Shadows of Perl by J. Elle really grabbed my attention from the first page, and I have to say, it exceeded my expectations. Picking up where House of Marionne left off, it plunges us into an intense world where Quell, on the run after her explosive revelations, is searching for her mother while grappling with her own dangerous powers. At the same time, Jordan is caught in the moral dilemma of being tasked to hunt down the woman he once loved.

One of the things I loved about this book was how much deeper we get into the characters’ personal journeys. Quell really comes into her own here, no longer hiding or afraid of her power. She’s stronger, more self-assured, and it’s so refreshing to see her take control of her destiny, even with Draguns chasing her. Jordan, on the other hand, had me feeling a bit frustrated. While his internal conflict is interesting, at times his self-absorbed nature got a little too much for me, making it hard to sympathize with him like I did in the first book.

The world-building is even more detailed this time around, and we get a closer look at the Houses, the Sphere, and the dangerous magic of the toushana. What really stood out for me was the introduction of Nore—her storyline had me hooked. Nore’s desperate need for revenge, wrapped up in her family’s secrets, adds a thrilling new layer to the narrative. I felt like I was reading a fantasy spy thriller at times, and I loved that dynamic.

Overall, Shadows of Perl is darker, deeper, and full of complex emotions. While the pacing can get a bit chaotic at times, especially with so many subplots vying for attention, it’s a gripping continuation of the series. Fans of the lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers trope will find plenty to swoon over here, even if some moments left me wanting a little more emotional development. I’m excited to see how the series wraps up, and I’m hopeful that the final book ties everything together.

Obsessed with this series!!! As with many fantasy series, the second book can often fall short of the first just because of the fact that in the first book, you are meeting this world and falling in love with it. But Shadows of Perl was a continuation of everything I loved in House of Marionne! J. Elle is a fantastic writer and does a wonderful job of bringing you in to exactly what each character is going through. The internal dialogue is something I love and feel like it adds so much to the story. The world she's built and the layers she has created are so fun to peel back as you read. I am very much *impatiently* looking forward to the next book!

Shadows of Perl is the exciting, action-packed sequel to House of Marionne. While I really liked the first book, I enjoyed the sequel even more. The characters are more developed and face even harder challenges. Quell is on the run after the decisions she made at her cotillion. Jordan, feeling betrayed, is determined to find Quell and make her face the consequences of binding with her toushana. Shadows of Perl is much darker than the first book, which I really enjoyed. There is also quite a bit more intrigue and action. The story is told through three POVs: Quell, Jordan, and Nore. I appreciated how all three plots came together at the end. Shadows of Perl continues with the theme of acceptance. In the first book, it was about Quell accepting her magic. In the sequel, we once again see Quell, along with other characters, facing the challenge of accepting certain aspects of themselves. Family also plays a huge part in Shadows of Perl. Finally, there is definitely an enemies-to-lovers vibe throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the third. I will absolutely be recommending this series to anyone who loves an action-packed romantasy with complex characters, plenty of drama, and great world-building.

Note: Shadows of Perl ends on a major cliffhanger.

I liked this sequel way more than the first book. Things don't come quite so easily to Quell. Both she & Jordan have to open their eyes and accept the truth of the Order. Fascinating cliff-hanger with new roles and one hell of a conundrum. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Thank you so much to the publisher for this ARC!

Unfortunately I had to soft DNF this book. I made it to about 20% and just couldn't get into this - but will revisit later. I enjoyed the first one, but so fat wasn't obsessed with the sequel.

Shadows of Perl by J. Elle plunges readers into a dark and complex world of magic, betrayal, and power struggles. As a continuation of the events from the previous book, this novel ramps up the stakes for its two protagonists, Quell Marionne and Jordan Wexton, whose once-deep connection has been shattered by the explosive events surrounding Quell’s Rite of Induction. The tension between love, loyalty, and survival drives this fast-paced, high-stakes fantasy, but the plot’s complexity and rapid pacing may leave some readers feeling slightly overwhelmed.

Quell Marionne’s journey from being shunned to celebrated is central to the novel, and J. Elle captures her conflicting emotions well. After losing everything she held dear—her family, her love, and her previous life at Chateau Soleil—Quell’s arrival at House of Perl feels like a much-needed moment of belonging. However, the comfort is short-lived, as secrets lurk within the House, and Quell’s quest to find her mother drags her deeper into the dark side of the magical world. The complexity of Quell’s character is one of the book’s strengths, as she balances her growing powers, the loss she’s endured, and the dangerous mysteries she seeks to unravel.

On the other side of the narrative is Jordan Wexton, the second-in-command of the Dragun brotherhood, whose loyalty to the Sphere—the source of all magic—puts him directly at odds with Quell. Jordan’s internal struggle is deeply compelling as he must reconcile his love for Quell with his duty to protect the Sphere. J. Elle successfully weaves together the personal and political stakes in Jordan’s arc, making his emotional conflict both gripping and relatable. His turmoil over possibly having to kill Quell for the greater good of the magical world adds a layer of tragedy to the story, especially given their shared history.

The romantic tension between Quell and Jordan is palpable throughout the novel. Once lovers, now turned enemies, the tension between them creates an emotional core that drives the story forward. Their chemistry, rooted in shared history and deep feelings of betrayal, gives the novel much of its emotional weight. However, while their relationship adds intensity, it sometimes feels overshadowed by the dense plot of warring Houses, magical spheres, and competing ambitions.

The world-building is rich and intricate, with a heavy focus on the political dynamics between the Houses and the importance of the Sphere. J. Elle creates a vivid magical landscape that feels alive, but at times the sheer amount of lore, political intrigue, and magical rules can be overwhelming. Readers who enjoy intricate fantasy worlds will appreciate the depth of the setting, though others might find it difficult to keep track of all the moving parts, especially as the pace picks up in the second half of the novel.

One potential downside is that the rapid pacing and the number of subplots might detract from the more emotional aspects of the story. Quell’s quest to find her mother and the looming threat to the Sphere provide plenty of action, but these plotlines sometimes feel rushed, leaving less room for the characters’ emotional arcs to fully breathe. As a result, moments that should carry more emotional weight—such as betrayals, reunions, and the decisions Quell and Jordan face—occasionally feel underdeveloped.

Final Thoughts:
Shadows of Perl is a thrilling, high-stakes continuation of J. Elle’s fantasy series, filled with magic, political intrigue, and romantic tension. Quell and Jordan’s journey from lovers to enemies is compelling, and the complex world-building adds depth to the narrative. However, the fast-paced plot and abundance of subplots may leave some readers feeling overwhelmed, and the emotional arcs could benefit from more space to develop. For fans of fantasy with intricate political dynamics and star-crossed lovers, this book offers an engaging, action-packed read. A solid 3-star addition to the series that promises even greater conflict ahead.

Shadows of Perl dives deep into a world filled with magic, power struggles, and complex relationships. Quell Marionne's journey from outcast to celebrated figure brings a sense of triumph, but the story falters in its execution. The book's pacing feels uneven, with intense moments followed by slower, less engaging scenes, making it hard to stay fully immersed.

Quell’s personal growth is a highlight, though her internal struggles sometimes feel repetitive. Jordan Wexton’s character adds depth to the story, especially as a lover-turned-enemy, but the dynamic between him and Quell lacks the emotional intensity that their past suggests.

While rich, world-building can be overwhelming at times, with too many secrets and moving parts that muddy the plot. The concept of the Sphere and the looming war among the Houses offers the potential for a gripping storyline, but it gets bogged down by excessive detail.

Overall, Shadows of Perl has intriguing ideas and strong character arcs, yet it doesn’t fully live up to its potential. It's a solid read for fans of magical worlds, but it may leave others wanting more.

Quell’s life has been upended again. Those she thought were allies and friends are now gone. As a last resort she turns to the House of Perl where her darkness is, at least, not an instant death penalty. Nore is looking for revenge and a way to finally be rid of the Order. She despises her own mother but seeks another headmistress for help. Jordan strives to balance what feels right with what is right with what seems to be right. His heart is being pulled in several directions but none seems to be easy. As the Sphere continues to deteriorate and magic as they know it is on the line, what will these young leaders do in the face of life altering decisions?

This was a good second book in the series. We are following three young, but very influential people as they navigate some major, life altering decisions. Decisions that could completely change magic and the world as they know it. With that, we see some character growth that sets us up for the next novel. It is really interesting to see how each balances the other and progresses the overall story arc. Looking forward to the next installment. 4 stars.

Review based on a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by Penguin Teen - Razorbill and NetGalley. Thank you!

So I was absolutely sucked in by the cover. I read the first book and it cured my book hangover. So naturally I had to read the second. When I tell you I was sucked in immediately, I was. I could not put it down! It picked up exactly where book one left off. J. Elle did an amazing job of painting another world and truly making me feel like I was inside the book. Character development, world building, it was all nothing short of perfection.

Full of action, mystery, and adventure, Shadows of Perl was a great sequel to House of Marionne! I enjoyed the development of the characters and how this story focused on some other characters that didn't get much attention in Book 1. I did shed a few tears, though. 😭 The way it ended, I'm absolutely hoping there's a third book because you can't leave us hanging like that! Another masterpiece from J. Elle. I look forward to purchasing the physical copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for giving me an ARC of Shadows of Perl in exchange for an honest review.

“If the Sphere bled out, magic would be lost for half a century at least.”

Shadows of Perl picks up exactly where House of Marionne left off with Quell now on the run from her grandmother after revealing her grandmother’s dark secret at her Cotillion. Quell is traveling with Octos looking for the Sphere while simultaneously working with Abby to try to find her mother all while having Draguns chasing her to kill her for having toushana. Meanwhile, Jordan is wrestling with the fact that he left Quell behind and that he ever fell in love with her in the first place as well as the fact that the charge of killing Quell has fallen to him.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book as I didn’t absolutely love the first book. However, this book definitely surprised me. I loved getting some of the backstories of different characters that I felt was missing from the first book. I also felt that in terms of storyline, the extra information and backstories fit better within this book than they would have in the first book. I also enjoyed how Quell came into her own and decided to own her power after being afraid of it for so long. I thought that she got way stronger and more confident in herself and stopped letting other people make decisions for her. On the flip side, while I enjoyed Jordan’s character progression, I felt that his character took a little bit too much of a change from the first book. He got very self-absorbed and most of his inner dialogue centered around the fact that he was in love with Quell and didn’t want to be.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and the many twists and turns throughout. Don’t trust anybody in this book!

One of the most gripping aspects of this book is the evolution of Quell as a character. In Shadows of Perl, she’s no longer running from her powers but learning to embrace them—though at great personal cost. Her struggle to balance the safety of her mother with her growing influence in House of Perl brings a satisfying complexity to her arc. Her journey is filled with tension, as secrets swirl around every House, threatening her at every turn. Jordan Wexton, Quell’s former lover and now potential enemy, adds a rich layer of emotional and moral conflict. His role as second-in-command of the Dragun brotherhood and his mission to protect the Sphere pits him directly against Quell, whose outlawed magic, the toushana, has made her a threat to the very fabric of their world. The tension between Quell and Jordan is palpable, driven by their shared history and the heart-wrenching choices they must make. J. Elle does an excellent job of weaving their personal conflicts with the larger stakes, as the Sphere cracks and the Houses prepare for war. The world-building in Shadows of Perl continues to shine, as we are introduced to more of the intricacies of House politics, the ominous Sphere, and the mysterious forces lurking within the magic system. Each page brims with suspense, action, and a sense of impending doom that makes it impossible to put the book down.

This was in multi pov and everyone seems to either be on the run or hunting the one on the run. There is one type of magic that is not allowed and they have been trying to eradicate it from their magical community. They are looking for truths and so many broken hearts have emotions high. Also so much questioning the system.
Love when you can't tell who your allies are or who the good or bad guys are its so blurred.

This is the sequel to House of Marionne in the same magical action packed world.

While I really enjoyed book one, I found myself feeling a bit lost in book two. I was still intrigued and enjoyed the story but I felt like it was very slow and long. It was a lot of information and I felt disconnected from the story as if they were not from the same series at times. I can understand why people loved this book, it just didn’t do it for me like I’d hoped it would.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, J. Elle, and Penguin Group for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review! This published on September 3rd.

I have posted my review on Goodreads, my Facebook book club, and will make a TikTok to post before the pub date.

This book was definitely a bit slower than the first one, I had a bit of a hard time getting into it but I felt like it started to pick up around the 50% mark. I will say I remember being confused about the magic system in the first one and felt somewhat the same throughout this one. I was debating whether or not to continue with this series since I don’t know where I stand with this one but THAT ending?! Respectfully I need answers because what does that mean?

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review and advanced copy of book two.

Multi-POV. We see the story through Quell, Jordan, and Nore.

I was happy to be back in Quell's world again. This time, she's left Chateau Soleil in the aftermath of her Rites. Now on the hunt to find and be reunited with her mother as well as finding the broken Sphere.
Along the way, she finds herself at the House Perl. She's learned her mother was there recently. The headmistress Beaulah has strange ways but Quell finally feels like she belongs... Until she learns of a horrible secret that enacts her revenge.

Jordan rises to power as dragunheart. He wants to follow the Order, but his heart can't deny his feelings for Quell. We see his struggle between following orders and doing what is right

All Nore wants to do is leave her mother, leave House Ambrose. Keep herself from becoming the next headmistress. But are her allies truly trustworthy?

I enjoyed book two even more than book one. Goodness no House headmistress is good!

This is only book 2! Shadows of Perl really ramped up and I am here for it. The cat and mouse, the power struggles, the deceit! Book one ends with us learning how messed up House of Marionne is but we learn so much in Shadows of Perl- it seems every house has its own skeletons. I am definitely curious to see what happens with toushana. It’s treated as this great evil but it seems misunderstood.

I have no idea how many books Elle plans to have in this series but I hope she keeps the momentum going. I am definitely hooked on this series and will impatiently wait for book 3!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book. This book has my whole heart. I absolutely adored this! From the incredible characters, to the plot, to falling in love with everything so quickly- I couldn’t put this down. I highly recommend this! It really just sucks you in and makes you never want to leave. In my opinion, those are the best books and I couldn't get enough. J.Elle has such a prose that truly gives you everything and more. You don't know you need it, but she delivers it.

The Shadow of Perl picks up right where House of Marionne left off. This book was even better than the first one which is saying something because usually the second book is not done as well. There were so many twist and turns presented and all the betrayals that occurred had me on the edge of my seat to the very end. I loved how this book made me go through a multitude of emotions. The end was so unexpected and left me wanting to for more. After I finished the last page I actually had to sit there and process that there was not anything else to read and I would have to wait a whole year for the next part in this story.

This book was on oar with the first one for me. Meaning that it was not bad but it was not outstanding either. At times I would find myself not really caring too much about the story and other times where I couldn’t wait to find out what came next. The pacing seemed uneven to me, which may have contributed to my impression of the story.