A journey to the other side of the world... Dark Shores by by Danielle L. Jensen (Review & #Giveaway)


Check out the rest of the tour here, and my review and the tour giveaway below...

Dark Shores
(Dark Shores #1)
By Danielle L. Jensen
YA Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 368 Pages
May 7th 2019 by Tor Teen

Summary

High seas adventure, blackmail, and meddling gods meet in Dark Shores, the first novel in a new YA fantasy series.

In a world divided by meddlesome gods and treacherous oceans, only the Maarin possess the knowledge to cross the Endless Seas. But they have one mandate: East must never meet West.

A PIRATE WITH A WILL OF IRON

Teriana is the second mate of the Quincense and heir to the Maarin Triumvirate. Her people are born of the seas and the keepers of its secrets, but when her closest friend is forced into an unwanted betrothal, Teriana breaks her people’s mandate so her friend might escape—a choice with devastating consequences.

A SOLDIER WITH A SECRET

Marcus is the commander of the Thirty-Seventh, the notorious legion that has led the Celendor Empire to conquer the entire East. The legion is his family, but even they don’t know the truth he’s been hiding since childhood. It’s a secret he’ll do anything to protect, no matter how much it costs him – and the world.

A DANGEROUS QUEST

When an Empire senator discovers the existence of the Dark Shores, he captures Teriana’s crew and threatens to reveal Marcus’s secret unless they sail in pursuit of conquest, forcing the two into an unlikely—and unwilling—alliance. They unite for the sake of their families, but both must decide how far they are willing to go, and how much they are willing to sacrifice.

Praise for DARK SHORES

“Richly-woven, evocative, and absolutely impossible to put down―I was hooked from the first lines! Dark Shores has everything I look for in a fantasy novel: fresh, unique settings, a cast of complex and diverse characters, and an unflinching boldness with the nuanced world-building. I loved every word.” ―Sarah J. Maas, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"The book grabs readers from the beginning with its stellar worldbuilding and multidimensional characters, and the mythical elements are truly believable within the constructs of the story. The perspective shifts between the viewpoints of Teriana and Marcus from chapter to chapter, offering readers greater insights into each. ...A gripping introduction to a new series." ―Kirkus Reviews (starred)
"This is a lush, imaginative world, and as the focus shifts between Teriana and Marcus, it becomes clear that the readers are only getting a glimpse of its complicated history and mythology. ...Their secrets don’t, of course, stop Teriana and Marcus from embarking on a steamy romance, and fans of Rutkoski’s sighworthy The Winner’s Kiss and the high-stakes sea adventure of Levenseller’s Daughter of the Pirate King will want to know where Marcus and Teriana journey to next." ―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books  

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My Review

DARK SHORES is an exciting beginning to this new fantasy series where one land learns that there is another side to their world they didn't even know existed and seeks to conquer it. Readers will easily relate to the two main characters as well as their motley crews, feel immersed in this fantasy world, and swoon with the romance. An overall entertaining read.

I couldn't help but falling in love with Teriana and Marcus. They both were so very different with different roles to play, but were forced together in order to save those they love. They were well fleshed out and perfectly flawed. I also fell in love, along with Teriana, to the soldiers who became her friends. It was so easy to forget that they were her enemies. I really enjoyed the way the story progressed and the whole premise of this hidden world with real gods. It was quite fantastic! This story also pulled emotions from me during some parts. I liked the overall plot—it never felt dull or that it was overly dramatized (a pet peeve of mine), and kept me engaged from beginning to end. I can envision several different paths and outcomes in coming books and I'm hoping that things eventually go the way I want them to go. It doesn't hurt to hope. *crossing fingers*

Now the things I didn't love... I would have liked more explanation in regards to Teriana and why who she is was so important. It's mentioned, but doesn't seem to really hold any meaning or influence the story.This read very much like an adult fantasy novel. I know that seems to be the trend. I would have loved for it to have been cleaner in the swearing and romance departments, especially as I thought the story ARC would have been fine with less. It's also fairly crude in places, although some of that I would expect among soldiers and sailors.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This is definitely a page-turner with plenty of action, romance, and some complex characters. Recommended to fantasy fans.

Content: Swearing (including a lot of s-words and one f-word), a fade-to-black love scene, references to gay relationships and prostitution, and violence.
Source: I received a complimentary eARC from the publisher, which did not require a positive review nor affect my review in any way.

About the Author


Danielle L. Jensen is the USA Today bestselling author of The Malediction Novels: Stolen Songbird, Hidden Huntress, Warrior Witch, and The Broken Ones, as well as The Bridge Kingdom (Audible Originals). Her latest novel, Dark Shores, will be released by Tor Teen in May of 2019. She lives with her family in Calgary, Alberta.  

PHOTO CREDIT: KATHERINE CALNAN PHOTOGRAPHY


Tour-Wide Giveaway


- 5 Winners will receive a Copy of DARK SHORES by Danielle L. Jensen.
- Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter | Ends June 18, 2019

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Have you read any of the other books by this author? Will you be or have you read this one? Any thoughts on my review?

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