The Shadows Between Us (The Stathos Sisters)
Tricia Levenseller, author of Daughter of the Pirate King, is back with an epic YA tale of ambition and love in the New York Times bestselling novel, The Shadows Between Us…
“They’ve never found the body of the first and only boy who broke my heart. And they never will.”
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?
“Tricia Levenseller’s latest, The Shadows Between Us, is a decadent and wickedly addictive fantasy, full of schemes and court intrigue, and delightful descriptions of food, which I am always a fan of.” —Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series
And don't miss the companion novel, The Darkness Within Us—an instant #1 New York Times-bestseller!
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Community Reviews
The Shadows Between Us is an exciting novel that leaves the reader uncertain of what to expect from the novel but leaves the reader satisfied.
Interesting Protagonist
What makes The Shadows Between Us entrancing is the protagonist Alessandra. Alessandra is a character worth reading because she is no damsel in distress. She lives in a restricted kingdom, and for a woman, Alessandra lives her life in a carefree manner. Alessandra loves her freedom and fights against the conformity of the court.
However, what truly makes her a compelling narrator is how the novel opens with her remembering how she murdered her ex-lover. Alessandra thought she was in love with him only to discover he was using her and tired of her. Then the story moves on to her trying to win the King’s heart for power as she plots his demise.
However, the murder comes back to haunt her, reflecting her character and the lies she continues to weave as she plays her hand with the king.
It is interesting to follow Alessandra as she embarks on this journey to prove her worth. Alessandra is not only trying to prove her worth to her father and the king but herself as well. As the second daughter, she is only worth what she can get as a dowry and it cheapens her.
Nevertheless, the fact that Alessandra never relents and faces those who would look down at her with her head held high makes her remarkable. The reader admires her, even if she is a murderess, underhanded, and devious, they do not overshadow her charisma and strength as a character.
Multilayered Storytelling
While the characters themselves are engaging for the reader, what makes the story compelling are the many layers to it. Yes, the novel follows Alessandra trying to become queen, but there is this other story investigating the disappearance of her former lover. And then another story of the former Queen and King’s assassination. The King has brought back all the players who were around the time of his parent’s murder and with Alessandra, they team up to try to solve it. A friendship blossoms there, a real one, before the romance does, giving depth to their relationship.
Now, while all these stories are going on, they blend together. The reader is pulled in by the characters, by their dynamics, and by the stories that keep them on edge. There is much going on, but it is not distracting. Instead, it is compelling, pulling the reader deeper and deeper into the story.
Final Thoughts
The Shadows Between Us is an unexpected delight. The Shadows Between Us is a story with so many layers to it but they build off one another to create a powerful story. The characters have much depth to them a lot of personality that makes them engaging for the reader as well.
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“That should be obvious. Perhaps you’d like to ask me what I’m thinking instead?”
I can only describe this book as a dark Bridgerton and it absolutely consumed me!
I will forever recommend this book!
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