I always love everything Danielle Jensen writes! Amazing world building and storytelling.

Blackmail, fate, the sea; I was captivated. Also love a good slow burn!

Danielle L Jensen continues to be one of my favorite authors to read. She truly captures the personality of her characters in her writing and this 24 chapter excerpt is no different, I can’t wait to read the rest of the book!!

The excerpt I received was for the first 20% of the book, and while I had planned to read it earlier and review it before the release of Scorched Earth, I am glad I waited because it would have been cruel to read those first few chapters, and then have to wait for the rest of the book to become available.

Once again, we follow Lydia and Killian, as well as Teriana and Marcus. There are 4 different points of view, and while I enjoyed Lydia and Killian’s storyline more in the previous book, I was hooked to Teriana and Marcus’s chapters in this excerpt, and enjoyed Lydia and Killian’s chapter a little less.

I feel that Lydia and Killian’s storyline is becoming a little stagnant. Not because they are not doing anything, their chapters are full of action and fighting, but it’s also mostly traveling so far, and the stakes didn’t feel as high as they did for Teriana and Marcus. Their chapters had me at the edge of my seat, and they are, once again, in the middle of politics and scheming, not knowing who they can trust (although I have strong suspicions about the traitor’s identity, and if I am right, then it was made too obvious maybe, or Marcus is just dumb not to suspect it with every clues we got in those first chapters).

Thankfully, I bought the book, so I can continue right away, and hopefully, Teriana and Lydia will soon be reunited, because I am still waiting for this moment!

Danielle Jensen does not miss. This entire series is fantastic fantasy with amazing world building. 10/10 would recommend.

This chapter sampler *barely* held me over until the full release! This series is one of my favorites and seeing it come to an end is bittersweet. Danielle Jensen's talent is criminally under the radar. All of her books are works of art.

The only bad thing I have to say about this is that it wasn't the entire book. I have waited THREE YEARS for this final installment, and it absolutely did not disappoint. I'm obsessed with this world and these characters, and I can't wait to see how it all ends.

An incredible author with so much talent. Everything she writes is pure gold. Can’t wait to finish reading this book, because I absolutely love this series!

This was a great little taster! I will be buying the book as I’m a big fan of Danielle!

This was very different to her other work but equally a enjoyable

I read the 24 chapter excerpt and omg my mind is blown away cuz those 24 chapters were insanely good, like you guys don't understand what she puts in her books, I have no idea how things are gonna end. I got the book immediately to continue! The characters, Lydia, Terianna, Marcus, Killian, and Agrippa are all so well written and the plot is so well thought out that I am honestly in love.

Reading the Dark Shores series for the first time leading up to the release of Scorched Earth has been so incredible and has reminded me WHY I love to read: it’s so damn fun escaping into new worlds! The world inside the Dark Shores series is so vast, so exciting, and absolutely intoxicating.

Scorched Earth has brought all the best elements from Dark Shores, Dark Skies, Tarnished Empire, and Gilded Serpent — which includes excellent pacing, gripping characters, love stories woven throughout, and such deep lore that I can’t imagine HOW things will wrap up and truly feel *finished* by the end of this beautiful novel. And that isn’t to doubt Danielle L. Jensen whatsoever! I absolutely know she can do it and will stick the landing masterfully… it’s just that she has created such a rich environment that I know I’ll be left always wanting more from these characters and this world.

In this specific snippet we are thrown into the deep end from page one and RIGHT where things ended in Gilded Serpent. We get so much action in these preview chapters. We get a healthy mix of the four characters we are following but I was happy with the large amount of Teriana we got here. I love all the characters but she is (to me) the heart of our story and it feels right that here in the first part of the greater novel we are getting much of the story from her eyes and in her voice.

I think it’s important to remember that 1. This is a YA series and 2. This is not a romantasy — it’s a high epic fantasy series. (And a truly excellent series at that!) Knowing both of those things helps to temper expectations accordingly.

Danielle L. Jensen is so, so incredibly talented and this book showcases her talent for storytelling and the absolute passion she has for creating a truly unique cast of characters where all of their voices sound SO different from each other and very much their own.

Thank you so much to Tor and NetGalley for this preview of Scorched Earth!

24 chapters wasn't enough! Scorched Earth is the much anticipated finale of the Dark Shores series.
This story starts right where Gilded Serpent left us, and gave us a tiny preview of what's to come for Teriana, Marcus, Lydia + Killian.
I'm hopeful (and begging!) that everything gets wrapped up for this series and we aren't too emotionally distraught in the end.
This part of the blurb has me so intrigued but also very scared for what's to come:
"Secrets will be revealed that break hearts even as they forge new alliances, but only the greatest sacrifices of all will turn the tide in the battle for the liberty of every nation on Reath."
Pre-ordered and eagerly awaiting the release so I can finish this book! Danielle never disappoints :)
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Teen for the 24 chapter excerpt of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for the first 24 chapters for consideration and review. I plan to update this when I’ve read the remainder of the book, but wow!

I’m sure I’ll be singing her praise because I love everything I have read for DLJ. After The Bridge Kingdom-if Danielle writes it, I’m going to read it. I have no idea how I hadn’t heard more about this series before receiving this arc excerpt- maybe because it’s more fantasy, action and political intrigue with romance as a subplot? I’m not sure, but people are missing out if they skip this series.

We jump right back into the action and may heart is going in so many different directions with four POVs and pacing that is full speed ahead! One of my favorites aspects of these characters is that the relationships haven’t seemed forced (or rushed) at all. The development is so strong (especially for YA).

The secrets between Marcus and Teriana-geesh, when can they get to the bottom of this deception pit? But really, the growth with Teriana is palpable. The scene with her country men in the cells😭

Lydia and Killian, let’s go! They have been my favorites and his defense of her inner struggle is nearly impossible, but he won’t give up (I hope).

DLJ has warned us we will cry over this ending and I’m worried!

Malahi🖤🌻
Agrippa, you complicated man
Baby Nic

Looking forward to potential reunions between Lydia/Teriana, Marcus/Agrippa

And I won’t cry if you know who gets what it coming to them🗡️

All I can say is where this left off-I hope there is a lot of book left. I’m not ready for this series to be over.

Thank you to netgalley for the first 24 chapters! I’ll update this when I’ve read the rest.

I love being back in this world! And the beginning does not disappoint— we are dropped right back in with a lot of tension and action immediately. Marcus has always been my favorite, and so far his story in this book is a whole lot more challenges. I’ve been nervous for years regarding what would happen when Marcus again connects with the 37th after what happened in Golded Serpent, and it is perfect.
I appreciate how much Teriana has grown, and I feel like she keeps her personality but shows a lot more maturity starting off this book.
Lydia and Killian’s story is also very interesting starting off, and I feel more invested in their chapters than I initially did way back reading Dark Skies.

I can’t wait to finish reading it!!

Thank you so much NetGalley for the 24 chapter advanced excerpt in exchange for my honest review!

This book starts off quick and doesn’t waste any time getting back into the story! There is so much going on with Marcus, Teriana… everyone really. The lies and secrets, oh my gosh! I can’t wait to see how this one ends! Leaving off where it did, I need to know more!

Thank you so much for the advanced copy! As soon as I say "Danielle L Jensen" I just automatically requested. I didn't even know about Dark Shores! So I've had the pleasure of reading through Dark Shores without cliffhangers. Now I just need to wait one day to read the rest of the last book! Booktok has been sleeping on this one. What a great series! It's YA and there's a little more fantasy than romance which is typical of YA. I'm just a sucker for romance but thats my hang up! I'm dying to finish this book. I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye to my characters though! Danielle Jensen brought these characters to life and now I don't want to say goodbye. I'm going to recommend this series to everyone that likes YA romantasy! I don't know why its not talked about more!

ALL THE STARS! And that was only the first 24 chapters!! I kind of regret starting this because now I have to wait and I really really don’t want to! Literally cannot wait until I get the complete book

I have been waiting for this book for ages and it delivers! I think this series is the best of Danielle Jensen although the Bridge Kingdom one is more popular.. I like that series too but this one, with its fantasy elements, great character development and all around riveting storyline is my favorite. The romance doesn’t feel forced or abrupt, but a gradual deepening of emotion. I have preordered the book and eagerly awaiting it!

I loved this! It was only the first 24 chapters but I can’t wait to read the rest. Danielle is so good at weaving incredible stories and this one will be no different!

Danielle L Jensen never misses! This excerpt is no exception! I can’t wait to read the whole book and experience the full series! I’ll be writing a full review of the book when it comes out and I’m able to read the whole thing! Until then, never hesitate to grab something written by Danielle L Jensen!

Super excited to see how this series wraps up! I loved getting to revisist some of my favourite characters with this teaser.