Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Shadows Between Us

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

87 reviews

thebookoftoday's review

challenging dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Although the world building could use some work i could not give this bokk any less than 5 stars. It had me up all night trying to finish it.
I did not see who the true culprit was until the end and the romance was great. The dinamic between the characters even the side ones was great.
The ending had a quit thickly laid on female power message but i can't hate the book for that.

Anyway, on to the next book! 😊

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megreads12's review

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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abicaro17's review

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book starts off so strong. Alessandra is the second daughter of an earl looking to gain power and acknowledgement by marrying the Shadow King, Kallias. The problem? She plans to kill him right after. Alessandra is cunning, vicious, manipulative, and talented in many ways. I think the general plot was so fun! I love a good murderess and mystery. Alessandra is fun to read as well with all her inner monologue and complex feelings about people. My issues with this book stem from development (or lack thereof). To me, Alessandra and the world building feel underdeveloped. Alessandra is supposed to be this devious murderess with this plot, but her idea is quite literally just to poison him and hope the blame gets placed on a neighboring kingdom. Also past the first few chapters she doesn't seem very murder prone. I think her initial characterization was much more interesting than what we were left with. My other issue stems from world building. In terms of kingdoms and the country laws we are never given any explanations. This leaves me at a loss at times for why things are the way they are politically. I think this book could definitely benefit from some elaboration and possibly a different ending?

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fannehsm's review

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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2blueshoes's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Look, starting off your book with a quote from Vampire Diaries is a bold choice. Perhaps it should also have been a red flag.

Somewhere along the recent journey of reading fantasy romances about “morally ambiguous shadow zaddies…” I have come to the conclusion that I do in fact require SOME morality to be present in order to root for characters.

In so many ways this book aligns with very typical fantasy tropes:

1. A “feminist for her time” heroine is thrust into a situation where she is competing for power, and finds love along the way.

2. A psychologically tortured hero in a position of political power finds himself captivated by the heroine who originally wont give him the time of day.

3. They are both attractive. Various plot points keep them apart. Lots of longing glances occur. They slowly reveal their true selves to each other. Meanwhile, larger forces threaten their lives and happiness. Happy ending.

Yes, great, sign me up. 👍🏻

Here’s where the tropes end: these characters do not abide by (traditional western) morality. They do not root for the underdogs. They do not seek fairness. They actively pursue injustice to benefit themselves. They are unrepentant in murder and celebrate their success in silencing anyone who questions the monarchy. There is a “Robin Hood” type character who is trying to help poor people, and they happily

put him in jail for life

. When they get vulnerable with each other, the hopes and dreams they share are to “conquer all people and kingdoms” and “have ultimate power”.

I mean, at least they are aligned in their shared values… I guess?

There are a few things to love about this book.
- The author has chosen to write a heroine who is liberated in her body and sexuality, and who knows her own worth, which I applaud. (Side note: despite this, this book is fully fade-to-black when it comes to intimacy scenes.)
- While being an absolute dick to everyone else, the heroine does champion her two closest friends (while also kind of making fun of them in her head).
- There is only a very small element of magic in the story, but it’s a new take. There is some interesting fashion stuff if you are into that, and I only saw half of the surprise twist ending in advance.

If you love stories about really unusual characters, perhaps you’ll love this.

For me, this love story was believable - but I simply didn’t want to believe in it.

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cadence_e's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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allisonsmith120's review

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dark medium-paced

3.0

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stllyltc's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It's an easy read that catapults with a strong heroine, who considers herself sexually empowered. She is on a mission to rule the kingdom by seducing the shadow king and killing him to gain control and power. The planning it took for her and overall resolve were there. Although she seemed to be a villainess type, she had principles that didn't make you hate her in a way. I'm not a big fan of some parts, especially the peak of the plot, but the little twist saved it, and it's fast to finish if you're in for a quick read.

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jazmckay's review

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Super fun quick read. The plot was so exciting and invoked curiosity that had me eating up this. Although I don’t love that it’s no smut but still very much…is. It walks a fine line. So def be prepared. Otherwise such a great read.

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bubbabook's review

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A delightful, standalone fantasy- with dark characters and a delectable slow-burn romance. A female-driven story with an immoral protagonist with dark motives. Even the villains deserve a proper love story.

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