House of Marionne: Bridgerton meets Fourth Wing in this Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller

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House of Marionne is one of the most original fantasies I've ever read. J. Elle has created a lush and beautifully romantic world that is as magical as it is dangerous. Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sun is Also a Star Overall, I think the author maybe just had way too many ideas that they were trying to work with and it got messy trying to combine all of these ideas into a seamless story, leading to a very clunky book. This book offers a darker twist on the enchanting world of Hogwarts, reminiscent of Deadly Education, promising fantasy lovers a thrilling and multifaceted journey they won't want to miss.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/Razorbill for generously providing me with a digital review copy of this captivating book in exchange for my honest thoughts. Inventive, evocative, and epic . House of Marionne is a dazzling magical thrill ride . ― Karen M. McManus, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying Full of magic and intrigue, House of Marionne is perfect escape for fans of fantasies that straddle the edge of our world and transport readers to dazzling, deceptive, and unexpected places." —Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Ballad of Never After I’m going to be honest: I really want to give this book less than 3 stars because my reading experience with this book was rough, to say the least. However, I don’t feel like it’s entirely fair of me to give less than 3 stars because a big part of my issue with this book was just how confused and lost I was the whole time I was reading it. But the thing is, I don’t know if that’s entirely on me or not. I saw that many other reviewers were also confused by this book like I was, so I think I’m right in thinking that there are some issues with the writing, but I can’t pinpoint in what way. Really, I just didn’t understand or have a grasp on the world, the magic system, the stakes, or even most of the character’s motivations (this last one could more so be purposeful on the author’s part, but it didn’t help to keep my attention either). Usually, when I struggle with a book being convoluted, I find that it’s because the author employs a lot of info dumping, but I didn’t actually feel like that was too much of a problem in this book. With that in mind, that’s why I can’t really explain why everything was so confusing and overwhelming, but it just was. The forbidden love story of my wildest dreams. This book is going to delight not only fantasy readers, but romance lovers of all ages!" - Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling authorFrom New York Times bestselling author J. Elle comes a modern-day YA romantic fantasy series opener about a glamorous magical world of social elites, forbidden love, and a dark magic that could destroy it all. A must-read for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J. Maas, and Bridgerton . House of Marionne glitters with magic, deception, and betrayal. Readers will be swept away by Elle’s glamorous world in this enchanting series opener.” —Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches

With House of Marionne, J.Elle lures you through a portal and into an elaborate, enthralling world of magic and monsters and mayhem, where the twists and turns take you—and her characters—places you never expected to go.” —Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the An Ember in the Ashes seriesAs a reader, I was constantly pulled out of the story by wondering why something was happening or by writing that was trying hard to be dramatic without artful prose. The sentence “I searched his eyes for knowing” is seared into my brain. A chandelier is called a candelabra (it’s said to be hanging from the ceiling). “A hushed gasp sweeps” through a room during a ceremony that has happened many times, but we aren’t told what’s different about this time. A hallway “halts” instead of ends. I was initially excited to read this novel because of the concept and comparisons to some of my favorite authors, however, House of Marionne is an utter disappointment, and that is mainly due to the way this book is being promoted. I believe that the mismarketing of this book will ultimately make it suffer. Did I think House of Marionne would be the best book I've ever read? No. But I also didn't expect it to be one of the worst books I've read this year. The world isn’t always described clearly, perhaps because the story is told in present tense by the main character. She’s simultaneously observant of certain things while completely clueless about others. For example, she can see someone who is using magic to be invisible, but then she can’t figure out how to hold a teacup while having tea with her grandmother. I will say, I really did like the twist at the end of the book and I for sure didn’t see it coming! I don’t know if reading the rest of the book was fully worth getting to the twist though because, like I said, I spent so much of this book confused that it wasn’t even really a reward to get a good twist when all was said and done. I nod and Mrs. Broussard pulls an envelope out of her apron. This is the first job Mom ever let me have, because we need the money and Mrs. Broussard doesn’t ask a lot of questions. She pays me in cash and has only ever asked my name once.

Actually experiencing the school aspect of what classes the main character was attending and looking more into the magic that exists in this world.We have Quell, a character whose name bothers me almost as much as America Singer. She has dark magic or something of the like, and she's been on the run all her life with her mom. Yet for some reason never thought to try to get answers from said mom. I don't care what anyone says if my mom was acting shady and cryptic after a while we would be having some words. My envelope from my job slips from my fingers, and I try to dash for it as it tumbles to the pavement. House of Marionne glitters with magic, deception, and betrayal. Readers will be swept away by Elle's glamorous world in this enchanting series opener. Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches