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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Where do I begin? Seriously, I was lucky enough to receive a Netgalley eARC and I had no idea what this book was about and funny enough, it made it so much more exciting to read. Though I'm guessing if you're here already, you know its inspired by the Spanish Inquisition and that it follows Renata Convida, who I would do almost anything for.
The story is gripping from the very beginning and theres so much mystery that Zoraida weaves so beautifully, which keeps you wanting more and having almost as many questions as dear Ren. Despite the betrayals, heartbreak, endless tears this book elicited, the real tear jerker was witnessing Ren come into collision with her multiple identities - as a Robari, a Whisper and a girl. She goes through this difficult journey of self-love and her survivors guilt (and guilt over her past) is her biggest enemy. Shes not the type to carry herself with ease and that's okay. She is, however, very courageous and one of the smartest YA characters I've come across in a while. Her brain works wonders, attempting to discover the weapon that can destroy the Whispers.
One of the lines that hurt me was when she says:
“Because I have more stolen memories than ones of my own making. Because I have lived hundreds of stolen lives, and I’m afraid to live my own.”
Who is Renata Convida?
Suffice to say, I'm excited to see where her journey takes her next especially with her new friend ***. This is a series that will live in my heart and I'm so grateful that I got to read about Renata and fall for her.
The story is gripping from the very beginning and theres so much mystery that Zoraida weaves so beautifully, which keeps you wanting more and having almost as many questions as dear Ren. Despite the betrayals, heartbreak, endless tears this book elicited, the real tear jerker was witnessing Ren come into collision with her multiple identities - as a Robari, a Whisper and a girl. She goes through this difficult journey of self-love and her survivors guilt (and guilt over her past) is her biggest enemy. Shes not the type to carry herself with ease and that's okay. She is, however, very courageous and one of the smartest YA characters I've come across in a while. Her brain works wonders, attempting to discover the weapon that can destroy the Whispers.
One of the lines that hurt me was when she says:
“Because I have more stolen memories than ones of my own making. Because I have lived hundreds of stolen lives, and I’m afraid to live my own.”
Who is Renata Convida?
Suffice to say, I'm excited to see where her journey takes her next especially with her new friend ***. This is a series that will live in my heart and I'm so grateful that I got to read about Renata and fall for her.
Finished reading: December 10th 2020
“Sometimes I wonder if a person can have so much regret they'll drown in it.”
Spoiler
I admit that it was cover love at first sight when I saw the cover of Incendiary, but when I read the blurb and saw it had a historical Spain influence I was sold all over again. I've been highly anticipating this title and I do wonder if I simply set my expectations too high, because somehow I wasn't all too impressed by what I found. Don't get me wrong; I still love the premise of this story. The idea behind this high fantasy world is fascinating and I loved idea behind the magic as well. BUT. I just felt both the fantasy world in general and the magic lacked developing more, as instead the story focused mostly on the character development instead. It is especially the magic and the historical references that had the potential to make this story stand out, but instead we have another angsty female main character who is supposed to be super powerful but has a lot of personal issues. Oh yes, the whole 'everybody hates me', 'I'm the only one who can save them/complete the mission' and 'nobody understands me' vibe all over again... Which is both something that has been done already a LOT and something I find extremely annoying. This focus on the characters also slowed down the pace considerably, and while I found the beginning to be quite engaging, things soon started to drag. Especially once the main focus was on Renata alone; she has a lot of potential, but with all the issues mentioned before she became a bore fast. The romance didn't do it for me either, and the cliffhanger ending that wasn't all that big of a cliffhanger after all could have been better. Overall Incendiary isn't exactly a bad read, but I don't think it reached it's potential at all... And I have to be honest here and say that I don't think that I will continue the series any time soon.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
This was a good YA novel. The protagonist was kind of boring and made a lot of mistakes. We follow her so closely that I felt the story itself was a little boring, too, but I liked the setting and general message. Throughout the book I kept being reminded how much I do not like 1st person present. Not sure if that was because of the narration or the writing. Would not recommend the audiobook.
Great fantasy with well-developed characters and interesting magic: 7.9/10!
This is the first book by Z. Córdova I've read, and I'm happy to be introduced to her work. Incendiary started as a "good enough" book for me, then the scheming picks up, you start to realize things might not be quite as they seem, and by the end, I was hooked. Give me book two now, please. lol
There were a few logical issues throughout this which bothered me a little, from small things that should have been picked up in editing such as describing the weather as cloudy and right after talking about the glittering stars, or the night being so dark Ren couldn't see the other person, then without further explanation, there's a half-moon and she can observe him clearly... little, let's say, continuity errors. Then there are bigger issues with the plot, like what exactly the limitations to the magics are, or
Characters - 10/10
Atmosphere - 7/10
Writing style - 7/10
Plot - 9/10
Intrigue - 8/10
Logic - 6/10
Enjoyment - 8/10
This is the first book by Z. Córdova I've read, and I'm happy to be introduced to her work. Incendiary started as a "good enough" book for me, then the scheming picks up, you start to realize things might not be quite as they seem, and by the end, I was hooked. Give me book two now, please. lol
There were a few logical issues throughout this which bothered me a little, from small things that should have been picked up in editing such as describing the weather as cloudy and right after talking about the glittering stars, or the night being so dark Ren couldn't see the other person, then without further explanation, there's a half-moon and she can observe him clearly... little, let's say, continuity errors. Then there are bigger issues with the plot, like what exactly the limitations to the magics are, or
Spoiler
breaking into the most secure prison in the country super easily because "there are (conveniently) fewer guards than expected", or somehow fitting 3 dozen Moria into a single carriage, but nothing that really took away from the plot, which is ingenious and mixes fantasy, political drama, intrigue and people who surprise you - my favorite combination. I can't wait to read more of Ren's adventures!Characters - 10/10
Atmosphere - 7/10
Writing style - 7/10
Plot - 9/10
Intrigue - 8/10
Logic - 6/10
Enjoyment - 8/10
DNF/page 80
After reading ⅔ of the “Brooklyn Brujas” series I wanted to love this book, too. So I’m all the more disappointed with it. I was bored, I didn’t connect with any of the characters. I didn’t find anything in there that would convince me to continue this journey. I’ll give this author another chance with other books, but this one was clearly not for me.
After reading ⅔ of the “Brooklyn Brujas” series I wanted to love this book, too. So I’m all the more disappointed with it. I was bored, I didn’t connect with any of the characters. I didn’t find anything in there that would convince me to continue this journey. I’ll give this author another chance with other books, but this one was clearly not for me.
Was really struggling to absorb the story. Too many names and factions thrown in right from the beginning.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a lot of it was boring and i skimmed it but the ending... interesting
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes