This series has been such a whirled wind and I have loved it so much. This book started right back in the action and Jensen’s writing is so fantastic. I love her world building and the relationships she creates in her stories.

This review is only based off the first 24 chapters as that is all available at this time. Thank you Netgalley for the sneakpeak!

Great beginning. I like how it picks up right where the last left off. The four povs were excellent and I’m glad the author continued.

This was so good! I was immediately drawn in. Such a good read! Cant wait for release. Definitely picking this one up!

I told myself that I wasn't going to read anymore ARC's that were only Excerpts because it made it that much more difficult when waiting on a new book. Unfortunately, I flew through the first three books in this series and the last book left off in such a way that I just couldn't NOT get a peek at Book 4 and at least see the culmination of the cliffhanger.

The ARC covered the first 24 chapters of this book, and to be fair, that is a pretty significant portion. Since this is an advanced copy, I'm not sure what to say other than to say that the portion I read hooked me immediately and made me even more impatient for the release - which unfortunately is not happening until August 2025 (it is now only April).

This book continues with the multiple POV's and let's just say that things are REALLY heating up in the Dark Shores. For anyone who was waiting on pins and needles for Agrippa's reunion *raises hand* it didn't happen in the first 24 chapters, but we definitely get more of his character and what we get is worth it. I think we are definitely going to see fireworks.

So- was it worth it? Yep. Definitely. Am I going to wait patiently for August? Well, there really isn't any other choice, is there? I will say that I have enjoyed the heck out of this series and if this book is the finale (which I have been assuming it will be) There is a heck of a lot to tie up. But boy oh boy is there some craziness happening with all of our MC's. It looks like it is going to be a wild ride :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Teen for the opportunity to read and review this ARC Excerpt The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be out for publication on August 05, 2025.

I almost can’t believe we’re already at the fourth book and the finale for this series. It’s wild to realize that I picked up the first book so long ago, though it feels almost as though publishing moves too quickly sometimes—far too quickly for me to keep up with everything regularly. Danielle L. Jensen is definitely one of those authors whose names you see a lot and I’m so excited for all the fans of this exciting series to get a chance to see how it concludes. Definitely one I’ll have to pick up the full book for!

This book had me hooked from the very first page! I didn’t realize when I applied for this ARC that it was an excerpt and not the full novel and I’m kicking myself for it because I need more!! My first introduction to DLJ was A Fate Inked in Blood and I fell in love with her storytelling and writing style, and this book is no different! Beautifully written and great pacing. Her books keep me engaged from start to finish. Can’t wait until the release so I can see how this book ends!

Love this series!! My only complaint is not with the story but how long it’s been between novels. It’s complex enough that at times I was completely blanking on what the heck had happened previously to get us where we are now. Excited for the full text. Danielle L. Jensen can do no wrong in my eyes

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Danielle L. Jensen for the ARC.

As a fan of Danielle L. Jensen—especially <i>The Bridge Kingdom</i> series and <i>A Fate Inked in Blood</i> (I’m counting down the days until the sequel!)—I was thrilled to receive this ARC. I hadn’t realized this was actually book four in the <i>Dark Shores</i> series, but I quickly caught up on the first three, and in true Jensen fashion, the world-building is phenomenal. The blend of <i>Pirates of the Caribbean</i> energy, Roman Empire influences, BIPOC and plus-sized main characters, and a unique magic system is completely my thing.

This ARC was an excerpt, but it picks up seamlessly where book three left off and launches straight into action. In fact, this is my favorite of the 4 (each of the previous were 4 star reads for me). The pacing is relentless in the best way after all the built up tension, and I’m already counting down the days until I can read the full conclusion.

The diverse characters are layered and compelling, and the plot remains intricate without ever feeling overwhelming. It’s a richly imagined world, and I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up.

This book was provided to me for free in exchange for my honest review.

After waiting two years after the must brutal cliffhanger I can finally rest a little easier until the full book comes out in August! Things are not resolved, definitely not happy by any means, but so much happens in just this little section. The dread and anticipation with every part is so satisfying to read! Scorched Earth picks up right where Gilded Serpent ends so I’m glad I reread all of the Dark Shores series first. This is still one of my very favorite series out of hundreds of romantasy books I’ve read! I love all the characters and how unique they all are as well as the interesting world and complex plot that is written so thoughtfully. Cannot wait for the full book release in August!!

This tease is killing me!! I need this book yesterday!

This series is truly a ride to enjoy and I can’t wait for the release.

Thank you for the advanced excerpt! Dark Shores is my favorite series by Danielle and I am highly anticipating the release of the final book! However, it’s been two years since I’ve read the series, and I honestly don’t remember much of what happened, or how Gilded Serpent left off 😭 I don’t really feel like I can provide a fair review because I was lost most of the time while reading. I will note that over the previous books in the last series I have found the characters so loveable and the political tension and action scenes well written. The magic system in this world is one of my favorites of all time, it’s subtle but the xenthiers are so cool. I have Scorched Earth preordered and can’t wait to binge the whole series before it’s release!!

Thank you Tor Teen and NetGalley for giving me access to the first 24 chapters of Scorched Earth. I seriously love this series so much. I don’t know why this isn’t more popular. It’s so good. I cannot wait until the books release date this was a great teaser but I have so many questions!! Gotta say Danielle Jensen is truly evil with some of the timings of her story line/pov switches!

finished the 24 chapter excerpt & i already know this book will be 5 stars!!!!!!! ughhhhhh i hate that i have to wait so long to see what happens 😩 so many plot twists! so much stress! i love our main characters so much it's not even funny!

HIGHLY recommend this series!!!!!!

thank you so much Tor Teen & Netgalley for the arc! this is my honest review.

Receiving an excerpt from an arc is a mixed blessing. The main thing I can evaluate it for is whether it piqued my interest, whether it compels me to preorder the book. This excerpt dropped me head first into this world and events as they unfolded, and I was intrigued immediately. It captured my interest and it made me want to keep reading and see what happened to the characters. I didn't feel completely lost, despite starting partway through the book. The writing is engaging and fluid, and my only complaint is that I have to wait for the entire book to get the whole story.

I got the first few chapter of this book and i NEED the rest! Danielle jensen is a top tier writer! raging at the bit to have the rest! i can’t wait to see where it goes!

This book, is so so good. I really cannot wait until I get my hands on the full thing!!!! I need the whole book. I need to see how it gets wrapped up. Oh Marcus. Just oh Marcus. Let’s get it together.

Its a must have read!!! You. Must. Read. This.

This was a great preview and I can’t wait to devour the whole book! Danielle Jensen is a fabulous writer and there is a lot here to be excited about.

Absolutely amazing and exactly what I expect and love from Jensen. I cannot wait to read the rest of this one!

I am weak, broken, and ugly, but I am not yet defeated.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Teen for allowing me to read a 24 chapter excerpt in exchange for an honest review.

Coming off re-reads, this book wastes no time and picks up immediately where Gilded Serpent left off! We finish Gilded Serpent with a sense of dread and desperation, and this little preview into Scorched Earth only offered a tiny bit of respite from the onslaught of action. (Though this isn't a surprise since 24 chapters only amounted to 150 pages of what will be a 750+ page book).

I am eager to find out how on earth Marcus, Teriana, Lydia, and Killian will overcome all the challenges that have been building up against them. There are an insane amount of lies & secrets that need to be revealed, reunions that need to be had (Agrippa, the 37th, and Silvara??), and I'm SO NERVOUS on their behalf. August can't come soon enough!

It's been so long since I read The Gilded Serpent so I had to get my bearings when reading this excerpt. I think it did a great to get me excited for the full book.