Member Reviews

I should start by saying that I’ve never been into marvel or superhero’s at all but I am a Lisa Jewell fan so I thought I might as well give it a try and I’m happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed! I actually really liked the character Jessica Jones and was committed to finding out what happened to the twins and what was going on.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This is a great book for Young Adult readers to be introduced to Lisa Jewell. However for me, as no longer a 'young' adult this book was not my usual genre. I am not a fan of fantasy or the superhero world. I would continue reading more books in the series purely because of the author and having followed her since her early novels before she became a Thriller writer.
I liked the character of Jessica and did enjoy the story, especially once in England. I found it sometimes a bit far fetched but I suppose that fits into the Marvel brief. Well done Lisa.
Five star for younger readers who like a quick read but something to 'get into'

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I'm a fan of Lisa Jewell and not particularly a Marvel fan, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was engaging, interesting and an exciting read!!

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As a long-time fan of Lisa Jewell’s gripping, character-driven thrillers, I was intrigued to see her venture into the Marvel universe with Breaking the Dark, a Jessica Jones novel. However, while the book showcases Jewell’s sharp writing and her ability to craft tension, it ultimately felt quite different from her usual style—something I missed in this adaptation.

The story follows Jessica Jones, Marvel’s iconic private investigator, as she navigates a world of mystery and danger. Jewell does a solid job capturing the grit and complexity of Jones’s character and the noir-like atmosphere that fans of Marvel’s Jessica Jones will recognize. The plot is fast-paced and action-packed, which aligns well with the Marvel tone but doesn’t leave much room for the nuanced, slow-burn storytelling Jewell typically excels at.

While Marvel fans may enjoy this fresh take on Jessica Jones, I found myself yearning for Jewell’s trademark depth and emotional layers, which seemed somewhat constrained by the genre and format. As someone who appreciates Jewell’s original works, I probably wouldn’t choose another Marvel adaptation. That said, my respect for Jewell as an author remains steadfast, and I’ll eagerly pick up her next standalone novel.

For readers who love Marvel and are curious about seeing a beloved author step into a new arena, this book is worth a try. For those who prefer Jewell’s signature psychological suspense, it may be best to stick with her other works.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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A slow burner but fits the Jessica Jones universe well.

The writing style is engaging and leaves you hooked. I found this really hard to put down, I'm in disbelief that this is the first Lisa Jewell book I read but this definitely won't be my last! I do struggle with thriller/mystery fiction a little but that's just personal preference, this has definitely made me want to read more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for this eARC.

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Really well written we thought as read as one for our book club back in September. Would read more like this

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As I’m not a comic book fan, I was intrigued how this would pan out, but very pleasantly surprised. Lisa is a talented author and didn’t fail with this one.
Centred around private detective Jessica Jones, a superhero with issues. She is drawn by Amber and the mystery of her twin’s disappearance in Barton Wallop. A slow burner, but worth persevering.

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Big thank you to netgalley for supplying me with an arc of Breaking the Dark. As a big marvel fan and as a reader who has heard so many amazing things about Lisa Jewell, I was naturally curious when seeing this on netgalley so i requested it and got accepted c: I was instanty drawn to the writing style and the fact that this has characters that I already know and live made it so much easier for me to follow and get into. I really enjoyed the plot and to say that I’m not the biggest mystery reader, this really surprised me in that I loved the storyline.

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I had just finished The Family Upstairs and loved it as I have with all the previous Lisa Jewell books that I have read was looking forward with great anticipation to this one. However it was not for me. I’m not a fan of super heroes, know very little about them and I don’t like fantasy and this book just didn’t work for me. The style of writing seemed slow and didn’t pull me in. I’m now going to read The Family Remains…. much more my style!
Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for giving for giving me the chance to read this book.

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When two brilliant worlds collide the outcome can only be good! Lisa Jewell has taken on the world of Marvel, and it is brilliant.

The story of Jessica Jones is gripping, I was hooked from start to finish. It had everything you would expect from a Lisa Jewell thriller with the addition of Marvel and superpowers.

I loved the plot and subplot, I was gripped throughout. Elliot and Malcom were great supporting characters.

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This book will open up the writing of Lisa Jewell to a whole new audience....and they will find this an addictive and engrossing read. I am not a fan of Marvel, but I am a huge fan of the author. I think this will be the first in a series, as they is plenty to build on.
Despite my initial reservations I was able to easily finish the book because of the incredible craftsmanship of the author. I think I would have given this 5 stars were I a Marvel fan, but I felt I could have done with a little more background knowledge on the Marvel character.

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As with any other Lisa Jewell book, I really enjoyed it. There's something about her storylines packing in a lot more than you would think that I always find compelling. Her main characters are always multidimensional, and this was the case for Jessica too. I don't often read super heroes fiction (and this was very low key superhero, to be honest), but I did enjoy the story and the plot kept me reading.

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A marvel story about Jessica Jones, retired superhero now working as a private investigator. Jessica is tasked with investigating twin teenagers who are acting strangely since spending time in the U.K. over summer and have suddenly developed immaculate complexions…

This one surprised me. I had mixed feelings picking it up, as Marvel isn’t usually my thing. However, it’s a testament to Lisa Jewell that I was hooked pretty early on. While some of the dialogue reads more like YA fiction, the plot is unique and clever. I enjoyed the dual PoV and it took quite a while for me to figure out how they linked up, which was an unexpected twist! The main characters were nuanced and addictive!

This was my first Lisa Jewell, but it’s pushed me to pick up more of her books, as I think it shows her talent of how well she has executed a book outside of her comfort zone.

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I love Lisa Jewell books and I love Marvel so was really looking forward to reading this. I actually saw the book advertised on a Disney bus when I was on holiday in Walt Disney world.

Took a little while to get into it as she writes in a different style than her usual books but once I got a few chapters in then I really got into it. I enjoyed a more gritty side of marvel.

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Marvel & Lisa J !?!? Whaaaat !! Then I got an arc!! This got devoured in 2 sittings whilst on holiday. Didn’t think I’d enjoy this as much as her other works but I actually loved it!!

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This was good, I am not a fan of marvel sadly, but I am a huge fan of the author which is why when I seen this I had to read it straight away! I think this is going to be a series and I enjoyed it a lot

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So... first I must say that Lisa Jewell became my #1 favorite author of all time after reading None of This Is True. And she still is my favorite author. But this was a definite miss for me. I think because it didn't feel at all like her writing, but rather seemed to be fitting to the mold of Marvel (which was ultimately her objective, so well done). I would suggest this for fans of the Marvel-verse but unfortunately I am definitely not among them. Thank you so much for allowing me to read an advanced copy and I will still be auto-buying ANYthing she writes.

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Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell, set to release in July 2024, merges the author’s signature psychological thriller style with the Marvel universe. This first installment in the Marvel Crime series brings Jessica Jones, the gritty and traumatized private investigator, into the forefront. The plot kicks off when Jessica is approached by a mother, Amber Randall, who suspects something sinister has happened to her twins after they returned from a summer with their father in the UK. The twins seem altered, too perfect, and obsessed with a mysterious girl named Belle.

The novel’s strength lies in Jewell’s ability to craft a suspenseful and eerie atmosphere. Jessica’s investigation takes her to Essex, where she encounters Belle and her guardian, revealing a high-stakes conspiracy involving dangerous technology. As Jessica untangles this twisted web, readers are plunged into a dark, chilling mystery that has supernatural undertones but stays grounded in human emotion and intrigue.

While Marvel fans will appreciate the inclusion of Jessica Jones, even those unfamiliar with the superhero will find this book engaging. Jewell’s hallmark pacing and character development are present, though some readers may wish for more background on Jessica’s past early on. Overall, Breaking the Dark is a compelling blend of psychological thriller and sci-fi that should appeal to both Lisa Jewell’s fanbase and Marvel newcomers alike .

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This is a book that I took a chance reading and was pleasantly surprised. It is not my usual type of read and is a first write for Lisa Jewell of this genre. This is the first book of a new Marvel Crime series.
Jessica is a private investigator living in New York who unravels the mysterious character change in 16 year old twins. Her investigations take her to England where she tries to find out what happened whilst the twins were their visiting their father. Battling her own personal and emotional difficulties, she needs to decide where her own future and relationship with Luke Cage is going.
A mix of super hero fantasy, along with the draw of social media made this an enjoyable read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Lisa Jewell for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

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The first in a new Marvel crime series, Lisa Jewell proves once again how versatile a writer she is.

Retired superhero Jessica Jones, currently working as a private investigator in New York, is hired by a rich divorcee who is worried about her 16-year-old twins. The twins, Lark and Fox, have returned from visiting their father in Essex, England, but something clearly happened while they were away since they have come home entirely different people.

Jessica has to travel to Essex to find out what happened. There, she meets Belle and Debra, two evil geniuses and dives into a world where new technology can make the world a better place for some people holes – to the detriment of others.

I’m not really into superheroes, and knew nothing about Jessica Jones, but I’m always willing to try something a bit different. Jessica’s backstory has a few holes – to be filled, no doubt, further into the series. This novel ticks all the boxes – great hook, great story, quirky characters, fast pace, lots of mystery and suspense, a hint of science-fiction … I thoroughly enjoyed Breaking the Dark.

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