I have not read the first book of this series but I didn't need to because it all came together perfectly as I read this one. The enemies to lovers was brilliant in this book, it can be hard for me to find a romantasy with banter that is actual BANTER and snide comments, not just them mildly flirting or the conversation faltering from the boring or bad insult. No, this was GOOD!!

There was a lot of nods to feminism and the main character, Chrysantha, wanted to be free and treated as an equal which was fantastic. The plot was interesting and I felt as though I was on this journey with Chrysantha trying to find out who Eryx really is and his secrets he was hiding.

Little repetitive with some things towards the end, but all in all great writing, character developments and story.

Did not read the first one so it was a tiny bit confusing when she was talking about her sister in the beginning, but I enjoyed it along with her other books. This isn’t my favourite ever book of hers but it was still a great read. :)

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 rounded to 4

Disclaimer: I read this book without reading The Shadows Between Us, so more fool me for being a little lost when starting it! However, it was an easy enough read which I flew through pretty quickly - and I'll try to pick up the first book too at some stage.

From what I can gather, our FMC is a side character from book one, and she's a little abrasive at times. The MMC is also probably what I'd call morally grey. Romance? Believable enough, if not a little rushed (although that's usually the case in a standalone/one book relationship), but a standard 'sort of enemies-to-lovers' plot.

At times a little predictable, even without previous knowledge of book one, so that knocked a half a star off for me.

I think if you loved the first book you will also love this one. I'm adding it to my TBR!

This reminded me of Bridgerton, and unlike the previous book, I enjoyed this one more. Even though I don't like Chrysantha, the banter between her and Eryx was enjoyable, and kept me reading. What disturbs me a little is the writing style, which is more like a monologue than depicting the surroundings. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc! xx

very entertaining and fast paced like i know her books to be. i unfortunately couldn’t develop any feelings for either character, they were so petty and didn’t have any substance for me unfortunately.

I requested this but then I realised that I didn't remember anything from the first book. But turns out it wasn't necessary. I loved and hated the FMC but I'm attributed that to good writing. I could still relate to her and loved how she changed her mind about some certain things.

The Darkness Within Us
Tricia Levenseller
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/ 5

Firstly, I would like to thank Pushkin Press, Tricia Levenseller and Netgalley for providing me with an early review copy! You can read The Darkness Within Us on July 18th this year!

Chrysantha Stathos is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. For years, she has hidden her intelligence and ambition behind the disguise of a beautiful, air-headed young maiden destined to be sold off to a wealthy duke. Shortly after her marriage, Chrysantha’s elderly husband dies- leaving her with everything she ever wanted: status, wealth, safety and the freedom to do whatever she pleases. However, her victory is short lived- a stranger claiming to be the grandson of the duke appears to try and take everything from her. Eryx Demos threatens everything Chrysantha has worked so hard for- the years of pretending, manipulating, letting others use her like a chess piece- all of it wasted if Eryx gets his way. With her sister Alessandra’s upcoming wedding and coronation coming being rubbed in her face and the troublesome Eryx trying to steal her life Chrysantha decides two things. One- She is going to upstage Alessandra at her wedding for all the years of built up resentment between them. Two- Eryx Demos is going to die and she is going to get her life back. And in the end, a Stathos always gets what she wants.

I can’t even begin to describe how thrilled I was to be returning to the world from ‘The Shadows Between us’! I loved how different Chrysantha is from the way she was described in the first book- her character is just as clever, ruthless and fiery as Alessandra was yet her character was also so different! Chrysantha is much more subtle in her deviousness and I loved how good she was at manipulation and only showing people what she wanted them to see. I also loved Eryx- he was such a great new character and he contrasted very well with Chrysantha. Eryx has an air of innocence, and he is relatively calm where she is fierce, secretive while she is very open about her wants and desires- but their dynamic works really well. The mystery surrounding Eryx is well done, and I love how we get a glimpse of other places and magic in the world through him. I loved their relationship- it is a true enemies-to-lovers story. Their mutual hatred for each other in the beginning lasts for quite a good portion of the book, and they don’t really stop trying to get rid of one another even as they start to tolerate each other.

Another aspect of this book I loved was how we saw more of the relationship between the sisters- Alessandra and Chrysantha. Their relationship is complicated, as we saw in the last book, but in this book we got to see Chrysantha’s point of view. I like how the reasons behind their jealousy and bitterness towards each other was explored and they made progress in their relationship. I was also so happy to see Alessandra and Kallias again- also how much the world has evolved since Alessandra became queen. Both the sisters are so unapologetic in their cunning and ruthlessness and aren’t afraid of what society thinks- I’m so glad we got both of their stories.

Overall, the Darkness Within Us was an absolutely amazing book- I couldn’t put it down! If you loved The Shadows Between Us or even if you love enemies-to-lovers romantasy- you NEED to read this book!

THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US is my favourite book by Tricia Levenseller and THE DARKNESS WITHIN US does not disappoint as a companion novel.

This is an enemies-to-lover romantasy with a cool headed, clever heroine who is out to get what she wants, and is not about to let anyone get in the way. In some ways, Chrysantha is a mirror to Alessandra - ambition and determination - but she is much kinder, bringing in more allies from the start and building herself a strong support network.

Chrysantha has hidden her true identity from the world and now lets it out, all the force and cleverness in a powerful blow at those who've always taken advantage of her. It was very satisfying to see her put the solicitor in his place. This book highlights the power than men can be given by laws and society and how it can be used to abuse women. Chrysantha's been there and is not about to let herself be hurt again.

Eryx is an interesting character, full of secrets and at odds with her from the start. Their goals clash immediately and I liked that their antagonism was personal, about what the other was doing to their plans and not about what they represented. This put them on a much more equal footing so the sparks of their interactions were sharper.

Alessandra appears in this book, and it was interesting to see her through her sister's eyes, all the resentment and mistrust from years of a poor relationship. But the pair of them do work on improving their relationship now their father is no longer coming between them as they try to survive him. I really liked seeing them find common ground and respect for one another.

4,5⭐️

OH. MY. GOD. YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THIS BOOK, you are really not preprepared for this book

it is absolutely delightful and entertaining, but oh my, what did happen here and where do i even start???

i really liked shadows between us, but it was a long time ago, so i lowkey forgot abt it and starting this book i had no expectations, just wanted a quick, fun book

AND HOW IT DELIVERED!!! I DEVOURED it in one day, literally, I just sat my ass down, starting reading and suddenly the sky's dark and i needed to turn the lights on

about the characters, Chrysantha was so unhinged and delulu, you thought she was dumb and docile? literally in the first chapter, the first sentence - she's proving you wrong. she's just that character, that I'm not even sure i like, but she was so delusional and actually out of her mind crazy, it was hella entertaining, like damn, use that audacity, i can't believe you're actually doing it, but go girl!!!

and Eryx??? I'm actually speechless, it turned in the direction i never would have predicted while starting this book, I thought it'll just be some ya romance, lots of balls and seducing and dancing. but it is absolutely not, I won't say anything but i was just like did I pick up the wrong file? the idea of this book in my head, when I heard about it was so wrong and I'm so glad, cus of it

I know the book is called darkness within us but I didn't expect it'll be about that kind darkness, yall are in for a huge ass surprise

I was having the time of my life with this book, tho ending was a little hmmm, but the writing style made me swim thru the pages with the speed of light and I felt like a was riding on a rollercoaster - you're sitting strapped in and can't do anything except enjoy the ride and damn i was absolutely enjoying it, definitely a new fav

Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

3.75/5

This book is an enjoyable YA romantasy that offers a light, easy-to-follow narrative without extensive world-building or complex subplots. It’s a fun and engaging read that I would recommend to anyone looking to delve into fantasy without the need for deep concentration on intricate details. Perfect for a relaxing, "turn off your brain" kind of experience.

I enjoyed the first book and was intrigued to see how Levenseller would make me like the sister I initially disliked. Surprisingly, Chrysantha turned out to be likable, with her compassion and kindness toward her staff adding a sweet touch. However, the development of the sisters' relationship felt rushed and somewhat inauthentic, despite eventually warming up to their reconciliation.

The chemistry between Chrysantha and Eryx was charming, with their insults, banter, and flirting providing a delightful slow-burn romance. However, the ending felt abrupt, reminiscent of "The Shadows Between Us," where the major plot twist occurs in the last few pages, which I found rather silly. Nevertheless, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thank you Netgalley and Pushkin Press for the arc!

What a book! I loved the shadows between us and this was no different! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book.

I just enjoyed this sequel so so much. When I read the first book (years ago) we didn’t get a great impression of Chrysantha as we saw her mean and not very pleasant. But this book allowed us to see why she had trained herself to be someone completely different so she could be free.

All she wanted was to be her own person and as soon as she gets it, it’s snatched away from her by Eryx, the late dukes grandson. And I couldn’t be happier. Their dynamic was everything I love in an enemies to lovers story and I ate every second of it UP.

The secret behind Eryx also kept me hooked and how we had to wait for it to be slowly be unravelled. This book was just everything I love in a romantasy and Tricia always delivers.

The Darkness Within Us is a fast paced, feminist YA Fantasy with a cunning female protagonist. It is a spin-off of The Shadows Between Us and follows the story of Chrysantha, the sister of Alessandra. I read The Shadows Between Us many years ago and despite it being my favourite book at the time, I have little recollection of the plot. This did not matter, however, since The Darkness Within Us can be read as a standalone novel.

Chrysantha has been waiting for her old, cruel husband to die so that she may finally have her freedom. After his death, she is excited to no longer be ruled by a man. However, her freedom is short lived when Eryx appears, claiming to be her late husband's long lost grandson. With the loss of her money and home at stake, Chrysantha plots to get rid of him and earn her freedom once and for all.

I absolutely loved every minute of this book. It was the perfect blend of mystery, romance and humour. Chrysantha was an incredibly entertaining character and I really enjoyed her story. Fans of Tricia Levenseller will absolutely adore her newest book!

An enemies to lovers that is just that! I loved the FMC in this book, she’s determined and smart. Although at times I may not have agreed with her decisions as she is definitely one for her emotions to get in the way. The MMC is introduced perfectly and the tension is there from the start. The story is fast-paced and twisty, not in a shocking way but in that fun way you just want to keep reading. I absolutely adored the setting and world building. A highly fun read that I think will definitely be a new fave for people. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced ebook copy of The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller.

I've listened to all of Levenseller's previous books on audiobook over the last couple years. They are always short and simple love stories with enjoyable characters. Her work reminds me a lot of Kiera Cass author of The Selection. Levenseller's writing style is very clear and I always know what to expect when I read one of her books. Making them reliable and easy to enjoy.

It has been a while since I've read the previous book in this duology, but I often think about it. And I was really interested when I heard about The Darkness Within Us. (I also want to note that you can read and enjoy this book almost as a standalone if you-like me- also don't remember all the details from the first book.)

I really enjoyed Chrysantha as a character. I found her more likable than her sister. Chrysantha is a strong female character and probably my favorite out of all the author's books combined. She's smart, sarcastic, a reader, and not afraid to commit murder. The perfect combination.

I'm always really interested in the magic aspect of this duology. I wished that it was expanded upon more. Shadow magic is always used differently by every author and I'm very drawn to it!

While reading this book a lot of elements reminded me of Beauty and the Beast- though I know it's not a direct retelling. The country-side house, befriending the servants, and the relationship between Chrysantha and Eryx.

I did feel like the pacing was a little off. The book could have probably benefited from 50 or 100 more pages to make the romance part less of a jump. The flow started off really believable but the connection between enemies to lovers just needed a slower approach in my opinion. Love stories need time to develop and I would have liked to see it unfold a little more naturally.

Overall, I enjoyed all the characters and the location of story. If you have read other books by Levenseller and enjoyed them then you'll definitely like this one too!

Just wow! As someone who has read and loved many of Tricia’s books in the past, I was naturally very excited for this. My expectations were high but the book hit even higher!

You can tell Tricia’s writing style has grown. The characters were more rounded, the overall plot was more intriguing and fleshed out. This was such a fun YA romantasy and has taken the top spot as my favourite book of Tricia Levensellers!

Chrysantha pretended to be a dense woman for the past seven years, fooling everyone around her to think she was meek and invisible.. She chose to marry a duke, who had no heirs, four times her age, deliberately. She was waiting for the duke to pass on so she could inherit the dukedom and live her life independently, without having any men boss her around anymore.

Once the duke passed away, she was finally happy to live as she intended– by decorating the mansion as she wished, choosing her lover, and spending time reading and getting closer to her staffs.

While her plans almost came to fruition, a stranger swooped in claiming to be the rightful heir of the deceased duke. Chrysantha’s hopes are crushed, but she doesn’t stop being suspicious of the alleged heir, Eryx Demos.

Eryx and Chrysantha couldn’t stand each other from the get-go. They both wanted the other gone, but it was costing Chrysantha her freedom and money.

She was on a mission to find Eryx’s true motives. In the process, she stumbled upon his darker secrets that could put the Shadow King, and everyone closer to him, in danger.

In all, A Darkness Within Us is story of a beauty taming the beast. Two opposites falling learning to embrace each other’s darkness.

I liked this book better than the first one. The big difference being I didn’t have to force myself to finish this book. The writing was smooth, so it was easy to fly through the chapters.

I really appreciated Chrysantha and Alessandra working on their relationship in this book. Chrysantha was more open to her sister after the duke’s death. They worked through their differences and bridged the gap caused by their father and the society’s expectations.

That being said, our main characters voice came across way more older than they were in

the book. I kept reminding myself they were only 18/19, constantly. If didn’t know they were teens, I’d have thought they were in their mid 20’s

The plot somewhat went lukewarm for me after Eryx gave up on his plans easily. He took too many measures to get where he was, but he gave it all up in a second.

However, if you are used to the author’s writing, you will enjoy The Darkness Within Us. Readers who enjoyed the Shadows Between Us can go for it without a second thought.

I had high hopes that ‘The Darkness Within Us’ would surpass its predecessor, ‘The Shadows Between Us.’ While I can’t definitively say whether it achieved that, I did find myself enjoying this book more than the first.

In ‘The Darkness Within Us,’ we follow Chrysantha Stathos, the sister of Alessandra (the heroine from the initial installment). Although marketed as a companion book rather than a sequel, I recommend reading ‘The Shadows Between Us’ first. Unfortunately, the worldbuilding in this novel falls short. Without the context from Alessandra’s story, readers are left in the dark about the kingdom’s functioning, its rulers, and its dynamics.

The plot isn’t overly complex, yet it remains engaging. However, there are moments when characters act absurdly or make illogical decisions solely to advance the storyline. The main characters are the weakest link here. Chrysantha, our female lead, remains blissfully unaware of her own flaws, and any feminist rage doesn’t excuse her behavior. It’s a missed opportunity that the plot doesn’t address this. As for Eryx, the male lead, he starts off extremely rude, and I find it hard to appreciate an enemies-to-lovers dynamic built on such contempt and disrespect.

The book’s redeeming quality is its breakneck pace—you can practically sprint through it. It’s an easy read, and I didn’t have to force myself to finish it (unlike the lackluster experience I had with the first book). While it may not resonate with those who disliked the initial installment, fans of the first book might still find enjoyment here.

I loved The Shadows Between us when it was release. It's been a while since then so it was a pleasant surprise to learn of this companion novel.
I loved the characters, the dark world and I loved being back in this world.
Very enjoyable read!

thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for this arc.

3 stars.

i want to start off by saying i read 'the shadows between us' (this one's companion novel) in january of 2021, so it's been quite a while, and i don't remember much about it. except that i didn't quite love that one, either. i kinda feel the same towards this one, and the other tricia levenseller books i've read, unfortunately. i'm starting to think it's just an author thing. :/

i think for this, it's that it's a standalone. it's one book in which everything has to be wrapped up, and so it has to move quickly. especially when the book is only 300 pages long. and i say this often, but i really do love a good slowburn, which is why i believe this didn't do it for me.

though i have to add: the first half of this book was a solid 4 stars!! i truly did enjoy that bit, and chrysantha was relatable in some aspects. too bad it fell off for me towards the end. :(