Another unexpected twist and cliffhanger at the end. Can't wait for the third book.

Like the first book I could not stop reading the shadow cabinet.

I love all reading about witches and magic worlds and how they work. As well as how HMRC runs undercover.

Juno Dawson definitely has a way of chewing me up and spitting me right back out.
Without too many spoilers, I definitely wasn't expecting the twists and turns in this book. The ending had me screaming and cheering for our morally grey characters.
Definitely a 5/5 and I wish I had the next book to read immediately.

I DNF'd this book at 31%. I enjoyed the first book, especially the ending and as it was left on quite a cliffhanger I had to dive straight into the second book, but all the niggles I had with the first one became ten times worse with this book. Mainly the dialogue, it was basic (which is fine), but I found it really awkward and cringe. I didn't find the relationships worked on the level I expected, especially for sisters and life long friends. There was just a huge disconnect. And I'm sad to say that one character became insufferable for me. I did as always like the witchy elements and the magical world being integrated into our own, but as more and more characters were added I felt like the main plot was being watered down.

I didn't enjoy this as much as the first in the series, for me there was something missing. Still an enjoyable story.

Juno Dawson does it again. This had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Brilliantly written in a way which made me addicted and couldn't wait to read the next bit. The girls are scattered and completely on edge, and i felt like i definitely got to know the characters more in this one.

4.5 stars.

This was really good, I would say overall I liked it equally as much as HMRC, however this one took me a lot longer to get into. I found initially being in a new perspective quite jarring and even though book 1 and this book were multiple POV the new main perspective in this one took me a good ~30% to settle into.

However once I had settled in this just kept going!!

The things I really enjoyed about this was how we had multiple plots and adventures going on, but those adventures were aware of each other so it didn't feel like we were ever missing out by being in a different perspective or place; the character development we get throughout; and the massive FU to the assholes we have in this book.

Both characters I like and characters I know I shouldn't like were badasses and I can't wait to continue on with the story in the next book especially with the reveals and revelations we had in this one that I still feel like we need to see the fallout from!!

I was so excited for this book to come out after the place that we were left off at the end of Her Majesty's Royal Coven. This book defied my expectations by telling a story that I wasn't expecting but very much appreciated nonetheless. Dawson's writing is always spectacular and this book is no exception. There is also an abundance of social commentary and this book overall just feels very timely.

I am very interested to see where the trilogy goes next considering the events of this book 👀 and will be eagerly awaiting it too.

Absolutely adored this sequel to HMRC I'll never know how Juno Dawson manages to plot such amazing storylines which are hugely satisfying and then end on the biggest of jaw drops! I still hadn't recovered from the end of HMRC when I got hit with another epic ending! Can't wait for the next and for the Anne Boleyn prequel!

This may be a series where I had to read each book twice to fully enjoy them.
While this is the same fast paced read that flows well, I found this was missing something. In a way a lot seems to be happening. But nothing really has time to breathe. I would have liked maybe little less action and more build on more important parts instead.
While I am intrigued enough to read the next book. I hope it's a case of less is more in book three.

Picking up from the battle which stopped the prophecy of the cursed child everything should be settled within Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, but they don’t have a high priestess, and they wanted Njamh, but she is no longer herself. Leonie’s brother is missing presumably hunting down the escaped warlock Hale and the others left in Hebden Bridge are struggling too.

I couldn’t not pick this up once I finished the first book, but I didn’t find it as gripping. If starts with a MASSIVE twist I didn’t see coming, but then I think I found I didn’t really like any of the witches who’s perspective was being told so I didn’t enjoy reading it as much as the first one.
Still a good book though and I’m sure I’ll pick up the third instalment when it’s released.

And I thought the cliffhanger at the end of HMRC was stressful??? It just got worse. I am now extremely impatiently waiting the next book to see how this all ends.
But I love absolutely everything about this series and these characters. I love the dynamics between the characters; they feel very real and authentic. I love the storyline, even though it gets tense and stresses me out and has me itching to keep reading, which, whilst stressful, is honestly the best feeling.
Juno Dawson does an incredible job writing fantasy and Im so excited for the prequel book and the third in this trilogy, and every other book she writes too.

Ahhhhh! I thought I'd given feedback on this one already, but I'm overjoyed I get to revisit it!

I genuinely think Juno Dawson might be trying to break me. She's an absolutely phenomenal writer, and this book is no exception. In The Shadow Cabinet, Dawson deftly crafts her plot, misleading the reader without tricking them. Huge fan!

I struggled with this book in the beginning. As much as I got sucked back into the story, I found the plot slow and plodding. Every time I put it down, I struggled to pick it back up. So much so that my NetGalley ARC expired. However I picked up the audio book and wham! The narrator brought it to life and I only wish I had done the whole thing via audio. I couldn’t stop listening (even at work 🫣) and out my AirPods in any chance I got.

What I really liked about this was Ciara brought that morally grey aspect to life. Seeing the unfolding of her history and the choices she was forced to make and where to ultimately took her too was incredible. The action in the 2nd half of the book is breath taking, the shocking twists gasp inducing. The revelations at the very end? I screamed. Cannot wait for the next book to see the ramifications of everything that has happened.

Have to really recommend the narrator of the audio book - she really brought out all the individual characters and voiced them well. Amazing job!

3.5 Stars

The Shadow Cabinet by Juno Dawson ✨

There’s little I can say about this book without it becoming a spoiler, so I’m going to keep this review very brief. It’s compelling, inclusive, diverse and exciting. It’s the type of book that you just can’t put down and when you finish it you want to get your hands on book no. 3 as quick as possible!

I was absolutely delighted to get an advanced copy of this from @harpercollinsire .The Shadow Cabinet is out on the 8th of June, so if you haven’t read book no. 1 Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, get speed reading.

The follow up to Her Majesties Coven. And I could not wait to get my hands on this I loved the first book . I was excited to what would happen next and was nor disappointed .

I loved this book. The only thing wrong with it was that GOD DAMN CLIFFHANGER. I can not wait for the next one to be released, and to get submerged within this fantastic world yet again.

Firstly, I need to say how much I loved this.
Secondly, HMRC is a mess! The High Priestess is dead and her successor isn’t who anyone thinks she is, Theo’s powers seem to be dwindling, Leonie’s brother has disappeared and she needs to rescue him from Public enemy #1, and Elle’s marital problems take a rather drastic turn. Oh, and there are rather a lot of Witch-finders - and they are most definitely NOT good news. These men are Incels on steroids.

Everyone gets a say, with even a non-witch Prime Minister and his cronies getting a look in, and we learn about Luke’s backstory.

There’s a lot packed in to this story, but I didn’t feel as though any of it was rushed. Leonie’s trip to a long lost coven was fascinating and a bit traumatic (again, there’s a fair bit of trauma in this!)

But the main character in this (and I’m not going to say who it is!) is the real tour de force.

And the ending!!!!

I WILL be reading the third book, absolutely no question! I will be needing to find out how they will all deal with the small Lucifer problem…

5/5 stars! Ughhhh! I love this book so much. It was honestly shocking and stunning and phenomenal. I loved the first book but almost threw up at the ending and had to wait for the sequel. I am so glad this book picked up right where the first one ended...that said; I am MISERABLE I have to wait for book three :(

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series and after that ending I needed to know what would happen with these characters however I just could not get into it.

I don't know what it was but I tried multiple times and cannot get into it.

What an incredible and worthy sequel!!! The first book was so high action and that cliff hanger I was so nervous for this one but oh my god I wasnt let down at all!!