thewoollygeek's review
5.0
A completely unique and original book, I don’t think I’ve read YA fantasy fiction based on the Spanish Inquisition before, this was enthralling from the first paragraph and I didn’t want to put it down. This is the kind of book you stay up later to read just one more chapter and it turns into five. This book is full of action, magic, emotion and strength. I loved Ren, she is such a well developed, well written character, not flawless, just real and honestly relatable. The world building and magic systems in this are well done, not overly complex and you slip into the world seamlessly. It’s a thrilling and breathtaking read, a work of beautifully written art.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
catherine_dalton08's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
crimsonreader's review against another edition
2.5
DNF at page 290
The biggest problem off the bat with incendiary is that the Ren tells us most everything she feels rather than showing us and it really sucks away a lot of the impact her emotions could have otherwise had. Especially in the early pages, I often found myself mentally rewriting passages just to try to inject some much needed depth into a stirring moment, but that only further highlighted the lack of such showing when I went back into the book as written.
And that made it hard to be invested. I would often only read 2 -5 pages before putting the book down for something else and was never eager to get back into it.
In fact... It took me almost a week of sporadic reading to get to page 100.
Which all really sucks because outside of Ren's narrative, there is a really fun story happening and I wanted to want to get into it.
Unfortunately...even my best efforts weren't enough to keep my tethered to this book and I gave up about half-way through.
DNF at page 290
The biggest problem off the bat with incendiary is that the Ren tells us most everything she feels rather than showing us and it really sucks away a lot of the impact her emotions could have otherwise had. Especially in the early pages, I often found myself mentally rewriting passages just to try to inject some much needed depth into a stirring moment, but that only further highlighted the lack of such showing when I went back into the book as written.
And that made it hard to be invested. I would often only read 2 -5 pages before putting the book down for something else and was never eager to get back into it.
In fact... It took me almost a week of sporadic reading to get to page 100.
Which all really sucks because outside of Ren's narrative, there is a really fun story happening and I wanted to want to get into it.
Unfortunately...even my best efforts weren't enough to keep my tethered to this book and I gave up about half-way through.
lqvekanej's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Genocide, Torture, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
angelwriter428's review against another edition
5.0
How did this happen again?! I thought yo myself that I didn't want to stay up late reading again and finishing a book, but here we are.
I AM IN LOVE.
Ren is dumb in the way that kidnapped naive children are. But it makes sense with her story. My heart feel and identifies with her.
I love this world and I can't wait to see what else is in store.
Hollow Crown indeed!
I AM IN LOVE.
Ren is dumb in the way that kidnapped naive children are. But it makes sense with her story. My heart feel and identifies with her.
I love this world and I can't wait to see what else is in store.
Hollow Crown indeed!
fromlindenmere's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
robertfinlayreads's review
Renata Convida (Ren) is a Moria, an ancient group of people gifted with magics. Ren is feared for she has the power to steal memories with the touch of a hand but if she holds the contact too long she can make the person a Hollow, essentially wiping their minds. As a child, she was used as a weapon to help The King of Puerto Leones start a war, earning her the name Incendiary. Now at age 17, she is a member of the rebel Whispers, who want to regain their cultures and lands.
I enjoyed certain the Inquisition Era Spain setting. It allowed for the characters to be diverse in ethnicity, culture and sexuality. However, Incendiary definitely needs a map to orientate the reader into this world. I really enjoyed the main character of Ren. She is strong, capable but ultimately broken by all the lives she was forced to take.
I felt this is more suitable for a non-Spanish speaking audience. As a spanish speaker myself sometimes the words were a little on the nose. The First Person persepctive at times worked really well mostly though I would have enjoyed, I was interested in the other members of her squad. The plot progression was sometimes too convenient. I think this would suit readers who enjoyed The Children of Blood & Bone or Throne of Glass.
I enjoyed certain the Inquisition Era Spain setting. It allowed for the characters to be diverse in ethnicity, culture and sexuality. However, Incendiary definitely needs a map to orientate the reader into this world. I really enjoyed the main character of Ren. She is strong, capable but ultimately broken by all the lives she was forced to take.
I felt this is more suitable for a non-Spanish speaking audience. As a spanish speaker myself sometimes the words were a little on the nose. The First Person persepctive at times worked really well mostly though I would have enjoyed, I was interested in the other members of her squad. The plot progression was sometimes too convenient. I think this would suit readers who enjoyed The Children of Blood & Bone or Throne of Glass.
waclements7's review against another edition
DNF. Writing was sort of clunky and dialogue didn’t flow. Just didn’t work for me.