Review: Overall, I was disappointed in this book - it very much so felt like the middle book in a series. Which I understand the need to set up for book three, but to make this book feel like a filler book was just so disappointing

Synopsis: Quell Marionne’s explosive final Rite of Induction to House Marionne sent shockwaves through the magical world, unearthing long buried secrets and her own deadly power. But she paid a steep price: her family and her love. Fleeing Chateau Soleil for House of Perl, for once Quell is celebrated instead of shunned. She has finally found somewhere to belong. But secrets lurk in every House, and Quell’s quest to find her mom threatens to lead her deeper into the shadows.

Assassin Jordan Wexton, second-in command of the Dragun brotherhood, must protect the source of all magic, the Sphere. Yet the biggest threat to the Sphere is Quell Marionne—the girl he loved, until she claimed the deadly, outlawed toushana. As the Sphere cracks and war brews among the Houses, can the only way to save the world be to kill his own heart?

Now, these two lovers-turned enemies must confront their competing ambitions and conflicting loyalties. Or die. The future of magic hangs on their decision.

Shadows of Perl by J Elle is the wonderful follow up to House of Marionne. Quell and Jordan are working separately, Jordan is working for the Draguns as second in command, feeling he should be hunting for Quell. Quell is on the run, learning how to use her power and searching for her mom. Meanwhile, the sphere is in trouble and war is brewing between the houses. Will Jordan and Quell need to work together despite their conflicting loyalties, or will one need to ignore their heart and take the other out?

I really enjoyed this book and would give it 4.5 stars. I think the characters are really well written. However, I felt the beginning was a bit slow, and it took me a little bit to get back into the story. Once I did, however, I didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait for the next installment!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Book Name: Shadows of Perl
Author: J Elle

ARC
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Razorbill for an ARC

Stars: 2
Spice: 0 YA

Series
Cliffhanger
Fast Paced
Multi POV
Urban Fantasy

- Thoughts.
-The world was just as magical as the first book
- Lots of rehashing so you won't feel lost if you don’t reread Book 1
- Love the enemies to lover to enemies dynamic
- MMC POV was so intriguing
- Love MMC storyline
- Nore storyline could have been condensed
It feels like a sophomore slump
- lost in the middle
- I love the vibes
- if you want masquerades and adventure this is a good book but it had so much
-The first 20 % was so good
-Middle 60 % were confusing at best
-Last 20 % a rage read


that I'm honestly questioning the plotline and whether I will continue this series
Spoilers Ahead for Why
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WTF was that with the Mom… she's just gone and boom now we are just done with that storyline.. Now our main FMC has devolved into an angry grieving teen. if we had more of a reunion and death scene but no she's just anticlimactically EATEN BY DOGS???? we have memory magic now but Mom's bag is found in shreds and oh no she's been eaten …. I'm disappointed now. that felt like such a cop-out to turn her into a headmistress in the last scene so she has to defend magic now. and that last moment save ... WTF... honestly this is a Netflix Teen show that is canceled after 1 season for strange as hell storylines.

A bit long but still enjoyed!!!
The stunning sequel to House of Marionne, and BOY are the stakes high!!! I loved the unraveling of the plot in this book. We have multiple povs in this book which was fun.

-strong fmc
-lovers turned enemies
-multiple povs
-political and magical intrigue
-drama!! You can't trust anyone in this book!!

I'm so ready for book three!!! I have so many things I need answered asap.

I so excited when book 2 of the "House of Marionne" series was announced! I really enjoyed book 1. I was happy to be brought back into the world of dark academica by J. Elle.

I really enjoy Quell's tenacity and refusal to back down or quit. She is super headstrong which gets her into trouble, well, a lot of the time but I love her determination.

I found myself getting confused or lost in many parts of this book. I felt like there was so much to remember and which characters have what magic / who has dark magic and who doesn't, etc. It made the experience harder to enjoy for sure.

I gave this book 3 stars for settings, but it was hard to follow at times. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this eARC.

I regret that I didn't give myself time to reread House of Marionne before jumping back into this one, because it started pretty fast! Mostly I was confused about Red - had I met her before? She was the blank spot, though I remembered the luncheon with Nore. Quell had such a journey and growth before, that coming back to find her so sure of her Toushana, and her bond with her magic was a great starting point.

I really enjoyed the magic system the first time around, and that got built on so well. The way the Draguns - the enforcers, tracked with keeping any dark wielders from endangering their people, as well as keeping magic a secret from the unmarked - worked as a force, the inside of their ranking system. What they knew about the damage to the orb, and where their priorities lay. How Quell could learn from an ex-Dragun, and eventually where her journey in learning as much as she can about her magic and her search for her mother leads her to place herself in the hands of another House.

The house systems as they've been known are faltering, and those with power will do their best to hold onto it. With the cracks in the orb - and the danger of all magic disappearing if it empties completely - everyone has their own agenda. Alliances are tenuously formed and broken.

I felt the sequel moved at a faster pace than the first book, and the different points of view provided important glimpses to keep things moving in tandem. Romance is definitely a low priority, so if you were hoping for a quick reconciliation between characters, be prepared for a bit more of a wait.

I am so excited to see how everything concludes, though I will definitely be doing a refreshing re-read of these two before diving in. These would definitely benefit from being fresh in the mind before the final outcome.

Shadows of Perl was a fantastic second book in this series. I actually enjoyed it a lot more than book one. The world building and character development was enriched even more and I was able to become fully enveloped in this world.

Shadows of Perl picks up right after the events of House of Marionne. Quell has bound with her toushana, or dark magic, and revealed her grandmother’s heinous acts. She is welcomed to House of Perl, where she is embraced for who she is. She’s also there because she found a lead that said her mom had stayed at House of Perl recently. While searching for clues to her mom’s whereabouts, Quell uncovers secrets of the headmistress of Perl that could threaten the world.

This book also follows Jordan Wexton, and his quest to protect the Sphere. He’s also looking for Quell because he believes she’s the biggest threat to the Sphere. In his quest, Jordan begins to start seeing things in a different light and he starts to question all of his beliefs.

We also get to see the pov of Nore from House Ambrose. Her parts are more sporadic, but are just as entertaining as Quell and Jordan’s. There is an interesting revelation with her story that I think most people will enjoy.

Shadows of Perl, in my opinion does not suffer from second book syndrome. It built upon the strong foundation of book one and improved. The characters were easier to root for in this book, and the stakes were definitely raised. I cannot wait so see what happens next.

Shadows of Perl by J. Elle is a captivating fantasy that draws readers into a richly woven world of magic and intrigue. The story follows a young heroine who must confront her past and navigate the challenges of loyalty, friendship, and self-discovery. J. Elle’s vivid writing brings the characters and settings to life, while the intricate plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Themes of empowerment and resilience resonate throughout, making it a compelling read for anyone who enjoys a blend of adventure and fantasy.

I'm afraid this book hit the sequel slump for me. I loved book one so much, and I felt like this one was too whirlwind to keep up with. I thought all the big moments lacked depth and the reveals didn't really feel monumental. I also felt like a lot of information was added but also not enough at the same time. I liked Quell and I still felt her strong presence as a character, but she was also a little all over the place. Jordan, on the other hand, was unlikable in this installment. I found him grating and so uptight that it was annoying to read the chapters from his point of view. This is one of those books where I feel like I won't be able to remember much of the plot because of how jumpy it was. I liked Nore Ambrose, and her chapters were exciting and different. Overall, this just wasn't my favorite, but I'm curious to see how the series will end. Thank you to Penguin Teen for an e-ARC to read and review!

Quell Marionne is back! After laying claim to her destructive magic, toushana, at the end of book one, she's now determined to reunite with her mother and get the heck out of Dodge, so to speak, with the help of Octos, the trader she trusts, and her friends, Abby and Mynick. However, she soon finds that Octos and Mynick are both hiding secrets - ones that are incompatible to her goals. So she turns to the Headmistress of the House of Perl for help. But when she flees to Hartsboro, the House of Perl estate, she finds that while no one judges her for her toushana, they on the contrary seem obsessed by it. And there are dark secrets to find in this house that almost seems to worship dark magic...
At the same time, Jordan has graduated and joined the Dragun brotherhood. He's so successful, in fact, that the current Dragunhead has chosen him as his second-in-command, the Dragunheart. But Jordan is still battling with his feelings for Quell, the girl who betrayed him. Part of him wants her dead, but part of him knows that even now, he can't hate the girl who has stolen his heart. He has to decide if love of Quell or duty to the Order will win the day.

This book was very fast-paced and action-packed compared to the first book. I did enjoy the continuation of Quell's story, and I liked the addition of Jordan as a second POV. The way they reacted to each other and around each other felt like it would be natural for two people who had a relationship that ended in spectacular fashion, but really still have feelings for each other that they can't deny, pulling at him. Most enemies to lovers (or in this case, lovers to enemies) stories suffer from this trope where they seem to have to spend the whole second book hating each other and not acknowledging that they have any feelings at all, which given how strong feelings like love can be, has never felt realistic to me. Miss Elle manages to capture that push-pull between Quell and Jordan as they go back and forth between their feelings and their goals.

Book Two expands the magical society we got to see the edges of in "House of Marionne". We get to see new Houses, learn more about Darkbearers and Draguns, and experience some surprising twists while we learn some pretty major secrets. The final battle that it all culminates with would look amazing on film, and I hope I get to see it someday.

I do feel like there were a few terms thrown in that I don't recall from the first book, and they weren't in the glossary, which made things a little confusing, and I'm not overly fond of the use of "ghosts" even though they're used sparingly. I found myself sort-of skimming any parts with them, and I'll probably do the same with book three. Other than that, I don't really have any complaints or nitpicks. I'll be looking forward to everything wrapping up in Book 3. 4 out of 5 stars. Thank you so much to Netgalley, Penguin Group, and J. Elle for the free advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

This book was a pretty good read. It took me several pages to get into it, but I ended up really enjoying it. At first I was a little confused on the characters, but I would purchase for the library!

Really enjoyed this sequel and was grateful for the opportunity to read it early after participating in the readalong that Penguin Teen led on instagram

Review: Shadows of Perl by J. Elle
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Shadows of Perl, the sequel to House of Marionne, was a fantastic read that pulled me in from the very first page. J. Elle’s world-building was top-tier, and the rich detail in this book made the magical realms feel so vivid and alive. The character development was one of the highlights for me. Both Quell and Jordan undergo such meaningful growth, coming to terms with their true identities and powers in ways that felt genuine and raw. Watching their journeys unfold was incredibly satisfying.

J. Elle’s writing was beautiful and gripping throughout the story. The emotional depth she brings to her characters is matched only by the suspense and tension she builds, especially with that cliffhanger! I have a bit of anxiety now waiting for the third book—I’m dying to know what will happen next. I’m also rooting hard for Quell and Jordan, and I hope we get to see their relationship develop even further. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I need more of them!

I also want to shout out the audiobook—like the first in the series, it was incredible. The narration brought the world and characters to life in a way that truly enhanced the experience for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for providing me with an ARC of this book. If you’re a fan of rich world-building, complex characters, and stories that keep you on edge, I highly recommend Shadows of Perl.

4.5/5 Stars
8/10 Cawpile

This deliciously dark sequel is sure to keep you on your toes as you follow Quell on her quest to find her mother. Nothing will stand in her way - including her rigid ex Jordan who is trying to protect the source of magic. In addition to these two main characters, the story also has well developed side characters that I liked learning more about.

This book takes place in the same magical world based in the US, however the story shows us the quirks of the other houses that may include sinister pasts. The author put a lot of thought into the magic system and fun ways to apply magic.

The plot of the book was filled with little twists and turns as well as intense relationships - like lovers to enemies. I enjoyed the dynamics and the tension built throughout the story.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a medium paced fantasy series with dark vibes - but be warned that this is the second book in a trilogy and you will not want to wait for the next book. It reminded me a lot of ninth house but a lot less intense.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Razorbill for providing me with an eARC of the book. All opinions are my own.

I thought this was a great follow-up to HOUSE OF MARIONNE. I didn't expect the addition of the new POVs, but they really deepened the world for me. I can't wait to see how this series ends.

I freaking loved this sequel. Quell is growing into her own and trying to figure out how to be the best person she can be. Jordan is so confused with who he's supposed to be and who he's been groomed to be. I can't wait for more stories in this series.

It took me entirely way too long to finish this book and all I can say is meh. The first book was a lot better, there was just so many different stories going in this one. It ended on a cliff hanger so I can only assume there will be another book which I will probably read but was unfortunately pretty disappointed in this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin group for the ARC.

Gosh I wanted to love this. The first book The House of Marionne was SO intriguing and enjoyable. I had a hard time setting it down. The romance between the characters, the introduction to the new world, ALL of it just hooked me. But this book? It slowed everything way down and I could not keep my eyes open. I felt the emotion was missing, the romance, the big reveals, idk. It was STUFFED full of so much information and world building so I’m hoping all that info is building up for a phenomenal book 3, but time will tell.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As the sequel to House of Marionne, Shadows of Perl was a great follow up. Getting to know more players in Quell and Jordan’s world helped to understand things better. I think Nore might be one of my favorite characters. I loved getting to dive deeper into her story, especially the parts where Yagrin is a factor. Did not see that coming!
Just as with HOM, this book gives tons of magic, mystery, action and takes us on one heck of a ride! Cannot wait to see what else is in store for the magic world, and what I’m labeling as our Core 4.

I think this is a great sequel to the first book but still very different. It picks up where House of Marionne ended while on the run after the events of the story. It delves deeper into the worldbuilding and is packed with action. We get to know the characters even more and the twists and challenges they face definitely top the first book.

I do think that since this is not the end of the series there are obviously things that are unresolved, but I feel like a few of them could have been wrapped up in this entry instead of dragging to the next.