Exclusive Cover Reveal + Q&A: Tricia Levenseller Introduces Readers to The Darkness Within Us

Tricia Levenseller’s 2020 novel The Shadows Between Us introduced us to Alessandra Stathos, a dark, morally compromised heroine who’s everything a girl in fantasy stories isn’t supposed to be—and who more than found her match in the villainous Shadow King. Now, three years later, Levenseller returns to the world of Shadows to tell the story of Alessandra’s ambitious older sister Chrysantha, a wealthy duchess who’s counting the days until the death of her elderly husband will make her a woman free to do as she chooses at last.

But when she a handsome man claiming to be the long-lost grandson of her lecherous husband appears with his eye on her inheritance, she’ll have to figure out how far she’ll go to claim the future she feels she’s earned.

Here’s how the publisher describes the story. 

Chrysantha Stathos has won.

By hiding her intelligence and ambition behind the mask of a beautiful air-headed girl, she has become a wealthy duchess. And, once her elderly husband dies, she will have all the freedom, money, and safety she’s ever wanted.

Or so she thought.

A man claiming to be the estranged grandson of Chrysantha’s lecherous late husband has turned up to steal her inheritance. To make matters worse, her little sister is going to be queen and is rubbing it in her face.

Chrysantha decides that the only thing to do is upstage Alessandra at her own wedding. And as for this grandson, he has to go. Never mind that he’s extremely handsome and secretive with mysterious powers . . . No, Chrysantha wants Eryx Demos dead, and in the end, a Stathos girl always gets what she wants.

The Darkness Within Us won’t hit shelves until July 9, 2024, but we’re thrilled to be able to reveal its (absolutely gorgeous!) cover right now. 

We also had the chance to chat with Levenseller herself about returning to the world of The Shadows Between Us, how Chrysantha’s story compares to that of her younger sister, and lots more. 

Paste Magazine: Tell us about The Darkness Within Us! What kind of story can readers expect?

Tricia Levenseller: The Darkness Within Us follows Chrysantha, who is Alessandra’s older sister. Chrysantha has been pretending for years to be a simpleton in order to sneakily get what she wants. She’s worked so hard to secure a marriage to a wealthy, dying duke without any heirs so that she can inherit the land, money, and title all for herself. The problem is when a hot estranged grandson, who doesn’t seem to be entirely human, appears to snatch it all away from her. 

Readers can expect the same kind of dark romance as was found in The Shadows Between Us. The Darkness Within Us is full of banter, scheming, lies, murder, and kissing. 

Paste: What made you want to write another story in the world of The Shadows Between Us—but not write a direct sequel?

Levenseller: When my characters achieve their happily ever after, I like to leave them alone. Otherwise, the story feels forced, and the romance feels more contrived. 

However, I always knew there was more to Chrysantha than what her sister said about her. How could a Stathos girl be anything more than a schemer? In many ways, Chrysantha is even more devious, because she’s been fooling her own sister for years.

 Paste: The Darkness Within Us follows the story of Alessandra’s sister — what makes Chrysantha an interesting heroine? How does her journey compare to Alessandra’s?

Levenseller: Chrysantha’s goals have always been so different from her sister’s. While Alessandra wanted attention and power, Chrysantha has only wanted freedom and a quieter life. Her father had control over who she married. Her husband had control over her day-to-day life. Chrysantha is ready to be the one calling the shots. 

While Alessandra had to decide if she could share her power for love, Chrysantha has to decide whether she can have full control over her own life if she’s romantically involved with a man.

Paste: I’ve always loved the idea of a “Slytherin romance” — tell us what that phrase means to you, and how it sets the relationships in this series apart from more traditional fantasy romances.

Levenseller: I love sorting the characters I write into their Hogwarts houses. It tells me so much about their personalities and how they approach their goals. Most of my male leads are Gryffindors. For example: 

Alosa, Slytherin; Riden, Gryffindor

Rasmira, Hufflepuff; Soren, Gryffindor

Ziva, Gryffindor; Kellyn, Gryffindor

Sorinda, Slytherin; Kearan, Gryffindor

But Alessandra and Kallias are both Slytherins and now in The Darkness Within Us, Chrysantha and Eryx are both Slytherins. Instead of brave, self-sacrificing Gryffindor boys, I’ve written ambitious, cunning, and often self-serving boys. This dynamic makes for a very interesting romance for me. Because what happens when two Slytherins’ goals are in direct opposition to each other? They clash. Hard. This presents all kinds of fun opportunities for banter and scheming.

 Paste: I have to know: Even though this is Chrysantha’s story, will we see more of Alessandra and Kallias’s relationship in The Darkness Within Us?  

Levenseller: Of course. There may or may not be a wedding to look forward to!

The Darkness Within Us will be released on July 9, 2024, but you can pre-order it right now. 

Lacy Baugher Milas is the Books Editor at Paste Magazine, but loves nerding out about all sorts of pop culture. You can find her on Twitter @LacyM