Review: Dark Shores (Dark Shores #1) by Danielle L. Jensen

 

Dark Shores
(Dark Shores #1)
by Danielle L. Jensen

May 7, 2019
368 pages

Goodreads      Indigo

Goodreads Summary:

A PIRATE WITH A WILL OF IRON
Teriana is the second mate of the Quincense, a ship beholden to the Goddess of the Seas. Her people are born of the waves, and they alone know how to cross the impassable oceans between East and West.

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 only family, and even they don't know the secret he's been hiding since childhood.

A DANGEROUS QUEST
When a power-hungry ruler captures Teriana's crew and threatens to reveal Marcus's secret unless they help him conquer the unknown West, the two are forced 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.

Review

Danielle L. Jensen has always been a favourite author of mine so it came as no surprise to me that I'd love Dark Shores. I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately but this book was unputdownable!

I want to start off by clarifying Dark Shores is NOT a pirate book. It is so much more! Dark Shores is a sea adventure and land exploration featuring a strong female captain and a morally-struggling solider. The writing was super engaging and kept me laser focused on all that was happening. Never a dull moment!

Danielle has crafted a world unlike any I've read. She lays down the basics without overwhelming readers. Experiencing it was incredible. How I wish to see the Dark Shores with my own eyes! The setting is imaginative and rife with politics and religion. The former is complicated and frustrating but I begrudgingly understand its presence. The latter has a solid foundation that I'm eager to learn more about!

There is so much I admire in Teriana. She's brave to make the decisions she's made no matter what it cost her and where it led her. Her tenacity alone had me rooting for her. Despite being on "opposing sides", I love the connection she forges with Marcus. I am, however, definitely holding my breath awaiting the fallout that's sure to come from what he did to Lydia.

The Legatus of the Thirty-Seventh Legion is no stranger to violence and deception. I'm in awe of all Marcus has had to do and endure in order to survive. The many tough spots he's been put in makes me want to tuck him away in a safe place where the harsh reality and unfair treatments cannot get to him. There's definitely much more coming for him. Though he's bound to be bloodied and bruised some more, I have complete faith he'd come out a victor.

There are so many components at work in Dark Shores. Lydia, Teriana's best friend, is a big catalyst to the story and I just know she has an even bigger role to play. I can even see Marcus's sister getting in on the action. Then there's the villain that had me gritting my teeth every time he was on the pages. But I have to give him credit for his clever scheming. So very cunning. I hope he gets what he deserves (aka a very painful death).

Once in a while I come across a book where all I want to put in my review is "I loved it, go read it!". Dark Shores is, without a doubt, one such book. So... I love this book so much, please go read it everyone!!!

*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way.