I was so excited to get an advanced copy of this book. However, it was not what I was expecting at all. I don't know if it was the description or just my interpretation of it, but I had it all wrong. With dark academia meets Bridgerton, I was expecting either a historical fantasy or high fantasy, but the very first page of this book threw me for a loop with the modern setting. It is also firmly YA. I think I was expecting it to be on the line of YA and New Adult based on how it was marketed. There is nothing wrong with that or the modern setting, I just went in expecting one thing and did not get that. There was certainly no Bridgerton to be found.

Don't be like me and assume things, and I think you will enjoy this book more than I did. I liked the setting at the House/school, and I thought the magic system was interesting. It just had some really slow moments, and I don't feel like I got to know most of the characters in any meaningful way. Something was missing for me. I wanted to like this a lot more than I did, but I think I will continue the series because I'm interested enough to see where it goes.

House of Marionne by J. Elle
3/5 stars

Summary: Quell has grown up living her life on the run with her mother, desperate to hide Quell's natural born toushana, an unpredictably dark and rare power of destruction that is hunted by the Order. After a series of events cause mother and daughter to separate, Quell finds herself at the doorstep of her estranged grandmother's manor. Thanks to the secrets of her family's past, Quell discovers that her family's manor, Chateau Soleil, is actually a school of magic dedicated to raising debutantes of magic wielders, and her grandmother is the Headmistress. Knowing her toushana is hunted by Dragun assassins within this very society, not to mention her broody mentor Jordan is a Dragun in training, Quell chooses secrecy and survival: Hide her toushana and be inducted into the society until she can reunite with her mother. As she is forced to strangle her own inner power as she attempts to learn the accepted forms of magic, she finds herself in the midst of the Order's own secrets becoming outwardly lethal to everyone inside and outside of Chateau Soleil.

Review: This is a young adult fantasy set in a modern-day dark academia setting. It's written in first person present tense, which allows the story to propel off its action-based opening chapters as the writing style lends to a very atmospheric introduction that gets your heart racing a little. I really enjoyed how the author explained Quell's perspective of her toushana boiling within her - the internal battles of her reaching into her power and attempting to keep it at bay were immersive in all the right ways.

When it comes to a character's first person perspective, I would anticipate a great deal of world building as Quell enters the school at Chateau Soleil, a society she was formerly unaware of. However, I felt like the story lacked a certain amount of world building that would have led to a more convincing, palpable setting, and instead glossed over some details that would have helped solidify the aesthetic of the novel. Because of this, it took more effort to connect with the characters when the world surrounding them seemed unfinished. While there were times I had a difficult time understanding the decisions Quell was making, I think the inner dialogue shared through the first person modality helped support her development throughout the chapters as she continued to learn as a student and as her own individual. I wish there was a more in-depth explanation of the magic system - it seems beautifully complex with some briefly mentioned potential of a rich history, but that aspect wasn't able to be explored in the first installment of the series. Regardless, I think this sets the sequel up for success as it opens the doors to limitless possibilities within this realm of high society magic users.

Can we take a moment to fully appreciate the twist at the end?! The series of events leading up to the ending was exciting and gripping - the last chapter certainly has me biting my nails a little in anticipation of how the journey is going to unfold. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) getting more into the heads of the side characters, like Jordan, Yagrin, and even Abby, as I anticipate a lot of potential character building for them in the future!

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and a solid introduction to a potentially great series. It had its moments of feeling like there was more to be desired, but overall I'm looking forward to seeing what direction this story goes!

*This book was provided to me as an ARC by Penguin Group via NetGalley for my honest review. Thank you to the publisher and the author for this generosity!*

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS

Genre: YA fantasy/dark academia

Synopsis:

Quell has been on the run for her whole life trying to hide the fact that she was born with magic which has been outlawed. When she is discovered, she enters into a magical school in the hope of gaining a spot in a secret society where magic is accepted.

If the plot is about a magical school, I’m in! I really enjoyed this book! It had a unique magic system that I was confused about in the beginning but it explains itself once you get into it. There is an enemies to lovers romance that I want to see more of in the next book. I liked the three rites that had to be completed before passing the school and the history of the different houses of magic. There are some twists and turns and a lot of secrets! I can’t wait to see what else this author comes up with. If you are a YA fantasy lover, you will like this one!

I was also able to get my hands on the limited first edition print that has a beautiful cover! 😍

Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted copy! ❤️

4.25/5 stars! The cover of this story was gorgeous. I was excited to read this YA fantasy story. Assassin stories are an obsession of mine and Quell's journey evading them had me enraptured. This had elements of "The Selection" and other competition-based magic stories but still felt unique. I really enjoyed reading this.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

First off, I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC of this book! I initially picked it up because of its interesting premise and how it comprises of dark magic and hidden worlds. I’ll start off by noting down one of the elements that I really loved. The highlight for me was definitely the chapters with Yagrin. Even though he rarely appeared (which I wished occurred more consistently because at one point I even forgot that he was part of the story), all of the chapters with him were really intriguing and mysterious. It not only added complexity to the story, but the revelation at the very end made my jaw drop!

On the other hand, there were several things that made the book rather challenging to finish reading. First off, the story was overall on the slower side, and although I liked how relatable Quell’s approach is to this new magical world — with a lot of fear and hesitation — I found that the story generally lacked cohesion and build up. I felt that the multiple death cases were supposed to be one of the focal points of the story, but I found it difficult to establish its importance in the story’s bigger plot.

I also expected Quell to make more of an effort in trying to reconnect with her mother, but it seemed like she forgot about her for most of the story — and consequently, so did the readers. Moreover, given that Quell spent her whole life on the run, I expected her to also make more effort in trying to leave the establishment instead of very quickly agreeing to be part of it. The way in which she was able to harness her magic so quickly after spending her whole life suppressing it also felt rather unrealistic. And although I am aware that the book initially promoted its debutante, glitz, glamour and majestic balls factors to be some of the large elements of the story, I found them to be a little flat and out of place (i.e. I’m not sure what value they “added” to enrich the story or magical world itself). Hence, I felt like the book fell short in being consistent and creating build up to the parts that really mattered in driving the plot forward.

Overall, despite the story’s interesting premise, the execution felt a bit short. However, I do plan on sticking around for the sequel because of the really intriguing revelation at the very end!

Sadly I DNFed this at 20%. I just didn’t love it. Just couldn’t connect with the characters and idk I just didn’t love it.

I was really excited for this book, but maybe it wasn’t just for me. I loved the premise of this book- boarding schools, forbidden dark magic, everything that I love, but I was left disappointed. It was a little too slow and left unanswered questions. Hopefully the second book will be better?

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I liked House of Marionne when I really wanted to love it. There were just too many different things I had problems with that prevented me from doing so.

Starting of with what I did like, the Characters: Quell is a likeable character. She interacted with the world with very relatable emotions such as fear and self-doubt. She was also more naive than I would've expected as the daughter of a mother who is always on the run, however, watching her grow into herself was satisfying to read.

I also loved Jordan, especially his sweet toothe. He had such a crusty exterior in the beginning, but as he warmed up to Quell we got to see his adorable side. I love that he always has a bag of candies that he carries around.

A fun fact about this book is it's told from a dual POV. While we follow the story mainly from Quell's first person narrative, there are also a few chapters in third person from the assasin who's trying to find her. Yagrin's chapters were the most interesting to read about and they gave the book an added layer of complexity. I also thought the Grandmom was a very complex and interesting character.

The romance development was sweet. My favorite scene is in the middle of the book involving a certain waltz, and the last thing I really enjoyed was the ending. It was explosive and exciting.

The things I struggled with this book was how difficult it was to connect with the story. There are several early DNF reviews and now I understand why. I had to push myself to finish this book because I just couldn't get into it. The magic system didn't make sense and I couldn't explain it if I tried. The magical crisis in the book was supposed to add tension and a sense of urgency but it felt so inconsequential because Quell was entirely disconnected from it. The subjects and classes didn't make sense either. Even the dialogue was hard to follow sometimes because the tags weren't consistent and I couldn't tell who was saying what.

There were also a couple of glaring plotholes in the book that I hope will be resolved in book 2.

While I didn't love this book like I wanted to, I'll probably still continue on with the sequel.

E-arc provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Content: a handful of minor profanities and names of deity, kissing

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book!

This was very much a YA fantasy, in that it reminded me of the selection—I really liked it when I was 14 but now it doesn’t really work for me. This book had a lot of fun elements and ideas, but ultimately they lacked cohesion and a real plot. Each time something “big” would happen, there was zero buildup and there was zero resolution. Someone is dead? Oh okay. My “grandmom” who my mom ran away from when I was a child is a little intense and makes me scared? Oh it’s fine. She means well. I wanted to be like my 5th grade teacher and write “use connecting sentences” (also “vary sentence structure”) in the margins of the book because it was just so chaotic and disjointed.

The lack of resolution bothered me more than the lack of buildup, though, particularly at the end. Without spoiling, we get a very dramatic scene from the main character and then a 2-second villain monologue, before our heroine reunites with her friend and goes off to find herself. THEN we get a final chapter from a different character that changes so much of what readers thought they knew AND honestly seems to contradict a bunch of pretty well established rules from earlier in the book.

However, my greatest displeasure with this book, is probably the love interest that feels like a Frankenstein’s monster of tropes and cliches. He’s the “I know better than you”, “I’m doing this to protect you”, “alpha-hole” in training that I truly despise. He’s only 17 but he’s going to be the heir to the scariest guy around and yet he’s terrified of his dad and carefully toes the line. Just no.

Overall, I do think this could have been really good, because the plot is interesting and the writing is decent. I hope some of this got addressed for the finished version, but I don’t know.

Dnf at 21%

Thank you to netgalley and publishers for the e-arc!

This book was just kind of confusing to me? Like it just plopped you in the middle of the story and expected you to know what things were. The main character was kind of annoying but that’s just my personal opinion. I can’t really put my finger on why I just did not vibe with this book but I guess it just wasn’t for me <3

Quell and her mother are constantly on the run from city to city. Her mother doesn’t want her found as Quell has powerful magic coursing through her veins. There’s an assassin on their tail, so she decides to become a debutante for the magical society called the Order. She will learn to keep her forbidden magic and bay and learn the proper ways to use it. But the Order is hiding something much more; there’s some who will kill for wealth.

This is secret societies with magic all around. This was part fantasy with a dash of mystery. There’s also a family secret element to it that has you wonder who can you really trust. The plot and characters were unique and interesting but it does give you almost a hangover where you’re left wanting something more; wonder if that’s part of the build up for the next book. I just wish there was more build to the background of how this society was formed or the magic came about.

This is one of those books where you either love it or didn’t. It does take some time to build on you, but all in all I really liked the concept the author was trying to convey.

I really was excited to read this ARC. First of all, Stephanie Garber enjoyed it. So, that's when I knew I had to read it. This book is if Harry Potter and Shadow and Bone had a Debutante child. I freaking love it. Forbidden magic, forbidden romance, mentor/mentee romance, dark academia, with even darker more sinister secrets. I am excited to see where the next book goes, because, there is a bit of a cliffhanger with a lot more to be explained! OK, A bit of a cliffhanger is an understatement. It left me guffawing in disbelief. I cannot wait for the next book, and I can officially say that I am a J. Elle fan! I did find myself getting a bit annoyed with Quell at times, but her character growth remedied that for me. I hope that J. Elle really flushes out this underground society a bit more in books to come. She's given us a taste for what it is, but it has still left me saying: I need more! From the way that this first book is written, I have a feeling that will be the case.Overall, a solid start to the series! I am eager to see how the twists will turn, and how our heroine will navigate this world, and the powers inside of her.

I’m afraid this one didn’t work for me. Because of the issues, I was surprised to learn it wasn’t a debut.

One was the language: there are many infelicities and words just used incorrectly (e.g., “fleur” usually used instead of the meant “fleur-de-lis/lys”; “fleur” just means “flower” in French while a fleur-de-lis is a symbol associated with the French monarchy”).

The other was the lack of sufficient explanation for many significant aspects of the book; all the telling instead of showing made these aspects unbelievable. Quell has been on the run with her mom for most of her life because her magic is bad; why does Quell not ask more questions about her mom’s life before they were on the run, about her dad, about why her magic is bad? Why does Quell so quickly and unrealistically forget all of her mother’s warnings when she sees the rich trappings of her grandmother’s school? Why is Quell a magical savant when she’s had no prior exposure to magic? Why is Latin and being a debutante important parts of being magical and how does Quell unrealistically become fluent in both the language and social graces? Quell’s relationships with her roommate and mentor are also thinly portrayed.

This had an interesting premise but I’m afraid the execution didn’t deliver for me.

Quell has been on the run most of her life and all she knows is that she has a form of magic that could get her and her mom killed. But when she and her mom get separated one night and Quell isn't sure where to go, she ends up at the magic academy her estranged grandmother runs. Suddenly, Quell is thrust into a world of magic, intrigue and danger and she isn't sure who she can trust or what is really going on.

I didn't realize this was book one in a trilogy when I requested it but I'm so glad to know that we aren't done with this world yet. Never mind the cliffhanger ending that had me screaming, I need more of these characters and the secrets they all hold. I thought the magic system was really interesting and I'd love to see a prequel about how all the houses were formed. The romance part fell flat for me but everything else was great. I can't wait for the second book!

Glitz, glamour, and secret societies weave together in this new lush fantasy about hidden identities, deadly magic, and the blood in your veins as one girl races to conceal her darkest secret against those who seek her demise.

Overall, I loved the concept of an academic society setting mixed with the dazzling allure of debutantes, crowns, and jewels and the intrigue of forbidden magic. Right from the beginning, the story itself is very fast-paced, keeping you on your toes in suspense with what is going to happen at every turn, what’s lurking beneath the shadows, and who is an ally or enemy.

However, it was difficult for me to place what was exactly happening within the story, how the magic system worked and functioned (even though it was so interesting and aesthetically very pleasing), and how our main character fit into everything. And at times, the story did read a little on the younger side for me than I was expecting.

If you’re looking for a new read that’s full of romantic allure and a mix of classic YA fantasy elements, definitely keep this book in mind.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

What’s it about?
Quell is on the run with her mom because she has dark, forbidden magic. If she’s caught, she will be killed. But when someone finally tracks her down, she flees to the only place she might be safe: Her grandmother’s house.

Or so she thinks. It turns out her grandmother is the headmistress at a boarding school for magic wielders, and she sees Quell’a arrival as an opportunity to finally train her heir.

In order to survive, Quell will have to hide her dark magic from everyone and try to master light magic. It’s all the more difficult because she must pass trials for school, and keep it away from her mentor… a boy with green eyes and secrets who she’s beginning to fall for.

My thoughts?

Overall this is an interesting and fun book. I loved that it was set in New Orleans, and thought the way that magic physically manifests as a mask or diadem was pretty neat.

The story did run a bit slow for me though, and I wanted the plot to pick up the pace a little. There are some magical elements I still don’t understand. For instance, what is this sphere that’s central to the story, and how do they know it’s cracking when they don’t know where it is?

The ending was solid with a great twist though!

World building and characters were interesting, but the character development was a little bit lacking and it did feel like a lot of the book was setting up for a sequel.

Elle absolutely delivered with House of Marionne. This book is exciting, adventure-packed, romantic, suspenseful, and so much fun! I really enjoyed reading this novel and believe this is an outstanding new piece by J. Elle. Lovers of fantasy and YA should hop on this instantly because I have a feeling it’s going to BLOW UP! This is the start of a really REALLY good series.

thank you to netgalley for a free arc of this book!
3.75 stars!
an enjoyable introduction to a new magical world that follows 17 year old Quell who has spent her entire life on the run to hide her dark magic until the mysterious Order finally catches up to her. Seeking refuge she finds her Grandmother, headmistress of a magical school, and enters into a new magical high society full of ball gowns and betrayal.

i enjoyed this book! yes there were some pacing issues and some parts seemed to drag a little bit but over all this book was fun. i'm interested to see what happens in the rest of the series. i think the market is so saturated with fae stories that having a story based on magic and academia was quite refreshing

A big thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me at ballgowns and betrayal, but lost me at the writing style.

House of Marionne by J. Elle is a YA fantasy novel that follows 17 year-old Quell who has lived her entire life on the run due to a secret magic she must never use nor ever tell anyone about. But one day someone does, and she is forced to become a member of a debutante society of magical social elites called the Order that she never knew existed. If she can pass their three rites of membership, mastering their proper form of magic, she’ll be able to secretly bury her forbidden magic forever. But becoming the perfect debutante is a lot harder than Quell imagined, especially when there’s more than tutoring happening with Jordan, her brooding mentor and— assassin in training. When Quell uncovers the deadly lengths the Order will go to defend its wealth and power, she’s forced to choose: embrace the dark magic she’s been running from her entire life or risk losing everything, and everyone, she’s grown to love.

I REALLY wanted to love this book. But I just couldn't do it. And the main reason is the writing style. It was choppy and confusing, and I could have sworn the character were jumping across the page willy-nilly. Maybe one day I'll try this book again, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.