Book Title: The Shadows Between Us (The Shadows Between Us #1)
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Target Audience: Young Adult
Publication date: February 25th 2020
Format: Kindle
What it’s about
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?
About the Author
Initially 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.
What I thought
Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, just wow. What a story. This one didn’t disappoint.
Alessandra (FMC), I will admit was a self-centred narcissist and I didn’t like her initially but when you start to get more of her story she is a woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Yes, she is very much a morally grey character but she turns out likeable even with her background. Nothing she does is because of a tragic past, but she has thoroughly and painstakingly gone through every part of her plan and the confidence she has in herself is refreshing. She doesn’t need anyone to help her, she is more than capable of doing everything. She is very much a woman who is an “anything you can do I can do better backwards and in high heels” and this is shown throughout the book.
The Shadow King is someone I’d have liked to have had more interaction with. While Alessandra is getting seen at balls and other events of the court he is held up in meetings and I know he has to have more of a personality that was only shown in the last quarter of the book.
The slow-burn romance is something that certainly helped with my love of this book. Too many that I have read have the instalove which is just not something I believe in. Unmistakably, there are the signs but Alessandra is a bit like me and completely oblivious until something stupidly glaring obvious happens.
This is a book that I am kicking myself for not reading sooner. I will be going out and buying a physical copy of this so I can return to this world again and again.
This book was fast-paced and an enjoyable read. It is one I would certainly come back to.
Star rating
Laura's Literary Loves 