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Member Reviews

I went into this without realizing it was a Marvel book featuring a super hero named Jessica Jones. I love a good super hero movie, but my knowledge is limited to only rhe most obvious, think Batman and Superman, and I have no idea if they are even Marvel or something else entirely. I do know that Batman is the coolest, but everyone knows that.

So needless to say, this isn’t my regular genre- I know Lisa Jewell from her thrillers. Despite that, the book immediately captivated me. I looked forward to reading it every night, it was very interesting. Scoring the book is hard, I didn’t love it, but I think that someone who loves this genre would absolutely obsess over it. It’s super well written (of course, Lisa Jewell) and you can tell it’s a labor of love. There is a little super human strength stuff that happens, but not so much to distract you from the main character, Jessica, and the case she is working on.

I’ve settled on 3.5 stars, bumping up to 4 when the .5 isn’t an option because this is easily a 4 or 5 star read for someone who loves this genre

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Not your normal Lisa Jewel content. It was not a bad book though. I feel like the first half of the book was slow and had a hard time wanting to finish. But it did get better and enjoyed the book!

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4.5 star
Marvel Universe is not something I usually watch or read , so I went into this read thinking it would end up in the DNF pile, boy was i wrong.

i was hooked bt the end of the first chapter.

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Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell is a breathtaking, five-star masterpiece that keeps you hooked from start to finish. With her signature blend of emotional depth and suspense, Jewell creates a story that is as heart-wrenching as it is riveting. The novel centers on Grace, a woman haunted by a tragic past, and the complex relationships she forms with those around her.

What makes this book stand out is Jewell’s incredible ability to weave together moments of intense heartbreak with glimmers of hope and redemption. Every character feels real, raw, and deeply human, and their journeys toward healing are compelling and, at times, gut-wrenching. The way Jewell explores themes of trauma, forgiveness, and self-discovery is poignant, allowing readers to connect with the emotional core of the story.

The pacing is perfect—tension builds slowly but steadily, and the twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat. I found myself unable to put the book down, desperate to know what would happen next. The way the story unfolds is masterful, with each chapter adding layers of complexity and intrigue.

Breaking the Dark is a testament to Lisa Jewell’s unparalleled storytelling. It’s a book that sticks with you long after you turn the final page. If you’re looking for a novel that explores deep emotional themes, offers unforgettable characters, and keeps you guessing, this is it. A must-read for fans of contemporary fiction, emotional journeys, and captivating narratives. 5 stars without a doubt!

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Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC of Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell. I did not realize this was a Marvel book until I had already started reading it and I was worried I would not like it because I am not into Marvel. The book was extremely slow in the beginning, to the point that I contemplated not finishing, but I was determined to power through it. Ultimately, it was not a bad read. However, I found it to be more of a YA novel, not a thriller. The storyline was easy to follow with excellent details, but it seemed difficult to connect with the characters, as there was little background on any of the characters aside from a brief glimpse of trauma for Jessica. The ending felt rushed and fell a bit flat for me. I liked the concept of the story but felt like it was missing twists you expect to see.

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I wasn't sure what to expect when I requested this book as an ARC. I've always been a fan of Lisa Jewell and the premise seemed interesting. Overall , I'm unsure if I'll pick up the next one in the series due to the superhero concept not really being my taste. Though I am not well-versed in comics. 3/5 stars from me.

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Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel by Lisa Jewell delivers an unforgettable ride. As my first Marvel book, I didn’t know what to expect, but Jewell nailed it! Jessica Jones is raw, flawed, and utterly captivating as she unravels a gripping mystery filled with twists, danger, and emotional depth. Jewell blends Marvel’s gritty world with her signature suspenseful storytelling seamlessly. The pacing was spot-on, and the plot twists kept me hooked from start to finish. Whether you’re a Marvel fan or just love a good crime thriller, this book is a must-read.

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OMG! This was the best book! I Love Marvel and this was just as good as watching the movies. I can't wait for the second book to come out. Five star read for dang sure!!

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Not your typical Lisa Jewell or Marvel content… in a good way!

Jessica Jones has (temporarily?) hung up her superhero cape to become a low-profile private investigator. She is hired by a mother whose two kids return from summer vacation as weirdly “perfect” specimen — from flawless looks to soaring academic performance and more.

This puzzle draws Jessica in, and she soon finds herself in a small town in the UK. What she finds is nothing she could have imagined.

As a huge Lisa Jewell fan, I was excited by the unique premise of this one — and it did not disappoint. The story unfolds in two timelines that eventually come together in an incredibly seamless way I did not see coming. I also enjoyed the straddling of two different settings — a small town in the UK and New York City. Jewell captures the spirit of both, painting a beautiful canvas for this wild story.

There were also several characters I was rooting for. I connected the most with Jessica, who seemed downright human and extremely relatable as a person just trying to figure out their place in the world.

Jewell is a masterful writer when it comes to rich characters, palpable settings, and unique twists. This book was a perfect mixture of all of the above, with added layers of suspense, crime, and the supernatural.

Overall, this was a captivating read, and no — you don’t have to be a Marvel fan to enjoy this!

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I'm sorry but. I did not enjoy this book. It is completely different from her other novels and this one just wasn't something I could relate to or am interested in.

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I wasn’t sure what I would think about this book being I am not a Marvel type person at all but I ended up loving this book. I was hooked from the very beginning and didn’t want to put the book down as I needed to know what was going to happen.

Jessica is a former superhero that is now a private investigator. A woman reaches out to her because her twins are home from being with their dad and they are acting strange so she wants Jessica to figure out what happened.
This story takes you on the adventure of Jessica traveling to the UK to get to the bottom of this mystery while also dealing with her own personal struggles.

The story also follows Polly from the UK as she strives to find “perfection” and she doesn’t care who she hurts along the way. Does Polly’s search for perfection have anything to do with the twins odd behavior? Jessica is determined to find out!

I was really drawn to the majority of the characters and connected with Jessica so much, though there were parts where I wanted to reach in the book and shake her. Malcolm was another favorite and really added a “spark” to the book with his excitement to work alongside Jessica.

All in all this is an excellent read and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I would recommend this book to anyone, whether they are a Marvel fan or not.

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I enjoyed this different style of writing from Lisa Jewell!

The story is Marvel, focussing on Jessica Jones, a female superhero who is going through depression and is now a private investigator.

You will be pulled in to this creepy, thrilling, and bizarre story! Marvel fans don’t miss out!

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Having read other titles from Lisa Jewell I wanted to give this novel a try. I appreciate the introduction to Jessica Jones and Marvel as I was not familiar. I recommend to Fans of Marvel or those wanting to get into it.

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LOVED! She did not disappoint. I’m a huge fan of Lisa Jewell! The perfect thriller in my opinion. Def pick this up if you’re looking for a quick engaging thriller

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I really enjoyed this book! Lisa Jewell is quickly becoming s favorite author. I will definitely be reaching out for more of her work in the very near future!

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Good story line Rated 3.75 Enjoy this author but not the best of her stories
May reread once published

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As a non marvel person i kind of struggled to get through the book i figured it was similar to her other books

It wasn’t my favorite but it did have me wondering what would happen next!!

Love all her books

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I have to be honest, I didn’t realize this was a marvel novel when I requested it! I requested because it was Lisa Jewell, and I LOVE her books! I was a little unsure for the first third of the book, because it wasn’t her usual style / content I was used to. But I was pleasantly surprised moving forward, I think mostly due to her writing style being so captivating. It was entertaining and emotional, and I think she did a wonderful job!

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I will not be giving feedback on this title. I didn't read the book. I wanted the audiobook not the hard text version.

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Breaking the Dark is a fun mystery with superhero Jessica Jones, part of a forthcoming Marvel series. I’ve read Lisa Jewell before and assumed this was going to be a standard psychological thriller. I was worried once I realized it was a Marvel story, but turned out to be pleasantly surprised.

Jessica Jones is hired as a private investigator by a wealthy mother whose teenage twins, Lark and Fox, returned from summer with their father “perfect.” Both Lark and Fox now have flawless complexions, they are talking and walking strangely, and eerily beautiful. The case takes Jessica to the twins’ father’s small English town. Things get really weird from there.

Throughout Jessica’s story, we get tiny glimpses into the villain, Polly Deveraux. As Jessica learns more, we also learn more from Polly’s perspective. It all comes together in a strange, creepy way.

I liked Jessica as a protagonist. She has self doubts and insecurities, but in an amount that makes her relatable rather than sad. Interestingly, Jessica’s actual superpowers stay mostly under wraps in this story, but that makes her seem even more powerful in some ways. Overall, I enjoyed this story and recommend. I know nothing about Marvel or the Avengers, and while I’m sure that would have added something to the story for me, it wasn’t required knowledge. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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