Dark Shores, written by Danielle L. Jensen, is a young adult fantasy novel set to be released on May 7, 2019. This book is published by Tor Teen. I received this advanced reading copy from the publisher, Tor Teen, through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Dark Shores, the first book in the Dark Shores series. If you enjoy high seas adventures, blackmail, and meddling gods, look no further. This review is spoiler-free.

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Synopsis

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.

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• Author: Danielle L. Jensen
• Genre: YA Fantasy
• Publisher: Tor Teen
• Publication Date: May 7, 2019
• Book Length: 368 pages

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Review

Disclaimer: This review doesn’t contain any spoilers, and the opinions expressed are my own.

In this first book, Teriana, a god-marked Maarin girl who possesses knowledge of unconquered lands across the Endless Seas, is blackmailed into showing the way to a power-thirsty consul. Caught in an impossible situation in which the lives of her loved ones hang in the balance, she must lead a legion ready for the conquest of innocent people. Led by Marcus, a trained soldier and smart leader, Terenia will have to find a way to fulfill her end of the bargain while sabotaging the legion in order to save both her people and the people of the West without getting caught. A thin line, not always easy to walk.

This book has been such a fun read. The world is depicted in a very colorful way, rich in its cultures and beliefs. Teriana and Marcus are also well-developed. They each have solid reasons to act the way they do, and both are caught in impossible situations. 

The book switches its point of view between Marcus and Teriana, which gives the reader a better understanding of these characters. They are easily relatable. Both characters are very stubborn, but I can’t imagine them being any different.

Overall, this book was very easy to read. It is fast-paced, and the reader doesn’t have time to get bored. The romance is obvious but feels genuine. I’m very curious to see how the story will unfold. There are elements introduced in this book that allow the reader to guess how the story will continue. The challenges both characters will have to face and the decision they will be forced to make are about to reach a whole new level.

I highly recommend this book, and this is easily a five-star rating for me. I loved everything about it. One of the best books I’ve read so far in 2019.  

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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If you enjoy a good YA Fantasy, don’t forget to check out all my book reviews

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