Wow!!! What a wild and crazy ride for the second installment of this trilogy! The Shadow Cabinet did NOT disappoint! All the twisting and turning and new revelations!? My goddess! So damn good! I don't want to spoil anything, but if you haven't read Circe...you might want to consider at least taking a gander at the lore *wink wink*. I was so impressed with how historical/"biblical" things were woven into this story as well. The last 20% or so of this book was just punch after punch of wild excitement, and if it wasn't for life obligations, I would have devoured it much faster than I actually was able to. Juno Dawson has, once again, created an great story of sisterhood and powerful women, topped off with nice dose of queer representation. I encourage everyone who is a fan of the paranormal fantasy genre to pick up this series!

So HMRC #1 was already multi-POV, so that was nothing new in #2. What's new is the cast of characters that we're getting POVs from! EEEE! First off, THEO!!!!! We get to experience her in all her beautiful glory as a fully transformed witch and I absolutely ADORED it. My face nearly broke in half from smiling so hard when I got to her first chapter and saw her name as the POV! I wanted so badly to experience her story more from her POV in HMRC #1, so this was such a welcomed surprise for me to see. We also have Niamh replaced with Ciara for obvious reasons, which was hella crazy all by itself *eyes bugging*. Luke also gets some POV screen time, which was VERY interesting for multiple reasons *sly side-eye*. A couple of one-chapter cameo POVs are Chinara and the UK Prime Minister (in this story).

A big chunk of Leonie's portion of the book takes us on a journey to other parts of the world, which I found very fascinating and exciting. As I said in my HMRC #1 review, my favorite character was Leonie, and that opinion still remains. I love her spunk and drive and she just reminds me of all my favorite FMCs. She definitely gets put through it in this book! Her and Chinara deserve some REST by the end of this book, my goodness!!!

Obviously we get a lot of Ciara in this book since, ya know, Niamh is *cough* gone... But we do get a lot of flashbacks and memories of her and Niamh that really keeps her memory present throughout the book, despite her character's absence. It gives us some good background on Ciara and puts things into perspective. We see that Ciara, at some point in her life, gave up on this notion that she can fight back against the foretold conclusion about her being the dark twin and decided to embrace the "morally grey" version that almost seems normal, in a way. At her core, she seems to struggle with doing "bad" things. It's the way she is twisted and manipulated by Hale and others that sends her down a spiral, and we get to see that all play out over the course of this book. I could really feel and understand her struggles with who she was supposed to and wanted to be as she grew up and lived her life. I thought the time jumping and flashbacks were well done and I didn't find myself confused.

I was thinking that Theo and Holly would have more involvement with this book's action, but they didn't have as much as I thought. Especially with the ending, it seems maybe Theo will play more of a role in the third book? I hope so! I also thought that despite pulling a major power move, Elle was still kind of a flat, almost shallow character, with not a lot of dimension or development. Her pendulum-swinging response to the situation with Jez was a little disheartening, to be honest. Like I get wanting to undo the damage she did in general, but with the response she had at the end and then how the conversation went between them...I'm good with Jez exiting stage left. Elle needs to put the big gal pants on and move on. I hope she does just that in the next book. She's got something big under that glamour she was packing on for years...

It also felt like this second book was more focused on women vs men in general, as opposed to the first book. The first book was definitely more geared towards Theo and the presentation of a trans character and showcasing all the bigotry, controversy, and struggles that often surround trans people. While Theo touched on some of her lingering issues in this second book as it relates to her transition/new life, she also describes just basic cis-het woman struggles. I found this quite fascinating and admirable on her character's part. But going back to my initial section prompt...we have the introduction of the Working Men's Club (witchfinders) and Hale's just overall hatred for witches (and women who may or may not be witches, he cares not). Even warlocks (male witches) are in on the disdain. It definitely felt like the overarching theme had turned more to women vs men in general and the character plots were moving in that direction. With the way this book ended, I don't think the mortals are going to be able to fight what's coming if they don't find a way to work together...and that may be what Dawson is working up to. The warlocks have not really played much of a role in the first two books, so maybe they will be playing a more on-page role in book 3.

And just like that, we're primed up for #3! I'll be ready and waiting! Highly recommend the book and series and am looking forward to Book 3: Human Rites

Solid 4.5/5

Picking up right where Book 1 left off, The Shadow Cabinet does not disappoint. With such a large cast of amazing women, I was very excited to see how some of the more secondary characters from HMRC developed over the course of the story! Many more layers have been added to the main plot threads, and I am very excited to watch them all come together in Book 3.

The cast is a wonderful mix of teenager to middle aged women, which allows for some wildly different perspectives (and some juicy conflict!). Each has also taken a very different path to being a woman, and the author does an incredible job representing these different paths from more traditional family values to queering society.

Admittedly, I felt the first half of the book was a bit slow and took a bit for me to really get into. But once I hit the halfway point, I could barely put it down.

This was a wonderful follow up to Her Majesty's Royal Coven. I loved the first book and this one was even better. I can not wait for book three!! The magical feel of this story is perfect and on the spot for witches and magic. This fantasy is world is one of the best I have read. The flow and characters were perfect.

Buckle Up! Juno Dawson's sequel to Her Majesty's Royal Coven takes off from page one and does not stop. I think it is safe to say that if you enjoyed book 1 you will love book 2. Certainly, given the ending to book 1 (I won't spoil it here) there is a focus on different characters and the dynamic between the Coven members and the institutions that seek to govern them changes. We see quite a bit of political maneuvering in the midst of some pretty deep character development between the witches.

While it is a middle book, PLENTY still happens, and it is all important! I do wish Theo's character particularly had more page time. I understand why this isn't the case, but there were a few things I missed from book one we don't get as much of here. I also recognize that Dawson's writing style may not be for everyone, filled with humor, crass remarks and pop culture references that will either add to your delight or take you out of the moment depending. Personally I find it loads of fun. This is not a predictable story- in fact - just as you start to think you might know where we are headed, Dawson isn't afraid to veer off in an entirely different direction! No one is safe, no one is quite who you think they are! It's Queer, it's suspenseful, it's crazy, and I couldn't get enough of it!

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Books for early aces to an eARC in exchange for this fair review. Out in the US June 8 and in the UK August 6.

I truly love this series. This 2nd book came out the gates swinging. Big props for the re-introduction of characters in the beginning as well! The character growth in this novel was so good! The magic, the queerness, friendship, demons, betrayal and dun dun dun..... Give me book 3 noooowwwwww!!!

I LOVE THIS SERIES! Getting to read the continuation was so exciting! The first book was one of my favorite reads last year, and this did not dissapoint!

I loved book one and was worried that I would be disappointed by book two. Happily that was not the case! The story continues to follow our characters through what happens now that HMRC's High Priestess has been put to death and now that Ciara is back in the picture. Now add in the Prime Minister and his Shadow Cabinet and Dabney Hale's misogynistic grab for power and you have a book that you won't be able to put down.
Juno Dawson has masterfully woven history, fantasy, current events and pop culture to make for an absolutely amazing story. There are so many twists in this book that I never saw coming. I can't wait for the third book!

The worst thing about sequels is that you can’t really review them without spoiling way too much that happened in the first book. And trust me, there’s a lot that happens in The Shadow Cabinet. Well, if you thought the first book would leave you speechless, just you wait until you’ve read its follow-up.

Dawson takes everything that worked so well in the first book, Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, and makes it stand out even brighter. At turns provocative and sharp, at others funny and filled with queer joy, this book is sure to keep lovers of the first book very happy. Told from a variety of different characters, the threads of the story are woven together even more intricately and alliances (as well as friendships) shift as we dive deeper into this magical world.

While I will say that this had some moments that dragged a bit (middle-book syndrome and with that many pages it was bound to happen, we all know it), the slow build-up was warranted once you see how everything unfolds and sets up for the conclusion.

As always, Dawson’s talent of tackling contemporary topics in a fantastical setting truly makes this story stick with you. The way misogyny is handled in here via groups of men that believe a witch’s place is wherever they deign it to be was done so well—and it’s as rage-inducing and aggravating as it is in real life. The power imbalance is frustrating and you can’t help but want to riot right along with Ciara, Leonie, Elle, and Theo, whose fierce protectiveness of each other and unapologetic desire for a just world drives the story to its inevitable end.

This entrancing mix of feminism, queerness, magic and power-hungry villains makes for an intoxicating reading experience. The Shadow Cabinet takes the irresistible themes of the Her Majesty’s Royal Coven and amplifies their reach well beyond the pages of the book.

Dark magic, explosive anti-feminist violence, heartbreak lies and kidnapping - this is one darrrrrrk sequel.

The first book, Her Royal Majesty’s Coven, introduced us to the society that has lived in secret for generations. I fell madly in love with the friendship group of high powered witches. They are back in this gut busting sequel, still using demons and devils for bad use, still hiding their powers from the mundanes, but this time some aggressive witch finders are out for blood while the witches try and find the warlocks who caused the last war and want to introduce Armageddon to their world.

Oh, and one twin witch has stolen the other twin’s body. That alone makes for some crazy situations.

On one hand, I was thoroughly bewitched by the story yet also thoroughly frustrated by the wonky formatting from the e-galley (yes, it was finally fixed but hurt my brain for too long).

My one complaint was the ceaselessly dark, rather hopeless story line; the witches eventually kick a little ass but the patriarchy wins a lot. Ultimately though, I will totally read the third book! I need to find out if the world survives the men who want to pull women back into the dark ages (sound familiar, America?!)

Juno Dawson, I have a bone to pick with you. Can you please stop ending your books on these heart wrenching cliff hangers? It's really not fair when the next book won't be out until probably next year.

That said, I greatly enjoyed The Shadow Cabinet, more so than HMRC. It had all the great writing as the first, lots of build up and weaving around of the story, fantastic character development, and wayyyy less pop culture references (which, while enjoyable in HMRC also felt like we were drowning in it). The Shadow Cabinet starts off slow, but does not suffer from middle book syndrome. It has its own journey and resolution, while setting us up for what I can only imagine to be a fantastic third book.

I did have a couple of issues regarding consent and everyones overall reaction to Ciara that took away from the story for me (the latter especially), but overall had a great time. And while I greatly miss Niamh, I appreciate that Dawson isn't afraid to ruin/kill off main characters. It made for a much more edge of my seat read of The Shadow Cabinet.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Books for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Where do I send my request for my emotional well-being to be returned to me? Juno, this was unfair. I'll wait for your next book, but my heart.

4.5 Stars

What a wild ride! Initially, I had a hard time getting into the book because I had to know if the ending of the previous book was true or not and since it wasn't going in the direction I wanted, I did feel very frustrated. But eventually, I started to enjoy the book as it was and I loved it. The characters, the action, the story - I had fun. I think the best part about the author is you never know where the book is going. It's very unpredictable and I'm all for it.

I can't wait for book 3 <3

The witches are back, mostly. Niamh is dead, but her body still walks-- inhabited by Ciara, her twin sister. Ciara isn't sure why she was brought back, but she maintains the illusion that Niamh is still alive while she gets her feet and hopes that the dread warlock Dabney Hale, her former lover, will be found. Leonie is on the other side of Europe, trying to hunt him down.

I enjoyed this second volume more than the first. Despite being roughly of age with the main characters and presumably a target audience, I do not think of the Spice Girls (or any music I listened to as a teen) nearly as often and found the pop culture references grating. To contrast, this second volume tones that down to focus on the adult relationships between characters. We also see the stakes raised exponentially. Along with watching Ciara try to do her best Niamh impression with varying degrees of success, we see the coven interact with British government officials (does not go well), Theo acclimate to her new body (so heartening), and even get some non-witch POVs (including Luke!). I found Ciara's sections most interesting because she's such a morally grey character in comparison to the original group-- it gives her a multi-dimensionality beyond many of the other characters.

I'm definitely picking up the third one. That cliffhanger is illegal.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven has really stuck with me since finishing it last year. After that cliffhanger I was so excited (and maybe a little nervous) for the sequel. I enjoyed The Shadow Cabinet but not as much as HMRC!

This started off pretty slow. It was giving second book syndrome for a bit but thankfully things picked up. The last 20% of this book was wild! Dawson really knows how to write an ending. Wow!

I’m so happy that we get Theo’s perspective! That’s one thing I really wanted in the first book. I enjoyed getting to know her thoughts while she is dealing with all of the changes in her life.

I didn’t really think that the absence of Niamh was going to affect me as much as it did. I loved the bond she had with her friends & Theo so I really missed that. Things just felt a little incomplete without her.

I’m still not sure how I feel about the addition of Ciara. The lack of reaction to her body switch was very odd to me. I also wasn’t a big fan of the thing between her & Luke. It gave me weird vibes.

I love these characters so much and I am deeply invested in their lives! I’m looking forward to an epic conclusion in book 3!

"In the second installment of Juno Dawson's "irresistable" fantasy trilogy (Lana Harper), a group of childhood friends and witches must choose between what is right and what is easy if they have any hope of keeping their coven - and their world - from tearing apart forever.

Niamh Kelly is dead. Her troubled twin, Ciara, now masquerades as the benevolent witch as Her Majesty's Royal Coven prepares to crown her High Preistess.

Suffering from amnesia, Ciara can't remember what she's done - but if she wants to survive, she must fool Niamh's adopted family and friends; the coven; and the murky Shadow Cabinet - a secret group of mundane civil servants who are already suspicious of witches. While she tries to rebuild her past, she realizes none of her past has forgotten her, including her former lover, renegade warlock Dabney Hale.

On the other end of the continent, Leonie Jackman is in search of Hale, rumored to be seeking a dark object of ultimate power somehow connected to the upper echelons of the British government. If the witches can't figure out Hale's machinations, and fast, all of witchkind will be in grave danger - along with the fate of all (wo)mankind.

Sharp, funny, provocative, and joyous, Juno Dawson's sequel reimagines everything you think you knew about her coven and her witches in a story that spans continents and dives deep into the roots of England and its witchcraft. Ciara, Leonie, Elle, and Theo are fierce, angry, sexy, warm - and absolutely unapologetic as they fight for what they believe in, all in the name of sisterhood."

The whole idea of a "shadow cabinet" has always appealed to me and I love to read what others make of those two simple words.

Thank you NetGalley for the early digital review copy of The Shadow Cabinet. I love this series and was so glad to get to be able to read it early. I tore through this one and am now lamenting that I'll have to wait a long time for the third installment.

I read an eARC by The Shadow Cabinet by Juno Dawson. Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUNG Penguin Books.

I wasn’t sure what to think after the first book killed a main character in order to replace her with her “evil sister”, you’d think with such a large cast that we spend time with it wouldn’t be a problem, it was. The problem wasn’t just in missing the character Niamh, it was that it felt like no time was spent really exploring what it meant to lost a main character. Since no one knew Niamh was dead, no one was mourning. So the characters didn’t have to deal with what it meant to lose her. Dynamics didn’t change much because the characters never really seem to interact much anyway, most doing what they want.

The one who could have done the most was Theo, but she’s off at school, and the most frustrating thing happens to her character. Basically, in order to deal with the fact that she’s so powerful, they had to nerf her power. Having Niamh give her dampening herbs so she doesn’t find out who she is. And Theo basically just dealt with teenage things and her new body the rest of the book. So my favorite character was sidelined in this book.

I think I could have liked this book if it focused more on Leonie and her search of Hale as her search seemed interesting, but not fleshed out enough to really make me care.

Or if Ciara was an interesting character, instead of a wet blanket. Instead of being an evil villain with a humanizing backstory, she’s more of an evil villain, that once you learn more about her, the more pathetic she becomes.

So the book was mostly a drag for me to read. Not a bad book. Just a drag book.

Perhaps too many points of view. Had a difficult time with the ARC since the first section of every chapter had a printed error where two different scenes were interspersed together, so that made reading this kind of difficult. Once I figured that out it made it easier going.

Overall interesting plot points, like seeing Ciara's point of view. Liked the slow revealing of her history, but seemed kinda slow at times.

Would have liked to see more about the inner workings of the coven and cabinet. For a store based there it sure stays away from it a lot.

I was a pretty big fan of Dawson's first book in this series, so I was excited to read the sequel.

One of the things I really love about this series so far, and a thing that makes me keep recommending it to people is that while the HMRC books are part of a trilogy, they don't fall into the trap that many ongoing narrative series do, where each book only feels like an incomplete part of the story. Both Her Majesty's Royal Coven and now The Shadow Cabinet both tell a completely self-contained story within each book, while expertly plotting seeds for ways that the next book's narrative will pick up and continue the story within the fiction's world. But both books by themselves feel like satisfying, complete read, the core conflict of each is wrapped up and the cliffhanger both times has been for a new arc that is beginning.

The Shadow Cabinet manages to pull the opposite trick as HMRC. In that book, a character who had been a POV narrative voice surprised us by becoming the villain, and doing so through a worldview that readers of Dawson's series, and fans of Dawson in general, would likely find pretty abhorrent. And yet she manages to make that character at first sympathetic, by making us see through her eyes and seeing the path she follows down into her own damnation. Her choices are not sympathetic, but they follow a clear throughline. In this book, we have instead a character that the author has to know from the outset that we will not want to root for. And yet by the end, I was more firmly invested in her than perhaps any of the other characters in the book. I cared so much about her and what was happening with her.

As a trans reader, I'm obviously also pretty invested in Theo's journey. One thing I really respect about this book is that a major quibble that I had with HMRC is the sense of Theo's transformation was too easy, a wish-fulfillment fantasy that glossed over a lot of the trans experience. While I could respect Dawson might feel differently and enjoy that fantasy, it still fell short for me. Much to my surprise, it's equally as unsettling for Theo here, and much of her story in this book is squaring this new version of herself with who she understands her identity to be.

The only real, and honestly pretty negligible criticism I have for this book is that while the Shadow Cabinet is a pretty cool name, it ultimately didn't feel like the titular cabinet had a ton to do with the actual story and was mostly a deep C or D plot compared to the main stuff. The HMRC was front in center in the book that used it as the name. Again, minor issue, the title is cool, just was expecting more tying into it.

I couldn't wait for this book to come out after reading HMRC and being desperate to follow up on the characters. I found it a little transitional though and wanted more action instead of a bridge to the next book. Dawson's writing is deeply enjoyable and the intersectional identities of the characters is important.