Illusionary

There is something familiar and warming to this series. It’s like picking up an old favourite despite the fact you’re reading it for the first time. Completely effortless and able to read them in a matter of hours. I will miss this series but looking forward to going back to them for a reread in the future. Also the epilogue was a great touch!

Illusionary is the sequel to Incendiary and follows Ren and her allies on their quest across Puerto Leones as they try to save everyone.

Ren's character development was incredible, she learned to deal with her trauma and trust her allies so that she could grow to accept herself and find comfort with her new found family. All of the other characters got great development too and I was very happy with how the romance played out!

The plot was amazing, I was so interested throughout and couldn't put it down! I can't say much without spoiling anything but we get to better understand what the Moria can do and learn about the world's history, which I loved! I've come to care so much about the characters and they all got the perfect ending!

Overall it was a very satisfying and enjoyable sequel!

“Once I was a rebel, one of the Whispers. Now I am just a traitor.”

In this thrilling conclusion to the Hollow Crown duology, Our favourite Robári embarks on a dangerous voyage, teaming up with one of her greatest enemies to find the mythical knife of memory.They plan to bring justice to the kingdom and end the reign of tyranny,once and for all.

A truly breathtaking sequel to Incendiary, with all the action,adventure and romance of a cinematic fantasy. Someone NEEDS to adapt this series, movie or tv show, make it happen!

I loved the expanded world-building here, where we get to explore outside of Puerto Leones (a kingdom seemingly inspired by inquisition era Spain, which hunts the magic wielding Moria) and gives us a glimpse at the different cultures (and customs) that exist outside of Puerto Leones.

We’re also introduced to several new (and incredibly interesting) characters and even more startling secrets! Honestly, after Incendiary’s ending I didn’t think Zoraida Córdova could top the drama that unfolded. But,I’m absolutely glad she did.

Likewise,the complexity of Renata as a character and how she deals with the physical and emotional upheaval she experiences, is brilliantly written and the tension between her and Prince Castian is swoon-worthy. I loved how their relationship develops, and how much Castian has grown on me.

I also loved how much more action packed illusionary was to incendiary, which was very heavy in court intrigue and subterfuge. I got huge Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo vibes and I’m HERE for it.

Overall. a really enjoyable YA Fantasy with magic, adventure and romance (and even a little high seas hijinx). If you enjoy YA Fantasy, are looking for more diversity in fiction and love Leigh Bardugo or Sarah.J Maas then I suggest you check this (and The first book Incendiary) out.

And lastly a huge thank you to Hodder&Stoughton and Net Galley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed Incendiary, but Illusionary took the story to another level. The combination of adventure and romance hooked me. I'll be daydreaming about this book for a long time to come!

This is one of the most under-rated YA duologies and deserves so much more love. <i>Illusionary</i> begins two weeks after the events of <i>Incendiary</i> and had me invested from the very first page. The relationship between Ren and Castian was beautifully developed and felt so authentic. The world-building is expanded even further and the reader is introduced to new characters and settings that combine to create a richly detailed and layered story.

Ren's journey was my favourite aspect of this book as she learns to harness her powers and begin to process her trauma. She is a brilliantly complex character and one I'll miss reading about. I'm so grateful we were given an epilogue learning about how the characters fared - it was satisfying and rewarding. I knocked off half a star because one aspect of the ending seemed a bit too neat but otherwise I loved every page of this beautifully crafted fantasy.

“The way he touched her, like he was learning how to recognize her with his eyes closed.”
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How can you review a book that left you in tears and made you stay up till 1 a.m. to finish?! I still don’t know. Let me tell that I enjoyed it far more than the first one and I’ve been able to feel a stronger connection with the characters, especially with Castian that is far more present than in Incendiary. I mean, this book has the best trope ever: From friends to enemies to lovers, how an incredible journey life can be sometimes. I really loved how the story evolved and how Renata has been able to find herself among all the memories that belonged to other people. Her gift to steal memories can be used both as a weapon and as a gift to erase sorrow, but it can really be scary. Nonetheless Castian is the only one that always sees her as she really is, even when they hate each other. He is the only one that can make her remember what and who she is, even when she can’t, and the way their relationship is described is so magical and beautiful! Renata’s willingness to clean her conscience and be ready to fight and sacrifice is so admirable.. and that ending.. it really broke me. I hope there’ll be space to see more about this incredible world, even a prequel about the king’s life before the throne would be absolutely thrilling. Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the early e-copy.

Renata and Castian are looking for Dez and the Knife of Memory. The Gray, where her stolen memories are stored is falling apart, trying to take her and reality with it. Meanwhile, war is brewing and our heroes seem to be caught in the middle of it.

Enemies to allies with a lot of tension between them, Renata & Castian's bickering makes me smile. Actually, a lot of their interactions make me smile or feel so much. Cordova does emotion so well. It's like you can truly feel the aching of the main characters' hearts. I also cherish the blunt honesty of the dialogue. And their awesome companion that adds an amusing tone to their travels.

The author's lyrical writing caresses and envelops you in an inviting way and the narrative is so immersive, I get lost in this impressive world she has created. A bittersweet melancholy threads through it. A sense of foreboding permeates the atmosphere. Foreboding also laces the situation with the Gray and the danger it poses for Renata. But there is also optimism, and I revelled in the new knowledge acquired of the kingdom, the Moria, the past etc.

The book engages in themes of identity and how people perceive you and prejudice. How power and pain can change you for the better or for worse. Forgiveness of others and of yourself. The need to right wrongs.

Full of adventure and exhilarating action, and absolutely thrilling in its many surprises and shocking revelations (I literally put my palm on my chest like I could hold my heart due to one of them). Things get so crazy in the last chapters, making me read so fast I must have broken a record. There were parts where I actually pumped my fist in the air.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!

What a fantastic end to the duology.

The writing is just as captivating as book 1. The plot is just as fast paced. The characters just as intriguing. (Leo is my favourite, he’s so sassy and loveable). I loved to romance and how all the characters reacted to it along the way. I loved the plot twists. I yelled, I laughed, I shed happy tears and I am sad it’s now over.

This was truly a thrill to read.

If I could put my feelings in a jar every time I finish a book, Illusionary’s would be glowing.

This book was character development at its finest. Renata grows so much since the events of Incendiary, both emotionally and in regards to her power, and I loved seeing that progress. Not that I didn’t like her in the first book, but it’s always beautiful to see a character become a better version of themselves. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that she’s one of my new favorite YA heroines. (The fact that she has my brother’s name is an added bonus.) I also adored seeing more of Castian, who is a character I was already in love with from Incendiary despite we don’t see much of him. I say this all the time, but Zoraida Córdova is the only author who managed to make me fall in love with a character and a ship by only getting glimpses of him and by throwing clues at his real motives. I always thought that there was more to the Matahermano than what everyone knew and this sequel confirmed it. If the love was strong before, it’s made of adamantium steel now.

I do think I preferred the castle’s setting in Incendiary a little bit more than the journey we got in Illusionary, but I loved everything else so much more, which is saying something. One of my favorite aspects of the story was the characters. Renata, Castian and Leo are particularly close to my heart. I’m so happy that the author found a way to have Leo be an integral part of the plot in this book as well because I love him. Lady Nuria, who was one of my favorites from book one, reconfirms her badass queen status even though we see her less. And there’s also Dez. I didn’t much care for in the first book—not that he didn’t seem like a good character, but he didn’t click with me as Castian did—but I reevaluated him here. I’m weak for bromance, so when I saw Dez and Castian interacting…I was lost. The other aspect I loved of this book is, of course, the romance, which was superb. Sweet, epic, and hawt to the point that I wished this was a New Adult/Adult book so we could have more!

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an eARC through NetGalley. I feel so incredibly honored and happy to have been able to read one of my most anticipated sequels early, and I’m glad that this book surpassed my every expectation. I can officially confirm that the Hollow Crown duology is one of my favorite of all time. I’m hopeful that the epilogue served not only as a closure to the duology, but also as a hopeful door to a possible spin off series. I wouldn’t mind seeing that at all.

Illusionary was utter perfection.
Can that be my review?
I absolutely loved it.
Beautifully drawn characters, richly imagined world, clever magic system, or had it all. I’m super sad it’s over. Definitely welled up as I neared the end of the book. Highly recommended!

Heartfelt, inspiring and powerful. I have been so excited for the conclusion to this duology and I was right to be! I loved the character developments and where the plot went. It was such a satisfying conclusion.

Renata’s story and how she confronts her traumas, represented by the grey, to unearth her own identity; the one she chooses rather than the one she has been designated by others and internalised is really powerful. The way the storyline is mirrored on a societal level as well as an internal level is so clever! Confronting the erasure of integral memories/experiences both from Renata’s conciousness and the wider world’s and how the impact has prevented both the society and Renata from ever being able to move forward and recover is just so beautifully done. I am in awe. It’s so refreshing to see a rewarding recovery arc in a book!

This book must have been so difficult to write because there are so many things to resolve and so much ground to cover but it is so good! All of the characters are crafted so lovingly with depth and complexity. You’re encouraged to really question why everyone behaves the way they do and you grow to understand why. Really this book is a masterclass in self-discovery, empathy and understanding. I couldn’t put it down. Loved it.

I have been SO excited for this book! I loved Incendiary and we were left on such a cliffhanger that it’s felt like a long wait for Illusionary.

With the focus firmly on Ren and Cas in this book,  their character development was perfect. From sworn enemies to fighting feelings, they’re both on the run and running towards a new future. One where King Fernando will no longer rule. The only way forward is to find and retrieve the knife of memory, but that’s easier said than done and could come at a cost too great.

Even though the developing feelings between Ren and Cas formed the backbone of this book, it somehow didn’t turn it into a romance first, plot second, sequel and I was so glad. There was still enough action, twists and intrigue to make this a brilliant conclusion to the duology.  I loved that we got to venture into new parts of the world in Illusionary. The characters Ren and Cas met along the way were all interesting in their own ways, no matter how small a part they played in the overall story.

This is such a creative and thrilling series, I’m surprised it hasn’t received more hype. If you haven’t read Incendiary yet, go and find yourself a copy!

Fantastic conclusion to the series.

I was very eager to see where the story would go after the revelations from the end of Incendiary. This second book doesn’t have quite the level of twists and turns and backstabbing as the first - it feels a little more grown up and considered - but the action is top notch. Ren takes a lot of time coming into her own and wrestling with the different parts of Castian she knows and reconciling what she knows of him now with dark Prince she has hated. She also has to come to grips with her powers and her growing abilities as they go in search of the Knife of Memory.

Even as there are many adventures and escapades in their fight to defeat King Fernado - the focus in this book is on self discovery and self acceptance. Both Ren and Cas are tortured by the things they’ve done in the past and struggle to forgive themselves. The slow burn of their relationship is delicious and made even more painful by the spectre of Dez and what he means to both of them.

There are soo many different parts to this book with new characters and places and more world building as we learn more about the history of the Moira and their abilities. This is a fantastic YA duology and I’m sad it is over.