I was so excited for this book because House of Marionne, the first book, was so incredible! I think I rated it 4.5 stars. But sadly this book just fell flat for me. The pace was really slow and I had a hard time feeling connected. It took me 2 weeks to read when I usually finish a book in about 3-5 days.

Positives:
• did a good job subtly referring back to book one as refreshers
• good job having the FMC and MMC miss each other throughout without it taking from the plot
• constant reminders of what the plot is
• very intricate magical and political world
• slooooooooooow burn
• cliffhanger

Negatives (for me):
• very slow pace
• moments that should have been impactful or shocking lacked emotion
• lack of emotional connection with and between MCs
• the entire book is in 1st person except Nore’s chapters are in 3rd person


This book is definitely a filler / character development / plot set up book for what will hopefully be an intense book 3.

Do I recommend it? That’s hard to say. I really enjoyed book one and kind of wish it could’ve ended there. I think I’d rather read book 3 before I recommend these books to anyone else.


Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love the first book and this just added even more depth!! New POVs and secrets revealed!!

This book is truly a coming of age. Quell and Jordan really battle with making decisions based on their own heart and mind and its gripping. You want to yell and scream at them but also root for them.

I was on the edge of my seat with the mystery! Definitely recommend a re-read of book one prior to book 2.

This was a wild ride and I cannot wait for the next one. I loved the expanded world and back story. I hope we get to see more of the 4th house and even those from Duncan. Despite all of the corruption in this world I have hope.

All of the main characters are complex and well written. They could end up doing good or evil, but they want to do good.

It was definitely different compared to the first book, but in a good way. The story was definitely engaging the whole time. I also loved how there were some more POVs added in. It was a whole roller coaster of events, but I loved it. As expected the arc does need a little editing, but it was still such an amazing and great book.

This book was so great! Quell was up against so much just trying to find where she belongs. The secrets that elevated house mother has is wild.

Awwww this was such a cute story. I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. It was just so easy to get into these characters lives and you just can't help but fall in love with them. I can't wait to see what's next from this author.

Unfortunately I was unable to finish this book. It is a sequel and I tried to get into the story but I couldn’t

DNF at 15%. I really couldn't get into it. I liked the first book but struggled to get into the second.

Thank you to Netgalley and Razorbill for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Just like the first book it took me quite a ways into the book before it really had my attention. About 3/4 of the way through is when it really sucks you in. I do think the fact that it started months after the first book ended instead of picking up where it left off left some gaps that made it hard to get into. The book leaves a lot open-ended and unanswered but from what I saw there's going to be a third book which hopefully will tie all of that up. Definitely an original concept but slow moving at times.

I received this book as an ARC and have a love-hate relationship with it.

I find that it is an interesting storyline with several characters that have redeeming qualities (hi, Jordan!). However, I don’t like Quell. I felt bad for her for the majority of the first book. But found her to be extremely narrow minded in this book. I understand feelings of betrayal and how that can shape a person but felt like she lost a lot of her positive qualities as she continued on. I also really didn’t care for Nore’s POV and House Ambrose as a whole. I did like Jordan’s character ARC and development throughout the book.

I felt like the ending was too predictable and wished that it had a little more pizzazz!

I absolutely loved this book. I felt so lucky to receive this arc because I recently finished the first book in the series and had to know what happened next. I couldn’t put it down! The only problem is now I can’t wait for the next one and unfortunately this book isn’t even officially out yet. Such a great series! Highly recommend!

I enjoy J. Elle’s writing so much! The ending left me with so many questions but all around this was a great read. I always fall for the characters with her writing style.

I might have to reread this... because I fell scattered brain now that it's over. I'm trying to like Quell, but she is hard-headed.. it's almost like she's not listening to anyone but herself. She thinks her grandmother is a bad guy, but I don't believe that's true, Darragh might have her flaws, but there's more, if only Quell would listen instead of run away. And the fact that she found out who "Mother" is and still went to her and surprised she betrayed her.. smh

With absolutely no spoilers…..We find Quell on the run again/hiding after she completed her final rite, and finds solstice in the oddest place. However, secrets lurk in every house and Quell’s quest to find her mom threatens to lead her deeper into the shadows. As the spheres future is unknown a war brews among the houses and lovers-turned enemies must confront their competing ambitions and conflicting loyalties.

Can’t trust ANYONE in this damn book! This was a wild ride. Idk what the author put in here but I ATE IT UP. I LOVED the multi-POV throughout. This book is packed with MORE twists and turns, betrayals and I was at the edge of my seat most of the book. Jaw dropped SEVERAL times while reading. There was a lot more action and Dragun related politics and how much influence magic and power have over the actions of the head mistresses. A lot more political intrigue and more details that I felt were lacking in the first book. More character development, more world building and just more descriptions in general. Jordan really took the front seat on this one with his character ARC. The third POV was a really nice touch! The TENSION I could cut with a knife between our lovers-turned enemies. The cliffhanger……then the book ENDED!…I checked several times to make sure I was at the very end.

Chapter 20 was beautifully crafted.

Im thirsty for book 3…..book 2 hasn’t been published yet…..help.

Thank you Penguin Teen & NetGalley for the eARC.

J. Elle has truly outdone herself with book two. The continuation of character development and of the plot has been incredible. With the twists and the turns and that sweet touch of romance that doesn’t overpower the storyline because our strong fmc doesn’t need a man to know her worth. Truly truly incredible.

A much anticipated follow-up to House of Marionne, Shadows of Perl follows Quell and Jordan as they navigate their new realities following Quell's binding to toushana and how their trials and tribulations following that force them to mature. Filled with intrigue and exposing House secrets, Shadows of Perl is difficult to put down.

thank you to netgalley for a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
slow to start and i wasn't always invested in nore's point of view. this was still a fun follow up to the first book. more motives are revealed that lead to interesting twists. the angst and tension between jordan and quelle was written very well. and that cliffhanger?? can't wait to see what happens

Shadows of Perl was a well executed folllow-up to House of Marionne. J. Elle did a phenomenal job with this sequel to the story. The characters were, of course, interesting and the world building was well done too. I really liked the dual POV and how this story really makes you question everyone's motives and who is trustworthy. The magic system still isn't my favorite but I was a le to enjoy the story regardless.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

My toxic trait is getting an ARC I desperately want to read, finishing it in one day, and then having to wait an eternity for the next book. It happened with House of Marionne, and here we are again! Dang it J. Elle for writing books I cannot put down.

From the first freaking page, this book takes you on a wild ride. It plays on what you thought you knew from HoM, and just keeps you guessing through the whole book. You're constantly questioning who you can trust and everyone's motivations, and I love that. And this book does multiple POV really well as the book jumps between Quell, Jordan, and... someone else. It will break your heart, keep you on the edge of your seat, and probably say the words "oh sh*t" at least once.

There are a few times where the book feels like it gets ahead of itself in the world building and I found myself asking "wait, what? am I supposed to know that?" but overall, it's an incredible read in a series I'm utterly obsessed with.

From beginning to end, all I could think was "J. freaking Elle, you evil goddess". How will I survive until book 3? After an ending like that? I may never recover. But on the plus side, these books continue to have the most beautiful covers imaginable. So, they shatter your soul, but at least there's that.

Thank you to J. Elle, the publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

3 🌟

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was the 2nd installment in the series, and maybe my expectations were a bit high, but it fell a little short for me.

Shadows of Perl was centered around Quell still searching relentlessly for her mother while also assisting Jordan with trying to find and save the sphere from bleeding out.

There were a few twists along the way. In the first installment we thought that red & yagrin died, but in this second installment we come to realize that both are alive and well. Red is actually nore ambrose.

The themes that struck me as most prevalent were about unity, forgiveness, standing up for what is right and holding people accountable for their actions, seeing others as mortal just like you.