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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
NOT as fun as book 1 but still very, very fun. Unfortunately I'm still smitten with Alessandra and Kallias
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pulled me in right away with that first sentence ("My husband is taking too long to die." ...Okay, I'M LISTENING!) this is an engaging story of a young woman trying to play the system to get control of her life (play the pretty bimbo role long enough to marry a rich old man so he dies soon and you inherit all the wealth and freedom!)...until a stranger shows up after her husband's death claiming to be his grandson, thus stealing the wealth and estate right out from under her! Obviously a con man (or IS he?), she now has to find a way to expose or manipulate him to take back her hard-earned freedom. Neither of them will leave the manor, so it's a game of who's going to give up first, and who can drive out who? Side-characters like key servants are given a bit of personality, too, so the protagonists are not surrounded by cardboard cutouts.
Pros:
Pros:
- The story does a good job of underlining the ways women in sexist systems have to strategize to get anywhere in life, and the things they have to endure (the male protagonist is taken aback at several points by things he's never had to notice before)
- a plausibly slow-burn romance (no instalove) with both characters experiencing character growth/development
- consent/autonomy is an important theme
- protectiveness without toxic possessiveness or controlling-ness!
Cautions:
- no detailed 'on-screen' spicy scenes, but closed-door/fade-to-black sex scenes and occasional heated kisses
- frank discussion of a character frequenting prostitutes, though in a very professional, non-demeaning/exploitative client relationship
Overall, though I did enjoy the first one more, I still enjoyed this story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, War
Sequel to 'The Shadows Between Us', but focusing on minor side-characters from that book, so it can stand alone (though reading the first one helps to get the full context of the sisters' relationship, and of the Shadow King). No overt, descriptive sex scenes, but closed door/fade-to-black sex scenes (you know what happened but you don't see it) including one character frequenting prostitutes.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another entertaining read from Tricia Levenseller. Again, not the most elaborate writing style and somewhat predictable, but always fun. I liked getting Chrysantha's side to her relationship with Alessandra and enjoyed how this story wrapped up. I'm glad Chrysantha got the future she deserved with Eryx. Would love to see a 3rd book in the series, maybe a novella about both sisters' futures and relationships, or their upbringing.
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
I loved this second and final book of the Shadows Between Us duology. Chrysanthas story was really good. Im glad I decided to read it, I almost didn't because I hated her in the first book. Her story reminds me a lot of Nesta from ACOTAR and so by the end of it, I had an understanding on why she did what she did and glad she got her happy ending.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Definitely enjoyed this book compared to the first book! I enjoyed Chrysantha and Eryx more as MCs, and felt their connection/relationship more. Plot-wise, it’s an easy, fun read even if predictable at times.