No one can ever make me hate a tricia lavenseller book. Because she writes top tier YA fantasy, and her romance? FREAKN IMPECCABLE.

I was COMPLETELY shocked when I heard there was going to be another story in this universe and KNEW I just had to have my hands on this.

Boi did it SERVE. The story? The plot? The romance? PLEASE GIVE ME MORE I WAS OBSESSED WITH EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER

Chrysantha is married to the awful old Pholios. He passes and she thinks that she has finally gotten everything that she ever wanted - freedom, the quite of the contrary, friends and to be her own boss. Until, Eryx Demos appears claiming to be the late Dukes grandson and claiming the property and title while freezing all of the money as well. Chrysantha and Eryx go into battle over who is the rightful owner of the land. At the same time Chrysantha's sister Alessandra is marrying the Shadow King. Its a fun story with two wildly fun characters.
Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for allowing me to read!

Chrysantha has spent the last seven years pretending to be something she is not. She learned early what she must become in order to gain the one thing she wants the most: freedom. So she’ll play the roll of the fool. To men’s eyes she will be nothing but a decoration. One no one would take seriously. And she’ll plan. She orchestrates so that she may marry an old man who is close to death. And with his death she will become the duchess. She will have a home, money, peace, and freedom to be who she truly is. And she is almost there when her so called husband finally dies. But her happiness and freedom is short lived when a man appears claiming to be the former duke’s estranged grandson. She will find proof of the truth. And this time, she cannot play her old role. She will go as herself. Not that it will matter because that version of herself is just as cunning and strong. But Eryx Demos has more secrets than she could have imagined. I loved Chrysantha and Eryx’s enemies to lovers vibe. A slowburn that is so worth the wait. I wondered how i would feel about Chrysantha. From what we have known of her from her sister, Alessandra in book one, it’s hard to say you would like her. But things always look different depending on the point of view. And I think these sisters have more in common than not. Definitely loved this story like I always do with Tricia Levenseller’s books! And I loved being back in this world. It was an interesting one for sure and I was glad to return for a new story. Filled with romance, magic, and endless scheming, you don’t want to miss this one.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Chrysantha has hidden her intellect her entire life to manipulate through a man’s world. Anticipating, becoming a young widow, when her elderly duke husband dies, she is ready to live life on her terms. On the brink of freedom, her sister Alessandra announces her engagement to the king, and the duke’s estranged grandson, Eryx arrives unannounced. Will Chrysantha find a way to navigate to her new life?

Review: I adored the Darkness Between Us, and The Darkness Within Us carried forward all the same vibes and elements. Chrysantha’s character growth and development in a changing world was so nice to see. I appreciate the commentary on patriarchy in fun young adult romantasy setting. Eryx was to die for, and I thoroughly enjoyed his growth as well!

Thanks for NetGalley for supplying the arc to support this review.

A SOLID 3.5 STARS AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IF YOU’VE READ THE FIRST BOOK! (I finished it in a day!)

I was a HUGE fan of ‘The Shadows Between Us’ and couldn’t wait for this book! Just like the prequel, I love having a strong-willed FMC. Without spoilers, I love how Tricia Levenseller took Chrysantha’s character to the next level. Though they’re different in many ways, it’s clear to see how she and Alessandra are sisters. The banters between the FMC and MMC were also entertaining.

I will never get enough Tricia Levenseller’s writing, she has an amazing way of world-building and storytelling. As a fan of 'The Shadows Between Us', I loved that Alessandra and Kallias made cameos. I would absolutely love for Alessandra's and Chrysantha's stories to continue.

I wish the series wasn't YA, as I feel like we could've gotten more out of both this book and its predecessor if it was categorized as "Adult Romantasy". Still, a wonderful book that I highly recommend!!

It was good!! I really enjoyed Chrysantha and she was so much less annoying than Alessandra. I liked her female rage and the way she plotted to get what she wanted.

The romance was good, I liked their chemistry, but it wasn't necessarily amazing. Eryx was annoying at first but became a sweetheart.

I have gripes with the worldbuilding and overall plot/stakes.. The whole last part was heightened due to miscommunication and pettiness. But overall, this was a solid and enjoyable read.

This was great and exactly what I needed after reading and listening to the first book! Edge of my seat, action packed, and a great read!

I had high expectations for The Darkness Within Us, the companion novel to Tricia Levenseller's The Shadows Between Us, and I am thrilled to say that it exceeded every one of them. As a follow-up to Alessandra's story, this novel centers on her sister, Chrysantha, offering a fresh perspective that adds incredible depth to both the character and the world Levenseller has created.

From the moment I began reading, I was captivated by how Levenseller masterfully redefined Chrysantha. In The Shadows Between Us, we saw her through Alessandra's eyes as a seemingly vapid fool. However, The Darkness Within Us unveils Chrysantha's inner mind and true self, revealing her to be just as intelligent and conniving as her sister. This twist not only enriches Chrysantha’s character but also enhances the narrative without compromising Alessandra's original perspective.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the nuanced relationship between the sisters. Chrysantha and Alessandra are more alike than either would care to admit. Both have big hearts hidden beneath layers of cunning and ambition. I particularly appreciated Chrysantha’s internal conflict and her feelings of guilt towards Alessandra, hinting at a desire for change. This complexity makes their dynamic deeply compelling. Another strength of the novel is how it addresses Chrysantha's negative emotions towards Alessandra without diminishing Alessandra's character. This is crucial as it preserves the integrity of The Shadows Between Us, ensuring that fans of the first book won’t have their perceptions altered.

The Darkness Within Us is an exemplary companion novel. It delves into the backstory of side characters, expands on the world after The Shadows Between Us, and provides new insights without altering the original story. Chrysantha is a fierce and formidable main character, embodying the strong female leads Levenseller is known for. Her motivations are clearly and thoughtfully portrayed, driving her actions in a way that feels authentic. Her evolution is compelling, her backstory is poignant, and her journey towards understanding love is beautifully depicted.

The enemies-to-lovers arc with Eryx, a man claiming to be the grandson of her late husband, is beautifully paced. The mystery surrounding Eryx is intriguing, and Levenseller strikes a delicate balance, making it easy to understand Chrysantha’s animosity towards him while also rooting for their relationship. While there is no explicit spice, the tension between Chrysantha and Eryx is palpable. The novel is filled with pestering, jesting, and adorable moments that keep the reader engaged. The elements of forced proximity and enemies to lovers are expertly woven into the narrative, creating a story that is as captivating as it is heartwarming. We even get a “who hurt you” moment-just top-tier romance writing.

In conclusion, The Darkness Within Us is a phenomenal read that enhances the world of The Shadows Between Us while standing strong on its own. Levenseller has crafted a story that is both surprising and satisfying, making it a must-read for fans of the original and newcomers alike (although I do recommend reading The Shadows Between Us first). I wholeheartedly give it 5 stars.

The long awaited sequel of The Shadows Between Us is finally here! I was ecstatic to be lucky enough to get the chance to read this early since I am a huge fan of Alessandra and Kallias. That being said, I was quite worried to find out that this would be told in Chrysantha's perspective since I hated her character in TSBU. I found myself surprised to understand her motivations (although, I wouldn't say these were valid) and empathize with her situation. Her desire to have freedom and happiness always seemed out of reach due to numerous obstacles in her way. The moment she thinks she finally gets the life she has always wanted, Eryx just had to ruin everything. I admire how Chrysantha stood her ground and would not allow any man to take control of her after everything she endured. However, at times it came across as a privileged statement since many characters, such as Eryx and her servants, all experience hardships as well. The banter between Eryx and Chrysantha was excellent! Their development towards the end was somewhat rushed but it was just so glad they got their happily ever after. I loved Alessandra and Kallias's cameos!!! Learning about why Chrysantha acted harshly to Alessandra and her views on their upbringing in the Stathos household provided a contrasting perspective to what we've seen in the first book. The building of the relationship between the sisters was such a heartwarming inclusion and I'm glad this became a plot point of this book. Overall, this was such a fun and fast read, but I seemed enjoy the first book more. This had the same amount of romance, but something felt missing in my opinion and I wish we got to see more of Eryx and Chrysantha's relationship developing over a few more chapters.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a Beauty & the beast vibe mixed with some step grandma love. I was here for it tho. What a great ride from our FMC being self centered and wanting money to where we ended up

Thank you NetGalley for this Arc 💕 I loved it so much

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Omg but this was amazing. I saw some early reviews and wasn't sure what to expect but this was great. I loved this so much. Morally grey in a nutshell. I liked the first book but I LOVED this one . If you liked the first one you must read this even though it can be read as a standalone! I read this in one sitting! also, can't wait for that special edition.it is stunning!

The Darkness Within Is was a fun read! Despite a lot of dark mystery in the plot, the story is really light and fun!

Chrysantha is full of righteous anger from page one, and that builds delightfully. Her tenuous family relationships and desire to be independent were relatable and felt very real. I definitely felt like I understood her well and liked her a lot.

The world is clearly a male-dominated one. I liked that despite their hatred of each other, both sisters were working around that in their own way. Honestly Chrysantha was the selfish one here. But the gender dynamics were a clear theme in the book and were presented well.

The pacing was consistent, and I think all the reveals happened exactly when they should have. The romance was well executed as well. As a reader, we could see the pining even as the characters were in denial. And he is so wonderfully possessive. I’m a sucker for the “who did this to you” trope.

The only real negative I have is that it felt like it wrapped up too quickly and easily in the end. Every relationship mended into an instant happily ever after. I like the ending, but it felt too easy.

Overall, it’s a solid 4-star read, and I will be following to read more from Ms. Levenseller in the future.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGallet for the opportunity to read and review this book! All opinions are my own.

🖤🗡️ The Darkness Within Us👑📚

SUMMARY:

Chrysantha Stathos has won. 
By hiding her intelligence and ambition behind the mask of a beautiful air-headed girl, she has become a wealthy duchess. And, once her elderly husband dies, she will have all the freedom, money, and safety she’s ever wanted.

Or so she thought. 
A man claiming to be the estranged grandson of Chrysantha’s lecherous late husband has turned up to steal her inheritance. To make matters worse, her little sister is going to be queen and is rubbing it in her face.

Chrysantha decides that the only thing to do is upstage Alessandra at her own wedding. And as for this grandson, he has to go. Never mind that he’s extremely handsome and secretive with mysterious powers . . . No, Chrysantha wants Eryx Demos dead, and in the end, a Stathos girl always gets what she wants.

REVIEW: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read one of my favorite authors!!!!

If I could give this book 10 stars I WOULD. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. I really went into this thinking, there is NO WAY Tricia Levenseller is gonna get me to like Chrysantha!!! But Miss Levenseller really knows how to Leven-SELL-er me on a character (haha get it?)

The Shadows Between Us was a great read, but this second novel was an absolute bang out of the park. I was captivated and emotionally invested, and the BANTER !!! The tension ugh it was beautifully written and I was devouring this book so fast.

Eryx *heart eyes* 🫶🏻 he knew how to piss a girl off, and Chrysantha knew how to put him in his place😏

I’m so happy with how each relationship played out in the book. It really felt like things tied together so nicely. I finished the book feeling giddy and relieved.

I will now be recommending this book to everyone I know. 😍🥰

🖤 enemies to lovers
🗡️ monster romance
🖤 lies/secrets
🗡️ touch her and 💀
🖤 morally grey main characters
🗡️ banter on banter on banter

What a fun read.... If you're going to indulge in an oft used trop, enemies to lovers, this is the way to do it.
Chrysantha wants nothing more than to live her life on her own terms, but in her world, women are nothing more than a mean to an end... wives to produce heirs, daughters to be bartered and so on. Spending most of her life pretending to be a simpleton, in order to quietly manipulate those me in power around her, she finagles her way into a marriage with a wealthy, elderly duke with no heirs.
And she finds her happiness when his cruel, lecherous self dies.
Until his unknown grandson, Eryx Demos, shows up, with two valets who look more like bodyguards and a lot of his own secrets.
I loved getting to know Chrysantha, and came to adore her and the way the thrived as she lived on her own in her quiet manor house. I adored that she had that time, before Eryx's arrival and upheaval, to quietly find herself a little bit and indulge herself.
And then she gets a slow burning, enemy to lover story on top of it... this was an excellent read all around!

What do you do in a world where marriage is more likely to be your Father's bargaining chip to gain wealth rather than secure a love match for his daughter?

Well, if you’re Chrysantha Stathos, you plot, plan, and scheme your way into marrying a lecherous but rich Duke who is not long for this world. After he dies and right as everything she ever wanted is within her grasp, his alleged grandson Eryx appears claiming the inheritance is rightfully his. And as if that weren’t bad enough her little sister is going to be a queen!

Not to be outdone, Chrysantha decides she’s going to upstage her sister at her wedding and use Eryx to do it. And if she just so happens to uncover something to blackmail Eryx with along the way, well then that’s just icing on the cake. The man has to go, no matter how alluring he might be…

After missing out on getting a physical ARC of this book at a convention (I was 22nd in line and they only had 21🥲) I submitted requests for the ARC and ALC of this book hoping for at least one request to be granted and to my surprise I received both!

I devoured the entire thing over a day, switching back and forth between the audiobook and ebook. I had fun listening to Eryx and Chrysantha’s story unfold, their banter was perfect for an enemies-to-lovers story! This book kept me hooked with its mixture of romance, intrigue, and character development.

This book could be read as a standalone because I haven’t read The Shadows Between Us yet and I understood perfectly what was going on! But since I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I do plan on reading it soon (after I catch up on all my ARCs for June 😆)

Audiobook review: I loved this narrator’s voice, it was just haughty enough to truly embody the character, she was the perfect Chrysantha!! Her pacing was just right for the flow of the story and I can’t wait to see what other novels she’s narrated so I can enjoy more of her performances!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and @Macmillan.Audio for allowing me to write an honest review of the ARC and ALC for The Darkness Within Us!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5


My review was posted on Goodreads and Instagram on 6/3/24.

I will post my review on Amazon on 7/9/24, it should be live within 48 hours.

Tricia Levenseller can do no wrong. Seriously, everything she writes is so freaking good! I’ve been a fan of hers since Daughter of the Pirate King released and every book I read from her books me from the start.

This was a fast paced, fun and entertaining read. It was easy to read and finished it in a day. The story was good for a YA fantasy, though I did find some parts to be a bit more mature for a YA audience, (sexual content).

If you liked the first book, you would for sure like this one as well. Definitely in romantasy genre. Not much adventure, but romance.





Thank you to MacMillan and Netgalley for this ARC in an exchange for an honest review.

I just want to start off by giving a HUGE thanks to the publisher for accepting me for this e-ARC. This has been one of my most highly anticipated sequels!

I absolutely loved The Shadows Between Us and have reread it so many times (I actually want to again right now). So when I heard there would be a sequel, I was stoked!

However, I did have some things that hindered my enjoyment of reading this book. First off, it was incredibly hard to love Chrysantha. In the beginning of the book, she seemed brilliant but selfless and carefree and I loved reading that. Then the antagonist (and love interest) shows up so obviously things are tense. But since this is an enemies to lovers, I was hoping to see the progression of her warming up to him. Unfortunately we didn't really get that.

For the majority of the book Chrysantha is very self-righteous, entitled, and selfish. We didn't ever see soft moments from her that didn't involve her staff (which yay for treating your staff well, but who else?). Her need for reconciliation with her sister didn't feel genuine or heart warming. Instead it just felt like another ploy.

Again we really don't see her warming up to Eryx at all. It's as if for over 60% of the book they despise each other, then suddenly they are kissing and she's admitting she likes it, but then she's back to despising him? We only ever really saw her soften up in the last 80% and even then it was so small.

As well, Chrysantha seems very prideful. She could never seem to admit that she did wrong without somehow putting the blame onto someone else. Yes, I get it, she dealt with a lot from the men in her life. But accountability should still be taken from horrible things she chose to do.

This book felt less like character progression or plot and more like a social statement from the author. It didn't really have the romance and tension that I loved so much in the first book. Instead it seemed to mostly focus on the steam.

HOWEVER, after all that is said, this book was still very fun to read and binge. I loved Eryx character and I absolutely loved the dynamic between Nico, Kyros, and Chrysantha. It's a personal preference but I would have loved more descriptions of her outfits. It was also very fun to see Alessandra and Kallias again. At the end of the day, I easily binged this within 24 hours and will still give it a solid 4 stars. I do wish Chrysantha had more about her character that I could have loved and even respected.

Thank you again for approving me for the e-ARC!

Thank You NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was amazing. I am a huge Romantasy fan and this book had me giggling and kicking my feet in bed. I could not put it down. I finished over a span of two days and immediately pre-ordered the special editions of both the prequel "The Shadows Between Us" (which I have not read yet but am eager to) and this amazing book debuting soon.

Crysantha Stathos is such a fiery and delightful female main character. I absolutely loved riding along the tug of war on her heart. She is the beautiful embodiment of grit, satire, whit, strength, and grace. I admire her and I loved watching her story unfold alongside Eryx Demos. The plot was so juicy and the slow burn enemies to lovers within the story hooked me in immediately. Crysantha and Eryx are dynamic but similar in a way and it makes for a story that will touch the deepest parts of your heart. I hope there will be a next to this book. I am not ready for this series to be over. I can't wait to read more.

If you are a Romantasy fan or a Sarah J. Maas reader, this is a must on your reading list. Can't wait to read Tricia Levenseller's other titles.

Summary: 5/5 Stars for me, Spice 2/10 (to be expected for young adult, but it DOES have some mild spice and heavy beautiful edge of your seat romance)

I had mixed feelings about this book. On one hand the banter kept me engaged but on the other I think this book struggles to stay grounded. The regency atmosphere didn’t stay consistent between dialogue vs internal thoughts. There was many times that I thought our main female character felt as thought she was using modern speech when her dialogue was not the same. I loved the first book on this duology but even with this sequel, it was hard for me to find Chrysantha redeemable.