DNF

Unfortunately, I didn’t do enough research before requesting this ARC and didn’t realize it was tied to The Marvel Universe. Since I don’t have extensive knowledge of that world, I struggled to stay engaged and ultimately lost interest. That said, the mystery surrounding the siblings was intriguing, and I think readers with more background knowledge may really enjoy this book. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it!

As someone who is not a big Marvel person, this was still a good book. I will admit it take me a while to get into it but when I did, I found it pretty intriguing.

Whether you're a marvel person or not, I think most readers will find some sort of element they will like from this book.

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC of #BreakingtheDark by Lisa Jewell. Hitting shelves near you tomorrow!!

3.5/5 Stars (Rounded Down)

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for an ecopy of this book!! Breaking The Dark is already out now but newly available in paperback starting 3/25🥳

As someone who knows literally nothing about Marvel or Jessica Jones, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this one. I found Jessica’s character charmingly down to earth, whip smart (streets & book wise!) and gritty as many of Jewell’s MCs are. The plot was definitely interesting and relevant to today’s world revolving around technology, unrealistic beauty standards and the unconventional means people will take in order to achieve them.

One thing I didn’t love about the book were the multitude of sub plots. I didn’t think they added much to the book and took away from the overall main plot. I can see where they could’ve added value for some but it just didn’t land for me. This book was also labeled as a thriller which I don’t exactly think rings true, at least in my opinion. I was definitely interested but never on the edge of my seat or flipping pages as fast as I could.

All that being said, this was definitely a solid read and overall very interesting. I’m glad I gave this book a chance as I generally love Lisa Jewell novels. If you’re weary of the Marvel designation this novel holds, I wouldn’t let that discourage you in the slightest.

Lisa Jewell Fan ✔️
Marvel fan ✔️ (sort of)

While I don't know much about Jessica Jones I do enjoy other marvel characters (even just got back from comicon). I enjoyed the back and forth in time,0 which I'm a fan of. I'm glad there were parts of JJ's back story through the book. I'm typically not a fan of supernatural stuff and I knew going in it was a superhero type book. I like that she became a private investigator and needs to take on this case about teen twins.

Overall, I think it wasn't for me but I can see why others would absolutely love this book.


I am not sure about the Luke Cage book but I'll pick up the Daredevil one for sure. Thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue.

#BreakingtheDarkAJessicaJonesMarvelCrimeNovel

3.75 ⭐️ this one was so hard to get into but once I was in, I really enjoyed the story! While I didn’t really find it to be particularly suspenseful or surprising, I liked the mystery element and enjoyed the way the clues were slowly revealed through the dual timelines.

Jessica Jones is such an iconic marvel anti-hero with her very complicated history but I love most iterations of her story. While this version is less gritty than the Jessica most people know her as, she’s well written and multifaceted throughout the story. All of the background characters are developed and each of them add their own layer to the story, even Speckles.

My biggest issue with Breaking the Dark was the pacing. Part one of the story really dragged for me and it wasn’t until we were in England that I felt like things were starting to pick up and hold my interest. The story also felt a little too long. I think it would’ve benefited from being 50 pages shorter.

All in all, it was a good plot, well written characters, and a solid mystery throughout. I’d recommend for marvel fans or fans of low suspense mystery.

I am a Marvel movie fan, but have never read any Marvel, however anything that Lisa Jewel writes is going to be great! This one is right up there with her best.

I’m not really a marvel fan, so I came into this with an open mind. I am always willing to give something new a chance. With that said, this book had Marvel superhero elements, but it wasn’t drenched in it making it easy for me to get lost in the story.

Overall, I would say the story line entertained me and kept me interested to its conclusion.

Jessica Jones is a private investigator with special powers who is hired to investigate some bizarre behavior of two twins who went away for the summer to spend time with their father. As the investigation progresses things become more and more strange as Jessica uncovers a more sinister reason behind the behavior of the two twins.

I felt this story unfolded slowly. Although it moved a little too slow for me, I did enjoy the story line, and as the conclusion approached, I found myself enjoying it more and eager to reach the end.

This is the first novel I’ve read by this author, and I liked her writing style. I plan on picking up another book by Lisa Jewell in the near future.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for this Advanced Reading Copy of Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell.

3.75 stars.
Anything Lisa Jewell writes always keeps me on the edge of my seat. I won't lie I was a little hesitant to start this because it's so different from her other books. The first 2/3 of this book was a little slow, but the last 1/3 will keep you from putting this book down. I still have so many questions from the end!!!

Even if this isn't your typical genre I encourage you to give this a read! The characters, the storyline, the suspense all top notch. Can't wait to read the next Lisa Jewell. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Lisa Jewell's Breaking the Dark plunges Jessica Jones into a chilling mystery: a mother's desperate claim that her twins have been replaced after a foreign trip. Jewell crafts a suspenseful narrative, drawing Jessica into a remote village where strange occurrences and unsettling transformations lurk.

Despite my usual preference for other genres, Breaking the Dark kept me thoroughly engaged. Jewell's ability to build suspense and deliver unexpected twists made this a compelling read, even for someone less familiar with the Marvel universe. Jewell's prose creates a palpable sense of unease, perfectly complementing the story's dark and mysterious atmosphere. The slow burn of the investigation kept me guessing until the very end.

Fans of Jessica Jones will appreciate Jewell's faithful portrayal of the character's gritty realism and sharp wit, while Marvel enthusiasts will enjoy the blend of supernatural elements with a grounded, noir-style mystery.

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4 1/2 stars)

Breaking the Dark is a bold, gripping addition to both Lisa Jewell’s impressive thriller catalog and the Marvel Universe, bringing Jessica Jones to life in a way that’s raw, immersive, and deeply compelling. Jewell seamlessly blends psychological suspense with eerie, supernatural undertones, crafting a mystery that keeps you hooked from the first page. Jessica’s sharp wit, self-destructive tendencies, and relentless determination make her the perfect lead for this gritty, noir-style crime novel. While the pacing slows at times, the atmospheric tension and unpredictable twists more than make up for it. A must-read for both Marvel fans and psychological thriller lovers alike!

I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It was a bit out of my comfort zone given that I'm more of a thriller/mystery reader. I was pleased that this had a bigger focus on the crime and investigation part of the story more than the Marvel part of it. I also enjoyed that there was multiple perspectives which helped the book develop well. What piqued my interest about this book was the fact that Lisa Jewell wrote it and she did not disappoint. It also helped knowing that it was a Marvel book so I was expecting that to come up. This is a good intro book for anyone who wants to dip their toes into the marvel universe but still wants more of the crime part more than the superhero aspect.

Genres: thriller, superheroes, crime fiction, mini romantic subplot

I was hesitant about this book at first. I like superheroes, but I had never heard about Jessica Jones. I also love thrillers and crime fiction, and that is what first drew me in. The first 30% of the book was rough for me to get through because it was not Lisa Jewell's regular style (which I love!!!!). Once I was able to pull myself out of my own expectations and accept the book for what it was, it was such a fun and creepy ride.

This book has everything from self growth to murders and kidnapping to sci-fi / dystopian scaries and superpowers!!! I think that this book would be enjoyed by anyone who loved The Substance and also enjoys reading crime fiction. The intersection between science fiction and crime fiction from the perspective of a private investigator is so fun.

I think this book had a LOT of moving pieces, but I never felt like I was getting lost. I definitely never knew where the book was going, but the last 30% of the book had me sweating!!

TL;DR: This book was a fun and eerie read with a slow start and strong finish! Perfect for lovers of movies like the Substance and books like None of This is True.

I am not a huge Marvel fan but I am a big fan of Lisa Jewell. I did have a little bit of a hard time getting into it at first. But I ended up liking it more than I thought. It was a good story and well written. After I got into it, it kept my attention and was fast paced .

If you are a fan of Jessica Jones, you will love Lisa Jewell’s Breaking the Dark. Jessica is done with her super hero days and in her private detective mode. Her latest case takes her to England to investigate why 16 year-old twins have started acting strange since their visit with their father.

Jewell is already a master of thrilling suspense, and she knocks it out of the park with her take on Marvel’s Jessica Jones. She really gets to the heart of issues of insecurity and vanity along with other tropes. Character development is great and the action is non stop. There is a bit of a supernatural element, which is normal for a Jessica Jones escapade delving deeply into darkness. There is also a second timeline to supplement the main plot, but it wasn’t too confusing.

What is even more exciting is that there will be two more books in this Marvel series with the next featuring on Luke Cage. I’m sure it will be another wonderful portal to the world of Marvel superheroes.

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Absolutely loved this mystery in a semi-fantasy world! It takes place in the world as we know it, but it’s Jessica Jones! Yes, Marvel’s Jessica Jones! She is a private investigator following a traumatic event that has upended her life. She takes on a very mysterious case, involving altered reality and a little magic…… while also dealing with some strange very real personal issues and events. I really enjoyed the suspense and the little clues and breadcrumbs leading up to the truth of what happened to the twins during their summer in the UK. Such a layered, complex story that really kept my interest throughout!

3.5! Huge fan of Jessica Jones and Lisa Jewell so it fit perfectly on my TBR list. I’m not a huge fan of reading science fiction or supernatural but I was still able to enjoy the plot and writing style. I think I would definitely still pick up the next book in this series

Jessica Jones is done with spandex and saving the world. After years of crimefighting trauma, she’s traded her superhero cape for a bottle of booze and a desk in Hell’s Kitchen, trying to survive one messy day at a time. But when Amber Randall walks into her office with a bizarre story about her “replaced” twins, Jessica’s curiosity is piqued—despite the hangover that’s practically glowing in her eyes.

Amber believes her children, after a visit to their father in the UK, are no longer themselves—suddenly flawless, eerily perfect, and obsessed with a mysterious girl named Belle. So Jessica heads to the small, strange village of Barton Wallop, where things are definitely not what they seem. Enter Belle: an isolated teenager with too many questions and not enough answers. And a village that’s brimming with enough dark energy to make Jessica’s old crimefighting days seem like a walk in the park.

What works so well in Breaking the Dark is Jessica’s voice—sharp, self-deprecating, and utterly compelling. Her dry humor and emotional baggage give her an authenticity that makes her both relatable and endlessly fascinating. The pacing moves swiftly as Jessica unravels the mystery, balancing the tension of supernatural intrigue with her gritty, real-world struggles. The setting of Barton Wallop is steeped in eeriness, creating a perfect backdrop for the unsettling events that unfold.

If you’re a fan of the Marvel Universe but prefer your heroes flawed, cynical, and battling not just villains but their own demons, Breaking the Dark is a must-read. It’s a thrilling ride through mystery, suspense, and the complexities of human (and superhuman) nature, with a heroine who might be more broken than we realize—but still willing to fight.

Thank you Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for this advance copy for my honest and voluntary review.

#BreakingTheDark #NetGalley #LisaJewell #HyperionAvemue #MarvelCrime

I've been a Lisa Jewell fan for a good time now, and this one was a must-read for me!
It did not disappoint!
Breaking the Dark" is a one-of-a-kind novel, that blends superhero action and mystery within the Marvel Universe! The story is gripping, inventive, and packed with thrilling action and intrigue. It’s definitely a book I’d recommend! Jessica, a private investigator battling depression, is hired by Amber, a divorced mother whose twins have started acting strangely after visiting their father. Amber wants answers, so Jessica travels overseas to uncover what happened during their stay. Along the way, Jessica discovers she's pregnant. As a superhero, she's torn—her powers could complicate things, and she’s uncertain whether she'll face this new chapter of her life alone, both in pregnancy and parenting.
Thank you Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for the opportunity to read and review this one! I loved it!

This was my first novel and entrée to the Marvel universe. Lisa Jewell did an excellent job of providing the background to Jessica Jones and her powers as well as the darkness that drives her. In this particular novel, Jones is tasked with investigating the strange behavior of twins who have returned from visiting their father in the UK. Their mother has determined their use of the word “perfect” and their un-teenage like behavior is a huge red flag for both her and the school administration.
Jessica flies to the UK to begin meeting with the twins’ father attempting to determine what elusive social media influencer they crossed paths with during their visit. Amid the investigation, Jessica stumbles upon some nefarious characters with some devious plans. Will she be able to thwart them? I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to Jessica Jones and will pick up more books in the Marvel series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Lisa Jewell’s Breaking the Dark is a gripping blend of noir mystery and supernatural thriller, bringing Marvel’s Jessica Jones into a fresh, eerie narrative. Jessica, a hardened PI with a troubled past, is drawn into a chilling case when a mother insists her twins have been mysteriously altered after a visit to their father in the UK. The case takes her to a small English village shrouded in unsettling secrets, where the enigmatic Belle and her guardian seem to hold the key to the children’s transformation. The novel effectively balances Jessica’s signature grit with an atmospheric sense of unease, weaving psychological suspense into the Marvel Crime universe.

While the premise is undeniably compelling, the execution has a few stumbles. The pacing occasionally lags, especially in the middle, and some character interactions—particularly Jessica’s personal struggles—feel underexplored compared to the central mystery. However, Jewell’s knack for creating tension and her skillful depiction of Jessica’s sharp, cynical voice keep the story engaging. Breaking the Dark delivers an intriguing start to the Marvel Crime series, offering a fresh take on Jessica Jones with a haunting, slow-burn mystery. A solid 3.5-star read for fans of gritty detective fiction with a supernatural edge.