Definitely a different style for Lisa Jewell. I am not super familiar with marvel, so some of it lost me but I really appreciate that she tried something new. Will always be a fan of her stuff!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the advanced reader copy. I was so excited to get a copy of a NEW Lisa Jewell book as I love her writing and other books. I was not the right demographic for this book as I am not well versed on the Marvel world. Lisa did a great job of writing this story, but I could not connect with the weirdness of the story (I attribute this to being connected with Marvel). I WOULD recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the Marvel world!

“𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽—𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁?!”

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 3/25/25

*Thank you @NetGalley and @HyperionAveBooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: Jessica Jones is a "retired" super hero running a private investigation business. She is hired by a woman to figure out what happened to her teen twins who are acting strangely after returning home from a visiting their father in the UK. Jessica thinks it might just be a case of teens being teens, until she uncovers something more sinister at play.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲:
Marvel Comics
Non-linear Timeline
Mystery
Supernatural Themes
Social Media

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
Admittedly, I don't know a lot about the Marvel Universe other than the major characters. I didn't know who Jessica Jones was but that didnt take from the story. Jewell gives you context and background for characters so you aren't lost. As far as the storyline itself, I was a bit unsure of what was going on for 30% or so when it started to fall in place. It all weaves together beautifully in the end. I wasn't blown away with the story, but I was compelled to keep reading and enjoyed it the whole way through.

#BreakingTheDark

I enjoyed 'Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel' by Lisa Jewell far more than I anticipated. I'm not super familiar with Jessica Jones' arch in the Marvel universe, but as I'm a fan of Jewell I took a risk and it did not disappoint.

Jewell eases readers into the universe, providing enough background information to keep readers informed and give this story context, without going full MU deep dive. I enjoyed the mystery presented here, and I feel the book brought up interesting themes around social media, self-esteem, self-image, and AI.

Thank you to Lisa Jewell and Hyperion Ave for the ARC of 'Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel' in exchange for an honest review.

Breaking the Dark isn't your typical Lisa Jewell novel, but in the best way possible. Known for her gripping psychological thrillers, Jewell brings her signature suspenseful style to the Marvel universe—and it works. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but this story kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Jessica Jones is a compelling protagonist, and I loved the way her character evolved throughout the novel. You really get to see her layers peel back—her toughness, vulnerability, and determination all come through in a very real and raw way. The character development felt honest and earned.

As a Marvel fan, I appreciated the darker, grounded tone that still held true to Jessica’s roots. It felt gritty and emotional, but still thrilling and full of energy. The mystery kept me guessing, and I was constantly wondering what would happen next.

Overall, Breaking the Dark was a refreshing, exciting read. It’s a great blend of psychological suspense and superhero grit, and I can’t wait to see where Jessica’s journey goes next.

⛓️ ARC REVIEW ⛓️

Thank you so much @netgalley @lisajewelluk & @hyperionavebooks for my copy of Breaking the Dark!! I’m finally getting around to this review 😅

First off, Lisa can do absolutely no wrong so I knew this was going to be a fun read! And fun it was. As a ghoulie who grew up with older brothers and was always watching/reading DC and Marvel, I was living my best nostalgic life!

I genuinely enjoy the Jessica Jones character as she is just a blunt, sass pot that makes you giggle- but in this story you got to experience the vulnerability of her character and that was cool too. This book gave you mystery, thrill and a bit of the heebie jeebies!

Honestly, the marvel universe is just fun and I had a great time reading this!

Lisa Jewell’s Breaking the Dark marks a bold and compelling entry into the Marvel Crime series, blending her signature psychological suspense with the gritty world of superhero noir. Centered on Jessica Jones, the novel delves into a case involving a mother’s suspicion that her teenage twins have returned from the UK fundamentally changed. This investigation leads Jessica into a sinister plot intertwining advanced technology and the pursuit of perfection, challenging her both professionally and personally.   

Jewell masterfully portrays Jessica Jones as a deeply flawed yet relatable protagonist. Her struggles with past trauma and mental health add layers to her character, making her more human despite her superhuman past. The narrative explores themes of identity, societal pressures, and the dark side of technological advancement, all while maintaining the suspense and emotional depth characteristic of Jewell’s writing. 

Critics have praised Breaking the Dark for its fresh take on the Marvel universe, noting that it stands out as a well-crafted crime thriller that doesn’t require prior Marvel knowledge to enjoy. The novel’s blend of mystery, supernatural elements, and character-driven storytelling offers a unique reading experience that appeals to both fans of the genre and newcomers alike. 

In summary, Breaking the Dark is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that successfully bridges the gap between psychological thriller and superhero fiction. It’s a testament to Lisa Jewell’s versatility as a writer and a promising start to the Marvel Crime series. 

There’s just something about superheroes.

Having inhuman powers. Fighting bad guys. Kicking lots of ass.

Sounds pretty awesome, right? (Except for... when it isn’t.)

To Jessica Jones, a perpetual outsider, being a “superhero”—a tarnished, been-to-hell-and-back one, at that—is anything but awesome.

And ever since a whole lot of crap went down in her life—culminating in her retirement from the whole superhero biz, and making everything that much less awesome—she’s been doing her level best to just... exist.

Not in any “super” kind of way.

But in an if-only-I-can-get-through-another-day way.

Until the day Amber Randall walks through the grimy door of Jessica’s dingy apartment-cum-private-eye-office-space... begging for help, as only a desperate parent can.

Jessica, wallowing in the pit of despair, fear, and self-loathing deep within her soul, is drawn to the other woman’s pain and fear, for it touches on feelings she knows too well. And to her own surprise, she softens enough to accept Mrs. Randall’s frantic pleas for her to take the case.

It’s the first book in a brand-new Marvel Crime series of original stories based on Marvel superheroes, Breaking the Dark (penned by bestselling author Lisa Jewell).



Amber, the socialite mother of fraternal twin teens—Lark and Fox—is out of her rarefied depths, regarding them.
After spending the summer in England with their father/her ex, the twins returned to Manhattan... different.

Not like cool-London-hipsters, or even posh-silver-spoon-kids different, but in a spent-the-summer-in-rural-England-with-oddballs kind of different.

But as bizarre as that is, what’s even more weird is how they’ve changed physically—gone are all signs of typical teens (pocky skin, lank hair, crooked teeth, awkward body movements), and in their place? Perfection.

Perfect skin. Perfect smiles. Perfect posture. Even perfect self-assuredness.

[If the Stepford Wives were young adults? They might resemble Lark and Fox Randall.]

Another worrisome peculiarity is their obsession with someone they met over there... a girl named Belle, whom they keep going on about.

Amber Randall knows these aren’t the same children she sent off to visit their father a few months earlier for the summer holidays.

These kids are...well, not right.

And Amber is convinced that only another person who is certifiably “different”—in other words, Jessica—stands a chance of getting to the bottom of what has changed them so drastically.

It’ll only take a trip to the merry old England countryside—Jessica’s first trip on an airplane, or out of the country, ever—to do so.

What could go wrong..??


First, you have to understand that this novel puts you smack dab in a time following the events of the TV series, Jessica Jones.

[So, in case you didn’t understand that this is a spinoff book from a TV show? You’d be wise going back and viewing the show, first, to get a full sense of the space these characters inhabit... or passing on this one, completely.]

If you have watched (and enjoyed) the TV series, though, Breaking the Dark is a natural and welcome continuation in the saga of a complex, fascinating character.

Jewell perfectly captures Jessica’s dark—really dark, at times—personality... as well as her deadpan, sarcastic humor. [She’s probably not everyone’s cup of tea—or shot of whiskey, being Jessica—but to me, she’s compelling.]

There’s also a nice amount of angst about, and quality time with, the superhero Jessica is closest to, Luke Cage (with whom she’s been in an on-again/off-again not-quite-relationship). They share some great scenes in the book, which fans of both series are sure to appreciate.

Breaking the Dark explores the post-trauma stress Jessica’s still trying to work through... and throws a couple additional surprises into the mix [no spoilers, here, folks], to further complicate matters.

When the various resolutions finally come, they feel earned; nothing is a given, or easy, in this book... which, again, is totally true to Jessica Jones.

If you’re already a fan of these characters, Breaking the Dark is a must-read.

On the other hand, if you haven’t encountered them before—but are willing to do a little deep-dive into their world (especially if you’re superhero-friendly)—you well might find something new to love.

~GlamKitty




[My sincere thanks to Hyperion Avenue, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are, as always, entirely my own.]

I still can't decide how I feel on this one. I liked the story/idea, but the writing was a little ... off? juvenile? It reads very YA and I was not expecting that. The ending is also super rushed and a let down.

I have recently come to find this author. She's an amazing author her writing is awesome. She can have you hooked. I absolutely love this book The twists are unbelievable. Definitely took me about 2 days to read this book cuz I just could not put it down and I absolutely love Books like that.

Thank you MetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

This was interesting. The concept was definitely unique. I loved the idea. It wasn’t typical Lis &323@@‘s thriller. I still loved it!

I have read many books by Lisa Jewell and as a fan I was thrilled to receive an ARC from Netgalley. The reason I gave this book 3* is not that it was a bad book, it was quite interesting. But I am not into this type of genre, but if you are into magic, abnormal obsessions, immortality, then this book is for you. Although listed as a mystery - and yet it had mysterious people and things happening - I found it more a fantasy. It leans to perfection and how young minds are geared to thinking they need to be perfect. There is no app for that.

Therefore, Jessica Jones, private investigator goes deep diving into finding out what is happening with young adults and their obsession and hopes she is not too late.

Jessica Jones is back, and this book does not disappoint. Gritty, raw, and refreshingly human, Breaking the Dark throws you into Jessica’s messy, complicated world—where hangovers and heartbreak are just as real as the dark forces she faces. She’s no longer the spandex-wearing superhero; she’s a PI with a sharp wit, a lot of baggage, and a deep-rooted sense of justice, even if she’d never admit it.

The mystery starts when a desperate mother walks into Jessica’s office with a wild-sounding story about her children being “replaced” after a trip to the UK. And just like that, Jessica’s dragged into something much darker and stranger than she expected. The eerie village of Barton Wallop and its unsettling residents make the whole thing feel like a creepy fairy tale—but with teeth.

What I loved most is how real Jessica feels. She’s flawed, she’s tough, and she questions everything—including herself. The story is packed with suspense, and the supernatural twist keeps you guessing until the end. Whether you’re a long-time Marvel fan or totally new to the universe, this book is a strong, stand-alone thriller that delivers on mystery, heart, and grit.

I enjoyed the thriller storyline but didn’t pay attention that this was also a Jessica Jones superhero story. Am not a Marvel fan so was taken back a bit but the thriller aspect was interesting and different. I have enjoyed all of her books so I was very excited for this one so am glad I read it but in all honesty I didn’t love and I just wasn’t a fan of adding the superhero and thriller together.

Breaking The Dark; is the first book in the Marvel Crimes series and this one is written by Lisa Jewell, let me start this review by saying due to Netflix is great accessibilities I watched Jessica Jones until it ended as well as Luke Cage but reading it in book form is so much better. We learned so much about Jessica as well as the secret she’s keeping from Luke her on again, off again, lover this was a weird book with major twist I mean what’s more mysterious than an island in Scotland two twins who don’t act like they should this book is full of great things and I loved all of it and I cannot wait for the second book as a blind person I prefer reading over watching TV any day and as far as books go this is a five star read on its own not even comparing it to its television counterpart. I love love loved it! #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #LisaJewell,#BreakingTheDark,

I love this author but this was a dnf for me- I think bc I am used to her suspenseful thrillers and this was a cozy detective mystery which is not a genre I normally like.

My Thoughts:
I DNF’d Breaking the Dark—even though I’m a Marvel fan. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I think I went into it hoping for Lisa Jewell’s usual vibe, and this just didn’t have that. It felt really different from her other books, and I just couldn’t get into the story. I gave it a solid try, but it didn’t work for me this time.

Genre:
Superhero Fiction / Thriller

Age Range:
Adult

I wont be sharing this on my social media page! Thank uou for the free ARC.

I am not a marvel person so I did not know what to expect! This book was great and made a point of what people would really do to be perfect. I enjoyed this and can’t wait to read more!

I started this book having no idea it was a Marvel book. I just saw the author was Lisa Jewell and was interested. But, I am glad I read it because I think non Marvel fans can enjoy it as well. The book follows Jessica Jones, who I guess is a super hero in the Marvel universe. She is hired by a mother as a P.I after the mother’s teenage twins come back from a summer in England with their father and aren’t acting like themselves. The novel was interesting and well written as usual by Lisa Jewell. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Breaking the Dark by @lisajewelluk
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My first Lisa Jewell book. I was excited when I saw this one because I like Marvel movies. While there were some superhero aspects, it would still appeal to those who aren’t necessarily Marvel fans. I think it’s been fun occasionally stepping outside my typical, preferred genre and realizing I do like some new things! 😆

Thank you @netgalley & @hyperionavebooks for the ARC of this for the recent paperback release!

All opinions are honest and my own.

#netgalley #goodreads #bookstagram #literarypearlsof25 #breakingthedark