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!

This is the sequel and finale to Incendiary by Zoraida Cordova, which was one of my favourite reads of 2020.

Illusionary picks up right where we left off, with Castian and Renata on the run and in search of a weapon with the power to bring down the oppressive regime under King Fernando.

Overall thoughts:
A satisfying conclusion to a unique YA fantasy book that sheds a light on a new culture, loosely inspired by the Spanish Inquisition. If you're after a strong female protagonist who is flawed and fighting her own battles both internally and externally, then this is for you. If you want a refreshing fantasy that is inspired by a different culture, this is for you. If you want secondary characters who you adore and root for, this is for you. Add a dash of found family trope and childhood to enemies to allies to lovers, you get this book.

We get to see more of the world created by Cordova in the sequel. Our protagonist Ren has adventures both in different lands and at sea and the way Cordova weaves words together to create an incredible image in your head is extraordinary. There is no excess of telling, in fact everything Ren sees, tastes and feels is shown to us and I was even tempted to try olive oil cake.

More of the mythology and lore that governs this world is also slowly revealed as well as the diverse customs and culture of the people, influenced by Latinx culture.

This book definitely has a lot more going on in terms of plot. It was a gripping tale, fast paced and seeing familiar faces made me want to continue reading the book. My only criticism is that it was predictable at times, however an enjoyable read.

Review will go live on my blog closer to the release date. Check out my blog over at: https://www.deeslibrary.wordpress.com

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.

this book was one of my most anticipated books of the year, especially after reading and loving Incendiary last year. i had high expectations about this book and i can say that most of them were met. i think i prefer incendiary if we talk only about the plot, somehow a few chapters of this book felt a bit too stagnant, especially looking at the ending section that deserved a bit more depth. what really shines in this book are the characters. i loved them, more than the previous book. the relationship between the two protagonists is, in my opinion, well developed and not rushed. I love the friendship between our main characters, even when it was unexpected. and the new characters? there is one that i really adore, and I hope that in the future, i can read something more about her. maybe a prequel? a spinoff? i liked the ending, but, like i said, i think it deserved more time and more depth, regarding both the plot and the characters, to truly be that powerful ending that this duology deserved, but aside from that, it's a good conclusion.

I remember finishing Incendiary and feeling a little bereft at leaving the world of Ren and the whispers, so I was really happy for the opportunity to review the e-arc of Illusionary in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton...even if my grateful acceptance also came with a fear that the conclusion to the Hollow Crown duology would fail me!

Was I right to be concerned? Hell NO!

In Illusionary we see the full circle of the friends to enemies to lovers trope, we follow Ren as she faces and teams up with enemies on a dangerous voyage to find the mythical knife of memory and end the King’s tyranny.

This sequel to Incendiary is seriously high octane stuff, overflowing with action, magic, adventure, pirates on the high seas and of course romance. Ren’s character growth and development is both significant and well written, she faces immense upheaval, physically, emotionally and magically...I haven’t even touched on the relationship between her and and Prince Castian, which definitely gave me certain fae relationship vibes!

I can’t not mention the world-building, Illusionary takes us beyond the limitations of Spanish Inquisition inspired Puerto Leones, to the high sea and lands unknown, plus new characters charge in with a host of secrets and stories, which all contribute to this action packed conclusion.

A great YA fantasy, that finished this duology with aplomb, but I must admit to being sad that it’s over!

“The way he touched her, like he was learning how to recognize her with his eyes closed.”
•
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.

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.

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!