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.
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