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Marvel Crime #1
Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel
In her most imaginative novel yet, #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell (None of This Is True) launches the Marvel Crime series of thriller books for adults with an original story starring the private detective Jessica Jones.
Meet Jessica Jones: Retired super hero, private investigator, loner. She tried her best to be a shiny spandex crimefighter, but that life only led to unspeakable trauma. Now she avoids that world altogether and works on surviving day-to-day in Hell’s Kitchen, New York.
The morning a distraught mother comes into her office, Jessica would prefer to nurse her hangover and try to forget last night’s poor choices. But something about Amber Randall’s story strikes a chord with her. Amber 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 flawless skin, have lost their distinctive tics and habits, and keep talking about a girl named Belle. Amber insists her children have been replaced by something horrible, something “perfect.”
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. Can this unworldly teenager really be responsible for the Randall twins’ new personas? Why does the strange little village of Barton Wallop seem to harbor dark energies and mysteries in its tight-knit community?
A mother’s intuition is never wrong. And Jessica knows that nothing in life is perfect—not these kids, not her on-again, off-again relationship with Luke Cage, and certainly not Jessica herself. But even as she tries to buy into the idea that better days are ahead, Jessica Jones has seen all too clearly that behind every promise of perfection trails a dark, dangerous shadow.
Breaking the Dark, the first book in the brand-new Marvel Crime series, introduces fans to a grittier, street-level side of the Marvel Universe, and will continue with original novels featuring fan-favorite characters like Luke Cage, written by S.A. Cosby, and Daredevil, written by Alex Segura.
Meet Jessica Jones: Retired super hero, private investigator, loner. She tried her best to be a shiny spandex crimefighter, but that life only led to unspeakable trauma. Now she avoids that world altogether and works on surviving day-to-day in Hell’s Kitchen, New York.
The morning a distraught mother comes into her office, Jessica would prefer to nurse her hangover and try to forget last night’s poor choices. But something about Amber Randall’s story strikes a chord with her. Amber 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 flawless skin, have lost their distinctive tics and habits, and keep talking about a girl named Belle. Amber insists her children have been replaced by something horrible, something “perfect.”
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. Can this unworldly teenager really be responsible for the Randall twins’ new personas? Why does the strange little village of Barton Wallop seem to harbor dark energies and mysteries in its tight-knit community?
A mother’s intuition is never wrong. And Jessica knows that nothing in life is perfect—not these kids, not her on-again, off-again relationship with Luke Cage, and certainly not Jessica herself. But even as she tries to buy into the idea that better days are ahead, Jessica Jones has seen all too clearly that behind every promise of perfection trails a dark, dangerous shadow.
Breaking the Dark, the first book in the brand-new Marvel Crime series, introduces fans to a grittier, street-level side of the Marvel Universe, and will continue with original novels featuring fan-favorite characters like Luke Cage, written by S.A. Cosby, and Daredevil, written by Alex Segura.
456 pages, Hardcover
First published July 4, 2024
2354 people are currently reading
123399 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Jewell
36 books90.9k followersLISA JEWELL was born in London in 1968.
Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared.
Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters and the best dog in the world.
Lisa's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LisaJewelloff...
Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared.
Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters and the best dog in the world.
Lisa's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LisaJewelloff...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,459 reviews
June 24, 2024
My review as someone that is NOT a Marvel person.
full review here
The first 30% of this book, I wasn't sure. I struggled to connect with it and I think I was looking for Lisa Jewell's usual style which seemed to be missing. Once I got over that and kind of tried to see the book for what it was I loved it.
Was it a Lisa Jewell classic, no. Did I still have a great time, yes.
The premise of this book is what did it for me more so than the characters or the writing I think. It gave me Rouge by Mona Awad and Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang vibes without being pretentious or weird lit vibes.
That being said, I do think the premise will be hit or miss with a lot of Lisa Jewell's regular readers, especially her older readers however props to Lisa Jewell for stepping out of her comfort zone!!
Overall I would say read this book but don't RUN for it!
PRE REVIEW: Do I like Marvel, no. Will I read it because it's Lisa Jewell? Yes
full review here
The first 30% of this book, I wasn't sure. I struggled to connect with it and I think I was looking for Lisa Jewell's usual style which seemed to be missing. Once I got over that and kind of tried to see the book for what it was I loved it.
Was it a Lisa Jewell classic, no. Did I still have a great time, yes.
The premise of this book is what did it for me more so than the characters or the writing I think. It gave me Rouge by Mona Awad and Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang vibes without being pretentious or weird lit vibes.
That being said, I do think the premise will be hit or miss with a lot of Lisa Jewell's regular readers, especially her older readers however props to Lisa Jewell for stepping out of her comfort zone!!
Overall I would say read this book but don't RUN for it!
PRE REVIEW: Do I like Marvel, no. Will I read it because it's Lisa Jewell? Yes
Want to read
February 26, 2024LISA JEWELL WRITING A 400 PAGE BOOK ABOUT JESSICA JONES? WHAT?
TAKE MY MONEY TAKE MY BANK ACCOUNT
TAKE MY MONEY TAKE MY BANK ACCOUNT
July 8, 2024
Not a favourite, but I did find myself wondering what will happen next. Not sure yet if I will pick up the next book in this series.
March 4, 2025
I’m sorry I didn’t love this one but I did not hate it either. I mean it is Lisa Jewell!! The supernatural part hasn’t reached my curiosity since I was buying comic books in my childhood, so I connected somewhat but not enough to score it as a 5 star!
I have not watched the Netflix series with Jessica Jones and her super powers, but intrigued enough to match some of the descriptors with a visual! Some readers are going to love this one. I love her writing so it kept me persevering. It does have a dark premise that gives a creepy and strange plot. Kudos to the Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel #1 for being entertaining!
Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC in exchange for my review.
I have not watched the Netflix series with Jessica Jones and her super powers, but intrigued enough to match some of the descriptors with a visual! Some readers are going to love this one. I love her writing so it kept me persevering. It does have a dark premise that gives a creepy and strange plot. Kudos to the Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel #1 for being entertaining!
Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC in exchange for my review.
July 6, 2024
DNF at 30%
I grabbed this ARC because, of course, it's Lisa Jewell. I know nothing about Marvel Comics but I gave it a go.
I ended up Googling Jessica Jones and that helped a bit but after spending many hours I've decided it's not for me. I made it to 30%, it's not a bad book, I'm just not the right audience for it.
I'm sure that anyone interested in the lives of these past super heroes will enjoy the book. I've never read comics
I grabbed this ARC because, of course, it's Lisa Jewell. I know nothing about Marvel Comics but I gave it a go.
I ended up Googling Jessica Jones and that helped a bit but after spending many hours I've decided it's not for me. I made it to 30%, it's not a bad book, I'm just not the right audience for it.
I'm sure that anyone interested in the lives of these past super heroes will enjoy the book. I've never read comics
March 14, 2025
I was so disappointed when Netflix canceled the Jessica Jones series. There aren't many women superheroes in the Marvel universe, and her character - with her vulnerability, survivor background, and complex relationship with Luke Cage - was always easy to empathize with.
When I discovered that one of my favorite thriller authors, Lisa Jewell, was giving a new retelling to this beloved superhero, I threw my fist in the air and screamed, "Yes!" It felt like my nerdy MCU-loving brain's ultimate dream come true, crafted by a talented writer in the best possible fan fiction form.
The book intrigued me with its alluring plot line, combining criticism of social media, the dark side of influencing, vampires, eternity, AI, beauty norms, fake perfection, and quantum physics. You might wonder how Jewell weaves these disparate subjects together - but you've got to jump into this action-packed, smart, heart-throbbing, supernatural wild ride without overthinking!
Here's a quick look at the plot: Jessica Jones, a survivor of Kilgrave's sadistic brainwashing, is trying to redeem herself. She lives a secluded life, drinking to numb the pain, and maintains a complex on-and-off relationship with Luke Cage, another powerful superhero. Now retired, she works as a private investigator from her dilapidated apartment.
When a new client arrives at the most inopportune moment - while Jessica is hungover, wearing a dirty shirt, and breathless from chasing a neighbor's cat - she has no idea what danger awaits her on this new mission.
Her client, the rich and polished psychiatrist Amber Randall, presents a strange case: her twin teenagers, Lark and Fox, seem different since returning from the UK to visit their father in a small town rumored to be cursed. Their skin looks flawless, they appear taller, and they've lost their distinctive habits. Fox keeps mentioning a mysterious girl named Belle who might be involved in his siblings' changes. Could the twins have been replaced or brainwashed by something sinister? Why are they so obsessed with perfection?
Jessica finds herself traveling to this small village to uncover the truth. Her investigation leads her to a farmhouse where Belle, presumed to be agoraphobic, lives with her eccentric caretaker Debra, who never lets Belle out of her sight. Jessica also gets strange vibes from the house of Amber's ex-husband Sebastian, where she discovers buried children on the property. The curse and Belle seem connected to something more sinister - but to what end?
A parallel timeline takes us back to the 1980s, where Ophelia, a beautiful young woman, meets a charismatic older bartender in Harlem. This encounter might be the start of a long-term dangerous plan involving another young, ambitious girl with no sympathy.
Will Jessica solve this mystery without getting hurt? She keeps seeing a young girl that others don't see and feels something changing inside her. Before things spiral out of control, she has a big case to solve and lives to save - as usual.
I devoured the book in one sitting and now crave more Marvel retellings by my favorite thriller writers. I can't wait to dive into future Luke Cage and Daredevil adventures. This new crime series has me extra excited!
Highly recommended for both MCU and thriller fans!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for sharing this amazing thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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When I discovered that one of my favorite thriller authors, Lisa Jewell, was giving a new retelling to this beloved superhero, I threw my fist in the air and screamed, "Yes!" It felt like my nerdy MCU-loving brain's ultimate dream come true, crafted by a talented writer in the best possible fan fiction form.
The book intrigued me with its alluring plot line, combining criticism of social media, the dark side of influencing, vampires, eternity, AI, beauty norms, fake perfection, and quantum physics. You might wonder how Jewell weaves these disparate subjects together - but you've got to jump into this action-packed, smart, heart-throbbing, supernatural wild ride without overthinking!
Here's a quick look at the plot: Jessica Jones, a survivor of Kilgrave's sadistic brainwashing, is trying to redeem herself. She lives a secluded life, drinking to numb the pain, and maintains a complex on-and-off relationship with Luke Cage, another powerful superhero. Now retired, she works as a private investigator from her dilapidated apartment.
When a new client arrives at the most inopportune moment - while Jessica is hungover, wearing a dirty shirt, and breathless from chasing a neighbor's cat - she has no idea what danger awaits her on this new mission.
Her client, the rich and polished psychiatrist Amber Randall, presents a strange case: her twin teenagers, Lark and Fox, seem different since returning from the UK to visit their father in a small town rumored to be cursed. Their skin looks flawless, they appear taller, and they've lost their distinctive habits. Fox keeps mentioning a mysterious girl named Belle who might be involved in his siblings' changes. Could the twins have been replaced or brainwashed by something sinister? Why are they so obsessed with perfection?
Jessica finds herself traveling to this small village to uncover the truth. Her investigation leads her to a farmhouse where Belle, presumed to be agoraphobic, lives with her eccentric caretaker Debra, who never lets Belle out of her sight. Jessica also gets strange vibes from the house of Amber's ex-husband Sebastian, where she discovers buried children on the property. The curse and Belle seem connected to something more sinister - but to what end?
A parallel timeline takes us back to the 1980s, where Ophelia, a beautiful young woman, meets a charismatic older bartender in Harlem. This encounter might be the start of a long-term dangerous plan involving another young, ambitious girl with no sympathy.
Will Jessica solve this mystery without getting hurt? She keeps seeing a young girl that others don't see and feels something changing inside her. Before things spiral out of control, she has a big case to solve and lives to save - as usual.
I devoured the book in one sitting and now crave more Marvel retellings by my favorite thriller writers. I can't wait to dive into future Luke Cage and Daredevil adventures. This new crime series has me extra excited!
Highly recommended for both MCU and thriller fans!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for sharing this amazing thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
January 3, 2025
thank you to netgalley for the arc.
as a huge marvel fan i was looking forward to this book. two things i love : thrillers & marvel. however, i just don't think that lisa jewell is the author for me. 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 don't think i will be reading from her again, but i am thankful i got an arc.
as a huge marvel fan i was looking forward to this book. two things i love : thrillers & marvel. however, i just don't think that lisa jewell is the author for me. 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 don't think i will be reading from her again, but i am thankful i got an arc.
July 6, 2024
4 solid stars. Actually, this was way better than I expected it to be, and that's a real testament to Lisa Jewell's writing, as I am not into superheroes & the MCU, at all. I think it worked due to Jessica Jones being such a broken and yet relatable heroine, and that the villain, Polly, was no Thanos, either - though I did find the "perfect" plot very weird. Anyway, I'm glad I read it :)
dnf
May 25, 2024This is undoubtedly written well, in typical Jewell fashion.
It’s me not the book. I’m not a fan of Marvel and had I known I would never had requested it on NetGalley.
I wish the author the best and look forward to her next psychological thriller!
It’s me not the book. I’m not a fan of Marvel and had I known I would never had requested it on NetGalley.
I wish the author the best and look forward to her next psychological thriller!
August 6, 2024
Take a shot every time you said ‘Perfect, Perfect, Perfect’
One of my favourite all time authors Lisa Jewell, has taken a turn with her books and has entered the Marvel Multiverse with her new release.
In Breaking the Dark, we are following Jessica Jones who is a retired superhero now Private Investigator. One morning she gets a knock on her door from distraught mother Amber who is concerned about her twin teenage kids who came back home from the summer at their fathers in the UK and are now acting very weird. She doesn’t think its normal teenage behaviour and believes something sinister has happened to them. She begs for Jessica to investigate and get to the bottom of the mystery.
JESSICA JONES TO THE RESCUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok so I am not really a Marvel fan to be honest, so I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story. But Lisa reminded me why I am such a massive fan of her work because her writing is captivating. Lisa knows how to write characters and most importantly writes them so well that you genuinely care about what they are doing and stay rooting for them. Her characters are not perfect, they all have their flaws, strengths and weaknesses and its easy to relate to them.
Lisa created great intrigue and suspense with this book, and I was eager to go along the ride with Jessica to find out what was happening with the kids. It didn’t feel gimmicky and comical (ironic I know) and it was so easy to picture the scenes and atmosphere in my head.
This was more than a book of superheroes flying around everywhere and trying to catch the big bad villain. I read about loneliness, insecurities, greed and people striving for ‘perfection’.
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Good pacing
➽ Short chapters
➽ Interesting characters
➽ Dual time frame
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ No real twists
➽ Read more like a YA novel
➽ Not enough backstory about Jessica Jones
➽ Ending was mediocre
The pacing was good and kept my attention. There was some parts that kind of lost me and went over my head. The ending wasn’t anything spectacular or mind-blowing and was somewhat predicted from myself, but I wasn’t mad it. Overall, I really enjoyed it and wouldn’t be opposed to watching the tv adaptation.
Don’t be perfect… Be REAL
Perfection isn’t a goal, it’s a scam
3.5 ⭐
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Reading new books from fave authors this month!
Very nervous as this is different from her usual style
I might be a Marvel fan at the end... lets see!? 😅🖤💜
One of my favourite all time authors Lisa Jewell, has taken a turn with her books and has entered the Marvel Multiverse with her new release.
In Breaking the Dark, we are following Jessica Jones who is a retired superhero now Private Investigator. One morning she gets a knock on her door from distraught mother Amber who is concerned about her twin teenage kids who came back home from the summer at their fathers in the UK and are now acting very weird. She doesn’t think its normal teenage behaviour and believes something sinister has happened to them. She begs for Jessica to investigate and get to the bottom of the mystery.
JESSICA JONES TO THE RESCUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok so I am not really a Marvel fan to be honest, so I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story. But Lisa reminded me why I am such a massive fan of her work because her writing is captivating. Lisa knows how to write characters and most importantly writes them so well that you genuinely care about what they are doing and stay rooting for them. Her characters are not perfect, they all have their flaws, strengths and weaknesses and its easy to relate to them.
Lisa created great intrigue and suspense with this book, and I was eager to go along the ride with Jessica to find out what was happening with the kids. It didn’t feel gimmicky and comical (ironic I know) and it was so easy to picture the scenes and atmosphere in my head.
This was more than a book of superheroes flying around everywhere and trying to catch the big bad villain. I read about loneliness, insecurities, greed and people striving for ‘perfection’.
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Good pacing
➽ Short chapters
➽ Interesting characters
➽ Dual time frame
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ No real twists
➽ Read more like a YA novel
➽ Not enough backstory about Jessica Jones
➽ Ending was mediocre
The pacing was good and kept my attention. There was some parts that kind of lost me and went over my head. The ending wasn’t anything spectacular or mind-blowing and was somewhat predicted from myself, but I wasn’t mad it. Overall, I really enjoyed it and wouldn’t be opposed to watching the tv adaptation.
Don’t be perfect… Be REAL
Perfection isn’t a goal, it’s a scam
3.5 ⭐
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Reading new books from fave authors this month!
Very nervous as this is different from her usual style
I might be a Marvel fan at the end... lets see!? 😅🖤💜
March 12, 2025
I went into this book blind yet again not reading the Synopsis & as I like Lisa Jewell but unfortunately this was not for me I don’t know anything about Jessica Jones or Marvel comics this didn’t entertain me I guess I am just the wrong audience.
June 21, 2024
I am a big fan of Lisa Jewell and Jessica Jones so reading Breaking The Dark was a no brainer for me l Jessica jones is my favourite female superhero and I absolutely loved the Netflix series (and not because David Tennant played the bad guy 😅)
This book was everything that I hoped that it would be and more. I can't wait for the next 2 books! You don’t have to be a Marvel fan to enjoy this. It is a detective story. It just so happens that that private investigator has superpowers. The story takes place in New York and a small village in the UK. It was fun to see Jessica deal with the change in culture and way of speaking. I loved the appearance of Luke Cage and Danny Rand, the Iron Fist! It's so fun!!🤩
While Jessica is looking into why twins have returned to the US from the UK differently, it is much more than that. It is a story of vanity, social media influence, vampires, perfectionism, vampires, eternal life, and more. It is so dark and the creepy factor is high! There are some scary characters, ones that will stop at nothing to get what they want. Jessica’s finds herself in trouble a few times as you would expect.
As always with Lisa Jewell, the writing was superb, and the characters were well written and fleshed out. It was exciting, it was emotional, it was highly entertaining to read, and I did not want it to be over.
Thank you so much to Random House UK, Century, and Cornerstone for my advanced copy of this brilliant book to read. Will be on my favourites list for the year without a doubt. I have already pre ordered a physical copy for my shelves. Get it July 4th.
This book was everything that I hoped that it would be and more. I can't wait for the next 2 books! You don’t have to be a Marvel fan to enjoy this. It is a detective story. It just so happens that that private investigator has superpowers. The story takes place in New York and a small village in the UK. It was fun to see Jessica deal with the change in culture and way of speaking. I loved the appearance of Luke Cage and Danny Rand, the Iron Fist! It's so fun!!🤩
While Jessica is looking into why twins have returned to the US from the UK differently, it is much more than that. It is a story of vanity, social media influence, vampires, perfectionism, vampires, eternal life, and more. It is so dark and the creepy factor is high! There are some scary characters, ones that will stop at nothing to get what they want. Jessica’s finds herself in trouble a few times as you would expect.
As always with Lisa Jewell, the writing was superb, and the characters were well written and fleshed out. It was exciting, it was emotional, it was highly entertaining to read, and I did not want it to be over.
Thank you so much to Random House UK, Century, and Cornerstone for my advanced copy of this brilliant book to read. Will be on my favourites list for the year without a doubt. I have already pre ordered a physical copy for my shelves. Get it July 4th.
January 29, 2025
Anyone out there in need of a superhero to slay your daily dragons and spy on your kids for you???
Look no further than the inhumanly strong, Jessica Jones!
(Confession: when I was a wee little nipper, I used to abscond with my two older brothers' Spider-Man Comics. Peter Parker was for sure going to be my future husband - sorry Gwen Stacy! In those days, I could only find female superheroes in the form of Sue Storm, whose force field or invisibility powers would often fizzle out at the most inopportune times - and of course hubby Reed or brother Johnny would have to come to her rescue!)
Before requesting this ARC, I recalled that I had watched a few episodes of the Jessica Jones TV series starring Krysten Ritter, but I never had a chance to read the actual comic book series. That didn't stop me from being intrigued by this fictionalized, book-bound version of the feisty super hero who could vanquish her opponents and break down walls with her bare hands.
In Breaking the Dark, Jessica Jones is battling her own inner mental and emotional demons when she is hired to find out why a New York upper crust society matron's children have suddenly changed out of all recognition after spending the summer in England with their father.. Who or what waved a magic wand to clear up their blotchy teenage complexions and make them.... well..... euphorically PERFECT!!!
You won't get any more details from me for fear of spoilers, but suffice it to say that the modern craze for physical perfection by any means, fair or foul, is under the microscope in this extremely well written, action-packed drama. I enjoyed spending time with all of the characters in this story (minus the baddies, of course!)
I am highly recommending this novelization of the Jessica Jones comic series. I was well and truly riveted! 5 shining stars for a stellar performance by Lisa Jewell! My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Look no further than the inhumanly strong, Jessica Jones!
(Confession: when I was a wee little nipper, I used to abscond with my two older brothers' Spider-Man Comics. Peter Parker was for sure going to be my future husband - sorry Gwen Stacy! In those days, I could only find female superheroes in the form of Sue Storm, whose force field or invisibility powers would often fizzle out at the most inopportune times - and of course hubby Reed or brother Johnny would have to come to her rescue!)
Before requesting this ARC, I recalled that I had watched a few episodes of the Jessica Jones TV series starring Krysten Ritter, but I never had a chance to read the actual comic book series. That didn't stop me from being intrigued by this fictionalized, book-bound version of the feisty super hero who could vanquish her opponents and break down walls with her bare hands.
In Breaking the Dark, Jessica Jones is battling her own inner mental and emotional demons when she is hired to find out why a New York upper crust society matron's children have suddenly changed out of all recognition after spending the summer in England with their father.. Who or what waved a magic wand to clear up their blotchy teenage complexions and make them.... well..... euphorically PERFECT!!!
You won't get any more details from me for fear of spoilers, but suffice it to say that the modern craze for physical perfection by any means, fair or foul, is under the microscope in this extremely well written, action-packed drama. I enjoyed spending time with all of the characters in this story (minus the baddies, of course!)
I am highly recommending this novelization of the Jessica Jones comic series. I was well and truly riveted! 5 shining stars for a stellar performance by Lisa Jewell! My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2025
Lisa Jewell has entered the Marvel Universe with Breaking the Dark featuring retired superhero, Jessica Jones. I am not a big Marvel movie watcher and had not heard of Jessica Jones prior to reading this book. But I am a Lisa Jewell fan and decided to give this book a read. It is engaging, intriguing, entertaining, and well written.
This book gives readers a glimpse into Jessica Jones life. She is no longer a superhero and lives a quiet life. She doesn't like to draw attention to herself or to be noticed. Jessica Jones now works as a private detective who is presented with an interesting case. A distraught mother hires her to find out what happened to her children, who have recently come back from visiting their father in the UK. She claims that her children are not her 'real' children and have been replaced. The twin teens are behaving in a bizarre and strange fashion. Jessica is skeptical but soon begins to see where Amber, the mother of the teens in question, is coming from and begins her investigation....
This book soon takes a dark turn as Jessica makes her way to the UK and is introduced to some characters that readers are provided glimpses of at the beginning of the book. This book proved to be a fast read which kept me invested. This book did have a nice number of twists and suspense. It also gave readers a reluctant hero in Jessica and some other characters readers will want to boo and hiss at. While I enjoyed Breaking the Dark, I didn't love it. I believe if I had known more about the character of Jessica Jones prior to reading this book, I might have enjoyed this book more than I did.
Well written, well thought out, and entertaining. This is the first book in a series of books which will be written by various authors.
Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
This book gives readers a glimpse into Jessica Jones life. She is no longer a superhero and lives a quiet life. She doesn't like to draw attention to herself or to be noticed. Jessica Jones now works as a private detective who is presented with an interesting case. A distraught mother hires her to find out what happened to her children, who have recently come back from visiting their father in the UK. She claims that her children are not her 'real' children and have been replaced. The twin teens are behaving in a bizarre and strange fashion. Jessica is skeptical but soon begins to see where Amber, the mother of the teens in question, is coming from and begins her investigation....
This book soon takes a dark turn as Jessica makes her way to the UK and is introduced to some characters that readers are provided glimpses of at the beginning of the book. This book proved to be a fast read which kept me invested. This book did have a nice number of twists and suspense. It also gave readers a reluctant hero in Jessica and some other characters readers will want to boo and hiss at. While I enjoyed Breaking the Dark, I didn't love it. I believe if I had known more about the character of Jessica Jones prior to reading this book, I might have enjoyed this book more than I did.
Well written, well thought out, and entertaining. This is the first book in a series of books which will be written by various authors.
Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
April 27, 2024
When I saw that Lisa Jewell had written a crime book set in the Marvel Universe, I was immediately intrigued. I love Jewell’s writing, I love crime books, and we’re all obsessed with Marvel in my family. I was thrilled to be gifted an advance copy.
Let’s get down to it: This book is freaky weird. Don’t even bother trying to deduce what’s going on. Remember the realm you’re in—anything is possible.
Due to the aforementioned freaky weirdness, the story will be a turn-off to some. It worked for me because I’m able to suspend my disbelief and eagerly immerse myself in a world where superpowers exist. I encourage everyone to do the same….you will be missing out on a good book if you throw in the towel the first time something happens that doesn’t follow the laws of physics.
I was unfamiliar with Jessica Jones before picking this up. I’d heard of her, sure, and I’d seen the Netflix picture of her with David Tennant creepily whispering in her ear (Seriously, David—you’re exuding creepiness there). However, I didn’t know her backstory…and that turned out to be just fine. Hints at what happened to her previously are interspersed through the book, and going in blind doesn’t hinder the reading experience, in my opinion. I did get a little impatient after the second hint and quickly looked up a little summary of her past, but don’t be like me, kids, because if you do end up wanting to watch the Jessica Jones TV series later, it’s easy to get spoilers that way.
All in all, this was a book I enjoyed, and I very much look forward to other entries in the Marvel crime series. Jessica Jones is flawed, but it makes her very relatable, and it’s a good reminder that even superheroes need to prioritize their mental health! 😄
My thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the eARC. I am writing this review voluntarily.
Let’s get down to it: This book is freaky weird. Don’t even bother trying to deduce what’s going on. Remember the realm you’re in—anything is possible.
Due to the aforementioned freaky weirdness, the story will be a turn-off to some. It worked for me because I’m able to suspend my disbelief and eagerly immerse myself in a world where superpowers exist. I encourage everyone to do the same….you will be missing out on a good book if you throw in the towel the first time something happens that doesn’t follow the laws of physics.
I was unfamiliar with Jessica Jones before picking this up. I’d heard of her, sure, and I’d seen the Netflix picture of her with David Tennant creepily whispering in her ear (Seriously, David—you’re exuding creepiness there). However, I didn’t know her backstory…and that turned out to be just fine. Hints at what happened to her previously are interspersed through the book, and going in blind doesn’t hinder the reading experience, in my opinion. I did get a little impatient after the second hint and quickly looked up a little summary of her past, but don’t be like me, kids, because if you do end up wanting to watch the Jessica Jones TV series later, it’s easy to get spoilers that way.
All in all, this was a book I enjoyed, and I very much look forward to other entries in the Marvel crime series. Jessica Jones is flawed, but it makes her very relatable, and it’s a good reminder that even superheroes need to prioritize their mental health! 😄
My thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the eARC. I am writing this review voluntarily.
July 9, 2024
this was my first book by lisa jewell and it was not what i was expecting.
jessica jones, a retired superhero takes on an unusual case about twin sixteen year olds lark and fox who have acted different after returning from a stay with their father in the uk. their mother tells jessica about how their skin is unnaturally perfect and how all their quirks and habits have suddenly disappeared. jessica travels to london to find out more and discovers a greater evil at play.
i'm not the biggest fan of marvel, so i had no clue who jessica jones was before i read this. i found the writing style a bit difficult to get used to, and i had to continuously suspend my belief throughout the book once i had figured out the plot twist, although i guess it was enjoyable watching everything play out.
i would only recommend this if you love/know a lot about marvel and enjoy lisa jewell's writing style, but tbh this was probably more of a “me not the book” situation.
(ps. sorry for such a short + bland review, i'm on holiday and i only just realised that this was releasing really soon <3 )
꒰ 💐 ⊹˚. pre review:
eh. nothing special tbh. miranda was a terrible choice for a book set in the uk because all of us would be thinking about the tv show, but whilst it was incredibly unrealistic (like having diesel jets inside your body - does she get more happy when she's in a gas station??) it wasn't the worst book i've read, and my standards have been lowered so much that the thought of this not being the worst makes me happy.
꒰ 🧸 ⊹˚. tbr-review:
i've never read a lisa jewell, nor have i read the premise, and i only requested this one because it's about marvel. will it work out for the better? probably not.
jessica jones, a retired superhero takes on an unusual case about twin sixteen year olds lark and fox who have acted different after returning from a stay with their father in the uk. their mother tells jessica about how their skin is unnaturally perfect and how all their quirks and habits have suddenly disappeared. jessica travels to london to find out more and discovers a greater evil at play.
i'm not the biggest fan of marvel, so i had no clue who jessica jones was before i read this. i found the writing style a bit difficult to get used to, and i had to continuously suspend my belief throughout the book once i had figured out the plot twist, although i guess it was enjoyable watching everything play out.
i would only recommend this if you love/know a lot about marvel and enjoy lisa jewell's writing style, but tbh this was probably more of a “me not the book” situation.
(ps. sorry for such a short + bland review, i'm on holiday and i only just realised that this was releasing really soon <3 )
꒰ 💐 ⊹˚. pre review:
eh. nothing special tbh. miranda was a terrible choice for a book set in the uk because all of us would be thinking about the tv show, but whilst it was incredibly unrealistic (like having diesel jets inside your body - does she get more happy when she's in a gas station??) it wasn't the worst book i've read, and my standards have been lowered so much that the thought of this not being the worst makes me happy.
꒰ 🧸 ⊹˚. tbr-review:
i've never read a lisa jewell, nor have i read the premise, and i only requested this one because it's about marvel. will it work out for the better? probably not.
May 27, 2025
*Meet Jessica Jones*
This book was a very different type of read from what I expected from Lisa Jewell. I never imagined I’d read a Marvel character book by this author, but surprisingly, I actually enjoyed it. This is set in New York USA and Essex U.K.
This is book 1 of 1 in the Marvel Crime novel. We are introduced to Jessica Jones she is described in the blurb as a ‘private investigator and retired super hero based out of Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, who goes from job to job as a hard living, rough talking, loner.’
Jessica’s case involves Amber Randall, a wealthy woman and the mother of twins, Lark and Fox. They are 16 years old and share them with her British ex-husband. Upon their return from a month-long stay in the U.K., Amber is concerned about their sudden change in behaviour. She urges Jessica to investigate and even suggests travelling to the U.K. herself.
Jessica initially rolls her eyes at Amber’s demands, but she soon realises that there’s something sinister at play. Lark and Fox’s skin has transformed into flawless perfection, and they have become brilliant students overnight. Despite their outward success, they continue to say that “everything is perfect.” including themselves.
As Jessica delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a dark secret. The perpetrator and her accomplices are experimenting on young people to create a world of perfection. Jessica finds herself in a race against time to stop the main perpetrator, a psychopath who uses anyone to achieve her goals.
If you enjoy superhero films, this book offers a mildly thrilling and imaginative escape. It’s a must-read for fans of the genre, but be prepared to use your imagination.
This book was a very different type of read from what I expected from Lisa Jewell. I never imagined I’d read a Marvel character book by this author, but surprisingly, I actually enjoyed it. This is set in New York USA and Essex U.K.
This is book 1 of 1 in the Marvel Crime novel. We are introduced to Jessica Jones she is described in the blurb as a ‘private investigator and retired super hero based out of Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, who goes from job to job as a hard living, rough talking, loner.’
Jessica’s case involves Amber Randall, a wealthy woman and the mother of twins, Lark and Fox. They are 16 years old and share them with her British ex-husband. Upon their return from a month-long stay in the U.K., Amber is concerned about their sudden change in behaviour. She urges Jessica to investigate and even suggests travelling to the U.K. herself.
Jessica initially rolls her eyes at Amber’s demands, but she soon realises that there’s something sinister at play. Lark and Fox’s skin has transformed into flawless perfection, and they have become brilliant students overnight. Despite their outward success, they continue to say that “everything is perfect.” including themselves.
As Jessica delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a dark secret. The perpetrator and her accomplices are experimenting on young people to create a world of perfection. Jessica finds herself in a race against time to stop the main perpetrator, a psychopath who uses anyone to achieve her goals.
If you enjoy superhero films, this book offers a mildly thrilling and imaginative escape. It’s a must-read for fans of the genre, but be prepared to use your imagination.
May 25, 2024
I am sort of wobbly with this book. There were parts I thought were good, parts I was confused with, and parts that made me even more confused.
Granted I am not much of a fantasy reader, but in this telling, Lisa Jewell included so many things that after awhile I didn't know where I was. The changes n scenes was abrupt and had me wondering what or who I was reading about.
Jessica Jones starts us off, burdened by her superhero trauma and would prefer the life of drinking, and partying. However, when Amber Randall, comes to her with a story of how her twins have changed after a trip to England, Jessica decides to become active in investigating the why of their weirdness.
Traveling to England to a small town named Barton Wallop, she finds strange and eerie atmosphere where she meets the twins' stepfather, and person named Belle, who has a caretaker and offers such vague and mysterious answers to questions posed.
There is something strange going on that may be connected to missing girls and the twins behavior and"perfect" looks.
This is to be a series on three marvel wonders, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Daredevil written by two other authors.
Granted I am not much of a fantasy reader, but in this telling, Lisa Jewell included so many things that after awhile I didn't know where I was. The changes n scenes was abrupt and had me wondering what or who I was reading about.
Jessica Jones starts us off, burdened by her superhero trauma and would prefer the life of drinking, and partying. However, when Amber Randall, comes to her with a story of how her twins have changed after a trip to England, Jessica decides to become active in investigating the why of their weirdness.
Traveling to England to a small town named Barton Wallop, she finds strange and eerie atmosphere where she meets the twins' stepfather, and person named Belle, who has a caretaker and offers such vague and mysterious answers to questions posed.
There is something strange going on that may be connected to missing girls and the twins behavior and"perfect" looks.
This is to be a series on three marvel wonders, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Daredevil written by two other authors.
July 9, 2024
Breaking the Dark is the first book in Marvel’s all new crime series and it is expertly crafted by Lisa Jewell. The author perfectly balances the plot, the pacing, and the characters to create the ultimate page-turner that will positively blow away her current fans, especially new Lisa Jewell readers like me.
I have read many Marvel prose novels and I will admit that Breaking the Dark is definitely the BEST one I have read. The brilliance about Breaking the Dark is that you do not have to be a Marvel fan to truly enjoy it, but it is an absolutely bonus if you are one.
Thank you, Lisa Jewell, for doing a marvelous job of headlining this new series of Marvel themed crime novels. I highly recommend Breaking the Dark if you love Marvel, mysteries, and magic! - Leslie G.
I have read many Marvel prose novels and I will admit that Breaking the Dark is definitely the BEST one I have read. The brilliance about Breaking the Dark is that you do not have to be a Marvel fan to truly enjoy it, but it is an absolutely bonus if you are one.
Thank you, Lisa Jewell, for doing a marvelous job of headlining this new series of Marvel themed crime novels. I highly recommend Breaking the Dark if you love Marvel, mysteries, and magic! - Leslie G.
July 19, 2024
I like Lisa Jewell and I love Jessica Jones so I was excited to discover this book. It was interesting to read a Marvel novel, and I liked that it had a bit of a darker undertone than most Marvel stuff. I did think the story seemed to start not at the beginning and the past tense story took me a lot longer to get into than Jessica’s storyline. I thought what she was going through was very interesting and I liked it overall. Jessica has retreated to Hell’s Kitchen to lick her wounds and try to recover after being used and controlled. A woman named Amber comes and offers her a lot of money to figure out what happened to her twin teenage children. She says they returned from their father’s home in England with crazy perfect skin, a lack of interest in their cell phones, and an obsession with the word perfect. After a little reluctant investigating Jessica realizes that Amber is right and something mysterious is going on. I’m intrigued that the next book is about Luke Cage and I think I will be definitely keeping an eye out for that one.
August 27, 2024
When unrealistic ideals of beauty, social media, and teenagers collide, the results are never good. When you throw in supernatural evil entities and rogue quantum physics, the aftermath could be worse than Thanos’s finger-snap.
This is the problem that Jessica Jones faces in her first novel (targeted for adults), “Breaking the Dark”, written by best-selling author Lisa Jewell. It is the first of a proposed series of Marvel Crime novels, written by well-known mystery/crime writers. The second book, due out next year, is a Luke Cage novel written by S.A. Cosby.
Former superhero and current private investigator Jessica Jones reluctantly takes on a case of two teenaged twins who have returned from a trip from England. Their mother thinks something happened to them over there, but she can’t exactly articulate what. For all intents and purposes, the kids are fine. Perfect, really. And that’s the problem.
Before they went, they were normal teenagers. Since returning, they are more well-behaved, stronger academically, and they are performing better in sports and activities that they were merely decent in before. Oh, and they are also beautiful, with perfect skin. But they are also acting slightly weird. All of their friends say so, and even their mom notices. Something’s not right.
Jessica takes the case, and she’s soon off to the English countryside, in an idyllic little village called Barton Wallop. (Don’t ask.) The case may get her mind off some things she’s dealing with, like nightmares of the Purple Man and the fact that she’s pregnant with her on-again off-again boyfriend Luke Cage. (He doesn’t know yet.)
But her investigation soon uncovers something dark and evil lurking within the town, and her case is definitely linked somehow to a several-year-old case involving the abduction of three teenaged girls as well as a 30-year-old case of a New York serial killer called the Harlem Vampire.
Jewell, a British crime writer, tells a riveting yarn. She keeps one guessing as to what the hell is happening until the very end, and trust me: you’ll be guessing. And it’s clear that she’s a Jessica Jones fan, not just some writer assigned to write a novel featuring a comic book character. Fans would be able to see right through that shit anyway.
If the subsequent Marvel Crime novels in the series can maintain the quality started in this first one, I’m looking forward to reading them all.
This is the problem that Jessica Jones faces in her first novel (targeted for adults), “Breaking the Dark”, written by best-selling author Lisa Jewell. It is the first of a proposed series of Marvel Crime novels, written by well-known mystery/crime writers. The second book, due out next year, is a Luke Cage novel written by S.A. Cosby.
Former superhero and current private investigator Jessica Jones reluctantly takes on a case of two teenaged twins who have returned from a trip from England. Their mother thinks something happened to them over there, but she can’t exactly articulate what. For all intents and purposes, the kids are fine. Perfect, really. And that’s the problem.
Before they went, they were normal teenagers. Since returning, they are more well-behaved, stronger academically, and they are performing better in sports and activities that they were merely decent in before. Oh, and they are also beautiful, with perfect skin. But they are also acting slightly weird. All of their friends say so, and even their mom notices. Something’s not right.
Jessica takes the case, and she’s soon off to the English countryside, in an idyllic little village called Barton Wallop. (Don’t ask.) The case may get her mind off some things she’s dealing with, like nightmares of the Purple Man and the fact that she’s pregnant with her on-again off-again boyfriend Luke Cage. (He doesn’t know yet.)
But her investigation soon uncovers something dark and evil lurking within the town, and her case is definitely linked somehow to a several-year-old case involving the abduction of three teenaged girls as well as a 30-year-old case of a New York serial killer called the Harlem Vampire.
Jewell, a British crime writer, tells a riveting yarn. She keeps one guessing as to what the hell is happening until the very end, and trust me: you’ll be guessing. And it’s clear that she’s a Jessica Jones fan, not just some writer assigned to write a novel featuring a comic book character. Fans would be able to see right through that shit anyway.
If the subsequent Marvel Crime novels in the series can maintain the quality started in this first one, I’m looking forward to reading them all.
July 5, 2024
Oh. HELL. Yes!!
I freaking love Jessica Jones & own all of her comics physically!
PLUS! Lisa Jewell! Who wrote one of my top 3 thrillers of 2023!
I’m damn EXCITED! Jess is dark & gritty & is the type to kick the door down & ask questions later, which I love!
♥️
I freaking love Jessica Jones & own all of her comics physically!
PLUS! Lisa Jewell! Who wrote one of my top 3 thrillers of 2023!
I’m damn EXCITED! Jess is dark & gritty & is the type to kick the door down & ask questions later, which I love!
♥️
January 10, 2025
First off, this was completely different to the authors usual genre of psychological thrillers, and I understand that different authors are tackling different superheroes from Marvel. I knew next to nothing about Jessica Jones, but I didn't need to, and I still enjoyed the book. Jessica is a retired superhero who is now a private investigator in Manhattan who is hired by Amber, who is concerned when her twins Lark and Fox return from staying with their father in the UK as changed teenagers, who have lost their imperfections that made them who they were. It's entertaining, interesting, if a little grim at times, gripping and imaginative. The concept of the beauty standards for teenagers, social media role of pushing expected norms, the pressure on young people to conform, and the playing with technology to make the world a better "perfect" place. It's an interesting, thought-provoking read. I may read more in the Marvel series, but I will definitely be reading more by Lisa Jewell as I find her writing style engaging and easy to read. Great stuff.
July 2, 2024
Step into the darker side of the Marvel universe with 'Breaking the Dark'.......
Book Information
Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell is a 384-page mystery/thriller set in the Marvel Universe with a publication date of July 2, 2024. Thank you to Hyperion Avenue for providing me an Advance Readers Copy for review.
Summary
Jessica Jones, a retired superhero turned private investigator, navigates her troubled life in Hell's Kitchen, New York, avoiding her traumatic past as a spandex-clad crimefighter. Her routine is disrupted when a distressed mother, Amber Randall, seeks her help, claiming eerie, flawless versions have replaced her teenage twins after visiting their father in the UK. Intrigued by the bizarre changes and mention of a girl named Belle, Jessica travels to a remote British village, where she encounters Belle and her enigmatic guardian. The village, Barton Wallop, hides dark secrets and energies, challenging Jessica to uncover the truth. Amidst her personal struggles and imperfect life, Jessica knows that behind every illusion of perfection lies a dangerous reality.
My Thoughts
"Breaking the Dark" by Lisa Jewell is an engaging crime novel with a supernatural twist, marking the kickoff of a three-book series, each featuring a different hero and penned by a different author. This installment dives deep into the life of Jessica Jones, a character I knew by name but wasn’t familiar with her backstory. Despite this, I quickly became a fan of Jessica, who offers a more humanistic take on a superhero—one that grapples with real-world struggles and often handles them in less-than-healthy ways. This isn't just a superhero story—it's a human saga that will pull you in and with which many will identify.
Fast-paced and unpredictable, "Breaking the Dark" is set in the Marvel universe, where anything is possible. If you’re looking for realism and a plot that adheres strictly to science, this might be a stretch for you. The story is far-fetched at times, but it’s a superhero novel, after all, and leans into the darker side of the genre, more so than most Marvel releases. With every chapter, 'Breaking the Dark' pulls you deeper into a web of mystery and suspense.
The story jumps between different time periods, an approach that, while effective, can be a bit confusing if you’re not paying close attention. Some transitions are abrupt, while others are more subtle, adding layers to an already detailed plot.
Lisa Jewell’s superb writing brings well-fleshed characters to life. I especially liked Jessica’s "intern" Malcolm. The book is exciting, emotional, and highly entertaining. It kept me engaged and guessing the whole way through. With multiple POVs and dual timelines, it’s easily readable and perfect for those who enjoy creepy superhero stories, slowly unraveling mysteries or the character of Jessica Jones. It’s a masterfully crafted story that keeps you guessing and questioning until the very last page.
Recommendation
"Breaking the Dark" is a well-written, darkly intriguing addition to the Marvel universe that captures the essence of Jessica Jones with compelling depth and nuance. The story's blend of crime and supernatural elements, along with its unpredictable plot twists, keeps readers on the edge of their seats. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a more humanistic and darker take on superhero stories.
Rating
4 Glamor Stars
Book Information
Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell is a 384-page mystery/thriller set in the Marvel Universe with a publication date of July 2, 2024. Thank you to Hyperion Avenue for providing me an Advance Readers Copy for review.
Summary
Jessica Jones, a retired superhero turned private investigator, navigates her troubled life in Hell's Kitchen, New York, avoiding her traumatic past as a spandex-clad crimefighter. Her routine is disrupted when a distressed mother, Amber Randall, seeks her help, claiming eerie, flawless versions have replaced her teenage twins after visiting their father in the UK. Intrigued by the bizarre changes and mention of a girl named Belle, Jessica travels to a remote British village, where she encounters Belle and her enigmatic guardian. The village, Barton Wallop, hides dark secrets and energies, challenging Jessica to uncover the truth. Amidst her personal struggles and imperfect life, Jessica knows that behind every illusion of perfection lies a dangerous reality.
My Thoughts
"Breaking the Dark" by Lisa Jewell is an engaging crime novel with a supernatural twist, marking the kickoff of a three-book series, each featuring a different hero and penned by a different author. This installment dives deep into the life of Jessica Jones, a character I knew by name but wasn’t familiar with her backstory. Despite this, I quickly became a fan of Jessica, who offers a more humanistic take on a superhero—one that grapples with real-world struggles and often handles them in less-than-healthy ways. This isn't just a superhero story—it's a human saga that will pull you in and with which many will identify.
Fast-paced and unpredictable, "Breaking the Dark" is set in the Marvel universe, where anything is possible. If you’re looking for realism and a plot that adheres strictly to science, this might be a stretch for you. The story is far-fetched at times, but it’s a superhero novel, after all, and leans into the darker side of the genre, more so than most Marvel releases. With every chapter, 'Breaking the Dark' pulls you deeper into a web of mystery and suspense.
The story jumps between different time periods, an approach that, while effective, can be a bit confusing if you’re not paying close attention. Some transitions are abrupt, while others are more subtle, adding layers to an already detailed plot.
Lisa Jewell’s superb writing brings well-fleshed characters to life. I especially liked Jessica’s "intern" Malcolm. The book is exciting, emotional, and highly entertaining. It kept me engaged and guessing the whole way through. With multiple POVs and dual timelines, it’s easily readable and perfect for those who enjoy creepy superhero stories, slowly unraveling mysteries or the character of Jessica Jones. It’s a masterfully crafted story that keeps you guessing and questioning until the very last page.
Recommendation
"Breaking the Dark" is a well-written, darkly intriguing addition to the Marvel universe that captures the essence of Jessica Jones with compelling depth and nuance. The story's blend of crime and supernatural elements, along with its unpredictable plot twists, keeps readers on the edge of their seats. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a more humanistic and darker take on superhero stories.
Rating
4 Glamor Stars
March 17, 2025
*+:｡.｡“𝓦𝓮𝓵𝓵, 𝔂𝓮𝓪𝓱, 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮’𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸𝓸. 𝓝𝓸𝓽 𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓶𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓾𝓹 𝓪 𝓴𝓲𝓭. 𝓜𝓸𝓶𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓭𝓸 𝓪 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓰𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓳𝓸𝓫 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸𝓸.”｡.｡:+*
Yeah, it's definitely giving Marvel vibes and lemme tell you something I DO NOT LIKE SUPERHEROES. I didn't even figure out what was happening until 60% of the way
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕿𝖗𝖔𝖕𝖊𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
🌸 𝚃𝙷𝚁𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙴𝚁
🌸 𝙿𝚂𝚈𝙲𝙷𝙾𝙿𝙰𝚃𝙷 𝚅𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙰𝙸𝙽
🌸 𝚂𝚄𝙿𝙴𝚁𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙾𝙴𝚂
🌸 𝙼𝙰𝚁𝚅𝙴𝙻
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
Let’s do a cleanse with this book provided by NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue.
Find my review on Instagram
Yeah, it's definitely giving Marvel vibes and lemme tell you something I DO NOT LIKE SUPERHEROES. I didn't even figure out what was happening until 60% of the way
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕿𝖗𝖔𝖕𝖊𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
🌸 𝚃𝙷𝚁𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙴𝚁
🌸 𝙿𝚂𝚈𝙲𝙷𝙾𝙿𝙰𝚃𝙷 𝚅𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙰𝙸𝙽
🌸 𝚂𝚄𝙿𝙴𝚁𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙾𝙴𝚂
🌸 𝙼𝙰𝚁𝚅𝙴𝙻
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
Let’s do a cleanse with this book provided by NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue.
Find my review on Instagram
September 25, 2024
This book was REALLY FREAKING GOOD!!!
I bought myself a copy because hello, it's Lisa Jewell. I will read anything she writes!! I wasn't sure what I would think seeing as I'm not a huge Marvel fan - I've enjoyed the movies but they've never been my number one pick. I am happy to report this was excellent! 5 great big stars!!! I already require more Jessica Jones in my life!
I bought myself a copy because hello, it's Lisa Jewell. I will read anything she writes!! I wasn't sure what I would think seeing as I'm not a huge Marvel fan - I've enjoyed the movies but they've never been my number one pick. I am happy to report this was excellent! 5 great big stars!!! I already require more Jessica Jones in my life!
June 26, 2024
3.5 ⭐
Ready for some mind-bending?!
THIS is the top-secret project that Lisa Jewell has been working on! She’s been chosen to launch the Marvel Crime series of thrillers for adults. WOW. This first installment, ‘Breaking The Dark’, features Private Detective Jessica Jones. The series will continue with S.A. Cosby writing book two, Luke Cage, and Alex Segura writing book three, Daredevil.
Jessica Jones is a crime fighter who values her mental health. She’s chosen to leave her world and seek refuge in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. Your mind is bent already, right? A superhero who values mental health. Read on. Jessica is intrigued by client Amber Randall’s claim that something happened to her children while they were visiting their father in the U.K. Convinced that Belle, an unsavory teenager they hung out with, did something to them, replacing them with something horrible and perfect, Amber persuades Jessica to investigate what happened in Barton Wallop.
I went into this with an open mind and I was still left gobsmacked! My linear brain struggled to appreciate being immersed in the Marvel world, and I struggled with the writing style. Regardless, this was an immersive read that showcased the supernatural and technologically forward world and gave me my first introduction to the paranormal/artificially intelligent crime-solving subgenre.
Jewell’s book examines dark energy, the cost of trying to reach society’s standards for beauty, and a mother’s intuition and will be a blockbuster introduction to this series.
I was gifted this copy by Hyperion and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Ready for some mind-bending?!
THIS is the top-secret project that Lisa Jewell has been working on! She’s been chosen to launch the Marvel Crime series of thrillers for adults. WOW. This first installment, ‘Breaking The Dark’, features Private Detective Jessica Jones. The series will continue with S.A. Cosby writing book two, Luke Cage, and Alex Segura writing book three, Daredevil.
Jessica Jones is a crime fighter who values her mental health. She’s chosen to leave her world and seek refuge in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. Your mind is bent already, right? A superhero who values mental health. Read on. Jessica is intrigued by client Amber Randall’s claim that something happened to her children while they were visiting their father in the U.K. Convinced that Belle, an unsavory teenager they hung out with, did something to them, replacing them with something horrible and perfect, Amber persuades Jessica to investigate what happened in Barton Wallop.
I went into this with an open mind and I was still left gobsmacked! My linear brain struggled to appreciate being immersed in the Marvel world, and I struggled with the writing style. Regardless, this was an immersive read that showcased the supernatural and technologically forward world and gave me my first introduction to the paranormal/artificially intelligent crime-solving subgenre.
Jewell’s book examines dark energy, the cost of trying to reach society’s standards for beauty, and a mother’s intuition and will be a blockbuster introduction to this series.
I was gifted this copy by Hyperion and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
May 29, 2024
thank you netgalley, lisa jewell, and hyperion avenue for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! i enjoyed this one a lot and was very interested in seeing where the story was going. it follows jessica jones after a mother reaches out to her about her two teenage twins who have been acting strange after coming back from visiting their father in the uk. the story draws you in as you learn more about what’s really going on with the twins. i thought that the storyline became a little too far-fetched at times, but it is a superhero novel, and i think some people would like that more. i am a marvel fan though and i think this was a fun and worthy addition to the universe. it feels darker than most of the other stuff marvel releases, which i really enjoyed. the writing is also well-done, which is to be expected from lisa jewell. if you like superhero stories that are a little more creepy, mysteries that unravel slowly, or jessica jones as a character, pick this one up!
May 12, 2025
Largely unrelated to Jessica Jones worldbuilding despite familiar names and dynamics, this is a story that could work in any context, and one that underutilises the possibilities of the comic genre in novel format. Aside from the generic characterisations and lack of superpower inclusion, it also struggles to say anything interesting due to lackluster writing and an incredibly weak end reveal. An unfortunate skip that fails as both a mystery and a Jessica Jones experience.
actual rating: 2.5 stars
actual rating: 2.5 stars
December 23, 2024
I received a free copy of, Breaking the Dark, by Lisa Jewell, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book one in the Marvel Crime Series. Jessica Jones was once a super hero, now she helps solve crime, as a private investigator. Jessica is a great character, I really enjoyed learning more about her.
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