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__paigespages's review against another edition
4.0
Gilded Serpent is book three in the Dark Shores series. I listened to it on audio and it was a journey - literally. This book brings us the points of view of all four main characters we met in the first two books.
I really enjoyed the continued world building and personal growth for all the characters. I love Lydia’s character so much, she is fierce and strong while being bookish and is always underestimated. Marcus and Teriana’s struggles had my heart pounding on several occasions.
This is a fantastic series if you enjoy LOTR mixed with Ancient Rome vibes, with politics, magic, gods, and a dash of romance. Now I’m all caught up and impatiently waiting for Scorched Earth to release, which happens on January 1 according to Goodreads!
I really enjoyed the continued world building and personal growth for all the characters. I love Lydia’s character so much, she is fierce and strong while being bookish and is always underestimated. Marcus and Teriana’s struggles had my heart pounding on several occasions.
This is a fantastic series if you enjoy LOTR mixed with Ancient Rome vibes, with politics, magic, gods, and a dash of romance. Now I’m all caught up and impatiently waiting for Scorched Earth to release, which happens on January 1 according to Goodreads!
aliceruth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
justjessers's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
5.0
cakt1991's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gilded Serpent is the third installment in Danielle L. Jensen’s Dark Shores series, and as promised with the setup of the prior two books, we now have all four of the main characters’s POVs as each has a key role to play in the central conflict of the series.
With the characters still often in different places, it was great to see more of the world, and it feels even more vividly imagined than in the prior books. The Ancient Roman influences remain pronounced, and it’s fairly brutal, without being too intense for a younger audience.
But one aspect I was most curious about was how Jensen would balance these four characters, as while she had more time to flesh them out in individual books than most fantasy writers do, it’s still a hard task, and one that she admits she hadn’t really done before. But I was quickly able to become engrossed with each of them and their personal arcs, as well as the two romances. While I did prefer Marcus and Teriana’s romance dynamic prior to reading this book, Killian scored a lot of points for me as I saw a little more of him in action, and Lydia remains a delight, so I’ve warmed up to them as a couple. And while the connections between all the characters was clear at the outset, it was great to see more interaction between them, especially with the stakes so high, and there was genuine fear at times that one had been lost.
With more major characters to follow, the book is longer and more complex. However, it’s also high-action, so while the pacing is a bit slower at times, it remains engaging overall, and the book earns its length.
This was an epic installment, and I’m excited for how it comes together in the final book that comes out next year. If you’re interested in YA fantasy with Roman influences, I’d recommend checking this series out!
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
I've read everything Danielle L Jensen has ever read. I've always been a fan of her thrilling, emotional, and ambitious work, so when I say that GILDED SERPENT is the best book she's written to date, I mean it. I've always loved the complexity, adventures, and memorable characters of the DARK SHORES world. GILDED SERPENT takes everything I love and cranks the intensity to eleven.
Let's start with the characters: Marcus goes through such an emotional and personal journey in this book that my heart just breaks for him. It's clear to see how much he sacrifices, how little he has to lose, and how desperate he is for peace. Beside him is Teriana, who is just as fierce, resourceful, and clever as I remember her being. Their journey together and the love they come to share is one of the most devastatingly beautiful and complex romances in YA fantasy. Nothing about their lives is easy, but working together helps them survive.
On the other end, we have Killian and Lydia, my absolute favourites. Watching Killian be wracked with guilt over his failure to protect those who need him broke my heart. Seeing Lydia learn shocking truths about her past and come to terms with a dark future had me on the edge of my seat. I absolutely love them together, even when they grew stubborn and argued. They never quit on one another, and their personal strengths helped them survive true horror.
The plot focuses on character journeys and arcs, but that doesn't make it any less thrilling. Visceral and quick paced action kept me on the edge of my seat. The heroes were constantly placed in situations I had no idea they would escape. But trust, skill, and some unlikely alliances (those who've read TARNISHED EMPIRE will be happy to see a familiar face), create a compulsively readable book that you will not want to put down.
This series is perfection in nearly every form. There is nothing I didn't love about it. It's unique, challenging, complicated, and packed with characters who feel real and natural. The romances and bonds are beautifully constructed, thanks to Jensen's talent. And the ending... the ending has me eagerly awaiting the next book.
A must read for anyone who loves intense action, passionate romance, and incredible characters. Read this series now!
Let's start with the characters: Marcus goes through such an emotional and personal journey in this book that my heart just breaks for him. It's clear to see how much he sacrifices, how little he has to lose, and how desperate he is for peace. Beside him is Teriana, who is just as fierce, resourceful, and clever as I remember her being. Their journey together and the love they come to share is one of the most devastatingly beautiful and complex romances in YA fantasy. Nothing about their lives is easy, but working together helps them survive.
On the other end, we have Killian and Lydia, my absolute favourites. Watching Killian be wracked with guilt over his failure to protect those who need him broke my heart. Seeing Lydia learn shocking truths about her past and come to terms with a dark future had me on the edge of my seat. I absolutely love them together, even when they grew stubborn and argued. They never quit on one another, and their personal strengths helped them survive true horror.
The plot focuses on character journeys and arcs, but that doesn't make it any less thrilling. Visceral and quick paced action kept me on the edge of my seat. The heroes were constantly placed in situations I had no idea they would escape. But trust, skill, and some unlikely alliances (those who've read TARNISHED EMPIRE will be happy to see a familiar face), create a compulsively readable book that you will not want to put down.
This series is perfection in nearly every form. There is nothing I didn't love about it. It's unique, challenging, complicated, and packed with characters who feel real and natural. The romances and bonds are beautifully constructed, thanks to Jensen's talent. And the ending... the ending has me eagerly awaiting the next book.
A must read for anyone who loves intense action, passionate romance, and incredible characters. Read this series now!
literary_steph's review against another edition
"𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿. 𝗧𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺."
Jensen has a penchant for putting her characters through the wringer and stressing her readers out, and it was quite evident in Gilded Serpent. It picks up after the events in Dark Shores and Dark Skies. Teriana, Marcus, Lydia and Killian are back and respectively we follow two storylines and embark on a 'soul searching' journey that will test our characters' wits. Jensen's ability to seamlessly interconnect the previous books into this one is brilliant. I wish I could tell you what they were, but it's all in the details and I might've Keanu Reeves "whoa" a few times. Secrets, revelations, twists and turns will surface ... but don't look too hard because it's a recipe for a migraine.
Jensen crafts yet another suspenseful adventure, heart wrenching romance, a rich subplot of political intrigue/mystery all in one that will have you engaged the entire time and distraught over the cliffhanger, because who wants to wait a year?
If you enjoyed The Bridge Kingdom, Truthwitch or like political fantasies, give this series a try.
Things I liked:
• Detailed and immersive writing
• Anxiety inducing action
• Removed a few things from bucket list
• I cannot tell you how many times I wanted off the Teriana & Marcus ride
• So many twists and revelations
• It gets "sauna" steamy in here
Not so much:
• Teriana and Marcus's epic venture was a tad drawn out, a little repetitive
• Lydia and Killian's storyline, moved at a slower pace for me
Jensen has a penchant for putting her characters through the wringer and stressing her readers out, and it was quite evident in Gilded Serpent. It picks up after the events in Dark Shores and Dark Skies. Teriana, Marcus, Lydia and Killian are back and respectively we follow two storylines and embark on a 'soul searching' journey that will test our characters' wits. Jensen's ability to seamlessly interconnect the previous books into this one is brilliant. I wish I could tell you what they were, but it's all in the details and I might've Keanu Reeves "whoa" a few times. Secrets, revelations, twists and turns will surface ... but don't look too hard because it's a recipe for a migraine.
Jensen crafts yet another suspenseful adventure, heart wrenching romance, a rich subplot of political intrigue/mystery all in one that will have you engaged the entire time and distraught over the cliffhanger, because who wants to wait a year?
If you enjoyed The Bridge Kingdom, Truthwitch or like political fantasies, give this series a try.
Things I liked:
• Detailed and immersive writing
• Anxiety inducing action
• Removed a few things from bucket list
• I cannot tell you how many times I wanted off the Teriana & Marcus ride
• So many twists and revelations
• It gets "sauna" steamy in here
Not so much:
• Teriana and Marcus's epic venture was a tad drawn out, a little repetitive
• Lydia and Killian's storyline, moved at a slower pace for me
melanie_books's review against another edition
4.0
Having completed the first stage of conquering Arinoquia, Marcus knows that he needs to begin looking for a xenthier stem to return to the East. But whoever betrayed him is still at large, causing rifts between he and his men. Teriana is torn between protecting the people of the West and the inevitable lies and half-truths that requires which undermines her fledgling relationship with Marcus. Meanwhile, in Mudamora, Killian is sent on a fool's errand but obeys out of guilt for not preventing Malahi's capture. Lydia searches in vain for a way to heal the blighters before those in the temple cause the citizens to riot against them. Stakes are high for all our heroes as they seek the good of those they love.
This book was fantastic and gut-wrenching. Just when you think that one of the characters / couples is going to catch a break, the rug gets pulled out from under them. Part of the situation is of their own making (Teriana & Marcus are still keeping secrets from one another) but part of it is just really rough circumstances (why do all the bad things happen to Lydia?!). While it may sound like you get nowhere, the book is actually fast-paced and moves the story along in such a great way, setting us up for what I hope will be a fantastic finish. It is heart-stopping in some places, a bit steamy in others, with old friends & big revelations at the end that just leave you wanting more.
This book was fantastic and gut-wrenching. Just when you think that one of the characters / couples is going to catch a break, the rug gets pulled out from under them. Part of the situation is of their own making (Teriana & Marcus are still keeping secrets from one another) but part of it is just really rough circumstances (why do all the bad things happen to Lydia?!). While it may sound like you get nowhere, the book is actually fast-paced and moves the story along in such a great way, setting us up for what I hope will be a fantastic finish. It is heart-stopping in some places, a bit steamy in others, with old friends
Spoiler
[Agrippa!!!]zoereads88's review against another edition
5.0
At a whopping 23 hours, this audio book was a commitment, but I loved it. I think it's my favorite of the series so far. And of course the last book isn't published yet.