The Shadow Between Us by Tricia Levenseller – Blog Tour + Book Review

Title: The Shadow Between Us

Author: Tricia Levenseller

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Release Date: 25 February 2020

Source: Review Copy

My Rating: 5/5

Blurb (as on Goodreads):

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?

The Shadow Between Us is my first Levensellar’s book and my first five-star read of the year. I loved Levensellar’s writing very much and she has already become one of my favourite authors.

Love can either break or make a person. Once it broke the heart of Alessandra Stathos, who had nothing but hopes and love for Hektor. Betrayal and rejection change the person in the most unexpected way. Hektor’s betrayal is what made Alessandra, an ambitious, cunning and calculative person she has become. All she desires now is power. By hook or by crook she will get whatever she wants.

Two things I loved most about this book were Levenseller’s exquisite writing and the amoral female protagonist and how unapologetic she is for who she is. Alessandra is a character I wasn’t expecting to like but I ended up loving her so much. Initially, she reminded me of Katherine Pierce from The Vampire Diaries with her ambitious, cunning, calculative, and strategic self but Alessandra has proved otherwise that a badass like her can be caring and loyal to those who she truly cares.

The Shadow King, the title itself is enough to evoke fear and Kallias as a Shadow King lived up to my expectations. Although I was so intrigued by his shadow form and the power he holds, what I liked most about his character was the way he treated and respected Alessandra. There was this anticipation of what would happen when Kallias comes to know about Alessandra’s past but he didn’t give a damn about it which really surprised me. I wish the book has his point of view too.

I haven’t heard about the term Slytherin romance before and when this book was promoted as one I was so intrigued. The romance between Alessandra and Kallias was not the love at first sight or meet-cute kind of romance but a slow-burn romance. They developed a friendship which has gradually transformed into a relationship. I always believe in such kinda romance. It made it more real and relatable.

To put it simply, I would say that this is the best contemporary romance with a hotchpotch of fantasy fiction I have ever read. Be it the character development, slow-burn romance or the world-building I loved everything about it and found it really hard to put down the book. Do yourself a favour by picking this book up for your next read.

*A special thanks to The FFBC team and the author for the eARC and for giving me the opportunity to read and review the book The Shadow Between Us. All opinions are my own*

“They’ve never found the body of the first and the only boy who broke my heart. And they never will.”

“I can have it all.
The power.
The kingdom.
The man.”

“After all, Love is an excellent motivator to kill.”

“You are beautiful, ” he continues “but not so beautiful as to tempt me.”

“Alone because I’m terrified to be vulnerable.”

“Don’t be afraid of who you are. Say what you wish. Be who you wish. Don’t try to be someone else.”

Tricia Levenseller is the author of the Daughter of the Pirate King duology, Warrior of the Wild, and forthcoming The Shadows Between Us. She likes to describe her books as a young adult alternate world-historical fantasies with heavy romantic subplots.

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 she 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 with her siblings, and watching shows while eating extra-buttered popcorn.

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