The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller Published by Feiwel and Friends on February 25, 2020
Genres: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 326
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Source: Edelweiss, Feiwel and Friends
I received this book for free from Edelweiss, Feiwel and Friends in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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 Reader’s Review
Sigh. This book… it just wasn’t good. I am very disappointed since that premise makes it sound so great?! Slytherin vibes call my Slytherin soul and yet the main character is decidedly not really a Slytherin, in my opinion. ?
First of all, what I DID like about this book:
– Female friendships! Always appreciate when women become friends and help each other out. It was a top highlight for me. 🙂
– Pretty dresses!
– Some scenes were funny.
– The romance was okay. I did like Kallias a bit. And they did make a good couple. (But they were not really smart.)
What didn’t do it for me:
– Alex goes from Slytherin (chapter 1) to something else in chapter 4 and beyond. She is cunning, but somehow deals with everything so effortlessly and sometimes without her even lifting a finger.
– Alex exchanges letters that details the crimes she has committed and didn’t anyone tell her that people always intercept these?! Not that it ever happened in the book but it’s just one of many tiny details that did not make sense in this book. Why did no one intercept her letters?!! The king is tight with security AND YET.
– Coming back to things conveniently sorting themselves out… I think this pretty much sums up the entire plot. There are no high stakes, only pieces falling neatly into place in a predictable way. Even Alex’s BIG obstacles (like her chapter 1 secret) don’t end up being a problem after all.
I’m pretty sure that I am forgetting to mention other things that I did not like but these are the ones at the top of my mind. I am sad that I did not love this book, I LOVED Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller and I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a read for me though I’m sure others will come to enjoy it more!
