
Member Reviews

This just wasn’t it for me. I typically enjoy Lisa Jewell! She’s a great thriller writer. So I had to snag this ARC. But this fell short. I DNF’d at 36%.
I’m not a marvel fan which probably didn’t help me. Not only that but I felt like it jumped around and I thought one thing was going on then something else was. I just really didn’t connect.
I think I’m just not the best audience for this one!
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I would like to start off by thanking netgalley for the arc of this book.
I officially love everything that Lisa Jewell writes. I was a little suspicious of liking this because I do not know much about Marvel or the Marvel Universe, and Jewell made it so that I didn't need to know any of Marvel's history to enjoy Jessica Jones.
When Jessica wakes up completely hungover, all she wants to do is nurse that hangover instead of working, although when a distraught mother comes in claiming that her twins have different personalities after coming home from a trip with their father in the UK. Something strikes a cord with Jessica so she travels to an isolated town in England to try and figure out what happened to Amber Randalls twins.
Following Jessica Jones' internal struggles with knowing nothing is perfect and trying to figure out what is going on with these twins Jewell introduces a new side to her writing and to the marvel universe. I absolutely loved this book and would 10/10 recommend to every person who enjoys not only marvel but Jewell's writing as well.

This book isn't for everyone. I am a HUGE Marvel fan and also a Lisa Jewell fan.
The first third of the book was kinda hard to get through, I would have rated that part a 2 star. It got much better. I really enjoyed this one..if you are a Marvel fan, specially Jessica Jones and Luke Cage...pick this one up!
#JessicaJones
#LisaJewell
#NetGalley

Lisa Jewell is a bit hit or miss for me. While I haven’t truly loved any of her books, I still find myself coming back to her work—I’m not entirely sure why. With Breaking The Dark, my feelings are mixed. I didn’t realize it was a Marvel tie-in, and if I had, I might have skipped it. I’m not usually drawn to stories involving superpowers or a lot of action, though I do enjoy some fantasy now and then.
The story started off slowly, but it managed to hook me with its intriguing premise. I found it refreshingly different from other fantasy books I’ve read, and that uniqueness kept me engaged. The writing itself was decent, though some of the dialogue felt a bit forced or unnatural. Still, the book wasn’t bad overall. Jewell brought a creative angle to the story, and I appreciated that effort.
If you're a fan of Marvel stories, there's a good chance you'll enjoy this one. But if you're picking it up because you're a longtime Jewell reader, be aware that it’s quite different from her usual style.

I requested this book knowing full well I am NOT a Marvel person. But I am a Lisa Jewell person.
The first quarter of this book, I struggled to connect with it and had in my mind I’m not into fantasy/super hero theme. Once I got over that and saw the book for what it was, I loved it.
As LJ usual, it was very unique. Her loyal readers might have a hard time getting into this new style of hers but I’ll say, I had a great time reading it.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
One of my favorite authors is writing a Marvel novel ... I was intrigued and excited...but this fell flat for me. Maybe it is because I was not into the supernatural aspects.

Absolutely love me a good thriller! And this cover is perfect. I love a good, quick read in the summer time that keeps me on the edge of my seat! Love me some Lisa Jewell.

I requested this book because it was Lisa Jewell. But it was not for me. I found it hard to follow and get into. I won't requesrt or purchase the rest of the series

A thrilling addition to the Marvel universe, focusing on Jessica Jones' gritty investigations. Jewell blends superhero elements with crime fiction seamlessly. A captivating read for both Marvel fans and crime novel enthusiasts.

This is really a 3.5 ⭐ book for me. I love both Lisa Jewell and Jessica Jones.
Of course, the writing flowed well, but something felt amiss.
Maybe it's because I watched the Jessica Jones Netflix series so I already had an idea of what/who she is.
This is a story about a crime fighting lady who is intrigued enough by a potential paranormal job that she actually takes it.
Amber Randall comes in to Jessica's office claiming that something isn't right with her children after a visit with their dad in the UK. She basically insinuates that her children have been replaced with fake versions.
Seems crazy, right? Well Buckle up because the ride this story takes you on is insane and dark!
If supernatural is your thing, pick it up for yourself and see what it's all about!

In this different type of book, Lisa Jewell introduces us to Jessica Jones: Retired super hero, private investigator, loner. She avoids the crime fighting life that she once lived to have a quiet life working on surviving day-to-day in Hell’s Kitchen, New York.
Amber, a distraught mother who comes to Jessica's office is adamant that something happened to her teenage twins while they were visiting their father in the UK. The twins don’t act like themselves, and they now have perfect skin and keep talking about a girl named Belle. Amber insists her children have been replaced by something horrible.
Traveling to a small village in the British countryside, Jessica meets the mysterious Belle, who lives a curiously isolated life in an old farmhouse with a strange woman who claims to be her guardian. Why does the strange little village of Barton Wallop seem to harbor mysteries in its community?
Jessica knows that nothing in life is perfect—not these kids, not her relationship with Luke Cage, and certainly not Jessica herself. I am not a Marvel fan so this book was not my favorite.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)
Breaking the Dark is a gritty, atmospheric mystery with a supernatural edge, featuring a jaded Jessica Jones navigating a creepy UK village and a chilling case of “perfect” teens. Lisa Jewell delivers a noir-style story that’s compelling, though a bit slow at times.
Jessica’s voice is strong, but readers unfamiliar with her backstory may feel a little lost. More context around her powers and past would’ve added depth. Still, the eerie vibes and unique plot make this a solid start to the Marvel Crime series—dark, moody, and definitely intriguing.

This is set in the world of the Jessica Jones comics which I have read some of but don’t know quite as well as I know the television show. That fact made it hard to get through this book. The story was also slow going at first, which didn’t help.
This is the first in a series of books set in the Marvel universe but I don’t think I’ll be continuing it.

This one was a lot different than past Lisa Jewell books I've read. I'm not a Marvel fan and didn't realize this was Marvel so it wasn't really my cup of tea but if you love Marvel make sure to grab this one!!

*Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel* by Lisa Jewell is a fast-paced, gritty dive into the world of Marvel’s favorite hard-hitting detective. Jessica Jones is back, tackling a dangerous case that takes her into the murky depths of crime and corruption. Jewell’s writing captures Jessica’s sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude perfectly, while adding just the right amount of suspense and action. If you love your crime novels with a side of superhero flair, this book delivers! It’s a thrilling, page-turning read for anyone who’s a fan of Marvel, crime fiction, or just a great story full of twists and turns.

Couldn’t get into this book. I struggled staying interested and connecting with the characters. I loved the cover art for this book.

Looks like the start of a series. I love the characters from the Marvel series. Story was ok. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this

Special thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jewell and Hyperion Avenue for an ARC of this highly anticipated novel. I can admit that it initially took some time for me to become invested in the novel, but that quickly changed. I am also not overly interested in sci-fi; however, the elements of this that were included with the twists and turns, mystery and suspense was a nice touch. There were multiple perspectives, characters and timeframes which made the book intriguing. I love the moral of the story and the way that the author summarized the events from start to finish in the main characters news article. Overall, would highly recommend this book and this author.

Breaking The Dark is a Marvel-inspired crime novel written by Lisa Jewell. I love Lisa Jewell, and her books are usually a must-read for me, so I was pretty excited about this one. I am also a Marvel fan, so I figured this would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, I think my knowledge of Jessica Jones did not help and actually did more harm when basing my opinion.
If you don't know who Jessica Jones is, then this book might work for you a bit more. However, if you do know who Jessica Jones is, it is best if you disassociate what you are familiar with and go in with a clear palate. This Jessica Jones is not the super badass, takes-no-crap, butt-kicking woman you know, but instead, she is way more relaxed and highly concerned about her possible pregnancy, therefore, she doesnt try to do too much. (She does still have superhero abilities, though.)
This book did not reach my expectations overall, and unfortunately, it fell very flat for me. I do, however, appreciate Lisa Jewell for venturing out and trying something new! 2.5 stars, rounded up!
Thank you NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue, and Lisa Jewell for this read!

Lisa Jewell takes a detour from her usual domestic thrillers and ventures into the Marvel Universe with Breaking the Dark, a Jessica Jones novel that mostly delivers. Jewell successfully captures the gritty, noir feel of the character, and the story offers a compelling mystery that keeps the pages turning.
Jessica Jones is a retired superhero turned private investigator, as she investigates a strange case involving altered teenagers. Jewell weaves a complex narrative that blends elements of the supernatural with a grounded, street-level crime story. The book explores themes of identity, perfection, and the dark side of obsession, which resonate beyond the superhero genre.
Jewell's writing is strong, as always, with a focus on character development and suspenseful pacing. The mystery unfolds gradually, keeping the reader engaged and guessing until the end. While the Marvel elements are present, the story is accessible to readers unfamiliar with the source material.
However, the book isn't without its flaws. At times, the pacing can feel uneven, and some readers may find the blending of genres slightly jarring. While Jewell captures Jessica's voice well, some long-time fans might find this interpretation of the character slightly different from what they're used to.
Overall, Breaking the Dark is a solid entry into the Marvel Crime series. It's an entertaining and well-written mystery with a unique premise and a compelling protagonist. While it may not be perfect, it's a worthwhile read for fans of Lisa Jewell, Jessica Jones, and anyone looking for a dark, twisty thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jewell, and Hyperion Avenue Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.