The Darkness Within Us

May 1, 2024
The underestimated sister of a soon-to-be queen has her own tale to tell in this companion novel to Levenseller's The Shadows Between Us (2020). Nineteen-year-old Chrysantha and her younger sister, Alessandra, who's the fiancee of the Shadow King, don't have the best relationship. Chrysantha has always been jealous of how easily Alessandra achieves success, while Alessandra thinks Chrysantha is a fool. For her part, Chrysantha uses this reputation as a facade and a means to an end while she patiently awaits the demise of her lewd--and wealthy--husband, the Duke of Pholios. With Chrysantha's assistance, the 64-year-old duke dies, allowing his widow to drop the charade and focus on being independent and spending money according to her own whims and desires. That is, until distractingly handsome 18-year-old Eryx Demos arrives, claiming to be her late husband's heir who's ready to take control of the estate. Combining her objectives of outshining Alessandra at her royal wedding with enjoying some captivating arm candy and gaining Eryx's trust in order to stab him in the back, Chrysantha takes up the job of molding Eryx into a proper duke. Chrysantha's and Eryx's wickedly charming personalities clash in the most pleasing and seductive ways, so that even though the plot feels repetitive at times, there's still much to delight in. Chrysantha's skin is "dark beige"; Eryx is "tanned" and has "tawny-brown hair." Banter and sexual tension abound in this enjoyable enemies-to-lovers fantasy. (Fantasy romance. 14-18)

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June 1, 2024
Grades 10-12 Chrysantha, looking for power and freedom, married a duke three times her age, waiting for him to die to pass on his riches to her. Just as she's not really mourning her husband's death, an invitation to her sister's wedding arrives: Alessandra is marrying a King. Determined not to be outclassed by her younger sister, Chrysantha starts planning how best to show off at the wedding--that is, until Eryx Demos appears, claiming he's the dead Duke's grandson and thus more deserving of the title, money, and status. It's then that her plans turn from triumphing over her sister to triumphing over Eryx. Chrysantha will find any secrets he's hiding and see him dead or disowned, whichever benefits her more. Levenseller is an ace at her own brand of fantasy. Fans of her Bladesmith duo will find much to love, but Darkness and its companion, The Shadows between Us (2020), would be great starter series for any teen fantasy reader or those who love the romantic tension of Bridgerton.

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August 1, 2024

Gr 9 Up-A dark fantasy romance perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers novels like Stephanie Garber's Once Upon a Broken Heart. The highly anticipated death of Chrysantha's much older husband means the vapid and foolish aristocrat can drop the insipid reputation she's carefully constructed and enjoy the vast fortune and independence widowhood gives her. She and her younger sister-who is now the Shadow King's fianc�-aren't close, and while Alessandra plans a royal wedding, Chrysantha will do everything in her power to upstage her. Her dead husband's will is cut and dry-until a surprise heir shows up. Eighteen-year-old Eryx Demos is devastatingly handsome with a cutting charm that immediately clashes with Chrysantha and her plans. Chrysantha is ruthlessly ambitious and already helped her husband to an early grave; if necessary, she'll get Eryx out of her way, too. Levenseller has an exceptional grasp of banter and seduction, which means even when the plot feels as if readers have been here before, they will still enjoy the ride. While not a direct sequel to The Shadows Between Us, this installment does not stand alone. Chrysantha is white, Eryx has "tanned" skin. VERDICT A wickedly good time, stock where the first installment has readers. Recommended for purchase.-Emmy Neal

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