Review

Alessandra Stathos is not what you’d call a blushing virgin. She (secretly) killed her first love when he cruelly rejected her. Since then, she’s had a steady and invigorating stream of lovers, rejecting her older sister’s righteous but tedious path of maidenly virtue followed by marriage to a fossilised duke. But now Alessandra’s decided to marry the king. And kill him. And then rule the kingdom. And she does tend to get what she wants.

What she didn’t expect was for the Shadow King — his black swirling shadows make him impervious to attack, except around people he has touched — to ask her to enter into a ruse: a fake courtship. The council has been pressuring him to marry, and he needs them off his back. She also didn’t expect them to strike up a sort of friendship, for him to look for and act on her advice, or for him to be so good looking and courteous (while he has people tortured/killed). But still, she has a kingdom to gain. One must be practical. And in any case, no one may touch the Shadow King.

*

This was simply written, and good fun. Not quite as good fun as #2 in the series (I read them in reverse order), but a good, easily accessible fantastical romp. I do enjoy a cheerfully amoral main character, and Alessandra is refreshingly devoid of humility, compassion and conscience. She is all for tyranny and has no patience for goody-goodies.

Who in the world would steal, and then not keep the riches for themselves? That’s just bad business. Someone that stupid must surely be caught soon. (Chapter 7)

There are quite a few descriptions of Alessandra’s outfits, which are a bit… er… different, and which she designs herself, and the clothing of other characters. If you hate that sort of thing, this book is not for you. Also, the food descriptions are a bit unappealing.

A bowl of soup is set before me, and the smell of squash and cream wafts up, making my mouth water. Next to it is placed a bowl of fruits, neatly sliced, with a serving bowl of sweet yoghurt for dipping. The main course is cured elk, cut in spiced strips and placed on a bed of greens. And finally, a slice of chocolate cake for each of us is positioned in the centre of the table, chocolate drizzle steaming along the sides.

(Chapter 5)

Maybe it’s just me? Seems like a weird combo. And the elk… shudder.

There are some steamy YA scenes and a cute romance with an emphasis on equality and respect (and killing).

Overall, the main character really sells it for me: it’s a lighthearted YA romantasy romp with no literary pretensions.

Age: 15+

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Lots of mild YA-type sexual references: Alessandra is very sexually active (mostly in backstory); nude swimming, but with chivalrous eye-averting; various mild groping scenes, including one situated in a club/brothel; a steamy but minimally described sex scene towards end; very sex-positive attitude; boxing matches; murders, executions and attempted assasinations by various methods; mention of possible torture (doesn’t eventuate); strained relationship between daughter and father, and between sisters; mild slut-shaming (“trollop” — we are positioned to laugh/roll our eyes at it). Warm and supportive male and female friendships; overall positive message about love and support; main romance is mlw; supporting characters have relationships that are mlw and mlm. Can’t recall any swearing…

*

Levenseller, T. (2022). The shadows between us. Pushkin Press.

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