This book was amazing! One of my top books of the year! It's packed with magic, action, romance and fantasy. Everything you'd need to fall into this book and not come out till it's over. I couldn't put it down at all. I can't wait for the second book!

Thank you netgalley for this arc!

House of Marionne is a YA fantasy that leans heavily on familiar tropes—magical secret societies, forbidden powers, and a brooding love interest—but doesn’t quite break new ground. The premise is intriguing, with Quell navigating a world of elite magic users while hiding a dangerous secret, but the execution feels more style than substance.

The magic system, particularly the diadems and masks, is a cool concept but lacks explanation, leaving more questions than answers. The romance and courtly drama add entertainment, but the world-building feels underdeveloped, making it hard to fully immerse in the stakes.

That said, if you’re in the mood for magic school meets deadly intrigue and don’t mind a few logic gaps, this is a fun, fast-paced read. It won’t leave a lasting impact, but for those looking for The Selection with a fantasy twist, it delivers enough drama and romance to keep the pages turning.

Fast-paced dark academia with Bridgerton undertones written by a BIPOC author, sold. This was everything I wanted it to be and more. A quick read, it's very hard to put down. Magic, intrigue, romance, and danger, this one has all the tropes but it's written beautifully with interwoven layers of dark magic and the ethical question of which road to take.

It took a minute to get into the story—in fact I had to set it down for a solid four months before picking it back up to try again—but once the story truly started rolling after that first quarter, I was swept away alongside young Quell into a fantasy world filled with secret societies and dark magic festering amongst the elite debutante academies.

Quell has been on the run her whole life along side her mom, hiding a deadly secret that could get her killed. They’re able to keep up the practice until she’s 17, only to be separated and Quell thrust into an academy for magical debutantes when she turns toward where she knew unmet family lie for assistance. Young Quell was an outsider to the toxicity that runs the magic world which is a common FMC type that I tend to enjoy reading.

I say toxicity because, case in point: Grandmom??? Never liked her; she’s over-obsessed with public opinion and grooming Quell to be her perfect heir. There was always something shady about her from the start. I mean, true colors were shown so many times throughout the book, but Quell’s need to please and desire for connection were a rose colored glass to those red flags. Put together Grandmom being shady AND one of the heads of those magical society?? Well, self-explanatory.

Another important character to Quell’s development: Jordan was what you’d expect of a YA main love interest: broody, good-looking, contrary, somewhat unattainable and emotional-whiplash inducing. He’s drawn to Quell but his secretive duties cause a strain on any relationship, friends or otherwise, that could begin to develop between the two. Him being Quell’s magic mentor adds an additional layer to their complicated connection which I know readers tend to enjoy. And like any YA romance, their journey is fraught with trials and angst. Sometimes their chemistry came across a bit forced, but I know my younger self would’ve been eating up every interaction between the two and the drama they endured.

There was a third side character that I totally should’ve seen coming given the signs throughout the book. Delighted is what I’d described my feelings about the book’s ending revelations. I mean, there’s still so many secrets but Quell’s journey and the truth behind this third character I’m not naming are building it to be an intriguing continuation indeed.

I’d definitely recommend for those readers who enjoy YA fantasy tinged with dark academia and magic. The debutante flair really puts a unique spin on the world within these pages.

I wasn't pulled into this one like I wanted to be. It gave a huge promise of YA dark academia, and it started out with action and secrecy, but then it fell apart, and I honestly was just confused about what was happening for most of it. Nothing was explained well, and the characters were flat. I think the premise was good to start with but grew to become to much to handle. I think J. Elle has potential so I will probably read more of their work in the future.

This book started out slowly, but by halfway had significantly grabbed my attention and made me want to finish the book ASAP to know what was going to happen. My stomach dropped with the twist at the end and I was completely unsuspecting of the twist that occurred. I loved the chemistry between Jordan and Quell, and I was utterly shocked at how cold and unfeeling the grandmom was when Quell found out her secret! I can't wait to read book #2, and see where the characters go!

This one had me from the first page and, while it’s a YA read, it’s infused with characters with depth, action-packed with morally grey decisions that must be made, and the angst of forbidden young love. J. Elle’s writing is pristine and sucks you into the world of her characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book and look forward to moving on to the sequel. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review, though I had already purchased a hard copy planning to read it anyway!

I liked it! I can’t say that I had specific expectations going in, but I loved the world building. Felt like I was slipping away into a different universe while reading.

Seventeen-year-old Quell has spent her life in the shadows, fleeing from city to city to hide the forbidden magic coursing through her veins. But when her secret is discovered, and her mother’s life hangs in the balance, Quell is forced into the gilded world of the Order, a high-society magical debutante system where the stakes are as deadly as they are dazzling. To survive, she must navigate the Order’s trials, master new forms of magic, and resist the allure of her handsome, shadow-wielding mentor—all while concealing her own outlawed powers. But as the dark truths of the Order unravel, Quell faces an impossible choice: tame the magic she fears, or embrace the monster within.

In House of Marionne, author J. Elle offers an ambitious mix of dark academia, magical intrigue, and an enemies-to-lovers romance. While its premise is captivating, the story doesn’t fully deliver on its promise. The concept of toushana magic—a cornerstone of the story—is underexplored, leaving readers with more questions than answers. The visual idea of diadems and masks as manifestations of mature magic is intriguing (if uncomfortably gendered), but the logic behind them feels incomplete. For instance, the practicalities—like how they impact daily life or sleep—are glossed over. I kept wondering how no one ever got their hair tangled in a diadem! (Magical reasons?) This lack of clarity makes the world-building feel more like a collection of ideas than a cohesive system.

The characters fare slightly better, though still not without their flaws. Quell is a strong, determined protagonist, but her decisions—especially her quick trust in her suspicious grandmother—don’t always align with her survivalist upbringing. Jordan, her mysterious love interest, is a mix of brooding intensity and trope-heavy predictability. He seems designed to evoke fan-favorite archetypes like Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses) or Xaden (Fourth Wing) but falls short of their depth and charisma. Yagrin, a fascinating side character with the potential to steal the show, is frustratingly underutilized. It’s easy to imagine a version of the story from his perspective being far more compelling.

The novel’s writing style is accessible and engaging, though it skews toward a middle-grade tone despite its young adult (YA) label. This lighter touch makes the book easy to read but also limits its emotional resonance and complexity. For instance, many of the lines where Quell describes how she views Jordan physically are so beautiful, but the writing never fully convinces me of their deeper connection. The narrative leans heavily on familiar YA fantasy tropes, and while these elements create a solid framework, they lack the originality or depth needed to stand out. As a result, the attempt to weave in themes of power and danger also often feels surface-level, relying more on atmosphere than substance.

Ultimately, House of Marionne knows its audience. For readers looking for a fast-paced story with a magical setting, forbidden romance, and high-stakes danger, it delivers. The Order’s glitzy debutante culture and deadly secrets provide an atmospheric backdrop, and the romance, while not groundbreaking, has its moments. Casual readers who enjoy YA fantasy for its escapism and drama will likely find the book entertaining. However, for those seeking deeper world-building or more complex characters, the charm of this book will likely feel more like a spark than a flame.

Thank you to NetGalley and Razorbill for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

The dark academia vibes, the rivalries, the twists of the romance, I am so excited to see where this series leads.

This felt like dark academia meets gossip girl. Was just what i was looking for and I love that its a series that I can continue. Started off a bit slower but once i was invested in the story, i couldn't put it down.

I think this book and series will find a wonderful audience of readers who will rank this as an instant favorite. Am I one of them? Yes and no.

Unfortunately, it took me two tries to get into this book. The opening with Yagrin felt a bit bland to me, which is really unfortunate because he ends up being such an interesting character. Once I got past that to Quell’s chapter, things picked up a lot, but I found myself wishing there was a little bit more clarity on how the world and magic system worked. I think there is something really great there, but it felt like I was missing a huge backstory.

Once I felt invested in the story, I really enjoyed it. I think some readers may be put off by how much is going on in this book, but I enjoyed the complexity. You have an almost debutante society of magic families full of secrets, wealth, and danger. Then you have your heroine, dropped into this world after being completely isolated from it and raised in a very different way. It’s a familiar setup, but the author still managed to make it feel fresh and mysterious. There is also an enemies to lovers storyline with little to no spice, which is always a fun addition to a story like this.

Overall, I feel really split about this book. I didn’t love it as much as I wanted to, but I liked it enough to read the next book and see how the story changes and matures.

*Big thanks to J. Elle, Penguin Group, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-book copy in exchange for honest review*

This story is targeted at a much younger audience than me. Trying to keep track of the characters and their flawed psyches has given me a headache. Sorry, I see some people loved it......it's just not for me.

House of Marionne had great potential, between the dark academia and magical societies, but ultimately it didn’t deliver. Told from two points of view, Quell Marionne, the daughter of a headmistress in a magical order, felt immature and difficult to connect with. The alternating point of view started strong but quickly lost momentum, leaving the plot rushed and underdeveloped.

The setting, with its school surrounded by a mysterious forest, was atmospheric, and the friendship between Quell and Abby brought much-needed warmth. However, the lack of world-building and explanation of the magic system made it hard to fully engage with the story. The romance subplot felt unnecessary and lacked chemistry, while the final chapters—when the pace picked up—showed the potential the book never fully realized. While the concept had promise, the end result was choppy, leaving the reader craving a more cohesive narrative.

I absolutely loved this story! The boarding house, the magic, the politics, it all worked so incredibly well. Such an intriguing and binge worthy story. I found characters I loved, and characters I wanted to strangle, but it made it that much more enjoyable to read with that dynamic. Also did not see that twist coming at the end! Wow!!

This was a nominee for 2023 Goodreads choice awards but that's not shocking because I really enjoyed this book. Secret society? assassins? magic? dark academia? The potential with the love interest did not feel real at all. I love the fantasy and magic with the debutante balls. Thank you so much for the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read this and the author for writing it. I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us!

House of Marionne by J. Elle is a wild, magical ride that pulls you into a world of secrets, power, and drama. The story follows a girl named Zay, who lives in a world where magic is everything. She’s from a powerful family, the Marionnes, but she’s not exactly in their good graces. Zay has to navigate family loyalty, dangerous rivals, and a bunch of hidden truths while figuring out who she really is and what kind of power she has.

What I loved about this book is how full of twists and turns it is. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen, something crazy comes up, and you’re like, “Wait, what?!” The magic system is super interesting, and Zay is such a strong character who grows a lot throughout the book. The world-building is cool too, with all these magical houses and politics going on.

The pacing is quick, and the tension between characters keeps things exciting. The romance is there, but it doesn’t overpower the main plot, which I liked. It’s more about Zay’s journey and what she has to do to survive in her cutthroat world.

House of Marionne is a spellbinding tale of magic, love, and intrigue—captivating from start to finish!

Highschool senior, Raquell Janae Marionne called Quell has toushana that grows inside her like a curse. The Draguns are assassins tasked with hunting anyone suspected of possessing this magic. She seeks refuge with her only remaining family—her grandmother who is headmistress of House Marionne of the Order of Highest Mysteries. Receiving information requiring moving so often from her mother that she is hunted by the Draguns, because of the toushana. She gets a crash course in magical history, aristocracy, and political intrigue she receives. Latin terms and old European courtship traditions are woven into a magical finishing school tucked away in an alternative New Orleans with a population cued as racially diverse. Quell finds the debutante life both risky and rewarding as she struggles to control her toushana. There is the dangerously alluring Jordan, a young, brooding Dragun. There is growing tension between the two as Quell masters enviable abilities before her Cotillion debut. As secrets both magical and political are revealed, she learns that even the Marionnes have skeletons in their closets. Will she be able to get Jordento help her?

The novel is rich with magic throughout this fantasy. This novel has drawn me into the series after reading this first volume. It includes the House of Marionne specialties, map, and house histories which facilitates the story. I enjoyed the whole fantasy. The author has written threads of loneliness, love, and pride to compose an intriguing story of a loyal girl wanting for a place to belong. There are unexpected plot twists. It is a good beginning fr this series.

This book just wasn't it for me. It felt bland and unoriginal, which is unfortunate because I feel like this book was hyped up a lot. I ended up not finishing it.