The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

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✦ BLURB ✦

They still haven't found the body of the first and only boy who broke Alessandra's heart—and they never will. Since then, all of her relationships have been purely physical. And now at eighteen years old, Alessandra is ready for more. The plan is simple:

1. Make the king fall in love with her.

2. Get him to marry her.

3. Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

It's no small task, but Alessandra wants a kingdom and is going to do everything within her power to get it. She knows the freshly crowned Shadow King will be her toughest target yet. Shrouded in a mysterious power, no one is allowed to touch him.

But, as forces combine to try and keep Alessandra from earning the king's heart, she wonders if perhaps she's already lost her own.

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💋 One girl. One king. One murder plot. Romance was never going to be the point.

Pre-Reading Thoughts:

I was promised a morally gray heroine with a plan and the wardrobe to match, and I’m showing up like it’s coronation day. I wanted clever court scheming, sharp banter, and maybe a little light seduction… or, you know, light stabbing. Let’s see if Alessandra delivers.

Post-Reading

As I thought…
This was wildly readable. The pacing was swift, the voice sharp, and Alessandra? Iconic. She’s all swagger and calculation, the kind of character who would throw a tea party just to poison someone’s crumpet. The world of the Shadow King is moody and dramatic, and I was absolutely swept up.

It surprised me by…
How much emotional depth peeked through beneath the sass. Yes, there’s a frustrating amount of characters not explaining things to each other (you just know court therapists would make a killing), but in a context where knowledge is survival, it makes sense. Still, it made me want to shake a few people. Preferably over a balcony.

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✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦

📚 To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
🎬 Reign meets The Favourite with less powdered wigs and more murderous intent

✦ MUSIC PAIRING ✦

Because sometimes, the heart of a story plays out like a song.

🎵 Featured Song: “Glory and Gore” – Lorde
🎶 Vibe Album: Ultraviolence – Lana Del Rey
🎧 Artist Recommendation: BANKS, for the dark synth-pop edge that matches the murdery romance energy.

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✧ VIBE CHECK ✧

A colour palette: Crimson, obsidian, and royal gold

A soundtrack: Dramatic strings with modern beats

A season: Late autumn – cool, sharp, and fading into long nights

A mood: Confidence with a side of cunning

A scent: Expensive perfume with something metallic underneath

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★ TAROT CARD PULLED ★

Queen of Swords – Light Seer’s Tarot
Alessandra is every inch the Queen of Swords—sharp, self-assured, and emotionally untouchable. Her heart may be locked in stone, but her mind is always ten steps ahead. Charm is her weapon. Power is her goal.

Next up: The Darkness Within Us, where the knife is sharper and the sister drama cuts deeper.

The Shadows Within Us publishes on the 27th January, 2026. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.