Crown of Coral and Pearl (Crown of Coral and Pearl series, 1)

I was so excited for this book...until I actually started reading it past the sample. It took until 39% of the book before it actually picked up pace, before then it was a whole lot of sitting around in Nor's head, or talking about how pretty everyone and everything is...just very redundant, and then the instalove. Oh god, the instalove was just awful in this one. The author also could've done some great stuff subverting our expectations with Ceren, who I found myself liking way more than the heroines Insta love interest. And the last 8% was just bad. Especially for all of Nor's actions prior to. That's just my thoughts on the plot, and story. If you're a fan of Sarah J Maas, and you're hoping for something similiar to Feyre, and Rhys, or Aelin and Rowan, you're going to be disappointed. Unless she switches it up later in the series, but that seems really unlikely. The writing itself wasn't bad, but the imagery was lacking in areas. She also told the readers a lot rather than showed us, and that is a pet peeve of mine as it pulls from the story. Two stars because I'll probably read the other books just to see if she does end up switching it around, but I'm not going to be holding my breath for that, or eagerly counting down the days until the books are released.

**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.**Title Crown of Coral and PearlAuthor Mara RutherfordDescriptionFor 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.Initial ThoughtsI was super bummed at Book Con 2019 when I met Mara Rutherford, but unfortunately was not able to snag an ARC of this book. However, as luck would have it, I was meant to read it. My request on NetGalley was approved last week and I jumped at the chance to read this story.Favorite CharacterEbb — I loved her name. It made me think of ebb and flow and that’s exactly what she represented. She kept everything moving for Nor and made sure she was where she needed to be and dressed appropriately at all times.Some Things I LikedI loved all of the names used in this book. Everyone’s name had meaning and I thought that was a really cool feature. The writing and naming conventions of this story were very thoughtfully crafted and I enjoyed that.Twins — I’m a sucker for a story about twins. Not sure if I have any fans of The Office reading this post, but there’s a scene from one episode where Dwight tells Michael to abandon the lady he’s talking to at the bar for “twins”. Michael jumps at the chance only to discover Dwight meant two large, bearded men were the twins Dwight was referring to. That’s me with twins. I am the Dwight Schrute of the YA reading world (minus the beet farm). I loved Nor and Zadie’s connection and the way they would do anything to protect the other. I also loved in the Acknowledgements (yes, I always read those too), that Mara Rutherford thanked her twin for being part of her inspiration.Something I Wasn’t Crazy AboutThe ending. I didn’t love the cliffhanger-esque ending. It’s final, but I felt it was lacking that conclusion of everyone together in the end that I wanted to see.Final ThoughtsI enjoyed this book. I think it had some flaws (a smidge predictable and a somewhat inconclusive ending), but, overall, I liked it. I think there is a lot of potential for a series here and I liked the political and social aspects that dictated the characters’ society. I thought this was a very thoughtfully written story with so much meaning behind every word.⭐⭐⭐⭐Release Date August 27, 2019Recommendations for Further ReadingThe Princess in the Opal Mask and The Opal Crown by Jenny Lundquist – this is another story of twins where one takes the place of the other meant to marry a prince.Everless and Evermore by Sara Holland – no spoilers here, but there are some **STRONG** parallels between the storylines here. Secrets, royals, romance, check these stories out if you liked the plot twists and relationships in Crown of Coral and Pearl.Caraval, Legendary, and Finale by Stephanie Garber – this is an amazing series about sisters who would do anything for each other.

Crown of Coral and Pearl is a beautiful and captivating story of sisterly love and what a sister will do to protect the people she loves. The world building is enthralling and unique, a truly well-developed fantasy world with many fantastical elements.Over everything, what really grabbed my attention with this story were the characters. All the characters are uniquely their own and felt so real. The characters were the main reason I loved this story. Nor and her journey is what made this story possible and wholly original.“You have the power to do anything and everything you dream of, more than any person I’ve ever known.”The plot build up is perfect and each chapter provides just enough to keep your attention. Hints and secrets are dropped continuously throughout the book until you flip to the last page and read the last line, and until you start to piece everything together. Mara Rutherford did an excellent job orchestrating the plot and making sure too much detail was not released at one time.“Your mother taught you to believe your scar made you ugly, but it has made your brave.”Nor is brave and unconditionally human, which is what makes her character so believable. Her love for her sister and her capacity to sacrifice her life and dreams to protect her sister and village is remarkable and, in my opinion, is what made this story what it is. Even though more than half of the story is spent away from her sister, Nor never forgets what she is fighting for. She’s selfless and when she finally wants something, she still puts her sister and her village first. Throughout Crown of Coral and Pearl, Nor learns what it’s like to finally live and be her true self, and that growth is one of the reasons that made her character so unique.Not only is the relationship between Nor and Zadie wonderful to read, but so is Nor’s blooming relationship with Talin. Nor’s engaged to Talin’s brother, Prince Ceren, who is cruel and cold and everything Talin is not. The chemistry between Nor and Prince Talin is undeniable and leaps off the page. The chapters where both characters interacted were some of my favorite – I love romance in fantasy books, especially the type of romance that feels alive and is genuinely realistic.Actually, if I’m being honest, all of the people that interacted with Nor were believable and flowed well with the story. She’s unsure of what moving to Ilara will be like, so she spends most of her time navigating her surroundings and trying to figure out the secrets that people are hiding behind lies.“You’re not afraid of anything, Nor. You never have been.”Overall, Crown of Coral and Pearl is a story built on heart and sisterly love and one that is easily a favorite of mine for 2019. I was left in anticipation for the sequel, and I cannot wait to read the continuation of Nor’s story next year.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the word building and the characters. Nor and Zadie had such a strong sisterly bond that was lovely to read, when they were apart I felt my heart breaking for them.This story was immersive, I got completely lost in it and couldnt put this book down.In my opinion the ending wrapped up just a little too quickly. There were moments that were glossed over a bit, when I would have rather seen them play out.Overall this was a really unique and immersive story.

i loved this story and how the love,loss and loyalty is conveyed and tested on the main character. The setting and description of the landscape made me feel liked i was really in the story.

3.5 stars - Very slow beginning before picking up around halfway in. The book unfortunately fell flat for me and there was no real ‘twist’ to make it memorable.

The author realy knows how to draw a reader in. i loved this book so much, 5 out of 5 from me!

Crown of Coral and Pearl is the debut novel by Mara Rutherford and is set in a fictional world where the Varenian people have to provide a future queen to the king to be from Ilara - a kingdom named after a fled princess who drowned there the Varenian built their village vowed to the oath to stay on the ocean until the kingdom is ruled by a female leader again who inherited the throne.Main protagonist is Nor who together with her twin sister Zadie participates in the ceremony of becoming the chosen girl. But ever since Nor rescued her sister from drowning her face is wearing a little scar that makes her imperfect in the eyes of pretty much everyone in her village.Afte Zadie scars herself Nor is send to Ilara in her place to marry the future king and to also learn the truth about why the Varenians are kept down by the rulers of Ilara and how Nor could help end the struggle of her people. While trying to come through with her masquerade and keeping up with the fact that her betrothed Ceren is a cold and cruel person Nor falls more and more for Talin - the younger brother of her husband-to-be and her only danger of being exposed by court.The story is told in the first person view from Nor who narrates through the whole thing and while the love story, the cruel fiancé and the secrets in Ilara aren't a new thing in a YA novel with a female protagonist who defies her destiny and tries to go her own way the setting, mythology and world building is beautifully set. The opposite of Varenia and Ilara with their ways of life and what they value most are some of the most important devices that drive the plot. Varenia is a beautiful place set out in the ocean and all the world building is put there with the pink pearls and the blood corals. Although the theme of the blood coral and its specialities are brought back up again in Ilara with the blood stones harvested in the mines before they were closed down and built into New Castle - the home of the Ilarean monarchy. The story itself needs a bit to speed up so the first third is set entirely on Varenia. Which is good because the seascape is far more beautiful and interesting compared to the life and surroundings Nor has to see in Ilara. And though the story is building up slowly and the odds of how Zadie is chosen only for Nor to replace her are a bit off the sisterly dynamics are lovely. The character of their mother as a woman driven by her own desires and pride gives Zadie and Nor many opportunities to show how much they care for each other even though Zadie's final actions are selfish she would do anything for Nor as Nor'd do anything for Zadie. The opposite of these two are Ceren and Talin whose relationship is more complicated but sadly not entirely covered in the story since only the things revealed to Nor are the ones known about their relationship.Ceren as the villain is plain in his desires. Maybe if the story was told in another point of view so that the thoughts of Ceren would be presented as well it would have been possible to understand his intentions more clearly. Since the history of Ilara isn't presented as well the whole construction of problems in Ilara are narrowed down to Nor pretending to be her sister who has to marry Ceren while being in love with Talin and to find a way to save her people while also dealing with her homesickness.Without other insights the story is as plain as the villain who seems to have an interesting backstory which should have been explored more. Instead the focus is lying on his cruel actions in the present with hints of his past showing in some scenes where he can't contain himself to his neutral self.All in all it is a lovely setting with good but not great or innovative characters with a foreseeable plot line and a rushed and overpacked ending which sets up the second book. It is well written and Varenia is beautiful and lovely and unique and nearly because of this place worth reading. But also the sisterly love of Zadie and Nor is a ver positive thing in this debut as well as the unraveling of the truth behind many things Varenia and Ilara held for the truth. Still many plot points are predictable and foreseeable and in some cases it is just easy to guess what will happen next. A fun but not outstanding book to read.