A seemingly ordinary high school student. A mysterious summer internship. And a legendary games designer, now dead.
When an ad for an internship with the Louisiana Veda Foundation appears, Arcadia ‘Dia’ Gannon rushes to apply. Veda’s game-making empire, Darkly, was renowned for its ingenious and terrifying games back in the day and Dia is as obsessed with them as anyone.
The remaining games are priced like highly sought-after works of art, with the rarest and most notorious commanding tens of millions of dollars at auction. Now, Dia is thrust into the enigmatic heart of the operation. But who are these other interns? Why do they all seem to have something to hide? And why was she really chosen? It soon becomes clear that this summer will be the most twisted Darkly game of all.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Nobody really knows all the secrets of the world of darkly. An enticing adventure awaits the lucky seven young adults selected to solve the mystery, but who knows just what that mystery might reveal! Pessl has created a world where friendship, truth, loyalty and trust may not be as they straightforward as they should be. The complex plot weaves the seven interns in a heart-stopping adventure filled with challenges and terrors whilst competing for their chance to solve the puzzle. Even the reader must try to untangle who is not who they seem. Everyone has secrets. This psychological thriller compels the reader to follow the captivating storylines which lead to a satisfying twist. Highly recommended! Chris, QLD, 5 stars
This was a cleverly woven mystery which at times had my heart racing! It was a speedy read because I was desperate to find out what had happened, but it kept me guessing right up to the last minute. The detailed descriptions made this very visual, as eerie or creepy as that was at times. The unearthing of clues was such that as a reader I was unable to skip ahead – each piece was necessary to solving the mystery. I finished it a few days ago and haven’t been able to stop thinking about, going back and checking details again Laura, NSW, 5 stars
The tag line “what would you kill for?” was definitely a way to hook me in and set up anticipation for what I assumed would be a contentious ride. The book starts off relatively slowly as it eases you into the story and introduces our protagonist. However the pace ramps up soon enough as the author weaves in the intrigue and mysterious elements to keep the reader guessing and involved. Twists and turns abound as the story rolls along until the finale which turns everything on its head. All in all it was an intriguing story to read with more than enough twists, turns and tension to entertain and involve the reader of this type of fiction. Kelly, SA, 5 stars
‘Compelling’ is the word I would use to best describe this great novel. Once I got into this story-which was very quickly- I was hooked and couldn’t wait to read another chapter. The subject matter was initially a concern for me – an interactive board game, with players from all over the world and a mystery to solve? I confess that if I had picked this book up at a library, I don’t think I would’ve done much more than read the blurb. What a cracker of a tale I would have deprived myself of! The main character Dia is so well written and continued to evolve throughout the story and the back story was so bizarre and fascinating that I got sucked into the whole “who, where, what” scenario and just wanted to find out more. The twist at the end was also very clever- I never saw that coming. If you love a great mystery- you will eat this up with a spoon. Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets Jumanji. Highly recommended. Kathy, VIC, 5 stars
Really loved this book. It captivated me and then I found it really hard to put the book down. The plot twist was great and kept me guessing until the very end. Elt, QLD, 5 stars
Darkly by Marisha Pessl is a work of art. I loved it. It’s one of those great YA novels that keeps you guessing, builds an idea so brilliant that you have no idea where the story will go next, with twists and turns aplenty. As the name implies, there is a modern gothic aesthetic but it’s the mystery and thriller elements that keep you hooked throughout. This is one of the rare YA novels I’ve read that I can wholeheartedly recommend to my son who loves adventure novels. The plot is masterful. Cathryn, TAS, 5 stars
There is no handbook on explaining YA fiction fantasy. I have decided that the darker and more thrilling the content, the more interesting I find it. Darkly, a complex story about a visionary games designer who dies and leaves behind seven interns chosen to delve into the world of Darkly and its games and prized works of art which are puzzles in themselves to solve. If this book gets a sequel I look forward to seeing some character development in the next instalment. Many unanswered questions, so I suggest you sit back and enjoy the world of Darkly. Preeya, 12 years and older, QLD, 5 stars
Well this book was an absolute gem! Not my normal read but I was hooked right from the start. YA psychological thriller about seven teenagers who are selected to take part in a game to try to find a missing teenager. The book was along a similar line to Jumanji with the game playing so loved it right from the start. But still very different theme. I loved how the author gave so much detail about locations and everything that was happening that I got lost in another world while reading it. It was very hard to put down. The story introduces you to the teenagers and takes you through to them trying to locate the missing teenager and game that was stolen. I was left guessing right until the end when you find out who is behind the theft. The little nugget that was in the last couple of pages was a total surprise, I definitely did not see that coming! Loved this book, hope there are more. Well written and very engaging. Jodie, VIC, 5 stars
Dia wins an internship but is soon involved in solving a mystery and finds that maybe it wasn’t random that her and the other interns were chosen. The book centres on a board game creator and her final missing game that seems to have resurfaced and kidnap players. This is a great book that will make the reader want to find and play board games especially where the player can interact with the surroundings. I liked the info and pics at the end of each chapter which has to do with the overall telling of the story. Alice Edwards, 15, NSW, 4 stars
I enjoyed this book, the added newspaper articles, photos and letters added another layer to the suspense. Might think twice about playing games in the future. Deanne, 10, VIC, 4 stars
It’s rare that I find a book I can’t put down, but Darkly managed to captivate me completely. This YA mystery thriller struck the perfect balance between eerie intrigue and restrained horror, allowing me to indulge in a suspenseful read without compromising my sleep. The premise is refreshingly unique: a group of 17-year-old interns win the opportunity to work with Louisiana Veda, a legendary board game creator known for her unsettling yet enthralling games. I found myself drawn to the main character, Dia Gannon, whose quiet intelligence and mature demeanour reminded me of my own teenage years. The setting – a fog-shrouded, abandoned island off the coast of London housing Veda’s old game factory – is deliciously atmospheric. As the interns unravel the mystery of a stolen game and its connection to a missing teenage boy, I was transported back to my own youth, recalling the thrill of solving puzzles and uncovering secrets. The author’s descriptive prowess shines throughout the novel, bringing Louisiana Veda’s imaginative world to life with vivid detail. Not once did I encounter a dull moment or lacklustre scene. While aimed at a younger audience, this book proves that well-crafted YA literature can resonate with readers of all ages. I’m eagerly anticipating a potential sequel, as I’m not quite ready to leave this intriguing world behind. I would heartily recommend Darkly to anyone, regardless of age, who enjoys a good mystery with a dash of the supernatural. Laura, WA, 4 stars
A captivating adventure from the very first page, this novel sweeps you away with its originality and endearing characters. I was thoroughly engrossed in the thrilling journey, eager to see what twists and turns awaited me. Megan, NSW, 4 stars
Who would have thought that bringing a board game to life would make such a compelling book? I can already imagine Darkly as a movie with thrills, spills, and plenty of action. My imagination was in overdrive. The story creates an adventure for seven young people selected to help locate a young man who has disappeared after winning the mysterious game of ‘Valkyrie’. This long lost game was the brainchild of famous Darkly games creator, Louisiana Veda, and was stolen many years ago. The sudden emergence of the game invokes fear and angst; as well as the missing teenager. The age old questions of who is behind this and why, yet to be solved. Darkly is cleverly crafted and has plenty of twists and turns throughout. I found it a little long in places but overall a good read for lovers of the mystery genre. Kim, NSW, 4 stars
I love YA books but I don’t love Fantasy or gaming, so when this arrived I was worried. However, after the first chapter I was hooked! The world building was excellent and the games? They sound amazing…I want to play them. The characters were well written but honestly, the best part were the games. Lots of twists and turns along the way and I can imagine the 15/16 year old girls being drawn into this novel. Well written and would recommend. Melanie, 15, NSW, 4 stars
Darkly was a quick and very engaging read and really stood out to me among the other young adult mysteries I’ve read. The plot was well tied together at the end which I prefer over other mysteries that are unnecessarily drawn out across multiple books. I quite liked the protagonist Dia and her relationships and interactions with the other interns. I appreciated her intelligence and intuition in the face of every turn of events. If I had to compare it to another book of the same genre I’d say that it has a similar feeling to the Inheritance Games trilogy. I personally prefer Darkly, however, as it felt much more high stakes and spooky. The last 50 or so pages were a complete roller coaster of discoveries and dramatic reveals which really hooked me in. It felt like a very original and unique entry to the mystery genre. For that reason, I’d definitely recommend it to readers of young adult mystery and thriller novels. Gabrielle, QLD, 4 stars
This is my first book by this author and I could not put it down. It was complex and captivating with unexpected twists. It kept me guessing until the end. Highly recommend. Keryn, SA, 4 stars
The debut novel Night Film by Marisha Pessl blew me away and her latest novel continued that trend. Her novel captures your interest as soon as you enter the world of Darkly. The novel is centred on the computer game company aptly named Darkly. It takes readers on a multi layered journey that leaves the pages turning themselves. The book is focused on Dia who is a huge fan of the creator of Darkly, Louisiana Veda. Dia with another six become interns for Darkly and the game commences. Readers are taken on a journey along with the interns full of puzzles and twists and turns that at times leaves you spell bound to keep reading in order to keep up with Dia. An immersive literary journey that allows you discover a world you did not even know existed till you opened up the cover of this book. Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy with a dash of mystery and thriller elements. Kelly, 16, NSW, 4 stars
Darkly by Marisha Pessl is a captivating adventure tale for YA readers. Seven seventeen-year-olds win an internship to work for the Louisiana Veda Foundation which produces popular board games. Once in London they realise that they will be living on an isolated island and caught up in a game of life and death. As they play the game, they need their brains and courage to survive. As the tension builds Arcadia has to decide who to trust keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The suspense grows, the suspicions grow and everyone looks to be dodgy but Dia (Arcadia) never gives up. What a great read for young and old! Definitely recommend for lovers of mystery and adventure. Michael, ACT, 4 stars
I have mixed feelings about this novel. At times it had me hooked than it lost me. The chapters seem to end with a cliffhanger and then the next chapter started with reflection of what happened in the previous chapter. I was lost a few times trying to work out what was happening. The novel is about Louisiana Veda a very clever and accomplished board game designer with very dark elements who has been dead for 39 years. The novel is based around seven high school students (interns) who have been selected to take part in an inaugural summer internship program set up by ‘The Louisiana Veda Foundation’. The main character is Dia Gannon who runs an antique shop with her mother and her best friends are both over 75 years old. She has been selected as one of the interns. The other six come from all around the world, Poe Valois III of Paris age 17, Mouse, Franz-Luc, Cooper, Everleigh and Torin. The internship is not what they thought it would be. Nile Raider is a Senior Barrister at Derringer Street, a firm that a represents the Veda estate. The interns are tasked with finding out what happened to 15 year old George Grenfell. Whoever finds George will receive one million pounds and exclusive ownership of an original Darkly. George was the first winner of the game Valkyrie. This game was stolen just prior to Veda’s death. The interns are also tasked to find the game. The novel goes on with the seven interns playing the game with secrets revealed and trusts broken. I felt the novel ended abruptly and not clear what happened. It was well written. Renae, QLD, 3 stars
Darkly by Marisha Pessl is a great thriller which kept me guessing all the way to the end of the book. This thriller is about a notorious games designer and high school students receiving an internship. This is a great book for teenagers. Heather, NSW, 3 stars
For me, most of this book was quite confusing. Many characters and details were introduced all at once- I think this could have been spread out so I could wrap my head around it better. Also, this book, like many other mystery-adventure novels, had a really rushed ending. The premise was there, but this book just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Jemma, 15, SA, 2 stars
I decided to try something new to me and opted to read and review this YA book given that I love reading, am currently exploring writing and thought a different perspective may be of some value. I found this book to be very long, full of unnecessary drama and so long winded. I’m sorry but just not a good read for me, perhaps for many YA’s it may be different. Regardless, I am appreciative of the opportunity to read this new release. Nicky, QLD, 2 stars
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