Our 3 Favorite Things About Shadows Of Perl By J. Elle

So many new books have kept THP’s book team busy all season! But with the end of summer creeping near, we’ve noticed the vibes changing to fit the upcoming fall season. One new release we need to discuss is Shadows of Perl by J. Elle.

Shadows of Perl is the second book in J. Elle’s House of Marionne trilogy, a diverse YA fantasy series with forbidden magic, family secrets, and dark academia. Now that Quell Marionne has bound to her toushana magic, she sets out to learn her new powers and find her mother. Meanwhile, Quell’s former lover Jordan Wexton must do everything in his power to protect the already cracked Sphere, even if that means fighting Quell.

One of many highly anticipated sequels this year, Shadows of Perl definitely hooked us, and we already can’t wait for the conclusion. Here are three of our favorite things about Shadows of Perl by J. Elle!

Book Overview: Shadows Of Perl

Content Warnings: death of a parent/grandparent, mention of child abuse, war, violence, some gore

Summary: Quell Marionne’s explosive final Rite of Induction to House Marionne sent shockwaves through the magical world, unearthing long buried secrets and her own deadly power. But she paid a steep price: her family and her love. Fleeing Chateau Soleil for House of Perl, for once Quell is celebrated instead of shunned. She has finally found somewhere to belong. But secrets lurk in every House, and Quell’s quest to find her mom threatens to lead her deeper into the shadows.

Assassin Jordan Wexton, second-in command of the Dragun brotherhood, must protect the source of all magic, the Sphere. Yet the biggest threat to the Sphere is Quell Marionne—the girl he loved, until she claimed the deadly, outlawed toushana. As the Sphere cracks and war brews among the Houses, can the only way to save the world be to kill his own heart?

Now, these two lovers turned enemies must confront their competing ambitions and conflicting loyalties. Or die. The future of magic hangs on their decision.

Three Connecting POVs

In book one, House of Marionne featured Quell as the primary narrator, with a few chapters in Yagrin’s point of view. Its sequel, Shadows of Perl, not only gives us Quell and Jordan’s perspectives, but also Nore, the heir to House of Ambrose. Quell and Jordan reluctantly work together to locate the real Sphere, along with Jordan’s older brother Yagrin. Nore’s mission is to find her House’s secret to immortality. We love how each narrator has a separate stake in this war, but all their paths converge in the final battle for the Sphere.

Lovers To Enemies

We love a good enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies trope, and Shadows of Perl does it so well with Quell and Jordan’s relationship. Naturally, they’re on opposite sides of this war, with Quell trying to take the Sphere’s magic and Jordan trying to protect it. But when they’re forced to work together, it becomes more difficult for either of them to hide the lingering hurt and affection. And the angstiest part? Jordan can feel Quell’s emotions because a piece of his magic is still bound to her heart.

The Cliffhanger Ending

Don’t worry; we won’t spoil the ending of Shadows of Perl. But we’re all ears if anyone has any tips for surviving a giant cliffhanger. Because after everything that happened in the final battle, what could possibly happen now? To Quell and Jordan? To Yagrin, Nore, and the rest of our beloved cast? As far as book three predictions go, we’re hopeful that the new generation will shake up the ways of the magical world. We just don’t know how long it’ll take a certain character to recover before that.

Shadows of Perl by J. Elle comes out September 3rd, and you can preorder a copy of it here!

Are you excited to read Shadows of Perl? What are your predictions for the ending of J. Elle’s House of Marionne trilogy? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT J. ELLE:
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