Crown of Coral and Pearl
Written by Mara Rutherford
Narrated by Amanda Dolan
4/5
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Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this audiobook
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.
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 along with her Marine-turned-diplomat husband. A triplet born on Leap Day, Mara holds a Master's degree in Cultural Studies from the University of London.
More audiobooks from Mara Rutherford
The Poison Season Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Crown of Coral and Pearl Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Luminous Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Multitude of Dreams Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
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Reviews for Crown of Coral and Pearl
174 ratings12 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was my reread of this book and I enjoyed it .Like any good fantasy book it has its twist and turns that will keep you interested.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5"Beware the lionfish, my dear, beware the fish that is made of stone. Beware sweet nothings in your ear, and the heart as hollow as bone."
For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean villiage of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher then any of them could ever imagine...
Yes, you heard that right! Crown of Coral and Pearl is a story of Identical twins, Nor and Zadie, who live in a villiage quite litterallybuilt in the middle of the ocean. Long forgotten wrecked ships placed on stilts above the waves, painted every colour of the sunset, reds, yellows, oranges and pinks! Does it not sound like a dream? The Varenians spend their days diving for the coveted pink pearls, which forms when close to the deadly blood coral.
Nor and Zadie were raised but their strict mother to be beautiful. The most beautiful of all Varenians, in order to be selected to go to the mainland and become the next princess of Ilara. But how could someone chose just one identical twin? Everything changes the day Nor is scarred by the deadly blood coral saving her sisters life and miraculously survives.
While this story was a little slow in the begining I loved the world building. I loved the detail and the story was so beautifully written. Mara Rutherford really made me feel like I was right there in Varenia.
All the characters, even the villians, were so well written and I love the friendships and platonic relationships built throughout this story. The only character I did not like was the mother.
"Hiding scars does not mean they are not really there. Just as beauty cannot dsiguise who we really are beneath the surface."
She was actually the worst and her treatment of Nor
boardered on abuse. She constantly went out of her was to put Nor down, making it clear how flawed and ruined Nor was and making it clear that Zadie was perfect in her eyes.
While I did find Zadie to be a bit whingy, I adored her relationship with her twin and Nor's willingness to do anything for her sister. I also LOVED the platonic love between Nor and Sammi and how Sammi risked everything to stand up for Nor (see authos, not every male/female friendship has to be romantic).
As soon a Nor leaves Varenia to take Zadies place as Prince Cerans fiance it is nonstop action, suspense and gooey romance. The story was fast passed and flowed really well.
Prince Cerans crulty rivals that of Joffrey. He is horrible, sickly and sadistic, but deep down he is just a broken boying wanting to be loved. I am so grateful there was absoloutly zero romance between Ceran and Zor, this book really did not need a love triange. Prince Teran is the prince of every little
princesses dreams. He is kind and caring and fearce solidier that heads the Kings gaurd. He is the very opposite of his brother. Despite all of his brothers cruelty he still cares deeply for his wellbeing and longs to protect him.
I don't know why more people are not talking about this book and I would recommend it for any fans of YA fantasy especially if you are a fan of Red Queen! - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book was a fun, airy story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Mara was brilliant in her writing, however the plot was a bit simplistic. I’m excited for the next book in the series!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This was alright. I felt it was missing something. I didn’t think that the conflict was convincing enough to cause all the characters to make the decisions they made in this book. I liked most of the characters and also the dynamic between Nar and Talin but I doubt I’ll continue on with this series.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It was wonderful story, full of amazing world and great characters! I love the main romance but I love the beautiful relationship between the sisters.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I can’t wait for the second book to come out. Was actually disappointed to learn I’d have to wait!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Interesting plot twists that will keep you captivated. Looking forward to see what happens next!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I was't expecting to like this as much as I did, but I loved it! Can't wait for the sequel!! I really want to see more Nor and Talin moments!!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The book was well written, but the plot was quite simple. It was easy to predict the next thing to happen. There was no character development either. The book was kind of divided into ‘good’ and ‘bad’ characters throughout the book.
I also didn’t like the way narrator voiced out the male characters’ parts-it made me hate every male in the book.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Crown of Coral and Pearl is a 2021 Lone Star novel. It's the first in a series.Zadie and Nor, identical twins, feel destined to marry royalty. The people of Varenia have sent one daughter to marry the prince of Ilara for centuries. The girl is never seen again, but it must be wonderful to live on land, have food, be treated like royalty, and see more of the world! In Varenia, the people live difficult lives. They have no land--they live on stilted houses above the ocean. They had no fresh water and must sell the pearls they dive for and the fish they catch to buy water and food. There are now fewer pearls and the water has been overfished. They are hungry and the people of Ilara pay less than market value for the pearls. The people of Varenia are going hungry. This agreement between Ilara, their mother country, and Varenia, should provide more stability by having someone advocate for them. The committee selects the most beautiful girl in Varenia for the marriage. The people expect their girls to do everything to remain beautiful--be careful of the sun, which is difficult when you live on the water, and stay completely unblemished. No one is more beautiful than Zadie and Nor except Nor has a small scar from an accident that distinguishes them. Her mother blames her for failing to keep herself unharmed, but Nor is strong and capable and probably keeps the family from starving. She can hold her breath for a really long time while diving for pearls and can handle herself if a crisis arises. Nor possesses capabilities beyond most. She's strong and capable and heals really fast. Everyone knows Zadie will be selected, but Zadie loves their best friend. When Zadie experiences a life-threatening event, Nor is sent in Zadie's place as Zadie.Nor desires the world. She wants to see what's out there but would never take anything from Zadie. She agrees to go in Zadie's place. There are many surprises --from the truth about the women who marry into the royal family-- to what is happening with the pearls-- to what's going on politically between Ilara and her neighboring countries, as well as the royal family itself.I'll be honest. The book was fairly interesting, but the end was super rushed. The book went into warp speed and it was over. I looked up to see if this was a series because I couldn't tell. The book could have ended. It also could have a sequel to deal with the loose ends. I never felt the romance was true; in fact, I don't trust anyone. Am I taking all that's said by the characters and believing it? I feel there must be more--more depth, more cleverness, more something. It's a nice distraction for an afternoon.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Crown of Coral & Pearl by Mara Rutherford is a darkly magical tale about the bonds of sisterhood, and the depths one can fall into obsession. In Varenia, girl children are raised to be beautiful. It becomes their sole focus (and soul focus too). Once a generation, one Varenian woman is chosen to be the bride of the Ilarean prince, a tradition heralding back centuries, when a princess named Ilara was drowned with her forbidden lover. The Varenians have made their home over the fabled location of the wreckage, living in stilted houses and traveling by boat. It's time again for the Choosing, and twins Nor and Zadie are taking part, having been primed for this day their whole lives. Zadie is the favoured to be chosen, and when the day comes, she is indeed picked. But this is not the life she wants. In a bid to stay with the one she truly loves, Zadie takes drastic measures that leave her scarred and nearly kill her. Nor is sent in her place, being her identical twin and all, with an ointment to hide the tiny scar on her face. This is a good thing The Ilarean court, and the cold and cruel Prince Ceren would have crushed Zadie's gentle spirit. Nor, on the other hand, quickly realises things are not at all what they seem here in Ilara, and begins to take steps to help her people. This was a wonderful read! I really enjoyed the depth to Varenia, and even to Ilara. Both cultures were equally fascinating to my anthropologist's soul. I resonated with all of the main characters. Yes, even Ceren. He may be cruel and cold, but you learn exactly why, and it's heartbreaking. All that lost potential turned to obsession. Zadie and Nor are raised to attain a prize neither really want. It's their mother's obsession, after she was denied the crown in her generation's Choosing. In her mind, Nor's tiny scar, the lasting reminder of her love for Zadie, makes Nor the imperfect, lesser daughter. My heart bled for her when this was fully confirmed after Zadie's 'accident'. It's made her as strong and adaptable as the fathomless ocean itself. Zadie, too, has her own kind of strength. It took courage to do what she did, to take a stand for what she wanted. Talin was my favourite character though, by far! He's witty, and kind, and I love that he sees Nor for who she is, and isn't bothered by the tiny scar that so defined her Varenian life. Nor and Zadie's mother took me longer to accept. She proved her true priorities after Zadie's accident. The Varenian culture shaped her as much as it shaped her daughters, and she's chosen to hold fast to bitterness. That she believed Nor hurt Zadie in order to go to Ilara flabbergasted me. It's harsh to learn your parent only ever saw you as a means to an end. Overall, a highly recommended read!***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Harlequin TEEN/ Inkyard Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for FFBC Blog Tours
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I really enjoyed the idea of CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL when I read the blurb and had no trouble getting into the story. The storyline in book one of the Crown of Coral and Pearl series was unique. I really enjoyed the village that Nor lived in and I enjoyed learning about their days there. The bond between the sisters was strong and beautiful to watch. The land portion of the storyline wasn't my favorite location wise, but the pace did pick up some and a lot of danger was introduced. I felt like the romance between Talin and Nor fell short. I wanted more development between the two. Their connection at first was really strong, but felt like there was more development between Nor and Ceren and that kinda sucks as he was the bad guy.The ending didn't do much for me. Not a lot about it surprised me, it added more questions to other things I was waiting for answers too and just didn't feel like a smooth wrap up. Although I didn't totally fall in love with CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL I would still read more. I will be on the lookout for book two.* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.