The Bridge Kingdom
romantic fantasy
Series · young adult fantasy
Dark Shores
The Dark Shores series by Danielle L. Jensen has 5 books and is best read in publication order, starting with Dark Shores (2019).
- Books
- 5 books
- First published
- 2019
- Status
- completed
- Last checked
Start here: Dark Shores (2019) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
No reading order has been recorded yet.
About the Dark Shores series
Dark Shores is Danielle L. Jensen's high-seas fantasy epic, blending Roman-empire-style conquest with pirate adventure, unruly gods, and slow-burn romance. Marcus, a legion commander, and Teriana, a sailor from a nation his empire wants to conquer, are forced into an uneasy alliance in Dark Shores; Lydia, a scholar, and Killian, a rebel military leader, carry a parallel storyline in Dark Skies. The two pairs' stories converge in Gilded Serpent, which weaves all four points of view together, before the saga concludes in Scorched Earth.
Jensen has said Dark Shores and Dark Skies were originally written as a single novel before being split into two books, each following a different couple — which is why the author's own reading order lets readers start with either one. A prequel novella, Tarnished Empire, fills in backstory for a supporting cast member. The series ran from 2019 to 2025 and is Jensen's second major fantasy series, published in the years between The Malediction Trilogy and The Bridge Kingdom's later volumes.
How to read this series
Dark Shores and Dark Skies can be read in either order — they were conceived as one novel split into two parallel storylines, so pick whichever couple's premise appeals more, then read the other, followed by Gilded Serpent and Scorched Earth. The prequel novella Tarnished Empire is optional and can be read any time before Gilded Serpent, since it sets up a character who becomes important there. No connection to Jensen's Malediction Trilogy or Bridge Kingdom series.
Frequently asked questions
How many books are in the Dark Shores series?
Four novels — Dark Shores (2019), Dark Skies (2020), Gilded Serpent (2023), and Scorched Earth (2025) — plus the prequel novella Tarnished Empire (2021).
Do I read Dark Shores or Dark Skies first?
Either order works. The two books were originally written as one novel, then split into parallel storylines following different couples, so the author's own guidance is to start with whichever one interests you more.
What order should I read the Dark Shores series in?
Dark Shores and Dark Skies (in either order), then Gilded Serpent, then Scorched Earth. Tarnished Empire is an optional prequel novella best read before Gilded Serpent.
Is Dark Shores connected to The Bridge Kingdom or The Malediction Trilogy?
No — it's a separate world and cast with no shared characters, though all three are by Danielle L. Jensen.
Is the Dark Shores series finished?
Yes, it concluded with Scorched Earth in August 2025.
If you loved this, shelve these next
Reading order last verified .