This was a fabulous read. An excellent Sci Fi & Fantasy, Teens & YA book. Twin sisters, one as beautiful as the other, one outgoing, the other reserved, one with one small flaw and both with the knowledge that one will be chosen to leave their wonderful life and marry Prince Ceren of Illara.

The sisters couldn't fathom a life without each other, they were two halves of a whole, and so they devised a plan so that another would be chosen and they could remain together in Varenia and marry whomever they chose themselves.

Unfortunately even the best laid plans go awry and when they do, no one could predict what would happen when their deceit was uncovered.

I loved this book from the first page and am hopeful there will be a sequel in the neat future.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction YA) and MIRA for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book had me hooked from the get go - I couldn’t put it down.

Nor & Pearl have a bond that is beautiful & heartbreaking. What they do for each other, and yet have the strength to do for themselves is admirable.

As I started reading this book, I noticed that there was a rich atmosphere present, and this was rather interesting!

The plot was gripping right to the end. I was also a fan of the worldbuilding and characters, and I found myself rooting for the protagonists way more than I thought I would've! The villain was also such an enthralling character on their own, and I often wanted to scream/punch them, whilst reading.

This book is great for those who enjoyed The Selection (Kiera Cass).

Rating: 5/5

(This book will feature on my blog on August 5!)

I was enchanted by this story - Rutherford paints vivid pictures of two worlds bound together by old traditions. One, a community living on the ocean under a bright sun and another under a mountain cold and dark. At first I thought that we spent too much time in Varenia but after spending a third of the novel there I was fully invested in its people and their future. Our heroine Nor is plucky and brave and of course beautiful, but very likeable. Her fish-out-of-water journey to New Castle and determination to help her people were an enjoyable tale, made all the better by the underlying love story. If I could have asked for one thing, it would have been a more conclusive ending. With two deaths not-quite confirmed and no happily-ever-after for our heroine it was clear that the author is leaving events open for a sequel. Which I will probably read! I really enjoyed this book.