11 must-read new YA releases that will capture your heart this February
By Lacy Baugher
The Shadows Between Us – Tricia Levenseller
Tricia Levenseller’s dark romance The Shadows Between Us is like nothing else you’ll read this month. In the best possible way.
The story follows a traditional YA fantasy arc – a young girl who wants to become queen. However, Alessandra is definitely not your typical YA heroine. She’s brutal, morally compromised, occasionally unlikeable and certainly not a role model. She’s killed before, and plans to do it again. She wants the throne, yes, but she plans to get it by seducing the Shadow King, marrying him and then murdering him to take his power for herself.
Her plan goes a bit off the rails when she starts to care for the king she plans to kill, as she slowly learns that he’s a lot more like her than she ever could have imagined.
The dark games, deceits, and betrayals that fuel this story are shocking, in times, but it’s impossible to put it down – precisely because it’s the sort of tale we never get in this genre. Kallias and Alessandra are both terrible people, but that’s what just might make them perfect for one another.
The official synopsis has a bit more detail.
"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?"
The Shadows Between Us is available on February 25.
Next. 3 reasons to dig into Francesca Flores’ Diamond City. dark
What’s on your TBR list for this month? Let us know what you’ll be reading in February!