Crown of Coral and Pearl is a young adult fantasy novel written by Mara Rutherford. The book is set to be released on August 27, 2019 and is published by Inkyard Press. Disclaimer: I received this free NetGalley copy from the publisher through The Fantastic Flying Book Club (FFBC) Tours.
I want to thank the publisher and FFBC Tours for generously providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This review is spoiler free.
Synopsis
For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher than any of them could ever imagine…
Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.
Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.
In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie.
- Author: Mara Rutherford
- Publisher: Inkyard Press
- Publication Date: August 27, 2019
- Book Length: 432 pages
- Genre: YA Fantasy
Review
Nor and Zadie were raised their whole life knowing that, when Prince Ceren comes of age, he will select the most beautiful girl to become his queen. On the small island where the twin sisters are from, this means honor and a way out of poverty. Unfortunately, at age ten, Nor is scarred, leaving all hope resting on Zadie’s shoulders.
The day finally arrives and Zadie is selected, but before leaving, she is badly injured. Out of desperation and fear of retribution for not sending the chosen girl to the king, the elders send Nor in her place. Nor then discovers that the world she dreamt of was only that—a dream. Reality will be harsher, especially when her treacherous heart begins beating for someone other than the prince.
When I started reading, I was afraid this book would be about girls fawning over a beautiful man and tearing each other apart. Thankfully, it was not.
I devoured it in 48 hours. The story is narrated from Nor’s point of view, a fierce and loveable character. Nor’s compassion is her predominant strength but also her greatest weakness, and I could not help but love her. The writing is also beautiful; I particularly appreciate the pacing because it kept me engaged throughout the book.
I fell for every single character. Prince Ceren’s arc is very well executed. The romance begins slowly, but the chemistry between Nor and the object of her affection is off the charts from the very beginning. I wanted to read more about each character, especially Zadie and Sami. The
At first, I did not think much of the story because it reminded of books I’ve read before, but it surprised me in the best way possible because it did take a different route. I immensely enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
About Mara Rutherford
Mara Rutherford began her writing career as a journalist but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. Originally from California, Mara has since lived all over the world, from Russia to Peru, along with her Marine-turned-diplomat husband and two sons.
A triplet born on Leap Day, Mara holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies from the University of London and would rather study the folklore of her next post than the language (which she has found is a lot more fun but not nearly as useful). She is a former Pitch Wars mentee and three-time mentor. Her debut YA fantasy, CORAL AND PEARL, will release from Harlequin Teen in Fall 2019.
Giveaway
Prize: Win (1) of (15) copies of CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL by Mara Rutherford (US ONLY)
Starts: August 19, 2019 – Ends: September 3, 2019
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This book sounds so amazing! I’ve had it on my Goodreads To Read list for a while, and reviews like yours just make me want to read it even more! Also, I’m just glad to get another book about sisters. Is it just me or are sibling-centric books tricky to find? Did the book do a good job of depicting the relationship between the sisters, or was it mostly romance?
Great review! Thanks!
Thank you! This is a great story and the relationship with her sister is very well done. It’s not focused on the romance even if somehow ever present. I love that it shows the complexity of her relationship with her sibling, from love, jealousy to sacrifice. It’s beautifully executed.
I think it sounds awesome and like it has a really interesting plot! I’m a sucker for books with royalty. I’m definitely adding it to my TBR.
Ahaha you’re going to love this one then. 🤗