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For generations, the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia have been chosen as the brides of the princes of Ilara. Nor once dreamed of being chosen as the next princess and seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty beyond her tiny floating village, but when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, her dream became an impossibility. Instead, her identical twin sister, Zadie, is chosen to marry the Crown Prince, leaving Nor behind and unable to ever set foot on land.
However, when Zadie is gravely injured, Nor is sent to Ilara in her place — hiding her scar and answering to her sister’s name. Being betrothed to a prince and living on land is nothing like Nor imagined, though. Her future husband, Prince Ceren, is foreboding and cold, and the castle where she is forced to live is carved into the mountain and devoid of sunlight. Even more unsettling, Nor begins to uncover startling truths about the failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen, and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.
Crown of Coral and Pearl offers readers an interesting view into a world where an entire village floats upon the water and its people are cursed to never set foot on land. I loved how the author delves into the two dissecting worlds of land and ocean, tying them together with an interesting history — part truth and part fable — and how bizarre it is for Nor when those two worlds finally meet.
The idea of choosing “the most beautiful bride” is not unheard of. And while at first I was unsettled by the idea of an entire culture that is shaped and defined by this event and how it is emphasized that a woman’s worth is defined by her appearance, it also addresses the harmful effects of this notion. It turns members of a society against each other and makes them shallow and bitter. It can even be seen in Nor and her sister’s relationship with their mother.
Overall, this fantasy young adult book does a great job portraying the unconditional love of these twin sisters, despite their opposing personalities and wants. I found it to be an enjoyable read with enough scheming and veiled mysteries to keep my attention until the very end.
Rated: Moderate. There are fewer than five uses of mild language and one use of moderate language. Violence is a large part of the story and at times can be vicious or gory. Nor endures a bloody battle with an underground monster, a man is killed with a poisoned blade, a character is forced to bleed for experiments, and a woman is condemned to death and pushed from a great height. Nor also experiences a great deal of physical and emotional abuse. Sexual content mainly includes inappropriate touching that leaves the main character uncomfortable. Her betrothed touches her on the chest, claiming it isn’t scandalous since they will soon be married. A girl is patted down by prison guards, who focus heavily on her breasts and hips. There is mention of a woman being made the king’s mistress. Characters kiss.
