Review: The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
Title: The Shadows Between Us
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Genre: Romance, YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication date: March 2020
Paperback: 336 pages
BLURB:
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 REVIEW
My Rating: ★★★★.5
New to me author Tricia Levenseller has managed to delight me with this quirky and intriguing story. The blurb captured my attention immediately, because who doesn't like a ruthless and unapologetically cunning heroine. Let's be honest!? I was excited to know more and I was enthralled by the first sentence.
"They've never found the body of the first and only boy who broke my heart."
Alessandra sets out to conquer the Shadow King's heart. She wants power, she wants to rule the kingdom and is not afraid to play dirty to obtain what she desires most. So once she manages to get the King's attention and secure a place at his court, the plan is simple. Woo te King, marry him and then kill him. It should be simple enough because nobody can resist her charms. But even the best-laid plans aren't fail-proof.
I loved the chemistry and the dynamic between Alessandra and Kallias (The Shadow King). There's a connection between them from the beginning, that both try hard to ignore. What starts out as a mutually beneficial arrangement slowly becomes something more. They're perfect for each other, both wicked and devious, they make quite the infamous pair.
“Aren't we all drawn to friends in the beginning by trifling things? True bonds develop afterward when character is revealed.”
The writing style was easy to follow and engaging. The action was fairly paced and left room for character development. I liked the slow burn romance between the protagonists, it had the right amount of angst and banter, and the build-up tension was sweet torture and totally worth waiting for them to be together. The plot was suspenseful with some twists and turns, that kept me really engaged in the story. I would have liked an epilogue at the end, but overall it was a wonderful read. I recommend it!
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