I was initially attracted to the beautiful cover of this book and while I did enjoy the story and ideas, I wished for a little more. I felt the romance story could have been a little more developed as it felt a little too "insta-love" for me and while I think some of the message was supposed to be in part about how beauty is more that just physical and skin deep its hard to really accept that when everyone is so physically beautiful and that is mostly why they fell in love. Overall, the book was ok, I don't regret reading it but I didn't find it especially memorable.

I have tried multiple times to get into this book but cannot seem to make it happen. I think it just didn't stand out enough to me, and I struggled with the writing. So I'm sorry to say that it is a DNF for me. I am only rating it because the form makes me do so.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author, Harlequin Teen Inkyard Press and NetGalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Teenage girls are going to be all about this new series. There's thrills, romance, a strong female character, mystery and intrigue! Themes of staying true to yourself and your beliefs and beauty is more than the surface packaging are perfect for teen and tween readers.

4 out of 5 stars. A good read.

The people of Varenia live a unique life in stilt houses built from shipwrecks on shoals above the sea. They value family, honour, and beauty amongst all else, and whoever their ruling nation of Ilara has a crown prince come of age the Varenians offer their most beautiful daughter as the future queen.

But this idyllic life is not as simple as it seems. The oceans have been overfished and the oysters, which produce the coveted Varenian pink pearls that support this community, have been grossly over harvested. Both food and funds are in short supply, and this isolated community is regularly cut off from fresh water and essential supplies at the slightest whim on the Varenian King.

So when the chosen bride Zadie harms herself to avoid being sent to Ilara as future queen, it falls to her twin sister Nor to take her place. But instead of being a pliant and pleasing bride Nor has other plans in mind such as advocating for her people, clandestine meetings with Governors sons, and a touch of ill-conceived spying within the castle. And to make matters even more complicated, Nor has to do everything in her power to conceal the truth behind Varenian health, long life, and healing abilities of her people lest it be exploited the ailing Ilarians. And all the while she is exploring the source of her own powers and their apparent connection to an accident involving deadly blood coral when she was just a child. Can we say drama?

But things go awry when the Crown Prince Ceren proves to be a cruel and calculating ruler, more focused on pursuits of vanity and tormenting his subjects than than improving the standing of his people – despite an impending war. Nor must learn to tread carefully in his presence, and fast, for if it’s discovered that she replaced her sister Zadie she is sure to meet a fate worse than rejection. And here’s the trump card my friends, Nor finds herself dangerously attracted to Ceren’s half brother Prince Talin. Because who doesn’t love a good romantic battle between brothers who represent good and evil?

It is a bad thing to say that what i loved most about this book was that nor was like like a fish out of water? She doesn’t fit into court life, she’s too impetuous to make for a very good lady, and she never takes the easy way out – even when huge personal benefit stands in the balance. She adheres strongly to her Varenian morals, saving the lives of even those who would hurt her and offering kindness to all when cruelty serves as currency within the Ilaran castle. She is brave, and at times incredibly foolish, but those moments in which Nor took those ridiculous risks were among my absolute favourites.

The brothers too, were extremely interesting. They were perfect foils for one another as well as for the relationship between Nor and Zadie. Where the sisters represented love and loyalty, the brothers emanate complicated toxicity. While the brother’s certainly added different elements to the narrative, with Ceren bringing in fear and tension while Talin offered romance and longing, they never pull too much attention away from Nor and her objectives.

It was interesting to see the types, and degrees of prominence, of the roles assigned to parents in this book. Zadie & Nor’s parents took on a dynamic similar to that of Mr. & Mrs. Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, with a doting and on-confrontational father and a mother determined to see her daughters wed advantageously. Both the Governor and the King are particularly absent in their parenting duties, and overall presence, though they are much talked and thought about by their children. And we even have a does of the manipulating stepmother waiting to make a play. And while I really enjoyed what they brought to the story, I really would have liked to see all of the adult characters developed into roles beyond mealtimes and deathbeds. Don’t get me wrong, the focus stays on Nor where it firmly belongs, I just wanted a little more. But, with a book two on the horizon, and so much fantastic world building already under way, I have no doubt that this particular scenario is about the change.

Filled with strong characters, tantalizing events, some super steamy romance, as well as distinct peoples and places A Crown of Coral and Pearl transports you into a world that is entirely it’s own. Rutherford’s writing is deep and imaginative, and her debut lays a solid foundation for what is sure to be an exciting series. I can’t wait to see what twists come next in the Ilarian fight for succession, in Zadie & Nor’s fight to save their homeland and loved ones, and whether or not everyone will make it out the other side of what appears to be an impending civil war. Oh, and I REALLY need to know more about Nor’s strength and power, the properties of the blood coral, and those damnable pink pearls! Way to leave off on a cliffhanger, because now I’m into this series hook, line, and sinker.

Opening line:
"Sometimes I wonder if it was our names that determined our fates, or the other way around."

Nor and Zadie: coral and pearl. The twin sisters who live in a world of water. Nor would like to live on land and see and smell and eat all the exciting things her dull world lacks. But once she is on land, she realizes her mistake.
Does this sound familiar? I was reminded of The Little Mermaid throughout the first half of the book. I wondered if Nor would have to give up her voice to the sea witch, but there is no sea witch here. Nor does give up family and home to marry a prince, but he is not the kind prince his brother is, who Nor met before leaving her home.
Nor also finds out there are numerous plots against her home, which could kill everyone she loves and she has to figure out how to get out of the clutches of a maniac in order to rescue her family.
I felt the pace of the first few chapters of the book were slow due to world building, and it drove me crazy because I wanted to dive right in to the story. But then the pace picked up and the tension rose and there was a kiss or two, and a sea monster, and lethal coral and I was hooked and finished the book in a day.
I would read the next book! Please say it's almost ready to read?!
Thanks to netgalley for the early read!

*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Every once in a while, I'll get a NetGalley book that I really like. This book wasn't exactly what I expected (and having read it, I'm no longer sure what I expected), but it was very good. It wouldn't have taken me two weeks to read if I hadn't had so much other stuff going on during these past two weeks! Going into it, I thought it was a standalone book. It wasn't until about 85% that I realized it was the first in a series. To be honest, I have mixed feelings. Having expected it to be completed within the one book, I'm both disappointed that it's not finished and excited that I get to read another book. Next year.

I really liked Nor--she was strong, stubborn, loving, loyal, somehow both selfish and selfless at the same time. I confess that I wasn't Zadie's biggest fan. I can't quite figure out what about her bothered me, but perhaps I couldn't quite view her sacrifice as selfless. No, it was more because I felt like she was painting it in that light so that it wouldn't be seen as selfish. Yet I'm not sure she meant to be selfish; maybe that's what bothered me.

The characters were well written, complex in a way that made it impossible for me to completely dislike the characters that I probably should. Kind of like Kylo Ren, I suppose. I know he's some kind of evil, but I also kind of want him to redeem himself. (But really, how could he?) That's how I feel about Ceren, for example. Almost. I suppose my impressions of Zadie follow this same line of thought--I like her, but I am irritated by her naive selfishness. I like Sami as Nor's friend, but I didn't understand how he could profess to love Zadie so much yet be willing to accept his father's plan for him. Yes, my favorite characters are Nor and Talin, whom I liked more as the book progressed. He seems truly good, and he showed himself to be intelligent as well, a good strategist. He and Nor complement each other well.

Mara Rutherford proved herself to be a skilled author. Her writing was a good mix of excitement, description, and building (world and character). She wove the backstory in naturally without making it feel like an info dump. (The one exception was when all the women were gathered together before the ceremony, and Nor and Zadie's mother told "the story." But it fit within the context, so I suppose that's okay.)

I really look forward to reading the next book.

Note: A few swear words.

Title: Crown of Coral and Pearl
Author: Mara Rutherford
Genre: YA, fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5

Their entire lives, Nor and her twin sister Zadie knew one of them would be chosen to wed the Crown Prince of Ilara, who ruled Varenia, where their people lived. When Nor was scarred years ago, she knew that honor would fall to Zadie, but Nor still dreams of seeing a city, a castle, and everything that happens on land.

Then Zadie is injured, and Nor is chosen to replace her. Now she’ll live her dreams of seeing far places. But Ilara isn’t the place she imagined. Instead, it’s cold and dark and locked in the heart of a mountain. And the Crown Prince is cruel and dangerous—and intent on destroying the Varenian way of life for his own ends.
Nor must learn to navigate the intrigues at court if she is to save her people and unravel the mysteries of Ilara—a murdered queen, a failing royal bloodline—and the prince’s half-brother, Talin, is the only one she can trust.

Crown of Coral and Pearl was entrancing from the very first page. I cannot imagine never setting foot on land, but the culture of Varenia is so vividly drawn that I felt comfortable there. Nor and Zadie’s love for each other, despite their mother’s hatefulness, is so loving and uplifting, and I rooted for everything to work out for them. Ilara is completely different, yet just as vividly realized, and, while I had no desire to visit there, the setting was just as much a part of the story as the characters. An excellent read!

Mara Rutherford is a journalist turned author. Crown of Coral and Pearl is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Inkyard Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

I really enjoyed the love between Zadie and Nor while being completely different. Ceren was a complex character that I loved to read about and the plot twists kept me on my toes.

I didn't care for the love at first sight but it was well-written.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair review.

Crown of Coral and Pearl was a decent read. I was quite engaged with the fascinating, luscious, and well developed world building of Varenia and Ilara. The concepts of mythology and the different cultures in the story were well executed. I adored the first half that takes place in Varenia, with the twin sisters Nor and Zadie. Their relationship was solid. I also appreciated the message of beauty standards within that society and the expectations the girls and women of Varenia must meet. Then we get to the part where Nor is in Ilara and the story kind of lingers. I really enjoyed Ceren as the villain. He's quite sympathetic and I actually enjoyed his dynamic with Nor far more than Nor and Talin's instalove romance. Ceren is immediately written off bad the moment Nor meets him because of his features which I kind to be hypocritical of Nor since she wants to challenge and question the beauty standards of her own culture to begin with. Overall I did quite enjoy this story with a few critiques here and there but I definitely am interested to see how the sequel turns out and will read more.

Wonderful! I was hooked from the first chapter. Does have a bit of the typical TA trope, but turned slightly on their heads. The love triangle isn’t a real love triangle, and instead of the “oh I’m so moist looking why does everyone think I’m beautiful!” the protagonist knows she is beautiful but has to learn she is strong and smart. Was tough to tell from the ARC but I think there may be a sequel, if there is I am incredibly excited to read it!

*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own**

I really enjoyed this book! I think my favorite things was the world building. I thought the idea of a village in the sea was amazing and all the history behind its existence was really cool. I liked the characters. The relationship the sisters have is beautiful. And the little romance they both have is cute, but I didn’t feel like there was much development for any of the characters. Ceren did seem to get a little crazier, but that doesn’t count.
The twist at the end had me really excited for the next book as well! I have to know what happens!

I absolutely love books that have to do with arranged marriages that turn into failure, ruin, and also love—in a way. I do not enjoy books that create an instant connection for these types of plots which kind of happened here… but kind of not. It was hard to truly LOVE what was happening in the book because it was making me LOVE the villain when it was trying to make them out to be a bad person. It was very hard to know exactly which way the author was going but at the same time I enjoyed it and would certainly give it an honest good review that I am sure my students would pick it up from. It was not the best nor the worst book that I have read this year.

If Nor had stuck to her guns and we had been given a true villain-- this story would have been much different and much more interesting to read.

This was lovely! I really liked the characters and their interactions with each other. I felt like the plot moved along at a fair clip, and with enough surprising events to keep me intrigued. I liked the power the women claim in a society that gives them none. I also really enjoyed the mythos behind the world building. The different political dealings that could have been boring (as they often are in other books) feed the plot instead. I am really tired of this "Something of something and something" naming convention, though. This could have been called "Ilara" or "Coral and Pearl" or "the wave people" or "Blood Coral" or literally a hundred other things. But name aside, it was a great book.

Crown of Coral and Pearl has been on my to read list since I heard about it. I think in this case, the synopsis managed to spoil a few things. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Beyond this, I felt like the author did a great job with world building as well as creating likeable characters. I did have the feeling that I had read this before, but it could have been due to a YA fantasy binge. Overall, it was a fun, fast paced read.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 stars ( rounded to 4)

* I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I loved this book! One of my favorite aspects of this one is the slow build. We get approximately halfway through the book before Nor even leaves her island. I feel like there was a perfect balance of building up to the excitement without falling flat, which is a hard balance to find. Either I feel like the beginning is dragging and lose interest, or the author tries to just slam into the action straight away and we lose the back story of how the characters got to where they are.

I also really liked the relationships in the book, aside from the twins’ God-awful mother (what’s HER DEAL??) The relationships were important to the story, but weren’t necessarily the highlight of the book. The biggest relationship in this one is that of the twins, which I found endearing.

Can we also please talk about the major Maven Calore (Red Queen series) vibes that Ceren was giving off? Y’all know I am a sucker for Maven, and I was so so thrilled when I started to get that feeling from Ceren. But don’t worry, Ceren is distinctively his own character and surprised me throughout the entire story. I didn’t know what to expect from him as the story progressed, and found that even at the end of the book I wanted to know more.

Prince Talin is… alright. He’s not my favorite character. I felt like he was a bit lack-luster and just your standard love interest. I didn’t feel like he got much character development, which really bummed me out. I would have liked to have gotten to know him better. I definitely didn’t hate him.. he just fell a bit flat. I do look forward to seeing if the next one (there’s going to be a second book, right???) fills out his character a bit more.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to literally anyone. Don’t like fantasy? Don’t care..read it anyway. I already lent my copy to my sister! She doesn’t do fantasy, but I slipped it into the pile of books she was borrowing any way *insert evil laugh* I am definitely hoping for a sequel and will snatch it up the moment it releases.

Despite the many promising aspects of the book such as portrayal of sibling relationships, the sinister and dirty workings of royal politics, and characterization of the villain, I found the ending to be a bit contrived and unjust as it frankly wastes the potential of the villain - undoing the pacing and the effort the book carries the readers through prior to the ending. The romance is also admittedly lacklustre, although future sequels may benefit from addressing the dynamics of the romance further for some hopefully interesting twists and turns.

All in all, a fine debut with lots of room to grow into a sweet, truly malicious world of the seas.

The only downside to this book is having to wait SO long for the sequel. Luckily, the ending doesn't just drop. It's a good one. I can't wait for the sequel because I just adore the characters(all of them) and LOVE the world building the author did. It's seriously so beautiful. I can already guarantee I will reread this when the sequel comes out.

I had lost my initial review of this book but I was happy to remember that I enjoyed this reading this book. Identical twins Zadie and Nor were raised on a beautiful and simple ocean village of Varenia ruled by the royals of Ilara. The village have raised their female children with the goal of being the most beautiful maiden to be given in marriage to the princes of Ilara. Unable to compete with her identical twin who is chosen in marriage, Nor must switch identities with her sister and become engaged to the prince only to discover the horrible truths among generation of lies that endanger her entire village's existence.

Though I read this book some time ago, I remember it well and thinking how it reminded me of the Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets storyline -- I enjoyed and look forward to reading more from this author.

I loved this book. I couldn’t wait to get time to sit and read it to see how the story would progress.

Twin sisters, Nor and Zadie, live in Varenia. All their lives, they’ve been taught that beauty is very important because the most beautiful girl of Varenia will go to Ilara, marry the prince and become a princess - soon to be queen.

Unfortunately for Nor, who wants nothing more than to leave Varenia so that she can see the world, her chance of being selected ended when she was younger. A tragic accident that nearly cost her life, left her with a small scar on her cheek. When Zadie is selected, but doesn’t want to leave, Nor agrees to help her, but the results are tragic for both of them and the familial consequences are dire.

Nor does go to Ilara, in place of Zadie, but the switch is done in secret from the Ilareans. What Nor discovers, when she arrives changes everything. Being selected could be a death sentence. The Crown Prince is a ruthless man who desires nothing less than power and Nor has to find a way to save herself, if she can, her family, and all of Varenia.

Prince Ceren was an amazingly well developed villain. I despised him and felt bad for everyone around him - especially Nor who was set to marry him, and his younger, half-brother Prince Talin. Prince Talin was much more likeable but whether or not he was entirely trustworthy was uncertain especially as he kept doing things with Nor that only infuriated Prince Ceren making it more difficult for Nor. Of course, Nor wasn’t entirely innocent as she clearly had feelings for Prince Talin and desired to be with him, and Prince Ceren knew this.

The ending begs for a sequel, and I hope there is one because I can’t wait to see how everything gets concluded, but at the same time, I felt content with the ending, so the book could do well as a stand alone,

I really really wanted to like this one. Unfortunately, I was fascinated by the sister relationship and the island setting but not much else. I'm going to try rereading this again in a few months and see if time might make me like it more.