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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
This is a fast paced story filled with political intrigue, fantasy, and family. I enjoyed the characters, and I found Varenia to be fascinating. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the romance. But, that's just my personal preference. Other than that, I thought it was pretty good. I would definitely read more from this author.
I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a fast paced story filled with political intrigue, fantasy, and family. I enjoyed the characters, and I found Varenia to be fascinating. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the romance. But, that's just my personal preference. Other than that, I thought it was pretty good. I would definitely read more from this author.
I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is part of a duology and I am looking forward to reading the completion of this story. I found the world and the characters interesting and engaging. I love what Rutherford is doing in the relationship between the natural world and humanity and the depth of commentary on our interdependence. There is an ecological as well as a social commentary being presented through an imaginative and complex world.
It was a quick and accessible read. Highly recommend.
It was a quick and accessible read. Highly recommend.
I am entirely enthralled and in love with this book. The surface of it seems shallow and demeaning to girls and women, and we do get to see both sides of this- but overall the characters recognize that beauty isn't necessarily a strength. The characters realize that their lives aren't their own because of the standards of beauty thrust upon them by their society. Refreshing to see imperfect heroines who admit it! We also see the shallowness and bitterness that imperfection brings to some in personalities that could be true to life.
The world that is built seems very interesting as well. I love the concept of the Blood Corals, the danger and the beauty of the sea being shown but not bashing us over the heads with it. The plot has a few minor twists and turns, nothing drastic but the voice of Nor is complicated and REAL. She yearns for more but is terrified of the prospect. She’s not a fearless and robust get-it-done revolutionary but a girl who wants more than her small village can give her and one with real stakes in the game of change.
My only complaint is the tropey-love at first sight triangle going on. While I was happy with the resolution it’s still something that felt like it could have been more developed. This book is worth a read regardless of this facet of the plot however.
The world that is built seems very interesting as well. I love the concept of the Blood Corals, the danger and the beauty of the sea being shown but not bashing us over the heads with it. The plot has a few minor twists and turns, nothing drastic but the voice of Nor is complicated and REAL. She yearns for more but is terrified of the prospect. She’s not a fearless and robust get-it-done revolutionary but a girl who wants more than her small village can give her and one with real stakes in the game of change.
My only complaint is the tropey-love at first sight triangle going on. While I was happy with the resolution it’s still something that felt like it could have been more developed. This book is worth a read regardless of this facet of the plot however.
I am entirely enthralled and in love with this book. The surface of it seems shallow and demeaning to girls and women, and we do get to see both sides of this- but overall the characters recognize that beauty isn't necessarily a strength. The characters realize that their lives aren't their own because of the standards of beauty thrust upon them by their society. Refreshing to see imperfect heroines who admit it! We also see the shallowness and bitterness that imperfection brings to some in personalities that could be true to life.
The world that is built seems very interesting as well. I love the concept of the Blood Corals, the danger and the beauty of the sea being shown but not bashing us over the heads with it. The plot has a few minor twists and turns, nothing drastic but the voice of Nor is complicated and REAL. She yearns for more but is terrified of the prospect. She’s not a fearless and robust get-it-done revolutionary but a girl who wants more than her small village can give her and one with real stakes in the game of change.
My only complaint is the tropey-love at first sight triangle going on. While I was happy with the resolution it’s still something that felt like it could have been more developed. This book is worth a read regardless of this facet of the plot however.
The world that is built seems very interesting as well. I love the concept of the Blood Corals, the danger and the beauty of the sea being shown but not bashing us over the heads with it. The plot has a few minor twists and turns, nothing drastic but the voice of Nor is complicated and REAL. She yearns for more but is terrified of the prospect. She’s not a fearless and robust get-it-done revolutionary but a girl who wants more than her small village can give her and one with real stakes in the game of change.
My only complaint is the tropey-love at first sight triangle going on. While I was happy with the resolution it’s still something that felt like it could have been more developed. This book is worth a read regardless of this facet of the plot however.
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut by Mara Rutherford that was much different than the majority of young adult storylines regarding royalty. It kind of reminded me of Red Queen (without the fantasy element) mixed with The Selection (without a major competition since we know who will be selected to marry the prince). The bond between twins Nor and Zadie was unbreakable and more than once, Nor showed how much she was willing to sacrifice for the benefit of her sister. Prince Ceren was the definition of a psychopath and Talin was fun to read, though he wasn’t featured much. Despite a few interactions, there was instant love between Nor and Talin (from the moment they first saw each other) and that was a major weakness in the story, especially since they barely interacted. The twists were predictable but overall the story was a fresh read highlighting a strong girl who would do anything to save her family and country.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I am looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I am looking forward to the next installment.
I thought this was fine? This is a book where the description is literally what happens. There aren't any twists or turns, you know who is evil and who is the love interest and there's nothing surprising about it.
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“Without your beauty, you are nothing . That’s all any of us are—bodies to cook food and bear children.” … Beauty is power , Mother had told us time and time again, until the words rang as true as the sky is blue and water is wet. I didn’t want to believe that a woman’s worth was entirely defined by her appearance. But there was a small, nagging voice in my head that asked, What if Mother was right?”
“Those who have never known pain or adversity are as shallow as the waves lapping on the shore…What lies beneath the surface of shallow waters? Nothing. It’s only when you go deeper that the ocean comes alive. The deeper you go, the more mysteries and surprises that await.”
I wanted to start with those 2 quotes, because they capture so perfectly the undercurrent message of defining real beauty vs real power. These are teachings given to the protagonist, Nor, from both her parents. Both emphasize one’s value vs. nothingness, but they are polar opposite views. Nor is the twin sister of Zadie and both are highly beautiful, which is fortunate that such beauty is praised on their island. The island has a tradition that the most beautiful women is chosen every 20 (or so) years to become the queen of the ruling kingdom, Varenia, which resides across the sea. However, due to an accident in their childhood, Nor is has a scar across a cheek that has not only defined her but disqualified her from a momentous future. Zadie—like an unblemished pearl—is thought to become the next chosen one to be queen.
What I really loved about this book was the intimate turmoil of Nor. She is loyal and loving. She is headstrong and often fearless. She yearns to be free of societal bonds restricting her. She sees herself as not beautiful since she is blemished.
“I’m the perfect seashell you pick up from the ocean floor, only to turn it over in your hand and see the crack. I’m the fabric with the tear in the seam that you give back to the trader and demand first quality. As far as everyone in Varenia is concerned, I’m you, only ruined.”
Yet the reader can appreciate her powerful qualities, which save her life and others many times throughout the book. After another incident, Nor is chosen to take the place of Zadie to a kingdom that isn’t the fairy tale story she has been taught. Her bethrothed is cruel and calculating. The kingdom is dark and dreary. There are fine lines to be drawn and hints of murder of previous brides.
I’ll admit I was really hesitant to read another YA with a crown on the cover. I feel like this subject has been overdone lately, but I was pleasantly surprised. It had all the right YA parts: intrigue and mystery, bright moments, sisterly love, love triangle, dark truths, etc. I would recommend this YA.
“Those who have never known pain or adversity are as shallow as the waves lapping on the shore…What lies beneath the surface of shallow waters? Nothing. It’s only when you go deeper that the ocean comes alive. The deeper you go, the more mysteries and surprises that await.”
I wanted to start with those 2 quotes, because they capture so perfectly the undercurrent message of defining real beauty vs real power. These are teachings given to the protagonist, Nor, from both her parents. Both emphasize one’s value vs. nothingness, but they are polar opposite views. Nor is the twin sister of Zadie and both are highly beautiful, which is fortunate that such beauty is praised on their island. The island has a tradition that the most beautiful women is chosen every 20 (or so) years to become the queen of the ruling kingdom, Varenia, which resides across the sea. However, due to an accident in their childhood, Nor is has a scar across a cheek that has not only defined her but disqualified her from a momentous future. Zadie—like an unblemished pearl—is thought to become the next chosen one to be queen.
What I really loved about this book was the intimate turmoil of Nor. She is loyal and loving. She is headstrong and often fearless. She yearns to be free of societal bonds restricting her. She sees herself as not beautiful since she is blemished.
“I’m the perfect seashell you pick up from the ocean floor, only to turn it over in your hand and see the crack. I’m the fabric with the tear in the seam that you give back to the trader and demand first quality. As far as everyone in Varenia is concerned, I’m you, only ruined.”
Yet the reader can appreciate her powerful qualities, which save her life and others many times throughout the book. After another incident, Nor is chosen to take the place of Zadie to a kingdom that isn’t the fairy tale story she has been taught. Her bethrothed is cruel and calculating. The kingdom is dark and dreary. There are fine lines to be drawn and hints of murder of previous brides.
I’ll admit I was really hesitant to read another YA with a crown on the cover. I feel like this subject has been overdone lately, but I was pleasantly surprised. It had all the right YA parts: intrigue and mystery, bright moments, sisterly love, love triangle, dark truths, etc. I would recommend this YA.
I give this a 2.5 stars. It was entertaining and kept me hooked to the story. But the ending kind of falls a part and the characters are mostly flat. This book is more juvenile than I tend to read so I can forgive some of the poor character and plot development, but the protagonist, Nar, keeps making poor and inconsistent decisions that drive me batty. I think the relationship between her and Ceren was far more interesting than her and Talin. I would have liked to see Ceren be a reformed baddie and he and Nar have the love story.