3.5 stars

This series has a lot of promise - magical boarding school, forbidden dark magic, secret societies, and debutante balls. Quell’s struggle with her dark magic and trying to stay hidden amongst people who would kill her was exciting to watch and I enjoyed the mystery aspect. Yagrin’s chapters were especially interesting and added an extra layer of intrigue. There were some things I didn’t like so much such as the love interest’s behavior later on and the fact that I was left confused about some things at the end. The debutant setting was fun but also a little out of place. I thought the ending was good though and the next book has the potential to be better.

Thank you to Penguin Group for the ARC!

oh my god that ending!!!!! SQUEAAAAL

Absolutely loved HoM! The world was so sparkly and glittery, then peeled away into exquisite layers of danger and bleakness. It was like walking through an illusion of the most grand palace that slowly fades into shadows and dusk. Our main character, Quell, is strong, resilient, and majorly powerful. Her love interest is stubborn, brooding, hot, the tiniest bit tortured, and also (duh) majorly powerful. I loved reading their banter, but their vulnerable conversations were my absolute favorite. They really grew together over the length of the novel. For the most part 😏

And there are hot dance scenes, and cool magic classes, and cool magic tiaras, and cool magic rituals. Cool magic everything!!! This was such a fun and enchanting read, perfect for when you’ve just finished your Bridgerton binge session and are desperate for something a little darker but still decadent. Five wonderstruck, shadow magic stars.

I was lucky enough to read an excerpt on BookishFirst and ran to NetGalley to request the ARC. I was in a reading slump and the first three chapters completely pulled me out of it.

Quell and her mom are on the run because Quell has a dark magic called toushana living inside her. If she is found by those who hunt dark magic, they will kill her. When she is finally found, her only option is to run to the manor of her estranged grandmother, who turns out to be a headmistress of a secret magic using society.

Quite honestly, it got kind of boring and lost me a bit once Quell was "safe". It was definitely one of those stories where the main character is kept in the dark and then berated for not knowing anything. It did pick up about 3/4 of the way through and left me absolutely needing to continue on with the series. The story was well written and had an interesting premise, but I feel like this is the slow paced world building book and the rest of the series will be the unputdownable five star reads.

Thank you to NetGalley, I received an ARC of House of Marionne by J. Elle. This honest review is my own opinion.

The book title, book description, and cover all made me eager to read this book.

The beginning held my interest. The main character is hiding her magic and on the run in a sort of New Orleans urban fantasy. She has to flee and winds up at her grandmother's castle, where she needs to pass three rites before being presented at a cotillion. However, this is where I started to feel like she was at boarding school like setting with a poorly described magic system. Harry Potter vibes weren't enough to keep me pulled in - I found myself not fully envisioning the castle and the character development wasn't enough for me. I didn't follow the magical rule system and couldn't envision the masks and diadems they grew/wore.

I really wanted to like this book. The premise is there. The overall plot has promise. I just didn't find myself obsessed with these characters. It felt young adult (which is fine) but then there was nothing to "spice" it up.

All in all, didn't love this book. But I'm just one person. Read for yourself to find out?

Overall 2.4/5
Spice 0.5/5

I really enjoyed this book. The magic system was beautiful and unique. The setting was so interesting and different from other magical school stories I’ve read. And some of the revelations at the end had me gasping. I’m so interested to see where this story goes!

I'll be honest. I'm DNF'ing this book at about 30%. Still giving it 3 stars, though, because from what I read, it isn't bad, I just couldn't get into it. It's too Harry Potter for me. I gave up after a full chapter on dining etiquette...

Dark Academia meets Bridgerton

I loved the story of learning to love the dark parts of herself with her struggles between what she knew as good magic and the Toushana.

It was slow at first and I was kind of confused on the way houses were set up for awhile but it became clearer towards the end.

I always love a good enemies to lovers/forbidden lovers. I do feel their romance felt rushed in the end of the book but I’m curious how it will evolve in the next book.

The ending has a couple surprise twist, but I didn’t love how that was shared with us.

I received a digital copy of House of Marionne via NetGalley to read and review.

Quell and her mother have constantly been on the move for years because Quell has a forbidden type of magic that the Order will not tolerate. Quell is almost caught and has to flee without her mother. The only place she can think to go is to her grandmother at House of Marionne. Once there Quell must learn to use her “proper” magic while hiding her secret since she does not know who to trust.

While reading I had some moments of all right, here we go, then then feel we’re back to routine. Then the last few chapters A LOT happens and then the book ends. Quell’s story is just getting started and with how House of Marionne ended I’m excited to see where it goes from here!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me a copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.

The book was well written and kept my interest

Not one of the top books I have read this year, but well worth the read.

I would certainly recommend.

Not at the top of my must be read list, but made the list.

Recommend

I can see potential here, there's definitely a good bit of world building. The Houses Id equate to finishing school since they Seasons fashioned after debutante culture and three things to get right with their magic so hopefully they've learned other life skills ahead of time. There is a Lot dropped and not followed up on and the character of Yagrin is actually the most interesting to me. Probably bc he existed in a timeline that wasn't forced, accelerated or wishy washy. That was my problem with the rest of the book, how sped up the timing was for Quell and with no explanation given as to why. Also she lived on the run with her mother for so long and they took off from her grandmother's house and Quell never questioned why? I'm still confused bc if it was magic wouldnt other ppl have seen it? Also didn't she come into it way early? And she doesn't question why she has no memories prior to FIVE years old? Anyway, the second book should do a lot of heavy lifting.

Its def YA although I didn't get a dark academia vibe. There's death but the school isn't trying to kill them...or is it?

2.5 stars although bc I have a ton of questions I want to read the next installment.

Best described, HOUSE OF MARIONNE is an ode to dynasties. The story pays homage to the battles we face when stuck between what we want and what is expected of us. Its twists and turns are absolutely thrilling — an immersive tale that leaves you falling in love with every last detail.

Author J. Elle really brings her A game here. The world-building is so good it feels almost unreal, setting up a crucial foundation to the gripping story of Quell, our protagonist, who is hiding a huge secret while living amongst the biggest threats to her future, after being forced to step into the increasingly dangerous role as heir of the House of Marionne. Fascinating plot aside, the next best thing is Quell’s relationship with Jordan. (It’s giving me lingering looks and conflicted feelings and really just all the best tropes of forbidden romance wrapped into one tome.)

I’m calling it now: HOUSE OF MARIONNE will be one of the breakout YA series of the year. It’s so damn good, how could it not?

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.*

House of Marionne is an exciting new series. Quell possesses forbidden magic and is on the run with her mom, trying to avoid being killed. When they are separated, she seeks refuge at her Grandmom’s house and chooses to learn how to harness magic, hoping the good magic will replace the forbidden. She falls for her mentor, Jordan, who is a dragun that would hunt and kill her if he knew she possessed the forbidden magic. As she develops her magic and learns more about its history, she starts to question her actions and wonder if she is following the correct course.

I thought the characters were well developed and the plot made me keep questioning what would happen next. I’m excited to read the next in the series.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my honest review.

This book was everything I wanted from it. The world is interesting and beautiful. I was fortunate enough to recover an uncorrected proof- I genuinely can't wait to add this to my J. Elle collection and see the finished product. Quell was a great main character and it was fun to learn this world with her. I can't wait to see where this story ends up!

This was VERY young adult girl. Super teenagery from awkwardness in building new relationships, not understanding your own feelings, and all the elements of a magical teen chick flick. Sometimes it doesn't have to be literary genius to be enjoyable, and this was that kind of book. I felt old reading it, but also would feel very comfortable recommending it for any teen girl to read.

Thank you to Razorbill and Netgalley for sending a dARC for review.

A novel filled with magic, glitter, grace, and deception, sounds like a great read to me! House of Marianne is filled with all that and more. At times while reading the book I felt as if I was missing something, but it all comes full circle at the end and begins to make sense. The story is intriguing and the writing style is captivating. I look forward to the next installment in the series! This is one that I will definitely purchase for my library!

Amidst the backdrop of opulent debutante balls and a decadent school of magic, "House of Marionne" is an enchanting story with a unique magic system, a reluctant enemies-to-lovers romance, and a girl harboring a dark secret. Set within the lavish world of a debutante society, this novel captivates readers with its luxurious blend of magic, romance, and mystery; delivering a lush and immersive reading experience.

Thank you J. Elle, Penguin Young Readers Group, and NetGalley for this ARC!

Dark academia with a twist of glamour. I was unsure where the story was going in the beginning. I trust the author’s writing so I kept going and I am glad I did. There was enemies to friends to lovers, forbidden magic, and found family with plenty more. Our FMC Quell Marionne was sweet, fierce and loyal.

Quell joins the high society debaunte life to save herself from someone killing those with power like hers. To keep her and her mother safe she joins her grandmother’s world of magic and lies.

There were some parts that were rushed.
I wished the world building had been flushed out a little bit more. The twists and turns of the end hand me sitting on the edge of my seat. I sat there staring into space then reread it over again to make sure what I read is what I read. The end will take your breath away, so be prepared. I need the second book as of yesterday.

When I read the book blurb of House of Marionne I was really intrigued. It boasted of magical secret societies and dark academia so I had really high expectations going into the book. Unfortunately House of Marionne did not live up to my standards. While the premise held great potential and sparked my interest, the execution of the plot left much to be desired. In the past, I had read J. Elle’s Wings of Ebony series. Although I wasn’t a fervent fan, I found elements to appreciate and chose to overlook certain weaknesses, considering it was her debut series. However, encountering many of the same flaws that hindered my enjoyment of The Wings of Ebony in House of Marionne was disheartening.

The magic system depicted in House of Marionne held immense potential, yet I found J. Elle’s execution of it to be lacking. It failed to captivate my interest as I had hoped, leaving me constantly yearning for more and leaving unanswered questions in its wake. The world-building felt sparse, and the writing itself failed to evoke any sense of joy or excitement. I believe it would have greatly benefitted the story if the author had integrated the histories of The Houses directly into the narrative, rather than relegating them to the end of the book as a glossary. This would have added depth to the plot and enriched the reading experience. Unfortunately, the plot itself felt shaky, and the actions of characters like Quell’s mother and grandmother lacked believability.

Also I never really understood how The Order’s governing system actually worked. It was overlooked and never explained properly. Though the author always mentioned The Order being so powerful I never really got a sense they actually were. Also I didn’t understand the inclusion of diadems and masks as they served no purpose at all. The greatest disappointment was the magic system. It had a lot of potential but wasn’t done justice.

Quell’s character in House of Marionne was unfortunately lacking in depth, making it difficult for readers to form any significant attachment to her. It felt as though Jordan, the love interest, was merely a plot device rather than a fully fleshed-out character, only serving to provide some depth to Quell’s perspective. I found myself questioning the necessity of Yagrin’s point of view. Did it truly serve a purpose in advancing the plot or contributing to the overall narrative? Additionally, the romance between Quell and Jordan felt lukewarm and unconvincing, failing to evoke the desired emotional connection between the characters.

It is indeed disheartening when a book like House of Marionne, possesses significant potential but falls short of fulfilling its premise. I felt as though J. Elle failed House of Marionne with numerous plot holes and a lackluster overall execution. It is unfortunate when a promising concept fails to reach its full potential due to weak execution and unresolved issues within the narrative.

My sincere thanks to Netgally, Penguin Young Readers Group, Razorbill and J. Elle for providing me this advance reader copy.

Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “House of Marionne" by J. Elle

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

Quell Marionne and her mother have been on the run for as long as she could remember. Her secret? She was born with toushana, a dark magic that many considered to be forbidden and many who possess it are hunted for sport! When an escape from an assassin lands her on the doorstep of a magical academy and secret society, with her grandmother acting as one of headmasters, she attends the academy in order to find a way to restrain her toushana. Will she succeed in her academic endeavors or will the very academy be the undoing to her magical secret and put her life in jeopardy?

Well, I'm currently in my Magical Academia/Regency Era, and I have this book to thank for it! Wow, when I tell you this book has the potential to be the next big YA Fantasy duology or trilogy, it definitely has the potential! Where to begin on what makes this book brilliant?
Let's start with the world-building!

While the book is said to take place in New Orleans, the narrative primarily takes place at one of the magical academia residences known as the The Houses, more specifically, Chateau Soleil, or the titular House of Marionne. From the description of the houses and the headmasters that reside there to certain magical ranks and abilities, the book effectively gives us engaging exposition and lore while at the same time leaving you theorizing, wanting more. The vibe of the book takes the magical academia elements of Atlas Six by Olivie Blake and effectively combines it with the regency romance aesthetics and dynamics of the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn!

And now, to discuss the characters! The four characters I would like to highlight: Quell Marionne, Darragh Marrione, Jordan Wexler, and Yagrin. Quell Marionne by far could be one of the most empowering YA Fantasy Heroines of the decade! J.Elle does an excellent job of developing Quell's character from a reluctant protagonist suppressing her magic to a heroine that discovers her wants and needs in life, her true calling, and her inner power!

Jordan was quite the complex love interest. Throughout the book, we see him torn in an internalized battle between duty to The Houses and his budding connection with Quell. The dynamics between him and Quell, without giving too much away, was truly a combination of both heart aching and heart wrenching. Yagrin was an interesting character as well. Acting as Marionne's Assassin, we are provided with some POV chapters that illustrate his mission and the complicated double life he's led. I'm calling it right now..I can definitely see him in a bigger role somehow if the story were to continue.

Last, but not least, we have Darragh Marrione! This character is not your typical Grandma. She's a headmistress and aristocrat with a no-nonsense attitude who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. Think of her as a sinister version of Queen Charlotte from Bridgeton! Every time she is on page, you'll either be entertained by her character or downright intimidated by her!

If you love YA Fantasy books with magical world-building and lore, elaborate regency balls and ball gowns, secret conspiratorial societies, romantic tension, and a dash of family drama, then don't miss this book when it hits the shelves on August 29th, 2023!

Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

- Tropes to Expect: Magical Academia, the Reluctant Heroine, Regency Romance, Forbidden Romance, Slow-Burn Romance,Secret Identities, Assassins, Family Secrets, and Secret Society.

- Trigger Warnings: Child Abuse,
Family Discord, and Societal Peer Pressure

I loved the characters, the monsters and the magical world of social elites. It was unexpectedly funny too, which just added to my enjoyment.I highly recommend and look forward to book #2!