I adored the first book of this series, and while this one didn’t live up to that same hype for me, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the characters, loved that they were unapologetically morally gray, loved that it was an actual enemies to lovers. A very fun and easy read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was so much fun. she is delightfully deceptive in her actions..... plus she holds a grudge!!!!! the enemies to lovers trope was done wonderfully. Eryx is such a villain but then again so is she.... they are the perfect match and I love reading about them. this is Tricia Levensellers best series in my opinion.

The Darkness Within Us is a companion novel to Tricia Levenseller’s The Shadows Between Us. And it’s really worth reading both in order, especially since The Shadows Between Us is so strong.

In The Darkness Within Us Levenseller once again enters a morally grey world where the main characters aren’t particularly likeable but are so compelling you need to keep reading. Like her sister, Alessandra, Chrysantha is cool and calculated and knows what she wants. The juxtaposition between the sisters strengthens the books overall and gives you greater appreciation for Levenseller’s ability to get inside her characters’ heads.

Levenseller excels at world-building, and the tension between her enemies-turned-lovers will keep the pages turning.

Like its predecessor, I wouldn’t recommend The Darkness Within Us for younger YA, but readers 14 and up will enjoy it.

This book had all the things I loved in book 2. The tension, the longing, the banter, the mystery, the sister arc? I loved this and the morally gray characters. The end was a little convenient but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book!

I might be a little bit obsessed with this one... "The Darkness Within Us" by Tricia Levenseller is a deliciously dark and twisted delight, perfect for fans of cunning heroines and sizzling intrigue. Chrysantha Stathos is the epitome of ruthless ambition, masked in beauty and charm, navigating a treacherous world with deadly precision. She's just the MC that makes readers ache for more. Levenseller's storytelling is as sharp as ever, with every page brimming with schemes, secrets, and seductive danger. The dynamic between Chrysantha and the enigmatic Eryx Demos crackles with tension, making it impossible to look away. Add in the gorgeous book design—spray-painted edges, metallic foil, and a ribbon bookmark—and you’ve got a novel that’s as stunning to hold as it is to read. This companion to "The Shadows Between Us" is a must-read for anyone who loves their fantasy with a wicked edge and a fierce, unrelenting heroine. 💀👑📖

Tricia Levenseller has always been an auto read for me ever since I read The Shadows Between Us for the first time. I was ecstatic when I saw another book set in the same world was coming out. I was a little bummed it wasn't a continuation of the OG main characters of The Shadows Between Us but I found myself devouring this one. Not like I should have been surprised because Levenseller creates just great characters, deep backstories, and gorgeous settings with the storytelling that just feels so enriching for my soul.

I loved Chyrsantha and this almost Beauty and the Beast-esque vibe between her and Eryx. Yes this has the "who hurt you" and the "touch her and you die" I read this in 24 hours. I loved it. The banter was great, the characters were great really from our MC's to the side characters. This has a true backstory of survival and doing what it takes to survive in a world that doesn't treat the feminine side of the world equally. I thought Chyrsantha was a very smart woman in what she did to survive. I loved the two sisters reconnecting. The had action to keep things rolling right along. I loved the relationships between all the characters. They had such a organic connection. This series is just good on the vibes. I need to go reread book 1 now.

The Darkness Within Us is the companion novel to The Shadows Between Us. While the two novels fit into the same universe and contain overlapping characters, they could potentially be read as standalones; however, I think reading the stories in order would help gain great background for the characters and world-building. This story follows Chrysantha Stathos, who is the sister of Alessandra from the first novel and was featured a little in that novel. I immensely enjoyed the first novel, and this novel did not disappoint. Levenseller did a great job of expanding on a character to make them more complex and giving them their own story. This story did have some similarities in formula to the first one, but since I read them years apart, I did not mind as much as I think I would if I read them one after the other. In this story, Chrysantha is about to inherit her late husband’s fortune when another man, Eryx, comes forward claiming that it belongs to him. Now Chrysantha must prove that Eryx is not who he says he is and get her inheritance back.

There is a large focus on the romance and connection between the two characters where the other plotline does not appear until later. The style, though, fits Levenseller’s other works so this novel was great for me, but I can see it frustrating some readers. It is an enemies to lovers story that was nicely done as the chemistry was apparent. The two characters went well together, and I enjoyed learning about both of them. Their story fit nicely into the world established in the first story and expanded on the world-building. I still think there was more to be done with some details in the world and politics, but I do understand that there was only so much that could be done in a “standalone.” Alessandra from the first novel’s motivation was better written compared to Chrysantha’s, but hers was still appealing. The writing and pacing still had Levenseller’s flair, so I love how her writing has stayed consistent yet interesting. Overall, this was an enjoyable experience and I look forward to trying out Levenseller’s new trilogy in 2025.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Feiwel Friends, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Received a copy from NetGalley.
I liked it, it was a good story. However, in all honestly it didn’t match the experience like the first one did. And the FMC reminded me of that Harry Potter woman; Bellatrix Lestrange

This series was really great and I really thought the author did a great job with having the sister start with bad intentions but end up with good ones. It’s like a villain turning good? All for love. It’s quite unique and I definitely loved the ending to this story.

After loving The Shadows Between Us, I was pretty disappointed in this title. It was a meh fantasy, but I wasn't very invested. I finished the book because I was curious to see what the deal was with Eryx, but overall it just wasn't really doing anything for me. It was fun to see other parts of the world and characters, but I would not reread this one.

Chrysantha’s entire life has been a long con. If she just played the simpleton girl no one would look too close and she could marry an elderly sick man, endure his company and then finally have her freedom.

When an unexpected heir arrives shortly after the start of her new life with a sketchy story and an edited will, she is immediately on guard. This handsome and frustrating stranger is clearly hiding secrets and she’s going to figure them out and get her hard earned freedom back.

I read and adored The Shadows Between Us when it first came out so I was both excited and nervous about Chrysantha’s story because we only knew what her sister did and her sister was never in on her true self. I absolutely fell head over heels for this strong self possessed morally grey fmc. I loved that she wasn’t afraid to reclaim her sexuality and that she was in fact more experienced than the hero. Her loyalty and kindness to her staff who became her family made it that much more heartbreaking when Eryx came in to ruin her life.

The banter between Chrysantha and Eryx was next level. They did not hold back. If you want true enemies-to-lovers vibes this one will not let you down. This is definitely a slow burn and they really get into their heads about it but I felt she flipped the switch from enemies to lovers just right.

I think the one thing that really made this book special was the way she built a new relationship with Chrysantha and her sister. They both felt so slighted and wrong by each other and it was such a joyous and emotional moment when they were finally on each other’s team.

I absolutely adored this book and the only thing I wish is that I could spend more time with the Stathos sisters. I cannot recommend this book highly enough and I’ll definitely be adding this to my books to reread when I need a serotonin boost.

The Darkness Within Us (The Shadows Between Us #2)

Tricia Levenseller

YA/NA Romantacy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“When men think they can control you, they don’t watch you as closely.”

Chrysantha has finally achieved the life she wants. She purposely married an elderly man so he would die soon and she could inherit his estate. She has played the demure, innocent girl for long enough and now she can be herself. Until one of her late husband’s long lost grandsons comes to inherit instead. After living her 19 year old life under men’s rules, she has had it and refuses to let him ruin her new life.

“If the gods didn’t want us killing men, then they shouldn’t have allowed them to hurt us so much.”

Chrysantha is just as devious as her sister in The Shadows Between Us. She’s cunning and traitorous and such a fun morally grey character. She has conned enough men to know how to get her way and the grandson doesn’t know what’s about to hit him. It was entertaining to see her schemes play out and ultimately find her happiness.

I found it a bit unbelievable that nobody cares if someone has murdered another. What? And just as in book one, Chrysantha has a very healthy sex life, which is not a problem but definitely feels more New Adult than Young Adult. I loved hopping back into this world of tricks and twists, lies and love. And even better, Fierce Reads graced me with the beautiful special editions and I could not be happier!

Thank you to Fierce Reads and NetGalley for the copies!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I loved the Shadows Between Us so I was very excited to receive this arc and get back into that world. While I didn’t love it as much as Shadows or as much as I was expecting too, I still enjoyed it.

I really only had two gripes that stuck out while reading. One of them is kinda a spoiler so I don’t want to say too much about it but the book was more monster vibes than shadow/magic powers and that typically isn’t what I enjoy so I think that is one reason I didn’t click as well with this book versus Shadows. The other was I was thrown off by Chrysantha’s personality for the whole beginning of the book until I learned who she was. She seemed so different from when we see her in The Shadows Between Us. We do get an explanation for it but it was still a shock since it was such a difference and I was expecting a little more of a villain romance like Shadows and it was more “murdered my creepy elderly husband” and “I’m gonna do what I want and not care about society.” But that might just be my own fault for comparing it too much to Shadows and not letting it stand on its own.

Lately, I always love seeing previous character’s pop up in companion novels so it was so fun to see Alessandraand Kallias pop back up towards the end of the book.

In general I think The Darkness Within Us is an enjoyable read for YA romantasy lovers.

The Darkness Within Us is an enemies-to-lovers romantacy that will have you on the edge of your seat. I'm a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers story, especially when the female lead is fiesty like the FMC, Chrysantha!

This was such a captivating story with just enough mystery to keep you reading and just enough romance to not make you feel dirty. Lol (sorry smut lovers, I don't think this one is for you). My fave thing about this story is how it focuses on women taking back their power and releasing themselves from the patriarchal hold of men. *chef's kiss*

I don't even remember at what point o started rooting for the FMC and MMC but by the end I was screaming! Deff well worth the read!

Tricia Levenseller is an author, who I can trust to give me a great read. I love this author and everything she puts out! It was so fun to head back to a world that I loved. It was fun to see glimpses of our couple that started it all in, The Shadows Between Us!

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Chrysantha, but she quickly became fascinating. I’ll always love it when a woman acts dull but is nothing close to it. The way she was able to have her hand in so many things was impressive. Many things were so frustrating and are still frustrating in real life. The way she cared so deeply about the people around her was so refreshing to see. She cared more about her employees than herself!

The enemies-to-lovers trope was done so fabulously. It was intense and I couldn’t get enough of it!! I got some Beauty and the Beast vibes throughout the book and I loved it. The pacing was fabulous!! I flew through this book, but I always do that with Levenseller. She’s got such an addictive writing style that she hooks you immediately.

I’ve got a small complaint and it’s more personal. I didn’t love how the sister relationship was handled in this book. There’s some deep and concerning hate between these two. It felt a little fast and unrealistic at the end. I don’t know if it’s because I have issues with my sister, but it felt too easy.

Overall, I thought this was a fun read! I do believe I loved the first book a little more. We get more history and background with the shadows, which I appreciated! I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next!

Thank you to Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends and Netgalley for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

tricia NEVER misses. i absolutely adored the darkness within us and loved the plot. it was fast-paced, had complex and awesome characters, and i loved the character growth itself. such a fun sequel and excited for my physical copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a rewview.

I love Tricia Levenseller and her books are always a good time. I liked this story, but as a sequel it felt totally unrelated to the first book and I'd rather have just read this book in a new universe with new rules and magic than trying to shoehorn it into the series.

I like Chrysantha and Eryx. They were complicated and compelling and the writing (as always) was lush and realistic while still fitting into this magical world. The plot was captivating and interesting to follow along with. Chrysantha was supposed to be unlikable but I loved her and Eryx was a better actor than she ever gave him credit for.

Chrysantha Stathos has won.
By hiding her intelligence and ambition behind the mask of a beautiful air-headed girl, she has become a wealthy duchess. And, once her elderly husband dies, she will have all the freedom, money, and safety she’s ever wanted.
Or so she thought.
A man claiming to be the estranged grandson of Chrysantha’s lecherous late husband has turned up to steal her inheritance. To make matters worse, her little sister is going to be queen and is rubbing it in her face.
Chrysantha decides that the only thing to do is upstage Alessandra at her own wedding. And as for this grandson, he has to go. Never mind that he’s extremely handsome and secretive with mysterious powers . . . No, Chrysantha wants Eryx Demos dead, and in the end, a Stathos girl always gets what she wants.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Tricia Levenseller did a great job of writing in a way that captured my attention, and made me not want to put it down until I was finished! I would highly recommend it!

🤎Book Review 🤎

The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller
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I had such a great time reading The Shadows Between Us, and I was so excited to find out that we were getting Chrysantha’s story. It did not disappoint! She is strong, smart, cunning, ruthless, and uses her beauty as a weapon. She takes on men as her “mistresses” and belongs to a smutty book club. I love her. And the relationship between her and Eryx? It was literal perfection. Tricia gave us a swoony, hate-filled, chemistry-laden battle between two morally grey characters, and the tension had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. This was such an excellent YA romantasy book, and I loved every second of it!
🤎
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
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Read if you like:
▫️enemies to lovers
▫️forced proximity
▫️morally grey hero and heroine
▫️reluctant allies
🤎
Thank you to Macmillan, NetGalley, and Tricia Levenseller for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book! I enjoyed it so much I need it for my trophy shelf! I really enjoyed it from start to finish. This book was better then the first book in my opinion. The romance in this book was top notch! Defiantly recommend!! And the physical book is gorgeous too so thats a huge plus, it just adds to the book!!