"They've never found the body of the first and only boy who broke my heart. And they never will."
My Rating: ★★★★★
Genre(s): Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Publication: February 25, 2020 (Feiwel & Friends)
Synopsis:
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?
Review:
I'm not normally one for standalone novels. I tend to avoid them, assuming that I can't possibly be satisfied with a story that's over in a few hundred pages (with only a few exceptions). I'm accustomed to sprawling fantasy worlds with epic storylines that span a minimum of three books. For that reason, The Shadows Between Us sat on my bookshelf for months before I finally decided to see what it was all about. I'm glad I did, because this book may have completely changed my opinion on standalones. Levenseller's dark romance is full of powerful women, loveable villains, mysterious magic, and political intrigue, and it wraps itself up perfectly in a little more than three hundred pages.
“The rebel in me loves to throw dirt in the face of decorum.”
Alessandra and Kallias are perhaps among the most charming villains (or morally-gray anti-heroes, depending on which side of that debate you're on), and I would die for more villainous romances comparable to theirs. In fact, they are so ridiculously likeable that it is a simple thing to look past their evil acts and intentions and instead focus on the kindnesses and instances of morality they show. Their chemistry on the page is so palpable and endearing that I practically forgot that Alessandra is a murderer plotting to kill Kallias, and that Kallias is a violent and merciless king on a quest to conquer the entire continent. It should not be so easy to forget that both Alessandra and Kallias are terrible people, but somehow, Levenseller made that possible. From Kallias's friendship with his giant, loveable dog to Alessandra's loyalty toward and empowerment of her female friends at court -- not to mention the adorable ways in which the two plot to thwart their enemies -- these are the type of villains that you love to love.
“'It is what originally caught my interest, but I lose interest in everything sooner or later. Everything save you. Because in you, I found my match. In you, I found my equal.'”
The primary conflict between Alessandra and Kallias is a big part of what makes their story so interesting. Alessandra's initial goal is to get Kallias to marry her so that she is in a position to kill the untouchable Shadow King and rule the kingdom herself -- partly for power, and partly because she is forward-thinking and wishes to make changes to the kingdom that would better suit her progressive lifestyle. Meanwhile, Kallias never intends to marry, as the shadow magic that makes him nearly immortal will vanish if he is touched. Being a ruthless conqueror, the Shadow King has many enemies, and he is unwilling to bequeath such power for something as unimportant as love. As the story unfolds, it is so satisfying to watch as they each decide to abandon their original intentions, realizing that they are perfectly suited to one another. Though, of course, it's not quite as simple as that -- no great love story is, but especially when said love story involves a murderer and a king whom nearly everyone wishes to murder.
“'I think that when you care enough for someone, you reach a point where it's far more painful not to have him at all than to have him and risk losing him. You realize the risk is worth it. Because happiness, however short-lived, is always worth it.'”
For someone who is so conniving and manipulative, Alessandra is surprisingly genuine and loyal when it comes to her friendships. The friends that she unexpectedly makes while at court only serve to add depth to Alessandra's character as well as the story. In many ways, this book is about female empowerment, a theme which is most strongly portrayed through Alessandra's friendships with two noblewomen: Rhoda and Hestia. While Alessandra is not afraid to flout custom, Rhoda and Hestia are trapped within the confines of society's expectations of women. Rhoda is in love with a servant, who is well below her station, and Hestia is a victim of the comparison game, always mimicking the styles of the most popular nobility. While they are only subplots, the themes at play -- class stratification and competition among women -- are incredibly important. With Alessandra's help, both women are empowered to overcome these societal restraints, sending an important message to young female readers (and making Alessandra even more likeable in the process).
“'Aren't we all drawn to friends in the beginning by trifling things? True bonds develop afterward, when character is revealed.'”
The Shadows Between Us is a compelling love story between two awful people, and it is perhaps one of the best instances of the enemies-to-lovers trope in young adult fantasy -- particularly in a standalone novel. It is perfectly paced, never dull, and its characters are complex, dynamic, and totally likeable. It is also overflowing with female empowerment and strength -- I've said it before, and I'll say it again: there's not much I love more in literature than badass women. I can't wait to dig into more of Levenseller's books, and I'm excited to start reading more standalone fantasy. If any of it is even close to being as well crafted as Alessandra's story, I know that I will not be disappointed.
Content Warnings: death, murder, violence, sex
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