A totally on point follow up/companion to The Shadows Between Us. This one somewhat subtracts the kind of deranged, joyful criminality of its sister novel, but adds a hot monster for all the monster-lovers out there.

What a thrilling and captivating read! I absolutely adored the female main character and found her character development throughout the story to be fascinating. The introduction of the mysterious male main character also had me hooked. The plot twists and intricate storytelling kept me on the edge of my seat. The author's remarkable world-building skills and seamless flow of words created an immersive experience, making me feel like I was embarking on a grand adventure in a whole new world. This book is definitely a must-read, and that ending was simply perfect. Overall, a fantastic read enhanced by the superb narration that skillfully brought the female main character's personality to life. The audiobook truly elevated my enjoyment of the story!

I remember reading The Shadows Between Us, and honestly, I was not the biggest fan of Kallias and Alessandra’s relationship; I remember Chrysantha’s character from that novel and was kind of confused as to why there would be a sequel to that novel, considering the ending. But wow, even though a second book really wasn’t needed, I sure read the hell out of it. The relationship between Eryx and Chrysantha was so good (I ate it up), and their tension made their relationship so addicting and spicy, which is crazy to me that this is considered a YA book. Even though I didn’t particularly enjoy the first book, I did appreciate the cameo from both Kallias and Alessandra, which I thought was a cute little touch.

My only two complaints are that the ending was wrapped up really quickly and that one or two more chapters could have been extended to make it not feel so rushed. Also, the middle kind of dragged for me in terms of pacing and was a bit boring. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and seeing the development of Chrysantha and Eryx’s relationship!

Thank you to Netgalley, Tricia Levenseller, and Macmillan (Feiwel & Friends) for sending me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A companion/sequel to the Shadows Within Us, this novel follows the sister of the protag in Shadows, Chrysantha. Through this book, we get to explore the "shallow, vapid girl" we heard of in Shadows. Instead of meeting that girl, we meet an intelligent, strong, and cunning leading lady. I honestly may like her better than Alessandra. I like that this is it's own tale, and you could probably read this one without reading Shadows, and can enjoy Shadows without this one, though both is the best reading experience of course.

Overall, this is a great enemies to lovers novel. A real enemies situation without something unforgiveable to make the later relationship very uncomfortable. I greatly enjoyed the tale, though perhaps I was a little disappointed by the final love triangle choice. Still, I enjoyed watching the characters grow.

I also enjoyed watching the relationship between the sisters slowly repair, both women learning they were ladies trying to survive in a man's world and doing what they had to to make it, and fixing their sisterhood. I would love to have more of them together.

I will admit I did feel the ending was a bit rushed, I saw how many pages were left and couldn't figure out how the story could possibly conclude in time, I almost expected a cliffhanger into a third book,

I enjoyed this one a lot!! I loved Chrysantha’s character and just how unhinged she was. The scheming was so intermingled and entertaining to see. I will say I wish that the stakes had been higher instead of mainly being money. It lead me to care a little less and made the situation not seem as desperate. Overall I did really enjoy this one. Thank you for the e-arc!

I got approved for The Darkness Within Us on NetGalley and was pleasantly surprised by how much I immediately enjoyed it a little more than The Shadows Between Us. Personally, Chrysantha was a more relatable and likable character than her sister—her desire to be free in the countryside with her books hit home more so than Alessandra’s thirst for power. Although, a favorite subplot of this book was the sisters making amends with each other; I thought that was so lovely and such an important theme for the modern world.

Chrysantha may desire different things from her sister, but she is still a force to be reckoned with! She is about as cutthroat and will do anything to achieve her goals. Watching her reckon with the plight of women in her society, while also learning it doesn’t have to be that way and benefitting from her sister’s law changes, was probably my favorite character development of the story. I did also enjoy seeing Chrysantha discover her own physical tastes and desires and come into her sexuality that way.

Eryx’s character was exciting to learn about, and I liked the mystery subplot of his identity. I’m forever an enemies-to-lovers stan, as well! In the end, this book was 4 stars!

I’ll be completely honest, I read the “first” book (even though either can be read as a standalone) like 2? years ago, so I don’t remember essentially anything about it. Did I lose any of the plot or have any lacking feelings about this? Nope! I think it’s still great with or without the first book, so anyone with those worries should put them aside. The Darkness Within Us had me by the throat! I almost couldn’t put it down and I sped through reading it. I’m a simp for Eryx, I don’t care that he’s half demon, I can fix him. I also just have a soft spot for brooding, serious boys with silly little tails (I’m looking at you, Cardan). I seriously ate this up!!

My only complaint was how infuriating I found Chrysantha and her awful choices when it came to randomly lying when it was not the right time. Her and Eryx were having a breakthrough moment that was super romantic and steamy only for her to just be like “LOL IM ACTUALLY NOT SOBER SO YOURE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ME”????????? Excuse me m’am, what the fuck was that. That made me seriously SO mad - consent isn’t something to lie about, especially when Eryx was going out of his way to ensure Chrysantha had all the control. To be honest, I think Eryx deserves better, but I did love 95% of the book and most of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Feiwel & Friends, and the author for an early copy!

The Darkness Within Us, by Tricia Levenseller, is the sequel to Levenseller’s book, The Shadows Between Us. The first book in this duo was excellent; this second installment didn’t shine nearly as brightly as its predecessor. Still,Levenseller is usually a good bet for me, and The Darkness Within Us was no exception. ⁣
Much thanks to @NetGalley & Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this advanced copy for review. ⁣
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#TriciaLevenseller #TheShadowsBetweenUs #TheDarknessWithinUs #NetGalley

All she ever wanted was her freedom and money... so when she kills her lecherous husband she thinks she's finally gotten everything she's wanted... too bad a handsome stranger shows up claiming to be the new duke and is threatening to take everything she's worked for away from her... unless she finds a way to get rid of him... or fall for him. Chrysantha Stathos is done pretending, done pretending to be a docile simpleton to please men and manipulate them, she's tired of being touched and prodded at by a man who is three times her age that she married... and now she's ready to finally get rid of him and take his title, his land, and his money all for herself. Too bad a man claiming to be the estranged grandson of Chrysantha's late husband has turned up and he plans on stealing her inheritance for himself.... on top of that Chrysantha has to go to her sister's wedding, the very same sister that she spent her life competing against who is now going to be married to a king who is absolutely smitten with her... who had also rejected Chrysantha. Chrysantha thought she would finally win but now everyone is testing her... and now she's done pretending and she's finally going to be herself, the intelligent, ruthless, and manipulative person that she truly is. Chrystantha needs Eryx out of the dukedom, she needs to find a way to invalidate his claim to her inheritance... yet with both of them living in the same house and getting under each other's skin, Chrystantha is beginning to realize that Eryx is hiding so many secrets... and that he might be the one person who truly could give her everything she's ever secretly wanted... if only she could believe him and get him to give up his stake in the inheritance. This was definitely an interesting sequel to the first book, I never expected there to be a sequel after the first book and I whole heartedly loved and adored the first one. I was happy we got to read more about the characters and get to see Alessandra and Kallios again (they are such a cute married couple), I found Chrysantha to be an interesting character that grows on you. The romance was fun and the overall story wraps up really well. I would still say that the first book remains my favorite and better of the two, however I had a lot of fun reading this and it definitely had a Beauty and the Beast vibe with two morally grey characters and definitely fit the vibe for fans of enemies to lovers books!!! Its a fun series that I would absolutely recommend to people and I do adore Tricia's writing so much.

Release Date: July 9,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Love love love this book. I will read anything that Tricia Levenseller writes. Love this duology so much.

I can’t believe we all have the privilege to return to this amazing world. I genuinely did not want this one to end and I wanted more. The Shadows Between Us has always been one of my favorite books. And I am so thankful Tricia Levenseller gave us a sequel. I loved and enjoyed our characters especially Chrysantha because I feel she redeemed herself in this book. Of course, I loved the romance and I enjoyed everything about it. I can’t wait to purchase a physical copy because the cover is absolutely stunning. Thank you so much NetGalley and publisher for giving me this amazing opportunity.

4.5 stars!

While this isn't quite a sequel, it's noted to be a companion novel set in the same world as The Shadows Between Us.

The Darkness within us follows Chrysantha, Alessandra's older sister. Having married a dying Duke, Chrysantha's plans for freedom are finally within reach as he finally meets his demise. But soon after, a suppossed heir arrives and is set on taking the life Chrysantha built for herself away. Immediately, Chrysantha and Eryx decide they will do anything and everything they can to get the either to fold and give up. But chrysantha knows how to play the long game and isn't backing down.

Determined to get to the bottom of this mysterious Eryx, who claims to need to be alone for everyone's safety, Chrysantha plots to take back her title her money and her freedom, no matter the cost.

Like her sister Alessandra, Chrysantha is not a woman to be messed with. I again so enjoyed the villainous FMC and the morally grey characters. Eryx and Chrysantha have each met their match! This was a fast-paced romantasy I couldn't put down and devoured in a day!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Chrysantha has finally gotten out from under the rule of old men. She has been recently widowed by her elderly, and frankly disgusting, husband, and she is no longer under her father’s care. She has the title of duchess (not as grand as her sister, the Queen, but it’ll do) and she has plenty of money. She is free. That is, until a young man, Eryx, waltzes in and claims to be the recently recognized, illegitimate, grandson of the late Duke. Eryx’s first order of business seems to be to try to get rid of Chrysantha. And when she makes it quite clear to him that she is going no where, his second order of business is to control her. That simply won’t do. Chrysantha has spent too long living her life fooling men, but at the devastating cost of not being her true and authentic self. Now that she had tasted true freedom, there is no putting Chrysantha back in her cage. Can the new (and possibly imposter) Duke and the dowager duchess learn to coexist? Or will the animosity between be too strong to stand?

This is a book for anyone who feels like they have not had a voice. It was a wonderful book that shows the journey of inner strength and self discovery.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC.

Amazing! I came into this one with high expectations after The Shadows Between Us and was really hoping not to be let down. And I was not! I didn’t even know if TSBU needed a sequel, but it did, and it was this one. Chrysantha was an amazing heroine and I loved her inner world and the way she wanted to build her life. I wish I could read this again for the first time—I couldn’t put it down and read it way too fast!

You know you enjoyed a book when you’re sad it’s over even a couple days later.

I really really enjoyed this book! I loved getting to know Chrysantha’s story from her own point of view and learning that she wasn’t what we expected!

I thought it was a beautiful story of opening up to another person and allowing them to see your flaws and receiving complete acceptance in return.

Eryx and Chrysantha’s dynamic of rivals to lovers was so fun and entertaining. I loved it!

4 stars

The Darkness Within Us is a companion to The Shadows Between Us, but you don’t need to have read the first book to understand this one (thank God, because it’s been a year since I read book 1 and remember very little from it). It stars Chrysantha, who is Alessandra’s sister if you’ve read book 1, who, by the age of nineteen, is set on her way to become a wealthy duchess. All she needs is for the old duke she married to die for her plan to work… until it doesn’t.

Not only is her sister married to the Shadow King, the most powerful man in the world, but the duke’s grandson also shows up to inherit everything Chrysantha has worked to gain.

I am an absolute sucker for enemies to lovers, and this one was amazingggg. Both Chrysantha and Eryx grew on me as the story progressed and their relationship grew closer. Tricia Levenseller’s FMCs are always so fierce, independent, and witty, and Chrysantha is no exception right from the beginning.

There were a few parts where I found myself skimming a little, but overall, this was a fantastic read and an amazing continuation to this world.

I really enjoyed this book! I actually think I might like this one even more than the first, which is not typical for me. I love when a series focuses on other characters past book 1, and especially when the book gives a new perspective to a character who may not have been as important or well liked. This book does that very well! I particularly thought the enemies to lovers trope was also well done in this book. I am surprised I haven't seen this series take off yet! I am a big fan and really enjoyed this ARC. Thanks so much to the author and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group! I will be posting about this one and book 1 on both my book instagram @/briellesbookshelves and on my GoodReads page.

Chrysantha is about to have everything she dreamed of. She’s feigned stupidity for years while garnering the favor of her father. She only has to wait for her sick and elderly husband to die and she’ll truly be free. Surely nothing will stand in her way.

Read if you like: YA fantasy, YA fantasy romance, slow burn to steamy moments, rivals to lovers, morally gray characters (both of them), long term plots, courtly intrigue and scandals, dark secrets, and two characters who will do anything to survive.

For seven long years Chrysantha has played dumb. She used her simpleton reputation as a way to gain information from those who would never suspect her and then played everyone around her- shaping their decisions with her carefully laid plans. She’s secured a marriage with an incredibly wealthy, incredibly old Duke who has no known relatives. And as soon as he dies, she inherits a fortune and her very first taste of freedom. Chrysantha is living the dream until she finds out that her younger sister is going to marry the Shadow King, dulling her sisterly victory. But she maintains her sanity by relishing in widowed bliss, until an heir arrives out of obscurity at the estate. Now she must be rid of this pretend Duke no matter the cost. She must ignore his handsome face and unnatural essence and uncover all the dark secrets he carries.

This book is super fun! First of all, you don’t really need to do any rereading of The Shadows Between Us as this book picks up right after the end of the first and the sisters are separated and only correspond to irritate the other. So, all the happenings in the first book are mostly unknown to Chrysantha.

This is all about the plight of a woman who knows that her only use to her family is the price received at her wedding and the personal and political connections that could be gained from that union. And she takes this knowledge and plays a long game to ensure she comes out in the best possible scenario. You are gonna get a whole lot of girl power moments wrapped up in a regency era flair- with zero historical accuracy. This is another delightful book that cares not for recreating the past but rather a familiar environment with all the creative freedom of fantasy. A perfect set up for all their morally gray schemes.

This is a rivals-to-lovers romance that’s oh-so-delicious! I truly love their banter and the way they must reluctantly work together. We have a lot of opposites going on and it’s delightful. For a YA book we get a fair amount of steamy moments on page while the rest will have to live on in our imaginations. I had a lot of fun digging into this tale of a wickedly clever woman and her quest for happiness.

Thank you to NetGalley, FeirceReads, and Tricia Levenseller for a copy of this book for review.

The Darkness Within Us is book two in The Shadows Between Us series by Tricia Levenseller.
Tricia Levenseller does NOT disappoint with this one!
The first chapter was the best opening to a book I’ve ever read. You will be sucked in and won’t want to stop.
The writing is utterly incredible! These characters had a hold on me like nothing I’ve seen before!
The Darkness Within Us is a deliciously dark and captivating tale with a heart pumping romance.

Thank You NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved watching Chrysantha trying to fight for her right to just exist. Not only exist but be in charge of her life and how she is going to live it. Eryx is a lovely addition. His cranky mysterious ways just add to the story in a way that sucks you in. The romance in this book is well played and timed perfectly. It makes sense and is enjoyable to the reader. I truly enjoyed this story and am looking forward to recommending it to patrons. I also enjoyed that while this is a second book, I didn't have to read the first one to enjoy this one.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Feiwel and Friends, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.