Review: The Shadows Between Us

 

Title: The Shadows Between Us 

Series: Shadows Between Us

Author: Tricia Levenseller 

Release Date: February 2020

Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:

1) Woo the Shadow King.

2) Marry him.

3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.

But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?

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So I picked up this book on a whim. I'm a mood reader & was looking for something that was light - something I didn't have to think heavily about after finishing Onyx Storm. I tried a few books but nothing stuck. Then after watching a movie I was on the hunt for a revenge story. I seen a social media post listing this one with the revenge trope. Perfect I thought. Only, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. 

Alessandra has a plan - Woo the Shadow King. Marry the Shadow King. Kill the Shadow King. And despite not knowing the extent of the Shadow King's power, she will stop at nothing to try and get everything she has always wanted. Wealth, power, and acknowledgement. She is tired of being overlooked because of her sister. 

But Alessandra isn't the only one trying to kill the King. As attempts on his life are being made, Alessandra is finding herself trying to keep the Shadow King alive long enough for her to become Queen, and also finding herself getting closer to him - which is a dangerous game and could end up getting them both killed. 

So, like I said this was a lighter, easier fantasy read. It wasn't a high fantasy with a ton of world building to dive into. It was an upper YA read - there are mentions of sex & violence and death, but the sex is mostly off page. It is a slow burn, not quite enemies to friends to lovers. While the characters never really hated each other, Alessandra was planning to kill the King to gain his throne. 

There was some revenge - but not between the main characters, which was what I was originally was searching for when I picked up this book. 

Over all it was a good quick read, that I enjoyed. It was light, fun and interesting. If you love YA fantasy reads with main characters with shadow powers and scheming FMC's then I recommend this read. 

4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

1 🌶️ out of 5🌶️. 

Tropes: 

• enemies to lovers (kinda)

• villainous MC

• morally grey MC 

• slow burn 

• shadow daddy 

• court of intrigue 

• murder mystery 

• historical fantasy with modern thinking 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Tricia Levenseller is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of eight YA romantasies, including the Daughter of the Pirate King duology and The Shadows between Us. Her books have been translated into twenty languages and counting.

Tricia grew up in Oregon, where she spent her childhood climbing trees and playing make believe. She now lives in Utah with her bossy dog, Rosy, where she writes full time. When she’s not writing or reading, Tricia enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing video games, and finding tasty restaurants to frequent.

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Review: Vengeance of the Pirate Queen

 

Title: Vengeance of the Pirate Queen

Series: Daughter of the Pirate King

Author: Tricia Levenseller 

Release Date: November 2023 

Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Mummy in Vengeance of the Pirate Queen, a beautifully designed standalone YA fantasy romance, set in the world of Tricia Levenseller's Daughter of the Pirate King.

You can’t be afraid of the dark when you’re the monster lurking in the shadows.

As an assassin working for the pirate queen, eighteen-year-old Sorinda is surprised when Alosa’s next task for her is not to kill a new target, but to captain a handpicked crew on a rescue mission. Unfortunately, her sailing master is twenty-year-old Kearan. He may be the best helmsman the pirate queen has, but Sorinda finds him a real pain in the arse. Sadly, there are few places on a ship to hide from an attentive man.

As the crew of the Vengeance faces dangerous waters and deadly sea creatures, they accidentally awaken the King of the Undersea, a being who can control the dead. Their rescue mission quickly turns into a fight to save the world, but first, Sorinda must save herself from becoming an undead queen.

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Vengeance of a Pirate Queen takes place after book 2 of the series, & follows Sorinda - one of Alosa's friends & members of her pirate crew - so book 1 & 2 must be read first! 

Sorinda is the Queen's assissin - but her next task comes as a surprise. Her next target is not to kill, but to captain a crew hand picked by the queen and rescue a crew that has gone missing. 

Sorinda is used to hiding in the shadows, and now as Captain she looked at for guidance. And her helmsman just so happens to be Kearan- he may be the best helmsman and navigator the queen has, but he gets under Sorinda's skin. 

But dangerous waters & deadly creatures aren't the only thing the crew of Vengeance faces off against - when they accidently awaken the King of the Undersea - a immortal being who can control the dead. Their rescue mission turns to them not only fighting for their lives,but to save the world... But first Sorinda must save herself from becoming the Undead Queen. 

So, this book switches point of view to a different member of the crew than the first two. But it starts right in the middle of the action. Some new characters, new action & new pacing. Overall it was a quick, thrilling & fun read. 

I loved Sorinda - maybe not as much as Alosa, but she was a great character. She was badass, being an assassin, she was fierce & strong & she puts everyone else above herself. Kearan annoyed Sorinda - but he got under her skin. He was attentive & noticed her, even when she wanted to be hidden in the shadows. 

I definitely enjoyed this book, these characters, and this world & I cannot wait to see what - if anything- else comes out of this world. 

4⭐ out of 5⭐

1🌶️ out of 5🌶️ - build up & tension 

Tropes: 

→ YA fantasy 

→pirates

→ assassin

→ slow burn 

→ forced proximity 

→ frenemies to lovers? 

→ found family 

Trigger Warning 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Tricia Levenseller is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of eight YA romantasies, including the Daughter of the Pirate King duology and The Shadows between Us. Her books have been translated into twenty languages and counting.

Tricia grew up in Oregon, where she spent her childhood climbing trees and playing make believe. She now lives in Utah with her bossy dog, Rosy, where she writes full time. When she’s not writing or reading, Tricia enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing video games, and finding tasty restaurants to frequent.

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Review: Daughter of the Siren Queen

 

Title: Daughter of the Siren Queen

Series: Daughter of the Pirate King

Author: Tricia Levenseller 

Release Date: February 2018

Alosa's mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he's under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father's justice.

When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first . . . after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen.

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Daughter of the Siren Queen picks up where Daughter of the Pirate King leaves off. 

Alosa completes her mission and now not only does she have all three pieces of the map to the infamous hidden treasure, but those that kept her captive previously are now prisoners on her own ship. 

Riden, the unexpectedly loyal first mate is under her orders. And Vordan will be facing her father's justice soon. 

But Vordan reveals one of her father's secrets that he has kept for years - and then the race is on. Will Alosa and her crew survive the deadly match up between the nortourious Pirate King? 

So I loved the fast pace & the thrilling adventure in the world & between the characters. 

Alosa was still fierce & strong - still an amazing pirate and Captain of her crew, & coming to terms with her other side and abilities - which she will need to beat the deadly race against her father the Pirate King. This read was quick & easy & perfect for summer being pirates on the open sea. I cannot wait to dive into book 3 & find out what happens next between the characters and in this world. I definitely recommend this series if you love YA fantasy, pirates and sirens. 

4.5 ⭐ out of 5⭐. 

1🌶️ out of 5🌶️. Build up & tension between characters. 

Tropes: 

 

→ YA Fantasy

→ pirates

→ sirens

→ enemies/rivals to lovers 

→ slow burn 

→ captive/captor 

→ one bed 

→ forced proximity 

→ hurt/comfort 

→ knife to throat 

→ found family 

Trigger Warnings

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Tricia Levenseller is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of eight YA romantasies, including the Daughter of the Pirate King duology and The Shadows between Us. Her books have been translated into twenty languages and counting.

Tricia grew up in Oregon, where she spent her childhood climbing trees and playing make believe. She now lives in Utah with her bossy dog, Rosy, where she writes full time. When she’s not writing or reading, Tricia enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing video games, and finding tasty restaurants to frequent.

Website| Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok | 

Review: Daughter of The Pirate King

 

Title: Daughter of the Pirate King

Series: Daughter of the Pirate King 

Author: Tricia Levenseller

Release Date: February 2017

There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I've gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map―the key to a legendary treasure trove―seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

In Daughter of the Pirate King, author Tricia Levenseller blends action, adventure, romance, and a little bit of magic into a thrilling pirate tale.

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So I have been in a huge reading slump off and on all year, and have been struggling with what to read. I remembered I wanted to read Daughter of a Pirate King this summer bc it gave *summer vibes*. So I thought I would give it a shot. 

Alosa is Killigan the King of the Pirate's daughter. And perfect for Daxon's plans - of using her for ransom, and gaining information of the King's keep and treasure. But little did Daxon and his men know... Alosa getting caught is all part of her plan. She is on a mission to find a hidden map. But there is one thing standing in her way - or one person, that is. Riden, the first mate and Daxon's brother. But there isn't any one pirate that will stand in Alona's way or stop her from getting what she wants. 

So this book surprisingly hooked me from the beginning. I was worried I would have to push through heavy world building - but that wasn't the case. It was fast paced & thrilling & adventurous. 

Alona was fierce and strong - and a perfect pirate in her own right, but also had other abilities too. She was entertaining and so loved the back and forth between her and Riden. This was a quick and easy read and perfect for summer - being about pirates on the open ocean. I cannot wait to read book 2 & dive more into this world with these characters. I definitely recommend this book if you love YA fantasy, pirates or sirens. 

4.5 ⭐ out of 5 ⭐. 

1 🌶️ out of 5 🌶️ - build up and tension between characters 

Tropes: 

 

→ YA Fantasy

→ pirates

→ sirens

→ enemies/rivals to lovers 

→ slow burn 

→ captive/captor 

→ one bed 

→ forced proximity 

→ hurt/comfort 

→ knife to throat 

→ found family 

Trigger Warnings

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Tricia Levenseller is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of eight YA romantasies, including the Daughter of the Pirate King duology and The Shadows between Us. Her books have been translated into twenty languages and counting.

Tricia grew up in Oregon, where she spent her childhood climbing trees and playing make believe. She now lives in Utah with her bossy dog, Rosy, where she writes full time. When she’s not writing or reading, Tricia enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing video games, and finding tasty restaurants to frequent.

Website| Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok |