Parents' Guide to

Crown of Coral and Pearl

By Mandie Caroll, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Exciting, well-paced royal fantasy marred by rushed ending.

Book Mara Rutherford Fantasy 2019
Crown of Coral and Pearl Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 1 parent review

johnambercox
johnambercox Parent of 13-year-old
March 16, 2023
age 16+

Language present!! This book is listed incorrectly.

Bad language is present. I was disappointed this website did not warn our family before we read this.

This title has:

Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL begins in tiny, tropical Varenia, a country built on stilts in the sea. Varenia is unable to feed its population, and oppressive Ilara has ruled over it for centuries. Varenia's culture revolves around the once-in-a generation selection of the most beautiful girl to be sent to Ilara to be the crown prince's bride. Zadie, who is selected by the elders to be betrothed to Prince Ceren of Ilara, is in love with the governor's son. She persuades Nor to go in her stead. Nor agrees, using a special cream to hide her scar. Nor, pretending to be Zadie, arrives in Ilara, meets the cold and pale prince, and quickly discovers that he plans to destroy Varenia by taking away their source of income: beautiful pink pearls they dive for and sell at market. She must figure out how to stop the prince before he hurts her family, but her romance with the Prince's half-brother, Talin, and the risk of Prince Ceren discovering her true identity (and goals) threaten to bring an end to everything she holds dear.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (7 ):

The world of the beautiful, sun-drenched Varenians and the pale, cave-castle dwelling Ilarean royalty is a mix of captivating contrasts, and the story itself is a well-paced delight. Nor, our admirable heroine, is bold, challenges ideals that confine her, and find courage in very dark circumstances. Prince Ceren is quite sinister, but his backstory explains the roots of his fear and desperation. Several secondary characters are interesting and add complexity without confusion to an already richly layered story.

Prince Talin, Ceren's half-brother and Nor's love interest, is, sadly the most tedious of the bunch. He is muscular and smashingly handsome, a strange choice in a book that otherwise emphasizes the dangers of valuing beauty over anything else. The romance between Nor and Talin has a promising start but goes from attraction to love too quickly to be believable. At the end, Talin unravels some of the book's mysteries in too-quick succession and throws in what should be a shocking plot twist, but it just feels brushed over. Overall, though, the interesting premise, immersive world, and strong pacing make this a fun page-turning read.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the various family obligations in Crown of Coral and Pearl. Is it ever OK to refuse to do what your family expects of you?

  • Talin falls in love with Nor at first sight. How true to life is this? What kind of love stories do you like the best?

  • How do you feel about stories where the protagonist is forced to do something terrible in order to survive? Was someone you know ever in that position? What did they do? How did they decide?

Book Details

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