Darkly

By: Marisha Pessl

Narrated by: Imani Jade Powers

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A powder keg of dark secrets and mind-bending puzzles, this must-read thriller is “addictively suspenseful” (The Washington Post) and “full of atmospheric thrills” (Los Angeles Times)—from the New York Times bestselling author of Night Film.

Your favorite game has come to life. And you don’t want to find out what happens if you lose…

“Pessl is gargantuan: wildly smart, extremely surprising, a wordsmith, a queen. Read her.” —E. Lockhart, #1 New York Times bestselling author of We Were Liars

A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Arcadia “Dia” Gannon has been obsessed with Louisiana Veda, the game designer whose obsessive creations and company, Darkly, have gained a cultlike following. Dia is shocked when she’s chosen for a highly-coveted internship, along with six other teenagers from around the world. Why her? Dia has never won anything in her life.

Darkly, once a game-making empire renowned for its ingenious and utterly terrifying toys and games, now lies dormant after Veda’s mysterious death. The remaining games are priced like rare works of art, with some fetching millions of dollars at auction.

As Dia and her fellow interns delve into the heart of Darkly, they discover hidden symbols, buried clues, and a web of intrigue. Who are these other teens, and what secrets do they keep? Why were any of them really chosen? The answers lie within the twisted labyrinth of Darkly—a chilling and addictive read by Marisha Pessl.

This summer will be the most twisted Darkly game of all.

“Complex and captivating.” —Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows

Critic reviews

"Full of atmospheric thrills." —Los Angeles Times

"[A] crazy, funny, addictively suspenseful story." —The Washington Post

"[A]n engaging plot of puzzles that reveal hidden truths about identity and legacy....At its heart, Darkly is an examination of the objects and the moments that make us, that fuel our pursuits or haunt our visions — and sometimes what we choose to do with the cards we're given.” —USA Today

★ "Like a Darkly game, the whole is mesmerizing, improbable, deeply compelling, and best enjoyed after dark....Roll the die, flip the card: We have a winner." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Twists and connections are satisfying and surprising in this high-stakes thriller by Pessl, who takes familiar YA tropes and turns them on their head using confident prose." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Creative and unique, this is a special treat for readers who wish Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s The Inheritance Games had been set in the world of Jumanji." —School Library Journal

"Pessl set forth with an ambitious concept, and the result is thrilling, mysterious, and full of shocking twists through the very last page." —Booklist

"[A] compelling, immersive story that has everything necessary to enthrall careful readers." —The Bulletin

"Darkly’s central mystery is tantalizing; it’s sure to entice readers who love a puzzle and will reward their efforts with a delicious twist." —BookPage

Another masterpiece by Marisha

Such a fun read. You wont want to stop listening/reading. Love how MP sprinkles supernatural vibes and manages to bring it back to reality

Adventurous

I wish I could read this story again for the first time! It’s perfectly chaotic and tied with a big beautiful bow at the end!

A story I won’t forget

This book takes you on an adventure you will get lost in and not soon forget. It’s a new favorite.

Caught me at the first paragraph.

I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. I love the story, the characters, the mystery that lies within a mystery. It’s like nothing else I’ve read in this category. I listened to this at 1.5x speed and it was amazing.

I am left heartbroken

Why did I fall in love with the characters. The ending had me crying. I wanted more.