Crown of Coral and Pearl

 For generations, Varenia has ruled Ilara.  Laws regulating Ilarans are strict.  They can never set foot on land, living out their lives in fishing villages on the water connected by docks.  This is supposedly punishment for a legendary romance gone wrong. The only prospect Ilarans have is harvesting pearls to sell at the market for food and supplies, but the price of these pearls is getting lower and so is the supply.

Only one girl in a generation will have the opportunity to leave Ilara, the girl who is chosen by the village as the most beautiful will marry the Varenian prince.  Nor and Zadie have always been in the running.  They are identical twins known for their beauty, and their mother has devoted her life to protecting their physical appearance.  

After a childhood accident, Nor is left with a small scar on her cheek.  Normally it wouldn't matter, but it's enough to take her out of the running to marry the prince.  Now the family's hope rest with Zadie, her gentler twin.  Nor has always dreamed of adventure.  She never really wanted to be the princess, but she wishes she had the option to explore.  

After Zadie is chosen as the princess, she is horribly injured.  The Varenians already know what she looks like; there is no real option to send someone else so Nor commits to leaving a life of secrets with makeup to hide her scar, she sets off to dry land for the first time in her life to marry the prince and never see her family again.

Her new home in Varenia is nothing like she imagined.  It's not a castle, but a fortress carved into a mountain.  It's dark and cold which is a complete shock to a girl who grew up under the sun.  Everyone at court has an agenda, and no one is to be trusted.  Then there's Prince Ceren.  She wants to give him the benefit of the doubt, but his cruel tendencies are immediately apparent, and Nor begins to wonder how she can ever hope to survive this life.  

It isn't just her own life she will need to protect.  She soon uncovers terrible truths about Varenia's plans for her people and what happens to Ilaren queens to get in the way.

She also feels drawn to the prince's older half brother, the son of the Ilaren queen who died when he was just a child.  He is loyal to his brother but also Ceren's opposite in many ways.  Nor knows she shouldn't indulge her feelings for Talin, but the more she learns about his brother, the less she can help herself.

Will she be able to save her people and herself from this monstrous world she's discovered?

Mara Rutherford has created an engaging fantasy world with plenty of intrigue and romance.  This is perfect for fans of The Red Queen and The Selection. The romance is a bit forced, but I really enjoyed the mysteries of the pearls and the blood coral and their magical properties.  

What Lane?

 

Stephen has a sudden realization one day when one of his Black friends accuses him of only hanging out with white kids.  He didn't realize it was happening, but now that he thinks about it, it seems to be true.  Stephen is biracial, and his best friend Dan is white.  He's also started noticing how people who don't know them treat the boys differently.  Store owners will reprimand Stephen and sometimes even kick him out while ignoring Dan who is doing the same thing.  

When Dan's cousin moves into the neighborhood, things start to change.  He says and does little things that make Stephen uncomfortable, but he isn't sure he should bring it up with Dan.  What if his best friend chooses family over friendship?

Chad also likes to dare the other kids to do dangerous and possibly illegal things.  Stephen knows that as the only person of color in the group, he will receive the harshest punishment if they are caught.  All this has him asking himself if this is his lane.  Is this the person he wants to be?

Torrey Maldonado's new book is a great pick for middle grade readers struggling to figure out how they fit into the world.  Biracial and Black readers will empathize with Stephen's struggles and celebrate his successes.  Recommended.

Bloom

 

Anaya has had terrible allergies for years, and they don't just make it difficult to breathe.  She also breaks out in terrible rashes and acne.  Being allergic to everything hasn't exactly endeared her to her classmates.  Her former best friend, Petra, also developed a serious childhood allergy; she's allergic to water.  Getting splashed by a classmate or caught in a rainstorm will blister her skin.  Every day is an exercise in avoidance.  But where Anaya's allergies have made her a pariah, beautiful Petra is treated like a delicate swan.

Seth has never had a real home or family.  He's always had to protect himself through a string of foster homes, some better than others, and some the absolute worst.  But now he finds himself on a farm living with a couple whose children have grown up and moved out.  For the first time, he is starting to feel like he belongs somewhere.

When a drenching downpour strikes their town, it doesn't seem unusual at first.  The next morning strange black plants begin sprouting everywhere, and it isn't long until they are choking out native plants and food alike.  A quick glance at the news reveals a worldwide problem that will soon lead to food shortages and panic.  As they continue to grow, the plants have a strange effect on people.  Everyone seems to have some sort of allergic reaction to them, everyone except Anaya, Petra, and Seth.  

While people around them are dying and suffering from the effects of these plants, they realize they are the only ones who can help.  But why is that the case?  What do they have in common, and will they be able to solve the mystery in time to save the world?

Kenneth Oppel's new series opener is a sci-fi/horror thriller that will keep you up at night.  Though not the same kind of pandemic we are facing now, there are some eerie similarities that might make this on a challenging read for some, but I think most readers will devour this one and eagerly anticipate the sequel.  Recommended!