Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC!

I liked this installment more than the first which is very rare. Chrysantha who is a badass wanting to live her life. She’s sick of answering to other people and wants freedom to do what she wants and who she wants😉

She marries some old ass Duke, murders his ass, and then takes all the spoils…well she tries. In comes Eryx who is the grandchild of the late Duke and he rips everything Chrysantha has worked for away from her. The banter was incredible and both our main characters were very headstrong and driven. Great read!

Title: The Darkness Within Us
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5

Chrysantha Stathos has won.

By hiding her intelligence and ambition behind the mask of a beautiful air-headed girl, she has gathered important secrets, earned her father’s constant care, and become a wealthy duchess—all by age nineteen. Now, she is only one elderly, dying duke away from having all the freedom, money, and safety she’s ever wanted.

Or so she thought.

Turns out her little sister somehow snatched the true victory away from her: Alessandra is wedding the Shadow King, the most powerful man in the world. Meanwhile, after the death of Chrysantha’s no-good, lecherous husband, a man claiming to be the duke’s estranged grandson turns up to inherit everything that should be hers.

Chrysantha is enraged. There is no way that she’s going to let some man take everything from her. Never mind that he’s extremely handsome and secretive and alluring with mysterious powers… No, Chrysantha wants Eryx Demos dead, and in the end, a Stathos girl always gets what she wants.

I loved the revolution Chrysantha’s sister seemed to be leading for women’s rights in this, although the relationship between the sisters was pretty terrible. Chrysantha was a good character: I loved her determination, her wit, and her absolute refusal to lose. I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers arc between her and Eryx, and I never quite figured out what was going on with him before the reveal.

Tricia Levenseller is from Oregon. The Darkness Within Us is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Macmillan Children’s in exchange for an honest review.)

🤍Thank you @netgalley for the earc of this one!🤍

Also, a moment for this Fairyloot edition because I’m still not over those edges.

I absolutely loved The Shadows Between Us and was so excited for this one!

It was bingeable, fast-paced, and witty! I was hooked from chapter one. However, this book just ended up not being for me in terms of the characters. A bummer for sure :(

But, because I think that this book will find its audience, here are a few things to expect!
• enemies to lovers
• I got some great regency vibes
• sister relationship
• a mystery

★ ★ ★.5/5
Steam: fade to black
TW: dm for details

Thank you Tricia Levenseller & Netgalley, for the e-arc. All opinions are my own, and I am leaving them voluntarily.

Ever since reading The Shadows Between Us, I was CRAVING Chrysantha's book!

You'd enjoy this if you like:
-Redemption Arc
-Enemies to Lovers
-Shadows hehe
-Forced Proximity

Not going to lie, the beginning of this book was a little hard for me to get into. I felt like Chrysantha was just so... me me me, the whole time. HOWEVER, I totally do get why she felt this way.

I really enjoyed the banter between the FMC and MMC, and loved the cameos from Alessandra & the Shadow King! Also loved that Alessandra & Chrysantha were able to mend their relationship.

The Darkness Within Us - ARC - @tricialevenseller
Release date: July 9th

This was my first book by Tricia Levenseller and WOW, I absolutely loved it! I couldn’t wait to get home from work and continue to read this!

If you love:
YA fantasy
True Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Delicious tension — reminded me of OUABH
Shadow Daddy
A smart FMC

Go grab this book July 9th!

Her other book The Shadow Between Us is already on my Amazon wish list as well as the physical copy of this one because l loved this book so much!

#thedarknesswithinus #yafantasy #yafantasybooks #fantasybooks #enemiestolovers #shadowdaddy #booklover #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #macmillanchildrensbooks #macmillanchildrenspublishinggroup #netgalley #netgalleyreads #arc #arcbooks

If you love clever and cunning morally gray MCs, this book is for you! I loved watching Chrysantha's true nature be revealed in this book.
The romance was spot on and the world building was fantastic (as I've come to expect from a Tricia Levenseller book). I will definitely be recommending this one!

*Thanks to NetGalley for the arc, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller is the second book in ‘The shadows between us’ duology, and it follows Chrysantha, the older sister of Alessandra, as she seeks to find and make her way in the world. We already have a preconceived image of Chrysantha, being beautiful, selfish, and vapid, but this story, from her perspective, allows us more insight into who she is as a person, and why she acts the way that she does.
I enjoyed the banter between the MC and her love interest, her fight to be acknowledged in society and her altruism. This book clearly shows that there are many sides to a story.
I would recommend this fun read if you are into romance with a drizzle of fantasy, found family and reconciliation.

Well, she’s done it again. I was absolutely enthralled by this novel, like I was by The Shadows Between Us. I can’t say that I liked the FMC much, she was a bit deceptive, but then that’s part of the point. I will say that the competition and general hate between sisters got a bit old, like come on, sibling rivalry is a bit over rated…you both got what you wanted, so move on. I’m glad I was able to immerse myself in this world again. Levenseller’s writing is magnificent and allows the story to unfold at its leisure.

I was hesitant to read about Chrysantha’s story at first, but Levenseller did a great job at redeeming this character as well as evolving the world that is The Darkness Between Us. And I’m incredibly grateful to receive an ARC of this book! I loved how digestible this book was in terms of fantasy, as well as the fact that the author touched on important topics such as gender roles and abuse. I’ll continue to read anything that Levenseller writes.

Really enjoyed this companion book to the shadow between us. Loved the enemies to lovers, banter, slow burn and morally gray FMC and MMC.. Loved finally seeing a relationship develop between the two sisters. Devoured the book in under 24 hours!

I always enjoy this author's books and this companion to the 1st book in this series was no exception. I liked the main character, she was strong and independent and played with societies rules of how a woman should behave to get the life she wanted. She was pretty determined and fierce in getting what she wanted from life which I respected even though some of her methods were a bit far out there sometimes. The books I have read from this author are all featuring strong young women and I like that ferocity she writes into them. I also just have such a fun time reading them, they are always fast paced and exciting plotlines. I would definitely recommend this one if you like an enemies to lovers slow burn with a sprinkling of fantasy.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for granting me access in exchange for an honest review.

The first book in this series was so fun. Couldn’t put it down. This fell flat in every way. I wanted to love it. Kept reading in hopes it would get better. But I didn’t buy the romance and the ending lacked the passion I expected. Meh. Glad it was a quick read.

I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley (THANK YOU) and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Every single time I think I'm kind of over YA fantasy books, Tricia Levenseller comes out with one that pulls me right back in. She is magical that way, I guess, I don't make the rules. Truly, I have become incredibly picky with the genre in general, but wow, she blows me away every time! This is not a direct sequel to The Shadows Between Us , but rather a companion following Chrysantha. That said, there are spoilers for the first book, so you should really read that first. And a lot of fun callbacks. So just read them in order, yeah?

Anyway, this has everything I have come to expect from one of Tricia's books: humor, high stakes, great messages, incredible friendships and romances, fabulous banter, and just an overall enjoyable reading experience. There were a few things that maybe felt a wee bit easy in terms of resolution, but I can't fault it too much, because the rest was just really enjoyable. I was also so glad to see the sisterly relationship that was touched upon in the first book become more prominent in this one. Also, there is a pretty serious enemies-t0-lovers situation, and those are fun! I was also very here for the strong feminist messages throughout.

Bottom Line: Another fun, entertaining, engaging fantasy from Tricia Levenseller reminds me why I always read whatever she writes.

I love love love LOVED THIS! Seemingly picking up a few weeks or months after The Shadows Between Us, our main character finds herself notified of her sisters wedding. The later we see her husband passing. Her sister had made several official decrees and now she no longer has to wait “proper” mourning period. As she is settling into her new role of widow a mysterious gentleman appears on the scene. Claiming to be a long lost grandson of the deceased. The rollercoaster and banter between these two! The will they or wont they is highly unmatched as the both bring out a certain fury in the other! I found myself most tickled even at the most serious parts of the story! The way our mmc was written was completely troubled and complicated. He was clever but the Duchess way way cleverer!!!!

This book was okay but I enjoyed the first one more. The main characters were really well developed and complex. The banter between the characters was delightful, sharp, and entertaining. Where I got stuck was with the plot. There just didn’t seem to be enough conflict so I felt like decisions Chrysantha made didn’t make sense at times and were just used to create tension for the plot. I wish there was more of a plot so these characters could shine.

Thank you NetGalley & Tricia Levenseller for an eARC of this book. The following is my honest review of The Darkness Within Us.

After reading The Shadows Between Us, you think you know Chyrsantha Stathos but no one knows the real Chrysantha. I absolutely loved this character. The book was just as chaotic and feral as Shadows Between Us which was such a fun read, so this did not disappoint. If you enjoyed Alessandra and her antics, you will love this book.
This book had everything. Enemies to lovers, banter, feral characters, forced proximity. Even a book club which I adored, since I read Shadows Between Us in a book club. I was giggling throughout the whole book. It was funny yet I also appreciated the moments of Chrysantha coming to terms with what she had to endure to survive. It reminds me a lot of Nesta's story, so fans of A Court of Silver Flames will appreciate Chrysantha's journey. I think Levenseller really fleshed out her character and her arc in a compelling and enjoyable story. It was nice to see how similar, yet how different she was from Alessandra.
Chrysantha's interactions with Eryx are peak enemies to lovers and she is so shamelessly confrontational with him. I love that we did not get a timid FMC, but someone who isn’t afraid to put him in his place. My absolute favorite scenes are when she grabs a certain part of him to rein him in. I could read a whole other books about the two of them.
I’m glad that Levenseller returned to the world of Naxos to give us this story as well as a small glimpse of Alessandra’s story after her happily ever after. This is a great companion novel to The Shadows Between Us that's worth picking up.

Thank you, Macmillan Children's Publishing & NetGalley for the access to the digital arc in exchange for a free and honest review!

This book has similar qualities to the former, The Shadows Between Us, while still having stronger writing. I loved book one, but The Darkness Within Us was the perfect read for what I wanted. It was engaging with a slow burn, bickering, and scheming.

Chrysantha's character development is well done. The shift from her airheaded persona to her true self as cunning and clever is like a snake shedding it's skin. The sisters are more alike than the believe, and I'd love to see a conversation between them about that.

The slow burn is the best part of this book. I'd recommend this more for the relationship development and love for both leads than I would for the plot. Considering I want more on relationship development, that was great for me.

While the plot is fine, there's not much mystery to the mystery of what Eryx is. Like book one, the final climax is very quick. It has the same base, the two leads being separated with an undertone of betrayal before racing against the clock to save their man. It was enjoyable, but predictable and that's my only criticism.

What matters most to me about a book is how much I enjoy it as I'm reading, and this is a DELIGHT. I have pages and pages of highlights.

➸ 4.5 ⭐️

loved this almost as much as The Shadows Between Us!!

"You. You make me forget all my rules and reasons for everything. You make me want to believe it's possible not to be alone forever. You make me want to claim the whole world and gift it to you on a silver platter. You are unlike anyone I've ever known. And gods, but I love your mouth. The way it smiles. The words that come out of it. How it feels against mine. Just looking at your lips makes my mouth water."

As someone who absolutely adored TSBU when it first came out, and even now after my reread more than 4 years later, I was super excited to get my hands on this sequel/spin off/companion novel.
It did not disappoint.

I was unsure at first if I'll love Chrysantha as much, because—in the words of our dear Petros—I'm loyal to her sister, but with everything we learn about her and the way she grows, I was helpless to her charms.
Chrysantha is similar to Alessandra, they're sisters after all, but she's still her own person (character?). Even though she has Alessandra's ruthless streak and she's almost as morally grey/villainous as her, Chrysantha is also very different in other ways—she loves to read, she cares about the people around her, she just want to be left alone in peace—and it didn't feel like I was reading the same story but with a different title.

She smiles. "[. . .] How fortunate that both our men survived us."
"We Stathos sisters are a force to be reckoned with."

The love interest-Eryx-is as mysterious and as interesting as Kallias, i absolutely loved him. I loved the whole knife-to-throat and hidden monstrous side we get in this book. And his banter with Chrysantha is hilarious — there's so much tension from the moment they meet and it's excellent.

"At least it's not pink," he mutters.
"What did the color ever do to you?"
"It's distasteful—and you can close your mouth right now. I don't wish to hear your comment about me being just as distasteful to match."
I close my mouth, almost embarrassed that he predicted my comment perfectly.
"Remind me how long of a ride it is to the palace," he says.
"A few hours."
He massages his temples. "I don't think I'll survive it."

Where the first book takes place in the palace and there's a lot of court intrigue and machinations, TDWU mostly takes place at Chrysantha's estate, so it gives the story very strong Beauty and the Beast vibes. I couldn't help draw the comparison and it makes a lot of sense given what type of characters Eryx and Chrysantha are. Perhaps this is the main reason why I love TSBU a little bit more — I prefer the palace setting, and I think the plot of TSBU is more interesting and to a point I even find Alessandra and Kallias more interesting and more fun.
When it comes to the pacing they are both equally fast paced and both books are equally captivating.

The ending felt a little rushed, so much happened in that last chapter, I feel like the story could've been expanded in a few places *sighs*. The bonus epilogue in the Fairyloot edition helped though and the deleted scene was super fun though I'm so happy TL decided to include the wedding instead.

It was SO MUCH FUN coming back this world—I absolutely adore that we get to see Kallias and Alessandra's wedding and what they are up to I also love that Chrysantha and Alessandra are able to reconnect and hopefully fix their relationship.
I really hope this is not the last we've seen of Chrysantha and Eryx and Alessandra and Kallias.

eternal gratitude to netgalley and the publisher for the arc
all quotes are from an advance copy and may differ in the final publication

An excellent return to the world I loved in The Shadows Between Us. I kind of find I really related to Chrysantha and her need for freedom and not to be beholden to anyone. She was respectable even when she was doing dirty deeds. I loved the character progression in this for both Chrysantha and Eryx and how this all wrapped up. I really don't have any complaints. It was engaging and fun. It's not forever one but it was definitely for me so thank you very much for the advanced copy, netgalley!

Truth bomb, after reading the “Shadows Between Us” and loving it so much then finding out this one was about Chrysantha whom I loathed, I wasn’t sure.

Boy was I fucking WRONG. It’s said this is to be a companion novel but to really take in some of the complexities I do recommend reading “The Shadows Between Us” first. Both of these novels are delicious. They had me hooked quickly.

Chrysantha is a ravenous beauty. A simpleton. Lovingly doting by her dying duke husbands side….

THINK AGAIN!

FEMALE RAGE. “Who’s Afraid of Little old me?/ Well you Should be.”

That right there. While she is a ravenous beauty she is no simpleton and her dying husband is an abusive jerk. Once he finally croaks, she has everything she’s ever wanted. Her freedom and money.

She is a very complex character and the author did a fabulous job of unraveling her to us readers. I did however want to see more scenes and banter with Alessandra every scene with those too once she exposes her true nature to her unveils a new side of her character.

Eryx, is a poor looking man claiming to be the rightful duke and grandson of Chrysantha’s late husband. With two big goons in tow he is very mysterious and not forth coming. Must be that occasional amber glimmer in his eyes….

Those two go toe to toe with each other. Despising. Bickering. Coming to realizations. Almost Beauty and the Beast like if you will. Enemies to lovers. Slow ass burn but worth it.

You will NOT be disappointed.

Thank you @Netgalley and Macmillan Publishers (imprint Feiwel & Friends) for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This rare beauty (I mean look at the beautiful book) hits shelves 7/9/24!

#BookDragon #Books #BookReview #BookReviewer #ARC #ARCReader #TheDarknessWithinUs #Fantasy #Romance