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nssutton's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the episode of Fated Mates Córdova’s was on and was like I should read some of her books… only to discover this was already on my Kindle and her newest book had been one of my BOTM picks. Face palm!
But I struggled to get through this one, going so far as to borrow the print copy from the library to see if it was just a format issue. There was one part that made me gasp out loud, it was so clever, and I saw the twist revealed forward the end coming from so far away but I couldn’t get into any of it and what a bummer that was.
But I struggled to get through this one, going so far as to borrow the print copy from the library to see if it was just a format issue. There was one part that made me gasp out loud, it was so clever, and I saw the twist revealed forward the end coming from so far away but I couldn’t get into any of it and what a bummer that was.
maddy_eich's review against another edition
3.0
This has all the ingredients to be a book I really liked, but it was just a bit flat to me.
This book has all the standard tropes of YA fantasy: super special powers girlinka, she’s part of the rebellion, she has a hot rebel bf, etc. It’s giving very Katniss and Gale. But then there’s also the trapped in the palace with the evil king, she doesn’t know who to trust, except obviously her personal attendant cause the maid is always an ally, etc tropes. And we can NOT forget the sexy prince who seems evil but maybe has some secrets? Literally every single trope, and I love a tropey book, but it didn’t give me the satisfying good content that I expect from a book like that!
It’s the first YA book I’ve read all year, and maybe the YA style just wasn’t working for me after a string of great adult fantasy books. I don’t really know!
This book has all the standard tropes of YA fantasy: super special powers girlinka, she’s part of the rebellion, she has a hot rebel bf, etc. It’s giving very Katniss and Gale. But then there’s also the trapped in the palace with the evil king, she doesn’t know who to trust, except obviously her personal attendant cause the maid is always an ally, etc tropes. And we can NOT forget the sexy prince who seems evil but maybe has some secrets? Literally every single trope, and I love a tropey book, but it didn’t give me the satisfying good content that I expect from a book like that!
It’s the first YA book I’ve read all year, and maybe the YA style just wasn’t working for me after a string of great adult fantasy books. I don’t really know!
ashleynoelle's review against another edition
3.0
There were things I loved here...and things I didn't. So here I am with my middle of the road feelings.
The concept and setting here, really tried to hold me captive...and I think they could have, if the pacing wasn't so freaking slow!!!!! I love the world building and the era this world is inspired by. The magic system is pretty cool too, but I wish we got more details about it. Like, why can Renata steal memories while others can create illusions and manipulate emotions...who get's which power and how?
My other issue was predictability. I saw the "twists" coming from the beginning and I know this is YA so maybe it is just me or whatever, but I still like it when the author can shock me and throw something at me that I'm unprepared for.
The concept and setting here, really tried to hold me captive...and I think they could have, if the pacing wasn't so freaking slow!!!!! I love the world building and the era this world is inspired by. The magic system is pretty cool too, but I wish we got more details about it. Like, why can Renata steal memories while others can create illusions and manipulate emotions...who get's which power and how?
My other issue was predictability. I saw the "twists" coming from the beginning and I know this is YA so maybe it is just me or whatever, but I still like it when the author can shock me and throw something at me that I'm unprepared for.
cunningempress's review
5.0
This one's going to the 'favorites' -shelf...
I don't want to tell you too much about this because I don't want to spoil anything. But it was really good.
I liked the writing style (you can take this with a grain of salt, English is my 2nd language).
And I liked the main character, she kinda reminds me of Adelina from Young Elites (if you haven't read those books either, you should). Also, the other characters are all so interesting, partly because you always have to look out for spies and worry about their motives.
This was fast paced as well and this has some of my favorite tropes but I'm not gonna tell you what those are. Just when you think it's about to get boring, something new happens.
I need the second book RIGHT NOW!
I don't want to tell you too much about this because I don't want to spoil anything. But it was really good.
I liked the writing style (you can take this with a grain of salt, English is my 2nd language).
And I liked the main character, she kinda reminds me of Adelina from Young Elites (if you haven't read those books either, you should). Also, the other characters are all so interesting, partly because you always have to look out for spies and worry about their motives.
This was fast paced as well and this has some of my favorite tropes but I'm not gonna tell you what those are. Just when you think it's about to get boring, something new happens.
I need the second book RIGHT NOW!
jennsutherland's review against another edition
5.0
Every book Zoraida Cordova writes is a beautiful, intense journey, and Incendiary was no different. The twists and turns are unexpected, and the strength of Ren to adapt to all the abuses life has thrown at her is remarkable. Can't wait to read book 2!
zoraidasolo's review against another edition
5.0
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 chance at a copy request via Netgalley or Edelweiss if you're a librarian/bookseller.
________
UPDATE 9/8/19:
The cover will be revealed 9/9/19 on B&N teen blog!
_____
I haven't talked about this book enough. We now have an official date April 28th, 2020! A *fiery* cover is coming soon ;)
If you've been waiting and watching, just know that I've been working on it for the last two years. We sold it in 2017 and it has been a journey in the best way. Sometimes when you start with one idea, it evolves and changes until you have something you're completely proud of. This is definitely more violent than any of the books you might be used to from me, so if you're sensitive to that, heads up! The violence reflects the world Ren grew up in. While it's a departure from my Brooklyn Bruja books, I hope you recognize my voice.
Ren and the Kingdom of Puerto Leones are in my heart now and I can't wait for you to meet her.
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 chance at a copy request via Netgalley or Edelweiss if you're a librarian/bookseller.
________
UPDATE 9/8/19:
The cover will be revealed 9/9/19 on B&N teen blog!
_____
I haven't talked about this book enough. We now have an official date April 28th, 2020! A *fiery* cover is coming soon ;)
If you've been waiting and watching, just know that I've been working on it for the last two years. We sold it in 2017 and it has been a journey in the best way. Sometimes when you start with one idea, it evolves and changes until you have something you're completely proud of. This is definitely more violent than any of the books you might be used to from me, so if you're sensitive to that, heads up! The violence reflects the world Ren grew up in. While it's a departure from my Brooklyn Bruja books, I hope you recognize my voice.
Ren and the Kingdom of Puerto Leones are in my heart now and I can't wait for you to meet her.
caylieratzlaff's review against another edition
4.0
I went from thinking about DNF to finishing it....I want the sequel. THE TROPES. THE TURNS. extremely slow start though.
goodyreads's review against another edition
3.0
To see my full review, plus many more, check out my blog by clicking the link HERE!
While it’s nothing quite really too original or innovative within the YA Fantasy genre, Incendiary was still quite a captivating read that was inspired by Spanish Inquisition era Spain. With its historical influence, this book was incredibly well written and is a great story for anyone to add to their shelves if they like an entertaining book filled with adventure, courtly intrigue, rebels with magical abilities and a cause, betrayal, ambition, love, and war.
I will be honest, reading through this book was easy for the beginning and end, but the middle really slowed down for me. The initial set up was so exciting and thrilling, and it was the same with the ending but with an elevation of it all because you’re familiar with the characters by then and are (hopefully) invested into the story, but man oh man was the middle kind of a drag… just not as much happens in terms of excitement, swordplay, epic battles, or even romance. It’s more about courtly intrigue and attempting to find out secrets, but none of it was incredibly memorable for me. None of the big reveals were all that shocking or mind-blowing, and I’d say even a huge occurence in the story becomes downplayed as a “shocking” reveal turns out to make it not actually true.
One could also argue that the story was filled with many stereotypical tropes of YA Fantasy, and I do agree with the fact that they’re there, but tropes aren’t necessarily a bad thing. We as readers know what aspects of a story we like, and we continue to find other stories that include those for our own comfort and personal enjoyment. The point of them still being loved by readers is that they are still familiar while bringing something new to the table, but this story doesn’t go far enough on the originality factor, at least with its plot. It’s a variation of so many other stories out there of a young girl who must defeat an evil lord/king in order to save the land, and has several handsome suitors with secrets of their own to help her along the way and make her feel desirable. Like I said, it’s familiar and I have liked stories like that in the past, but this particular title didn’t have anything that explicitly stood out, even if the author’s writing was incredibly well done. This may just be because I have already read so many similar titles before it’s publish date; someone who’s not as familiar are has read a whole lot of Fantasy will enjoy this title tremendously!
Overall, I was intrigued but never blown away by Incendiary, but I can say I am curious enough to want to read what happens next when the next book comes out in 2021. Hopefully the second part of this duology will escalate with more brow raising antics and overall maybe just have more fun with the characters and the plot twists. I felt like this one played it too safe, so my fingers are crossed for the author to go further out with it.
Thanks for Reading!
-- Nick Goodsell
While it’s nothing quite really too original or innovative within the YA Fantasy genre, Incendiary was still quite a captivating read that was inspired by Spanish Inquisition era Spain. With its historical influence, this book was incredibly well written and is a great story for anyone to add to their shelves if they like an entertaining book filled with adventure, courtly intrigue, rebels with magical abilities and a cause, betrayal, ambition, love, and war.
I will be honest, reading through this book was easy for the beginning and end, but the middle really slowed down for me. The initial set up was so exciting and thrilling, and it was the same with the ending but with an elevation of it all because you’re familiar with the characters by then and are (hopefully) invested into the story, but man oh man was the middle kind of a drag… just not as much happens in terms of excitement, swordplay, epic battles, or even romance. It’s more about courtly intrigue and attempting to find out secrets, but none of it was incredibly memorable for me. None of the big reveals were all that shocking or mind-blowing, and I’d say even a huge occurence in the story becomes downplayed as a “shocking” reveal turns out to make it not actually true.
One could also argue that the story was filled with many stereotypical tropes of YA Fantasy, and I do agree with the fact that they’re there, but tropes aren’t necessarily a bad thing. We as readers know what aspects of a story we like, and we continue to find other stories that include those for our own comfort and personal enjoyment. The point of them still being loved by readers is that they are still familiar while bringing something new to the table, but this story doesn’t go far enough on the originality factor, at least with its plot. It’s a variation of so many other stories out there of a young girl who must defeat an evil lord/king in order to save the land, and has several handsome suitors with secrets of their own to help her along the way and make her feel desirable. Like I said, it’s familiar and I have liked stories like that in the past, but this particular title didn’t have anything that explicitly stood out, even if the author’s writing was incredibly well done. This may just be because I have already read so many similar titles before it’s publish date; someone who’s not as familiar are has read a whole lot of Fantasy will enjoy this title tremendously!
Overall, I was intrigued but never blown away by Incendiary, but I can say I am curious enough to want to read what happens next when the next book comes out in 2021. Hopefully the second part of this duology will escalate with more brow raising antics and overall maybe just have more fun with the characters and the plot twists. I felt like this one played it too safe, so my fingers are crossed for the author to go further out with it.
Thanks for Reading!
-- Nick Goodsell