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Incendiary
(Hollow Crown #1)
by
I am Renata Convida.
I have lived a hundred stolen lives.
Now I live my own.
Renata Convida was only a child when she was kidnapped by the King's Justice and brought to the luxurious palace of Andalucia. As a Robari, the rarest and most feared of the magical Moria, Renata's ability to steal memories from royal enemies enabled the King's Wrath, a siege that resulted in the dea ...more
I have lived a hundred stolen lives.
Now I live my own.
Renata Convida was only a child when she was kidnapped by the King's Justice and brought to the luxurious palace of Andalucia. As a Robari, the rarest and most feared of the magical Moria, Renata's ability to steal memories from royal enemies enabled the King's Wrath, a siege that resulted in the dea ...more
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Hardcover, 450 pages
Published
April 28th 2020
by Disney-Hyperion
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i believe this is a YA novel
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Start your review of Incendiary (Hollow Crown, #1)

this is a very read-worthy story, in the way that most YA fantasy books tend to be. but i am unconvinced that this offers anything new to the genre.
its quite tropetastic - a minority group with magical abilities is hunted/persecuted by the royalty in power, one girl has a unique and sought-after ability, a group of rebels seek to bring down the kingdom, the girl works to ruin those who rule from the inside, a prince who has secrets of his own, and a bunch of predictable little twists and turns ...more
its quite tropetastic - a minority group with magical abilities is hunted/persecuted by the royalty in power, one girl has a unique and sought-after ability, a group of rebels seek to bring down the kingdom, the girl works to ruin those who rule from the inside, a prince who has secrets of his own, and a bunch of predictable little twists and turns ...more

2.5 stars
One of ...more
Extra bonus BookTube Video is up - unboxing OwlCrate's Latest bookbox - plus a mini review of May's books - Incendiary and Witchy.
Full written review to come, but in the meantime, enjoy the book box pictures!
June's Reading Vlog Video is up! Click the link to see where this one ranks (along with all my other June books!
The Written Review![]()
“Crooked smiles for crooked hearts.”It came as no surprise when Renata was stolen. She may have been just a child but she was a Robari.
One of ...more

Loved the beginning and the rest was pretty good
Now I’m effing pissed!! I got my May Owlcrate today and it’s the same damn book as my April FairyLoot (everyone is behind due to covid, which is fine) and that’s two of the same books I’ve gotten from each the past two boxes. This doesn’t happen that I often, but I may have to cancel one or the other after all these years 😕

Well my April FairyLoot just got here and while I love the sprayed edges, I like the cover with the girl on it better! Of cours ...more
Now I’m effing pissed!! I got my May Owlcrate today and it’s the same damn book as my April FairyLoot (everyone is behind due to covid, which is fine) and that’s two of the same books I’ve gotten from each the past two boxes. This doesn’t happen that I often, but I may have to cancel one or the other after all these years 😕

Well my April FairyLoot just got here and while I love the sprayed edges, I like the cover with the girl on it better! Of cours ...more

This is not great but it is still good, original, captivating!
I truly cried liked a baby and maturely threw my remote controller against the wall and I cried more because I have no idea how to turn on the TV without it, after getting my rejection from the NetGalley for this book.
I looked at the beautiful cover and sniffed more as if I’m looking at the photo of unrequited lover. Nope, it was something more torturing like looking at the cases of selected wines’ photos and price lists when you ...more
I truly cried liked a baby and maturely threw my remote controller against the wall and I cried more because I have no idea how to turn on the TV without it, after getting my rejection from the NetGalley for this book.
I looked at the beautiful cover and sniffed more as if I’m looking at the photo of unrequited lover. Nope, it was something more torturing like looking at the cases of selected wines’ photos and price lists when you ...more

UPDATE 3/18/20
After much deliberation, we have decided to cancel the tour. Due to the CDC's recommendation to cancel or postpone events for 8 weeks, we don't want to risk the public safety of any reader. I'm so heartbroken to have to do this, but I hope that you still pre-order the book and share it! The book will still be published April 28th.
Love,
Zoraida
______
UPDATE 3/5/20
I'M GOING ON TOUR! I hope I get to see you at one of the stops.

_______
UPDATE 11/27/19:
We have ARCs! If you've like a ch ...more
After much deliberation, we have decided to cancel the tour. Due to the CDC's recommendation to cancel or postpone events for 8 weeks, we don't want to risk the public safety of any reader. I'm so heartbroken to have to do this, but I hope that you still pre-order the book and share it! The book will still be published April 28th.
Love,
Zoraida
______
UPDATE 3/5/20
I'M GOING ON TOUR! I hope I get to see you at one of the stops.

_______
UPDATE 11/27/19:
We have ARCs! If you've like a ch ...more

Renata Convida has a special type of magic. The kind that can rip your memories away. She can take a little: your first kiss, your biggest loss, the secret codes of a rebel army… Or she can take it all. Make you a ‘hollow’, nothing more than a shell of who you used to be. Ren is everyone’s nightmare. But now she works for the Whispers, renegades fighting against the persecution of those with magic, the Moria. Not an easy task when it emanates from the highest echelons of society. When her comman
...more

RATINGS: 4 STARS
Incendiary is set in Inquisition-era Spain where the royal family of Puerto Leones are recklessly determined to kill the magical people called Moria. Renata Convida, a memory thief, was kidnapped by the royals to help them kill her own people. After being free from the royal's cage, she works for the Whispers, a rebel group formed by Moria. When Dez, the leader of her unit gets kidnapped by Prince Castian, Renata has to enter royal palace to save him. Oh, I forgot to mention tha ...more
Incendiary is set in Inquisition-era Spain where the royal family of Puerto Leones are recklessly determined to kill the magical people called Moria. Renata Convida, a memory thief, was kidnapped by the royals to help them kill her own people. After being free from the royal's cage, she works for the Whispers, a rebel group formed by Moria. When Dez, the leader of her unit gets kidnapped by Prince Castian, Renata has to enter royal palace to save him. Oh, I forgot to mention tha ...more

I am a shadow. I am a drop of ink. Vengeance in the night. I am a Robari.
While this wasn’t the most original of fantasy books- a rebellion plot, it was unique in its own way.
Ren is a Robari and part of the Moira people- people who have “magical” abilities, whether this be persuading others emotions, illusions, mindreading or the most rare: the ability to steal memories. The Robari have the ability to steal memories and for this they are feared. Steal too many memories and a person is left to bec ...more
While this wasn’t the most original of fantasy books- a rebellion plot, it was unique in its own way.
Ren is a Robari and part of the Moira people- people who have “magical” abilities, whether this be persuading others emotions, illusions, mindreading or the most rare: the ability to steal memories. The Robari have the ability to steal memories and for this they are feared. Steal too many memories and a person is left to bec ...more

Actual Rating: ⭐⭐.5
Wow, I so called that.
I think I've gotten tired of the whole "MC is a rebel who goes undercover to help overthrow the evil tyrant on the throne." Not that I hate it or anything, but I've read too many of them—most of them I liked, but this one......eh.🤷♀️
I kinda hate how we got no new information from what we already knew in the synopsis until over halfway through the book. It pretty much made it hard to get through the beginning. It did start to get good from that point, ...more
Wow, I so called that.
I think I've gotten tired of the whole "MC is a rebel who goes undercover to help overthrow the evil tyrant on the throne." Not that I hate it or anything, but I've read too many of them—most of them I liked, but this one......eh.🤷♀️
I kinda hate how we got no new information from what we already knew in the synopsis until over halfway through the book. It pretty much made it hard to get through the beginning. It did start to get good from that point, ...more

“...loosely based on the Spain of the 15th century, reimagining the Inquisition...”
Assassin’s Creed anyone?


4.5 stars. Another YA fantasy that I very much enjoyed. It starts with a bang, slows a bit and then really ramps up with an unexpected murder about 10 chapters in, and from there it's pretty nonstop. The story was wonderfully plotted and has lots of great twists and turns that keeps the reader on their toes. The magic system was unique and the MC's power has some wonderful consequences and implications that had me thinking, well after I was done. The relationship between the MC and her "mentor"
...more

4.5 stars
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the magic system. It was heavily based on the senses and the mind which is not something I see often (most magic systems I ...more
Incendiary was an action-packed fantasy set in a world inspired by 15th century Spain, reimagining the Inquisition. While it had many of the tropes that are common in YA fantasy such as a main character with rare/ special powers it didn't feel boring or unoriginal to me and managed to make those common tropes exciting.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the magic system. It was heavily based on the senses and the mind which is not something I see often (most magic systems I ...more

May 19, 2020
❀ Alex ❀ (The Scribe Owl)
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to ❀ Alex ❀ (The Scribe Owl) by:
Deb
It wasn't that I didn't like this book. I did, for the most part. The problem was that it wasn't anything new. It was a little troupe heavy. There. Said it. This book was one massive troupe! I'm a little sick of the whole undercover rebel infiltration the royals thing at this point. I even see a love triangle coming in the next book!
I read the synopsis for a book before I read it. That's a normal thing. Then why do we not get any more information past the synopsis until halfway through the book ...more
I read the synopsis for a book before I read it. That's a normal thing. Then why do we not get any more information past the synopsis until halfway through the book ...more

Thank you Fantastic Flying Fiction Book Club and NetGalley for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Incendiary
Hollow Crown #1
By: Zoraida Córdova
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆☆
"I thank the goddess every day that the Whispers came for me. Who would I be if I had never left? A monster. A killer."
These words, spoken by Renata Convida, are at the heart of Incendiary. Ren is quite special because she is one of the Moria, those possessing magic, and her magic is rar ...more
Incendiary
Hollow Crown #1
By: Zoraida Córdova
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆☆
"I thank the goddess every day that the Whispers came for me. Who would I be if I had never left? A monster. A killer."
These words, spoken by Renata Convida, are at the heart of Incendiary. Ren is quite special because she is one of the Moria, those possessing magic, and her magic is rar ...more

Nov 29, 2019
Nilufer Ozmekik
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
can-t-wait-to-read
I already gave my votive offerings to the Ancient Gods and performed ritual dances when I lost my hope of request's acceptance from my Fairy God Mother NetGalley and Goodreads Giveaway campaigns! It's torturous to wait for the normal release date. I wish I had a soul to sale for early reading chance of this book!
And last minute update: I got rejection 🤦🏻♀️😰😰I should cancel my Disney Plus membership!! Oh, I am not member! Yes, that’s a relief!!!😂😂😂 ...more
And last minute update: I got rejection 🤦🏻♀️😰😰I should cancel my Disney Plus membership!! Oh, I am not member! Yes, that’s a relief!!!😂😂😂 ...more

Incendiary is the first instalment in the proposed Hollow Crown series and showcases Zoraida Cordova’s prowess in crafting compelling and richly-imagined young adult fantasy fiction. Set against the backdrop of fifteenth-century Spain during the Inquisition era we are introduced to Renata “Ren” Convida, a Robari who has the power to elicit memories from others with merely a touch leaving them a shell of their former selve. As a valid part of the Moria (those who possess magic) she is feared and
...more

Thank you to the publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a while to get into the book because not a lot was going on but the end is so fast paced that I burned through it. There were a lot of twists and while I was able to guess most of them, I stayed entertained. I also thought the magic with the use of memories and how that played out with the story was cool. That being said, I wish that the magic and world had been better explained ...more
It took me a while to get into the book because not a lot was going on but the end is so fast paced that I burned through it. There were a lot of twists and while I was able to guess most of them, I stayed entertained. I also thought the magic with the use of memories and how that played out with the story was cool. That being said, I wish that the magic and world had been better explained ...more

THIS REVIEW & MORE → Paws and Paperbacks
What is this book about? Incendiary is set in a world loosely based on the Spanish Inquisition in which the royal family of Puerto Leones seeks to find and kill all Moria–people possessing magical powers. Renata once lived and worked in the palace as a child, but was rescued and is now a part of the Whispers, Moria rebel spies working against the crown.
What did I like? One of my favorite aspects about this book was the worldbuilding. I really loved the Spa ...more
What is this book about? Incendiary is set in a world loosely based on the Spanish Inquisition in which the royal family of Puerto Leones seeks to find and kill all Moria–people possessing magical powers. Renata once lived and worked in the palace as a child, but was rescued and is now a part of the Whispers, Moria rebel spies working against the crown.
What did I like? One of my favorite aspects about this book was the worldbuilding. I really loved the Spa ...more

“this prince whose friendship made the palace a little less lonely for a moria girl. the prince whom i’ve spent half my life hating.”
3.5 stars. the plot of this book is SO good. also if i'm right this duology is serving childhood friends to strangers to enemies to lovers and i'm so here for it!!! #TeamCastian ...more


I am a shadow. I am a drop of ink. Vengeance in the night. I am a Robari.
Hello and welcome back to one of my reviews.
It hasn't been a long since the last time I wrote a review, but I have to say for me this is a very different moment, because for the first time in a very very long time, I went speechless and awestruck after I finished it.
First of all, when I discovered this book a few months ago (it wasn't still published), I was astonished by the cover of the book. Can we please talk about the ...more

May 02, 2020
Angelica
marked it as to-read
I'm hoping and wishing and praying that this is a five star novel
...more

Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Nathalie DeFelice
This story is beautifully written, and will intrigue you long after you finish the last page. Zoraida Córdova has certainly woven some magic here, with charmingly frustrating characters, some serious romantic tension, and so much danger. Rife with betrayal, you’re constantly on your toes to see who’s going to betray who because it’s always the ones you least expect you plunge the dagger deepest. This story was certainly thrillin ...more
This story is beautifully written, and will intrigue you long after you finish the last page. Zoraida Córdova has certainly woven some magic here, with charmingly frustrating characters, some serious romantic tension, and so much danger. Rife with betrayal, you’re constantly on your toes to see who’s going to betray who because it’s always the ones you least expect you plunge the dagger deepest. This story was certainly thrillin ...more

4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/06/07/...
There is a dark vibe to this that is hard to describe, but I found it pleasantly surprising and it also made the story that much more poignant and gripping. Incendiary by YA author Zoraida Córdova is the first installment of a planned duology which takes place in Puerto Leones, a fantasy world loosely based on Inquisition-era Spain. King Fernando has declared all Moria, or individuals gifted with magical abilities, as a bl ...more
There is a dark vibe to this that is hard to describe, but I found it pleasantly surprising and it also made the story that much more poignant and gripping. Incendiary by YA author Zoraida Córdova is the first installment of a planned duology which takes place in Puerto Leones, a fantasy world loosely based on Inquisition-era Spain. King Fernando has declared all Moria, or individuals gifted with magical abilities, as a bl ...more

You know the problem when you read a book that you loved is that you have no idea how to put all your thoughts in words and make a proper order and specially a proper review.
To start with the writting style, I think if you start reading this book you’d be consumed by it automatically because it’s so good, I missed enjoying reading absolutely every single detail in a book. I think the book itself has a great storyline with a few plot twists that you won’t expect AT ALL and the characters, serious ...more
To start with the writting style, I think if you start reading this book you’d be consumed by it automatically because it’s so good, I missed enjoying reading absolutely every single detail in a book. I think the book itself has a great storyline with a few plot twists that you won’t expect AT ALL and the characters, serious ...more

My first Zoraida Córdova book, one I've been eagerly anticipating, and it did not disappoint for a second. Also, how on earth was this my first Zoraida Córdova book?!
Full review at Write Read Repeat. Blog tour and giveaway!
From the first page this was a phenomenal story! The plot is intriguing and cleverly unravelled. The world-building and the set-up of the story in the first 50 pages is just beautifully done. I am so in awe of this book and Córdova skill as a story teller! This is inspired by ...more
Full review at Write Read Repeat. Blog tour and giveaway!
From the first page this was a phenomenal story! The plot is intriguing and cleverly unravelled. The world-building and the set-up of the story in the first 50 pages is just beautifully done. I am so in awe of this book and Córdova skill as a story teller! This is inspired by ...more

April 11, 2020: Sometimes you anticipate a book so much, you're sure it'll get all your stars but then you read it and unfortunately, it gets the most average rating so now you simply wanna die cry. I won't say this doesn't have an interesting world or magics or a great writing but it definitely did not bring any character to life, for me, and that's a sure disappointment. The only two characters I found interesting got the least screen page time and I'll be reading the sequel for them. Full rev
...more

3.75* Of course the first fantasy I've read in months that's left me desperately needing more , is the one fantasy I have to wait over a year to even get close to getting my hands on book two but THAT ENDING. I just... AHH.
This book took me a while to get through (as per usual with me and fantasy) and I did find it to be a little too lengthy (again, probably just because as much as I love the genre, I find fantasy hard work). However, the story intrigued me from the get go and honestly, after th ...more
This book took me a while to get through (as per usual with me and fantasy) and I did find it to be a little too lengthy (again, probably just because as much as I love the genre, I find fantasy hard work). However, the story intrigued me from the get go and honestly, after th ...more

this sounds wicked af and I’m so excited because “inspired by Inquisition-era Spain” HELLO TAKE MY MONEY??? Also I’ve been dying to start reading something by this author for agessss so I’m v excited
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Zoraida Córdova is the author of many fantasy novels for kids and teens, including the award-winning Brooklyn Brujas series, Incendiary, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: A Crash of Fate. Her short fiction has appeared in the New York Times bestselling anthology Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View, Star Wars The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark, Come on In: 15 Stories About Immigration and Fi
...more
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“Breakable. No matter who we are we are breakable.”
—
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“Crooked smiles for crooked hearts.”
—
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