I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Zadie and Nor row home and surprise their parents. Talin arrives and the three of them leave on his small ship but see Ceren’s soldiers attack their home as they’re sailing away. Nor seems unsure about the future she wants and when Talin mentions staying together, she panics inside. They travel to Galeth to look for Sami and ask the people for support against Ceren. They make a discovery about the bloodstones and how Ceren uses them to manipulate and control his soldiers. Talin’s four year old sister is queen as the next female heir. Since she’s too young, their mother is representing in her stead. She’s going to war with Ceren and his bloodstone soldiers but she’s using every citizen who’s twelve and older in her army. Nor faces Ceren, trying to talk sense and logic to him. All he wants is power and control no matter how kind and longing for love he might have been when Nor sees a younger Ceren in her visions. He’s a lost soul. This second and last book in the duology finishes the story up nicely with strong characters full of integrity and loyalty, 5 stars!

Fabulous follow up to a book that I loved so much and was so underrated. I'd love to see this series get way more love. Such great, lyrical writing, character development, and world building.

I absolutely loved Crown of Coral and Pearl, so when I was given the opportunity to read and review the sequel, Kingdom of Sea and Stone I was so ecstatic!! Thank you so much to TBR and Beyond and Mara Rutherford for gifting me a copy of this book! If you would like a chance to win your own copy of Kingdom of Sea and Stone, you can enter to win one here:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fc15a5959/



Mara Rutherford is such an incredible author and has such a beautiful way of writing that it’s like being dragged into the ocean by a siren (willingly, of course). The storyline and world building that she gave us in Crown of Coral and Pearls was so unique and beautiful, and I was so happy to be back with Nor and Zadie!



Rutherford has such a beautiful way with words and constantly made comparisons to the ocean, and the creatures that live there. Since the books are from Nor’s point of view, it make sense that everything she encounters would be compared to the sea since that is where she grew up. In the sequel we were able to see some of the places that had been mentioned in the first book and I loved that we were introduced to some new characters as well!



I really loved the bond between Zadie and Nor that we saw in Crown of Coral and Pearl, and I love that we really got to experience more of that in the sequel. I love how close they are and how they love each other more than anything else. They are constantly supporting and looking out for one another and it’s as if they are two people who share the same mind and soul.



I loved Ceren as the villain of the first book and I was so happy that he returned for the sequel as well. He’s the type of villain that I love to read about because you really dislike him but then have moments of sympathy. Then just when you think he’s not so bad, he does something absolutely horrible.



I also enjoyed the relationship between Talin and Nor. Talin is constantly so kind and understanding of Nor’s choices. In this book we see that Nor is struggling with who she wants to be and what she wants her future to look like. Rather than getting angry and frustrated though, Talin is always so supportive and encouraging. The ending of the story was somewhat bittersweet for me, it leaves things open for the reader to decide and doesn’t definitively state what the future holds for Nor.



I am so sad that this story is only a duology because I am definitely going to miss these characters!

LOVED this book and the series SO MUCH.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review your titles.
I do appreciate it and continue to review books that I get the chance to read.
Thanks again!

This was such a good followup! The pacing, the overall building narrative. The characters!! Really loved this but not as much as Crown of Coral and Pearl.

Thanks to Edelweiss and Netgalley for a digital copy of this book.

Rounded up from 3.5. Not quite as good as the first installment but still very solid. I again, really enjoyed the author's characters and character development. This really fleshes out the story and makes it resonate with the reader.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and TBR and Beyond Tour group in return for an honest review. Going into this book I couldn't remember if this was a duology or not and felt the book suffered from severe second book syndrome. I did some research while reading and saw that it was a duology so my hope was restored that the book would tie up loose ends and actually have some interesting points.
I really enjoyed the first book but the second really dragged for me. Almost had to make myself read it and dreaded picking it up. I felt that Nor ran the show and I was only connected with her. I could not fall in love with any of the other characters even her main love interest.
I so wanted to love this book more but it was quite boring to me. I liked that all the ends were tied up even though there were a few things I would have liked to seen happened and ended a certain way. Overall, I am glad I was able to read this one to finish out the story but definitely don't see myself picking it back up in the future.

While I loved the world-building in book 1 this book lacked that aspect and tried to exist solely on the action/fantasy element which fell flat for me. I also lost the thread of the romances that were building in book 1 because the obstacles seemed contrived and unnecessary. At the end, I think this duology would have been much better as a stand alone novel and not split up. Better editing could have made this duet a really stellar one book fantasy.

This book is the conclusion to the duology, and it picks up pretty much immediately after Crown of Coral and Pearl ends, which I can appreciate.

Things have not approved for the Varenians at all. In fact they may have gotten worse. What hasn’t changed is the friendship and love between Nor and Zadie. They are both so dedicated to each other, and will fight for one another. Then there’s Zadie’s relationship with Sami and Nor’s relationship with Talin.

Legitimately the relationships of these books is the biggest selling point and the strongest aspect of this duology. I have gotten so deeply invested in the character relationships and dynamics, and because I care about the characters, I was willing to pick up this book in any free moment where I could pick up my phone and open my reading app.

This was an intense ride from pretty much the beginning. With the ending of the first book, and some of the plans that were set in motion, it just makes everything feel so much more dangerous, and there are so many hazards in place.

Obviously it is a little difficult to review this because I’m really trying not to spoil either book, so I don’t want to get into specifics or anything. But I loved all the sea-faring and diving aspects of this duology, and the lifestyle differences between the land peoples and the Varenians who live on the water.

Overall this was an interestingly built world, with fascinating characters, that all wove together into a story that I’m glad I read. That’s all I really need to say for this.

So, we start off the sequel of CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL right where we left off—Nor heading back home to salvage what was lost and destroyed. Trekking through the land filled with political moves and magic. Also, the bond between Nor and Zadie was way more developed. I thoroughly enjoyed their interactions.

“I can see that mind of yours racing. I’m sorry I said anything. Being with you right here, right now, is enough.”

The character development was written well, allowing me to fulling dive into the minds of the characters. There were some times when I became confused by their actions or why they said certain things, but overall, I was happy with it.

The novel was an easy read, most likely because I enjoyed the previous installment. Any story will magic in it makes me happy. It held my attention the entire time. I read this novel in a day, so if that doesn’t tell you how much I liked it then I don’t know what will.

I’d have to say my least favorite part of the novel was the political schemes. I’m starting to believe that YA Fantasy has too much of the political trope. I just wish that someone would do something else with it. Change it up. How many times can we see kings, queens, or their court betray them? HOWEVER, I still enjoyed the story.

I gave KOSAS a solid 4/5 rating. I do recommend this novel to anyone who loves YA Fantasy.

Opening line:
"On the day Zadie and I turned thirteen, Father surprised us with a trip to the floating market--our first glimpse of the world beyond Varenia."

I'm so happy this was a duology! I don't know what I would've done if I couldn't finish Nor's story right away. That being said, another book with the same characters as secondary characters would be fantastic.
Nor has to rescue her her hometown, people who turned their back on her. She has to stop Ceren, who is almost immortal thanks to Nor's blood, before he turns everyone, including Nor's parents, into zombie soldiers so he can protect the throne that his four year old stepsister should have. And Nor does it with her intuition, smarts, a witch and Talin.
Nor is determined to rescue everyone on her own because she doesn't want to lose anyone else who she loves. Of course, she can't do it on her own, and by the way, does she really love Talin? Of course she does, but she has to figure it all out on her own.

Thanks for netgalley for the early read!

Read my full post at RhondaWithABook.com!

This sequel to Crown of Coral and Pearl has all the fairytale feeling of its predecessor, but dives even deeper into this world and explores new territory, both geographically and thematically. Nor is as fierce as ever, and her journey is full of excitement and emotional growth. I loved this! Four and a half stars.

The first book was to die for. Love, drama, worldbuilding, the works! This sequel, Kingdom of Sea and Stone, did NOT disappoint! I must read for YA and Fantasy fans!

Kingdom of Sea and Stone is a solid follow up to Crown of Coral and Pearl, delivering an expansion of the world, good character & relationship development, interesting twists and turns, and political intrigue. As the second book of a duology, it runs the risk of being all setup and filler in preparation for the ending, but it manages to partially avoid that. I'm not sure I would say this stands on its own as a complete story, but there are enough interesting plot points and full relationship development arcs that it kept my attention.

I think my biggest problem was that even though I do love these characters I couldn't connect with them on a personal level like I did in the first book. I was super invested in the character then but this time around, I just wasn't. .To be brutally honest I really didn't care for the quest they had to go on. If I can't connect with characters I am going to have a hard time reading the book. I felt like I spent a majority of this I was dragging myself through the pages.

Like I said before, a solid end in the grand scheme of things.

This was a satisfying conclusion to this duology. I realized what I liked so much about the first one was the concept and world building so this one didn’t hold my interest quite as much. But still enjoyed it.

As far as sequels go, Kingdom of Sea and Stone knocks it out of the park! The character development is exquisite, and we get to finally get a sneak of the elusive people of Galeth. The mystique of these equestrian descendants of a group of Valenians who left the sea was enough to leave me wanting side stories of the Galethians. I have never loved, yet hated, a character more than Ceren. His evil, twisted reality was befitting of the tortured soul he is. I mourned right along with Nor, even though I wasn’t sure why either. I’m still 100% team Talin, but Roan was a fun tasty morsel in this book. I do have to say that I loved the tasteful addition of slight witchcraft to the plot line, and felt that it leaves so much potential for a third book or even some novella or a spin off series. The Kingdom of Ilara is truly one of the most magical, fantasy lands I have ever read. Crown of Coral and Pearl series will forever be one of my favorite Young Adult Fantasy series of all time. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves strong female characters, twin sisters, and oceanic influences.

4.5/5

Kingdom of Sea and Stone is a lovely sequel and ending to this wonderful series. I enjoyed the writing style, the pacing and the characters’ depths. Nor is a great character. Not preachy or perfect like some YA heroine’s can be, but a good mix of curiosity, bravery, and generosity.

I’m not going to lie though... Ceren is and forever will be my favourite character of this series. I might have an underlying problem that I should probably get therapized for or something, but there’s just something about well-written villains that get my heartstrings going.

The expanse of the universe was great, I’m glad that we got to see into more of the world. The lore is very interesting and I’d be excited to read a novella of future findings of Nor.

Mara Rutherford is a marvellous writer and I cannot wait to read more of her amazing work in the future.

I honestly was in love with the first book of this duology. The whole story grabbed my attention and would not let go. When I received and ARC for the sequel, I was thrilled. The plot was good, the characters were fleshed out enough in most cases, but other characters felt like they could have used more story line to fully get to know them. At times, the story seemed to be rushed, and other parts dragged out. The ending was also rather rushed. I believe that if the author had had the opportunity to make this into a trilogy, this series would have been one of my top favorite YA ones out there. As it is, I do not think the author had enough space and time to make this story everything it could have been.
Now, do not get me wrong. It was a very well written story. I enjoyed the growth of the main character and her companions and family. I just wish that we were able to get to know the new characters better. They could have main this an epic adventure... or perhaps the author will some day visit the new characters with their customs and those amazing horses and give them an adventure of their own? That could be a thrilling tale! Overall, I enjoyed this sequel, but the first one will remain my favorite.

Kingdom of Sea and stone picks up where it left off, Nor making her way home with her twin sister Zadie. Without spoiling much, Nor’s return to her island Varenia wasn’t what she expected; she is hit with questions from her Mother. The plot comes fairly quickly when Talin comes with news on the Kingdom of Ilara, which is amazing because I don’t like books where the plot takes time to build. Nor, Zadie and Talin have to travel back in order to face what’s going on back in Ilara, There they are faced with an old enemy and have to fight for the kingdom. I absolutely loved Rutherford’s first book in this Duology “A crown made of coral and pearl”. It was my favorite read last year, and I’m glad that a Kingdom of Sea and Stone answered all the questions that Coral and Pearl left us with and it wrapped up with a nice conclusion.

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