I typically enjoy this author but this genre wasn’t for me. I appreciate the shows but this book wasn’t for me.

I know nothing about Avengers, dont watch them and didnt even know books existed like this but decided to requested this book from NetGalley cause it's Lisa Jewel, so why not!

Breaking the Dark is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. The plot is full of twists and turns. Jewell's writing is superb, and she does an excellent job of creating a dark and atmospheric setting.

I was particularly impressed with the way Jewell handled the theme of loss. The characters in this book are all dealing with loss in some way, and Jewell does a great job of showing how loss can impact people's lives.

This one surprised me. I wasn’t sure how Lisa Jewell would handle a Marvel character like Jessica Jones, but she captured her voice so well — messy, flawed, sharp-witted, and still carrying so much weight from her past. It felt like Jessica, not just a character dropped into a thriller.

The central mystery was creepy in the best way: two teens come back from summer with their dad “perfect” — no acne, no quirks, no drama, just this eerie, Stepford-like calm. From there the story unravels into something darker and stranger, with twists I didn’t see coming. I loved the mix of psychological thriller, crime noir, and a touch of the supernatural.

I’ll admit the pacing dragged in spots, especially early on, and sometimes it felt like too many threads were competing for attention. But overall, it hooked me. The atmosphere was moody and tense, and I cared enough about Jessica to follow her through every messy, complicated choice.

If you’re a fan of Jewell’s darker mysteries and also love character-driven superhero stories, this is a great mash-up. Definitely not a traditional Marvel book — slower, moodier, more psychological — but that’s what made it stand out to me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️.5. (4.5/5)

I requested this one because I immediately saw Lisa Jewell. What I did not pay attention to was the Jessica Jones/Marvel component haha! I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this one! There weren’t a ton of superhero-ing and I low key loved the anti-aging skin care storyline!

Breaking the Dark blends gritty investigation, suspense, and raw emotion in a way that makes it impossible to put down. Lisa Jewell perfectly captures Jessica’s sharp wit and resilience, while keeping every page charged with tension and intrigue.

3.5. this was a fun twist to the marvel story, i loved reading about jessica’s story from one of my favorite authors. a little different than lisa jewell’s regular style but really enjoyed this! thanks for the arc!

Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell had an intriguing premise and moments of suspense that drew me in, but overall it didn’t quite meet my expectations. While I enjoyed the writing style and flashes of tension, the story felt uneven and didn’t fully hold my attention. A decent read, but not my favorite from this author.

While this wasn't my favorite book by this author, I did enjoy reading it and honestly would read anything by Lisa Jewell. I liked how the main character feels a bit beyond the typical marvel-eque vibe. I liked the psychological thriller/detective aspect mixed with a touch of the supernatural.

I may be a Marvel fan myself; however, anyone who enjoys a supernatural mystery will enjoy this book. Jessica Jones, a former superhero in the Marvel universe, is a private detective investigating a cult-like disease that spreads across continents. She is hired to uncover why two upper class teenagers in New York are suddenly behaving like robots with bizarre “AI” qualities. Jessica’s Marvel backstory is sprinkled throughout “Breaking the Dark” and ties in nicely with the main plot.

Teenagers are a natural target for selling “perfection”.

One of the strange behaviors of the teenagers is their constant use of the word perfect. Everything they feel is perfect, their mood is perfect, the atmosphere is perfect, and their skin is literally perfect. Their faces appear to be practically airbrushed like they’re wearing a snapchat filter. Clearly, that seems to be impossible, which is why Jessica ends up in a small England town to investigate what happened to them while spending the summer with their father.

Throughout the book, we are transported between present time, and another timeline in the past of another family. The other family’s backstory is very mysterious at first, but soon we come to realize what makes them so sinister and how it affects people in the present time. A young woman from a small town with A LOT of ambition, and little morals, goes very far into bad behaviors. No one in her family is innocent, but she is definitely a young ring leader taking it all way too far. Only, she didn’t expect Jessica Jones to catch onto her secrets.

Breaking the Dark is a wild story line full of some crazy events that may be fiction, but feel too close to reality.

If the technology, physics, and supernatural elements in this story were real, I could see our society falling prey to this very plot. Readers do not need to know the Marvel universe to enjoy this book.

Breaking the Dark sparkles with Lisa Jewell’s trademark suspense and atmospheric flair—but I found it a bit slow at times, especially without a solid grounding in the characters’ backstories or powers. As someone not deeply versed in Jessica Jones or the Marvel universe, I wished there’d been more groundwork to guide me into her world. But, that’s not something I need to expect. It felt like a sequel though in several spots.

Still, the eerie vibe, creepy kids, intriguing mystery, and Jewell’s skill with character immersion held me enough to appreciate the experience. If you’re already a Marvel—or Jessica Jones—fan, it’ll land better; otherwise, it might feel like diving into the deep end without floaties.

My Rating:
4 in my heart, 5 on Goodreads—because weaving a novel is no small feat.

Breaking the Dark pulled me in right from the start—Lisa Jewell’s writing is addictive as always! The suspense kept me guessing, the twists were so well done, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. It’s the kind of thriller you think about even after you’ve finished.

Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell is a bold, atmospheric entry into the Marvel universe that feels both fresh and deeply faithful to its roots. As a longtime Marvel fan, I’ve followed Jessica Jones through comics and screen, but this novel dives deeper into her psyche than ever before giving us a gritty, emotionally raw portrait of a woman still haunted by her past yet unwilling to back down from the darkness. Jessica Jones is at her most vulnerable and most formidable here. Jewell doesn’t shy away from her trauma her hangovers, her cynicism, her fractured relationship with Luke Cage but she also gives Jessica space to be brilliant, intuitive, and deeply human. Her voice is sharp, sarcastic, and laced with pain, making her investigation feel personal from the start. The supporting cast, especially Amber Randall, the desperate mother, and Belle, the eerie teenager at the heart of the mystery are layered and unsettling. Belle, in particular, is a standout: enigmatic, possibly supernatural, and a perfect foil to Jessica’s grounded skepticism. The story kicks off when Amber walks into Jessica’s Hell’s Kitchen office, convinced her teenage twins have returned from the UK… different. Not just emotionally distant, but physically altered eerily perfect, stripped of their quirks, and obsessed with a girl named Belle. Jessica’s reluctant investigation leads her to Barton Wallop, a seemingly idyllic British village with a sinister undercurrent. Jewell builds suspense masterfully, layering clues and red herrings while exploring themes of identity, perfection, and maternal instinct. The pacing is tight, the atmosphere is thick with dread, and the mystery unfolds with just the right amount of supernatural ambiguity to keep you guessing. Breaking the Dark is more than a Marvel tie-in it’s a psychological thriller that stands on its own, elevated by Jewell’s elegant prose and deep understanding of character. For fans of Jessica Jones, it’s a must-read. For fans of crime fiction, it’s a compelling gateway into the Marvel Crime series. Lisa Jewell has done something rare: she’s taken a beloved character and made her feel even more real. I’ll be first in line for the next installment.

Jessica must investigate an unusual case that seems like maybe vampires or mind control.
I would say it was a 3.5 star book.
You get to see Luke cage and even Danny rand a little bit

This book just proves Lisa Jewell really can write anything! Admittedly, this is not my usual jam (I just saw “Lisa Jewell” and got overzealous and punched “Request” BUT that being said, I was surprised to find myself into the story. In true LJ fashion, the writing was fantastic and the characters well developed.

I am not really a Marvel fan but I don't not like it, I just am not super familiar with the characters. However, I love Lisa Jewell and want to read anything she writes, so I was so excited to get the book to preview. This book was a little weird, but I think that is part of the Marvel Universe.
I was unfamiliar with Jessica Jones before picking this up. I’d heard of her, sure, 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 think my teen readers who are more familiar will enjoy this book. I enjoyed it. All in all, this was a great read.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ebook to preview.

Jessica Jones is a retired superhero who is now trying to make her way in the world as a private investigator. Her life seems to be spiraling into a dark hole when a distraught mother comes to her asking for help about her twins. Something isn't right since they went to visit their father in the UK for summer break; they are "perfect" and completely a drift. The mother, Amber, says she will pay for Jessica to travel to the UK to find out what happened to her children.

Jessica didn't realize what she was getting into when things to start to come to light and a huge case is discovered.

Thank you netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC. I can't wait to read book two in the series when ever it comes out!

I love Marvel and I love Lisa Jewell—so this was a win for me! Breaking the Dark was such a fun read. Definitely not her usual style, but she totally nailed it. I was hooked from the start and can’t wait to see where this story goes. I’ll definitely be picking up more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Full disclosure my only experience with the Marvel universe is from the very short lived Netflix series on Jessica Jones from 10 (???) years ago and the Spidey and his Amazing Friends Disney show my kid makes me watch daily.

I was so excited to receive this ARC because I did really love the Netflix series. I know that the whole Marvel superhero thing is some pretty out there, unrealistic stuff but this was kind of too unbelievable for me? I don’t know what it was but I was just like “huh??” for a good portion of the book. I did enjoy reading it, but I won’t be reading any more of the series for obvious reasons (I literally don’t know any of the other Marvel superhero’s)

I also really could have done without the pregnancy storyline. I hate the whole “woman never wanted kids then has a surprise pregnancy and completely changes her tune” trope.

I’ve read many Lisa Jewell books and have always liked her writing. Breaking the dark was no exception! I must say this is not her typical writing style but she did amazing! I’m a huge marvel fan and was very happy to read this book. I highly recommend it, if you love mystery and sci-fi this is a must read!

I’d read the alphabet on repeat if Lisa wrote it!
No one does suspense like her. Another ball hit WAY out of the park. I could not put this down.