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. 

(This song so fits the beauty theme…)

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