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izzy_obert's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
spunglass's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP for the digital ARC of "House of Marionne" by J.Elle.
Pro: The magic system, and House set up was pretty intriguing; as well as looking at how the different types of magic develop.
The 3 Rites system of induction was also interesting... but there did still seem to be parts that could be developed better.
Con: Insecure and hypocritical characters (this always bothers me): I get that it's supposed to help show growth of the character, but Quell spends about 87% of the book trying to be something she's not - for acceptance, and to not be "cursed". Everyone hides in the shadows, and lives a lie - Jordan, the Grandmother, and even Yagrin. It was all very frustrating, especially when realizing how much manipulation is going on behind the scenes. The toushana... Is it good? Is it bad? I still have no idea.
I do believe this would be a book my students this year would enjoy. It has the hinted enemies to lovers trope that so many love. The magic system is very well developed. I think the only downside as a teen reader, would be the uncertainty of what to trust while reading.
3.5/5 (rounding up to a 4)
Pro: The magic system, and House set up was pretty intriguing; as well as looking at how the different types of magic develop.
The 3 Rites system of induction was also interesting... but there did still seem to be parts that could be developed better.
Con: Insecure and hypocritical characters (this always bothers me): I get that it's supposed to help show growth of the character, but Quell spends about 87% of the book trying to be something she's not - for acceptance, and to not be "cursed". Everyone hides in the shadows, and lives a lie - Jordan, the Grandmother, and even Yagrin. It was all very frustrating, especially when realizing how much manipulation is going on behind the scenes. The toushana... Is it good? Is it bad? I still have no idea.
I do believe this would be a book my students this year would enjoy. It has the hinted enemies to lovers trope that so many love. The magic system is very well developed. I think the only downside as a teen reader, would be the uncertainty of what to trust while reading.
3.5/5 (rounding up to a 4)
darquedreamer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Alluring. Dark. Thrilling. House of Marionne was stunning, elegant and magical. Full of glitz and glamor. Heart pounding.
It was Gilmore Girls meets Harry Potter mixed with the magic of Rachel Griffin's books. It had The Princess Diaries vibes and the nostalgia of The Mortal Instruments series. It was everything I had hoped it would be, and more!
It was a fiery story about a brave young woman trying to cage the wild in her because of fear and society's expectations. It was about finding her true self and reflecting inward, deciding whether to embrace her darkness, while navigating the dangerous, exciting new world she'd entered. And, it was about the feeling of home, family, friendship, and young love.
Daring. Spectacular. Passionate. J. Elle crafted a beautifully unique world, dynamic characters, and a story worth falling for!
It was Gilmore Girls meets Harry Potter mixed with the magic of Rachel Griffin's books. It had The Princess Diaries vibes and the nostalgia of The Mortal Instruments series. It was everything I had hoped it would be, and more!
It was a fiery story about a brave young woman trying to cage the wild in her because of fear and society's expectations. It was about finding her true self and reflecting inward, deciding whether to embrace her darkness, while navigating the dangerous, exciting new world she'd entered. And, it was about the feeling of home, family, friendship, and young love.
Daring. Spectacular. Passionate. J. Elle crafted a beautifully unique world, dynamic characters, and a story worth falling for!
kperezrickels's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nyxrose_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
IM SORRY WTF. THE ENDING WHAT??? SEPTEMBER COULDN'T COME FASTER!!! I guess we found out who yargin is 😠the last 90 pages were absolutely CRAZY actually INSANE
phoenix2's review against another edition
1.0
House of Marionne is the first (?) book of a magical story about witches, schools of power and forbidden love.
The setting of the story is brilliant. The magic system, the politics, the houses, the mystery of Quell's family, everything is intriguing and interesting to follow. And I do wish it went deeper into the magic system and the politics of each house, but the story focused more on the romance and the trials.
In addition, the book had too many names and too many terms that got out of hand and it was difficult to remember them all, thus, it often got confusing and difficult to follow what was happening.
Also, the book tended to be more of a Harry Potter teaching system blended with the school for princesses, which resulted in a lot of balls and tea parties and not that much of magic and even progress for the story.
Moreover, most of the twists were easily and conveniently solved, with no evident circumstances or aftermath.
Finally, the romance was too instant-rushed and it felt like just because she is the main character and he is like the only boy in school they HAD to be together. Mostly, it was forced and the magnitude of feelings that were created between the two of them was unconvincing.
Hopefully, the continuations (judging from the ending, there will be a second book at least) will focus more on the witchy power struggles and on Quell figuring out her magic and her place in the world.
The setting of the story is brilliant. The magic system, the politics, the houses, the mystery of Quell's family, everything is intriguing and interesting to follow. And I do wish it went deeper into the magic system and the politics of each house, but the story focused more on the romance and the trials.
In addition, the book had too many names and too many terms that got out of hand and it was difficult to remember them all, thus, it often got confusing and difficult to follow what was happening.
Also, the book tended to be more of a Harry Potter teaching system blended with the school for princesses, which resulted in a lot of balls and tea parties and not that much of magic and even progress for the story.
Moreover, most of the twists were easily and conveniently solved, with no evident circumstances or aftermath.
Finally, the romance was too instant-rushed and it felt like just because she is the main character and he is like the only boy in school they HAD to be together. Mostly, it was forced and the magnitude of feelings that were created between the two of them was unconvincing.
Hopefully, the continuations (judging from the ending, there will be a second book at least) will focus more on the witchy power struggles and on Quell figuring out her magic and her place in the world.
notrae07's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5