Member Review
Review by
Justine B, Reviewer
The Shadows Between Us is Tricia Levenseller’s newest gripping and seductive tale of empowerment and belonging. It promotes choosing your own path and being your own person, rather than adhering to the social standards set before you. Also highlighting the pain of loneliness, it rejoices in finally finding that someone who shines light upon your darkest shadows. While it’s initially defined by motivation and duplicity, it quickly evolves into a charming story of friendship and an unexpected, consuming love.
The main focus of this story’s entirety is its alluring characters. The story is told through the eyes of Alessandra, an ambitious and conniving second daughter of an earl, seeking to change her life by walking on the backs of others. She has an independent soul, always taking what she wants instead of accepting what’s given to her. Kallias, the cold, enigmatic, and brooding Shadow King hiding pain and longing beneath his armor made of shadows. Both crave power, both crave domination, both are villains. It’s unusual to read a story led by a villain, let alone two, and I absolutely loved the way this story was executed. There’s banter dripping with sexual tension, there’s heartfelt moments of truth and silent reflection, there’s unforeseen camaraderie leading to more. Theirs is the perfect example of a beautiful slow-burn romance.
The supporting cast is crucial in the advancement of the story, as well – each character unique and exceptional, with their own hopes, intentions, and secrets, each adding another layer to the complexity presented to us. I would love to go into detail here, but for fear of spoiling, I’ll just say that nothing is at is seems. You’ll have to meet them all on your own.
My favorite part of this story is its exhilarating, fresh plot – it’s not a story of vengeance, it’s a story of hunger. The main character’s ambitions exist only to appease her desire for power, seemingly bereft of an emotional driving force. With an abundance of scheming and plenty of deceit, the narrative unravels in the most exquisite way. From the blurb alone, it’s easy to decipher what route the tale will take, and you even see that inevitable twist breaching the horizon, but what actually happens is utterly unexpected and completely welcome. I enjoyed this story so much, I read the entire book in one sitting.
Levenseller transports readers to an immersive and atmospheric gothic setting, forcing us to weave our way through courtly intrigue infused with mysterious magic. Her ability to vividly portray the finer details of everything around us is just incredible; the colors and textures of fabrics, the rich, bright visages of blooming flowers in gardens, the smells, the sounds, everything. It’s too easy to lose yourself in this story. We get tiny insights into the history that has shaped the world, offering answers for our most pressing questions. However, I would’ve loved to have seen a more in-depth account of the past.
The Shadows Between Us was my first foray into Levenseller’s works, and it most certainly won’t be my last. This book offers everything I look for in those labeled as Dark Young Adult Fantasy – ripe with secrets, danger, and transformation. This is a standalone, and it ties up perfectly, each thread carefully placed in the tapestry. I can only hope we get to spend more time in this world the author has crafted in the future. If you’re looking for an atypical YA tale where the bad guys take center stage, then I highly recommend giving this fun one a try.
The main focus of this story’s entirety is its alluring characters. The story is told through the eyes of Alessandra, an ambitious and conniving second daughter of an earl, seeking to change her life by walking on the backs of others. She has an independent soul, always taking what she wants instead of accepting what’s given to her. Kallias, the cold, enigmatic, and brooding Shadow King hiding pain and longing beneath his armor made of shadows. Both crave power, both crave domination, both are villains. It’s unusual to read a story led by a villain, let alone two, and I absolutely loved the way this story was executed. There’s banter dripping with sexual tension, there’s heartfelt moments of truth and silent reflection, there’s unforeseen camaraderie leading to more. Theirs is the perfect example of a beautiful slow-burn romance.
The supporting cast is crucial in the advancement of the story, as well – each character unique and exceptional, with their own hopes, intentions, and secrets, each adding another layer to the complexity presented to us. I would love to go into detail here, but for fear of spoiling, I’ll just say that nothing is at is seems. You’ll have to meet them all on your own.
My favorite part of this story is its exhilarating, fresh plot – it’s not a story of vengeance, it’s a story of hunger. The main character’s ambitions exist only to appease her desire for power, seemingly bereft of an emotional driving force. With an abundance of scheming and plenty of deceit, the narrative unravels in the most exquisite way. From the blurb alone, it’s easy to decipher what route the tale will take, and you even see that inevitable twist breaching the horizon, but what actually happens is utterly unexpected and completely welcome. I enjoyed this story so much, I read the entire book in one sitting.
Levenseller transports readers to an immersive and atmospheric gothic setting, forcing us to weave our way through courtly intrigue infused with mysterious magic. Her ability to vividly portray the finer details of everything around us is just incredible; the colors and textures of fabrics, the rich, bright visages of blooming flowers in gardens, the smells, the sounds, everything. It’s too easy to lose yourself in this story. We get tiny insights into the history that has shaped the world, offering answers for our most pressing questions. However, I would’ve loved to have seen a more in-depth account of the past.
The Shadows Between Us was my first foray into Levenseller’s works, and it most certainly won’t be my last. This book offers everything I look for in those labeled as Dark Young Adult Fantasy – ripe with secrets, danger, and transformation. This is a standalone, and it ties up perfectly, each thread carefully placed in the tapestry. I can only hope we get to spend more time in this world the author has crafted in the future. If you’re looking for an atypical YA tale where the bad guys take center stage, then I highly recommend giving this fun one a try.
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