Books like 'The Darkness Within Us'
Readers who enjoyed The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
fantasy young adult from hate to love m-f sassy heroine political-intrigue competent heroine suspense independent heroine cold hero
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The Apothecary Diaries (Manga), Vol. 2 by Natsu Hyuuga, Nekokurage
After breaking a "curse" on the imperial heirs, a palace servant with training in herbal medicine is promoted up the ranks to food taster. .. and right into the thick of palace intrigue in this lushly illustrated period mystery series! Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace...Categorized as:
political-intrigue m-f slow burn competent heroine historical young adult mystery fantasy -
The Apothecary Diaries Manga, Vol. 4 by Nekokurage, Natsu Hyuuga
MAOMAO STUMBLES ONTO AN EVEN BIGGER MYSTERY. .. The trail of the garden banquet leads Maomao to the Garnet Palace! Aiming to uncover the identity and motives of the culprit who nearly succeeded in turning the festivities into a tragedy, the young apothecary-turned-lady's maid temporarily takes up there at Jinshi's behest... -
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The Apothecary Diaries Manga, Vol. 1 by Nekokurage, Natsu Hyuuga
THE GREAT DETECTIVE OF THE INNER PALACE IS BORN. .. ?! Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace... -
Silent Night by Robert Thier
A dark night. An even darker mission. Mr Rikkard Ambrose is stalking the wintry alleys of London, doing something he has never done before. .. But does he do it for himself - or is it a sacrifice for someone special? This tale tells the story of an extraordinary moment in the relationship of Lilly Linton and Rikkard Ambrose... -
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The Jasad Crown by Sara Hashem
In the thrilling conclusion to the Egyptian-inspired Scorched Throne duology, a fugitive queen must risk everything and everyone she loves for the chance to restore her lost kingdom of Jasad. Held deep in a mountain refuge, Sylvia has been captured by the Urabi, who believe the Jasad Heir can return their homeland to its former power... -
Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer
New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer continues her electrifying series with more intrigue, romance, and heart-stopping adventure. The kingdom of Kandala narrowly avoided catastrophe, but the embers of revolution still simmer. While King Harristan seeks a new way to lead, Tessa and Prince Corrick attempt to foster unity between rebels and royals... -
The Phoenix by Jillian Dodd, Hayden Bishop
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author Jillian Dodd comes the sixth book in a sizzling series filled with action and adventure. Fans of The Selection and The Hunger Games will discover a heart-pounding thrill ride of espionage and suspense set in glittering high society. A single sentence is muttered from the lips of an assassin dangling from a four-story building, “It starts in Montrovia. ”... -
Royal Magic by K.M. Shea
Gwendafyn is slowly suffocating. As the second princess of the elves of Lessa she is the acting regent of her people and is expected to behave with the serene grace and poise of a model elf. But that is not who she is. Instead, her very character is constantly criticized as being too passionate, too fiery, and overall “too much”...Categorized as:
m-f aristocratic heroine slow burn christian fantasy young adult glimpses-kisses contemporary -
The Stolen Princess by Kortney Keisel
She's falling for a man she hates. He's betting on her trust. Princess Mykaleen Adler would do anything to save her dying father. But, when she's kidnapped by a rival kingdom's commander, her devotion wavers. Developing feelings for her enemy could destroy her future and her kingdom. Unless her charming captor is the one person telling her the truth... -
Dawn of the Arcana, Vol. 05 by Rei Tōma
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsPrincess Nakaba of Senan and Prince Caesar of Belquat only married each other for the sake of peace between their two warring countries, and no one expected there to be love between the unlikely couple... -
Eye of the Wolf by A.E. Rayne
Book 1 of 6: The Lords of Alekka. Alys de Sant has never revealed her secret, knowing it could get her killed… but what if that secret could save a kingdom? Trapped in a small village, Alys makes plans to escape her cruel husband, unaware of the growing danger in the turbulent Kingdom of Alekka...Categorized as:
independent heroine m-f slow burn from hate to love commander fantasy young adult historical -
I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang
Snarky and romantic, I Hope This Doesn't Find You is Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys if Lara Jean wrote hate emails instead of love letters. Sadie Wen is perfect on school captain, valedictorian, and a "pleasure to have in class. " It’s not easy, but she has a trick to keep her model-student smile plastered on her face at all she channels all her frustrations into her email drafts... -
The Echelon by Jillian Dodd, Hayden Bishop
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author Jillian Dodd comes the seventh book in a sizzling series filled with action and adventure. Fans of The Selection and The Hunger Games will discover a heart-pounding thrill ride of espionage and suspense set in glittering high society. The Echelon’s plan to change the shape of the world is succeeding. The disease was released. People are dying... -
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Avery’s fortune, life, and loves are on the line in the game that everyone will be talking about. To inherit billions, all Avery Kylie Grambs has to do is survive a few more weeks living in Hawthorne House. The paparazzi are dogging her every step. Financial pressures are building. Danger is a fact of life. And the only thing getting Avery through it all is the Hawthorne brothers... -
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Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Vol. 1 by Aka Akasaka
As leaders of their prestigious academy’s student council, Kaguya and Miyuki are the elite of the elite! But it’s lonely at the top… Luckily for them, they’ve fallen in love! There’s just one problem—they both have too much pride to admit it. And so begins the daily scheming to get the object of their affection to confess their romantic feelings first…. Love is a war you win by losing.Categorized as:
from hate to love m-f competent heroine independent heroine cold hero slow burn humor contemporary -
Basara, Vol. 5 by Yumi Tamura
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsSecretly taking her late brother's identity, Sarasa must gain support as the "Boy of Destiny. " Remarkably, she and her followers not only survived being surrounded by the Red king's forces, they emerged victoroius. Now Sarasa and Shuri have been captured on their way to the Blue King's capital. -
To Sway A Soul by Ireen Chau
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA passionate painter's apprentice. An art thief without a soul. The bargain that brings them together. When Zhi Lan turned down the opportunity to become a nobleman’s concubine, she vowed to make her own fortune—not marry into it. But as a lowly farm girl, becoming a self-sustaining artist like her master Dan Li Chen is a lofty goal...Categorized as:
forced proximity sassy heroine fantasy historical high fantasy young adult length-short -
Rowan: The Lochlann Feuds Complete Series by Robin D. Mahle, Elle Madison
A reckless princess. An enemy kingdom. And a mistake that could cost her everything. Rowan never wanted the kind of love you go to war for, the kind of love that could break you. But when a harmless adventure lands her in the dungeons of her enemy, she’ll realize that’s just one of many things that’s beyond her control... -
Basara, Vol. 1 by Yumi Tamura
Series Description: In the future, an apocalypse all but destroys the world, making Japan a pretechnological desert wasteland where fierce kings use murder and destruction to keep the terrified peasantry in line...Categorized as:
slow burn m-f from hate to love young adult dystopian futuristic length-short glimpses-kisses -
Basara, Vol. 25 by Yumi Tamura
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsSarasa has led her army to victory, faced down King Ukon, and won the hearts and minds of her people. Now, in the final hours of battle, her actions--and Shuri's--will decide Japan's ultimate fate. Sarasa began her quest in Tatara's shadow... -
Basara, Vol. 6 by Yumi Tamura
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAfter Sarasa and Shuri are separated in the flood, a shocking battle takes place and important secrets are revealed. In Seiran, Sarasa helps the rebels with the flood recovery effort and is reminded that no matter how hard she pretends otherwise she is still an ordinary girl. Asagi stages his own mock execution and Sarasa saves him... -
Basara, Vol. 23 by Yumi Tamura
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWar will determine who wins control of Japan--but the bonds of love and loyalty will decide the nation's future...Categorized as:
suspense political-intrigue from hate to love fantasy young adult angst dystopian war -
Basara, Vol. 21 by Yumi Tamura
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsAllies from all over are gathering at Tatara's base camp in preparation for a massive assault. Meanwhile, Shuri has a plan to establish his authority in Kyoto and deplete his rivals' funds. On a reconnaissance mission, Taro finds information crucial to the war effort. All the while, a battle between Tatara and Shuri is imminent! -
Basara, Vol. 22 by Yumi Tamura
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAs war breaks out in Kyoto, Taro races to warn Sarasa about Project Pomegranate, a secret plan launched by Hagiwara. But a traitor has betrayed Taro to the Yaro-Gumi, Kyoto's feared elite police force. With the truth of Project Pomegranate still a mystery, the forces of Sarasa and the Red King ride into battle against one another, not realizing that, in doing so, they play into Hagiwara's hands!Categorized as:
political-intrigue suspense from hate to love fantasy young adult angst war length-short -
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Basara, Vol. 20 by Yumi Tamura
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA curfew law has been passed in Kyoto to suppress the rebellion. Sarasa's ally Ageha seeks to destroy King Ukon's senior officials, while Asagi, the real Blue King, gains Sasara's trust and leads a daring asssault. But while Sarasa and her forces are gaining ground, their enemies' secret plan could turn the tide against them!Categorized as:
political-intrigue from hate to love fantasy young adult war historical length-short -
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 25 by Sorata Akizuki, Sorata Akiduki
Shirayuki and company track Kageya and Ryu to their supposed whereabouts, but all they find is an empty house and signs of a scuffle. A conspicuous clue leads them to believe that Kageya has a secret greenhouse where she concocts the antidote to the menacing perfume, so that’s their next stop! It’s time to snuff out the unsettling aroma that has enthralled the northern lands! -
Basara, Vol. 9 by Yumi Tamura
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSarasa has been blinded, and the Red King's rule has finally been torn apart by outside influences. Now both find themselves in Okinawa--she to heal her eyes, he to heal his soul. -
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 26 by Sorata Akiduki, Sorata Akizuki
The remaining villains loyal to Toka Bergat have been exposed and dealt with, and Shirayuki and company have at last received permission from Lord Eisetsu to spread the light-bringing phostyrias plant... -
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 24 by Sorata Akiduki
Obi and Eisetsu are undercover at a masked ball, but they’re not acting like themselves! Most of the other partygoers also seem a bit off, except for one noblewoman. With her wits still about her, the woman flees from the venue—and Eisetsu follows in pursuit! -
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 22 by Sorata Akiduki, Sorata Akizuki
Hoping for permission to line the roads between the wintry cities with the glowing phostyrias plant, Shirayuki, Obi, and Ryu arrive at the Oriold checkpoint. The knight captain there won’t stand in their way, but due to political instability in the northern region, they’ll have to win over a certain Lord Lugiria. Deep in uncharted territory, can they light a path to the future?Categorized as:
m-f slow burn fantasy young adult length-short class difference royalty glimpses-kisses -
The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Four brothers. Two missions. One explosive read. Jennifer Lynn Barnes returns to the world of her #1 bestselling Inheritance Games trilogy, and the stakes have never been higher. Grayson Hawthorne was raised as the heir apparent to his billionaire grandfather, taught from the cradle to put family first. Now the great Tobias Hawthorne is dead and his family disinherited, but some lessons linger... -
The Wycherleys by Annaliese Avery
Fall head over broomstick in love with this swoon-worthy, witchy romantic fantasy, perfect for fans of Twin Crowns, Divine Rivals and Stephanie Garber. For the Kingdom. For the magic. And for love . . . Seventeen-year-old Aurelia Wycherley is entering her debutante season as a witch. Aurelia should be excited about finding the perfect match to tether her magic to... -
The Queen With No Name by JJ Makenzie
She was born to be a queen, yet she’s nothing more than a political pawn. With no name and no place to call her own, she’s doing her best to hold on to the only thing that belongs to her and her alone—her soul...Categorized as:
suspense from hate to love slow burn m-f aristocratic heroine alpha male fantasy royalty -
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 23 by Sorata Akizuki
After the soiree at the Lugiria estate, Eisetsu asks Obi for a favor. He’s been informed that a Bergat loyalist might be lurking in his territory, and he wants Obi’s help verifying the intel. The next day, Obi is off for a visit to Tsuruba’s manor. Meanwhile, a suspect aroma wafts throughout the northern lands, raising alarms! -
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Royal Decoy (Fate of Eyrinthia) by Heather Frost
A SERVANT blackmailed into becoming a princess’s decoy. A BODYGUARD determined to keep her alive. A PRINCE forced to execute his father’s brutal laws. A PRISONER used to keep him compliant. A WORLD on the brink of war. In one horrible night, Clare goes from kitchen maid to royal decoy. She has three months to become the princess's perfect double so she can ensure her betrothal to an enemy prince... -
Once Upon A Pumpkin by Gabrielle Landi
A missing duchess, a stable boy, and a magical ball. Years ago, Dietrich failed to prevent the disappearance of the Duke’s daughter, and the guilt has eaten at him ever since. His persistent searching has finally paid off, but now that he's found the missing girl, he doesn't know what to do...Categorized as:
m-f aristocratic heroine young adult fantasy dual-pov found-family bodyguard-hero glimpses-kisses -
Presque Toujours Pur by Shaya Lonnie
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsBellatrix's torture of Hermione uncovers a long-kept secret. The young witch learns her true origins in a story that shows the beginning and end of the Wizarding wars as Hermione learns about her biological father and the blood magic he dabbled in that will control her future. (Slight AU OotP—DH) Dramione, Pureblood! Hermione. Rated M for language, violence, and sexual scenes...Categorized as:
from hate to love m-f fantasy new adult young adult high-school arranged marriage angst -
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
What if you fell in love with the one person you'd sworn to destroy? Lara has only one thought for her husband on their wedding day: I will bring your kingdom to its knees. A princess trained from childhood to be a lethal spy, Lara knows that the Bridge Kingdom represents both legendary evil - and legendary promise... -
Once Upon A Rose by Gabrielle Landi
A cursed lord, a feisty librarian, and their disguised pet dragon. Being the first librarian in their small town is everything Beatrice Montgomery has ever dreamed of–except no one in town knows what to make of her, or the library. But spending her days surrounded by books is an occupation beyond her wildest dreams, and she'll do whatever it takes to make the library a success... -
Alexander by TheBibicalSinner
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 9 ratings"We could be more than just friends, Soph. ". • • •. He was a player with the brain of a genius. She was his best friend, the only one who could resist his charm. And yet. .. - Hold on to your panties, because a genius is loose.Categorized as:
suspense m-f young adult contemporary friends to lovers high-school fantasy first-in-series -
Love At First Lance by Gryffin Murphy
An innocent was about to be sentenced to death! (Actually, marriage, but that mattered very little, as the two words were synonymous for the princess. ). Every year, the seasonal kingdoms in the realm of Lore gather together for a tournament of whimsical games. The winner’s reward? The marriage to a member of the hosting court... -
Meeting Thomas Cresswell by Kerri Maniscalco
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsA short excerpt that takes place during the beginning of Stalking Jack the Ripper in Thomas' perspective. It leads up to the moment where Audrey Rose and Thomas first meet.Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love mystery horror historical young adult fantasy length-novella -
Lily of the Desert by Shari L. Tapscott
Avery swore he would return, but one question haunts Lucia's every waking moment: Can anyone truly trust the word of a pirate? A spring cloaked in mystery and lore bubbles deep in the heart of Elrija’s high mountain desert. It’s a fountain of healing water, a natural concoction of minerals and magic, and on it grows the fabled lily of the desert—a flower rumored to carry the cure for old age...Categorized as:
m-f suspense competent heroine independent heroine sassy heroine alpha male young adult fantasy -
Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter Vol. 2 by Suki Umemiya, Reia
Iris used to be an ordinary office drone addicted to otome games. .. then she woke up in one! Now, Iris is determined to use her real world smarts to start her own business. But for Iris's plans to succeed, she'll have to overhaul the entire country's feudal system. -
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The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee
Now nearly a full-fledged member of the Agency, the all-female detective unit operating out of Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls, Mary Quinn is back for another action-packed adventure. Disguised as a poor apprentice builder and a boy, she must brave the grimy underbelly of Victorian London - as well as childhood fear, hunger, and constant want - to unmask the identity of a murderer...Categorized as:
suspense slow burn m-f competent heroine independent heroine heroine sleuth historical mystery -
The Deadliest Wish by Pavla Leitgebova
A frozen heart made him an emperor. A prophecy made him a murderer. It's foretold that the only way to end the centuries-old war is by killing the holy emperor Akim Anslav. But the young royal has never learned to accept his role as history's martyr. Hunted by friends and foes alike, he has grown to resent Fates and the mysterious hero they have chosen to be his executioner...Categorized as:
from hate to love m-f independent heroine female-rake sassy heroine cold hero fantasy young adult -
Water Spell by Lizzy Ford
A water mage and the protector she never wanted. Rare water mage Sela is given no time to mourn the loss of her longtime protector and father figure before she’s faced with the one man standing in the way of her freedom: her new guardian, mage-warrior Tieran. An Inlander with no honor, Tieran is loyal to no man, priest, king or god...Categorized as:
cold hero m-f competent heroine sassy heroine alpha male commander young adult fantasy -
Fractures by Alice Reeds
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsThey survived a plane crash. They survived life on a deserted island. They survived being hunted. Now they must survive the truth—they are not who they think they are. One minute they’re in Poland, subjected to gruesome tests they keep failing. No friends to support them. No family to claim them. No hope of ever living a normal life again...Categorized as:
suspense from hate to love mystery fantasy young adult dystopian length-medium audiobook -
Wild Rock by Kazusa Takashima
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsMeet Emba and Yuuen, two very different heirs to two very different warring clans. When they meet, it's love at first sight. .. and a wild romantic odyssey is about to unfold... -
The Calling by L.C. Pye
Answering the calling may be the last thing she does. For thirty years, the people of Landore have been segregated by the five callings, living in disunity and isolation. But for 18-year-old Talia Caffrey choosing one of the five is her hope at finding a place in a society that has rejected her. When her best friend, Jules, is kidnapped on the eve of her calling ceremony, everything changes...Categorized as:
m-f forced proximity slow burn sassy heroine cold hero from hate to love fantasy dystopian
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