Title: Dark Shores
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Pirates, Adventure
What It's About: Teriana is the 2nd mate of the Quincense, a position that she has been granted upon her 17th birthday. They are sailing towards Cel, the main city in Celendrial, and she cannot wait to see her best friend, Lydia. She asks her mom , who is the captain, if she may go onshore, and her mom, Captain Tesya, tells her to get busy.
When they do dock at port, and pay the Magistrate the taxes and fees they need to, Tesya tells Teriana to go but be back by dawn as she wants to leave as soon as possible, in order to avoid the reason as to why the Cel military is camping outside of the city. Teriana heads to Lydia's home and essentially the home owned by Senator Valerius. She finds him and two other men talking in a room at the rear of the villa, where a younger male seems to be in a state of undress, while they are talking. One of the men gives her a vibe that he is dangerous, but the second one--the young one--is drunk and confused how she got into the villa.
Senator Valerie's tells them that he knows her and ushers her out. Teriana looks at him and sees that he doesn't look well, and he tells her where to find Lydia. Teriana finds Lydia in the library just like Senator Valerius had said, and the girls talk. Lydia tells her that the younger man is her father's nephew and the inheritor of Senator Valerius's estate upon his death, while the other one is Lucius Cassius--a minor member of the Cassius family who had inherited the family wealth and the seat as a result of a series of accidents. He is now a powerful member of the Senate. Teriana and Lydia had met when the Maarin were negotiating a new agreement and one of the Senators had insisted on speaking in The Trader's Tongue. He butchered it and in one instance made a comment about a man's property holdings. Lydia had stood up then and stated that the had possessed a very large member instead of talking about the property. Teriana knew that they would be best friends ever since. Lydia had been adopted by Senator Valerius, having been found clutching her dead mother as a babe in front of their manor, but she looks nothing like the Cel--dark hair and ivory skin compare to the usual Cel with golden hair and tanned skin tones consistent with someone from scorching hot regions. Teriana believes that Lydia looks a lot like the people of northern Mudamora in the West.
Lydia tells Teriana that she is likely to be married off and Teriana tells her of the lands to the west--where she could escape as the conditions do not look particularly favorable for Lydia. Except that Teriana is breaking a rule: The East must not meet the West--one made to keep the two halves of the Reath unaware of each other.
Marcus wonders why the 37th legion was called back to Cel only to be forced to camp outside of the city. Suddenly, a young boy from Chersome comes to deliver a message to Marcus, in utter fear and it does not surprise Marcus that the boy is afraid because the 37th legion was the one that had decimated Chersome and the uprising there. He gets ready and walks all the way to the Senator's home, where he meets with Lucius Cassius, who asks him that all of the members of his legion vote for him to become the consul. Marcus tells him no, that he will not take that choice from them especially since so much is already taken from them. They are the second sons of families, and are given at the age of 8 to legions, trained and then at age 12, they go out on campaigns. In exchange, they are granted citizenship and the right to vote along it. Lucius Cassius calls Marcus by his family name--one he hasn't heard since he was eight and turned over to the Legions. Lucius then tells him that he's seen his brother and he seems to have less trouble sleeping since Marcus has been gone, which unnerves Marcus that Lucius knows his secret. Lucius tells him to get his legion to vote for him or else harm may come to his family.
Teriana comes back to the boat as a protest/ riot breaks out. She asks her mom about Lydia, but her mom tells her they cannot take her. Suddenly, Magnius, the ships' guardian tells her and everyone on the ship that Lydia needs her help. Her mom tells her to go and Magnius tells her to grab a particular book with her. Teriana goes and meets with Lydia on the shore, and Lydia accuses her of Magnius being a sea monster. Teriana shares the book with her about the Seven Gods because they can't take Lydia, but maybe the book may have something that will help her. Lydia reveals that she will be marrying Lucius Cassius, once he takes on the consulship.
Three months later, Marcus and the men of the 37th legion go to the Forum and vote for Cassius. Marcus does have his doubts about whether he would've voted for Cassius if not for his blackmailing and what would happen to his family. It becomes clear halfway through the voting that Cassius will become the consul. He asks Marcus to meet him at his home and when Marcus does, they talk. Cassius asks Marcus to kill his wife, Lydia Valerius. Then Cassius tells him about the Dark Shores, showing him a map of the other side of the Reath and telling him that there must be a way to get to all those lands in the west quickly. Cassius wants Marcus to lead the campaign to discover these lands.
Those three months later, Teriana is at sea and they come across a downed Maarin ship. Bait and Magnius explore it and bring up some goods. Suddenly, they are approached by a Celendorian ship that boards them. The admiral tells them that Calendar wouldn't dream of violating their treaty with the Maarin, and asks to search their ship because they believe the Maarin are in possession of information that the empire wants. Magnius tells them that something is amiss, and shows them a vision of the downed ship. Suddenly, another of the pirates starts whistling a song that signifies that there are at least two other ships coming their way. Realizing that this is an ambush, they try to fight their way out of it, and Teriana sends Bait with Magnius to warn other Maarin ships. Their ship gets pummeled with cannon balls, so in order to protect and save everyone, Teriana surrenders. She is transported in the hold of the Celendorian ship back to Celendor, where she gets walked through the streets and to a house. There are some dead bodies that were not cleaned up and the Legionnaire of the 37th that is escorting her, Servius, tells her that they will take care of it and asks how best to bury their bodies. Teriana tells him that either they go to water or by fire, and if neither are an option, then to leave them for the carrion.
They take hereinto the house, and into a dungeon where she sees her mom, but it's almost like Tesya isn't there. The inquisitor takes her into the chair, and starts ripping her fingernails off when she refuses to answer Lucius Cassius's questions about the Dark Shores. He tells her not to lie and shows her the book that she gave Lydia. Teriana thinks that Lydia betrayed her and gets angry. The man behind Cassius is clearly someone from the 37th legion, most likely their leader, but Teriana cannot tell from the way the shadows fall on him. He final snaps and sends the Inquisitor running, calling him a coward, and adds that no one is willing to break. He gives Teriana a glass of water. They all start talking as Cassius asks Teriana if she knows who the man from the 37th is--she does--and they talk about what would happen to her people. Wanting to save her people, Teriana tells them that they use Xenither--a stone that creates portals to allow people to move long distances faster to get to the dark shores. Ultimately, she agrees to help them get there in exchange for her people's freedom, pardoning them of the charge of paganism, and leaving them to their ways.
Marcus could not stand Tariana's cries-none of her other people had screamed and it seems like they had gone elsewhere mentailly when being questioned. Even Lydia hadn't screamed when he killed her, but begged to be spared. Well, he wanted to save her, but the tide had ripped her away. He makes the agreement with Teriana, and then puts guards to protect her. One of the nights, while they are waiting to leave, Marcus is at camp ands brother, Gaius, comes. Gaius spews so much hatred for Marcus--that he should've died--and Marcus is angry that his brother is not more grateful for Marcus's sacrifice. After all, he took on Gauss's identity to be entered into the legionnaires as their second son, but in reality Marcus's real name for the first eight years of his life was Gaius--he was the first son. They fight, and the next day, Marcus sees his brother out at the forum for the procession.
Cassius wanted a procession to celebrate his new role, so Teriana is protected by the 37th legionnaires as they make their way to the forum. She wants to see her mom, and Servius tells her that he will do his best to get them to see each other. They see Cassius arrive via chariot with another man, Titus--the Captain of the 41st Legion, who shares a striking resemblance to Cassius and may be his son, though Cassius will not admit that. As Teriana starts forward with the 37th Legionnaires surrounding her, a bolt spikes in front of her.
Marcus had hoped his father would look at him, but he didn't even look his way. He also wishes that he could take anyone else but Titus and his Legion to the Dark Shores, but knows that he has no choice because Titus is Cassius's son, and is most likely ordered by Cassius to keep an eye on them. He sees the bolt strike the ground in front of Teriana and jumps into action, telling Titus and his legions to control the crowd. He sees the 37th protect Teriana and looks for the assassin in the rooftops. Finding him, he grabs a spear, but knows that with the crowd now panicking and stampeding, he will not be able to get close enough to the assassin to throw the spear, so he asks Servius, who throws the spear and gets the assassin in the back. Marcus believes that Cassius ordered the hit, because he did not like the deal they made with Teriana and probably wants to try to break someone less demanding. He gives out orders to sketch the assassin and move dead bodies as well as double protection around Teriana and her mother.
That night, Teriana sneaks out and makes it to her mother's window. Tesya admits to blacking out and not knowing what transpired. when Teriana tells her, Tesya tells her that better be dead than reveal the information, and turns her back on Teriana, treating her as an outcast.
Marcus is talking with his men, when a woman comes in and he tells his men to get out. It all gives the appearance of her coming to him for sexual purposes, but in reality it is his sister, Cordelia. She purposefully made it appear that way, and she uses his real name-Gaius--once she's certain no one is listening. She tells him that his brother deserved what he got from him and even their mother said so when he came home because he's not grateful for Marcus's sacrifice. Cordelia tells him that she's aware of the blackmail and that Cassius si the worst possible man--that he will tax families unable to pay and make them give up their 4th sons. She implores him to do something and stop Cassius. Marcus tells her that he does not have the power to do so. They are interrupted with the news that Teriana has escaped. The men find Teriana at her mother's and Marcus tells her it's impressive that she managed to get this far with a broken hand. Marcus wraps her hand for her and empathizes with her about being an outcast.
The next morning, when Teriana wakes, Tesya is gone, and she is upset that they did not get to say goodbye to each other. Marcus tells her that he already loaded his men on ships and they cannot afford to unload for the sake of goodbyes. He takes her to her ship, and when she calls out at Felix, saying something mean, he kicks her off the gangplank into the dirty water, telling her that his men will respect her but she also needs to show some respect to them. Teriana agrees and gets on her ship where she sees her crew--they are glad to see her alive and her aunt, Yedda, tells her that her mom will realize what a mistake she's made. Marcus's men also cut down the pirates that were hung, and bring them to the ship so they could be buried at sea. As they leave the port, Marcus and Teriana see Cassius holding a noose--a warning to them both that they could be killed if they fail to deliver.
As they sale, they deal with the following:
-seasick sailors vomiting in the hold. Teriana has them come up on the deck and teaches them to look at the horizon, and then ties a nut to their arms, putting pressure on the tendons that alleviates their seasickness.
-The dead see--currents take some ships off course, so it's a graveyard of ships. Teriana tells Marcus that if any of their ships sail off course, to concede them lost. They will not be able to save them because the currents are too strong. She tells him that people have seen the Maarin ship before and tried to row for it but lost their lives anyway. They see a man who strung up by his comrades on the ship and is blistered, going mad and singing. Marcus puts him out of his misery by shooting him and then lighting the ship on fire.
-Bait comes back and Marcus takes him down to the ground. Teriana pleads with him to be merciful, and Marcus puts him with the rest of her crew. She talks to Magnius, who tells her that the one who wants to cross is the one who needs to ask for permission from him. Marcus and Servius cannot come to grips how Bait stowed away and one of Marcus's men begins to question him.
Teriana tells Marcus what he must do to get them to the other side, and he doesn't believe her. He thinks she tricked him until Magnius shows up and Marcus is forced to offer his blood as well as his name. He only tells his name-Marcus-and his title, but Magnius asks for his full name, and Marcus wonders which name he should use, his real name that he lived with for the first 8 years of his life, or his current one. He decides to be Marcus Domitus and gives that name. A whirlpool opens up and two gods begin to battle--Madoria, to let them through against the other god controlling the weather, who is trying to keep them out. One of the ships lights on fire from the thunder only to be doused by the water.
They make it through the portal and once Magnius closes it, Teriana gets close to the damaged ship and takes on some of the Legionnaires but she tells Marcus that she needs another ship to take the rest of them, because they won't all fit on her ship. Marcus gets on the other ship, and Felix is mad because they left him behind. Another ship approaches and takes on more of the legionnaires until Marcus is all that is left as the ship is almost underwater. Titus extends a hand to get him up, but then lets him go, and Marcus plunges into the water. Teriana dives in after him, gets his foot out of the netting, and they are helped by Magnius back to the surface. Teriana is indignant that Titus tried to kill him as Marcus is the one with whom she has a contract, but Marcus tells her that it might be an accident or at least sold that way to everyone else.
Teriana takes them to Arinoquia per Marcus's request for a less fortified town. She's angry when she finds out that Marcus has separated the children from the parents as everyone knows that Maarin ships are good and feels that he manipulated the people of Arinoquia that way. He speaks with the town and gives them back the children, using Teriana to translate. The townsfolk agree to be his guides and help him. The legions set up camp and create a fortified wall, but Marcus has Teriana sleep in his tent, telling her that he's sent the Quincense under Yadda's control to an island nearby.
Teriana helps him meet with Ereni--the Imperatrix of the clan nearest them--and Ereni agrees to work with Marcus despite Tariana's attempts to warn her in order to get rid of Urcon--a man who fashions himself as the King of the Qrinoquians and who keeps taxing people unjustly. Teriana visits the herbarium and tells the man, who is god-marked by the goddess of healing, to not let anyone know about his marking. She also asks him to send letters out on her behalf.
Teriana and Marcus travel up and down the coast with her translating for Marcus. One of the days on their way back, they see a warning--a message to them to get out, where dead bodies of those who had helped them are displayed. Teriana freaks out with the blood getting into her bandages, and both she and Marcus go to the water, where he loses his composure, screaming that it is happening again.
At night, Marcus dreams--he makes his way to a village in Chersome, and he smells blood and fire--all of the villagers having been killed before he even got there. The first time, Teriana wakes him up and they find themselves painfully aware of the other's body. But when she finds out the source of his nightmare, she tells him that he deserves to have them, and never wakes him up again.
On the eve of the battle to take Galinha, an Urcon stronghold, Teriana accuses Marcus of murdering people, when he reveals that he plans to attack at night. She brings up Chersome, to which he responds that's not true--they were all killed by their own warrior caste, who did not want to them to be submitted to the Empire's rule. He says that he separated the women and the children from the men and sent them to the empire to save them from being murdered by their own people. He agrees that these people shouldn't have been sold, but at least they are alive and can rebuild. when she asks why he stepped in to save her, he tells her that he couldn't listen to her screaming. Suddenly, he starts choking and tells her to get his servant, so she goes to him. His servant tells her to get Felix and Servius only. The three come back and help the servant put a tube into Marcus. Then Felix is forced to wear Marcus's armor to make ti seem like Marcus is on the battlefield. When the servant tells her that Marcus is getting worse and is likely to die, Teriana runs to the village and gets the healer. She brings him back to the tent at knifepoint, threatening him. He saves Marcus's life at the expensee of his own. Marcus goes with her the next day to the village with the healer's body and helps them send him off.
Teriana reads the charges against some of the perpetrators in Galinha out loud, and then Marcus makes a speech that she translates. As she translates, she realizes the moment that Ereni realizes that this alliance with Marcus is not just an alliance, but a conquerer taking over. Later, Teriana runs into Ereni, while trying to get alcohol for the celebrations. Ereni asks questions about their healer and accuses her of working with the legion, to which Teriana responds reminding her that she had tried to warn Ereni but Ereni ignored those warnings.
That night, the legionnaires celebrate and Teriana once again clears out the soldiers at gambling, before sitting down in Servius's company as he tells a story about how he got the scar on his leg. Teriana ribs him, that he got the scar from shaving his legs, and then tells a story of her own about how she got a scar. The story involves an octopus that she fought. Marcus joins at that points, and calls bull not he story, to which she tells the real story--she had gotten into a fight. Servisu then tells them how Marcus got his facial scar--they had been in Bardeen and sick--vomiting and suffering from diarrhea at the same time, so Marcus had been in the outhouse, when one of the enemies shot an arrow, missing him across the cheek. He had gotten the army roused but the perpetrator fled. The whole group is laughing from this story, when the prostitutes show up and all the men leave except for Marcus. Teriana cannot bear the idea of him going with another woman, so she heads back to the tent and he follows her. They end up kissing and going to bed together.
Teriana wakes up the following morning tangled in his body and goes to wash herself. Marcus wakes up when his servant comes in complaining that he didn't take care of his equipment correctly. Marcus follows her and goes to talk to Teriana, who had been struggling with her sleeping with him. She tells him that it was nothing and that she was like one of the prostitutes, to which Marcus tells her to help herself to the gold coin if that is how she feels. The next day, he gives her an assignment, telling her to become useful, and then heads to Aracham with his military.
Teriana is en route to him after finishing her assignment, when she and her men are ambushed by Ashok, who is god-marked by the Corrupter. All of the men, except two are killed and Teriana is kidnapped. The news only gets to Marcus once he sends out a coat to find them. A boy also comes to the gate with a message-- withdraw or she dies, and Marcus does not know what to do. Felix tells him that she has finally shown her true colors and to move forward with the battle. Felix says something unsavory about Teriana that causes Marcus to swing at him, and have men take them apart. Before he has to make a final decision that may lead to Tariana's death, one of his men finds her trail.
Teriana wakes in a cell and Ashok tells her that he's known about her from someone inside the camp--that she's even shared Marcus's bed. That along with the marked coins tells her who it is. Ashok also tells her what the ultimatum is and she knows she needs to get out. She tries to get the guards around her to come close to her so she could take them out with the knife that she stole from Ashok, but before she can take the big guard, who has come for her, out, things start happening. Marcus shows up to save her, and she has to slit the throat of the big man to help Marcus because no matter how much Marcus stabs the man, the guy doesn't go down. Teriana tells Marcus about Ashok and how Ashok had told her all about the traitor in their midst--she names Felix. Marcus has noticed that Felix has been acting very irritable and antagonistic lately, while Titus had actually stepped up.
Marcus carries her to the medic tent when she passes out on her way back. Then he heads to the commander's tent, where Titus and Felix--mostly Felix--give him the report on how they've taken Aracham. Knowing from one of the prisoners that they captured when they found Teriana, the next force will come from the north, Marcus gets onto a horse and runs battle strategy on his way to a hill to watch the battle.
Teriana is at the medic tent when the injured arrive, and after a while, she asks to help--being entrusted with the pain killer that enables her to ease the soldier's pain, knock them out or give them a peaceful death. When Marcus comes back, he checks on his men and she heads out. He follows her and tells her that he can't offer her much--though if she asked, he would probably give her anything he could within his power. She asks him if she can have him as he is, aware that they may have to go separate ways because of who he is and that he won't be able to have a family or life with her. He tells her yes, and she takes it as it is, agreeing to it.
My Thoughts: I was totally not expecting this book when I saw the advertisements on my Kindle's sleeping screen, but I decided to take a chance, and I fell in love with this book because it's not like any other book that I have encountered in recent times. Yes, it's still fantasy, but instead of fae, vampires and werewolves, and Atlantians who drink blood, this one is inspired by Pirates and the Roman Empire, where the worlds meet with elements of magic. I really loved Tariana and Marcus's backgrounds and stories, as well as their development together as characters and the romance that is happening between them.
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