Title: Kingdom of Sea and Stone
Author: Mara Rutherford
Pub. Date: October 6, 2020
Rating: 4

This will be a spoiler free review. Thank you to NetGalley and InkYard Press for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. Crown of Coral and Pearl was an instant favorite when I read it last year, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting this sequel!

It’s been quite a while since I read Crown of Coral and Pearl, so it took a minute to get back into the world. I liked how it starts off right where the first book ended, so we haven’t missed anything. I was instantly reminded of why I like Nor and I really enjoyed her internal struggles.
Yeah, maybe that sounds weird, but it’s super relatable! How many teenage/young adult girls struggle with the same thoughts? What we want in life? Should we want what’s deemed “proper” or what our heart calls for us to do?

If I hadn’t already liked Nor, I would have immediately found her as a kindred spirit. And as far as her and Zadie’s relationship – it’s still one of my favorite aspects of this duology. They’re there for each other, them against the world. There are moments where Zadie knows Nor better than Nor knows herself and it just further proves how strong the bond between them is.

As for Nor’s relationship with Talin – I was left a little disappointed. He’s loyal and compassionate towards her to a fault and I kind of wish that they’d had it out. I really just wanted them to be upfront early on, and Nor really wasn’t. The beginning of their relationship was anything but normal, so it makes sense that there are some bumps and hiccups along the way.
I’m in such a romance heavy mood that maybe I’m judging this a tad unfairly, but I just wanted more. I wanted more from the both of them. But overall, I enjoyed their cute moments together, and how willing Talin was to be patient.
His mommy issues on the other hand – eh. They were a tad annoying but watching him become a real leader – super satisfying. I just wish the romance had been more.

As for Ceren. The boy has some issues. He’s evil, he’s not good, but having more information as to why he is the way he is…I kind of felt for him. Just a little bit. I think that’s a brilliant sign of an amazing writer. When they can get you to care about even the worst of humanity, they’ve done their job perfectly.

I really enjoyed the fact that we get to see more of the world – an expansion of what we already know. I’m always a sucker for when worlds expand. As much as I thoroughly love the ocean magic vibe from book one, any fantasy book that has scenes of the character traveling through the woods on the run – I’m 100% trash for. That’s my shit and I love it and in that regard this book does not disappoint. I think Mara does a pretty good job at bringing it to life. I could easily picture everything and that’s always a wonderful thing.

The ending wrapped up a little too cleanly, but it was still satisfying. This is definitely going on my list of favorite duologies. I love what Mara did with these books and I highly recommend them. If you want to get swept away and fall in love with a story – then you need to check out Crown of Coral and Pear and then read this sequel. I kind of wish I’d reread COCAP before diving into this one – just as a refresher – but after a few pages it was as if I’d never left the world. I can easily see myself re-reading these books down the line. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I read Crown of Coral and Pearl and I’m so glad I took the chance, because otherwise, I would have missed out on Nor’s journey.

One of the things I loved the most about this whole story is Nor's sense of rightness. She continues to choose to do what she thinks is best for everyone else. She recognizes that there are others who can't stand for themselves and chooses to make hard choices and decisions that not everyone is happy with, but if they work, in the long run, it will be good for everyone. Most of the choices she makes throws herself in the line of fire. She sacrifices herself and what she wants to guarantee the safety of all others.
I'm continually intrigued by the magic system that is in place in this book. Crown of Coral and Pearl alluded to it, but it became so much more concrete in Kingdom of Sea and Stone. I loved the inclusion of Adriel's charcter who helped Nor a ton in figuring out the blood and truly became a friend to Nor. The bone forest that Adriel shows Nor and then further knowledge of the bloodstones of Ceren's and their power, really brought a whole other level that I wasn't expecting but really, really enjoyed.
I also really loved the strong female characters presented in the story. Nor, Zadie, Yara, Talia, Ebb, and Adriel are characters that are strong and fearless in their own way. Each showcase a separate strength, but I think it highlights that there isn't one way to be a strong female. These characters are absolutely characters that I would show to my students as examples of women who are courageous, leaders, strong, worthy of love, are loved, and selfless.
Mara Rutherford has once again written a book that I loved and made the characters and story come alive. I can't wait to read more from her!

Characters
I loved getting to know the characters in Crown of Coral and Pearl but I definitely feel like they were all properly developed and fleshed out in Kingdom of Sea and Stone. We get to see these characters grow out of their shells and form deeper connections with one another. The first book did a lot of the setting up but this book really managed to delve deep into their relationships.

It’s great to see Nor become more sure of herself, even though she still doubts herself at times. She rarely thinks of her scar anymore and has really turned into a strong leader. I’m also glad to see Zadie become strong too. She was always seen as the weaker sister but she shows her resilience in this book. She is more than just the village beauty and can adapt to a plethora of situations. I loved seeing her support her sister.

I appreciated seeing so many strong women in positions of power make an appearance in this book. Nor’s interactions with the witch, Adriel, and Yana, the best rider in Galeth, were so interesting to read about. I also was a fan of Roan and his banter-y nature. His interactions with Nor always brought a smile to my face.

8/10

Atmosphere
This book definitely had a completely different feel to the first book as war is creeping closer to our characters. The suspense is amped up and we’re not in cosy, calm Verenia anymore. I loved that we got to see more places in Rutherford’s world and experience the different cultures, especially those in Galeth. Each place has such a distinct feel to it that you can easily tell them apart.

7/10

Writing Style
Usually I struggle reading fantasy novels from the first person perspective because there is limited opportunity for world building but I think Rutherford managed to create a stunning world from Nor’s perspective and really took the time to make us comfortable with our surroundings through her eyes without dumping information on the reader. I definitely think Rutherford is a skilled writer and the book was so effortless to read. I had the best time since I forgot where I was and what time it was when I was reading. The words just flowed off of the page.

8/10

Plot
The plot was well thought out and had a great pace. I never felt bored and was always engaged in the story. There was a great balance between action and quieter moments between characters to establish their relationships. One thing I wasn’t a big fan of was the constant focus on getting married. I can understand that it’s a big plot point in the first book but it felt unnecessary to include it in this book.

7/10

Intrigue
I was definitely sucked into the story, not knowing what was going to happen next. There were some elements that were quite predictable but I do feel like the book definitely surprised me with certain elements regarding the magic system. I loved the discussions surrounding magic and how it’s a cycle of energy and how it’s all connected. It was so interesting to read about!

7/10

Logic
All the loose ends were tied up by the end of the book and everything made total sense. I’m so glad that this series is a duology and that it wasn’t dragged out across 3 books. Although, I feel like the ending was too simple almost and it felt a tad bit rushed. We journeyed with these characters for so long and suddenly it came to an end so easily.

6/10

Enjoyment
Overall, I had a great time reading this duology and I devoured them so quickly. These are definitely entertaining fast reads that will suck you in for a day or two. I enjoyed the writing and the character really stood out for me. I wouldn’t say it’s the most shocking, page turning book I’ve read before but it was definitely an engaging read if you’re looking for something fun.

7/10

AVERAGE CAWPILE RATING – 7.1/10

I had the opportunity to read the first book in this series as an ARC and really enjoyed it, thus I was really excited to have the opportunity to do so again with the sequel!

Nor is a very well developed character and she is very dynamic throughout this book as well. She learns a lot about herself and "grows up" more. I didn't feel like Talin was as strong of a character in this book. He certainly was supportive of Nor, but almost to a fault at some points. He was really kind of a push over as he tried to constantly give Nor enough space. The relationship felt very lackluster.

One of my favorite characters was a new addition, Roan. He was just so bold and brazen, yet kind and thoughtful at the same time and he made for a very satisfying addition in the story. I was disappointed that he wasn't in more of the story. I realize Ceren is supposed to be the "villian" but I actually was really drawn to his character as well. I think part of it was because how well developed he was as a character. He was complex and misunderstood, but enticing at the same time. He does some truly terrible things, but also had a super crappy example and childhood. I love how even though Nor is super tough, she is also fairly sympathetic to Ceren.

I thought the emphasis on the relationship of Nor and Zadie, as sisters, was really neat. It isn't something you see a whole lot of in most books so I really enjoyed that being such a big focus in the book.

I enjoyed the book, overall. I did find the pacing and plot to leave a little to be desired, in comparison to the first book and I did not care for the ending. It really left a lot to be desired for me and after the adventure the series had taken us on, I was really hoping for a happier resolution to tie it up.

Thank you to the publisher, Inkyard Press, for providing me with an ARC of Kingdom of Sea and Stone in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Gist
Can I tell you a secret? I truly struggle writing book reviews for sequels and Kingdom of Sea and Stone is no exception. There it is; I said it.

I keep staring at my computer screen, wondering what I should include and what I should leave out.

At the very least, this is still a review and not a summary or your Wednesday evening book club discussion.

Yet, some plot points, details and character traits have to be mentioned in order to show the progression from book number one to book number two.

I’ll give it my best shot.

The Details
As it has already been established, Kingdom of Sea and Stone picks up exactly where the first book left off. I like that. It doesn’t make me feel like I’m struggling to catch up with the characters and trying to puzzle together what they have been up to in my absence.

We also get to learn more about Nor. I appreciated getting the opportunity to see her grow as a person and share in her struggle as she tries to find her own way.

Having Zadie around brought a different dynamic to the story. Mostly, because in book one we saw Nor coming to terms with being separated from her twin sister.

Now Nor comes to terms with the fact that it might not be just her and her sister moving forward. A hard pill to swallow at times.

Then we have Talin. I feel bad for him. A little. Well, maybe. Usually it’s a male character that strings the female character/love interest along. In this case, he just has to take a backseat while Nor figures things out for herself. You go, girl.

We are introduced to a handful of new characters. We see new places and get a broader sense of the world we fell in love with during in book one.

The pace is a little slower and the author takes some time to address a few issues that are prevalent in reality.

The writing is just as good in this installment as in the first one. It throws one right back into the story and it is very easy to imagine this fantastical world.

The Verdict
Overall, I really enjoyed Kingdom of Sea and Stone. I liked the world building, the imagery and the struggle the characters faced, which gives them relatable attributes.

This is a wonderful duology and I would definitely recommend it.

This book was received as an ARC from Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Our YA community loved Cruel Prince and Ash Princess but this book took this concept to a whole new level. I also got some of the rebellious notes from Red Queen and how Nor would stop at nothing to protect the ones she loves and the kingdom she loves. Also this book reflected an important lesson in the most unique way possible that all of us have to remember at times and that is to be blessed and grateful for what you have and know your purpose in life even if it may seem hard at times. Our teen book club will obsess over this book and will have many exciting discussions.

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

Unfortunately, I was unable to complete Kingdom of Sea and Stone. I loved Crown of Coral and Pearl - gave it 4 stars, but the sequel felt like a completely different book. The characters felt different and their motives and actions didn't feel like their own. Nor at points seemed to be kept out of the action and she made decisions that made her seem weaker than in the first book. People who normally wouldn't make blind, blanketed decisions were doing just that. Nor started off being really concerned for her family, only to postpone any actions of helping them in order to help others. The pacing was slow for me - to the point where I was bored. There was a lot of road trip aspects in this book that was completely different from the first - road trips are not something that interests me in a fantasy book. When action did finally start to happen, Nor was not involved so neither was the reader. I love Mara's writing, but this was not the book I was hoping to get after reading Crown of Coral and Pearl.

When Crown of Coral and Pearl came out last year, I was completely and utterly obsessed. Not to mention hurting painfully from the cliffhanger at the end. I was desperate to get my hands on the follow up to find out what would become of Nor. Where would she find a home, how would she and Talin be able to have a future together, what in the world happened to Sami, and would the Woman King ultimately rule Ilara? There were so many strings left dangling that needed to be tied together. One big thing I was really curious to find an answer for was why Nor had her unusual healing ability that no one seemed to have an explanation for. The good news is: all of my questions were answered leaving no plot holes that lead into the deep dark abyss of doubt. Hurray!

First off, I want to say that it's been a minute since I read book one, but despite that, the opening pages seamlessly refreshed my memory. There was virtually no confusion or fog, and yet I didn't feel as if I was reading a summary of pertinent facts. Also, if you're like me and found book one to be instantly engrossing, expect the same in book two. There's something about this author's writing that effortlessly engages you. I'm not sure what magical knowledge she possesses to achieve this, but that's pretty impressive if you ask me. I'm having a harder time than ever finding books that I can easily escape into during this time. If you're feeling the same way, I highly recommend trying out this series. I think you'll be so pleasantly surprised at the ease and excitement to be found in Ms. Rutherford's words.

Now to the plot! (If you haven't read book one yet, please don't read any further. There are unavoidable spoilers about Crown of Coral and Pearl.) We take off exactly where things left off. Nor is returning home to Varenia out at sea. Her old life was a simple one consisting of: diving for pearls to feed her family, trying and failing at pleasing her perpetually disappointed mother, and spending time with her best friend Sami and twin sister. There's an expression that fits her situation: you can't go home again. Essentially it means that once you leave home and spend time out in the world, the home you grew up in will never be the same again. This couldn't be more true for Nor. She's been accused of treachery by Varenians, dealt with court machinations, imprisonment by her fiancé, her blood was drained, and she was forced to defend her own life with deadly force. Returning home, she wanted to lick her wounds and find comfort in the familiar. But her old life was irrevocably gone.

Nor is no longer safe anywhere. Not only does everyone in Varenia think that she betrayed them, she's now a fugitive for what occurred with Ceren. Whereas book one was more about Nor's "adventure" in leaving home to explore the world, and surviving the nightmare that she walked into, book two takes a different route. Nor and Talin have a fresh and very fragile romantic understanding. They developed feelings amidst a dangerous situation, and now they must figure out where they go from that point. Nor is suddenly questioning if a marriage and home with him are in the cards for her. Would it make her happy or would it stifle her adventurous heart? As she shuffles through her emotions on this, she works on her hero complex. Always feeling as if she needs to save the day all by herself isn't exactly necessary when you have a group of people around you who love you and want to do their fair share. We see Nor let go of some of the control she feels she needs as she learns to trust those around her to help.

There were new characters introduced that were really intriguing. We have Roan, who is the commander of Fort Crag in Galeth. He has a strong moral code that he lives by which isn't influenced by greed for power, accolades, or money. He wants what's best for his people and isn't apologetic about it. I really liked the fact that he was an empath which you don't see all that often in fantasy (or at least that's been my experience.) Roan is very blunt with Nor in showing his attraction to her, so naturally this causes some snags here and there. I wouldn't go so far as to say that a love triangle develops, but his attention does make things interesting. Another new character was a medicinal witch named Adriel. She quickly formed a bond with Nor and helped to guide her in her quest to learn more about bloodstones and how they work with blood bonds. I think Nor was able to see some of herself in Adriel. They're both very independent women who want to be loved and accepted for who they really are. They're smart, gifted, and perhaps want more than a traditional life that most find.

The action and suspense snowballed in intensity at the end, and I was flying through the story at breakneck speed. There were ambiguous motives, a deeply layered villain, and a kingdom that was hanging on the edge of a deadly power struggle. Talin was a little blind when it came to his mother, Nor was independent to a fault, and those things weren't without their frustrations. But in the grand scheme of things, my reading experience was a positive one. I highly recommend the series to anyone looking for an escape into an original fantasy world with complex characters that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.

Loved this! So much! Great conclusion to this duology! It was very well written, the characters were interesting, I loved the new characters introduced, and I thought as a whole, the world building was great as well! Highly recommend this duology! It's so unique and I just loved it so much!

Kingdom of Sea and Stone wonderfully wraps up Nor’s story. With how Crown of Coral and Pearl ended, I was eagerly awaiting the sequel. I loved Nor’s character and I needed to know how this story was going to end. Needless to say, I was not disappointed, and I loved how the ending wrapped everything up. Like the first book, the characters are beautifully written and believable and the plot is gripping. Kingdom of Sea and Stone is one of those sequels you just end up loving.

Whereas Coral of Crown and Pearl was more Nor’s story than anyone’s, Kingdom of Sea and Stone is everyone’s story. Nor went to the kingdom in place of her sister’s, Zadie, in the first book, but in Kingdom, the sisters are brought back together to take down an enemy once and for all. Kingdom is filled with the beautiful sisterhood bond I love seeing. And even though this is still Nor’s story, there’s a lovely amount of character development with some of the side characters.

Like in the first book, Nor is still brave and wholeheartedly human. She makes mistakes, but she learns from them. Like the first book, her love for her sister is what powers her through this fight. But it’s no longer just love for her sister; it’s love for the people she loves, including Prince Talin. The chemistry between Nor and Talin is as strong as ever, and I loved seeing Talin’s character development. Talin still has his flaws, like every character, but watching him develop and turn into the leader he’s meant to be, was everything I could have asked for. And then there’s Nor’s character growth. Even though Nor had a good amount of character growth in the first book, her character growth in Kingdom is empowering. Her growth didn’t just give her strength, but also strength to the people around her. Nor doesn’t just fight for herself and her freedom, she fights for her family and her kingdom. And she refuses to give up.

One thing I love about this duology is the world and the sea kingdoms. I love the light yet powerful magic system and how Rutherford weaves it all together in a beautiful tale. Rutherford’s writing is exceptionally strong. I could feel the emotion falling off each page; I could feel the pain Nor and her friends felt. Her writing is captivating; I could sense how much heart Rutherford put into this story. Rutherford’s writing was beautifully structured and truly brought a wonderful masterpiece of a story together.

In the end, this is a wonderful and well-structured duology, It’s a duology filled with heart and amazing character development and world building. Mara Rutherford has written a strong duology, and I look forward to reading her next work.

Thank you so much to Inkyard Press for asking me to be a part of the blog tour for Kingdom of Sea and Stone by Mara Rutherford! This is the sequel to Crown of Coral and Pearl, which I read last year and it was so good, so I was super excited to read this book, especially with the way Crown of Coral and Pearl ended and I definitely was not disappointed in Kingdom of Sea and Stone at all!

Kingdom of Sea and Stone 5/5 Stars



Summary from Goodreads: Ever since Nor was forced to go to a nearby kingdom in her sister’s place, she’s wanted nothing more than to return to the place and people she loves. But when her wish comes true, she soon finds herself cast out from both worlds, with a war on the horizon.
As an old enemy resurfaces more powerful than ever, Nor will have to keep the kingdom from falling apart with the help of Prince Talin and Nor’s twin sister, Zadie. There are forces within the world more mysterious than any of them ever guessed—and they’ll need to stay alive long enough to conquer them…
There were so many parts in this book that I didn't expect but ended up loving! I loved the new places Nor was able to explore, I loved that we got to learn more about Zadie and how she seemed to be a real fleshed character in this book, I loved the new characters we were introduced to in this book- this was definitely such a good read and a great way to end this duology! Nor and Talin grew stronger together, but their identities weren't just tied to each other, which I loved. Roan and Adriel were my favorites and I wish we had more Roan time and more Adriel time (maybe a spinoff? I wouldn't say no). The plot moved along at a really good pace in my opinion and there were never times when I wanted things to speed up or anything like that. I was a little unsatisfied by how the actual ending of the villain came about, especially with everything they had been through, but in the long run, it does make sense that it was done the way it was. Overall, I really enjoyed Kingdom of Sea and Stone and I think you should definitely check it out when it comes out tomorrow!

"Nor, people fight, and the people we love the most fight the hardest because they care the most."-Zadie

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Mara Rutherford, and Inkyard Press for the not only the opportunity to read Kingdom of Sea and Stone in exchange for an honest review, but to be a part of the Blog Tour as well.

This is the highly anticipated sequel (and seemingly last) book in the Crown of Coral and Pearl series (duology).

WARNING: some SPOILERS ahead if you have not read the first book.

This is an absolutely fantastic sequel with closure, though maybe there is potential for more stories featuring the characters in future. While Crown of Coral and Pearl held a few open-ended questions, the book was wholesome enough to stand on its own. When I heard there was a sequel, I wasn't sure what to expect, and this book was certainly a fun ride.

Someone presumed to be dead is alive and well, and he seeks power and revenge.

When the Varenian's are taken prisoner, it is up to Nor, Talin, and Zadie to find allies and save their people. As they make their way through the land, they find themselves at the borders of Galeth, a secretive place within the mountains. Galeth doesn't really want to get involved in a war, and Talin is pretty set on gaining allies and joining his mother to attach New Castle.

Amidst the stresses of war, Nor sees visions of Ceren and wonders if they are dreams or real-time. When she meets a witch in Galeth, she learns she may just be of magical descent herself. Nor's connection to nature is the driving force for her previously revealed healing powers.

Ceren, alive and in possession of bloodstones, is able to use said stones to control anyone wearing a bit of bloodstone jewelry, but not without a special ingredient. He needs Nor's blood to be able to control the people around him.

This book is action-packed and the fight for power holds entertaining moves at every plot point. Not only is this book highly plot-driven, but the character development is quite phenomenal as well. I found myself caring about characters who were in the story for only a short amount of time, or even characters that I fell like I shouldn't care about! That's mighty fine writing craft if I do say so. If you haven't picked up the first book yet, you definitely should! The uniqueness of the kingdom, the expansive cast of characters, and the sheer magic of the world will have you enthralled at page one!

KINGDOM OF SEA AND STONE continues an engaging YA fantasy series with another book about sisterhood, magic, and political power. Nor is returning to her people with her twin sister for whom she has sacrificed so much. She is a different person than the one she was when she left. However, she is soon to realize that the enemy she thought she had vanquished still lives and is plotting new ways of destruction for the continent.

As she travels with her sister and friends both new and old, Nor must ask herself hard questions about her own goals and desires, the ideal political goal, and the big picture goals she desires for the world around her. This book takes the reader through unexpected twists and turns with engaging themes that are quite thought-provoking.

What I loved: The world-building here is lush, and the reader is given even more information about the country and those surrounding. Villains are often complex, with their own drives and desires that make this book really enthralling. The villains are not always who is expected, and Nor must dive through her feelings and those of the people around here to determine the best paths forward. There are some really intriguing political themes about government and morality that I found really interesting. I also really love the importance and emphasis on sisterhood. The bond between Zadie and Nor is so strong and an ever-present thread throughout the book.

We also meet some really interesting new characters that I ended up really adoring as we learned more about them. I don't want to say too much, as I want to avoid spoilers, but they are characters I would love to read more about. As another note, the ending wraps things up pretty well, which is a nice way to conclude the book.

What left me wanting more: As a very small point, the pace drags a bit in places, but it certainly makes up for it with world-building, including learning more about magic, and the strong characterizations that the slower pace in places allows.

Final verdict: KINGDOM OF SEA AND STONE continues a unique YA fantasy series about sisters, politics, and the paths we choose. Highly recommend for fans of ALL THE STARS AND TEETH and TO KILL A KINGDOM.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Mara Rutherford's Kingdom of Sea and Stone is the sequel to Crown of Coral and Pearl. The story picks up right after the aftermath of the events of Kingdom of Coral and Pearl. Nor has escaped Ilara leaving her love Prince Talin behind to escape to Varenia with her twin sister Zadie. But things aren't exactly smooth. Nor believes she killed Ceren, Samiel is still missing, but presumed to alive, Varenians aren't exactly happy about Nor's return which leads to bad trouble, and Nor can't see a way forward to whatever happens next which is where the story really begins.

Shortly after arriving home, Prince Talin arrives with Grig and Osius. He is wanted for conspiracy against Ceren with his mother Talia who is preparing her army to go to war to take back the throne for her daughter. In this world, the rightful ruler always comes from the female line. To make matters worse, Ceren is very much alive, and is now King thanks to what happen between him and Nor which gives them a connection which they can use to read each other’s memories. He has no intention of allowing Nor to escape his desire for revenge which puts Nor's people directly in the crossfire.

Ceren ends up chasing Nor, Zadie, Talin and his loyal guards already into Galteth. Galteth means a new world to create, and new characters to meet including Roan and Adriel who will become one of the best sources for Nor to learn about her healing abilities. Nor and allies try to get the Galethians to ally with them against Ceren by joining with Talia who is conscripting anyone old enough to pick up a weapon. Nor is given a horse named Titania. The horse has a mind of its own and really takes to Nor quickly even though she's from the sea where no horses exist. Titania is an amazing creature as well as being smart and loyal.

Nor and Zaida’s relationship was so strong and empowering most of the time. The extent they would sacrifice for the other was beautiful. There were times when Zaida knew exactly what she wanted while Nor was struggling to choose what she was going to do next. I also appreciated that it appears her parents were more accepting of the daughter this time around. They basically decided she wasn't worth when she permanently scared her face when she was a child. I have to say that the author made Ceren seem sympathetic after revealing what happened to him under Talia.

Throughout this book, Nor works way too hard to be accepted by those around her which gives Adriel an opening to teach her to accept who she is, what she is capable of, and not giving a damn about what others believe. I am surprised by the ending, but I guess I shouldn't be since this was supposed to be aimed at young women and what they, not others, decide to do with their lives. With means that Nor's adventures end on an open note. I've attempted to research whether this is a duology or a trilogy. It seems that the author has two books she's working on that have nothing to do with this series.

“...even if love was my greatest weakness, it was also the thing that made me strong.”


Kingdom of Sea and Stone was a great ending to Nor and crews story. We start off essentially right where we left off, as Nor heads back home to share some hope filled news with Varenia. Unfortunately the hopeful feeling does not last too long, and once again Nor leaves her hometown with her sister and Talin, to hopefully take down an old enemy and finally unite the kingdom. Along the way they meet some new friends and reunite with some old faces as well.

KoSaS is filled with political moves, our band of heroes traveling across the broken kingdom, magic, and my favorite part sisterhood. I sort of loved how not only did we get to see more of Nor and Zadie’s bond, but we also see these sisters bond with other women and just each of their growth as individuals.

I don’t want to say too much, because I don’t want to ruin the story, but in this book you will feel bad for characters that you probably didn’t think you could feel compassion toward. I honestly had a hard time fully rooting against certain people. You’ll see if you read. My only REAL complaint is that the end felt very simple and easily wrapped up. Yes, it took a long journey to get there, but for some reason the ease made it feel a bit rushed.

All that said this was a great read, and a great duet overall. If you’re looking for crown game fantasy with a historical sea side kingdom type of feel, then I highly recommend this book.

Title: Kingdom of Sea and Stone
Author: Mara Rutherford
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Rating: 5 out of 5

Ever since Nor was forced to go to a nearby kingdom in her sister’s place, she’s wanted nothing more than to return to the place and people she loves. But when her wish comes true, she soon finds herself cast out from both worlds, with a war on the horizon.

As an old enemy resurfaces more powerful than ever, Nor will have to keep the kingdom from falling apart with the help of Prince Talin and Nor’s twin sister, Zadie. There are forces within the world more mysterious than any of them ever guessed—and they’ll need to stay alive long enough to conquer them…

I thoroughly enjoyed this book (And the one before it, A Crown of Coral and Pearl.). And I think the covers are gorgeous!

The world here is unique and distinctive, with different cultures, countries, and beliefs, and it’s fun to explore them with Nor. She knows what’s right and she does it, but she can see both sides of the issues. I love her strength even in the face of overwhelming odds, and her courage to speak up about wrongs—even when it can hurt her in the long run.

Adventure, magic, and a captivating setting all combine in this to make it almost impossible to put down!
Mara Rutherford was born in California but has lived all over the world. Kingdom of Sea and Stone is her newest novel.

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

(Blog link live 10/5.)

Jumping into this book was difficult. I hadn't read Crown of Coral and Pearl in almost two years, so it was difficult for me to orient myself on what happened and where we were.

But I managed to find my way. Thankfully, Mara put some backstory at the beginning to help remind readers what was happening. I always appreciate when authors take the time to incorporate that into their books rather than just diving in and letting us sink. We get a quick recap between Nor and Zadie back home, which was brief but enough to remind me what happened. Once I knew what was going on, I was interested to see where we were going.

Going into this book, especially with the events that happened in Crown, I was ready for the violence. But violence I did not get. This book was way more about politics than even the relationships. While new, I felt like it slacked on building Nor's relationship with Talin and Zadie. Instead, we focus on restoring Talin's younger sister, Zoi, as Queen and making the country better. We meet new characters from a new country and then basically leave them after working up relationships between the two groups. I could see what Mara was trying to do, but it didn't feel right to me reading.

I wanted new relationships, old relationships to build, and other connections between characters. While I did like the magical element of the plot, it didn't line up well with everything going on on the sidelines. I almost feel like there should have been another book so this one could be spent on the emotional and magical aspect between people and then moving into political, rather than trying to cram it all into one.

But, there are also a lot of things that I really liked too! I liked Nor's continuing development. I liked that we got to see new cultures and people. We get more history and mystery with magic. And, we get an interesting political battle that I know I was looking forward to in Crown of Coral and Pearl.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a great end to the series. Though I still wish there was another book.

Thank you to the publisher, Inkyard Press, and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nor heads home to Varenia, but a warm welcome does not await her. The people not believe her about what happened, and Nor is battling nightmares about what she went through in Ilara and killing Ceren. All too soon, in an unexpected twist of events, Nor, Zadie and Talin flee Varenia, aiming to gather allies for Talin’s sister to claim the throne. War is on the horizon, and when Nor’s past returns to haunt her, it quickly becomes clear that victory is not going to be as easy as it initially seemed.

I really liked the concept of this story in the first book, so I was really excited when I was asked to be a part of this blog tour. As I expected, the ending of Crown of Coral and Pearl was too good to be true with one major reveal that occurs early on, changing the course of the story. This review was so hard to write because I didn’t want to give away anything, so I’m going to share my thoughts on this book from an overall perspective rather than going into any specifics.

The one thing I loved about this book was the fantastic character development. Though Nor is undoubtedly the focus of the book, the narrative takes the time to focus on what the others are going through as well. Nor’s time in Ilara weighs heavily on her and even as everyone races to prevent a war from breaking out, Nor struggles to figure out what her place in the world and purpose in life is, something that everyone around her seems to have all figured out. I thought this was an interesting aspect to include, because it is a struggle that many young people can relate to. Additionally, in most fantasy novels, the goal of the quest is clear cut, and the hero rarely gives so much thought to something beyond it.

We also get some glimpses into Ceren’s past which explains a lot about his personality. He certainly makes for an interesting and atypical villain, and though he was as evil as ever, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him at some points. As with the first book, I loved the depiction of the bond between Nor and Zadie and how it stays so strong, no matter the circumstances. It was also wonderful to see some new world-building here as our characters journey to Galeth in hope of finding not only allies, but Samiel as well.

The one thing I didn’t like – or rather, I lost interest in, was the romance. Talin had some great character growth, turning into a real leader, his issues with his mother aside. But when it came to his relationship with Nor, it just felt less important in comparison to everything else going on and I found myself to be far less invested in it than before.

Overall, while I felt this book was not as strong as the first, it was still a pretty good sequel, largely due to the thought that has been put into the characters’ arcs. I felt the ending was left a little open ended, and I hope the author writes more stories set in this world. This was an engaging and fast-paced read, and it was wonderful to return to this unique world and the amazing characters. I would definitely recommend this for any readers who enjoyed the first book.

Has it been a year already since Crown of Coral and Pearl? I was so excited to see this sequel in the NetGalley library. Not only is this an exciting YA series, but it was so refreshing to revisit some of my most beloved characters in recent fiction. In rereading my review of Crown of Coral and Pearl, I dedicated an entire paragraph to my feelings about Prince Ceren. Back then, I called him “callous” and “despicable” and described my emotional reaction to him as “complex.” I hated him so much in the first book that I practically squealed with excitement when he showed up (alive, might I add; I knew it) in Kingdom of Sea and Stone. And yet this time, even though he was just as ruthless and out of line, I felt strangely sorry for him.

Aside from Ceren, I most appreciated the growth these characters have undergone since the first book. Sometimes characters become stagnant, but not these. And just as we were catching up with Nor, Zadie, Sami, and Talin, we were introduced to new, interesting, and well-developed characters along the way. And not only did we meet new faces, but we saw new places within the kingdom and its outskirts, as well.

Was the book itself as strong or stronger than the first? Not quite, but it still made for a terrific sequel. The first book felt like a standalone and ended with its loose ends tied up nicely, but so did this one. Either way, it was a highly enjoyable read.

Kingdom of Sea and Stone, the conclusion to the story that began with Crown of Coral and Pearl, takes you on a perilous journey through Ilara and beyond.

What I Loved

I loved that Ceren (the antagonist) is developed so profoundly. Initially, he is portrayed as a single-minded, power-hungry despot, but this story gives us his background, showing what made him into a man who is beyond evil. At its core is a nature versus nurture story, and I found myself feeling empathy for Ceren and how his early years framed his entire mindset of the man he is today. I love when character development is complex and layered and gives me a bad guy I want to see redeemed.

I also love the world-building. There is something special about this world that makes me smile as I read the beautiful descriptions of the different parts of the land and sea. From the pastoral valley where horses roam free, and men and women are equals (Galeth) to the sea-bound village of Varenia (home to the main character, Nor) and all the fantastic landscapes in between, all are described in exquisite detail. It is a land I would be happy to revisit time and time.

Though my heart went out to Zadie, with her quiet strength and her enormous heart, my favorite character is her twin sister and the heroine of the story, Nor. She is a free spirit who defies any of the taming society, and her loved ones, try to impose on her. She does not hesitate to stare down danger and forge ahead to the greater good, even saving people who mistreated her as a child. The fact that she has inherent supernatural abilities, some might call magic, only makes her more interesting to me. She is brave to a fault and loves fully – giving her whole heart to the special people in her life.

What I Wish

I loved some aspects of the conclusion, but one element at the end of the war just fell flat for me. I can’t say what it is since I don’t give out spoilers, but I do wish the story had ended differently for one character in particular.

To Read or Not to Read

If you want to escape to the beauty of nature that makes up the world in this story and enjoy an epic tale that will leave you breathless, then what are you waiting for – pick up this book and Crown of Coral and Pearl today.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.