The pacing in the first 60% was stop-and-go and did not hold the same fervor as the first book. I appreciated that we got to see more perspectives, and it definitely added to a heightened sense of urgency in the lsat 40%. I'm looking forward to seeing how it ends.

Book 1 left off in a whirlwind of excitement. Unfortunately, Shadows of Perl let all of that go and we're left to flounder through the monotony and glacial pacing until about 2/3 through when things begin to pick up again. There was enough happening through the last portion of the book that I am definitely on board for the next one!

This YA romantasy series is a must read!! Book 2 gives us more about each of the houses, the world-building is ramped up, it’s multi-POV, jaw-dropping twists and turns, and it sets us up well for the final book in the series. It felt a little slow at times, and there was a ton of new information given. But I think it fits well as a transition to the big action set up in the next book. Enjoyed it!

3.5 ⭐️

Ok, I love the first book of this trilogy and I was so excited to read this second part so I’m feeling a little down for what read here. It took me more time that I was hoping, specially because I devoured HOM. The pace here feels slow, and is not until the ending that things get interesting and left me wanting to read the final book. Honestly this could it be two books story and I’ll be happy. But like I said before, I’m going to read the third book and hopping the we get an amazing closing trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Razorbill for providing an ARC on exchange of my honest review.

As a follow up to J. Elle's House of Marionne, Shadows of Perl did not disappoint. I wasn't the biggest fan of the first book, so my expectations were lowered for the sequel, and I'm glad they were because I ended up enjoying this. The characters are better developed in the sequel than in the first book.

First and foremost I received an e-arc from NetGalley.

This review is late because I had a tough time getting into this book. Sure it has all the fantasy elements that I love but there is something in the writing that makes my mind shift. Maybe it’s me, read it for yourself.

I am such a J. Elle fan and I am more than mildly obsessed with this series. It’s the perfect blend of dark academia, morally grey characters, unique magic, and forbidden romance. I cannot physically wait for book 3!

Thank you so much to Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

The world of House of Marionne just got so much darker — and I was here for it. Shadows of Perl is a twisty, emotional sequel that dives deeper into forbidden magic, tangled loyalties, and the brutal costs of power. If you love high-stakes romantasy with secrets behind every door and characters on the edge of breaking, this book delivers.

Quell remains a compelling lead — powerful, vulnerable, and caught in an impossible tangle of duty and desire. She definitely felt a little scattered at times in this installment, but it made sense with how much she’s juggling: unraveling lies, uncovering her mother’s secrets, and trying not to lose herself in the process. The tension is real.

Jordan though… oof. He was a tough pill to swallow this time around. Way more rigid and uptight than I remembered, and his chapters were honestly the slowest for me. That said, the shifting dynamic between him and Quell (former lovers turned enemies with way too much baggage) adds a delicious layer of tension to the whole story.

The political intrigue is ramping up, war is brewing between the Houses, and the magic system continues to impress — complex, dangerous, and never just for show. Every reveal pulls you deeper into the world, and the stakes just keep climbing.

If you're a fan of authors like Stephanie Garber, Leigh Bardugo, or Alex Aster, you'll vibe with this. It’s got glamour, grit, and a shadow-drenched edge that sets it apart.

Not a perfect sequel, but definitely a necessary one — and I can’t wait to see how it all explodes in the next book.

Sadly, this one lost me pretty much at all times.
It felt slow in comparison to the first book and I found myself not caring about the characters we were following at all. The different POVs did nothing for me because it felt like nothing was pushing the story forward.
To be fair, I wasn't the biggest fan of how the first installment ended and how the feelings in that one developed, so I was already at a disadvantage there.

I had been impatiently waiting for this sequel and it was definitely worth the wait! The new POVs were great and there was so much information to help you understand the houses. I can’t wait for book 3!

I loved book one and was so excited for this one.

I think the pacing was off, unfortunately. It was really slow in the first half but did pick up towards the end. I was already checked out at that point.

I loved the slow burn - the build up, the tension.

Overall, I'm still looking forward to the next book.

Wow this book was dangerously stunning Quell and Jordan are just fantastic. This sequel had me on the edge of the seat just like book one did. With so many thrilling scenes and magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

"A must read for fans of Stephanie Garber, Leigh Bardugo, and Alex Aster." Honestly, this tagline made me want to read these books in the first place and it definitely rings true! I will definitely be reading J. Elle's other series while we wait for the conclusion to this trilogy in 2025!

Shadows of Perl offers a solid mix of adventure, magic, and intrigue, though it might not completely satisfy those looking for deeper character exploration.

I do not think I’m able to write this book due to the fact that I DNF House of Marionne. honestly, I was not expecting to DNF the first book in the series, but I did not feel like the characters had a lot of depths to them and the whole world building just felt weird. I also did not like how the FMC automatically kind of accepted the fact that she belongs to some magic society and just kind of went on about her day. She knew she had some sort of power, but that was it and the fact that she just accepted going to some magical school just felt really weird. I do wish I could have enjoyed that book more to be able to read Shadows of Perl. I may go back and pick the first book up but the chances are very slim. And because of that, I cannot rate this current book.

RATING: 🥀🥀🥀🥀/5 Enchanted Roses

ONE-WORD REVIEW: THRILLING

TAG LINE: Unleash the darkness. Claim your power.

OPENING LINE: The only thing colder than the crisp fall air thumped an easy cadence against the girl’s ribs.

REVIEW:

Huge thank you to Penguin Teen for providing me with an advanced reader copy!

𝒮𝒽𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒫𝑒𝓇𝓁 sweeps us back into the intoxicatingly dark and enchanting world of the Order, where secrets are currency, and power is a dangerous game. If House of Marionne was a slow burn of mystery and magic, 𝒮𝒽𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒫𝑒𝓇𝓁 turns up the heat, unraveling deeper secrets, deadlier stakes, and heart-pounding revelations.

Quell’s journey continues, but this time, she’s stepping further into the shadows—literally and figuratively. The stakes are so much higher, and I loved seeing her grapple with the weight of her choices. She’s still the same girl who wants freedom, but now she’s playing a much more dangerous game.

And let’s talk about Jordan. My shadow daddy has layers, y’all. We finally get more insight into his past, his motivations, and why he’s so damn guarded. The tension between him and Quell? Immaculate. The chemistry? Stronger than ever. Their dynamic is shifting in all the best ways, and I ate up every moment.

The intrigue, the betrayals, the twists—I couldn’t put this book down. 𝒮𝒽𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒫𝑒𝓇𝓁 leans even harder into its dark academia-meets-dangerous-society vibes, making it an absolutely thrilling sequel. If you loved the first book, buckle up because this one takes everything to the next level. Not to mention, secrets are revealed and the story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. . .

ELEMENTS:
✨ Forbidden magic
✨ Secret societies
✨ Shadowy assassins
✨ Enemies-to-lovers tension
✨ Dark academia aesthetic
✨ Plot twists on plot twists

Final Verdict? This series owns me, and I need the next book ASAP.

Happy Reading!
Ashley
www.TheTatteredPage.com

An absolutely enchanting book. The story keeps you hooked from beginning to end and you feel connected to the universe in a unique way. Thank you for letting me read this work of art.

hadows of Perl is the sequel to House of Marionne and it not only continues Quell's story, but has a lot more worldbuilding. It picks up pretty much where its predecessor left off, with Quell having escaped her grandmother at House Marionne and Jordan having betrayed her. We get to follow both Quell as she looks for her missing mother and Jordan as he carries out an assassin mission. Even though there isn't too much development of their tentative romance from the first book since they're separated for most of this one, Elle does touch upon how they genuinely care for each other in a really sweet (if somewhat subtle) way.

It was also interesting to learn more about Jordan's role as an assassin and how his duties intersect with his feelings for Quell. Shadows of Perl also sees the introduction of another POV character, Nore, the heir to the House Ambrose who is hiding a major secret. The inclusion of Nore helped explain the house system, and added another dimension to the story. I also liked how Elle wrote about Quell's toushana (dark magic) in this sequel. She feels torn between hiding her toushana and embracing it, and that internal struggle leads Quell to place her trust in some questionable people. I definitely had bad feelings about some of them and wanted to yell at Quell to not let them into her life, but it adds a dose of reality into this fantasy story.

I wasn't feeling this book. I wasn't able to invest in the story like I was hoping to. It felt like it might have been me.

I was eager to delve into Shadows of Perl, the second installment in J. Elle's House of Marionne series. This sequel not only meets but exceeds the expectations set by its predecessor, offering a rich tapestry of magic, political intrigue, and complex character dynamics. Shadows of Perl is a commendable continuation of the House of Marionne series, weaving a narrative rich in magic, intrigue, and emotional depth. J. Elle's ability to craft a dark and complex magical society, coupled with her nuanced character portrayals, makes this book a must-read for enthusiasts of the genre. For those who appreciate intricate plots and slow-burn romance set against a backdrop of political machinations, this novel is a valuable addition to any collection.