Dark Shores

By: Danielle L. Jensen

Narrated by: Jeanette Illidge, Jeremy Arthur

Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

"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 of Throne of Glass

The Celendor Empire has set its sights on conquering the far side of the world. And the secret to transporting its legions across the treacherous seas is held by seventeen-year-old Teriana.

Teriana has always been taught that east must never meet west, but when her closest friend is forced into an unwanted betrothal, she breaks the rule. A decision Teriana comes to regret when her crew are imprisoned and she lands face-to-face with the Empire’s most ruthless—and secretive—commander, Marcus. To save her people, Teriana chooses to guide Marcus and his legions into a world of meddlesome gods and magic. But with dark forces rising on both sides of the seas, the consequences of her alliance with the enemy may be greater than she imagined . . . especially for her heart.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Teen

©2019 Danielle L. Jensen (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Another one

I enjoyed it more than I thought I was enjoying it. I’m excited to listen to Dark Skies and then wait super impatiently for the third one

Epic fantasy adventure

I really enjoyed listening to this book. True to Jensen's style she creates compelling and complex characters within a unique world. I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Love it!

The East Must Never Meet The West. This is a mantra that is heavily passed down in Teriana's world. She's a sailor and a trader. Her family is pagan. A religion that is quickly becoming outlawed. A horrible mistake puts her and all of her people at the mercy of people who will stop at nothing to take over the entire world. She finds herself making a deal that goes against everything she stands for. She finds herself in forced company with the soldier who saved her. Marcus couldn't stand to see Teriana and her people being tortured. He pleads a temporary truce if she agrees to help them with their mission. I have so many thoughts about this book that it's going to be hard to get them all out without trying to write a book. I really both adored and couldn't stand Marcus and Teriana. They are strong and amazing characters. I loved that about them. However, they were both a bit childish and stubborn. It kind of brought them down a bit. I loved the story. There were parts that could have been expanded a bit more. Not many but like maybe 3-5. Other than that, the book and the characters were very amazing. I was in love. I can't wait to read the next book! This book was narrated by both Jeanette Illidge and Jeremy Arthur. I have found that I really enjoy audiobooks that have two narrators. Especially when the story itself is in two points of view. It just makes things so much more enjoyable. The only critique I could give is that I think if it's a female and male duo, the male should do the male voices in the female's section and vice versa. Other than that, I really have no problems with the book. I really enjoyed this book. It has so many great features in it. It has an adventure. It has intrigue. It has a tyrant. It even has very steamy forbidden love. What more could a reading addict want? I am very much looking forward to reading the second book. The cover of this book is gorgeous as well! I fully recommend!

I Had Fun

(More around 4.5)

**Slight Spoilers**

“Dark Shores” was a fun ride. Like the author pointed out on Goodreads, the marketing made this novel sound like it was going to be a swashbuckling pirate story, but it really isn’t that. It’s a story more about a world based on the Roman Empire and basically what happened to other nations and parts of the world that had the unfortunate happenstance to be acquainted with them. Teriana is part of a race of people who take it upon themselves to govern the ocean between Eastern Continents and Western Continents to uphold their 7 gods and goddesses wishes to keep the peace. But, you know, the Roman Empire side finds out about Teriana’s secret and wants to do the usual conquer thing.

I had fun listening to “Dark Shores” as an audiobook. There were two narrators, and I liked how each gave the story their own inflections. They were on par.

So, because I liked the story so much (Teriana was awesome, Marcus was nice and sad but trying to do better, and the side characters were memorable,) I can’t help but point out a few things that I would have liked to see or that interrupted my happy space.

I wasn’t much for Teriana’s mother. She seemed to be the “badass” mom, but the type of mom who would treat her child more like a student detached from her more than her actual flesh and blood. Obviously, she’s not a talk-it-through type of lady, and I just didn’t feel like she and Teriana had much of a connection.

I feel like Teriana is smart enough to know that Lily didn’t betray her. She knows that Cassius is a manipulative fart face, and she knows that her friend was someone she could share her deepest secrets with. There had to be some trust there, and I was hoping that Teriana would think of that at least in this novel. I’m also surprised that the reveal that Marcus “killed” Lily wasn’t brought up in the novel either. I really don’t like that it’s coming at some point. It will eventually happen, and there will be all sorts of drama and miscommunication.

Teriana also believed in Titus a little too quickly. Maybe she just wanted to have a reason to hate Marcus again, but she should have been able to know that was what was going on there. But despite all of this, I feel like Titus might actually be kind of nice? He wants to save Terianna, and he was disgusted with the criminals who were eventually sentenced to hang. Perhaps there is something more to do with him?

I do wish that the romance burned a little longer and came to a full culmination to the next book. I feel like leaving the declarations to the very end just…I dunno. It just fell a little short. I could have used a bit more platonic bickering. Actually, I feel like these two (Teriana and Marcus) would have been better as a strong, platonic friendship. Like a power friendship.

I also enjoyed the parts in the book the best when they were on the ocean and when the gods and goddesses showed themselves. It felt like the battle of Troy with immortals toying with mortals as they saw fit.

Anywhoozle, I overall really, really enjoyed “Dark Shores.” I plan on listening to the next book when it comes back.

Love Danielle L. Jenson

Listened to straight through. Love when Marcus realized what had saved him from the sea. Teriana attitude is a reminder of how woman should be. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2. Thank you Danielle for helping me escape my reality and helping me step into a fantasy world needed to help my imagination grow!

Good story...

I have read all of the other Danielle Jenson book series before this one. For me this was very hard to get into. Once I got like 7 or so chapters in it started to pick up. You have to follow all of the names and titles. Nothing about the prequel has anything to do with this book so that is confusing too. However...once all of that of figured out it gets better!

narrators make or break my enjoyment of audio book

loved the narrators that read Jenson's books. i may like the story but if i dont like the narrators style i will not listen..ill wait until i can read it and listen to the narrator in my own head

Loved It

"It's enough."

Politics...Family Loyalty...Protection...Desire...Redemption...Gods...Goddesses...

East vs West

Family isn't always by blood. Things aren't always what they seem. A good man has been pushed into the role of a villain.

Slow at first, then fell in love!

It was slow at first, but then I grew to love it! I wasn't sure how it would end... Now I NEED to get the next book!

World building is amazing!

A whole new world that Danielle L Jenson has crafted masterfully! Burdened hearts with secrets and duties pulling them every direction. Evil lies on every shore. Can love conquer all?