I enjoyed the first book but gosh I actually enjoyed this second book more.

I always love a good dark academia/magic romance book. I really enjoyed this and read it all in one sitting just like the first.

I received an ARC of this for an honest review.

I DNF'd book one so if I decide to give book one a try and like it I will continue on. I just felt like book one was improperly marketed to me and for now I just don't want to give it a fair shot. Perhaps in a few months when I have no expectations for it.

Thank you to NetGalley, J. Elle, and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of Shadows of Pearl in return for my honest review.

I didn’t have time to read book 1 prior to my time running out for book 2 so I am including a star handicap to factor in my ignorance.

I enjoyed the lovers to enemies line which is a nice change. I like reading from two strong POVs instead of some authors including too many POVs. I’ve seen reviews that book 1 was action-packed while this book had a lot of character building. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to book 3! I will definitely go back and read them in order when the time comes.

At first I was worried this book wouldn’t be as good as the first, but when things began to pick up towards the middle of the book, it got so much better. I was on the edge of my seat, craving for the truth to come out and for Quell and Jordan to open their eyes. I was truly surprised about Quell’s grandmother but there were still quite a few predictable events though that didn’t hurt the story any. If anything, it put me on edge even more so knowing what was going to happen yet dreading for when it did. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride of Shadows of Perl and hopefully the next book doesn’t take nearly as long to come out.

With few exceptions, book 2 in a series is always the hardest/slowest for me. That felt true for this book, however the second I finished the book I wanted to immediately reread it because I knew I’d view it completely different knowing what it’s leading to and the book’s conclusion. I don’t know that I have words yet to describe the conclusion of the book. I nearly screamed.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

The way I was obsessed with House of Marionne made me believe that not even the sequel could hold up despite that cliffhanger. i am here to proudly tell you that I was WRONG. There was not one but two new POVs in this book which added to the mystery and I really loved all the added depth to the houses this time. Once again Quell and Jordan continue to have the most intense relationship (ish) and the build up to the end felt very organic. Bring on book three!

NOOOOOOO THAT IS NOT THE WAY IT ENDS!!! The torture that is this series! Reading an arc is rewarding but also torture cause I have to wait that much longer to find out what's next. We pick up a few months after the end of book one as Quell is on the run trying to get a handle on her magic and find her mother. Jordan is on the hunt for her to kill her for her dark magic. The story is leading up to a big battle as Quell & Jordan are making discoveries on what is really going on in the Order. Quell is on a mission for answers and doesn't know who she can trust. Jordan has to make some hard choices between honor and duty. Many questions were answered but so many more came up which is exactly where I like to be in the middle of a trilogy. the reveals in this installment had me completely blindsided. I could barely keep up. I will say Jordan was pissing me off with his self-righteousness, but I still love him. We got 3 POV's Quell, Jordan & Nore which I loved. At the start of the story I could not see how it would all come together and it did seamlessly. It was nice finding out more about Nore and her becoming more of a main character. I am left with so many emotions that I can barely put together a coherent thought. The ending has me in shambles starring at the last page like I cannot believe that just happened. I will be unwell until the final book is announced and released. Well done J. Elle.

The enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies has me feeling so many emotions! I love both Quell & Jordan. It is easy to see both of their perspectives. Learning more about the forbidden magic only makes it more intriguing. I feel like the magic system is unique while also easy to understand. Also, I loved the giant twist at the beginning of this book! I literally squealed. The ending to this has me hoping for more! J. Elle is a fantastic writer.

Absolutely loved this book! J. Elle writes so stunningly and has quickly become an auto-buy author for me :)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I have generally enjoyed this series and the latest installment. The world intrigues me and keeps me engaged and I like the multi POVs the author works with.
This did suffer from a bit of middle book syndrome, feeling like there was both too much and not enough at once. But I’m still looking forward to the final installment.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5

I’m absolutely loving this series. It’s like a mash up of Harry Potter, Twilight, Princess Diaries, and Bridgerton and I’m here for it. I *did* think this was a duology but that is obviously not the case because of the major cliffhanger ending, very excited for the next book 👏🏼

Tropes: enemies to lovers, he takes care of her, only one bed, forced proximity, forbidden magic, cliffhanger ending

Content: 1 heated kissing scene, death of parent, death

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this advanced copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

I have been dying to read this ever since I finished House of Marionne, and it did not disappoint. Shadows of Perl picks up where the last one left off, Quell is on the run with Yagrin (who is disguised as Octos and just so happens to be Jordan’s brother) after choosing to defy the Order and bond with her dark magic, toushana. Jordan has to deal with his conflicting emotions, his love for both Quell and his brother warring with his sense of duty. The absolutely best surprise ever, this book has three POVs, Quell, Jordan, and Nore-- the heir to the House of Ambrose.
Alright, now to my thoughts… I really enjoyed this book. The extra POVs were amazing, they allowed the story to grow and made the book even more enjoyable than the first. Quell, Jordan, and Nore were more fleshed out in this book, and reading each of them deal with their own troubles and mature in their own ways was great. While I loved seeing these three, I’m reallllyyyy hoping Yagrin gets his own POV in the next book, I mean come on, this guy deserves it. That aside, I loved what the author did with the characters.
I was actually surprised at how entertaining this book was. The middle book of a trilogy has a tendency to be a build-up for the big conflict in the third book, and while there was definitely some of that, the book had a story that drew me in. The author did a great job of expanding and explaining more of the world than the first book. While I loved the first book, I had some serious questions about the Houses and the magic system but this book answered a lot of those questions, and I felt like I understood the world a lot better after finishing it.
Okay, before I spoil anything with my rambling I will end with my final thoughts…love love loved it and I absolutely cannot wait for the final installment.

Unfortunately I DNF'ed the first book at twenty-six percent so I will not be continuing the series. I did get a really nice copy of the first book for Goldsboro but it just felt like something I had already read before and I was not connecting with the characters or the story.

thanks to netgalley & razorbill for the free earc in exchange for a fair and honest review!

this was a solid continuation of the plot of the first book. the first third was a little slow, but gradually picked up and become very enjoyable. i love quell and think her storyline is very interesting. i hope characters are more fleshed out later on if the author decides to write a third, as some felt somewhat flat and monotonous.
read this if you like ya fantasy, feuding brothers, and magic.

Shadows of Perl was beautifully complex. It was an intricate weaving of shadow and light amidst elegant world building. It most definitely did not suffer from book 2 syndrome. It was compulsive and surprising.

The characters continued to grow and change. Alliances were formed and broken. Lines were drawn. Loyalties were tested. The multiple points of view actually mattered and were very well differentiated.

The plot thickened in a gracefully, sumptuous way. There were twists and turns galore. There was unpredictability and excitement around every corner. I got Netflix Winx Saga vibes, and I was ultimately satisfied, and left wanting more at the same time!

Make sure you pre-order this beauty!

Thanks Penguin Teen for the e-ARC!

This book had me gripped from go. Takes places right after the events of book 1. The many players involved in this story kept me guessing all the way through. I couldn't put this down. Fantastic story

3.5 stars

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

Initially I was really excited to get this one, the first book I absolutely loved. But for some reason I really struggled to get through this. And while finally, finally at the end we got there, but it felt like there was a lot that maybe we didn't really need in the mix. Felt a smidge clunky for some reason.

Quell is on the run, after binding herself to her magic, Toushanna. Cloaking her dark diadem from others, or it would be in instant give away just what kind of potentially destructive power she is wielding. All she wants to do is find her mother and reunite, and leave this world forever.
And she finds herself being used and betrayed at every turn, even by those who seemingly wish to help her. The Headmistresses of the Houses are out for themselves and the power The Sphere even in its declining state could mean for them. Who can steal or stabilize it for their house?

If they fail to contain the power within, magic is gone forever.

Both Quell, Jordan, Nore, Yagrin all are wracked with their own set of problems and guilt. Guilt for what the order makes them do to each other, for the way they were raised, betrayed in turn by the people they want to be admired by. Eliminating any unmarked people who happen to witness them. Nore finds out exactly what her house requires to inherit it. People who both love and hate each other in equal measure.

Will magic survive? Or will someone get there first?

House of Marionne's sequel promises a thrilling continuation of the magical world, packed with forbidden magic, shocking revelations, and star-crossed lovers forced to become enemies.

Fans of popular fantasy authors like Stephanie Garber, Leigh Bardugo, and Alex Aster are likely to find themselves drawn to this world. The book has a darker tone compared to the first book, with Quell grappling with the consequences of her powers and the search for her mother leading her down a perilous path.

Key elements

Intensifying Plot: Quell's explosive magic has shaken the magical world, unearthing secrets and leaving her ostracized.

Love and Loss: Quell's quest for belonging and her search for her mother come at the cost of a fractured relationship with Jordan.

Duality and Conflict: Quell finds acceptance within House Perl, but hidden truths persist. Jordan, tasked with protecting magic, finds himself
facing a difficult choice – his duty versus Quell, the wielder of forbidden magic.

High Stakes: The blurb emphasizes the cracking Sphere, a brewing war, and the potential destruction of the magical world. Quell and Jordan's choices will determine the future.

If you're looking for a fantasy novel with:

Enemies-to-lovers trope with a tragic twist

A world brimming with magical houses and secrets

A high-stakes plot with the fate of magic hanging in the balance

Then this sequel to House of Marionne might be a captivating read for you.

It took me a little bit to get back into this series (I couldn't remember who Nore was) but it was a decent continuation of the first novel. I'm looking forward to finding out how everything wraps up in the last one.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Shadows of Perl was an AMAZING jump back into the Quell's world, and this time, an adventure. I will admit, it took me a good minute to get back into it, especially since we're thrown two POV's, but once you're about 10-11 chapters in (20%), I was re-hooked. I loved the farther expansion on the lore we were given a glimpse of in the first book, and we really got to see more of the other characters thoughts and motives this time around too. All in all, I really loved it. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.