As we reach the last quarter of 2025, THP’s book team wants to acknowledge how many new books we’ve read and reviewed this year. From incredible series starters to jaw-dropping sequels, and now epic trilogy conclusions like Fortress of Ambrose by J. Elle.
Fortress of Ambrose picks up shortly after Shadows of Perl, book two of the House of Marionne trilogy. If you remember, we were left on a huge cliffhanger that had us overthinking for months!
Now we finally get to know what happens to Quell, Jordan, Nore, and Yagrin in this trilogy conclusion. Here are three things we enjoyed most about J. Elle’s Fortress of Ambrose!
Book Overview: Fortress Of Ambrose
Content warnings: death of loved ones, gore, bodies/corpses, mentions of child abuse and abandonment, serious injury, violence, warfare, weapons
Summary: With the future of the Order clouded in uncertainty, and the evil within its ranks coming to the surface, Quell Marionne has nowhere left to turn.
Everyone Quell cares about is gone and she still can’t escape the powerful legacy that wants to destroy her. But when she uncovers an earth-shattering revelation, she must choose: be the hero the magic world needs or save Jordan.
Meanwhile, a darkness festers inside Dragunheart Jordan Wexton. His path to survival means becoming the monster he was bred to hate, if he can overcome the power rotting within himself.
In a world where the line between proper and forbidden magic blurs, Quell and Jordan, along with two unlikely allies – bitter assassin Yagrin Wexton and magicless Heir Nore Ambrose, must navigate a treacherous path where freedom hangs by a thread. Can love tip the scales toward freedom? Or will rivalries and deadly betrayals shatter their hearts and destroy the world they once knew?
Quell & Nore’s Leadership
When it comes to diverse YA fantasies, Fortress of Ambrose and the rest of the House of Marionne trilogy has made it to the top of our list. Each House is led by women, and the line of succession passes from mother to daughter. Quell and Nore both assume the roles of Headmistresses for the House of Marionne and House of Ambrose, respectively. Though they were reluctant to lead at first, these young women endure and sacrifice so much in this book. We can’t help but feel proud of their growth!
Two Core Romances
We love when a fantasy also has a romance or two sprinkled in. Quell and Jordan’s enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies romance in book two brought them back to lovers in Fortress of Ambrose. But the Sphere’s magic in Jordan prevent them from getting close to each other, making it an angsty wait for the moment they could be fully together. Nore and Yagrin’s romance had just as much tension, given Yagrin’s past love with Red and current attraction to Nore without knowing their shared identity.
Breaking Cycles Of Trauma
Another thing we love about Fortress of Ambrose is seeing our main characters overcoming the trauma that all seem to stem from their parents and families. One of the most drastic developments we found in Jordan, whose upbringing made him believe himself to be undeserving of love. It took Quell’s love to make him start to unlearn this traumatic and toxic mindset. Nore also had a notable change once she started to acknowledge her strengths, despite not having magic (to her mother’s great regret).
Themes of character growth, inner strength, and breaking cycles abound in J. Elle’s Fortress of Ambrose, making for a satisfying trilogy finale!
Fortress of Ambrose by J. Elle comes out October 14th, and you can order a copy of it here!
What do you think of the conclusion to the House of Marionne trilogy? Are you planning to read J. Elle’s latest novel, Fortress of Ambrose? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
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