Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:
1) Woo the Shadow King.
2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.

But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?

my thoughts:

If you only read one line of this review, let it be this: you absolutely must read The Shadows Between Us. If you’re curious about the countless reasons I fell in love with this book, then please, read on.

“They’ve never found the body of the first and only boy who broke my heart. And they never will.”

• Tricia Levenseller, The Shadows Between Us

Tricia Levenseller is a master at capturing a reader’s attention from the very first page. An opening line like that sets the tone perfectly. I’m not sure a first sentence has ever been more fitting for a story. It’s a powerful introduction to our protagonist, Alessandra. It’s been a long time since I’ve adored a character as much as I adore her. She is fierce, self-assured, intelligent, and remarkably cunning. She has a goal and the determination to do whatever it takes to achieve it. However, she finally meets her match in Kallias, the Shadow King. He is resolute in his mission to uncover his parents’ murderer and refuses to let anything distract him. Both characters are intent on using the other for their own gains, and naturally, things don’t go exactly as either of them planned.

I was utterly captivated by the romance between Alessandra and Kallias. It was understated, heart-fluttering, and the most exquisite kind of slow burn a reader could hope for. Described as a “Slytherin romance,” this assessment is spot-on. Both are primarily self-interested, and I loved watching romance unexpectedly blossom between them.

One surprising aspect of The Shadows Between Us was its strong feminist message, which was seamlessly woven into the narrative and character development. Alessandra didn’t initially strike me as someone who would prioritize female friendships, but she proved me wrong. One of her first initiatives at the palace was to forge strong bonds with the other women in residence. While I initially thought this was just a tactic to blend in, it became clear that she genuinely valued these relationships. She leveraged these friendships to advocate for equality between men and women, both in society and in intimate relationships. The book is surprisingly sex-positive, and I felt these themes of equality and sexual agency were integrated naturally and effectively into the story.

I will admit, I found the ending slightly rushed and a bit choppy, but this is a minor critique. When I finished the book, I had a massive grin on my face, and that’s what truly mattered. While I wouldn’t say no to more stories about Alessandra and Kallias, as a standalone novel, it is perfectly satisfying.

Overall, The Shadows Between Us has left me eager to read more from Tricia Levenseller. With a cast of characters you’ll love to hate (or perhaps hate to love, as they are morally grey), a romance that will make you blush, and a plot that will keep you guessing until the final page, I dare you to try and put this book down once you’ve started.

“I think that when you care enough for someone, you reach a point where it’s far more painful not to have him at all than to have him and risk losing him. You realize the risk is worth it. Because happiness, however short-lived, is always worth it.”

• Tricia Levenseller, The Shadows Between Us

What others are saying about The Shadows Between Us:

NovelKnight’s review: “Trust me when I say that this isn’t a book you want to wait to read.”

The Nerd Daily’s review: “It’s dark, but still romantic…I cannot wait to see where Tricia Levenseller takes us next.”