Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book. I really enjoyed this book. The writing felt a little unpolished but overall it was well written. The only complaint I have is the princess part. In YA fantasies right now, princesses are everywhere. For those of us over 18 this is not new and in my opinion a little over done. Though the younger crowd may not feel this way because they haven’t seen it all their life. I must say though even though the princess part is a bit cliche that is the end of cliches in this story. It is original and fun. I will most likely be purchasing this book for the library. I am curious to see how the book is received by the YA readership.

This book was received as an ARC from Harlequin TEEN (US & Canada) - Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was so intrigued by the description of this book that I had to pick it up and read it. While reading I can see similarities to a modern Cinderella and the twisted fairy tale that Red Queen has brought us. Reading this book made me think that royalty and the high life may not be so glamorous as the media makes it look or as we know it to be and this book really emphasized the sacrifices that have to be made and great power comes at a cost.and the sacrifice Nor made for royalty could cost her everything! Our community will enjoy this story with its compelling story and drama filled context.

We will consider adding this title to our YFantasy collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Not my usual topic to read, but I was completely captivated. Such a rich world and an unforgettable story. Cannot wait to recommend to young library patrons that enjoy fantasy and new worlds to explore. Also, can't wait to see what this author writes next!

I feel like the author googled basic template for fantasy novel and filled them in with details. If you changed some of the character names, and setting this book is so unemarkable it falls into the category of any fantasy novel.
The writing of this book was very basic, it seemed like a 8th grader wrote it. The plot was so basic and bland with most of the actual action happening through DIALOGUE explaining it happening instead of the reader experiencing it themselves. The writing of this book was very difficult to get through and it brought the overall book down.
The characters were also extremely one-dimensional and existed to further the plot nothing more. There was no character development for the hollow shells of humans that were supposed to be characters. The protagonist was EXTREMELY annoying and made me want to pull my hair out. She was a regular shmegular girl but the author attempted to draw her out to be the savior of the people, but she didn’t really do anything? Everyone else did stuff and she would interject here and there but nothing too much.
The relationship in this book made me choke. The protagonist and her love interest spoke FOUR TIMES, I repeat FOUR TIMES in vary brief conversations, and all of a sudden they were in love? Are you kidding me? The author didn’t even try to make it seem like there was anything besides physical attraction and brooding looks behind their oh so amazing love.
Reading the synopsis I knew the book would be a bit basic, but I had no idea it would be as badly written and as basic as it was.
I received this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Harlequin Teen and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this wonderful book. I adored this book. It was so unique and the world building was really cool. I loved Varenia which was Nor's home, a village of floating houses out at sea. The first half of the book that Nor was in Varenia was absolutely stunning. I knew right away I was going to love it. Nor, Zadie, Sami and Talin are all characters that are relatable and loveable and I was rooting for every single one of them. The idea of the pearls being so important was a really neat idea too. I didn't LOVE the second half of the book when Nor was in the New Castle in the mountain (only because it was no longer an ocean setting) but the story line was still strong and captivating. Nor is such a fierce character who believes in the good and wishes to save her people. The author does a beautiful job with the world building and the descriptions. This was such a wonderful book that everyone should read when it comes out on August 27th! I might cry because I really want a physical copy! P.S. This might only be a standalone and my heart is breaking because I want more of this world and these characters. There is a chance for a sequel and I am keeping my fingers triple crossed! ;)

Link to Instagram review: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwnRXTznoY2/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

I blew through this in one day which was an unexpected but wonderful surprise. Crown of Coral and Pearl is far more nuanced than your standard princess, young adult story.
Nor and Zadie have been raised to prize unblemished beauty above all else. Their beauty will ultimately be their town’s salvation when the Prince of Ilara chooses a new bride. A tragic accident takes Nor out of the running which is unfortunate because of the two sisters, she is the one who wants to escape to land. With the selection no longer hanging over Nor’s head, her rebellious nature and passion for exploration resurfaces. This all comes to a head when during the selection, Zadie is chosen. Zadie who cannot bear to leave home or her land behind. She concocts a terrible plan to escape her fate and her sister Nor takes her place. While she is sad to leave her family and sister, she is excited to see Ilara but not all is what it seems on land. Valeria is in more danger than she anticipated.

I really enjoyed how complex Nor and Ceren’s relationship is. The reader is made to pity Ceren’s traumatic and loveless upbringing but not enough to forgive the horrors he commits. Nor’s relationship with Talin was sweet but overshadowed by Nor’s struggles with right and wrong. I think I enjoyed that the most. Despite being told someone was evil, she stuck with her morals. The conclusion of book left us with anticipation of a sequel but I also can’t shake the feeling that Talin is not what he seems. I guess we will have to wait to find out!

For fans of Victoria Aveyard, Laura Sebastian, and Richelle Mead.

I received an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and the author!

So right away, I really liked the first half of this book. The sister bond was well done and I really connected with Nor.

For me, I kept waiting for the romance to build between Nor and Talin, or take away the romance. I loved their connection at the beginning of the book but then their whole relationship was underdeveloped, which would have been fine, but I kept getting insta love vibes from Nor! Ceren was actually well developed and he was quite the baddy, but I liked him?

The writing was beautiful and the world the author created was really cool. Side note: I with there would have been more Sami! He was probably my favorite character and there should definitely be a whole book on him!

This novel was an enjoyable read! The author weaves an incredible tale. Nor and Zadie are twins in the village of Varenia, where they are surrounded by the ocean, where they hunt for pearls. It is also where daughters who are beautiful are prepared to be the bride for the princes of Ilara. Many compete but only one is chosen. Nor has a scar, which takes her out of the running, but this has made her stronger and she is not afraid to speak her mind. When Zadie is chosen, she uses Nor to help her get out of marrying the prince, for she is in love with another. Zadie was not strong like Nor, who took the blame for many things. Nor goes in her place and immediately dislikes Prince Ceren, her betrothed. He has his own agenda, and is very devious. Nor falls for Prince Talin, Ceren's half-brother, who suspects she is not Zadie, but keeps her secret. Nor needs to discover what Celen's plans are before her people suffer even more than they already have. However, Ceren's plans are more dangerous than Nor ever expected and if he discovers the truth about her, it will have disastrous consequences. Nor's choices will impact all those she cares about.