Book Blurb:
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 SAILOR 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.
Find out more about the book on Goodreads
My Review:
4 Out Of 5 Stars
Genre: Another-World, Heart-Wrenching, Mystery, Romance, Royal-Court, Supernatural, Survival, Suspense, Teen--
Teriana thought she was helping her best friend out by telling her the secret of her people, she just never knew that that secret would be shared and the whole Maarin race would be under the potential for destruction. Marcus has a big family secret that he doesn't want to get out, which overall makes him a puppet in the master plan of the new leaders of the Celendor Empire. The mysterious Dark Shores in the west is about to be discovered in the worst kind of way.
It took at least half the book for me to be fully invested in the story. Don't get me wrong, I thought interesting things were happening and the world building was detailed and unique and I wanted to keep reading, I was just not fully connected to the characters. Once I was though, I could not get enough of this story! The entire concept of the world is fantastic, a conquering nation set on complete dominance, a secret side of the world and the gods that dictate who can come and go- Yes please! Dark Shores was so incredibly jam packed- be it with danger, action, betrayal, death and murder, gods, magic, angst, fear, and a romance I shipped even though all signs pointed to it not happening- just wait until the truth really comes out, it is bound to get even messier.
I feel like this could very easily cross the boundaries into adult fantasy, due to the very adult content- the main characters are older teens but have been basically adults for years, one has even been in control of his own group of soldiers. Danielle has a way of creating real, completely flawed characters that you can't help but root for. I really liked both the main characters and (most) of the side characters, the potential for betrayal that the end hinted at was fantastic and I need more now! I wouldn't exactly call this a cliff hanger ending, but so many loose ends were left that I can't stop stewing over. I have no idea how many books are going to be in the series, but count me in for all of it.
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