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The Shadows Between Us #2
The Darkness Within Us
Chrysantha Stathos has won.
By hiding her intelligence and ambition behind the mask of a beautiful air-headed girl, she has gathered important secrets, earned her father’s constant care, and become a wealthy duchess—all by age nineteen. Now, she is only one elderly, dying duke away from having all the freedom, money, and safety she’s ever wanted.
Or so she thought.
Turns out her little sister somehow snatched the true victory away from her: Alessandra is wedding the Shadow King, the most powerful man in the world. Meanwhile, after the death of Chrysantha’s no-good, lecherous husband, a man claiming to be the duke’s estranged grandson turns up to inherit everything that should be hers.
Chrysantha is enraged. There is no way that she’s going to let some man take everything from her. Never mind that he’s extremely handsome and secretive and alluring with mysterious powers… No, Chrysantha wants Eryx Demos dead, and in the end, a Stathos girl always gets what she wants.
By hiding her intelligence and ambition behind the mask of a beautiful air-headed girl, she has gathered important secrets, earned her father’s constant care, and become a wealthy duchess—all by age nineteen. Now, she is only one elderly, dying duke away from having all the freedom, money, and safety she’s ever wanted.
Or so she thought.
Turns out her little sister somehow snatched the true victory away from her: Alessandra is wedding the Shadow King, the most powerful man in the world. Meanwhile, after the death of Chrysantha’s no-good, lecherous husband, a man claiming to be the duke’s estranged grandson turns up to inherit everything that should be hers.
Chrysantha is enraged. There is no way that she’s going to let some man take everything from her. Never mind that he’s extremely handsome and secretive and alluring with mysterious powers… No, Chrysantha wants Eryx Demos dead, and in the end, a Stathos girl always gets what she wants.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published July 9, 2024
About the author
Tricia Levenseller
17 books15.3k followersInitially from a small town in Oregon, Tricia now lives next to the Rocky Mountains with her bossy dog, Rosy. She received her degree in English Language and editing and is thrilled that she never has to read a textbook again. When she’s not writing or reading, Tricia enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing volleyball, playing OVERWATCH, and watching shows while eating extra-buttered popcorn.
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July 18, 20247/17/24 WE HIT #1 ON THE NEW YORK TIMES!!! Thank you so much everyone for supporting this book!
10/19/23 THE COVER IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4/23/23 We have a book description up now! I’m so close to finishing this one. It will release next year! I hope you are all excited to meet the real Chrysantha.
11/23/21 My friends, I'm sorry to say that the sales team has made changes to my publication schedule, and this book is being pushed back to 2024. The good news is you are getting another pirate book from me in 2023 instead. Be sure to check out VENGEANCE OF THE PIRATE QUEEN (shorturl.at/jrMRZ) on Goodreads. My new publishing schedule for those interested:
Summer 2022: Master of Iron
Summer 2023: Vengeance of the Pirate Queen
Summer 2024: The Darkness within Us
Summer 2025: Trilogy book 1
Winter 2026: Trilogy book 2
Summer 2026: Trilogy book 3
7/25/21 So excited this deal announcement is finally live! I have 30,000 words written on this project so far. Let me just say that I cannot wait for you all to meet the real Chrysantha.
Some FAQs:
Is this a sequel to The Shadows Between Us?
—No, it is a companion novel. Same world; different couple. It will also be a standalone.
Will Alessandra and Kallias be in the book?
—They might have a quick cameo appearance, but they are by no means the focus of the story.
So who is the focus of the book, then?
—That would be Alessandra’s older sister, Chrysantha, who we never saw in SHADOWS, just heard about through Alessandra’s POV. It’s safe to say that her opinion of her sister might be wrong…
Will this book be another dark romance?
—YAS
Why is this book coming out all the way in 2023?
—Because Master of Iron releases in 2022. You’re still getting a book a year from me as usual. Though you’ll get the books from my upcoming trilogy even faster than that!
10/19/23 THE COVER IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4/23/23 We have a book description up now! I’m so close to finishing this one. It will release next year! I hope you are all excited to meet the real Chrysantha.
11/23/21 My friends, I'm sorry to say that the sales team has made changes to my publication schedule, and this book is being pushed back to 2024. The good news is you are getting another pirate book from me in 2023 instead. Be sure to check out VENGEANCE OF THE PIRATE QUEEN (shorturl.at/jrMRZ) on Goodreads. My new publishing schedule for those interested:
Summer 2022: Master of Iron
Summer 2023: Vengeance of the Pirate Queen
Summer 2024: The Darkness within Us
Summer 2025: Trilogy book 1
Winter 2026: Trilogy book 2
Summer 2026: Trilogy book 3
7/25/21 So excited this deal announcement is finally live! I have 30,000 words written on this project so far. Let me just say that I cannot wait for you all to meet the real Chrysantha.
Some FAQs:
Is this a sequel to The Shadows Between Us?
—No, it is a companion novel. Same world; different couple. It will also be a standalone.
Will Alessandra and Kallias be in the book?
—They might have a quick cameo appearance, but they are by no means the focus of the story.
So who is the focus of the book, then?
—That would be Alessandra’s older sister, Chrysantha, who we never saw in SHADOWS, just heard about through Alessandra’s POV. It’s safe to say that her opinion of her sister might be wrong…
Will this book be another dark romance?
—YAS
Why is this book coming out all the way in 2023?
—Because Master of Iron releases in 2022. You’re still getting a book a year from me as usual. Though you’ll get the books from my upcoming trilogy even faster than that!
July 13, 2024
Did I ask for this book?
- No
Am I still gonna read it?
- Hell Yesss!!
edit:
well i read it!!! and it was so fun!! obviously this wasn't a necessary addition but it sure as hell wasn't a bad one.
Chrysantha is so easy to love. she is fun, loves pink, sarcastic, loves reading, vicious, manipulative, has a mean streak, and is ready to kill a man or two when they get in her way. what's there not to like?
Tricia Levenseller absolutely did her character justice.
The romance was so unbearably adorable too.
constant banter, fighting, arguing with each other. HOT. sign me up anytime.
I did not think this book would serve this hard but it did and no one is happier than me right now.
- No
Am I still gonna read it?
- Hell Yesss!!
edit:
well i read it!!! and it was so fun!! obviously this wasn't a necessary addition but it sure as hell wasn't a bad one.
Chrysantha is so easy to love. she is fun, loves pink, sarcastic, loves reading, vicious, manipulative, has a mean streak, and is ready to kill a man or two when they get in her way. what's there not to like?
Tricia Levenseller absolutely did her character justice.
The romance was so unbearably adorable too.
constant banter, fighting, arguing with each other. HOT. sign me up anytime.
I did not think this book would serve this hard but it did and no one is happier than me right now.
Want to read
July 31, 2021Since this book is about Chrysantha I pray that she is not as naive and innocent as people made her out to be in the first book. I hope she has a fire of her own that she conceals well.
Unlike Taryn from The Folk of the Air, whose novella I simply refused to read, I don't yet have a strong impression of Chrys so I'm going into this with an open mind.
Unlike Taryn from The Folk of the Air, whose novella I simply refused to read, I don't yet have a strong impression of Chrys so I'm going into this with an open mind.
July 12, 2024
3.75 Stars
I was captivated by Chrysantha's character. Despite her initial appearance of naivety, her hidden cunning and independence made her a compelling protagonist. The witty and fun banter between the two main characters was entertaining, and the expansion of the shadow's history was a welcome addition. Surprisingly, I found this book even more enjoyable than the first novel!
***Thank you to NetGalley, Tricia Levenseller, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
I was captivated by Chrysantha's character. Despite her initial appearance of naivety, her hidden cunning and independence made her a compelling protagonist. The witty and fun banter between the two main characters was entertaining, and the expansion of the shadow's history was a welcome addition. Surprisingly, I found this book even more enjoyable than the first novel!
***Thank you to NetGalley, Tricia Levenseller, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
July 16, 2024
2.5✨
I’m very conflicted with this one. It was difficult to set myself on a rating but I’ll leave it at that for now.
1. The sibling relationship between Alessandra & Chrysantha was very problematic to me. Especially considering that the eldest sibling is supposed to protect the youngest but Chrysantha completely abandoned Alessandra and was always shitting on her success.
2. The way laws were handled were very unrealistic. Everyone can get away with murder if the king and queen likes them lmao… I’m surprised there weren’t any successful rebellions or murder attempts.
3. Unfortunately, there was a lack of romance. I couldn’t get on with those 2. I couldn’t feel the chemistry and the third act breakup slapped me in the face at the end.
4. The characters were extremely immature for 18-19yo. Not only immaturity but extreme emotional immaturity as well.
5. I loathed both Eryx & Chrysantha. I don’t remember the last time I disliked MC’s so much.
The things I liked can be summed up very quickly : feminism was well portrayed. The power men hold in the world was well portrayed. Feminine rage was well portrayed. Kyros and Nico were absolute cuties.
I had high expectations after loving the first book so much 🥺
—-•
Pre read : I would read Tricia Levenseller’s groceries list
I’m very conflicted with this one. It was difficult to set myself on a rating but I’ll leave it at that for now.
1. The sibling relationship between Alessandra & Chrysantha was very problematic to me. Especially considering that the eldest sibling is supposed to protect the youngest but Chrysantha completely abandoned Alessandra and was always shitting on her success.
2. The way laws were handled were very unrealistic. Everyone can get away with murder if the king and queen likes them lmao… I’m surprised there weren’t any successful rebellions or murder attempts.
3. Unfortunately, there was a lack of romance. I couldn’t get on with those 2. I couldn’t feel the chemistry and the third act breakup slapped me in the face at the end.
4. The characters were extremely immature for 18-19yo. Not only immaturity but extreme emotional immaturity as well.
5. I loathed both Eryx & Chrysantha. I don’t remember the last time I disliked MC’s so much.
The things I liked can be summed up very quickly : feminism was well portrayed. The power men hold in the world was well portrayed. Feminine rage was well portrayed. Kyros and Nico were absolute cuties.
I had high expectations after loving the first book so much 🥺
—-•
Pre read : I would read Tricia Levenseller’s groceries list
April 10, 2024
Guess who is an arc girly now?? 🤭 First arc!!
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the arc in exchange for an honest review! I’m incredibly grateful!
3.75 Stars
“I think we are a good match.” “If you think fire and oil are a good match.” “Exactly. Together we could burn the world down if we wanted to.” “What if I don’t want to burn down the world? What if all I want is my quiet country life?” “Then I’ll burn anyone who tries to take it away from you.”
Keeping this short, sweet, to the point and fun just like this book.
In the beautiful words by Taylor Swift in ‘All Too Well 10 Minute Version’ also known as the only version to me (and by many many before and after her)… “F*ck The Patriarchy”!
TL’s fmcs are always unapologetic and real! I didn’t know how I would feel about Chrysantha in the beginning. It seems like other readers were set to not like her at all based on the brief mention of her in book one, but I held out hope and was not disappointed. She proved herself more and more, and in my opinion gives off the Slytherin cunning-feels more than her sister did. Honestly book 2 gave me more of what I was looking for in every aspect. Swoon worthy? Check. Trope Heaven? Check. Morally grey? Check. “Devilishly” handsome man with a “monster-ish” temper and smirk that makes you tingle? …check check check!
I crushed this in a day because of how consumed by it I was. There are a few downsides to this that lowered my rating, and that is because it had lulls where I would space out some. The plot lost itself at times. It became too clique and predictable every now and then. Put that all aside and you’re in for a good ol’ time still. Book one set up my expectations so if you enjoyed it, then you’ll get an even bigger kick with butterflies in the stomach from its accompanying book, “The Darkness Within Us”.
“I never hated you— well, maybe a little. Mostly I hated how easily you got under my skin.”
*Trigger Warnings*:
Death, Violence, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexism, Classism, Injury, Gaslighting, Poisoning, etc.
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the arc in exchange for an honest review! I’m incredibly grateful!
3.75 Stars
“I think we are a good match.” “If you think fire and oil are a good match.” “Exactly. Together we could burn the world down if we wanted to.” “What if I don’t want to burn down the world? What if all I want is my quiet country life?” “Then I’ll burn anyone who tries to take it away from you.”
Keeping this short, sweet, to the point and fun just like this book.
In the beautiful words by Taylor Swift in ‘All Too Well 10 Minute Version’ also known as the only version to me (and by many many before and after her)… “F*ck The Patriarchy”!
TL’s fmcs are always unapologetic and real! I didn’t know how I would feel about Chrysantha in the beginning. It seems like other readers were set to not like her at all based on the brief mention of her in book one, but I held out hope and was not disappointed. She proved herself more and more, and in my opinion gives off the Slytherin cunning-feels more than her sister did. Honestly book 2 gave me more of what I was looking for in every aspect. Swoon worthy? Check. Trope Heaven? Check. Morally grey? Check. “Devilishly” handsome man with a “monster-ish” temper and smirk that makes you tingle? …check check check!
I crushed this in a day because of how consumed by it I was. There are a few downsides to this that lowered my rating, and that is because it had lulls where I would space out some. The plot lost itself at times. It became too clique and predictable every now and then. Put that all aside and you’re in for a good ol’ time still. Book one set up my expectations so if you enjoyed it, then you’ll get an even bigger kick with butterflies in the stomach from its accompanying book, “The Darkness Within Us”.
“I never hated you— well, maybe a little. Mostly I hated how easily you got under my skin.”
*Trigger Warnings*:
Death, Violence, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexism, Classism, Injury, Gaslighting, Poisoning, etc.
August 19, 2021
just giving it five stars because of that someone that decided to give it one star since they "haven't read it" yet lmao
July 17, 2024
I finally got!!! Please be just as good as the first book!
…………………………………………:.:::::……………………..
7 more days!! 7 more days!!7 more days!!
💜💜💜 Only 5 more months to go!!! 💜💜💜
.................................
2024 is so far away 😢
I want this book now!!!
…………………………………………:.:::::……………………..
7 more days!! 7 more days!!7 more days!!
💜💜💜 Only 5 more months to go!!! 💜💜💜
.................................
2024 is so far away 😢
I want this book now!!!
June 22, 2024
Rated 4.5/5 stars
July 16, 2024
"I love you. I fought loving you, but it was as inevitable as the sun rising every day. For you are my equal in nearly every way and my superior in all the rest."
I'm slowly getting back into romantasies and this was an enjoyable one. We have a mysterious MMC who is giving shadow daddy. And an FMC who is a badass with her rhetoric and wit.
I would say my biggest complaint is the length, so the pacing was off for me. If this was a little longer, more of the storyline could have been fleshed out and the relationship would have developed a little more naturally, but all that aside I really enjoyed the dynamic between Eryx and Chrysantha. She never once took his crap and gave as much as she got.
And I would have loved to have seen this as dual POV. That's what happens when you have these really great, mysterious MMCs that you just want to know more about them in whatever way you can.
But overall, this was was nice, fast read that I would absolutely recommend 🩷
I'm slowly getting back into romantasies and this was an enjoyable one. We have a mysterious MMC who is giving shadow daddy. And an FMC who is a badass with her rhetoric and wit.
I would say my biggest complaint is the length, so the pacing was off for me. If this was a little longer, more of the storyline could have been fleshed out and the relationship would have developed a little more naturally, but all that aside I really enjoyed the dynamic between Eryx and Chrysantha. She never once took his crap and gave as much as she got.
And I would have loved to have seen this as dual POV. That's what happens when you have these really great, mysterious MMCs that you just want to know more about them in whatever way you can.
But overall, this was was nice, fast read that I would absolutely recommend 🩷
July 17, 2024
r/AmItheAsshole
Am I the AH for wearing white to my sister's wedding to the shadow king and ratting out my nemesis as a con artist before even cutting the cake?
Fun! Fun! Fun!
“That we are. We are as arrogant as the gods, deciding who gets to live or die.”
“If the gods didn’t want us killing men, then they shouldn’t have allowed them to hurt us so much.”
You get taken out by a pillow?
Horns?
Best boss ever founding a Book club
Nico on a random Tuesday
Happy couple
The King and Queen waiting till they're done
Am I the AH for wearing white to my sister's wedding to the shadow king and ratting out my nemesis as a con artist before even cutting the cake?
Fun! Fun! Fun!
“That we are. We are as arrogant as the gods, deciding who gets to live or die.”
“If the gods didn’t want us killing men, then they shouldn’t have allowed them to hurt us so much.”
You get taken out by a pillow?
Horns?
Best boss ever founding a Book club
Nico on a random Tuesday
Happy couple
The King and Queen waiting till they're done
July 5, 2024
pre-read:
YYAAAAYYYY finally got an arc
can't wait 🤩
_________________________
➸ 4.5 ⭐️
loved this almost as much as The Shadows Between Us !!
As someone who absolutely adored The Shadows Between Us when it first came out, and even now after my reread more than 4 years later, I was super excited to get my hands on this sequel/spin off/companion novel.
It did not disappoint.
I was unsure at first if I'll love Chrysantha as much, because—in the words of our dear Petros—I'm loyal to her sister, but with everything we learn about her and the way she grows, I was helpless to her charms.
Chrysantha is similar to Alessandra, they're sisters after all, but she's still her own person (character?). Even though she has Alessandra's ruthless streak and she's almost as morally grey/villainous as her, Chrysantha is also very different in other ways—she loves to read, she cares about the people around her, she just wants to be left alone in peace—and it didn't feel like I was reading the same story but with a different title.
The love interest-Eryx-is as mysterious and as interesting as Kallias, I absolutely loved him. I loved the whole knife-to-throat and hidden monstrous side we get in this book. And his banter with Chrysantha is hilarious — there's so much tension from the moment they meet and it's excellent.
Where TSBU takes place in the palace and there's a lot of court intrigue and machinations, TDWU mostly takes place at Chrysantha's estate, so it gives the story very strong Beauty and the Beast vibes. I couldn't help draw the comparison and it makes a lot of sense given what type of characters Eryx and Chrysantha are. Perhaps this is the main reason why I love TSBU a little bit more — I prefer the palace setting, and I think the plot of TSBU is more entertaining and to a point I even find Alessandra and Kallias more interesting and more fun.
When it comes to the pacing they are both equally fast paced and both books are equally captivating.
The ending felt a little rushed, so much happened in that last chapter, I feel like the story could've been expanded in a few places *sighs*. The bonus epilogue in the Fairyloot edition helped though and the deleted scene was super fun but I'm so happy TL decided to include the wedding instead.
It was SO MUCH FUN coming back this world—I absolutely adore that we get to see Kallias and Alessandra's wedding and what they are up to, I also love that Chrysantha and Alessandra are able to reconnect and hopefully fix their relationship.
I really hope this is not the last we've seen of Chrysantha and Eryx and Alessandra and Kallias.
eternal gratitude to netgalley and the publisher for the arc
all quotes are from an advance copy and may differ in the final publication
YYAAAAYYYY finally got an arc
can't wait 🤩
_________________________
➸ 4.5 ⭐️
loved this almost as much as The Shadows Between Us !!
"You. You make me forget all my rules and reasons for everything. You make me want to believe it's possible not to be alone forever. You make me want to claim the whole world and gift it to you on a silver platter. You are unlike anyone I've ever known. And gods, but I love your mouth. The way it smiles. The words that come out of it. How it feels against mine. Just looking at your lips makes my mouth water."
As someone who absolutely adored The Shadows Between Us when it first came out, and even now after my reread more than 4 years later, I was super excited to get my hands on this sequel/spin off/companion novel.
It did not disappoint.
I was unsure at first if I'll love Chrysantha as much, because—in the words of our dear Petros—I'm loyal to her sister, but with everything we learn about her and the way she grows, I was helpless to her charms.
Chrysantha is similar to Alessandra, they're sisters after all, but she's still her own person (character?). Even though she has Alessandra's ruthless streak and she's almost as morally grey/villainous as her, Chrysantha is also very different in other ways—she loves to read, she cares about the people around her, she just wants to be left alone in peace—and it didn't feel like I was reading the same story but with a different title.
She smiles. "[. . .] How fortunate that both our men survived us."
"We Stathos sisters are a force to be reckoned with."
The love interest-Eryx-is as mysterious and as interesting as Kallias, I absolutely loved him. I loved the whole knife-to-throat and hidden monstrous side we get in this book. And his banter with Chrysantha is hilarious — there's so much tension from the moment they meet and it's excellent.
"At least it's not pink," he mutters.
"What did the color ever do to you?"
"It's distasteful—and you can close your mouth right now. I don't wish to hear your comment about me being just as distasteful to match."
I close my mouth, almost embarrassed that he predicted my comment perfectly.
"Remind me how long of a ride it is to the palace," he says.
"A few hours."
He massages his temples. "I don't think I'll survive it."
Where TSBU takes place in the palace and there's a lot of court intrigue and machinations, TDWU mostly takes place at Chrysantha's estate, so it gives the story very strong Beauty and the Beast vibes. I couldn't help draw the comparison and it makes a lot of sense given what type of characters Eryx and Chrysantha are. Perhaps this is the main reason why I love TSBU a little bit more — I prefer the palace setting, and I think the plot of TSBU is more entertaining and to a point I even find Alessandra and Kallias more interesting and more fun.
When it comes to the pacing they are both equally fast paced and both books are equally captivating.
The ending felt a little rushed, so much happened in that last chapter, I feel like the story could've been expanded in a few places *sighs*. The bonus epilogue in the Fairyloot edition helped though and the deleted scene was super fun but I'm so happy TL decided to include the wedding instead.
It was SO MUCH FUN coming back this world—I absolutely adore that we get to see Kallias and Alessandra's wedding and what they are up to, I also love that Chrysantha and Alessandra are able to reconnect and hopefully fix their relationship.
I really hope this is not the last we've seen of Chrysantha and Eryx and Alessandra and Kallias.
eternal gratitude to netgalley and the publisher for the arc
all quotes are from an advance copy and may differ in the final publication
March 24, 2024
Wow. I genuinely did not want this one to end!! Let me just start by saying that I absolutely loved ‘The Shadows Between Us’ and was a bit weary of a sequel... BUT, Tricia Levenseller did not let us down!!!
This book follows Chrysantha, Alessandra’s older sister, and takes place around where the first book left off. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we hated Chrysantha, but this book was able to shine a light on to what her life has been like and why she is the way she is. She is such a fierce, determined, ruthless, independent, yet surprisingly kind and lovable character (not so unlike Alessandra herself).
The enemies to lovers trope in this book gave me serious whiplash (in the best way)! I did NOT think that I could ever come to love the MMC, but by the end of the book I was eating my words! This romance was chefs kiss!
This one is a must read. Release date is 7/9/24!!!
This book follows Chrysantha, Alessandra’s older sister, and takes place around where the first book left off. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we hated Chrysantha, but this book was able to shine a light on to what her life has been like and why she is the way she is. She is such a fierce, determined, ruthless, independent, yet surprisingly kind and lovable character (not so unlike Alessandra herself).
The enemies to lovers trope in this book gave me serious whiplash (in the best way)! I did NOT think that I could ever come to love the MMC, but by the end of the book I was eating my words! This romance was chefs kiss!
This one is a must read. Release date is 7/9/24!!!
May 2, 2024
Such an exciting read! I truly LOVED the FMC! It was interesting to watch her character development throughout the story. I was also super intrigued by the new mysterious MMC. So many twists and turns. The author truly has a beautiful way with world building and making the words seem together flawlessly. I felt like I was on an entire adventure in a new world the entire time. Definitely worth reading! And that ending 🤌 All around a great read. Plus the narrator was SUPERB with storytelling and truly embodying the female main character's personality. I feel the audiobook made it even better of an experience for me!
I received this ARC in audiobook format from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to this audiobook.
I received this ARC in audiobook format from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to this audiobook.
Want to read
June 18, 20216/17/2021: The Darkness Within Us will be a companion novel to the author's bestselling The Shadows Between Us focusing on Alessandra's sister, and is slated for 2023.
Source: Publishers Weekly
Source: Publishers Weekly
Want to read
November 28, 2021The Shadows Between Us didn't need a sequel.
But I am so glad it's getting one!
But I am so glad it's getting one!
July 13, 2024
**𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘** 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝑼𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓
Release Date: July 9, 2024
4⭐️2🌶
This book is one of the few occasions where the second book is better than the first. The main characters are more morally grey than morally black like the first book. However, they're only in it for themselves. They kill others more for self protection and for protecting others. This is sort of like a beauty and the beast retelling, but if Beauty already owns the house and the Beast inherits the house and they fight over who has the rights to the properties.
I found this book rather entertaining. The FMC is very strong and doesn't want any male to tell her how to live her life, and I admire that. The MMC is dark and twisted and has delt with his magical powers since he was young.
Release Date: July 9, 2024
4⭐️2🌶
This book is one of the few occasions where the second book is better than the first. The main characters are more morally grey than morally black like the first book. However, they're only in it for themselves. They kill others more for self protection and for protecting others. This is sort of like a beauty and the beast retelling, but if Beauty already owns the house and the Beast inherits the house and they fight over who has the rights to the properties.
I found this book rather entertaining. The FMC is very strong and doesn't want any male to tell her how to live her life, and I admire that. The MMC is dark and twisted and has delt with his magical powers since he was young.
July 9, 2024
4.25⭐️
Go read this right now!! As I did not remember much from "Shadows Between Us", I walked blindly into this one and it did not disappoint. Chrysantha was completely unhinged and bat-sh*t crazy - AND I WAS SO THERE FOR IT. To be fair, sometimes it felt like she was being childish and reckless in her actions but it just proved how desperate and devoted to her cause she was. At first, Eryx was not my favourite and I was kind of hoping she would ditch him for the single father, but later on I grew fond of him! The sisterly relationship in this book was like a balm to the scars left after Alessandra's story. We definitely need more heroines like those two in romantasy!! I have to say that I didn't care much for the ending of this book and felt like it could be adjusted to fit the characters a bit more. Also, there were some slight logical gaps that caught my attention (the existence of electricity was not mentioned once in this story, but it was stated that the basement was the only room not connected to it?), but I didn't mind those much. Overall, great story, which I will absolutely recommend everyone needing a fun and light read involving drama and ballrooms!!
Go read this right now!! As I did not remember much from "Shadows Between Us", I walked blindly into this one and it did not disappoint. Chrysantha was completely unhinged and bat-sh*t crazy - AND I WAS SO THERE FOR IT. To be fair, sometimes it felt like she was being childish and reckless in her actions but it just proved how desperate and devoted to her cause she was. At first, Eryx was not my favourite and I was kind of hoping she would ditch him for the single father, but later on I grew fond of him! The sisterly relationship in this book was like a balm to the scars left after Alessandra's story. We definitely need more heroines like those two in romantasy!! I have to say that I didn't care much for the ending of this book and felt like it could be adjusted to fit the characters a bit more. Also, there were some slight logical gaps that caught my attention (the existence of electricity was not mentioned once in this story, but it was stated that the basement was the only room not connected to it?), but I didn't mind those much. Overall, great story, which I will absolutely recommend everyone needing a fun and light read involving drama and ballrooms!!
September 4, 2021
Leaving a 5 star because apparently people don't know how ratings work. 🙄
Plus, I already know it will be a 5 star. Tricia is a badass. And the first book was one of the fastest I've gone through. SO GOOD. Another less than 24hr read. 😂
Plus, I already know it will be a 5 star. Tricia is a badass. And the first book was one of the fastest I've gone through. SO GOOD. Another less than 24hr read. 😂
July 17, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
''I fought loving you''
Safety warnings:
- H 18 / h 19
- No cheating
- No OW drama
- Slight OM jealousy drama
- Mention of abandonment
- Loss of loved one
- Attempted s*xual assault
- Mention of marital abuse
- Violence/d*ath
- Murder
- Manipulation/blackmail
- HFN (but we know it's HEA)
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I remember reading The Shadows Between Us when it first came out 4 years ago and wondering a lot about Alessandra's elusive and mysterious older sister who only showed up via letter. We never got to meet her and only knew that she thought Alessandra was a ''trollop''.
Fast forward to now and the book is out!
I should mention that I got a chance to go to a Barnes & Noble’s signing to meet Tricia and get my books signed. She was super fun and sweet.
I don't tend to read YA anymore, it takes a lot for me to dive into one and it all depends on the author alongside the story it is telling but mainly the author.
Knowing I had liked the first book, and this would be another one connected to the first story, I had to get into it so here we are.
Chrysantha has lied to everyone for 7 years about being an airhead and dimwit. She has been plotting her marriage for ages and knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. She manipulated her father into having her marry a 64-year-old man who was dying (and heirless) to become duchess and get all his money and homes. She succeeded but her 2-month long marriage to him was a nightmare, he was abusive and manhandled her anyway he saw fit.
Thankfully she never had to sleep with him even though he would try. She waited and waited for him to die but he never did and so out of sheer anger from his actions she suffocates him using the pillow next to his head and lets the world think it was finally his time.
Being happy for a few months after that with all her riches and dreams coming true, she cannot complain.
You see she has always wanted to be free. Free from men, from society and just live her life happy and in control.
She is extremely kind to every member of her staff and grants them better lives once the duke has died and she is allowed to make the changes she wishes. She was not cruel to anyone and just wanted to achieve her goal and plotted for it.
She loses her virginity to a male companion from the brothel she visits and has a bunch of them as lovers until her happy life is ruined. She does not want to be in love or ever get married again so any inconvenience is going to ruin her future.
Enter Eryx who shows up and tells her that he is the grandson, and he is the rightful heir to the duke and all his riches. She does not believe him, but he is adamant about it, she is cut off from the money and all her control is gone and she is PISSED.
She plans to out his lies and get him to leave her alone and go back to the life she has dreamt of. She will not stop until he leaves, and he refuses to budge.
There is magic in this world and the only one we know about that has it is the Shadow King who is going to be Chrysantha's brother-in-law soon since that wedding is happening in this book. She suspects there is something going on with Eryx as he has moments that are inhuman in her eyes.
We finally get the reveal that he is in fact NOT human, well half human and half something else. He transforms into a demon looking thing that has horns and canines.
She sees this transformation during a dream they both share, which was kind of cool but also not really explained HOW that happens unless I missed that explanation.
She is now more determined to show the world he is a monster and that he does not deserve to be duke, since it has been proven he is the grandson. The duke had a daughter who he disowned after she got pregnant out of wedlock and had an affair with the former Shadow King (the father of the current shadow king - Kallias).
The backstory is explained much later in the book how Eryx became what he is, at first you are led to believe he is related to Kallias but it’s not true. His mother out of spite and vengeance wanted to create something that could hurt her ex-lover after he ended it with her and chose another woman to be his queen.
Eryx's mother is met with the demon who gave the original power to shadow kings’ family and sleeps with him, knowing they will create an offspring. Eryx was only created for revenge and never for love. His mother used him to one day KILL the Shadow king but when he dies earlier than she had hoped, she loses all sense of self and dies with no purpose.
Honestly? It's a sad story. Eryx never knew love or affection. He was only ever used as a weapon.
I should mention this is a SLOW ASS BURN, and I mean SLOW. These two don't even kiss until Chapter 20 - page 240. That's almost the end of the book. There is a lot of angst, tension and wanting but nothing comes from it.
He is scared cause he could lose control of his monster and her hurt, but she knows he would never, but he refuses to allow that to even be a possibly. We find out he has never been with anyone or allowed himself to even KISS.
Sadly, Chrysantha's plan to get rid of him happens after she finds out he lied about being the rightful heir when it's revealed he was erased from the will and later plotted to rewrite it and get everything. She almost has him killed when she reveals his monster identity to the King but stops it after a change of heart and guilt after reading the letter he wrote her confessing everything because he does not want the title but only her.
Thankfully he does not hold it against her as he understands her anger and pain from being lied to and they finally get together but the book ends quickly with no future look into their lives.
It's an abrupt ending and I wished we had gotten a bit more info about what happens after that.
I did like how the two sisters finally came together and moved on from the years of resentment they had towards each other. They finally have a relationship they always wanted but never had.
''I fought loving you''
Safety warnings:
- H 18 / h 19
- No cheating
- No OW drama
- Slight OM jealousy drama
- Mention of abandonment
- Loss of loved one
- Attempted s*xual assault
- Mention of marital abuse
- Violence/d*ath
- Murder
- Manipulation/blackmail
- HFN (but we know it's HEA)
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I remember reading The Shadows Between Us when it first came out 4 years ago and wondering a lot about Alessandra's elusive and mysterious older sister who only showed up via letter. We never got to meet her and only knew that she thought Alessandra was a ''trollop''.
Fast forward to now and the book is out!
I should mention that I got a chance to go to a Barnes & Noble’s signing to meet Tricia and get my books signed. She was super fun and sweet.
I don't tend to read YA anymore, it takes a lot for me to dive into one and it all depends on the author alongside the story it is telling but mainly the author.
Knowing I had liked the first book, and this would be another one connected to the first story, I had to get into it so here we are.
Chrysantha has lied to everyone for 7 years about being an airhead and dimwit. She has been plotting her marriage for ages and knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. She manipulated her father into having her marry a 64-year-old man who was dying (and heirless) to become duchess and get all his money and homes. She succeeded but her 2-month long marriage to him was a nightmare, he was abusive and manhandled her anyway he saw fit.
Thankfully she never had to sleep with him even though he would try. She waited and waited for him to die but he never did and so out of sheer anger from his actions she suffocates him using the pillow next to his head and lets the world think it was finally his time.
Being happy for a few months after that with all her riches and dreams coming true, she cannot complain.
You see she has always wanted to be free. Free from men, from society and just live her life happy and in control.
She is extremely kind to every member of her staff and grants them better lives once the duke has died and she is allowed to make the changes she wishes. She was not cruel to anyone and just wanted to achieve her goal and plotted for it.
She loses her virginity to a male companion from the brothel she visits and has a bunch of them as lovers until her happy life is ruined. She does not want to be in love or ever get married again so any inconvenience is going to ruin her future.
Enter Eryx who shows up and tells her that he is the grandson, and he is the rightful heir to the duke and all his riches. She does not believe him, but he is adamant about it, she is cut off from the money and all her control is gone and she is PISSED.
She plans to out his lies and get him to leave her alone and go back to the life she has dreamt of. She will not stop until he leaves, and he refuses to budge.
There is magic in this world and the only one we know about that has it is the Shadow King who is going to be Chrysantha's brother-in-law soon since that wedding is happening in this book. She suspects there is something going on with Eryx as he has moments that are inhuman in her eyes.
We finally get the reveal that he is in fact NOT human, well half human and half something else. He transforms into a demon looking thing that has horns and canines.
She sees this transformation during a dream they both share, which was kind of cool but also not really explained HOW that happens unless I missed that explanation.
She is now more determined to show the world he is a monster and that he does not deserve to be duke, since it has been proven he is the grandson. The duke had a daughter who he disowned after she got pregnant out of wedlock and had an affair with the former Shadow King (the father of the current shadow king - Kallias).
The backstory is explained much later in the book how Eryx became what he is, at first you are led to believe he is related to Kallias but it’s not true. His mother out of spite and vengeance wanted to create something that could hurt her ex-lover after he ended it with her and chose another woman to be his queen.
Eryx's mother is met with the demon who gave the original power to shadow kings’ family and sleeps with him, knowing they will create an offspring. Eryx was only created for revenge and never for love. His mother used him to one day KILL the Shadow king but when he dies earlier than she had hoped, she loses all sense of self and dies with no purpose.
Honestly? It's a sad story. Eryx never knew love or affection. He was only ever used as a weapon.
I should mention this is a SLOW ASS BURN, and I mean SLOW. These two don't even kiss until Chapter 20 - page 240. That's almost the end of the book. There is a lot of angst, tension and wanting but nothing comes from it.
He is scared cause he could lose control of his monster and her hurt, but she knows he would never, but he refuses to allow that to even be a possibly. We find out he has never been with anyone or allowed himself to even KISS.
Sadly, Chrysantha's plan to get rid of him happens after she finds out he lied about being the rightful heir when it's revealed he was erased from the will and later plotted to rewrite it and get everything. She almost has him killed when she reveals his monster identity to the King but stops it after a change of heart and guilt after reading the letter he wrote her confessing everything because he does not want the title but only her.
Thankfully he does not hold it against her as he understands her anger and pain from being lied to and they finally get together but the book ends quickly with no future look into their lives.
It's an abrupt ending and I wished we had gotten a bit more info about what happens after that.
I did like how the two sisters finally came together and moved on from the years of resentment they had towards each other. They finally have a relationship they always wanted but never had.
Want to read
March 26, 2024edit 3/26: there better be an alessandra and kallias cameo. many of them. that's all i'll say. actually, i want another alessandra and kallias book
Edit: OMG A COVER. i can't believe that i wrote that previous stuff in 2022 and it's now almost 2024, time flies by fast. the cover's cute but I like the the shadows between us one better ngl
I did not know we were going to get another book in this universe but am I complaining?
No.
Not at all.
Except for the publication date. 2024?? That's so far away.
Edit: OMG A COVER. i can't believe that i wrote that previous stuff in 2022 and it's now almost 2024, time flies by fast. the cover's cute but I like the the shadows between us one better ngl
I did not know we were going to get another book in this universe but am I complaining?
No.
Not at all.
Except for the publication date. 2024?? That's so far away.
May 27, 2024
3.5 stars
I read The Shadows Between Us a couple of years ago when I first got into reading. And while I enjoyed it at the time, looking back at it, there were some elements I really disliked. The Darkness Within Us, however, is just as fun and a step up from its predecessor in terms of writing. It's got all the fun elements that The Shadows Between Us had, like an enemies-to-lovers romance, and shadow powers, but it's also more grounded. I found Eryx and Chrysantha to be much more likeable, compelling, and three dimensional than the characters in the first book. I will say, however, I had some issues with the pacing of this story. The book started a little awkwardly, and the romance felt a little crammed into the last third of the story. I wish we had more time to see the romance develop naturally. Overall though, I had a really good time with this book. It's the perfect little escapist, fantasy-romance.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I read The Shadows Between Us a couple of years ago when I first got into reading. And while I enjoyed it at the time, looking back at it, there were some elements I really disliked. The Darkness Within Us, however, is just as fun and a step up from its predecessor in terms of writing. It's got all the fun elements that The Shadows Between Us had, like an enemies-to-lovers romance, and shadow powers, but it's also more grounded. I found Eryx and Chrysantha to be much more likeable, compelling, and three dimensional than the characters in the first book. I will say, however, I had some issues with the pacing of this story. The book started a little awkwardly, and the romance felt a little crammed into the last third of the story. I wish we had more time to see the romance develop naturally. Overall though, I had a really good time with this book. It's the perfect little escapist, fantasy-romance.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Want to read
June 18, 2021De ce trebuie să fie despre Chrysantha? DE CE? DE CE?
Want to read
June 19, 2021Um...I need someone to build me a time machine ASAP.
Please and thank you,
-kasper 🖤
Please and thank you,
-kasper 🖤
July 10, 2024
I think I liked this book more than TSBU. I recently reread TSBU and I wasn’t a fan of Alessandra the second time around. I found her to be unbearable. And while Chrysantha is still a morally grey character, I found her to be much more likeable compared to her sister and I was definitely rooting for her. It helps that the author has written her as sort of an underdog. I mean all her money has been taken from her by her late husband’s grandson and I just wanted her to gain back the upper hand and the short-lived happiness she found after her husband’s death. Chrysantha also had a lot of moments where we saw her softer side such as with the young child Nico and the staff in her manor. It made it easier for me to be empathetic towards her and her situation.
The romance was really the highlight of the story for me! The hate-to-love between Chrysantha and Eryx was so good. And I liked that the fact that they actually hated each other. Some books don’t really commit to the trope. Their bantering and bickering was just chef’s kiss. I had such a fun time with these two.
The main problem I had with the book was that the plot is kind of nonexistent. It read like comfy romance book with some fantasy elements thrown in. The ending was also rushed and I wished we got more moments between Eryx and Chrysantha before the story was wrapped up.
Overall, this was a solid read for me and I just can’t stop thinking about the chemistry between Chrysantha and Eryx. I would highly recommend checking this book out!
The romance was really the highlight of the story for me! The hate-to-love between Chrysantha and Eryx was so good. And I liked that the fact that they actually hated each other. Some books don’t really commit to the trope. Their bantering and bickering was just chef’s kiss. I had such a fun time with these two.
The main problem I had with the book was that the plot is kind of nonexistent. It read like comfy romance book with some fantasy elements thrown in. The ending was also rushed and I wished we got more moments between Eryx and Chrysantha before the story was wrapped up.
Overall, this was a solid read for me and I just can’t stop thinking about the chemistry between Chrysantha and Eryx. I would highly recommend checking this book out!
May 30, 2024
I received an audio copy of this book via NetGalley (thank you Macmillan Audio). All thoughts and opinions are my own.
✅ Strong and independent MC
✅ Mysterious love interest
✅ Morally grey characters
✅ Hate to love
✅ Pace
✅ Alessandra and Kallias cameo
✅(🆗) World-building
✅(🆗) Ending felt a little rushed
✅🆗 Stakes didn't feel that high
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: misogyny, attempted sexual assault, deaths, and murders, poisoning
3.5 stars
This book was short and sweet, with an overall well-developed hate-to-love romance, a Victorian ambiance, and a strong-willed female protagonist.
After years of scheming and pretending to be a simpleton and demure woman, Chrysantha Stathos is about to finally get the freedom she dreams of. Now that her husband finally died, she will inherit the manor and the money and will be able to go on with her life as a dowager duchess, without even remarrying, or depending on a man ever again. But her carefully laid out plan falls apart when a young man arrives at the manor, claiming to be the grandson and true heir of the Duke, and taking everything away from Chrysantha.
While I am empathetic to Chysantha’s problems, the fact that she is the dowager duchess means that she can’t be kicked out of the manor, and so her main issue in the book was the fact that she didn’t have access to all the money she needed for her grand projects and that she was robbed of what she felt was hers by right. I am not saying that she was not right to feel this way, but I kept thinking to myself while reading this book, that if all she wanted was a quiet and peaceful life, she could very well just live happily ever after at the manor as the dowager, never remarry, and have a simpler life if she had less money than she usually planned. It was not her ideally planned life, but it was not that bad of a situation either.
If you are like me, you read The Shadows Between Us 4 years ago when it was released, and besides the fact that you liked Kallias and Alessandra, you might not remember much of the book. Rest assured that you can read this sequel even if you don’t remember most of the first book. You just need to know who Alessandra and the King are, because there are a few scenes with them, including their wedding!
I have to say that Chrysantha's need to compete with her sister for every single thing annoyed me at first, but it also left room for the author to make Chrysantha grow and mature in this book, and to have her realize that it was stupid and pointless, and that her sister was worth more than any silly jealousy or envy that could ever be between them. I would have loved to see more of them building their relationship back, but the hints we got to see in the last few chapters are promising a nice and happy future for the sisters.
Chrysantha is clever, cunning, calculated, and fierce. She knows what she wants, and will stop at nothing to get it. I like Chrysantha’s scheming, and how she pretended to be a simpleton so the men around her would underestimate her, allowing her to manipulate and undermine them later. That being said, at some point, she tended to put all the men in the same “bad guy” category. I understand that this is a patriarchal and misogynistic society, but not all the men around her were out to abuse women or were okay with the way women were treated and Chrusantha often just assumed the worst of every men.
Eryx is very secretive, and it’s obvious that he’s hiding things about his identity and his connection to the late duke. Still, the stakes didn’t feel that high.
The romance in this book is a true hate to love. Chrysantha hates Eryx with every fiber of her being when she is forced to live with him, especially considering that he now holds the power in the manor, despite all that Chrysantha had to sacrifice to finally be free to live her life as she intended to. Overall, I enjoyed Eryx and Chrysantha’s romance, but I do think that the ending was a little bit rushed. I wouldn’t have minded a few more chapters just to wrap it up nicely and have this final stretch of their romance be more developed. I do think that both of them complete each other perfectly though, and that they have a good chemistry. There was also some well done sexual tension, but like the final development of the romance, it was dealt with quickly and in a slightly unsatisfying manner.
The Shadows Between Us ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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✅ Strong and independent MC
✅ Mysterious love interest
✅ Morally grey characters
✅ Hate to love
✅ Pace
✅ Alessandra and Kallias cameo
✅(🆗) World-building
✅(🆗) Ending felt a little rushed
✅🆗 Stakes didn't feel that high
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: misogyny, attempted sexual assault, deaths, and murders, poisoning
3.5 stars
This book was short and sweet, with an overall well-developed hate-to-love romance, a Victorian ambiance, and a strong-willed female protagonist.
"If the gods didn’t want us killing men, then they shouldn’t have allowed them to hurt us so much."
After years of scheming and pretending to be a simpleton and demure woman, Chrysantha Stathos is about to finally get the freedom she dreams of. Now that her husband finally died, she will inherit the manor and the money and will be able to go on with her life as a dowager duchess, without even remarrying, or depending on a man ever again. But her carefully laid out plan falls apart when a young man arrives at the manor, claiming to be the grandson and true heir of the Duke, and taking everything away from Chrysantha.
While I am empathetic to Chysantha’s problems, the fact that she is the dowager duchess means that she can’t be kicked out of the manor, and so her main issue in the book was the fact that she didn’t have access to all the money she needed for her grand projects and that she was robbed of what she felt was hers by right. I am not saying that she was not right to feel this way, but I kept thinking to myself while reading this book, that if all she wanted was a quiet and peaceful life, she could very well just live happily ever after at the manor as the dowager, never remarry, and have a simpler life if she had less money than she usually planned. It was not her ideally planned life, but it was not that bad of a situation either.
If you are like me, you read The Shadows Between Us 4 years ago when it was released, and besides the fact that you liked Kallias and Alessandra, you might not remember much of the book. Rest assured that you can read this sequel even if you don’t remember most of the first book. You just need to know who Alessandra and the King are, because there are a few scenes with them, including their wedding!
"We Stathos sisters are a force to be reckoned with."
I have to say that Chrysantha's need to compete with her sister for every single thing annoyed me at first, but it also left room for the author to make Chrysantha grow and mature in this book, and to have her realize that it was stupid and pointless, and that her sister was worth more than any silly jealousy or envy that could ever be between them. I would have loved to see more of them building their relationship back, but the hints we got to see in the last few chapters are promising a nice and happy future for the sisters.
“I think we are a good match.”
“If you think fire and oil are a good match.”
“Exactly. Together we could burn the world down if we wanted to.”
Chrysantha is clever, cunning, calculated, and fierce. She knows what she wants, and will stop at nothing to get it. I like Chrysantha’s scheming, and how she pretended to be a simpleton so the men around her would underestimate her, allowing her to manipulate and undermine them later. That being said, at some point, she tended to put all the men in the same “bad guy” category. I understand that this is a patriarchal and misogynistic society, but not all the men around her were out to abuse women or were okay with the way women were treated and Chrusantha often just assumed the worst of every men.
Eryx is very secretive, and it’s obvious that he’s hiding things about his identity and his connection to the late duke. Still, the stakes didn’t feel that high.
The romance in this book is a true hate to love. Chrysantha hates Eryx with every fiber of her being when she is forced to live with him, especially considering that he now holds the power in the manor, despite all that Chrysantha had to sacrifice to finally be free to live her life as she intended to. Overall, I enjoyed Eryx and Chrysantha’s romance, but I do think that the ending was a little bit rushed. I wouldn’t have minded a few more chapters just to wrap it up nicely and have this final stretch of their romance be more developed. I do think that both of them complete each other perfectly though, and that they have a good chemistry. There was also some well done sexual tension, but like the final development of the romance, it was dealt with quickly and in a slightly unsatisfying manner.
The Shadows Between Us ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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May 19, 2024
there’s nothing I love more than villainous main characters who know what they want and are willing to do anything to get it. it was a complete delight to read about Chrysantha and her endless scheming. there couldn’t have been a better match for her than Eryx.
there is no shortage of great characters in this book, and the brief cameos of Alessandra and Kallias were very, very enjoyable (to be honest, the only thing I remember about the first book when I read it 4 years ago is that I really loved it). Nico was such an adorable addition to the story and I appreciated how him and the staff softened Chrysantha and showed another, gentler, side of her.
in terms of plot, I have to admit that I found it lacking. there’s not enough here to warrant a novel, other than provide another glimpse, although brief, into this world for the readers who loved the first book. the motivation is not strong enough, which was disappointing because the characters were fleshed out enough to carry a stronger plot. although the book is short for a fantasy, it could have been even shorter for the amount of events that take place. it’s also not a good look when the main driving force of the plot is revealed at approximately 65%.
all in all, it’s a decent story but it could have been a lot better.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
there is no shortage of great characters in this book, and the brief cameos of Alessandra and Kallias were very, very enjoyable (to be honest, the only thing I remember about the first book when I read it 4 years ago is that I really loved it). Nico was such an adorable addition to the story and I appreciated how him and the staff softened Chrysantha and showed another, gentler, side of her.
in terms of plot, I have to admit that I found it lacking. there’s not enough here to warrant a novel, other than provide another glimpse, although brief, into this world for the readers who loved the first book. the motivation is not strong enough, which was disappointing because the characters were fleshed out enough to carry a stronger plot. although the book is short for a fantasy, it could have been even shorter for the amount of events that take place. it’s also not a good look when the main driving force of the plot is revealed at approximately 65%.
all in all, it’s a decent story but it could have been a lot better.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
September 11, 2021Didn't really like Chrysantha... so I'm skeptical about this one, BUT it's in the Shadows Between Us universe, is it too much to hope for a peek of Kallias 😍
June 25, 2024
thank you netgalley for the ARC!!
okay i ate this up!!
this book is for the romantasy girlies!! i had SO much fun while reading this one! it is definitely a slowwww burn on the romance aspect but the plot carries. it’s intriguing and unique but still filled with the tropes i love and funny banter.
the chemistry between the two main characters is crazy?!??
i love that this book feels new but also like a lot of the other romantasy-enemies to lovers books i’ve fallen in love with! (if i like it i’ll just get it in another color)
the first half i was like oh this is fun i’m intrigued and then the second half my heart was pumping! i was giggling and gasping and having so much fun!
the MMC in this is everything!! eryx is a grumpy man with secrets and he falls HARD! he’s so down bad for her it’s not even funny. his love declarations?! so good?! i’m in love!
more thoughts:
-i love that these true are TRUE enemies !! not just like ahahah i hate u but i really don’t. nah she wants this man DEAD at first
-i love the little book club between chrysantha and her staff. so precious. i love when they talk about the enemies to lovers trope WITHIN the book!! iconic!
-when he talks about her when he thinks she can’t hear>>>
-some men barge into her room and hit her and touch her and he kills every. single. one. of. them. for laying hands on her ✋🏽
-“you would have had everything you wanted.” “not everything”🤭🤭
-the letter. i’m sorry??
-“i love you. i fought loving you, but it was as inevitable as the sun rising every day. for you are my equal in nearly every way and my superior in all the rest” goodbye???
the ending was really rushed in my opinion, but i’m still rating it five stars for the vibes 🤠
as for spice.. this is technically a YA read but i definitely feel like it fits more into the new adult category.
there is no on page spice scenes, but there is a LOT of talk about sex & taking mistresses & quite a bit of sexual tension. the first chapter had a SA scene and while it wasn’t graphic, it was shocking to see in a YA book.
also, this book is technically the second in the series but it definitely could be read as a stand alone! i read the shadows between us (the first book) and i remember loving it but i can’t remember like anything about the story so i was basically reading this as a stand alone hahaha
alright that’s all. loved it🤠🤠
okay i ate this up!!
this book is for the romantasy girlies!! i had SO much fun while reading this one! it is definitely a slowwww burn on the romance aspect but the plot carries. it’s intriguing and unique but still filled with the tropes i love and funny banter.
the chemistry between the two main characters is crazy?!??
i love that this book feels new but also like a lot of the other romantasy-enemies to lovers books i’ve fallen in love with! (if i like it i’ll just get it in another color)
the first half i was like oh this is fun i’m intrigued and then the second half my heart was pumping! i was giggling and gasping and having so much fun!
the MMC in this is everything!! eryx is a grumpy man with secrets and he falls HARD! he’s so down bad for her it’s not even funny. his love declarations?! so good?! i’m in love!
more thoughts:
-i love that these true are TRUE enemies !! not just like ahahah i hate u but i really don’t. nah she wants this man DEAD at first
-i love the little book club between chrysantha and her staff. so precious. i love when they talk about the enemies to lovers trope WITHIN the book!! iconic!
-when he talks about her when he thinks she can’t hear>>>
-some men barge into her room and hit her and touch her and he kills every. single. one. of. them. for laying hands on her ✋🏽
-“you would have had everything you wanted.” “not everything”🤭🤭
-the letter. i’m sorry??
-“i love you. i fought loving you, but it was as inevitable as the sun rising every day. for you are my equal in nearly every way and my superior in all the rest” goodbye???
the ending was really rushed in my opinion, but i’m still rating it five stars for the vibes 🤠
as for spice.. this is technically a YA read but i definitely feel like it fits more into the new adult category.
there is no on page spice scenes, but there is a LOT of talk about sex & taking mistresses & quite a bit of sexual tension. the first chapter had a SA scene and while it wasn’t graphic, it was shocking to see in a YA book.
also, this book is technically the second in the series but it definitely could be read as a stand alone! i read the shadows between us (the first book) and i remember loving it but i can’t remember like anything about the story so i was basically reading this as a stand alone hahaha
alright that’s all. loved it🤠🤠
May 20, 2024
4,5⭐️
OH. MY. GOD. YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THIS BOOK, you are really not prepared for this book
it is absolutely delightful and entertaining, but oh my, what did happen here and where do i even start???
i really liked shadows between us, but it was a long time ago, so i lowkey forgot abt it and starting this book i had no expectations, just wanted a quick, fun book
AND HOW IT DELIVERED!!! I DEVOURED it in one day, literally, I just sat my ass down, starting reading and suddenly the sky's dark and i needed to turn the lights on
about the characters, Chrysantha was so unhinged and delulu, you thought she was dumb and docile? literally in the first chapter, the first sentence - she's proving you wrong. she's just that character, that I'm not even sure i like, but she was so delusional and actually out of her mind crazy, it was hella entertaining, like damn, use that audacity, i can't believe you're actually doing it, but go girl!!!
and Eryx??? I'm actually speechless, it turned in the direction i never would have predicted while starting this book, I thought it'll just be some ya romance, lots of balls and seducing and dancing. but it is absolutely not, I won't say anything but i was just like did I pick up the wrong file? the idea of this book in my head, when I heard about it was so wrong and I'm so glad, cus of it
I know the book is called darkness within us but I didn't expect it'll be about that kind darkness, yall are in for a huge ass surprise
I was having the time of my life with this book, tho ending was a little hmmm, but the writing style made me swim thru the pages with the speed of light and I felt like a was riding on a rollercoaster - you're sitting strapped in and can't do anything except enjoy the ride and damn i was absolutely enjoying it, definitely a new fav
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
OH. MY. GOD. YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THIS BOOK, you are really not prepared for this book
it is absolutely delightful and entertaining, but oh my, what did happen here and where do i even start???
i really liked shadows between us, but it was a long time ago, so i lowkey forgot abt it and starting this book i had no expectations, just wanted a quick, fun book
AND HOW IT DELIVERED!!! I DEVOURED it in one day, literally, I just sat my ass down, starting reading and suddenly the sky's dark and i needed to turn the lights on
about the characters, Chrysantha was so unhinged and delulu, you thought she was dumb and docile? literally in the first chapter, the first sentence - she's proving you wrong. she's just that character, that I'm not even sure i like, but she was so delusional and actually out of her mind crazy, it was hella entertaining, like damn, use that audacity, i can't believe you're actually doing it, but go girl!!!
and Eryx??? I'm actually speechless, it turned in the direction i never would have predicted while starting this book, I thought it'll just be some ya romance, lots of balls and seducing and dancing. but it is absolutely not, I won't say anything but i was just like did I pick up the wrong file? the idea of this book in my head, when I heard about it was so wrong and I'm so glad, cus of it
I know the book is called darkness within us but I didn't expect it'll be about that kind darkness, yall are in for a huge ass surprise
I was having the time of my life with this book, tho ending was a little hmmm, but the writing style made me swim thru the pages with the speed of light and I felt like a was riding on a rollercoaster - you're sitting strapped in and can't do anything except enjoy the ride and damn i was absolutely enjoying it, definitely a new fav
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
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