You cannot imagine how happy I'm when I go to see the second round of the Goodreads Choice Awards and The Shadows Between Us are nominated in the Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction. Yeah, I was hyped when I started this book, and the beginning was so good, I had problems to remember to breathe, and then I was close to hyperventilating. It was everything my Slytherin heart wanted. Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship. My dream was of him, of the day he told me it had been fun but he was done. Some other girl had caught his fancy. I don’t even remember her name. At the time, all I could think of was the fact that I’d given everything to Hektor: my first kiss, my love, my body.

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller | Goodreads

Unique plot? No. New? Definitely not. Did it have the chance to become its own and unique deliverance? Absolutely. Did it do so? Hell no.Spoiler alert: they did, actually, and it didn't matter. Because nothing in this book makes any sense.

The Shadows Between Us: FAQ and Character Overview (2023 Edition) The Shadows Between Us: FAQ and Character Overview (2023 Edition)

I'm not a trollop, i announce to the empty room. "i'm a sexually empowered woman, and there is nothing wrong with that.” He swallows the bite in his mouth. “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?”I will discuss 10 fantasy romance books similar to The Shadows Between Us. These novels offer beautiful, atmospheric writing that can transport you to different worlds, immersing the reading experience. Let’s go! Name The Shadows Between Us is advertised as a Slytherin-inspired YA fantasy romance. However, the Slytherin "representation" is an excuse to write an unlikable character with very little growth, the "fantasy" element was very clearly shunted in just so the book could break into the YA fantasy market, and the "romance" was the most blegh thing I've read in a long time. I'm not sure what everyone else is seeing in this book that I'm not, but I'm getting real tired of reading books that seem to put in very minimal effort in regards to being unique or engaging. Who in the world would steal and then not keep the riches for themselves? That’s just bad business.”

Books Like The Shadows Between Us - BookAvatar 10 YA Fantasy Books Like The Shadows Between Us - BookAvatar

First, the main "villain" (if you do not count Alessandra as the villain of the story) was very obvious. Plus the reason or explanation behind their actions was pretty easy to guess as well. I'm not angry by it, just disappointed. I do have a few minor problems with this book. The dialogue can be a bit stilted, but that's not a huge issue. Additionally, Kallias is a pretty soft villain. He's supposed to be a conqueror but we never see him do any conquering. The reason I didn't care was because this isn't his story. It's Alessandra's.Also, this is described as a villain x villain romance, but here is another problem I found. Kallias is such a lonely heartthrob. I felt him to be nothing of what a villain is. Families can talk about sexually empowered female characters in The Shadows Between Us and in other media. How often do they get to be the protagonists? What is their usual role in a story or on screen? Why do you think this is? Other characters like daring Rhoda and sweet Hestia who’s simply afraid to be herself in fear of rejection and thus imitates successful individual in all aspects, as well as Leandros who is...charming and tragic and whatnot, all make this an enjoyable, unputdownable read that I devoured in less than a day. Perfectly described as a "Slytherin romance" in the dedication, this palace-set fantasy is a playful love letter to ambitious and sexually empowered women who rarely get to be protagonists. Oh, and the protagonist in question is also an unrepentant murderer -- that, too. For the right mature reader, this is pure fun. The Shadows Between Us may seem to be promoting all the wrong values, but you'll find virtuous maidens and just rulers in plenty of other fantasy tomes. Just not this one. Even funnier perhaps is that there's a Robin Hood-type character on the loose and a righteous rebellion of peasants who are all squashed like insects. These stories will captivate you if you enjoy plots filled with court politics, power struggles, and strategic maneuverings. Many such books have strong, ambitious female protagonists who defy societal norms, inspiring and empowering readers. 10 Books Like The Shadows Between Us (Magical Romance)

The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller | Goodreads The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller | Goodreads

This is the third book in the Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy. The world-building at this point is pretty well established, but there are a few things added to this book and different courts that we get to experience. Most characters were established in previous books but are built here as The Shadows Between Us. The most surprising thing from this book is Tamblin. His character development is pretty spectacular.I lose interest in everything sooner or later. Everything save you. Because in you, I found my match. In you, I found my equal.” A complete untruth. The only time Father bothers to think of me is when he catches me doing something he thinks I shouldn’t. Chrysantha has been his focus my entire life. The poets can say whatever they damned like. A woman’s worth is not decided by what’s between her legs but by what is in her mind.