I really enjoyed reading this one. I don't have a lot of knowledge on Marvel, but this book drew me in from the start. I read the entire book in two days, I loved how the two stories came together, and I loved the complex characters (especially Jessica Jones). Highly recommend this to other readers.

Prior to reading this I was already extremely excited by the prospect, as a fan of comic books, Marvel and also having read some of Lisa Jewell's previous work. Thankfully I was not disappointed by this novel. This took Lisa well out of her comfort zone and she has produced an excellent novel set in the Marvel universe. I would say that it probably works best if you are familiar with the Jessica Jones back story but can probably be read without having any in depth knowledge of the character.

Jessica's powers in this story are not to the forefront, as she takes on a case of two young people who return from a trip visiting their father and appear outwardly different to their mother, and it is pretty much a good dark thriller although they do make a couple of appearances when required.

Absolutely worth reading if you like your superheroes slightly damaged or if you're in the mood for a thriller which is just that bit different.

I'd like to see Lisa maybe take this a bit further if the good folks at Marvel were inclined to do so.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy for review purposes.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect from this book as I have read many other books by this talented author and this seemed a completely different direction for her. I was very impressed and thoroughly enjoyed the concept of the book, with the main character being a retired Marvel superhero, who after some huge trauma is acting as a private investigator.

The story is well written and the characters are interesting and definitely different from my usual read. I enjoyed the plot and the idea of the ideal beauty app development and the way mind control is used was a scary reality of the possibilities of AI in the future.

I would definitely read more of this series and will recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love Marvel. And I love Lisa Jewell even more. So for me this was a match made in heaven. I opened this book with high expectations and as usual Lisa met them and then some! I inhaled this book in less than a day and I am absolutely and completely committed to this series now!

Let me start by saying that one of my favorite things about the way the story unfolds is that you don’t need to be a big Marvel fan to enjoy it. Lisa builds Jessica’s character from the ground up slowly revealing her backstory and if I wasn’t already a fan of the character, I would be after this book. One of my favorite things about Marvel is that all super heroes have a dark side and inner demons they are battling all while trying to make the world a better and safer place.

The mystery aspect of the story had me on the edge of my seat and I loved that I didn’t know how it’s all going to tie together. A word of warning for Lisa’s fans - this is very different than her usual thrillers especially as there are aspects of supernatural about it! I love that she ventured into brand new territory and did such an amazing job of it!

What to expect:
📚 emotionally damaged superhero
📚 dual timeline
📚 great writing
📚 intriguing case
📚 great character development

A huge thank you to Penguin Random House UK (Cornerstone) and NetGalley for my ARC! I’m already ready for book 2 🤣

This book had me extra excited because 1, it’s Lisa Jewell and 2, it’s Marvel! I really enjoy the storyline and like most of Lisa’s books I find them very easy to read and I loved the storyline. The cover is so nice and I love Jessica jones especially. I love the duet between these books and would highly recommend.

Lisa Jewell’s Breaking the Dark is a mesmerizing psychological thriller that plunges readers into a labyrinth of secrets, lies, and unforeseen twists. Jewell’s masterful storytelling and keen insight into the human psyche make this novel a standout in the genre.

The story revolves around Alice, a woman whose life is turned upside down when she discovers a hidden room in her new home. Inside, she finds disturbing evidence linking the previous owners to a series of unsolved crimes. As Alice digs deeper, she unearths a network of deception that stretches back decades, forcing her to confront not only the dark history of her home but also the shadows lurking in her own past.

Jewell’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting vivid pictures of both the physical and emotional landscapes. The atmosphere is thick with tension, and the sense of impending danger permeates every page. The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter ending on a tantalizing cliffhanger that compels the reader to keep turning the pages.

The characters in Breaking the Dark are richly developed and deeply flawed, making them all the more relatable and compelling. Alice is a particularly strong protagonist, her determination and vulnerability drawing readers into her quest for the truth. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, with each character harboring their own secrets and motivations that add layers of complexity to the plot.

Jewell excels at creating an intricate plot that is both engaging and unpredictable. The twists and turns are expertly crafted, with each revelation adding a new dimension to the story. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Jewell throws in another curveball that leaves you reeling.

What sets Breaking the Dark apart from other thrillers is its exploration of themes such as trust, trauma, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. Jewell delves into the psychological impact of these themes with sensitivity and depth, making for a thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.

In conclusion, Breaking the Dark is a riveting and expertly crafted thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Lisa Jewell has once again proven her prowess as a storyteller, delivering a novel that is as intellectually stimulating as it is entertaining. Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers who appreciate complex characters and masterful plotting.

This was my first introduction into Marvel and I was absolutely hooked! It’s very different to the authors usual novels but definitely a firm favourite!

Not my favourite and very different . I did find myself wanting to know what happens and i love this author

Really unexpected style of story for Lisa Jewell but omg it really worked. I am hooked and as always the fascinating characters and a storyline that will go far I think!! Thanks always

Well this was different for Lisa Jewell and I wasn't sure what I'd think not being a fan of marvel but I absolutely loved it and look forward to another marvel book by S A Crosby being published in 2025

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy. I’m a huge fan of Lisa Jewell and Marvel so was excited to read this. It felt more like a normal thriller with just a few superhero references. I would have liked more links to the Marvel world as this felt more like an add-on. That said the plot, although a little predictable, was fast-paced and this was a page turner.

‘Breaking The Dark’ by Lisa Jewell is the first instalment of MARVEL CRIME, a series of novels by famous authors featuring MCU characters and original plotlines. I have to admit, I was initially pretty dubious about the concept, and I appreciate how this book opened with a letter from Jewell explaining how she came to be the author, and importantly that her brief was to create something that “read like a classic Lisa Jewell novel”. Knowing that, and having a small amount of familiarity with Jessica Jones, I dove in with a mix of anticipation l, excitement and trepidation.

The book begins with Jessica being commissioned by a wealthy New York mother to discover why her twin 16 year olds Lark and Fox returned from a month in Essex with their father exhibiting strange behaviours and perfect skin. Initially dismissive, a few encounters convince Jessica that there is a sinister story behind their glow-up and a complex, jet setting, and potentially dangerous investigation begins! Interspersed with the contemporary sleuthing are vignettes from the past two decades telling the story of an impossibly beautiful woman, a strange man, their genius son and a deviously determined influencer, and those threads weave together throughout the book.

I really enjoyed the characterisation of Jessica in this book, as well as the introduction of her “assistant” Malcolm. The New York City and Essex village locales were vividly described and richly different, and I liked my hometown of Lincoln being included as the setting for a few key scenes. The plot was unpredictable, thought-provoking and tense, and my pulse was racing as my kindle felt glued to my hand!

This was an unexpected five star read for me and I’d honestly recommend to all Lisa Jewell fans, even those with little Marvel affinity. I also hope that any MCU addicts who pick it up end up inspired to pick up some of her other impressive works.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Random House UK via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Although I'm not a Marvel fan and know nothing about Marvel, I thought I would give this a go as I love Lisa Jewell.
It was really well written and there was still the element of mystery, thriller and intrigue that we love from Lisa's books.
There could probably be a spin off from this as Jesica Jones is a great P.I.
Definitely worth a read
Thanks to Netgalley, Lisa Jewell, Random House UK, Cornerstone for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

The appealing colours on the cover and the fact it’s by Lisa Jewell, one of my go to authors, made me choose the book. As I started reading I realised it was a Marvel novel and I was very unsure if I would enjoy it as I’m not really into superheroes. I decided to give it a go and I’m so glad I did!

Jessica Jones is a PI in New York. She’s hired by a wealthy mother to find out why her teenage twins are acting strangely after returning from a trip to England to visit their dad. According to the twins nothing is wrong and they’re “perfect”. As Jessica observes them, she agrees something isn’t right.
It’s hard to say much more of what the book is about without spoiling it. The not knowing definitely kept me turning the pages and I was desperate to find out what was going on.

The book is a great mix of creepy, weird, scarily maybe plausible and yet you find yourself rooting for Jessica and caring about her. The characters are really well done and I could picture them. The settings are well described too.

I liked the dual timeline and the way they came together, it worked well.
The ending was a bit too convenient and neat and tidy but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book.

It makes you think about technology, social media and how it affects society and people’s perceptions of themselves and others.

For most of the book I was wondering what on earth was happening. Lisa Jewell has definitely come up with something different and I can see it as a film!

If you think you won’t like this book because you aren’t into superheroes or Marvel, I recommend you give it a try, you might be surprised. I enjoyed this book a lot and highly recommend it if you want to be gripped and a bit creeped out. If I could have, I think I would have read this in one sitting. I hope there’s another book lined up as I would definitely read it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for my copy.

I’m not a huge marvel fan but I do love crime fiction and Lisa Jewell’s others books. A really interesting novel which held my interest throughout. I raced through it! The only issue was the formatting was a bit off and a tad confusing at times.

Thank you to NetGalley for proving me an ARC in return for an honest review.

I will say that I had issues with the formatting of this book as when downloading it onto my iPad or my kindle it wasn’t going to the normal formatting, it was just all over the place.

Jessica Jones, a retired superhero takes on an unusual case; twin siblings Lark & Fox have started acting different after returning their stay with their father in the UK. Their mother tells Jessica all that has happened with the twins since returning and Jessica ends ip travelling to London to find out more information and discovers a greater evil at play.

Considering that I am a marvel fan, I was excited going into this. However I was left feeling a little bit flat and I don’t know whether that was because of the writing style. I understand that this isn’t what Lisa Jewell usually writes as I have read other books by her and have absolutely loved them and have always given them a 4+ rating however I just didn’t feel like this was her strongest ones.

If you are a Marvel fan, I would recommend picking this up and trying it for yourself.

This book is already out now so go and check it out!

Book Review 📚
Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell 🫶🏻
5/5 ⭐

Picture this...
20 year old girl is introduced to Iron Man, and 13 years later is a absolute Marvel addict and misses absolutely nothing marvel.
That same girl has enjoyed reading her whole life and fell in love with the work of Lisa Jewell, owning every single one of her books both physically and electronically.
That girl, she is me.

I have had this book in preorder since Lisa revealed it on her Instagram. So imagine the little girl inside my screaming when I get accepted to read the ARC. I was a child all over again. Anyway, back to the book!

This book follows Jessica Jones, a retired superhero who now works as a private investigator. Jones is tasked with an investigation about two teenage children (Lark and Fox) when following up on the main lead (being at their fathers) something starts happening to Jones herself.

Suspense? Yes. Thrills? Yes. Superheros? Yes. Dark and twisty? Also, yes. You can clearly see Lisa's writing taking place throughout the story and she does an impeccable job as usual.

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Random House and Lisa Jewell for allowing me to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

I’m not the biggest fan of Marvel, I mainly tolerate it for my boys but I absolutely love Lisa Jewell’s books so really wanted to give this a go. Although the first part of the book was a little difficult to get into, the rest was very enjoyable. I loved that Jessica Jones isn’t your average Marvel character and this book went down the crime thriller route. I also really enjoyed the storyline, it’s not your basic crime novel. Jessica is hired by a New York mum who’s concerned by the behaviour of her teenage twins Fox and Lark after they return from visiting their father in the U.K. Her teens have returned absolutely perfect, yes that’s right, teens and perfect? Jessica along with her new side kick Malcolm Power try to connect the dots to find out what happened to the twins whilst also saving other teenagers from becoming perfect. I think Lisa managed to get the right amount of suspense, action and super natural powers into this book.

I look forward to reading more of this series!

Jessica Jones is a retired superhero just surviving day-to-day in Hell’s Kitchen. When a distraught mother comes to her, convinced something is wrong with her twin daughters, Jessica can’t turn her away (even though she wants to initially). In attempts to get the truth, Jessica travels to a small village, where she meets a mysterious woman.

Although I am not the biggest marvel fan, I do enjoy Lisa Jewell’s writing. She is the perfect author to bring this darker side of Marvel to life! I feel like even if you aren’t a big marvel fan, but you like thrillers with a side of science fiction or fantasy, you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to Lisa Jewell and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC! This book is out now and this review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

So very good! I’m a big fan of Lisa’s books and this has the familiarity of her style of writing but it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced of hers.
I admit I was a bit wary / sceptical of the superhero style story but I was quickly connected and fully engaged. There is a healthy dose of the supernatural, the futuristic and psychopathic murderous types together with the unique talent of observations of teenage angst and emotional tribulations that are entirely relatable and recognisable from that period of my life.
The biotechnology and human frailty of wanting to be perfect in an online life amid filters and fakery was entirely prophetic and plausible, reminiscent of the books by John Marrs which are exquisitely clever and terrifying because it’s only a small leap from our contemporary reality and the direction that humanity is going at great speed. Honestly so good and pretty much ‘perfect’ I’m left wondering if you’ve infiltrated and influenced my subconscious to steer my review - have you hijacked my kindle app? Own up!