I am such a J. Elle fan and I am more than mildly obsessed with this series. It’s the perfect blend of dark academia, morally grey characters, unique magic, and forbidden romance. I cannot physically wait for book 3!

Thank you so much to Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

The world of House of Marionne just got so much darker — and I was here for it. Shadows of Perl is a twisty, emotional sequel that dives deeper into forbidden magic, tangled loyalties, and the brutal costs of power. If you love high-stakes romantasy with secrets behind every door and characters on the edge of breaking, this book delivers.

Quell remains a compelling lead — powerful, vulnerable, and caught in an impossible tangle of duty and desire. She definitely felt a little scattered at times in this installment, but it made sense with how much she’s juggling: unraveling lies, uncovering her mother’s secrets, and trying not to lose herself in the process. The tension is real.

Jordan though… oof. He was a tough pill to swallow this time around. Way more rigid and uptight than I remembered, and his chapters were honestly the slowest for me. That said, the shifting dynamic between him and Quell (former lovers turned enemies with way too much baggage) adds a delicious layer of tension to the whole story.

The political intrigue is ramping up, war is brewing between the Houses, and the magic system continues to impress — complex, dangerous, and never just for show. Every reveal pulls you deeper into the world, and the stakes just keep climbing.

If you're a fan of authors like Stephanie Garber, Leigh Bardugo, or Alex Aster, you'll vibe with this. It’s got glamour, grit, and a shadow-drenched edge that sets it apart.

Not a perfect sequel, but definitely a necessary one — and I can’t wait to see how it all explodes in the next book.

Sadly, this one lost me pretty much at all times.
It felt slow in comparison to the first book and I found myself not caring about the characters we were following at all. The different POVs did nothing for me because it felt like nothing was pushing the story forward.
To be fair, I wasn't the biggest fan of how the first installment ended and how the feelings in that one developed, so I was already at a disadvantage there.

I had been impatiently waiting for this sequel and it was definitely worth the wait! The new POVs were great and there was so much information to help you understand the houses. I can’t wait for book 3!

I loved book one and was so excited for this one.

I think the pacing was off, unfortunately. It was really slow in the first half but did pick up towards the end. I was already checked out at that point.

I loved the slow burn - the build up, the tension.

Overall, I'm still looking forward to the next book.

Wow this book was dangerously stunning Quell and Jordan are just fantastic. This sequel had me on the edge of the seat just like book one did. With so many thrilling scenes and magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

"A must read for fans of Stephanie Garber, Leigh Bardugo, and Alex Aster." Honestly, this tagline made me want to read these books in the first place and it definitely rings true! I will definitely be reading J. Elle's other series while we wait for the conclusion to this trilogy in 2025!

Shadows of Perl offers a solid mix of adventure, magic, and intrigue, though it might not completely satisfy those looking for deeper character exploration.

I do not think I’m able to write this book due to the fact that I DNF House of Marionne. honestly, I was not expecting to DNF the first book in the series, but I did not feel like the characters had a lot of depths to them and the whole world building just felt weird. I also did not like how the FMC automatically kind of accepted the fact that she belongs to some magic society and just kind of went on about her day. She knew she had some sort of power, but that was it and the fact that she just accepted going to some magical school just felt really weird. I do wish I could have enjoyed that book more to be able to read Shadows of Perl. I may go back and pick the first book up but the chances are very slim. And because of that, I cannot rate this current book.

RATING: 🥀🥀🥀🥀/5 Enchanted Roses

ONE-WORD REVIEW: THRILLING

TAG LINE: Unleash the darkness. Claim your power.

OPENING LINE: The only thing colder than the crisp fall air thumped an easy cadence against the girl’s ribs.

REVIEW:

Huge thank you to Penguin Teen for providing me with an advanced reader copy!

𝒮𝒽𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒫𝑒𝓇𝓁 sweeps us back into the intoxicatingly dark and enchanting world of the Order, where secrets are currency, and power is a dangerous game. If House of Marionne was a slow burn of mystery and magic, 𝒮𝒽𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒫𝑒𝓇𝓁 turns up the heat, unraveling deeper secrets, deadlier stakes, and heart-pounding revelations.

Quell’s journey continues, but this time, she’s stepping further into the shadows—literally and figuratively. The stakes are so much higher, and I loved seeing her grapple with the weight of her choices. She’s still the same girl who wants freedom, but now she’s playing a much more dangerous game.

And let’s talk about Jordan. My shadow daddy has layers, y’all. We finally get more insight into his past, his motivations, and why he’s so damn guarded. The tension between him and Quell? Immaculate. The chemistry? Stronger than ever. Their dynamic is shifting in all the best ways, and I ate up every moment.

The intrigue, the betrayals, the twists—I couldn’t put this book down. 𝒮𝒽𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒫𝑒𝓇𝓁 leans even harder into its dark academia-meets-dangerous-society vibes, making it an absolutely thrilling sequel. If you loved the first book, buckle up because this one takes everything to the next level. Not to mention, secrets are revealed and the story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. . .

ELEMENTS:
✨ Forbidden magic
✨ Secret societies
✨ Shadowy assassins
✨ Enemies-to-lovers tension
✨ Dark academia aesthetic
✨ Plot twists on plot twists

Final Verdict? This series owns me, and I need the next book ASAP.

Happy Reading!
Ashley
www.TheTatteredPage.com

An absolutely enchanting book. The story keeps you hooked from beginning to end and you feel connected to the universe in a unique way. Thank you for letting me read this work of art.

hadows of Perl is the sequel to House of Marionne and it not only continues Quell's story, but has a lot more worldbuilding. It picks up pretty much where its predecessor left off, with Quell having escaped her grandmother at House Marionne and Jordan having betrayed her. We get to follow both Quell as she looks for her missing mother and Jordan as he carries out an assassin mission. Even though there isn't too much development of their tentative romance from the first book since they're separated for most of this one, Elle does touch upon how they genuinely care for each other in a really sweet (if somewhat subtle) way.

It was also interesting to learn more about Jordan's role as an assassin and how his duties intersect with his feelings for Quell. Shadows of Perl also sees the introduction of another POV character, Nore, the heir to the House Ambrose who is hiding a major secret. The inclusion of Nore helped explain the house system, and added another dimension to the story. I also liked how Elle wrote about Quell's toushana (dark magic) in this sequel. She feels torn between hiding her toushana and embracing it, and that internal struggle leads Quell to place her trust in some questionable people. I definitely had bad feelings about some of them and wanted to yell at Quell to not let them into her life, but it adds a dose of reality into this fantasy story.

I wasn't feeling this book. I wasn't able to invest in the story like I was hoping to. It felt like it might have been me.

I was eager to delve into Shadows of Perl, the second installment in J. Elle's House of Marionne series. This sequel not only meets but exceeds the expectations set by its predecessor, offering a rich tapestry of magic, political intrigue, and complex character dynamics. Shadows of Perl is a commendable continuation of the House of Marionne series, weaving a narrative rich in magic, intrigue, and emotional depth. J. Elle's ability to craft a dark and complex magical society, coupled with her nuanced character portrayals, makes this book a must-read for enthusiasts of the genre. For those who appreciate intricate plots and slow-burn romance set against a backdrop of political machinations, this novel is a valuable addition to any collection.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘮𝘦.
𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴

In the follow up to House of Marionne, we continue where we left off, though it took me a chapter or two to remember the plot as it has been a while since the first book.

The story is told this time from the POV of Quell, Jordan and Nore as each work their way through their own House loyalties/disloyalties and revelations while trying to accomplish their separate goals.

It was interesting to see how the different House Mistresses had their own secrets and fractures, yet willing to help others who were not of their own House while simply disregarding their own.

Quell's continued quest to locate her Mother leads her to the House of Perl, Nore's desire to wield toushana leaves her torn between her position as heir to House of Ambrose while seeking help from House of Marionne. Jordan who has left House of Perl and the ward of Marionne is now fully in the Dragunhood and questioning the morals and Order of their world.

We finally get to see more of the story unravel, mostly through Jordan chasing his tether to Yagrin and Quell - and things take a fast turn once they reunite. As each character and House races for the Sphere that holds all magic, along with it's impending destruction, we start to see the stakes.

The battle for the Sphere towards the end was unexpected in terms of which Houses and groups were trying to wrangle the power for themselves, and the shock in who ultimately won left me reeling as the story ended there abruptly. Excited to see what comes next!

The enemies-to-lovers and lovers-to-enemies slow burn in this story is well executed and engaging. Elle weaves in twists that feel natural, creating significant tension and longing between the female main character (FMC) and male main character (MMC). I appreciate that most of the points of view are in the first person, with one in third, making it easier to follow.

However, I found the familial ties a bit confusing; a family tree would help clarify these relationships. The story ends on a major cliffhanger that has me excited for Book 3.

If you enjoy young adult romantic fantasy, I highly recommend this trilogy. It's a fun and engaging read, especially for fans of *The Selection*, *Fourth Wing*, or authors like Stephanie Garber and Leigh Bardugo. Add this gem to your to-be-read list!

This book truly picked up from book number one and had me VERY interested from start to finish. I enjoyed the multiple points of view for the characters, and the tension between Jordan and Quell truly was so interesting to read and see from their points of view. They both hated each other, but couldn't fight the chemistry between themselves. I also enjoyed watching Jordan go from such a lover of the Dragons ways and rules and seeing him realize how inhumane some of their practices were, and that everything wasn't so black and white as they made it seem. Seeing the corrupt practices of government always leads to a juicy storyline in my opinion.

As the sequel to House of Marionne, Shadows of Perl expands the magical world and raises the stakes, but it doesn't quite reach the gripping intensity of the first book. While the foundation for an exciting third installment is clearly being laid, this book feels more like a bridge than a fully satisfying continuation.

Quell and Jordan’s story remains compelling, especially with their complicated dynamic as former lovers now on opposing sides. The tension between them is well-executed, and their individual journeys add depth to the plot. However, the pacing slows considerably due to extensive world-building and political intrigue. The addition of new POVs was interesting, but at times, it made the story feel a bit scattered rather than intensifying the drama.

While the intricate magic system and House politics are fascinating, there were moments where the information-heavy sections overshadowed the action. The book delivers some intriguing revelations, but it lacks the same urgency and emotional pull that made House of Marionne so captivating.

That said, the ending is a major cliffhanger, setting up what promises to be an explosive conclusion. Despite some slower sections, Shadows of Perl is still a solid sequel that fans of the series will enjoy—just be prepared for a lot of setup before the real action kicks off.

Thank you to NetGallery, Penguin/Razorbill, and the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was swept away into the magical world of the Houses of the Order in this YA romantic fantasy sequel filled with betrayal and secrets. The story follows three points of view and has two connecting storylines that merge into an exciting battle and a shocking ending, leaving me eager for the final book in this trilogy.

The character development of Quell and Jordan stood out to me. They both grow and start making their own choices. Quell shows both strength and vulnerability, while Jordan struggles between duty and feelings. The plot’s mysteries, House secrets, and character interactions kept me engaged. I recommend this series to YA fantasy romance readers.

I suggest re-reading the ending and the Appendix of House of Marionne before starting this book for better understanding, as the beginning may be confusing without a quick refresh.

Shadows of Perl is a worthy sequel. I enjoyed House of Marionne and this book gives us even deeper insight into the world and its magic system. I find the magic system in this series rather unique and enjoyed following Quell on her journey to learn more about her magic and how to use it after her binding in book 1. Quell and Jordan are now enemies and this book definitely delivered on that front. There is good tension between the two when they have to team up once again. The addition of Nore’s voice was an added bonus. We learn more about her and some good stuff comes of it. Her POV provided a good accompaniment to the overall story. I really like Elle’s writing style - the story was compelling and unpredictable. I could not put the book down and flew through it. Every moment of it was filled with angst/longing, action, and magic.
I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading fantasy, especially if you like a well written back and forth of enemies-lovers. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel - you can’t leave me hanging like that!
Many thanks to Penguin Teen Canada (Penguin Random House) and NetGalley for a digital advanced copy of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.