The Shadows Between Us

"I read this book for the first time a few years ago and loved it, so I decided to reread it before picking up the sequel, The Darkness Within Us, and I'm so glad I did! This book is a masterpiece! The plot is super fun, the characters are lovable, and the setting is amazing! It's pretty atmospheric. Alessandra is such an amazing FMC, and I love her sooo much! She's so wonderfully devious! Always plotting and planning, and so unapologetically herself! Honestly, she reminds me a bit of Jude Duarte from The Cruel Prince! Kallias, the Shadow King, is a fantastic character! He's power hungry and ruthless, yet he's also quite charming and intelligent, and I loved his and Alessandra's relationship! They made quite the power couple! One of my all time favorites! 10/10 would recommend! "

"Loved this book! Fantasy, romance, royalty, morally gray characters- what more could you ask for? Highly recommend!"

"*WARNING THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS* Wow! I immediately fell in love with this book right from the start! I love the writing style and how the story flows perfectly. That opening line is amazing! The characters and their development was just beautiful to read about. Alessandra and Kallias fit so perfectly together, it was cute and funny to see them together. I still knew who was trying to kill him and who the people were that planned it all out. But I did not expect that plot twist with his brother, that completely shocked me!! I cannot wait to read book 2, even though I know its about her sister, I'm just hoping we get to see some of Alessandra and Kallias! Great and amazing read! It's now one of my favorites!!"

"This was perfect. I loved the characters, but I would have liked to see the story a little longer. (I deeply wish this was a series). "

"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"

"This book is more of a 3.50-3.75, it was good just not worth 4 stars good. The writing felt a little immature but that’s to be expected when the book is meant for YA. There was no on page s*x, just fade to black. I enjoyed the book, it was quick and easy to read. Sometimes it felt like the author was trying to hard to make the main character the main character. (I hope that makes sense) Note To Self: Ready For It by Taylor Swift. "

"Actually enjoyable, simple and weird plot but if you accept that things just “are” then the story is great. "

"This is one of those books I went in for the main character. I loved the idea of the ya main character who owned her body and got what she wanted. That’s exactly what I got. I thought the plot would be a little more murder-y. I thought with our main character literally being power hungry, she would just kill and trick her way to the top. A disappointing turn of events reveals that no, the plot is much more romance-y rather than murder-y. The romance was not only unexpected but also unwelcome. I felt like I was watching two people I hated fall in love so the only response I could give was “well, they’re meant for each other”. In any other books, these two main characters would be villains. They are cruel and demeaning to anyone below their rank and are obsessed with conquering other nations. Literally thought I was reading about English royalty during colonization. That being said, the amount of body positivity and sex positivity was a light in the dark. Though is all of the positivity enough to outweigh the superiority complex? I don’t know."

"The Shadows Between Us was very refreshing. Alessandra a villainess who wants nothing more than to be on top of the world needs to kill the shadow king to fulfill her dream. I thought this story was exciting and mischievous. It contained the found family troupe that sometimes felt like The Brigerton Family feuds. The side characters were often as enjoyable as the main ones. The bonds made this tail feel so real at times.<br/><br/>Alessandra was not like other girls. Sincerely. Not that character you usually read about, you know the one. Where everyone is like omg she is amazing she is not like other girls. Except she is because I read about that beauty, who doesn't think she is beautiful, all the time. Or the one who saves people's lives and was like "It was nothing". Attention seekers. It gets tiresome.<br/><br/>Alessandra was ruthless and self-serving. Of course, there was a heart in there somewhere. I mean she helped other people but not without something in return. I thoroughly enjoyed her character. She didn't need a good reason to take over the empire. Alessandra didn't lose anyone to the empire, the King isn't an unimaginable tyrant. She just wanted to be worshiped and powerful. Alessandra was cunning and though I learned of the King's secrets I was still rooting for her.<br/><br/>The King himself was very interesting and complex though it took a while to grasp his character. Also, Leandros was such a little devil I loved him. The guy friends had more depth and were easier to distinguish than the girls. I honestly got Alessandra's girlfriends mixed up consistently. Still, all these relationships felt real and warmed my soul with their kinships.<br/><br/>Close to the end I did warn my husband I would be in a foul mood. Why because I felt the cliffhanger coming and book two has not been released yet. So if he didn't decide to run that would be his own fault. In closing, Alessandra was cheeky fun. I loved her selfishness and thought it a cool breeze to the repetitious characters I have had to put up with of late. I also enjoyed the authors writing style so much that I researched her other books and realized she wrote the Daughter of the Pirate King. Loved it too of course. Well, now I have to wait for book two ugh. Maybe I'll try more of her work in the meantime.<br/><br/><br/>“Alessandra Stathos, that’s positively despicable.” He says the words like they’re the highest compliment he can give me. “You are an absolute gem, do you know that?” My whole body warms at the praise.<br/><br/>Suddenly I’m pulled into Petros’s arms, and Rhouben finds himself holding Petros’s partner. “Hi,” Rhouben says awkwardly. “Would you rather dance with a man or dance with Melita?” Petros asks, as he sweeps me away. The last thing I see is Rhouben enthusiastically engaging in the dance with Petros’s old partner."

"The story was quite predictable. The main characters are villain but in a good way. So the perspective was somehow different. It gives you a quick journey to get through which is nice but not very special. "