House of Marionne
Teen Fantasy
Razorbill (August 29, 2023)
432
"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 author
BURY YOUR SECRET OR DIE FOR IT.
17 year-old Quell has lived her entire life on the run. She and her mother have fled from city to city, in order to hide the deadly magic that flows through Quell’s veins.
Until someone discovers her dark secret.
To hide from the assassin hunting her, and keep her mother out of harm’s way, Quell reluctantly inducts into a debutante society of magical social elites called the Order that she never knew existed. If she can pass their three rites of membership, mastering their proper form of magic, she’ll be able to secretly bury her forbidden magic forever.
If caught, she will be killed.
But becoming the perfect debutante is a lot harder than Quell imagined, especially when there’s more than tutoring happening with Jordan, her brooding mentor and— assassin in training.
When Quell uncovers the deadly lengths the Order will go to defend its wealth and power, she’s forced to choose: embrace the dark magic she’s been running from her entire life or risk losing everything, and everyone, she’s grown to love.
Still, she fears the most formidable monster she’ll have to face is the one inside.
Brimming with ballgowns and betrayal, magic and mystery, decadence and darkness, House of Marionne is perfect for readers who crave morally gray characters, irresistible romance, dark academia, and a deeply intoxicating and original world.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll read this book and trust absolutely no one. Whenever a story involves high society types I just know everyone is raising their chin with a smile to your face, waiting to pull off a betrayal behind your back. House of Marionne is full of mistrustful people who dress fancy and hold their teacups just right. After all, The House Marionne is one of the oldest and most prestigious houses in magical society. Quell is not excused from the strict house rules and the ruthlessness of the head of house, her grandmother.
Quell is far beyond what House Marionne was expecting as its heir.
Quell has been on the run with her mother for most of her life. She has vague memories of House Marionne and growing up their with her grandmother; however, she knows they’ve ran away to keep her safe. Quell holds a forbidden type of magic. She has never known how to control it, and has grown to fear it. Desperate to keep Quell alive, her mom sends her off alone to escape those tracking them. With no better place to turn, Quell hides within House Marionne. After all, she remembers a loving grandma inside those walls.
To remain in good standing as her grandmother’s heir, Quell is required to play the part of a high-society lady. She endures challenging classes that teach her to use “good” magic while she is secretly suppressing the dark magic. Throw in an attractive yet mysterious mentor for good measure. Afterall, what is life without a confusing love interest to keep you off balance?
I agree with my friend Andonnia when I say that this is J. Elle’s best book yet!
I can’t fully explain why this book is such a jaw dropper because it’s tied into the very end of this book. Throughout House of Marionne there are uneasy allies, and surprising enemies. It’s impossible to know who is telling the truth, mom or grandma. Everyday, Quell is on the precipice of being exposed and executed for a magic she didn’t ask for and can’t change. Quell’s story is unraveling simultaneously to an unnamed villain’s POV and you’ll be surprised when you start to sympathize with him. That is the brilliance of J. Elle’s story telling in this book.
Andonnia and I both are loyal readers of J. Elle and were blessed to read House of Marionne. Check out what she has to say about House of Marionne on booktok!
Kristin lives in the PNW with her husband, and three kids. She loves to read YA fiction, fantasy, and romance. She enjoys a few side-hustles, including creating bookreels/booktoks for authors. The only shows she watches are re-runs, and if she’s not reading a book, she’s listening to one.
