Set in a lushly drawn world inspired by Inquisition Spain, Zoraida Córdova’s fantasy is an epic tale of love and revenge perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir and Sarah J. Maas.As a memory thief, the rarest and most feared of the magical Moria, Renata was used by the crown to carry out the King’s Wrath, a siege that resulted in the deaths of thousands of her own people.Now Renata is one of the … Renata is one of the Whispers, rebel spies working against the crown. The Whispers may have rescued Renata years ago, but she cannot escape their mistrust and hatred—or the overpowering memories of the hundreds of souls she drained during her time in the palace.
When Dez, the commander of her unit—and the boy she’s grown to love—is taken captive by the notorious Principe Dorado, Renata must return to Andalucia and complete Dez’s top secret mission herself. But as Renata grows more deeply embedded in the politics of the royal court, she uncovers a secret in her past that could change the fate of the entire kingdom—and end the war that has cost her everything.
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OMG! This book was amazing!!!! Everything about this book drew me in, the characters, the worldbuilding, and the magic. Character development was a HUGEEE part of this book and I loved watching Renata grow into the confident person she is at the end of the book. I enjoyed the tempo of the book as well. It started with a BANG, slowed down to explain some things and then took off running. There were some plot twists towards the end that I wasn’t expecting and I truly enjoyed that. I can’t wait for the next one and luckily since I waited so long to read the first one (anyone else’s TBR out of hand) I can dive right into the next one.
Incendiary is the start of a new series by Zoraida Córdova, inspired by Inquisition Spain; this fantasy follows Renata as she struggles to face her past and find her identity.
Latinx Representation
Córdova is a talented writer, but what makes her stand out is her ability to imbue her storytelling with Latinx culture. As a Mexican reader, it only serves to make the story more engaging and thoughtful.
The reader can hear the Latinx culture in the names, the texture of the setting, and the tone of the world-building. Córdova makes it easy for the reader to draw comparisons between her story and the Spanish Inquisition. All anyone has to do is pick up a history book.
In this novel, the crown is hunting anyone who is a Moria, someone who has magical abilities. However, if the crown comes across a Moria they deem helpful to them, they keep them alive, which is what they did to Renata as a child. Kidnapped her, brainwashed her, spoiled her, and used her abilities to turn people into living husks as she steals away their memories.
It is an intense story that follows Renata through turbulent and emotional times. Incendiary is a high-stakes novel with excellent rising tension from beginning to end. It has the depth to challenge and engage the reader to think as Renata struggles through the lies and secrets to face evil men and corrupt governments.
Excellent Characterization
Renata drives Incendiary forward as she comes to grips with her past. Although the Whispers, a group of rebels working against the crown, saved her, she is still not trusted. It makes the reader feel for her because she was a child who had no idea what her power was doing, and yet, her power is what makes her feared from all sides.
Growing up surrounded by hatred, mistrust, and grief for the pain she has caused makes Renata put up this wall around her. She is an easy character to sympathize with because she only seeks to bring down the crown, even if it means sacrificing herself.
Her gift of memory stealing also creates much tension in the story as well. For Renata, the memories go towards her, living forever within her. Renata has never been sure of who she is because she has all these memories that are not hers swimming around her head. So it forces the story to be as much about rebellion and the fight for equality as it is about Renata struggling to find her identity. However, her past is filled with so many lies and secrets that it is not an easy journey.
Nevertheless, that makes it so compelling for the reader because it is unpredictable, and the reader understands and sympathizes with Renata.
Final Thoughts
Incendiary is an excellent start to a new series. The writing, world-building, characterization, and structure make the novel engaging from beginning to end.
That ending, I need more
I must confess that the begin of this was a little difficult to me, I wasn’t feeling it. But the moment that Ren return to the palace everything change. The story became much more interesting, fill with action, spying, twist and turns and great characters. Lady Nuria and Leo are a gold team. Sayada and Esteban have such a good heart. Margo, Margo why, why? Cassian? The biggest surprise.. Painted as the bad guy his story is slowly revealing through the book and at some point only poor Ren doesn’t realize who cassian truly is… Can’t wait to the rest of this story
Incendiary is the first book in the Hollow Crown series by Zoraida Cordova.
Renata is a Moira, people who have magic and her kind of magic is the most fear of all. She’s a Robari. Her magic can steal memories. Ren was just a child when she’s kidnapped by the King justice brought to the palace of Andalucia when her abilities will serve to steal from the royals enemies.
Years after when someone help her escaped the king, she’s one of the Whispers, Rebel spies that help Moira escape the kingdom. But the Whispers still don’t trust Ren, since this one help in the first place in the destruction that have kill thousand of their own. And the memories of people who she tooks all of it turning them Hollows, might overpowered her.
After Dez, the guy that help her and who she love is taking captive, Ren will do anything to rescue him. But the rescue attempts don’t go as plan and Ren will need to go back to the palace to finish Dez mission. Can she still convince the Prince that she still loyal to the royal even if she wants nothing more then revenge. She will also uncover something about her past that she have long forgotten…
I have love this book and looking foward to the sequel.
A fast paced fantasy with wonderful characters that will leave you heartbroken several times over, but still you won’t be able to put it down.
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 rare. Ren is a Robari, meaning she has the ability to steal memories from anyone, in part or in whole. If all are taken, the person becomes a Hollow. When Ren was young, the King stole her and weaponized her. She has been used for terrible deeds her entire life. Fortunately, the Whispers, a band of Moria rebels, rescue Ren. Even among her own people, however, Ren is adrift. No one trusts her because of her past. First a weapon, and now, an outsider, Ren has no place in the world and doesn’t know who she is. Ren’s own memories are muddled with memories stolen, so she lacks an anchor to tie her to her roots. Slowly, Ren remembers and pieces together her life. This girl is powerful and dangerous, but unwanted and despised for things beyond control. Ren changes as she recalls, and her confidence grows, as well as her self reliance. When a mission goes south, Ren must infiltrate the very place from which she was rescued. How will returning affect Ren? Make her stronger or tear her down? No matter what transpires, Ren must hold tightly to her true self and own every aspect of her being, else all may be lost. This story is absolutely amazing in every way. Cordova has crafted a world of magic and evil at odds. The characters could step out of the book into reality because they are so, well, real. Ren, raw with emotion, tears at your heart in so many ways, and I loved her. Incendiary is a favorite of mine this year, and I encourage everyone to read it, even if you aren’t a fan of ya fantasy, etc. because it’s awesome.