Cover Image: Breaking the Dark

Breaking the Dark

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Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity for this arc.

Lisa Jewell is one of my favorite authors- I’m thinking this genre just wasn’t for me! If you liked the tv series then you will enjoy this book.

I would still highly recommend Lisa Jewell!

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This book may not be my usual cup of tea, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. Lisa Jewell's writing style is engaging and effortless to follow, making this book a true page-turner. If you're a fan of mystery and intrigue, then this book is certainly worth your time.

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I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

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Wow, I have nothing but great things about this book! I’m a big Lisa Jewell fan, as well as having very much enjoyed the Jessica Jones Netflix series. This was fantastic! I was sucked in from the beginning and finished it in just a couple days; though, had I started this on a weekend, it would’ve been done in one day. I loved the Easter Eggs of talking about other Marvel characters and could empathize with Jessica, Amber, and the kids. The situation was very relatable in this day and age, so I feel like it would definitely appeal to the masses. I’d highly recommend this and would 100% read a whole series, if she chose to do so.

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I wasn't sure what to expect with this book but I knew I was a huge fan of Lisa Jewell so it would have to be good; I as not wrong! This was an interesting book featuring Jessica Jones and how she was struggling with her life after a terrible incident that happened to her and ruined her relationship with the other marvels. Jessica is hired to investigate a set of twins that seems to be acting very strange upon their return from the UK. This leads her to travel to the UK to find out what happened and finds herself wrapped up in the evil that lies there. This book mixes the prefect balance of Marvel, thriller, suspense and sci-fi. You will get immersed into the book at the first page and read straight through to the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion for an ARC in return for an honest review.

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I am a huge fan of Lisa Jewell’s books, but I wasn’t sure I would like this one as I’m not a big fan of superhero stories. Lisa Jewel did not disappoint me. Jessica is a well developed real character with her own flaws and insecurities. I really liked the whole premise that being perfect is not all it is cracked up to be. Malcom was a great young sidekick and I loved his quick thinking and go get em attitude. The superhero aspect was minimal and did not overpower the story line.

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The queen does it again! Such an amazing book! Her novels never disappoint. I was captivated from the start and struggled to put it down! I’d give it a 4.75! Need need need a physical copy!

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Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC!

What a fantastic and fresh look on Jessica Jones. I really enjoyed the grounded, everyday life aspect; it's a part of superhero media I wish we saw more. This book proves we need more fresh perspectives on superheroes. I'm really looking forward to the other upcoming books in this series!

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2.5 stars⭐️⭐️✨

I love Lisa Jewel. She is a queen of thriller novels. It seems she has branched out into superheroes, and it was just not for me. It held my attention in the beginning, and I kept an open mind (since I’m not a comic book person and I’ve never watched a marvel film). BUT. When the blood magic and paranormal stuff came up: I was out. I skimmed the last 15% of the book. I just could not get myself interested into the whole taking over the world through a selfie. I won’t be reading any of the others in this series, but you may still enjoy this if you like:


Marvel/Superheroes

Artificial Intelligence

Trauma Healing

Alternating POV

Crime Fiction

Quirky Characters

Luke Cage & Jessica Jones

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I have read a lot of Lisa Jewell novels over the years, and I was particularly excited to see one that was branded with the marvel logo. I wouldn’t call myself an avid Marvel fan, but I love a superhero element to books, and I’ve never read one in a thriller before.

The book kept you guessing, and jumping from two perspectives was not only a smooth transition, but it was another example of how the story is woven together, and it comes together, cleanly at the end for one huge realization.

I really enjoyed this book and would give it a solid four stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the advanced reader copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review

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As both a fan of Marvel and Lisa Jewell, I really liked this book! I thought the author's take on the character Jessica Jones was spot on and I loved the story and mystery. Thanks so much to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the ARC.

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As a recovering superhero, Jessica Jones has hung up her spandex and tried to move on. When she is hired by the mother of twins to discover what has changed them, she discovers a nefarious plot that will require her to make hard choices. Fans of Marvel Universe will adore it.

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Seeing Marvel publish a novel like this was super exciting. I’ve been a Marvel fan since early childhood, but I’ve never read/seen anything about Jessica Jones. Of course, I’m familiar with the character, but I didn’t know too many details. Anyway, as an introduction to the character, this book worked on almost every level. Now, I’m quite interested in watching the show, reading the comics, etc.

I loved it that this book had a strong anti-perfection theme. Humans may be messy, contradictory, and have tons of emotions, but that’s the way it should be. Jessica Jones was relatable because she had so many problems and trauma. And if there’s one thing I’ve always liked, it’s a hero who also feels like a real person.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

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When I saw that Lisa Jewell had written a crime book set in the Marvel Universe, I was immediately intrigued. I love Jewell’s writing, I love crime books, and we’re all obsessed with Marvel in my family. I was thrilled to be gifted an advance copy.

Let’s get down to it: This book is freaky weird. Don’t even bother trying to deduce what’s going on. Remember the realm you’re in—anything is possible.

Due to the aforementioned freaky weirdness, the story will be a turn-off to some. It worked for me because I’m able to suspend my disbelief and eagerly immerse myself in a world where superpowers exist. I encourage everyone to do the same….you will be missing out on a good book if you throw in the towel the first time something happens that doesn’t follow the laws of physics.

I was unfamiliar with Jessica Jones before picking this up. I’d heard of her, sure, and I’d seen the Netflix picture of her with David Tennant creepily whispering in her ear (Seriously, David—you’re exuding creepiness there). However, I didn’t know her backstory…and that turned out to be just fine. Hints at what happened to her previously are interspersed through the book, and going in blind doesn’t hinder the reading experience, in my opinion. I did get a little impatient after the second hint and quickly looked up a little summary of her past, but don’t be like me, kids, because if you do end up wanting to watch the Jessica Jones TV series later, it’s easy to get spoilers that way.

All in all, this was a book I enjoyed, and I very much look forward to other entries in the Marvel crime series. Jessica Jones is flawed, but it makes her very relatable, and it’s a good reminder that even superheroes need to prioritize their mental health! 😄

My thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the eARC. I am writing this review voluntarily.

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When I first saw the premise of the book I was intrigued. I’m not an avid Marvel follower, but I’m a huge Lisa Jewell fan.

Upon starting the book, I did think it was off to a little bit of a slow start. Once it got to around 20-25% I think it really picked up. I think this was partly because I was a little confused as to how the past perspective fit into the present. As soon as I kind of got a feeling for how it tied together I felt more invested in the story.

Overall, this story really kept me on the edge of my seat but due to potentially not having a full understanding of Marvel there was some confusion for me. For me it was a solid 3.5 stars!

I think this is a must read for both Marvel and Lisa Jewell (and other thriller fans)!!!

Thank you so much for this arc!

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Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell seamlessly blends the gritty realism of crime fiction with the captivating allure of Marvel's Jessica Jones. Set in the streets of Hell’s Kitchen, New York, the novel follows Jessica, a retired superhero turned private investigator, as she delves into a perplexing case involving twins whose behavior radically changes after a visit to the UK. Jewell masterfully intertwines themes of societal perfection, technological intrigue, and supernatural phenomena, while Jessica's dynamic with her apprentice Malcolm adds depth to the narrative. With its gripping plot, rich character development, and thought-provoking themes, Breaking the Dark offers a thrilling and immersive reading experience that will appeal to fans of both crime thrillers and the Marvel universe.

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Auto buy Author…

Love Jessica Jones, unlike any Lisa Jewell book I have read before!!

Love this mystery sci-fi crime thriller so much!!

Just read it!!

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Breaking the Dark kept me hooked. I finished the last quarter of the book in one sitting. It just kept getting weirder as questions were answered, instead of clearing up. I do like a weird book.

I haven't read the comics, just watched the shows, but I was able to keep up with it. There was alot going on, with multiple timelines, and more than one investigation in two countries. At first, I thought I wasn't going to like it, because after a chapter or two, it would switch from the main characters to some new character whose connection to the first story isn't clear. (I know, it's a mystery. It's supposed to be mysterious.) But I like Jessica Jones so much that I stayed in it, and I was glad I did.

I'm not going to go into the premise since that's well covered in the marketing, but I will say it was more fantasy than sci-fi, so that was unlike the series; it was also heavier on sleuthing and lighter on super-strength stuff, but it was a good balance. I didn't think that Jessica was as sarcastic and snarly as she was in the series, so I'm wondering which version is closer to the original comics character. She was going through a major life change, so that is a factor.

I don't know how it compares to the comics, but I think that most fans will like it. The author did say that she was a fan of the character already and read up on the comics before she started the book in an interview. If there's another book on this character, I'll read it. I will definitely be reading the Luke Cage book by S. A. Crosby and the Daredevil book by Alex Segura when they come out.

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I am a big Lisa Jewell fan so I was eager to read this book. It is not a normal Lisa Jewell book though, it is a Marvel Avengers book. Specifically, it is a Jessica Jones book. She is a private investigator with super powers. I have to admit that I am not an Avengers fan but I tried to just go with it since it was Lisa Jewell. It was somewhat entertaining but just not my cup of tea I guess. Jessica Jones takes on a case that involves a mother who hires Jessica to look into why her twin teenagers seem different after returning for four weeks in England with their father. The twins seem”perfect “, their skin is flawless, they aren’t interested in their phones much, they are now straight A students, popular - all things opposite of how the twins were before their trip. Jessica travels to the UK to see what information she can find in the small village where the twins’ father lives. Being a Marvel story, we of course have supernatural elements in the story. Without giving away anything more on the plot, I’ll just say it just wasn’t for me - however, if you’re a Marvel fan you’ll probably love it! It had interesting characters and moved along well if you can accept all the supernatural aspects. I give the book 2 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. It is due to be published July 2, 2024.

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Jessica Jones and her intern Malcolm attempt to solve the mystery of why a set of twins return from a UK stay as completely perfect people. Their skin, grades, everything has made a huge turnaround with no explanation.

Jessica travels to solve the mystery while Malcolm is her feet on the ground back in NY. As the crime and mystery unravel, two timelines meet and the result is unbelievable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue, and Lisa Jewell for this ARC!

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