt all around lackluster.

I enjoyed the ending when one of the characters who was saved was talking about perfectionism and what that means with social media.

If you're a super hero fan, you might enjoy this book more than I did. There wasn't a lot of use of powers in the book like I expected there to be either though.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinion! Although this was a miss for me, I look forward to reading more of Lisa Jewell's books in the future!

*+:｡.｡“𝓦𝓮𝓵𝓵, 𝔂𝓮𝓪𝓱, 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮’𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸𝓸. 𝓝𝓸𝓽 𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓶𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓾𝓹 𝓪 𝓴𝓲𝓭. 𝓜𝓸𝓶𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓭𝓸 𝓪 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓰𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓳𝓸𝓫 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸𝓸.”｡.｡:+*

Yeah, it's definitely giving Marvel vibes and lemme tell you something I DO NOT LIKE SUPERHEROES. I didn't even figure out what was happening until 60% of the way

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕿𝖗𝖔𝖕𝖊𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
🌸 𝚃𝙷𝚁𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙴𝚁
🌸 𝙿𝚂𝚈𝙲𝙷𝙾𝙿𝙰𝚃𝙷 𝚅𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙰𝙸𝙽
🌸 𝚂𝚄𝙿𝙴𝚁𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙾𝙴𝚂
🌸 𝙼𝙰𝚁𝚅𝙴𝙻

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Let’s do a cleanse with this book provided by NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue.

Breaking the Dark had potential with its intriguing premise, but the execution fell flat for me. From the beginning, the writing felt choppy and unpolished, making it hard to get into the flow of the story. Some of the language choices were downright juvenile—“making sex noises,” for example—and it undercut any attempt at building a serious or engaging narrative.

I wasn’t familiar with Jessica Jones as a superhero before picking this up, so I didn’t have any expectations. After my partner described her as a “messy drunk PI,” I’d say that matches how she’s portrayed here. While her rough-around-the-edges personality might appeal to fans, the dialogue was repetitive and lacked depth. Her constant refrain of “tell me in the simplest way you can” was frustrating, especially when she later claimed she herself was articulate—it felt contradictory and unnecessary.

The heavy focus on the possibility of a baby dominated the plot in a way that I found overbearing. By the time the central “issue” of the story finally surfaced, it was a cool concept, but it came so late in the game that it felt like too little, too late. Unfortunately, I was already checked out by then. And the ending? It was drawn out and bordered on cheesy, which didn’t help.

While the premise had promise, the writing style and pacing didn’t do it justice. Fans of Jessica Jones might still enjoy seeing her in this context, but for me, it missed the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC! *Breaking the Dark* by Lisa Jewell is an exciting and chilling entry into the Marvel Crime series, blending the world of superheroes with gritty detective work. The novel introduces Jessica Jones, a retired superhero turned private investigator, whose journey into a mysterious case leads her to a small, eerie village in the UK. Jewell weaves a tense, atmospheric thriller that combines emotional depth with a haunting mystery about the Randall twins and their unnerving transformation. With its dark, captivating plot and Jessica's sharp, complex character, *Breaking the Dark* is a must-read for both Marvel fans and thriller enthusiasts alike.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. Lisa Jewell has written a suspenseful novel which a wonderful message directed not only to adults but teenagers and children as well.
Jessica Jones is a retired superhero with some superpowers. She has been through tremendous trauma. As a private detective in Hell 's Kitchen c she gets a call from a wealthy mom of twins worried that after a summer visit with their father in the UK they returned home very different, The twins were obsessed with being perfect along with changes in their appearance.
The way she solved the mysteries presented in this novel were clever and suspenseful without using too much superpower and magic.
I liked the fact she gave one of the villains very human desires and made her slightly sympathetic. All in all I think this is a fun read with a message for all. you don't have to be a Marvel fan to enjoy this

Breaking the Dark caught my attention with its unique blend of Lisa Jewell’s writing and the Marvel universe, featuring the ever-complex Jessica Jones. While Jewell does an excellent job capturing Jessica’s multifaceted personality—her insecurities, perfectionist tendencies, and emotional scars from Kilgrave—the book leaned more toward a Young Adult/New Adult tone, lacking the gritty atmosphere I expected from Jessica’s world.

The pacing was solid, with enough action to keep the story moving, but the straightforward plot and rushed ending left me wanting more depth and unpredictability. Readers unfamiliar with Jessica’s backstory may find parts of the narrative confusing, as more context could have enhanced clarity. Though enjoyable overall, the book didn’t fully deliver on its potential, especially for those hoping for a darker, more intense exploration of Jessica Jones’ universe.


** Please note, I also have left this review on Amazon, but it's presently pending **

Jessica Jones is something of a mess. She doesn’t use her superpowers, drinks too much, and just might be pregnant. When hired as a PI to discover why two twins came home from vacation in England totally different she flies over to investigate the village. There’s a puzzle here and she’s determined to find it. With help from high schooler Matthew and sometime boyfriend Luke she solves the case but puts everyone in danger. A fun and edge of your seat read with Jessica Jones as an interesting and intriguing character, some supernatural and serial killer elements. This is the first in a new Marvel crime series with different authors writing each new book. But this disappoints me for I’d love more stories written by Jewel about Jessica Jones. I was hoping this was a series unto itself. I hope she considers it.

[author:Lisa Jewell|93504] is a go-to author for me. Of course I requested the ARC without a second thought. I do enjoy marvel movies but have never read any Marvel works.

Jessica Jones is a retired superhero. Amber Randall is sure that something strange happened to her twins when they were staying abroad with their father. The twins seem to be too “perfect,” devoid of any of their natural tendencies. Amber hires Jessica Jones to travel to the UK to figure out what happened.

All the while, Jessica is battling her own person struggles. She is haunted by little girl seems to be everywhere Jessica is. Any though Jessica is a superhero, she is relatable and likable.

This is a fun read that fits well within the Marvel universe, employing the concepts of quantum physics. Evil without being scary. It was not a page turner for me, and I actually had to make myself finish the book. I will say that it is easy to visualize what is happening in the story, it just didn't drive me to want to know what was on the next page.

This book is marketed for adults but would be a good fit for YA.

Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell is a solid 4-star read. Despite being unfamiliar with Marvel or its characters, I found the story engaging. The fantasy elements were minimal, allowing me to focus on the mystery, which was the novel’s strongest feature. The steady pacing made it a quick and enjoyable read.

I appreciated that the plot didn’t leave any loose ends, providing a satisfying conclusion. While fantasy isn’t my typical genre, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. This book is a great introduction for mystery fans willing to step slightly out of their comfort zone.

The idea of a series written by multiple authors intrigues me, and I’m considering exploring future installments. If you’re seeking a light mystery with just a hint of the fantastical, Breaking the Dark is worth picking up.

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the arc!

At first, I thought that Lisa Jewell was a great choice to deliver Jessica Jones’ story. Her writing style sets up the mystery well. The beginning was fairly slow moving, which I enjoyed, as it layered on the questions, the suspense, and the gradual disgust factor. While the story was interesting enough for me to keep turning the page, my issues with it began when the timelines started to line up with each other.

Everyone aside from Polly and maybe even Jessica were two dimensional. So while there was some form of suspense, there was no thriller, as every single character was a “yes-man” - they only exist for the story to move forward, not to pose challenges. Thus, the suspense from parts 1 and 2 fizzled out, leaving the climax feeling rushed and even dull. Despite being nearly 400 pages, the story fell flat for me. It just didn’t hit the same way a typical Lisa Jewell does.

Maybe this book just wasn’t for me and that’s okay! I’m sure there are others who would find it perfect.

I was surprised to see Lisa Jewell has written a Marvel book. I felt this was a well written book however I am not a fan of Marvel so I didn't enjoy the book as much as her other books. Marvel followers may love this one however.

Not my favorite Lisa Jewell book.

2/5 ⭐⭐

Breaking the Dark is following Jessica Jones post her incident with the Avengers. Jessica is doing her best to move on and work as an investigator when she is contracted by a wealthy woman to investigate her twin children's suddenly bizarre shifts in appearances and personalities. In fact, ever since the twins returned home from England, their behavior is abnormal and their skin complexion borderlines robotic. Their mother believes these kids are not her children, perhaps they've been replaced, and Jessica races off to England to research into the twin's mysterious behaviors and traits. Jessica must figure out this mystery while also battling her own growth into pregnancy and motherhood.

I read mostly mysteries and thrillers and I was curious to read Lisa Jewell's interpretation of Jessica Jones, which is why I picked up this book. From what I know about Jessica is that she is a grungy, alcoholic, edgy, unapologetic, and sometimes a morally gray character. The Jessica we get in this story is softer, more refined, willing to work on her issues, and definitely more feminine than the comic version. For that reason, I'm not sure I enjoyed this interpretation of Jessica.

Jewell normally excels with captivating plot twists and sometimes even writing from multiple perspectives. This is written from third person so we don't get much into Jessica's inner thoughts and rather read a narrator style of writing. Also, the dialogue between characters during the first several chapters of the book revealed most of the plot twists and I wasn't thrilled with the direction and themes the storyline was going in.

What I enjoyed was reading scenes that featured Malcom, who is Jessica's assistant. He provided most of the humor and reminded me so much of Peter Parker. We need more scenes with Malcolm. I also enjoyed the inclusion of some of the other Marvel characters and the initial setup of the mystery--the story had potential.

What fell flat for me was the villain of the story. We're introduced to the villain who happens to dabble in strange supernatural rituals (there's some weird blood stuff) with an emphasis on AI being incorporated into that, which is disturbing and sadly lowered my overall rating. The supernatural theme isn't a topic I read and I had to DNF. I also was anticipating more backstory into Jessica's past and her relationships with other heroes in the Marvel universe, but we didn't get that context in this book.

Potential Trigger Warnings:
⚠️ Torture of minors
⚠️ Supernatural elements
⚠️ Kidnapping

I would recommend this book if you don't mind a more nuanced version of Jessica Jones or the theme of evil technology mentioned above.

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue publishing for this digital ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am familiar with marvel but have only seen a handful of movies, never read a comic book. Had to google Jessica Jones to be honest. I did struggle a bit in the beginning, I think I was expecting Lisa Jewell’s typical writing style and this was very different from that. But then the pace started to pick up. And I was pleasantly surprised by it. Great message at the end!!

2.5/5 rounded up because I feel bad about how much I did not vibe with this. (I can definitely see an audience for it: people who don't know much about Marvel and who are a YA demographic. I am just neither of those things.)

I had never read a comic book-based novel before and I am a comic book girlie (Marvel is my favorite, of course), so I was so excited to read this and to get it through NetGalley. But oh my goodness. Was I disappointed.

My biggest critique of this is the writing style, for sure! I think maybe Lisa Jewell just isn't for me. And that's such a bummer because I've heard so many great things about her books (maybe I just have to try one on audiobook and see how that goes).

I found the writing to be so immature sounding and choppy. Short, obvious sentences that made me feel like I was reading a very young YA book or something off of Wattpad.

I did not find the story all that engaging and the characterization was so flat. This was rushed and unsatisfying to read and I hate that in a thriller/mystery. I want to be thrilled!

As a comic book fan, this almost feels like Lisa Jewell did not know anything of the character or the universe before writing this. It felt very surface level when it came to the lore. Lore is such a great way you can add depth and explore an already beloved world and franchise. Missed opportunity.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Full disclosure, I am not a Marvel fan, nor am I very familiar with the Marvel characters (I think if I was this would have been an entirely different read), and supernatural is not my typical genre BUT as a Lisa Jewell fan, I could not resist the opportunity to read this book. I am someone who lives for plot twists and stories that play with my mind and toy with my emotions, but that are also relatively realistic. This book is not that. It took me a little while to get past the "superhero" aspect and the talk of superpowers, but once I did, I found my way to the well-developed and intriguing characters and creative story line that reeled me in. No, it was not realistic, but the concept behind it was fascinating and made me think. I loved the character, Malcom. I thought he was so endearing and found myself smiling during his interactions with Jessica.  

While this is not the typical Lisa Jewell novel, it was fun to see her take on something different and I challenge readers out there that even if it is not your typical read, to step out of your comfort zone and give this book a shot. You might find that there is a little Marvel fan in you that you never knew about :)

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue for the free advance release copy of this book and the opportunity to explore a new to me genre. I am definitely open to giving the next book in the series a try!

Hold up, you’re telling me Marvel recruited a NYT Bestselling author to write a dark CRIME THRILLER for my girl, Jessica Jones? The same Jessica Jones that Netflix & Disney did so dirty by not bringing her series back like they did for Daredevil?? That Jessica Jones?? I’m in! 🙌🏼

The pacing was great and Lisa Jewell’s tone for FMC Jessica was appropriate to the character that Marvel fans know and love. I appreciate how short the chapters were, because I could sneak in a chapter here and there while my kids were distracted by shiny things and loud pretty colors.

Jessica heads out on an investigation to discover the mystery of Fox & Lark’s “perfect” new personality changes after their mother, psychiatrist Amber pleads for Jessica to take her case.

Pros:

🔎 Short Chapters (sincerely, love this)
🔎 True to character tone
🔎 Cold Cases/Serial Killer
🔎 International Crime Solving (which makes sense, given that the author is British)

Cons:

🔎 Not enough backstory for Jessica Jones (not a huge issue for me as a Marvel fan, but some of Lisa’s fans may struggle to connect with this pop culture icon as described)
🔎 the plot was a little YA for me as far as content, but not a huge deal for the targeted audience (new adult)
🔎 the plot resolution was a little disappointing for my expectations

Overall, 3.75 stars (rounded up to 4 - come on Goodreads, give us our fraction stars!). I would recommend to a Marvel fan, but not necessarily a Thriller-only reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest review!