The Stathos Sisters

The Stathos Sisters is Tricia Levenseller's YA fantasy romance series set in a world where the Shadow King rules with mysterious powers and ambitious young women scheme to claim his throne - one way or another. Following different protagonists across books who each have their own plans involving the dangerous, alluring king, the series delivers Levenseller's signature elements: fierce heroines embracing ambition without apology, enemies-to-lovers romance crackling with witty banter, morally grey characters whose schemes create as much tension as their attraction, and fantasy world-building that serves character-driven storytelling. The series became beloved for its unapologetic celebration of female ambition and its subversion of typical "villain falls for hero" narratives.

Books in the The Stathos Sisters series

The Shadows Between Us (2020) introduces the series with one of YA fantasy's most irresistible premises: Alessandra Stathos is beautiful, cunning, and tired of being overlooked in her small town. She devises a plan: travel to the capital, seduce the Shadow King, marry him, kill him on their wedding night, and take his kingdom for herself. It's ambitious, ruthless, and exactly what Alessandra wants - power, recognition, and a throne of her own.

But seducing Kallias, the Shadow King, proves more complicated than anticipated. He's surrounded by shadows that kill anyone who threatens him, rumored to have murdered the noble girls who've mysteriously died whilst courting him, and far more intriguing than Alessandra expected. As she maneuvers closer to the king, executing her plan whilst fending off a genuine assassin targeting Kallias, Alessandra discovers that perhaps she'd rather keep the Shadow King than kill him - especially when he proves to be more than his dark reputation suggests.

The novel subverts expectations by making the would-be villain (Alessandra plotting murder) the protagonist readers root for, by creating a romance where both parties are morally grey and perfectly matched in cunning, and by celebrating female ambition as strength rather than flaw. Levenseller's witty banter between Alessandra and Kallias crackles, their verbal sparring foreplay as much as actual plotting.

The Darkness Within Us (2024) continues in the same shadow-touched world, following a new Stathos sister (or connected protagonist - the exact relationship to Alessandra may vary) who has her own ambitions, schemes, and complicated relationship with power and romance. The sequel maintains the series' celebration of ambitious heroines whilst expanding the world-building established in book one, exploring more of the kingdom's politics, the nature of shadow magic, and introducing new romantic dynamics whilst potentially connecting to characters from the first book.

Levenseller ensures each book works as its own complete story whilst building a connected universe where ambitious women scheme, powerful men meet their matches, and romance develops between characters who are equals in cunning and determination.

The series is characterized by ambitious heroines plotting murder/seduction, the Shadow King and shadow magic, morally grey protagonists, enemies-to-lovers romance, witty banter and verbal sparring, YA fantasy with romantic focus, unapologetic female ambition, court intrigue and schemes, and different protagonists per book (connected world).

Common themes include ambition as strength not flaw, women claiming power on their own terms, romance between equals, choosing partnership over original schemes, morally grey characters finding each other, cunning as valuable as beauty, and subverting villain/hero dynamics.

Levenseller's prose is accessible and dialogue-driven, creating fast-paced reading where character interactions and schemes propel the story. The banter sparkles, the romantic tension builds through verbal sparring, and the plotting (both romantic and murderous) keeps readers engaged.

What distinguishes The Stathos Sisters is the refreshing celebration of female ambition. Alessandra and subsequent heroines don't apologize for wanting power, for scheming to get it, or for being willing to manipulate and seduce to achieve their goals. Levenseller frames this ambition as admirable rather than villainous, creating heroines who embrace all aspects of themselves.

The series appeals to readers seeking morally grey romance, ambitious heroines, enemies-to-lovers banter, and YA fantasy that doesn't punish women for wanting power.