Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed the first book but this definately felt like a second book, It dragged in places it didn't need to and rushed through things that needed time to breathe. So much was happening and a lot of it was really big but it was resolved really quickly to the point it just became ridiculous. I do like how Dawson tackles very serious and relvant topics, However, one of my issues with the first book that continues to be an issue in this one is Leonie's only personality trait it still just that she's a black lesbian witch. When in reality there's so much more to her character.

I also enjoy that Dawson is not shy when it comes to killing off characters. It's something I can appreaciate in an author.

I do think once again there may have been a few too many POVs but think that they were executed a bit better in this book.

The ending has intrigued me enough to want to read the next one but I worry about the stakes as they were so high in this and they weren't really executed well.

I was originally quite worried about this sequel, the ending of book two had me all turned around and I didn't know how dawson was going to navigate the situation she'd put herself in. But she managed it! And I ended up loving the new, but not new, character that was introduced to us. This world just keeps on growing and getting more complex. The characters too, who often are fighting for 'right' by doing things that are morally wrong. This is sharp, smart and entertaining. Can't wait to see how it wraps up.

An enjoyable read, i did prefer the first book but I still enjoyed book 2 aswell. An engaging read. I will definitely pick more books up by this author and continue to read on.

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future.

Juno Dawson dropped a bomb at the end of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven and she picked it right back up with her bare hands and morphed it into an explosive sequel to match.

I love these witchy books. They are full of action, intrigue, humour, heart, magic, and a set of unforgettable characters.

Dawson’s writing is sharp as a knife. I am always here for a scathing narrative voice that calls out the bullshit in this world. Especially the bullshit that people from marginalised communities have to face every day.

These books go to some pretty dark places, but Dawson doesn’t forget to make room for plenty of humour (that is so British and sassy). Not only does Dawson shine when she’s writing banter between characters, but she also weaves her impeccable wit through the narrative voice.

This series is such a fun and fresh fantasy. I’m so glad these books, and writers like Juno Dawson, exist in this world.

The Shadow Cabinet is a book that has been on my TBR since it first came out. I read and loved Her Majesty’s Royal Coven when it first released, but for some reason I just never jumped straight into the second book. I am definitely kicking myself for not reading this one sooner as this was so good! Juno Dawson is such a fantastic writer, and I’m so glad that she tried her hand at fantasy as this is fast becoming one of my favourite series.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven ended on one hell of a cliffhanger. I remember listening to the audio and covering my eyes (as if that would stop me from hearing it LOLZ) because of what was happening. Regardless of that ending, a part of me believed Niamh was going to make it… so started this book and discovering she was dead (It’s not a spoiler… it’s in the blurb) I was absolutely devastated. But as I listened to more of this book, the more I actually started to really like Ciara. In the first book, she is definitely made out to be the ‘evil twin’ and the first half of this book I definitely still viewed her like that. However, Juno did the impossible and made me end up absolutely loving her. Her story absolutely broke my heart and I will forever be a Ciara fangirl. I adore her.

This book is raw and dark and gritty… just as you can come to expect from a Juno Dawson book. I did find the pacing a little bit slow in the first half, probably due to me having a dislike of Ciara and it took me a while to warm to her as a protagonist and narrator but the second half is just magical. I don’t know what sort of drugs Juno wove into her words but I could not put it down. As I got closer and closer to the end, I was trying to find any spare minute to listen to my audiobook. I love this series so much, I really cannot recommend it enough. I loved every moment of this book and once again I was left with my jaw on the ground. So many twists and turns I did not see coming. Honestly… Juno is the Queen of twists, turns and cliffhangers.

The Shadow Cabinet was a phenomenal follow up to Her Majesty’s Royal Coven and I need the third book immediately. I am not typically a binge reader… I do not like reading more than one book consecutively but if the third book was out, I would be diving into it immediately. Instead, I will be diving into Queen B, the prequel, immediately. If you haven’t started this series, this is your message to do so… immediately!

A brilliant continuation of the story started in book one. Lots of story, which I would expect from a middle book in a trilogy. Looking forward to book 3!

Picks up right where the cliffhanger from Her Majesty's Royal Coven leaves us we are thrown deeper into the world of witches and demons.

This book wasn’t for me but I think it’s because unknown to me this is actually a sequel and I’ve not read the first book so I didn’t fully know the background 😅

At the end of Her Majesty’s Coven, we see Ciara taking over the life of another character and killing them.

Not exactly protagonist material, is that? And yet, in The Shadow Cabinet I did find myself rooting for Ciara. I wanted her to have her redemption arc and be the protagonist we wanted her to be.

In a way she does get it, but it feels realistic. She isn’t perfect, she’s deeply flawed and still makes mistakes, but her character definitely undergoes development which was awesome to watch.

I also really loved seeing Elle come into herself a little more and letting some of her female rage out.

I really enjoy the friendships of the main witches and how they relate to one another. They are all flawed and real in their own ways, and still love each other. And my goodness there is a twist in this book that I did not see coming AT ALL. It was brilliant.

Juno Dawson is masterful in her ability to mimic the vibe of a certain magical book series, but without any of the problematic elements. We know exactly who she is showing up, and I am here for it and loving it.

I am looking forward to the next book so much, it can’t come soon enough.

After averting the prophecy in book one, Ciara is preparing to take over as High Priestess, made even more complicated by the fact she is now occupying her dead sisters, Niamh, body

Ciara is struggling to find her place, given no one really knows who she really is. However, Theo grown suspicious but is also on her own journey as well,

The others, Leonie, who is looking for her brother. Luke, who is dealing with the witch hunters, and other as well, are also featured here with their own POVs seperate mostly from Ciaras but in varying degrees

Most of this book was builing up the to the climax at the end and did feel much like a middle book, but the end was so good and I am really looking forward to book 3

Her Majesty's Royal Coven was such a favorite read and a complete surprise. I had not heard about it beforehand and I ended up absolutely devoring it! So I was pretty much excited to received an ARC for the sequel, and woooow did it deliver! I think it was even stronger than the first one! Honestly, these characters are just amazing and a blast to read and see interacting between each others. I loved everything about this book and I will definitely read anything that Juno Dawson writes!

This series is amazing. The Shadow Cabinet is just as good as the first book, HMRC, and I cannot wait for the third book.
The characters are engaging, the plot fast paced and surprising and the magic element is superb. Dawson is a master!

Wie schon im ersten Teil mochte ich die Diversität. Ich habe bei Band 1 nicht damit gerechnet, aber in Band 2 ging es natürlich genauso weiter. Love it!!
In diesem Band wurde es noch düsterer und die Charaktere haben nochmal ordentlich an Tiefe gewonnen. Ihre Entscheidungen wurden nachvollziehbar, wenn auch in ihren eigenen Denkmustern.
Der Cliffhanger war auch hier wieder mega fies!! Für alle Dark Fantasy Liebhaber, die auf Wert auf Diversität und Weiblichkeit in all ihren Facetten liebt, ist es ein Muss!

Part 2 of the series was as good as the first one if not even more so. The characters and plot pulled you right into the story and did not let loose!

Full of wit, drama and heightened stakes, The Shadow Cabinet manages to give us even more twists and turns that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. In between we also have some really wonderful character moments that will make you both love and hate them even more. A truly masterful sequel from Dawson!

THE SHADOW CABINET returns to the witchy world living in parallel to ours, but one rocked by infighting and loss, and now an enemy returns in the shadows.

Unlike HER MAJESTY'S ROYAL COVEN, which stayed almost exclusively in Hebden Bridge (with the odd bit in Manchester), this book travels across Europe thanks to Leonie. I really liked getting to see some more of the world.

This is not the only thing that makes the book feel more expansive. The plot of the previous book feels pretty tightly focused on Theo and whether she's the sullied child and if Helena will accept her. By contrast, THE SHADOW CABINET is far broader in scope, looking at witch hunters and the war and the various disasters ripping the witchy world to pieces from within and without.

There are five narrators in this book - three new ones given two of the last book's (Niamh and Helena) die in HER MAJESTY'S ROYAL COVEN. Theo gets to speak in this book, which was really nice to see into her head. Ciara was a delight of chaos and morally grey decisions (at best.) Also Luke gets to narrate a few chapters, which was really fun. He was the most surprising of the characters with his revelations.

The finale of this trilogy is hopefully coming next year, and looks like plenty of action to be had as the demons are on the rise.

I've been waiting for this book since THAT TWIST at the end of book #1 and Juno does not disappoint. Her writing is spellbinding and I was so happy/stressed to find out what happened next.

The Shadow Cabinet is book 2 in Juno Dawson's 'Her Majesty's Royal Coven' series where we follow a group of friends and witches. They of course have their own personal struggles but with their friendship bond, they try to help each other through, whilst trying to keep their coven and the world safe.

In this one we have Ciara posing as her twin, trying to keep her identity a secret whilst she is being prepared to become the coven's High Priestess. However Ciara has amnesia and can't remember huge chunks of her life which make things difficult.
Leonie is travelling, trying to find a dark artefact before it gets used for evil.

This book was very fast-paced, full of drama and twists but left again with things unresolved so can't wait for the next one!

Spoiler warning for book one! You have been warned!

trigger warning
<spoiler> human trafficking, trauma, gore, grief, memory loss, cheating, being possessed, misogyny, animal death </spoiler>

After the events of book 1, HMC is a mess and people have been hoping that now it's over, and they can recover.
Of course, that is not how it goes.

I felt that all perspectives were great. Theo thinks she should be happy, she got what she wanted, right? But instead of exploring new possibilities, she frets that this is a fluke and one day she'll wake up with her body like it was at birth.

Ciana ... somehow is not only awake, but in her twins' body. Everyone thinks she is Niamh, and she has to play along to find out who got her here, and has to be careful because there are tons of psychics around who could sense what is up. She has no memories, which doesn't help, either.

Leonie - searching for her brother, finding things nobody has thought possible. She's going biblical in her adventures.

Elle kinda has to solve the mystery in her family. Or rather, first become aware that there is one.

Starts slow, then builds up, leaves with a cliffhanger. Will read on.
The arc was provided by the publisher.