3⭐️
(ARC review) — Thank you to author Lisa Jewell and her publisher Hyperion Avenue. I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love Marvel and I usually enjoy Lisa Jewell books but I’m thinking maybe you have to be an uber Marvel fan to really enjoy this book. This also isn’t the authors typical writing style. I’m not sure what I was expecting but basically this is YA mystery/super hero/detective/crime solver. Liked it. Didn’t love it. Just a so/so middle of the road detective read. I think if you’re a diehard Marvel fan, you’ll enjoy this more.

"Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel" by Lisa Jewell is a thrilling installment in the Marvel universe, featuring the iconic private investigator Jessica Jones. This gripping tale blends crime, mystery, and the complexities of human nature as Jessica navigates a dark case that challenges her both personally and professionally.

Jewell captures Jessica's tough demeanor and vulnerability, making her a relatable and compelling protagonist. The plot is fast-paced, filled with twists and turns that keep readers engaged. Themes of justice, morality, and the impact of trauma are intricately woven throughout the narrative, adding depth to the action.

Overall, "Breaking the Dark" is an exciting and well-crafted novel that showcases Lisa Jewell's ability to blend crime fiction with the rich lore of the Marvel universe. It's a must-read for fans of Jessica Jones and those who enjoy thrilling crime stories.

Breaking the Dark follows Jessica Jones post-Daredevil. She's isolated and working as a PI, still traumatized by what happened to her.

A client comes to her and begs for help figuring out what happened to her twin children, who have been "acting weird" ever since they came back from visiting their father in England. Their skin is perfect, they don't carry their phones around, and parts of their personalities seem to have been smoothed over. Jessica must travel to the English countryside to try and find the elusive "Belle" the twins keep talking about, all without getting into the same sort of trouble herself.

There's an interesting thread weaving through the story that jumps us back in time but slowly works its way forward to meet up with the present day. That kept things moving along and held my attention.

I don't want to spoil anything, but the subplot that Jessica is dealing with wasn't my cup of tea. Overall, I enjoyed Lisa Jewell's writing and had a good time with this one!

I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to receive this as an ARC, however this was not for me. I love Lisa Jewell but I am not into comic book characters or type stories. I actually suggested this book to my son though, I think if this is your jam, it seems very well written. She is a talent writer, this just wasn't my type of book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I normally love Lisa Jewell, but this was not my favorite. Jessica Jones is a retired, washed up super hero turned private investigator living in NYC. She is thrown back into the frying pan when a mother, Amber, insists that something has happened to her teenage twins. It is clear after some investigation into Amber's small town in the UK (a setting when Lisa Jewell shines) that something supernatural and possibly sinister is at play. Can Jessica solve the mystery?

My tastes are more geared towards Jewell's typical thrillers and I think I'm just not the right audience for a Marvel adaptation novel. However, even despite my lukewarm interest I was compelled to keep reading because I love Jewell's writing. It's fast paced, descriptive, and creepy. I also like how Jewell wrote Jessica, even though I had very little background knowledge on this character. Jessica is a very flawed and vulnerable main character but I still managed to root for for her. There are only so many female superheros!

Overall, this was enough to hold my interest, but I don't think I will continue on to the next book. I do think Jewell's typical audience will be pretty split over this one. In my opinion this series is more suited for comic book lovers or people with background knowledge of Jessica Jones and the Marvel world. I do applaud Jewell for trying something different and eagerly await her next classic thriller release.

Not my normal genre that I gravitate towards, but I still enjoyed the storyline here. Really enjoy Lisa Jewell’s writing style. Overall, I’d rate it a 3.5 stars. Thank you for the ARC!

⭐3.75. I vaguely remember seeing a few episodes of Jessica Jones on Netflix a while back. And here I am, reading a full length novel about her Marvel character, written by an author I really like.

When I began this book though, I noticed the writing didn't seem familiar. It is written very well, but felt different... the dialogue for me was a bit simple, unlike I'm used to with Lisa Jewell's novels. It wasn't until I was almost finished with the book that it dawned on me (duh!!), she wrote the story in character, sticking to the existing Jessica Jones; it wasn't a character Lisa created herself. That kinda changed things for me. Although, maybe everyone clued in much sooner 🤷🏼‍♀️ haha

I felt like there was a bunch of background info I was missing, but I'm used to that with the Marvel universe. Eventually things click into place, or I just need to read or watch something else and I'll get it. It wasn't too distracting.

I really enjoyed this PI investigation story. "Perfect" twins (creepy!!), a trip to the UK, a psychopath, a genius, an immortal witch, and Luke Cage! (😍)

Within this story, it touches on what the meaning of happiness is to people, and unattainable beauty standards set in society, and the drastic measures people (especially youth) are willing to take to attempt to achieve "perfection"—spoilers, it doesn't exist!!

"Perfect is what you are when you are listening only to the beat of your own heart, the sound of your own feet on the road ahead of you, the one pure voice that exists inside you telling you that you are fine, just the way you are."

A quote from the immortal woman in the story: "This world was designed for a good time, not a long time. Its pleasures fade after a while, and they are meant to. We are meant to leave this world." 🩷 Beautiful, and sad, and true

✨"Break through the dark. Find the light."✨

I gave this book a 3.75 stars! As someone not familiar with Marvel storylines/characters, it took me a bit to get into the book. Once I was in, though, I was excited to keep picking it back up. I thought the main character was dynamic and interesting and I felt connected to her journey throughout. I enjoyed the issue the "bad guys" were trying to fix and how it really could easily become a nightmare. I was also appreciative that the super hero aspect didn't take over the rest of the narrative and it was more of a fun add than something necessary to the storyline.

The ending was tied up in a bow but it wasn't in an overly expected way or something I was rolling my eyes about. I genuinely wanted to know that things were going to be good. The ending of the story of the "bad guys" felt slightly abrupt and I didn't fully understand why the "father" of the family was killed like that. That part wasn't clear to me.

Overall a fun read and I always appreciate Lisa Jewell's writing and framing of stories. I thought it was fun to embark on new subject matter and bring us something a little different!

I’m sorry I didn’t love this one but I did not hate it either. I mean it is Lisa Jewell!! The supernatural part hasn’t reached my curiosity since I was buying comic books in my childhood, so I connected somewhat but not enough to score it as a 5 star!
I have not watched the Netflix series with Jessica Jones and her super powers, but intrigued enough to match some of the descriptors with a visual! Some readers are going to love this one. I love her writing so it kept me persevering. It does have a dark premise that gives a creepy and strange plot. Kudos to the Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel #1 for being entertaining!
Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Another great book by Lisa Jewell, known for twisty thrillers. Lisa goes into the slightly different terrain with "Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel". This book is available everywhere. I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced, twisty superhero and supernatural mystery. And it's not necessary to be a Marvel devotee to enjoy this book. I'm more of a Marvel dabbler and really enjoyed it. 4 out of 5 stars.

An ambitious task to enter the marvel universe but Jewell pulls it off expertly, I love both this authors books and the Marvel franchise so the combination was instantly on my radar, it didn't disappoint, the characters felt true to the original and the plot had me fully engaged throughout, such a fun idea! One criticism was that it did feel a little YA in parts

Lisa Jewell’s *Breaking the Dark* breathes fresh life into Marvel’s street-level noir, bringing Jessica Jones back in a gritty, supernatural-infused thriller. A blend of psychological mystery, social commentary, and classic PI storytelling, this book captures the essence of Jessica—her flaws, her resilience, and her undeniable knack for getting entangled in the darkest of cases.

Jessica, now a retired superhero-turned-private investigator, is pulled into a chilling mystery when a desperate mother, Amber Randall, insists her teenage twins have been replaced by something… inhuman. Their time spent in the UK with their father has transformed them into eerily perfect versions of themselves—flawless skin, polished manners, and an unsettling obsession with a girl named Belle. Jessica’s investigation leads her to a strange countryside village, a reclusive young woman, and a past riddled with secrets, all tied together by an ominous force lurking beneath the pursuit of perfection.

Jewell’s writing thrives in this darker, atmospheric take on the Marvel universe. The novel weaves together a haunting dual timeline, eerie small-town horror, and deep psychological tension. It critiques the dangers of unattainable beauty standards, the illusion of perfection, and the sinister side of influence—both digital and supernatural. The pacing is sharp, and Jessica’s sardonic voice keeps the narrative engaging, making even the quieter moments pulse with tension.

That said, while the mystery unfolds grippingly, some elements—particularly the supernatural twist—lack the punch needed to make them feel truly unpredictable. Readers unfamiliar with Jessica’s backstory may find her characterization a bit underexplored, and the ending, while satisfying, doesn't quite deliver the jaw-dropping twists one might expect from a thriller of this caliber.

Overall, *Breaking the Dark* is a compelling fusion of noir and the uncanny, perfect for fans of Jessica Jones and mystery lovers alike. Lisa Jewell successfully translates her talent for suspense into a Marvel story that feels fresh, eerie, and thought-provoking. While not flawless (ironically), it’s a strong start to the *Marvel Crime* series—one that will leave readers eager for more.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I was excited to read this book, usually loving Lisa Jewell books. However, this just wasn’t the book for me. It took me awhile to get through the book.

Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel
Marvel Crime #1 written by Lisa Jewell

Jessica Jones is an ex-superhero with superhuman strength and limited flight turned private investigator who opens a detective agency. Failing at crime fighting and only gaining PTSD from the fear of being once kept prisoner and hunted by a psychopath, she put hero crime fighting in the past and deals with sub-par work in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. A new job falls in her lap, and at first, she thinks it’s a waste of time, but it pays well, and she’s broke. The further Jessica looks into the case, the more abnormal it seems and she needs to get answers for her client. 

If you are familiar with the Netflix show, the premise is the same, but continues after her complicated relationship with Luke Cage, where he makes brief appearances in this story that is a side plot. Written as a book and not like a comic or screenplay, Jessica takes you along this new strange job while she deals with her own personal drama. In book form, you get much more from the story as it's being told to you rather than shown, which gives more information to follow the plot line easily. Some parts would look interesting in a TV show, but would lack the understanding behind what you see. So I appreciate reading this rather than seeing it. Also, since I saw the show, I could easily picture some of the characters and the setting in my mind as I went along. 

Lisa Jewell keeps the preservation of the character and world she lives in and successfully puts her storytelling in this book. I think people who are not Marvel followers would enjoy this story, but it might be good to understand Jessica and Luke's backstory to understand their powers since there are brief mentions of them without much explanation. I watched the show when it aired so I didn't need to know the history of the characters in the book. I think a quick online search would help any new reader of this world to fill in the blanks of Jessica and Luke.   

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue in exchange for an honest review. The opinions of this book are my own.

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the access to this eARC.

So I am not a Lisa Jewell reader, with this book being my first novel of hers. I am, though, a Marvel fan and I enjoy the low-tier, neighborhood superheroes, like Jessica Jones. This novel is based on the comic version of Jones as opposed to the television series version, although if you have seen Season 1 of Jessica Jones, you will find yourself well-prepared with the background for more fully enjoying the story.

Jones is offered a job by a wealthy, New York businesswoman to discover what is going on with her twin, teen children who are acting very strangely after pending a month in England with their father. The teens seem oddly disconnected, have somehow gained incredibly flawless appearances, and answer any questions about their well-being with a variation on "perfect". Jones is sent to England to investigate and runs into a somewhat supernatural challenge in completing this case.

While the book is a relatively solid detective crime story that just happens to have a touch of the supernatural and superhero genres in the mix, it really doesn't do well with maintaining the mixture. It really needed a primer about who Jessica was to smooth out the entry into the story for those who didn't know Jones from the comics or television series. It also didn't seem to have a clear audience. Marvel fans were probably looking for more action, Jewell fans were probably looking for more romance, and crime fans were probably put off by the supernatural aspects. Overall, though, it was a good offering, and I look forward to seeing the next book in the Marvel Crime Series.

“BREAKING THE DARK” by Lisa Jewell 🦹🏻‍♀️

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this one. Jewell is hit or miss for me. She’s a terrific writer always but sometimes I find her stories predictable and boring. Couple that with the fact that I have never heard of Jessica Jones or her Marvel character and my hopes for this were not very high. I ended up devouring this and finding it to be a four star read.

Part horror, part science fiction, part thriller we find ourselves joining the Marvel universe just after Jessica has been rescued from the Purple Man but before her PI firm really takes off. Her relationship with Luke Cage is dodgy and she is trying to navigate a new way of living with PTSD. She gets hired by a rich NY mother whose kids have been acting out of sorts and she wants to figure out why. What unfolds is a crazy plot that takes us across two continents and questions our knowledge of quantum physics.

It was fast paced, and well written. I ended up really liking Jessica and I felt like despite the fact that Jessica Jones has a backstory that was written by someone else, Jewell does a phenomenal job of showing a piece Jones that hasn’t yet been explored. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time wanting to figure out what was going on and how it was all going to be resolved.

Themes: Trauma healing; Pregnancy; Immortality; Friendship; Healing; Social Media

Recommend for fans of the Marvel Universe, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Lisa Jewell.

Thank you to Lisa Jewell and Hyperion Avenue Publishing for allowed to me read an early version of this book in exchange for my honest review and for Lisa Jewell taking the time to autograph a copy for me.

🏷️
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Lisa Jewell's Breaking the Dark marks an ambitious step into the Marvel Universe, blending her signature psychological suspense with a supernatural crime thriller. While I didn't love this book as much as I hoped, I still found it intriguing and engaging enough to keep turning the pages.

I'll be honest-the supernatural elements didn't quite grip me the way I had expected. It's been a while since that genre truly fascinated me, and while Breaking the Dark had its eerie moments, l couldn't connect with it enough to give it a full five-star rating. However, Jewell's writing is as compelling as ever, which kept me invested even when the plot veered into the more fantastical.

The story follows Jessica Jones, the gritty, no-nonsense private investigator and former superhero, as she takes on a chilling case involving a mother convinced that something unnatural has happened to her teenage twins. The premise is undeniably intriguing, and the book evokes an unsettling atmosphere that keeps you guessing. However, I found the execution to be a bit uneven. Some parts felt rushed, and the ending didn't pack the punch I was hoping for.

For those unfamiliar with Jessica Jones, this book provides enough context to follow along without prior knowledge of the character. That said, longtime fans might find themselves wishing for a bit more depth in her backstory. The pacing is solid, with short chapters that make for a quick read, but at times, it leans more toward YA territory than a hard-hitting thriller.

Overall, Breaking the Dark is an entertaining, darkly atmospheric read that some will love and others may find a bit out of place within Jewell's usual style. It's not a Lisa Jewell classic, but it's still a fun ride. If you're a Marvel fan or enjoy crime stories with a supernatural twist, it's worth picking up-but maybe don't run for it.

What I Liked:
*Fast-paced with short chapters
*Intriguing premise
*Strong atmosphere and suspense

What I Didn't Like:
x Lacked major twists
x Felt more YA than expected
x Ending was somewhat predictable

I was very excited to read this book by Lisa Jewell as her books are always favorites of mine. However, this one just didn't appeal to me. I do think it was my age (74) that prevented me from getting into the book. I do think that younger readers will like this book.
Unfortunately, this wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love Lisa Jewell! I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book but I got it! It’s an enjoyable read and a spin on superhero’s we don’t always get to see!!

Thank you. Disney Publishing group for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book for an honest review. I will definitely be picking up more of the Marvel Crime Series!!

BREAKING THE DARK is the first in the Marvel Crime series starring Jessica Jones. This was my very first exposure to Jessica Jones. I had never seen her in a Marvel movie or comic book. I had never watched the Jessica Jones TV series. Since this is an original story by the author that should not have been a problem, I found from the start that the story read as if it was written from the middle of a thought process or the middle of a story. I wondered a few times if I missed something or if it was just info the author assumed the reader already knew.
A major event takes place in Jessica’s life and is mentioned throughout the book. It is not until near the end that it is described more thoroughly. Being a Jessica Jones novice, I would have preferred that the information would have been provided sooner, maybe in a prologue.
The beginning was a rough start for me. The writing was forced and unimaginative. There were quite a few cringy lines. By the middle, the flow got better and the plot was more exciting. By the end it had slowed down again and I was over reading it.
Overall, it read like a young adult book with an interesting plot. If you like superheroes and Marvel, this is a book that you should check out.


Thank you, NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue, and Lisa Jewell, for the opportunity to read this digital ARC for my honest review.

“Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel” is available: March 25, 2025

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