toodlebean's review against another edition
3.0
The hype surrounding the Hollow Crown duology left me a little disappointed.
Incendiary is an incredibly slow story with strange pacing. After being dropped into the thick of it right from the first page I was excited for a gripping and fast paced book but instead after the first handful of chapters, everything slows to a crawl until the final chapters.
The characters aren't particularly likeable, in the way that you don't feel anything for them. For me the constant changing of motivations between all of the characters really threw me off. I suppose in a way this is to highlight how Renata doesn't know who to trust, including herself. The unfortunate thing is that I just couldn't keep track of who is friend and who is foe.
I do have some questions that I hope Illusionary will answer and although I found this novel to be lacking, I still gave high hopes for the conclusion.
Incendiary is an incredibly slow story with strange pacing. After being dropped into the thick of it right from the first page I was excited for a gripping and fast paced book but instead after the first handful of chapters, everything slows to a crawl until the final chapters.
The characters aren't particularly likeable, in the way that you don't feel anything for them. For me the constant changing of motivations between all of the characters really threw me off. I suppose in a way this is to highlight how Renata doesn't know who to trust, including herself. The unfortunate thing is that I just couldn't keep track of who is friend and who is foe.
I do have some questions that I hope Illusionary will answer and although I found this novel to be lacking, I still gave high hopes for the conclusion.
karenarich's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
very forgettable i wish we got more of prince castian
manu71005's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really great surprise. When I began this book I didn't expect much at all, maybe some basic timekiller fantasy. But turns out it wasn't that, it was soo much better. Turns out it was a well-constructed new magic world that has everything I love in a good fantasy book, a great setting, good characters, interesting plot. I can't say much as I don't want to spoil anything but, you should know arent quite what it seems, I was really surprised by the end and I really loved Renata's character, she was relatable while also being a badass girl, and that was totally fantastic. The only thing I disliked about her is how something rushed the things, but I know that I'm that way also, so not a big deal about that. And I'm so excited because the next book will be released in a few months so I don't have to wait for soo much to see what happens next.
In general a great book that I recommend to every ya fantasy lover!!
PD: I want a love triangle next book (for the sake of romance)
In general a great book that I recommend to every ya fantasy lover!!
PD: I want a love triangle next book (for the sake of romance)
sophiamckinleyy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
vivianne's review against another edition
4.0
Actual Rating 3,75 stars
This book was really enjoyable. I loved the characters, I found the magic really interesting and the world overall well developed. But this isn’t the most original story out there plot wise, I predicted most of the twists and I feel like most of the concepts used in this are quite cliché and overdone in several other YA books. Nevertheless I really enjoyed this and would recommend for people that love things like ToG. And I am certainly going to read the sequel.
I loved the magic system and found it quite unique. I especially really enjoyed Renata’s power, which was super original. I also loved that most of the magic came with a weakness for example the headache for the mind readers and I loved to see how everyone coped with theirs. Furthermore I was rather captivated by the world, loved the Spanish influence and all the effort that went into it. This world felt so big and real, there was just so much history and so many things to back up certain things, which makes the world feel really big and alive. The writing style was also rather pleasant and enjoyable to read. Oh and I LOVED that for once the main character is already in a relationship before the book starts. I also really enjoyed the characters because they were so different and not all of them were likable. I loved how morally gray Margo and Esteban were, I loved Sayida as a person and I LOVED the three villains in this story!
Nevertheless I think the plot let me down a bit because it was just so cliché. People with magic, are suppressed and rebel against the current ruler. Girl goes incognito in the palace and tries to destroy a weapon. But also the little details like
The first 100 pages I was almost bored to death. I didn’t enjoy it at all. They kept running around in circles in this woods, I didn’t understand the group dynamic or why they hated Renata. I didn’t like the side characters and was overall confused by the story and world. Then around page 100 something happens… And I DIED! I think I cried for an hour straight. From there I was totally hooked. The plot started moving in a clear direction, the world was explained more, I LOVED Renata. She was so determined and so strong throughout this book and I really enjoyed reading from her pov. I enjoyed the book till about page 300 after which things started to unfold and I became disappointed. It probably didn’t help that I was spoiled for some of the things but I guessed most of the twists in the ending. I do have a lot of questions and I can’t wait for the next one.
This book was really enjoyable. I loved the characters, I found the magic really interesting and the world overall well developed. But this isn’t the most original story out there plot wise, I predicted most of the twists and I feel like most of the concepts used in this are quite cliché and overdone in several other YA books. Nevertheless I really enjoyed this and would recommend for people that love things like ToG. And I am certainly going to read the sequel.
I loved the magic system and found it quite unique. I especially really enjoyed Renata’s power, which was super original. I also loved that most of the magic came with a weakness for example the headache for the mind readers and I loved to see how everyone coped with theirs. Furthermore I was rather captivated by the world, loved the Spanish influence and all the effort that went into it. This world felt so big and real, there was just so much history and so many things to back up certain things, which makes the world feel really big and alive. The writing style was also rather pleasant and enjoyable to read. Oh and I LOVED that for once the main character is already in a relationship before the book starts. I also really enjoyed the characters because they were so different and not all of them were likable. I loved how morally gray Margo and Esteban were, I loved Sayida as a person and I LOVED the three villains in this story!
Nevertheless I think the plot let me down a bit because it was just so cliché. People with magic, are suppressed and rebel against the current ruler. Girl goes incognito in the palace and tries to destroy a weapon. But also the little details like
Spoiler
the prince isn’t really bad, a lost heir to the throne is still alive, someone isn’t really death, the girl is special because she is the only one to be believed alive with that magic and I can just keep on going.The first 100 pages I was almost bored to death. I didn’t enjoy it at all. They kept running around in circles in this woods, I didn’t understand the group dynamic or why they hated Renata. I didn’t like the side characters and was overall confused by the story and world. Then around page 100 something happens… And I DIED! I think I cried for an hour straight. From there I was totally hooked. The plot started moving in a clear direction, the world was explained more, I LOVED Renata. She was so determined and so strong throughout this book and I really enjoyed reading from her pov. I enjoyed the book till about page 300 after which things started to unfold and I became disappointed. It probably didn’t help that I was spoiled for some of the things but I guessed most of the twists in the ending.
Spoiler
AND I HATED THAT THE THING I CRIED ABOUT WAS NOT EVEN TRUE….bbh444's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I need to process my thoughts. Will probably pick up the sequel.
popthechampey's review against another edition
4.0
It was pretty good, it just took me what felt like too long to warm up to any of the characters in the story. Still, I liked the plot enough.
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Incendiary. The Ability to cause fires, and boy does this book burn up in your hands. Agreeing to take part in this book tour is one of the best decisions I have made. The book cover, the title and the words contained within was a dead cert to win hearts and capture aspirations. I opened the first page and I was lost to the magnificence and by the end I knew I would never be the same again. A maze of enchantment, the words melded into one and I was lost.
Upon turning the final page on this piece of art, I knew this would be a difficult review to write. Where would I find the right words to do the plot justice, the right words to capture the magic, the right words that will hypnotise your mind just like I had experienced. This review is going to messy, raw and gritty and by hook or by crook I hope I do this book justice.
Renata Convida. A woman. A warrior. A lover. The will to survive coursing through her blood, putting everything on the line to succeed in the ultimate goal. She is ready for anything. She is ready to lace those boots and kick some ass. She takes names, sheds some blood and unearths deep seated secrets. She has type of magic that strips away your memories and becomes her power. A power she can use. A power she can use against you. Give her the chance and she can take it all way from you. Leaving you nothing but a hollow. She is dangerous and never as dangerous as those she works with, The Whispers. They are a renegade team that are working to annihilate the crown that wishes them gone. They want to strip their power away, leave them with nothing and no ability to fight against them. Her lover and commander is captured by the system and Renata captains a team to go in and rescue him. It goes wrong – badly wrong and it will have lasting consequences for the team and Renata.
Incendiary is a magnificent take on the coming of age tale. It is a tantalising exploration of what makes us us. How events and trauma not only define us but strengthen us. The author at no point cowers away from storylines that makes the reader scream with frustration and anticipation. Our reactions make us face reality that we are not in control of how Renata reacts and tackles situations. Rest assured you are in good hands with the author. She will steer us right, she knows just how guide us to the end point, with ease.
The narrative is outstanding. The story moulds into something else as Renata grows and develops. Her magic doesn’t transform her into a higher being, but it takes its toll. As she takes more memories she loses a part of herself – her own early memories. Lost in grey. She knows what she must become to survive but just how does she do that? She must evolve. What came before? How does that translate to the battle that she must now face?
Incendiary is a testament to resilience and strength of character. It fizzes and crackles with electricity. A true coming of age fantasy.
Upon turning the final page on this piece of art, I knew this would be a difficult review to write. Where would I find the right words to do the plot justice, the right words to capture the magic, the right words that will hypnotise your mind just like I had experienced. This review is going to messy, raw and gritty and by hook or by crook I hope I do this book justice.
Renata Convida. A woman. A warrior. A lover. The will to survive coursing through her blood, putting everything on the line to succeed in the ultimate goal. She is ready for anything. She is ready to lace those boots and kick some ass. She takes names, sheds some blood and unearths deep seated secrets. She has type of magic that strips away your memories and becomes her power. A power she can use. A power she can use against you. Give her the chance and she can take it all way from you. Leaving you nothing but a hollow. She is dangerous and never as dangerous as those she works with, The Whispers. They are a renegade team that are working to annihilate the crown that wishes them gone. They want to strip their power away, leave them with nothing and no ability to fight against them. Her lover and commander is captured by the system and Renata captains a team to go in and rescue him. It goes wrong – badly wrong and it will have lasting consequences for the team and Renata.
Incendiary is a magnificent take on the coming of age tale. It is a tantalising exploration of what makes us us. How events and trauma not only define us but strengthen us. The author at no point cowers away from storylines that makes the reader scream with frustration and anticipation. Our reactions make us face reality that we are not in control of how Renata reacts and tackles situations. Rest assured you are in good hands with the author. She will steer us right, she knows just how guide us to the end point, with ease.
The narrative is outstanding. The story moulds into something else as Renata grows and develops. Her magic doesn’t transform her into a higher being, but it takes its toll. As she takes more memories she loses a part of herself – her own early memories. Lost in grey. She knows what she must become to survive but just how does she do that? She must evolve. What came before? How does that translate to the battle that she must now face?
Incendiary is a testament to resilience and strength of character. It fizzes and crackles with electricity. A true coming of age fantasy.