The Shadows Between Us

By Author / Illustrator

Tricia Levenseller

Genre

Fantasy

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Pushkin Children's Books

ISBN

9781782693727

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

26-01-2023

Synopsis

A sumptuous, addictive story of ambition and love from YA fantasy sensation Tricia Levenseller. 'A wicked fun romp with corsets and jewelled daggers' Emily R. King, author of The Hundredth Queen Series.

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, tired of being overlooked, has a plan to gain power: woo the Shadow King, marry him, then kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

But Alessandra's not the only one trying to kill the king. As he dodges assassination attempts, 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...

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Reviews

Linda

The Shadows Between Us is the gripping YA standalone fantasy novel from the wonderful Tricia Levenseller. Once again, as with all her books, this one will not disappoint.

Alessandra, an ambitious young woman who knows what she wants and doesn’t care how she gets it, has set her sights on the Shadow King. In order to gain the power she relishes, she first has to become his wife, but how easy is that going to be when she cannot even touch him? No one knows the full truth about the Shadow King’s power. Do the shadows speak to him? Do they do his bidding? Do they reveal the thoughts of his enemies? One thing is for sure, they protect him, he cannot be killed as long as his shadows surround him.

However, Alessandra is not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts are made on his life she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough to make her his queen - no one is going to be killing the king on her watch - but herself. Will all the time spent with Kallis soften her heart? Will she find true love for the very first time?

Alessandra is the kind of character that you cannot help loving, even though she is the clear villain of the story. She is ambitious, mean, scheming, clever, beautiful and likes to be noticed. She is the perfect partner for the king and their interactions are very cleverly written as they keep the reader engaged and wanting more.

This book is full of fun, ambition, scheming and some sexual tension between the two main protagonists, making the story only really suitable for the 15+ reader. The Shadows Between Us had me gripped throughout. This is an addictive, mesmerising YA fantasy ( adult readers will also enjoy it) full of ambition and love. Get it, read it and enjoy.

336 pages / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian