I wanted to read this book because of Lisa Jewel but sadly I am just not the right target audience for this book. I am normally am not a Marvel fan in general but when I saw Lisa Jewel was the author, I had hoped with the complexity of the character & Lisa Jewels writing style, I would be a made to be one. Sadly I am still not a Marvel fan but this has nothing to do with the book or writing.

I must say, Lisa Jewel is genius, from what I was able to read, & she did portay the character brilliantly. From living in Hell's kitchen & with all her trauma & mental struggles, the character did come to life for me, but since it is not my genre & with the superhero aspect, I just could not continue & for that I am sorry.

I did rate this book based on what I had read to date & the character building aspect & due to that it was excellent. I feel Lisa Jewel was the perfect choice to bring this multi-level character to life & this truly would make for an excellent movie someday.

Good luck on this book & seeing this is book #1 in a series, I hope the publisher, Marvel & Lisa Jewel have a long & prosperous relationship with this character.

I was initially hesitant about Breaking the Dark and its premise, but since I usually enjoy this author’s work, I decided to give it a chance—and I’m glad I did. Jessica Jones practically leapt off the page, and having watched the Jessica Jones series on Netflix, I could vividly picture her every move. The novel’s premise is refreshingly unique, and it fully delivers on the mystery. I truly enjoyed the read and am all in for book two, which I hope is just the start of a long series.

This was an interesting read to say the least. At the end of the novel, Jewell mentions in her acknowledgments that she went outside her comfort zone to write this book and I absolutely love that about her, however I think you could tell she wasn’t totally comfortable in this genre. The characters didn’t seem fully thought out and I had a hard time connecting to them. The plot also felt a little choppy and didn’t make a whole lot of sense. Around 30-40% the way through the book, I really wondered why I was reading this. Then about 70% the way through, in true Lisa Jewell fashion, things started to come together and I was finally hooked! I had to figure out what happened! I honestly wasn’t entirely sure about the story line throughout the book, but the wrap up at the end really made up for it. Thank you to Netgalley, Hyperion Avenue, and Lisa Jewell for the opportunity to read and review this novel, this review is entirely my own opinion.

This book was different from what I was expecting from Lisa Jewell. The characters felt unfinished and hard to connect too. This books reads like an inexperienced author wrote it and was quite disappointing for me.

As someone who’s not a Marvel fan and doesn’t typically read superhero-based books, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Breaking the Dark. But because it’s Lisa Jewell (and I’ll read anything she writes), I decided to give it a shot—and I’m glad I did… mostly.

The storyline itself was interesting, with Lisa Jewell’s signature touch of intrigue and depth woven throughout. Even in a completely different genre, her ability to create complex characters and compelling plots shines through. I was especially drawn to Jessica, the superhero at the heart of the story, and found myself eager to know more about her early days and how she became who she is. For someone like me, who wasn’t familiar with Jessica or her powers, this added an element of curiosity that kept me turning the pages.

That said, the structure of the book made things a bit challenging. The frequent shifts between different timelines were confusing at times, and I found myself having to reread certain sections to make sense of what was happening when. While the storytelling was intriguing enough to pull me through, the lack of clarity with the timeline transitions occasionally took me out of the flow.

Ultimately, Breaking the Dark is an interesting experiment for Lisa Jewell fans who might not usually go for a superhero story. While it wasn’t my favorite of her works, it’s a testament to her talent that I still found myself invested in the characters and curious about their journeys. If you’re already a fan of Jessica or enjoy books with Marvel-inspired vibes, this one will probably hit differently for you. For me, it was a decent detour from my usual reads, but I’m looking forward to Lisa Jewell’s next book in her more familiar wheelhouse.

This book cannot decide what it wants to be when it grows up, I usually enjoy Jewels novels but this one misses the mark. Characters who fly, magic potions you put on your face, blood drinking vampires.. tiresome and trite. I did not finish it.

I was very excited to read this Marvel crime thriller by Lisa Jewell, thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book. This was very interesting, first of its kind (for me) and I was hooked right from Chapter 1.

I had never read a crime thriller like this before, so I was really curious to see where the story would go. The protagonist of the book was Jessica Jones, and I just wish we got more background on her. I feel like her character wasn’t introduced properly, and more about her past would have been great.

The plot kept me interested, especially with what was happening with Fox, Lark, and how the other characters were introduced into the plot. I also wanted to see how Arthur, Polly, Ophelia, and Sebastian fit into the story. There was suspense in the first few chapters, but it was more about watching how things unraveled than not knowing what was going on. By the middle of the book, I kind of knew what was happening, but I still wanted to see how it would end.

The ending was really good, and the plot kept me hooked until the very end. Overall, this book was so fun to read, and even though I wanted a bit more about Jessica, I still really enjoyed it

I gave this book 5 stars! Lisa Jewell is a master storyteller! This is a Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel. It is a thriller and a crime novel all in one! I was taken by surprise on some of the twists and turns in a good way! I would recommend this book to everyone who likes to read!

As someone who primarily reads Christian literature but enjoys the occasional thriller, Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell offers a unique blend of crime fiction and superhero elements that might pique your interest. This novel is the first in the Marvel Crime series and centers on Jessica Jones, a retired superhero turned private investigator.

The story begins when Jessica is approached by a concerned mother whose teenage twins have returned from a trip to England exhibiting unsettling changes—they seem almost too perfect. Intrigued, Jessica travels to a quaint English village to uncover the truth, delving into a mystery that intertwines themes of beauty standards, social media influence, and the pressures faced by young people today.

Lisa Jewell, known for her psychological thrillers, brings depth to Jessica's character, portraying her struggles with past traumas and personal challenges. While the novel does explore darker themes and includes supernatural elements, it remains a gripping and thought-provoking read. As noted in a review by the Financial Times, the book "draws attention to psychological trauma and the insecurities of younger generations."

If you're open to a story that combines crime-solving with a touch of the supernatural, Breaking the Dark provides an engaging narrative that delves into the complexities of human nature and societal pressures.

while there were short chapters and simple and easy prose, there was not enough of an engaging story for me for really call this a thriller. the overall story also read like a YA novel, with a rushed and unsatisfying ending.

I was absolutely thrilled to receive an advanced reader copy of Breaking the Dark, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. From the very first page, it was clear that this novel was unlike anything Lisa Jewell has written before. Known for her twisty domestic thrillers, Jewell takes a bold and unexpected step into the Marvel Universe—and it’s nothing short of spectacular.

Jessica Marvel, the protagonist, is a fascinating addition to the Marvel world. She’s complex, flawed, and utterly magnetic, with a sharp wit and an edge that keeps you hooked. The story is brimming with clever references to the Marvel Universe, and while I won’t name any specific heroes to avoid spoiling the surprises, let me just say that the cameos and nods to fan favorites are absolutely delightful.

What impressed me most is that, even with its superhero backdrop, Jewell’s signature ability to craft deeply human characters and gripping plotlines shines through. This book is darker and more psychological than you’d expect, with a tension that lingers long after the last page.

Breaking the Dark is a bold and unexpected evolution for Lisa Jewell, showcasing her incredible range as a writer. Fans of her work, as well as Marvel enthusiasts, are in for an absolute treat. This book is a thrilling blend of suspense and superhero storytelling that left me eager to see what’s next for Jessica Marvel. Highly recommend!

Thankyou NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC

4 Stars ⭐️

It was an absolute honor of receiving an ARC of Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell!!

Jewell seamlessly switched genres to produce a Marvel-themed sci-fi/fantasy book, which was both a surprising and exciting shift.

This book follows the infamous Jessica Jones as she is hired by a woman to uncover why her twins are acting strangely after a trip to London to visit their father. Upon their return, their behavior is subdued, and they repeatedly claim to feel “perfect.” To add to the mystery, the twins have gained an almost eerie popularity at school due to their new, filtered-like appearances. As Jessica delves deeper into this case, she slowly but surely pieces together the clues to uncover the truth behind this unsettling transformation.

As a big Marvel fan, I found myself really enjoying this book. It was fun to see Jewell incorporate Marvel elements into her writing, and I think this played a big part in why I connected with the story. However, I do feel that readers without a solid Marvel background might struggle a bit to fully engage. The book doesn’t provide much detail or backstory about Jessica Jones’ character; instead, a lot of the information is implied or inferred.

In terms of pacing, the first half of the book was quite slow, which made it a little challenging to stay engaged initially. However, once the story picked up, it REALLY picked up. The second half had me completely hooked; I couldn’t put it down and found myself constantly guessing what would happen next.

Overall, Breaking the Dark was such an enjoyable read. Lisa Jewell’s ability to explore a new genre while maintaining her signature compelling storytelling is truly impressive. If you’re a Marvel fan, this book will feel like a treat. For those less familiar with the Marvel universe, it might take a little more effort to connect, but the payoff is worth it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with this e-ARC!

I loved the Jessica portions, but the mystery was meh for me. It was written well, and the characters stayed true to themselves. I felt like it could have been shorter. But it is a great addition for any Marvel fan.

Another fun and well written book by Lisa Jewell! Love her style and the way she weaves the storyline.

Lisa Jewell has done it again—proving she can master any genre she touches, even a Marvel comic book novel!

This isn’t a genre I would typically reach for, but seeing Lisa’s name on the cover was all the motivation I needed to dive in. And I’m so glad I did because I absolutely loved it.

What impressed me most was how seamlessly she infused her signature thriller elements into the world of superheroes, crafting a story that feels both fresh and completely captivating. Her deep research into the Marvel universe is evident, with plenty of clever nods and Easter eggs that comic fans will appreciate. Yet, at the same time, she manages to make these supernatural characters incredibly relatable, bringing depth and complexity to their development.

Jewell’s storytelling brilliance truly shines here, effortlessly blending suspense, intrigue, and rich character work into a genre outside her usual realm. Whether you're a longtime Marvel fan or just looking for an exciting read, I highly recommend this book—even if comic-inspired novels aren’t usually your thing. It sounds like the next Marvel novel will be written by another author, and I'll check that out to0 - but if I had my way Lisa would write all of them.

Lisa Jewell continues to prove that her talent knows no bounds!

I'm still pondering how I felt about this...

It almost immediately pulled me in and I was quickly hooked after about 20% in. I flew through the pages just NEEDING to know what was going on.

The climax was a bit of a let down. I wanted more dramatics, I guess, especially this being Lisa Jewell writing about a Marvel superhero...

The ending, although neatly wrapping everything up and teaching a life lesson, was rather bland and boring in my opinion. Even though she tried to tie up all loose ends, I was just left with questions and a feeling of blah. I mostly wanted more explanations of the backstory of the "bad people" and more sciencey/technical explanations about the "products".

Overall, this book flowed very well and was easy to read in true Lisa Jewell fashion. It kept me engaged and had me really thinking. A good read.

I'll be honest - I wanted to read this book because I'm a Lisa Jewell fan. It wasn't until it was already in my possession that I realized that it was a Marvel Crime book and I just about talked myself out of reading it because the thought of reading about Super Heros seemed childish and not something I would enjoy. However, I decided to follow through because the premise seemed interesting.
Jessica Jones is a private investigator with a dark superhero past that she hasn't healed from. She now avoids all things superhero, except for Luke Cage, another superhero that she just can't shake from her head...or her bed.
Jessica meets Amber Randall, a distraught mother, who wants to hire Jessica to investigate her twin teens, Lark & Fox. After returning from the UK where they spent the summer with their father, they came back acting very unusual - they have flawless skin, they don't seem to care about their phones and they've lost the tics and habits that made them who they were. It's almost like they are perfect. Amber is convinced something happened to them in the UK or maybe replaced them entirely.
Jessica must travel to the small village in the British countryside named Barton Wallop to find out what happened to the twins. There she meets Belle, a young girl who the twins had talked about. Belle lives in an isolated farmhouse with a guardian that seems to hold the answer to the mystery.
While struggling to find answers, Jessica must also grapple with her feelings about Luke and the pain that she both endured and caused in her past superhero days.
This story is told in dual timelines and multiple perspectives and is absolutely addictive. I am really glad I decided to power through. I came for the Lisa Jewell, but I stayed for the Marvel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for allowing me to read an Advanced Readers Copy. Look for this suspenseful masterpiece when it comes out March 25, 2025. Lisa Jewell does not disappoint!

This was a very different read for me, but I really enjoyed it. When I saw the authors name I didn’t realize that she wrote outside her normal genres. I will definitely look for similar books!

I’ll start off by saying I was so excited to receive the ARC copy of this book as my very first one! I’m not a Marvel fan”fan” but the book was great delivering the multiple story lines without confusion. It kept me wanting to read more as I wanted to be the sleuth to figure out the answers! It was a smooth fast read for me and I would definitely recommend this book! I can’t wait for the continuation of the series.

I am a HUGE Lisa Jewell fan so I requested this from Netgalley (thank you and Hyperion books for the ARC!). I'm not a huge Marvel fan so I wasn't sure how this would resonate, and at times I think the superhero stuff distracted me because it's just so out of my element. There is NOT a lot of super hero-ing here, though. Much more sleuthing!

I enjoyed the book and it was a page turner, but I felt like it got really preachy about beauty standards, in a way that was unnecessary. Lots of telling at the end, when the whole book already showed it. Give the readers some credit to draw that conclusion for ourselves!

I probably won't reach for the Marvel series in the future - not because it isn't good, it's just not for me.