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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a lovely weekend read. I enjoy Chrysantha as a protagonist, and I love to hate Eryx. This is very much a lust story (versus a love story), but I personally love that. The plot is predictable but endearing, and I adore that Chrysantha sticks to her guns and does not accept anything less than her ideal future for herself.
Also very interesting is the pure mistrust and blatant anger towards men in general by Chrysantha. As someone who’s been severely wronged by every man in her life, the anger is justified. Perhaps it’s that skewed baseline for behavior that makes this romance possible—she doesn’t know that there is a possibility for romance with a man who *hasn’t* hurt her deeply.
The theme of sisterly love is briefly touched on. It’s great to see Chrysantha navigate her previous blunders towards her sister and attempt to move forward with the fact that Alessandra scored a king while Chrysantha snagged only a duke. Trivia Levenseller illustrates that mental process satisfactorily.
I disdain the idea that a romantic partner can hurt you and it will be ok just because siblings can get away with certain behaviors when you’re growing up. Firstly, siblings can be terrible to each other as children because they are children. The childish, cruel behaviors ideally (but not always, sadly) cease as they grow and learn empathy. Ideally a romance will involve people who are no longer children and can think beyond themselves. Secondly, the nature of the relationship between a sibling and a significant other are entirely different. Both involve some form of love, but familial love and romantic love are two very different beasts which require very different levels of trust. I believe Levenseller was trying to push Chrysantha’s character growth in both her romantic and sister relationships within one scene, perhaps needing to keep the book short? But the implications are vile. That’s my only issue with this book—that single book club scene. Otherwise, it’s a lovely read.
Also very interesting is the pure mistrust and blatant anger towards men in general by Chrysantha. As someone who’s been severely wronged by every man in her life, the anger is justified. Perhaps it’s that skewed baseline for behavior that makes this romance possible—she doesn’t know that there is a possibility for romance with a man who *hasn’t* hurt her deeply.
The theme of sisterly love is briefly touched on. It’s great to see Chrysantha navigate her previous blunders towards her sister and attempt to move forward with the fact that Alessandra scored a king while Chrysantha snagged only a duke. Trivia Levenseller illustrates that mental process satisfactorily.
I disdain the idea that a romantic partner can hurt you and it will be ok just because siblings can get away with certain behaviors when you’re growing up. Firstly, siblings can be terrible to each other as children because they are children. The childish, cruel behaviors ideally (but not always, sadly) cease as they grow and learn empathy. Ideally a romance will involve people who are no longer children and can think beyond themselves. Secondly, the nature of the relationship between a sibling and a significant other are entirely different. Both involve some form of love, but familial love and romantic love are two very different beasts which require very different levels of trust. I believe Levenseller was trying to push Chrysantha’s character growth in both her romantic and sister relationships within one scene, perhaps needing to keep the book short? But the implications are vile. That’s my only issue with this book—that single book club scene. Otherwise, it’s a lovely read.
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Actual rating: 3,5 stars
I really enjoyed The Shadow Between Us when it came out a few years ago, but my reading tastes have changed since then, and unfortunately, The Darkness Within Us didn’t quite hit the same mark for me.
Chrysantha, the main character, is one of the book’s strongest points. She’s clever, cunning, and well-developed, making her an engaging character to follow.
However, while the romance between her and the love interest was enjoyable, it was predictable, and the resolution came a bit too quickly and easily for my taste.
One of the book’s main drawbacks is its pacing. It felt uneven, either too slow or too fast. The plot too felt a bit too cliché and cheesy for my liking, which kept me from fully immersing myself in the story.
That being said, The Darkness Within Us is still a quick, entertaining read. Levenseller’s writing is effortless and accessible and while it didn’t quite live up to my expectations, it’s still an easy book to get lost in for a few hours.
I really enjoyed The Shadow Between Us when it came out a few years ago, but my reading tastes have changed since then, and unfortunately, The Darkness Within Us didn’t quite hit the same mark for me.
Chrysantha, the main character, is one of the book’s strongest points. She’s clever, cunning, and well-developed, making her an engaging character to follow.
However, while the romance between her and the love interest was enjoyable, it was predictable, and the resolution came a bit too quickly and easily for my taste.
One of the book’s main drawbacks is its pacing. It felt uneven, either too slow or too fast. The plot too felt a bit too cliché and cheesy for my liking, which kept me from fully immersing myself in the story.
That being said, The Darkness Within Us is still a quick, entertaining read. Levenseller’s writing is effortless and accessible and while it didn’t quite live up to my expectations, it’s still an easy book to get lost in for a few hours.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked Chrysantha's character but the chemistry felt a little forced/sudden and I just didn't love this book as much as I did the first one.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: 93%
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes