Special Topics in Calamity Physics remains one of my favorite books so I will always come back for Marisha Pessl.

I think I liked this one almost as much. I love a good mystery and the premise is interesting. Something about it feels a little unfinished but I remember that feeling with Special Topics too, which inspired me to read it more than once. I’m sure I’ll come back to this for another go at some point. To see all the dots I didn’t connect the first time around. I like that there’s always more to discover.

This was an interesting read and the premise, plot, and writing all kept me intrigued. Dia has been obsessed with the creations of Louisiana Veda and is one of the many, many people who have applied from around the world to work as an intern at the Foundation. The question to apply? ‘What would you kill for?’ Now Dia is caught in a trap with six other teenagers, and she will have to work with them to solve the riddles and puzzles of Louisiana’s life in order to solve the greater mystery and crime. Louisiana’s god-like presence lingers throughout the book. Her Darkly empire with its still strong gaming glory is playing out in real life in the story regardless that the company is all but defunct and no longer in production. There’s a sort of gothic quality to this one as our competitors/interns are solving one problem that’s really part of another issue. Kudos to the author for tracking all the moving parts of this one and making it come together beautifully. I’m intrigued to read more backlist titles now.

Like most of these Westing Game inspired YA novels, this is a lot better in theory than in execution. While I thought this was better plotted and structured than, say, The Inheritance Games novels, it seems that this specific subgenre always seems like a good idea, but rarely makes for a solid, complete story when put into practice.

The premise for this is fine and Pessl writes well (especially for this particular type of book), but we’re a long way from Special Topics in Calamity Physics or Night Film.

I understand the temptation to try this style of novel, especially when attempting to speak to a young adult audience, but it just never works, and whatever the grand “game” that the characters are engaging in, there’s always an element of cheapness to the solve that leaves the reader feeling unsatisfied.

Marisha Pessl's Darkly is a masterclass in psychological tension and literary elegance. Pessl weaves an intricate, haunting narrative that blurs the lines between reality and imagination, pulling readers into a shadowy world where every detail matters. Her prose is sharp, atmospheric, and brimming with intrigue, creating an irresistible pull that keeps you turning pages late into the night.

The characters are complex and vividly drawn, their struggles and secrets resonating deeply as the story unfolds. Pessl’s ability to balance suspense with profound emotional depth is unmatched, and her twists are as surprising as they are inevitable in hindsight.

The only slight drawback is that some might find the story’s enigmatic elements a touch too ambiguous by the end. However, this adds to the allure for readers who enjoy unraveling mysteries that linger long after the final page.

Overall, Darkly is a near-perfect blend of psychological drama and literary finesse, deserving of 4.75 stars. It’s a gripping and thought-provoking read that cements Pessl as a contemporary master of the genre.

This was my first book by Marisha Pessl, despite having her others on my to-read list for years - and I loved it! I cannot wait to read her backlist now.

I loved all the characters, of course Dia was my favorite but all the supporting characters were so quirky and endearing.

The world created in this book is so fun, and I would love to be able to play all the games. The descriptions were so vivid, I could see all the settings and actions.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loved puzzle books as a kid, and who likes fast paced atmospheric books. It was so much fun.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Darkly is a young adult mystery and thriller about a group of teens recruited as interns at the company of a long-deceased game designer.

Dia Gannon is a teenager who helps run her mother’s antique store, dresses like she’s going to a sock hop, and counts her octogenarian coworkers as her best friends. On a whim, she sends off an application to join other young people from around the world as summer interns for Darkly, a board game design company renowned for its immersive, dark-themed games created by the enigmatic late Louisiana Veda. But when Dia is selected and meets the other applicants in England, they discover the job has much higher stakes than they ever imagined. They’ll be expected to uncover the origins of the legendary game master herself—and play to win.

Marisha Pessl has an incredible way with words and a knack for writing unique teen voices that somehow still feel authentic. This was a fun, twisty novel with excellent pacing and memorable characters. I really enjoyed Dia and would love to see more of her in the future.

An immersive intriguing read! I loved the premise and the main character, as well as the mysterious Louisiana and the games of course. I felt the many characters were a tad underdeveloped and I was hoping to understand the games a bit better, and to find out what the winners actually got. I also felt the end wrapped up a bit too quickly. But overall a unique, fun read.

Bowled over by the ambitious, detailed world building that went into this complex YA mystery-adventure. By world-building, I mean the world of the byzantine board games created by young art student Louisiana Veda, who became a legendary figure of dazzling creativity and impenetrable dark secrets.

I wasn’t sure what to think of this story but pretty much from the start I had a hard time putting it down. I needed to know how things played out and I couldn’t guess how things would end up. I was definitely invested in the characters and all their stories. This was a twisty story that I would tell others to check out. It was surprisingly satisfying and has me eager to read the next adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

While the premise of this book is quite unique and interesting, the story's execution could be better. Most of the characters don't feel fully developed and it is often hard to differentiate them from one another, particularly the other interns.

The story is fairly unpredictable. There are definitely some shocking twists along the way. However, the final big reveal is somewhat predictable especially to avid readers or movie watchers who see this kind of twist quite often. Thus, even though the book had some good points, it was mostly a disappointment.

It has been awhile since I've read a book by Marisha Pessl, but I loved [book:Night Film|18770398], [book:Special Topics in Calamity Physics|3483] and [book:Neverworld Wake|36545927] so I was excited to delve into this one.

Description:
What would you kill for?

When an ad for an internship with the Louisiana Veda Foundation poses this question, seemingly every high school student in the country rushes to apply. Arcadia “Dia” Gannon has been obsessed with Louisiana Veda, the late game designer whose obsessive creations have attained a cultlike status, ever since she and her mom played Disappearing Act—but Dia has never won anything in her life. So she’s shocked when she’s chosen as an intern, along with six other teenagers from around the world.

Little is known about Louisiana Veda. Her game-making empire, Darkly, was renowned for its ingenious, terrifying toys and games, rife with hidden symbols and secrets. But after Veda’s mysterious death, Darkly went bankrupt, and production was discontinued. The remaining games are priced like highly sought-after works of art, with the rarest and most notorious items commanding tens of millions of dollars at auction.

Now the interns are thrust into the enigmatic heart of Louisiana Veda’s operation, and Dia immediately questions everything: Who are these other kids? Why do they all seem to have something to hide? And why was she really chosen? It soon becomes clear that this summer will be the most twisted Darkly game of all.

My thoughts:
My goodness Marisha Pessl has such a creative mind. This book showcases a dark game creator who is a legend, Louisiana Veda. She was very secretive and not a lot was known about her. When Arcadia "Dia" Gannon arrives on the private island with the other interns and they start delving into the Valkyries game, clues are found and little by little some secrets are uncovered. This was so much fun following the interns in their quest. There are some harrowing situations and it get scary at times, but Dia is determined and she has remarkable intuition in ferreting out information. Great inventive plot and some wonderful characters. Anyone who enjoys games and mysteries will love this book.

Thanks to Random House Children's | Delacorte Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Darkly by Marisha Pessl was an interesting and mysterious story that kept me hooked from the beginning till the very end.
A well written read that had great character development and the story was extremely well written.

I was so excited for a new book from Marisha Pessl! I loved Special Topics in Calamity Physics back when I read it what feels like ages ago, and I subsequently loved Night Film and its unique storytelling format. Darkly is just as layered and intricate as Pessl's previous work and I really loved diving back into her storytelling.

In Darkly, we are immersed in the world of Darkly Games, a mysterious brand created by the enigmatic Louisiana Veda. Seven teenagers from around the globe are selected for an exclusive internship—an opportunity that delivers far more than any of them anticipated. I was completely hooked by this twisty, unpredictable story.

The protagonist, Dia Gannon, is a devoted fan of Louisiana’s games and knows far more than the average player, making this internship a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she can’t pass up. Raised in her family’s antique shop by her eccentric mother, Dia’s life has always been a bit unconventional. Her obsession with Louisiana’s games and disappearance drives her, and as the story unfolds, she comes face-to-face with answers to questions the world has long asked about Louisiana—answers she may not be ready for.

There are six other interns we get to know, and I enjoyed getting to know each character and where they fit into this particular Darkly puzzle. Admittedly, however, I did sometimes have difficulties remembering who was who among some of the other characters, as I felt their individual personalities were not developed past some more general characteristics. I felt like the author put a focus on a few characters, such as Poe, but then others just seemed there as plot devices and lacked anything overly memorable about them.

Darkly's dark and mysterious atmosphere made it hard to put down and easy to become immersed in. I loved never knowing where the story would go next, and the sheer number of secrets waiting to be unearthed was thrilling. The games themselves were utterly fascinating, leaving me wishing they existed in the real world—though I’m certain I’d be terrible at them, haha. Pessl’s hallmark complexity shines in how the games are seamlessly woven into the narrative, which blurred the line between game and reality in a way that was both unsettling and exciting at the same time.

The ending also offered a satisfying conclusion to the many mysteries presented throughout the story. There were moments when the ending seemed the slightest bit rushed, as if Pessl wanted to wrap up as many threads as possible in a limited amount of time. However, I also feel like once certain things are discovered and everything comes to light things do tend to happen quickly anyway, so it didn't feel too abrupt.

Overall, I highly recommend Darkly to anyone who enjoys a good twisty story that has layers and layers of secrets to unearth. If you've enjoyed Marisha Pessl's books in the past, I think you'll also be pleased with this one.

Thank you Netgalley & Delacorte Press for an eARC♥️♥️♥️


I have to say, I was beyond excited to dive into "Darkly". After reading "Night Film" by Marisha Pessl (which is honestly one of my all-time favorite books), I was literally over the moon when I heard about her new release. And let me tell you, "Darkly" did NOT disappoint!
The story follows Arcadia "Dia" Gannon, a 17-year-old intern who wins a chance to work with the legendary game creator Louisiana Veda. But things take a dark turn when Dia and her fellow interns start digging into the mystery surrounding a stolen game.
I loved how Marisha Pessl created this eerie and immersive world that drew me in and refused to let go. The characters were all well-developed and complex, with Dia being a particularly relatable and endearing protagonist.
The plot was expertly paced, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. I devoured this book in just a few sittings, and I'm already itching for a new book by Marisha Pessl 🥰🔥

' My thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press/Random House Children's Books for the ARC of "Darkly" in exchange for an honest review.
Bowled over by the ambitious, detailed world building that went into this complex YA mystery-adventure. By world-building, I mean the world of the byzantine board games created by young art student Louisiana Veda, who became a legendary figure of dazzling creativity and impenetrable dark secrets.
This fascinating woman died mysteriously after building 'Darkly', a game manufacturing empire on her own private, forbidding island. Also included in the circumstances of her death......the disappearance of what was rumored as her penultimate game, 'Valkyrie', supposedly a game that its players might not survive.
Now seven teenagers from around the world have been selected for a summer internship on Louisiana's island. And they've been tasked (with a huge grand prize)_ by the sinister, all powerful law firm that controls the 'Darkly' estate. They're to find out how obsessive gamers are now playing the elusive, stolen 'Valkyrie', including one boy who's disappeared while playing it;
Among these diverse teens who've taken up the challenge is Arcadia 'Dia' Gannon, whose fearless, perceptive sleuthing leads the group into no end of harrowing adventures. As the secrets and revelations of Louisiana's Veda's incredible star-crossed life unfold, there's danger, suspicions, and some heartbreaking surprises swirling around the 'Darkly' empire and all its legends and puzzling backstories.
By no means a fast paced thrill ride., the riddles, mysteries and layers of deception here are mind boggling, but I simply couldn't stop turning the pages. And those games! I doubt I could ever play them, but they sound like they'd make me first in line to see movie adaptations.
And there's nothing I love more than a mystery whose twists finally come at you like an avalanche, right up to the final pages. Add to that the incisive meditations on the tortuous life of a misunderstood artist and you've got yourself a 5 star read.

Seventeen year old Arcadia “Dia” is chosen along with six other teens to be an intern at the company which produced a series of fantastical board games. The internship is quickly revealed to be a competition to solve a mystery surrounding the final game created by Darkly founder Louisiana Veda. Numerous rules make winning hard as does working with the other competitors especially sexy and mysterious Poe.

The world of Darkly is stunningly built from the eerie settings to the wickedly cool cast of characters. Dia herself is a master class in character building from her old timey interests, geriatric best friends, and antique superstore workplace, which includes a clowder of black cats who share a name. Love interests Poe and Choke ratchet up the tension as Dia tries to puzzle out who she can trust. Even the secondary characters like lawyer Nile Raiden who oversees the interns and Dia’s wacky love obsessed mom are fully formed and fascinating.

The book includes a number of letters, photos, maps and more, which helps the reader step into Dia’s shoes as she weighs each clue. Pessl deftly manages the large cast of characters and complex world and each new twist and turn makes the book hard to put down. At the end, I found myself satisfied and ready to read another of Pessl’s masterpieces.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Random House Children’s Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“What Would You Kill For?” A premise that sounds like the games and the violence of “These Vicious Games”; This young adult tale almost hits that dark point but misses.

Dia applies for the internship that”ll change her life forever- an internship at Darklys; a clever multi board game industry with a mysterious creator dead. What could go wrong? Actually, this is starting to feel like a teenage Wonka ticket. Welcome to Darkly. Wander where the witch lies.

There were some clever moments, particularly that when they were playing the game. But I felt missed opportunities for more moments like those. And too many teen characters without much discerning factors to keep them separate ; a couple of them I could have done without. I needed more of the game moments in the story, I needed more of the fantasy that was Louisiana and Darkly. Overall, the relationships felt forced and underdeveloped. And I didn’t fall for the love stories.

This was an easy read to get through; fast paced and a plot line easy to follow and a mostly satisfying ending. If you enjoy young adult thriller that are more plot heavy, this should be a good one for you.

I was hooked from the first line. This was an eerie, strange and mysterious story. I loved the game aspect and how I didn’t know who to trust! I was so fully immersed in this story as it was incredibly atmospheric!

Take Agatha Christie’s And There Were None. Put it in a bowl with Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the movie with Gene Wilder). Add in a splash of both escape room and LARP-ing. It’s only then that you might get some kind of idea of what Darkly is, and even then you’re still pretty far away from understanding what you’re getting into.

Believe me, that’s a good thing, because you don’t want to know everything about this book before going into it, because a huge part of Darkly’s attraction is you don’t know exactly what the heck is going on until the turn; and even then, you aren’t going to know the whole story until almost the last page.

Darkly is a plot-forward YA thriller told in first-person POV, with the text heavily interspersed with epistolary and expositional (such as maps) material from the past. I do have to note for readers that reading this as an ebook was very difficult because of the small text used for the letters, blueprints, etc. I really think this book is probably best read in physical form.

Darkly has a compelling and engaging start that hooks you and fast pacing that never lets up. The story completely engulfed me and I couldn’t put it down. It was a pretty quick read because I just felt like I needed to keep reading. The stakes were so high, the plot was so interesting, and it was just so much fun. I highly recommend it.

I was provided a copy of this title by the publisher and author via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Action Adventure/YA Fiction/YA Mystery/YA Thriller

Rarely do I start and finish a book in a single sitting. This is a full 5* from me and I will be buying the physical copy when I can get my hands on it.

However, from the beginning, I was hooked on the story, the characters, and gaming aspect, and the dark atmosphere. There are echoes of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or even The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer and if those are books you love (like I do), then this will be a phenomenal choice for your next read.

Dia is not the typical "chosen one", which I enjoy. Though there still seems to be a bit of a love triangle of hot guys vying for her attention, she is more focused on solving the game and questioning motives and who she can trust to fully let her heart make her too dumb.

I love the idea of a dark obsessive board game maker having such a cult like following and I know if I were part of this world, I would be wrapped up in this mystery as well. The board games sound comprehensive and like psychological thrillers and I think that was an aspect which drew me into the story. There are twists and turns within the book and there are just enough characters to question without it being too many and overwhelming.

I hope to see more from this author. She has a phenomenal style and I was absolutely hooked.