Member Reviews
Unfortunately this wasn't for me. I understand wanting to write about her "normal" life but I just think there's more to write about for a female superhero/P.I than fighting perfection. I'm also usually a big Marvel fan, so it wasn't the superhero aspect I didn't like.
I am definitely not the target audience for this but I enjoyed it for what it was - a standalone story which I enjoyed
Jessica Jones, a private detective, is asked by Amber Randall to look into a case where she thinks her children have been replaced since coming back from the UK; as they now don’t seem like themselves. Jessica travels to England and realises something strange is going on.
I have never really had much to do with the Marvel Universe and don’t usually enjoy this genre as much as others, however as it is by Lisa Jewell I knew I had to read! I enjoyed reading the author’s introduction about why she wrote this and respect that she has created an intriguing novel in a completely different genre. After finishing I am in two minds. I think the story was well written, with an interesting plot and characters, however I found myself confused as to what was going on some of the time and found the overall story a bit slow, although I liked the mystery.
Although I personally prefer Lisa Jewell’s usual thrillers, the author has proven that she can write compelling stories across a range of different genres and this will definitely be a hit with those who enjoy Marvel and the fantasy genre. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell was an unexpected pleasure to read. It wasn’t what I expected in a Lisa Jewell novel, but it was a story that flowed and went seamlessly from normality to Avengers, super hero mode.
The story moved between England and America, some of the characters were from wealth and privilege and others were from poor backgrounds, in some cases through choice. You had vampire, blood drinking father’s, Dorian Gray mother’s and the psychopath girlfriend. You had young girls searching for perfection to enhance their lives and a pregnant super hero.
I found the story easy to read and I did, surprisingly, really enjoy reading this book. Something totally different!
Highly recommended
I loved it when DC did there crime series, so when i heard Marvel where doing one and they had juggernaut author Lisa Jewell to write about my jaded hero Jessica Jones it was an automatic yes from me.
This is such an interesting story as a mother comes to Jessica for aide after her twins return no quite right from their visit with their father in the UK. I really loved the way in which there is a bit more darkness than we are used to with Marvel as i am a fan of Jessica Jones and her TV show, i think the way Lisa Jewel writes really captivates that darkness very well and the thriller aspect and slow reveals just makes this a one to read.
This book may not be for everyone as Lisa Jewel fans may not be aware that her new book is a superhero mystery, but if you don't mind the stretch of superhero mysteries, you will love this
As for me Lisa Jewel and Marvel a recipe for perfection and it was.
I haven't read the Jessica Jones comics, but I did really enjoy the TV series and Krysten Ritter's portrayal of Jessica. I certainly didn't expect my next encounter with Jessica to be via a novel by Lisa Jewell, though. That was unexpected.
The story follows a case superhero-turned-private investigator Jessica takes on from the wealthy Amber Randall, whose teenage twins are acting strangely ever since returning to New York from a visit to their father in the UK. They're looking and behaving different - it's all a bit odd. The investigation will take Jessica to the Essex town of Barton Wallop and some, to say the least, surprising discoveries. Meanwhile, there's momentous stuff going on in her private life.
The plot is preposterous, but very entertaining. There's so much going on, it's hard to know where to start. A historic serial killer, a ruthlessly ambitious young woman, missing girls, bloodlust, eternal life, weird science, an Instagram beauty influencer, a really old cat, something nasty in the basement... It's all happening, and that's not to even mention the little girl who Jessica keeps inexplicably seeing everywhere. It all results in Jessica and her young assistant, Malcolm, heading into danger.
As over the top as the plot is, I really enjoyed this story. We follow it mainly from Jessica's point of view, but there are also snippets from stuff that's happened in the past, which are initially fairly incomprehensible but all tie together in the end,
I'm not American, so I could be wrong, but the author is British and although she's obviously made an effort to Americanise the writing, some of the dialogue spoken by the American characters doesn't ring true in terms of certain words used, particularly some of the slang.
Thanks for the opportunity to read an advance copy. I really enjoyed it.
Marvel or otherwise, Lisa Jewell’s pure brilliance is in every page of this book.
I’m not a Marvel girlie, but I AM a Lisa Jewell fan girl, and I don’t imagine either will be disappointed AT ALL with this.
Will gladly be picking up the other Marvel Crime titles when I can - purely based on this book!
Massive Lisa Jewell fan. Like Marvel so thought I’d give it a crack. Jessica Jones is a former super hero turned private investigator with a new case to solve. Jewell’s storytelling and writing style was as first class as ever. Just wish I was more into Marvel. I think it was only my lack of knowledge and excitement around marvel which let me down
I loved this book. Read it soooo fast as so easy to read. It flowed so fluently and I couldn't wait to read what was happening next. I'm the complete opposite of a comic book reader and superheroes but I loved this book, just loved it.
This was great! I loved the Jessica Jones series with Krysten Ritter, and so it was her I had in my mind as I read, and I quickly felt myself caught up in the story and enjoying Jessica's journey. I liked that mystery element to things, but I also just enjoyed what Jessica was doing, and thinking, and feeling. It's interesting to have the two timelines slowly converging. I wasn't sure how they would pull together, but I feel like Lisa Jewell did a pretty good job, and I really wanted to see how things would resolve.
I liked seeing Luke Cage appear now and then (though I did hope for Daredevil...), but I also really loved Malcolm.
I love all the reviews querying what on earth was happening, and why was it all so weird! I personally enjoyed it being the Marvel universe, and I would happily read more Jessica Jones stories from Lisa Jewell as I felt she really loved Jessica.
Really wasn't sure about the super hero bit but it's Lisa Jewell so worth a read and, of course, she did it. I loved the book, was totally engrossed, it's a private eye mystery with a bit of fancy but all readable.
Absolutely loved this. I'm a comic book fan and also a Lisa Jewell fan and she did a brilliant job of creating a classic mystery with superhero Jessica Jones. Even if you're not a fan of the comic books and their adaptations you will enjoy this book.
WOW! If this isn't a book to brag about I don't know what is... I started it late last night. Never did I anticipate I would be closing the book at 1am left in complete shock... This book was insane! It was twisted, it was gripping but it was so darn good! Different from Lisa’s usual books but a great start to a new series.
I love Lisa Jewell but I don’t really like Marvel. So I’m probably not the best target audience. It was ok but I did get confused in parts. It’s far fetched but that’s because it’s fantasy. I think this is aimed at the Marvel / fantasy readers, not the’traditional’ Jewell fans
I'll start off by saying I know nothing about the Marvel universe, sure I've heard of Jessica Jones but this genre is generally not my thing (despite many of my friends being super fans).
But I am a big fan of Lisa Jewell and love her style of writing so couldn't resist. I read an interview with Lisa saying she too had been unfamiliar with JJ so dedicated herself to reading and learning everything about her world, it shows throughout the book as there are plenty of hints to her backstop, I never felt lost.
It's obviously a different world in this book so a new experience for me where anything can be possible, you still get Lisa's characterisation and page turning skills.
I'm definitely looking forward to Lisa's next book in her own style but this has been a very welcome change
Expect a grittier side of the Marvel Universe in the first of a new crime series featuring some favoured characters including Daredevil and Luke Cage. In this, Lisa introduces readers to Jessica Jones, retired super hero turned PI who is on the case a set of unsettled twins. Something has gone awry, but what, and who is responsible?
As an avid fan of both Lisa Jewell and Marvel, I was thrilled to receive an arc for Breaking The Dark, and was really looking forward to this one to see what Lisa did with the Jessica Jones character.
Breaking the Dark has all the trademarks you’d expect from any other Lisa Jewell novel including the exquisite writing and the feeling of unease that she manages to weave into every single one of her books. It had all the ingredients I’ve come to know and love from Lisa.
So, my overall thoughts: it’s good. It’s deliciously sinister. It made me feel uneasy. I just didn’t love it as much as I was hoping to. I didn’t feel very connected to Jessica Jones, but I did come away feeling strong feelings for some of the other characters, namely Belle, Lark and Malcolm.
The mystery did keep me guessing the whole way through, but this was a very slow starter for me. It took me over half the book to feel the pace pick up, and although I read the last 25% very quickly, it fell a little short for me. I wanted to love this, but I’ve come away just liking it instead.
It won’t stop me reading anything Lisa Jewell publishes in the future because at this point, I really would read her shopping lists.
If you like Lisa, you’ll like this. If you like Marvel, you’ll like this.
Former superhero Jessica Jones, now working as a private investigator, is contacted by a wealthy woman from New York. The woman is deeply concerned about her twins, Lark and Fox, who have been acting strangely since their visit to their father in the UK.
Traveling to Britain to uncover the truth, Jessica finds herself entangled in a sinister conspiracy that reaches far beyond the twins' odd behavior. Will she be able to confront and overcome the formidable adversaries she encounters?
Lisa Jewell crafts a gripping narrative filled with unexpected twists, sure to captivate her regular readers and Marvel enthusiasts alike. This novel is an exhilarating kickoff to the Marvel Crime series and earns a solid 3.5-star rating.
As a huge Lisa Jewell fan and a huge Marvel fan this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it didn't disappoint!
Mixing the brilliant writing of Jewell and the fabulous and eclectic character of Jessica Jones I absolutely flew through this and devoured every word.
Jewell was on point with the Marvel angle and has created a fantastic plot which kept me hooked from start to finish.
This can be read by thriller and Marvel fans alike. Hoping for more from the Marvel crime series.
Being a marvel & Lisa Jewell fan, as soon as I saw this book I knew I had to read it. Love the links into the marvel world, for anyone not a marvel fan, these may be a struggle to follow. The story line however...wow! Full of surprises just like any Lisa book, keeps you guessing all the way through. Her books always leave me thinking 'wow, could that actually happen?!'