I LOVED The Shadows Between Us when I first read it years ago, so I was excited to dive into The Darkness Within Us. While it had some good moments, overall it didn’t hit the same for me.
The story follows Chrysantha, who has spent years playing the fool to get what she wants, only to reveal herself as clever and ambitious when she finally gets the chance. I liked the idea of her using people’s low expectations against them and thought the feminist themes were strong and empowering. I also enjoyed the book club scene where tropes were openly discussed, it felt playful and self-aware.
That said, I really struggled with Chrysantha as a character. She’s sharp and determined but also selfish, narrow-minded and hard to connect with. Her relationship with Eryx felt unconvincing, with their constant lies, bickering and snark making the romance flat rather than fiery. The ‘enemies to lovers’ arc never quite delivered the tension or chemistry I was hoping for. The third-act conflict was predictable and wrapped up far too neatly, which left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
The pacing also felt off at times, and the political side of the story lacked depth or logic. Chrysantha’s relationship with her sister had potential but shifted too suddenly to feel believable. I did appreciate the way both sisters eventually grew and matured, but getting there was a bit exhausting.
Overall, this was a decent read with empowering messages and a fun premise, but the execution left me wanting more. It’s not one I’ll be widely recommending, though fans of the first book may still enjoy seeing another side to this world.
⭐️3/5 stars Worth a read if you loved the first book, just go in with lower expectations.
Amy Leigh Reads 