The Shadows Between Us

by Tricia Levenseller

This was amazing. A true Slytherin romance. It was just perfect.

Alessandra is totally badass. She's a manipulative scheming bitch and it's perfection. I loved her so much. She's probably one of my favourite heroines now. She was just fantastic - she's badass and mean and cruel but she's also nice and generous and kind when she wants to be. She "woo's" the Shadow King but she's also honest and real with him. And he's just as cruel and manipulative but also kind and sensitive and honest. They were fantastic. The romance between them was slow burn and it was swoonworthy. They were both ambitious and driven and it was nice to see them not give an inch when it comes to getting what they want.

The other characters were just as interesting. I loved Rhouben and Petros. Rhouben who cares about his wardrobe and wears daring fashion choices. And Petros who is openly gay. (Which does beg the question of why one can be openly gay but not openly not a virgin but anyway.) Rhoda was highly amusing and incredibly perceptive. I loved the friendship between Rhonda and Hestia and Alessandra. Although they don't posess a long friendship, the friendship they do have is incredibly honest and open and supportive. There isn't even a question of not inviting Alessandra to join or be nice to her. They just are. They aren't critical or mean or passive agressive, just cheering her on in her goals. I mean my favourite line is this;

Rhoda bends over my shoulder to give the trinket a proper look. “My, my,” she says. “The king must be head over heels for you.” Quieter, she adds, “Well done, Alessandra.”

Levenseller, Tricia. The Shadows Between Us (p. 71). Feiwel & Friends. Kindle Edition.

No jealousy, just admiration and support. And I adored every time any of the characters stood up against society. I loved the focus on dressmaking and the skill in which Alessandra possesses to get what she wants. She may be driven but she's also dedicated and works hard to make it happen.

I loved the ideas on feminism and what a woman should be. I loved the idea that women should be themselves and a man should want them for that, not for some perceived ideal - and the fact that no woman should settle for anything less than a man who wants you for you. I loved the idea that relationships weren't discarded and a woman can be both strong and married/partnered. I loved Alessandra's sexuality. The idea that a woman shouldn't have to be a virgin and should explore her own sexuality is perfect and I wish we had more of these ideas depicted in young adult books. I loved that Kallias supports this idea. There were so many favourite empowering lines but I'm rather fond of this one;

“Has he pressured you?” I ask, suddenly growing protective of my friend. “Oh, no. He’s been wonderful about it. You might think I’m silly, but I just want to wait until I’m his wife.” I take her hand in mine. “There is nothing silly about waiting until you want to. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise. It is your body to do with as you will.” She smiles at me then, and I worry that I might be the first person to tell her that. Waiting. Not waiting. One lover. A hundred lovers. There should be no judgment either way. A woman is not defined by what she does or doesn’t do in the bedroom.

Levenseller, Tricia. The Shadows Between Us (p. 301). Feiwel & Friends. Kindle Edition.

Leandros Rhouben Petros

The plot was incredible. I didn't see the twists coming. I mean I sort of thought Leandros was the guilty party but I didn't see any of the whole it's Kallias' brother back from the dead plot.

I did feel disappointed by Alessandra using the trunk to bury Hektor. I mean it had her initials! I felt let down by that oversight. But then we wouldn't have got to see the King laugh his ass off and pardon her so...

And I didn't love that her blackmail on Myron or Nestor wasn't as airtight as the other guy she's got on smuggling. But then if her blackmail was, we wouldn't get to see her brilliant plan to break up Rhouben and Melita and use the money she gets from doing that to buy his debt and then call it.

Like she did stupid things but only so she could pull off amazing plans/revenge - so it's hard to hate it.

And I LOVE that she's the one to figure out the plot and then kill Leandros. It was nice to see the female save the day. And so brutally too. I mean this;

“If you want to stop me, you’ll have to kill me. I think we both know you don’t have it in you.” When he tries to move, I let the tip of the sword break his skin, sliding in until it hits the wall. Xanthos’s eyes widen in surprise, as a choking noise comes out of his throat. Where blood oozes from his airway. “You didn’t really know me,” I say. “If you had, you’d know I’ve already killed for love once before.” And then he slumps forward, tacked to the wall like some macabre tapestry. Dead.

Levenseller, Tricia. The Shadows Between Us (p. 318). Feiwel & Friends. Kindle Edition.

It's pure perfection. I would've loved to see more of Alessandra/Kallias scheming. And more interaction of Alessandra with the Council but overall this book was fantastic. My only real complaint is that's it's standalone. Like the standalone aspect was a huge draw for me but now I've read it and I'm wrecked - I want a whole series! Hopefully, there's more Slytherin romances on the way. 5 stars.