Darkly by Marisha Pessl

Read by: Imani Jade Powers

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars)

Overview

Marisha Pessl’s Darkly delivers a haunting psychological thriller that blends supernatural elements with coming-of-age storytelling, though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of her previous works. This dark fantasy audiobook explores themes of identity, family secrets, and the blurred lines between reality and nightmare.

Audiobook Performance

The narration brings depth to Pessl’s atmospheric prose, with the narrator effectively capturing the eerie tone and teenage protagonist’s voice. The audio production quality is solid, making this a worthwhile listen for fans of gothic fiction and young adult horror. The narrator’s performance enhances the mysterious atmosphere, particularly during the more suspenseful sequences. The narrator for this story was incredible. I felt the emotion and fear of each character.

Story and Writing

Pessl crafts a compelling mystery involving a boarding school setting with supernatural undertones. The plot centers around dark family history and unexplained phenomena, creating an engaging gothic atmosphere. While the premise is intriguing, the pacing occasionally falters in the middle sections, and some plot threads feel underdeveloped compared to the author’s earlier work like Night Film.

The character development shows promise but is lacking. I was left wanting more character development. I really wanted to hear more of the relationship between Poe and Dea. Also Dea and Choke.

Strengths

• Atmospheric world-building and gothic mood
• Strong opening that hooks listeners immediately
• Effective use of supernatural elements without overwhelming the core story
• Quality audiobook production and narration
• Engaging exploration of family dynamics and secrets

Areas for Improvement

• Uneven pacing, particularly in the second act
• Some character arcs feel rushed or incomplete
• The resolution may leave some listeners wanting more closure
• Certain plot elements feel familiar to readers of similar YA dark fantasy

Recommendation

Darkly is a solid entry in the psychological thriller and dark fantasy genres, perfect for listeners who enjoy boarding school mysteries, supernatural fiction, and gothic atmospheres. It offers enough intrigue and atmospheric storytelling to satisfy fans of young adult horror and mystery audiobooks. This would be an appropriate book for teenagers to read.

Best suited for readers who appreciate: psychological suspense, boarding school settings, family mystery, supernatural thriller, gothic fiction, and atmospheric horror.

Final Verdict: A competent but not exceptional addition to Marisha Pessl’s catalog that will appeal to fans of dark YA fiction and supernatural mysteries, earning a solid 3-star rating for its atmospheric storytelling despite some pacing issues.

Publisher: Books on Tape

Listening Time: Approx. 11 hours

Available free on Libby!