The Darkness Within Us is an enemies-to-lovers romantacy that will have you on the edge of your seat. I'm a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers story, especially when the female lead is fiesty like the FMC, Chrysantha!

This was such a captivating story with just enough mystery to keep you reading and just enough romance to not make you feel dirty. Lol (sorry smut lovers, I don't think this one is for you). My fave thing about this story is how it focuses on women taking back their power and releasing themselves from the patriarchal hold of men. *chef's kiss*

I don't even remember at what point o started rooting for the FMC and MMC but by the end I was screaming! Deff well worth the read!

Tricia Levenseller is an author, who I can trust to give me a great read. I love this author and everything she puts out! It was so fun to head back to a world that I loved. It was fun to see glimpses of our couple that started it all in, The Shadows Between Us!

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Chrysantha, but she quickly became fascinating. I’ll always love it when a woman acts dull but is nothing close to it. The way she was able to have her hand in so many things was impressive. Many things were so frustrating and are still frustrating in real life. The way she cared so deeply about the people around her was so refreshing to see. She cared more about her employees than herself!

The enemies-to-lovers trope was done so fabulously. It was intense and I couldn’t get enough of it!! I got some Beauty and the Beast vibes throughout the book and I loved it. The pacing was fabulous!! I flew through this book, but I always do that with Levenseller. She’s got such an addictive writing style that she hooks you immediately.

I’ve got a small complaint and it’s more personal. I didn’t love how the sister relationship was handled in this book. There’s some deep and concerning hate between these two. It felt a little fast and unrealistic at the end. I don’t know if it’s because I have issues with my sister, but it felt too easy.

Overall, I thought this was a fun read! I do believe I loved the first book a little more. We get more history and background with the shadows, which I appreciated! I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next!

Thank you to Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends and Netgalley for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

tricia NEVER misses. i absolutely adored the darkness within us and loved the plot. it was fast-paced, had complex and awesome characters, and i loved the character growth itself. such a fun sequel and excited for my physical copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a rewview.

I love Tricia Levenseller and her books are always a good time. I liked this story, but as a sequel it felt totally unrelated to the first book and I'd rather have just read this book in a new universe with new rules and magic than trying to shoehorn it into the series.

I like Chrysantha and Eryx. They were complicated and compelling and the writing (as always) was lush and realistic while still fitting into this magical world. The plot was captivating and interesting to follow along with. Chrysantha was supposed to be unlikable but I loved her and Eryx was a better actor than she ever gave him credit for.

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.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Tricia Levenseller did a great job of writing in a way that captured my attention, and made me not want to put it down until I was finished! I would highly recommend it!

🤎Book Review 🤎

The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller
🤎
I had such a great time reading The Shadows Between Us, and I was so excited to find out that we were getting Chrysantha’s story. It did not disappoint! She is strong, smart, cunning, ruthless, and uses her beauty as a weapon. She takes on men as her “mistresses” and belongs to a smutty book club. I love her. And the relationship between her and Eryx? It was literal perfection. Tricia gave us a swoony, hate-filled, chemistry-laden battle between two morally grey characters, and the tension had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. This was such an excellent YA romantasy book, and I loved every second of it!
🤎
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
🤎
Read if you like:
▫️enemies to lovers
▫️forced proximity
▫️morally grey hero and heroine
▫️reluctant allies
🤎
Thank you to Macmillan, NetGalley, and Tricia Levenseller for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book! I enjoyed it so much I need it for my trophy shelf! I really enjoyed it from start to finish. This book was better then the first book in my opinion. The romance in this book was top notch! Defiantly recommend!! And the physical book is gorgeous too so thats a huge plus, it just adds to the book!!

A totally on point follow up/companion to The Shadows Between Us. This one somewhat subtracts the kind of deranged, joyful criminality of its sister novel, but adds a hot monster for all the monster-lovers out there.

What a thrilling and captivating read! I absolutely adored the female main character and found her character development throughout the story to be fascinating. The introduction of the mysterious male main character also had me hooked. The plot twists and intricate storytelling kept me on the edge of my seat. The author's remarkable world-building skills and seamless flow of words created an immersive experience, making me feel like I was embarking on a grand adventure in a whole new world. This book is definitely a must-read, and that ending was simply perfect. Overall, a fantastic read enhanced by the superb narration that skillfully brought the female main character's personality to life. The audiobook truly elevated my enjoyment of the story!

I remember reading The Shadows Between Us, and honestly, I was not the biggest fan of Kallias and Alessandra’s relationship; I remember Chrysantha’s character from that novel and was kind of confused as to why there would be a sequel to that novel, considering the ending. But wow, even though a second book really wasn’t needed, I sure read the hell out of it. The relationship between Eryx and Chrysantha was so good (I ate it up), and their tension made their relationship so addicting and spicy, which is crazy to me that this is considered a YA book. Even though I didn’t particularly enjoy the first book, I did appreciate the cameo from both Kallias and Alessandra, which I thought was a cute little touch.

My only two complaints are that the ending was wrapped up really quickly and that one or two more chapters could have been extended to make it not feel so rushed. Also, the middle kind of dragged for me in terms of pacing and was a bit boring. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and seeing the development of Chrysantha and Eryx’s relationship!

Thank you to Netgalley, Tricia Levenseller, and Macmillan (Feiwel & Friends) for sending me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A companion/sequel to the Shadows Within Us, this novel follows the sister of the protag in Shadows, Chrysantha. Through this book, we get to explore the "shallow, vapid girl" we heard of in Shadows. Instead of meeting that girl, we meet an intelligent, strong, and cunning leading lady. I honestly may like her better than Alessandra. I like that this is it's own tale, and you could probably read this one without reading Shadows, and can enjoy Shadows without this one, though both is the best reading experience of course.

Overall, this is a great enemies to lovers novel. A real enemies situation without something unforgiveable to make the later relationship very uncomfortable. I greatly enjoyed the tale, though perhaps I was a little disappointed by the final love triangle choice. Still, I enjoyed watching the characters grow.

I also enjoyed watching the relationship between the sisters slowly repair, both women learning they were ladies trying to survive in a man's world and doing what they had to to make it, and fixing their sisterhood. I would love to have more of them together.

I will admit I did feel the ending was a bit rushed, I saw how many pages were left and couldn't figure out how the story could possibly conclude in time, I almost expected a cliffhanger into a third book,

I enjoyed this one a lot!! I loved Chrysantha’s character and just how unhinged she was. The scheming was so intermingled and entertaining to see. I will say I wish that the stakes had been higher instead of mainly being money. It lead me to care a little less and made the situation not seem as desperate. Overall I did really enjoy this one. Thank you for the e-arc!

I got approved for The Darkness Within Us on NetGalley and was pleasantly surprised by how much I immediately enjoyed it a little more than The Shadows Between Us. Personally, Chrysantha was a more relatable and likable character than her sister—her desire to be free in the countryside with her books hit home more so than Alessandra’s thirst for power. Although, a favorite subplot of this book was the sisters making amends with each other; I thought that was so lovely and such an important theme for the modern world.

Chrysantha may desire different things from her sister, but she is still a force to be reckoned with! She is about as cutthroat and will do anything to achieve her goals. Watching her reckon with the plight of women in her society, while also learning it doesn’t have to be that way and benefitting from her sister’s law changes, was probably my favorite character development of the story. I did also enjoy seeing Chrysantha discover her own physical tastes and desires and come into her sexuality that way.

Eryx’s character was exciting to learn about, and I liked the mystery subplot of his identity. I’m forever an enemies-to-lovers stan, as well! In the end, this book was 4 stars!

I’ll be completely honest, I read the “first” book (even though either can be read as a standalone) like 2? years ago, so I don’t remember essentially anything about it. Did I lose any of the plot or have any lacking feelings about this? Nope! I think it’s still great with or without the first book, so anyone with those worries should put them aside. The Darkness Within Us had me by the throat! I almost couldn’t put it down and I sped through reading it. I’m a simp for Eryx, I don’t care that he’s half demon, I can fix him. I also just have a soft spot for brooding, serious boys with silly little tails (I’m looking at you, Cardan). I seriously ate this up!!

My only complaint was how infuriating I found Chrysantha and her awful choices when it came to randomly lying when it was not the right time. Her and Eryx were having a breakthrough moment that was super romantic and steamy only for her to just be like “LOL IM ACTUALLY NOT SOBER SO YOURE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ME”????????? Excuse me m’am, what the fuck was that. That made me seriously SO mad - consent isn’t something to lie about, especially when Eryx was going out of his way to ensure Chrysantha had all the control. To be honest, I think Eryx deserves better, but I did love 95% of the book and most of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Feiwel & Friends, and the author for an early copy!

The Darkness Within Us, by Tricia Levenseller, is the sequel to Levenseller’s book, The Shadows Between Us. The first book in this duo was excellent; this second installment didn’t shine nearly as brightly as its predecessor. Still,Levenseller is usually a good bet for me, and The Darkness Within Us was no exception. ⁣
Much thanks to @NetGalley & Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this advanced copy for review. ⁣
⁣
#TriciaLevenseller #TheShadowsBetweenUs #TheDarknessWithinUs #NetGalley

All she ever wanted was her freedom and money... so when she kills her lecherous husband she thinks she's finally gotten everything she's wanted... too bad a handsome stranger shows up claiming to be the new duke and is threatening to take everything she's worked for away from her... unless she finds a way to get rid of him... or fall for him. Chrysantha Stathos is done pretending, done pretending to be a docile simpleton to please men and manipulate them, she's tired of being touched and prodded at by a man who is three times her age that she married... and now she's ready to finally get rid of him and take his title, his land, and his money all for herself. Too bad a man claiming to be the estranged grandson of Chrysantha's late husband has turned up and he plans on stealing her inheritance for himself.... on top of that Chrysantha has to go to her sister's wedding, the very same sister that she spent her life competing against who is now going to be married to a king who is absolutely smitten with her... who had also rejected Chrysantha. Chrysantha thought she would finally win but now everyone is testing her... and now she's done pretending and she's finally going to be herself, the intelligent, ruthless, and manipulative person that she truly is. Chrystantha needs Eryx out of the dukedom, she needs to find a way to invalidate his claim to her inheritance... yet with both of them living in the same house and getting under each other's skin, Chrystantha is beginning to realize that Eryx is hiding so many secrets... and that he might be the one person who truly could give her everything she's ever secretly wanted... if only she could believe him and get him to give up his stake in the inheritance. This was definitely an interesting sequel to the first book, I never expected there to be a sequel after the first book and I whole heartedly loved and adored the first one. I was happy we got to read more about the characters and get to see Alessandra and Kallios again (they are such a cute married couple), I found Chrysantha to be an interesting character that grows on you. The romance was fun and the overall story wraps up really well. I would still say that the first book remains my favorite and better of the two, however I had a lot of fun reading this and it definitely had a Beauty and the Beast vibe with two morally grey characters and definitely fit the vibe for fans of enemies to lovers books!!! Its a fun series that I would absolutely recommend to people and I do adore Tricia's writing so much.

Release Date: July 9,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Love love love this book. I will read anything that Tricia Levenseller writes. Love this duology so much.

I can’t believe we all have the privilege to return to this amazing world. I genuinely did not want this one to end and I wanted more. The Shadows Between Us has always been one of my favorite books. And I am so thankful Tricia Levenseller gave us a sequel. I loved and enjoyed our characters especially Chrysantha because I feel she redeemed herself in this book. Of course, I loved the romance and I enjoyed everything about it. I can’t wait to purchase a physical copy because the cover is absolutely stunning. Thank you so much NetGalley and publisher for giving me this amazing opportunity.

4.5 stars!

While this isn't quite a sequel, it's noted to be a companion novel set in the same world as The Shadows Between Us.

The Darkness within us follows Chrysantha, Alessandra's older sister. Having married a dying Duke, Chrysantha's plans for freedom are finally within reach as he finally meets his demise. But soon after, a suppossed heir arrives and is set on taking the life Chrysantha built for herself away. Immediately, Chrysantha and Eryx decide they will do anything and everything they can to get the either to fold and give up. But chrysantha knows how to play the long game and isn't backing down.

Determined to get to the bottom of this mysterious Eryx, who claims to need to be alone for everyone's safety, Chrysantha plots to take back her title her money and her freedom, no matter the cost.

Like her sister Alessandra, Chrysantha is not a woman to be messed with. I again so enjoyed the villainous FMC and the morally grey characters. Eryx and Chrysantha have each met their match! This was a fast-paced romantasy I couldn't put down and devoured in a day!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Chrysantha has finally gotten out from under the rule of old men. She has been recently widowed by her elderly, and frankly disgusting, husband, and she is no longer under her father’s care. She has the title of duchess (not as grand as her sister, the Queen, but it’ll do) and she has plenty of money. She is free. That is, until a young man, Eryx, waltzes in and claims to be the recently recognized, illegitimate, grandson of the late Duke. Eryx’s first order of business seems to be to try to get rid of Chrysantha. And when she makes it quite clear to him that she is going no where, his second order of business is to control her. That simply won’t do. Chrysantha has spent too long living her life fooling men, but at the devastating cost of not being her true and authentic self. Now that she had tasted true freedom, there is no putting Chrysantha back in her cage. Can the new (and possibly imposter) Duke and the dowager duchess learn to coexist? Or will the animosity between be too strong to stand?

This is a book for anyone who feels like they have not had a voice. It was a wonderful book that shows the journey of inner strength and self discovery.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC.