Incendiary

Hollow Crown, Book 1

By: Zoraida Cordova

Narrated by: Frankie Corzo

Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Set in a lushly drawn world inspired by Inquisition Spain, Zoraida Córdova's hotly anticipated new fantasy is an epic tale of love and revenge perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir and Sarah J. Maas.

I am Renata Convida.

I have lived a hundred stolen lives.

Now I live my own.

Renata was only a child when she was kidnapped by the King's Justice and brought to the luxurious palace of Andalucia. As a memory thief, the rarest and most feared of the magical Moria, Renata was used by the crown to carry out the King's Wrath, a siege that resulted in the deaths of thousands of her own people.

Now Renata is one of the Whispers, rebel spies working against the crown. The Whispers may have rescued Renata years ago, but she cannot escape their mistrust and hatred - or the overpowering memories of the hundreds of souls she drained during her time in the palace.

When Dez, the commander of her unit - and the boy she's grown to love - is taken captive by the notorious Principe Dorado, Renata must return to Andalucia and complete Dez's top secret mission herself. Can she keep her cover, even as she burns for vengeance against the brutal, enigmatic prince? Her life and the fate of the Moria depend on it.

But returning to the palace stirs childhood memories long locked away. As Renata grows more deeply embedded in the politics of the royal court, she uncovers a secret in her past that could change the fate of the entire kingdom - and end the war that has cost her everything.

©2020 Zoraida Cordova (P)2020 Recorded Books

Great story

This book is so good. It keeps you guessing throughout. I couldn’t put it down! A must read!!!

I enjoyed it

I always hate starting new books but this ine had me hooked pretty early on. not a new concept but still a great book

Great series starter

This was a great series starter and I’m excited to see where it goes! The characters were really well developed and each so unique! My favorite two characters were Renata and Dez. Both were complex and kept me wanting to know more! I loved the authors writing style and commitment to the small details. The narration was well done and did a wonderful job at differentiating the characters and giving them each their own voice.

rushed but in a good way

It feels like the story was pouring from the author. It was rushed but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I enjoyed this

If you've enjoyed other works by Zoraida Cordova, you will definitely enjoy this. And, if you've never tried one, this one is a good place to start (I'd also recommend the Bruja Series).

Another great entry from the author

This is a great start to a new series, with interesting characters and, while the twists can be seen coming, they're still satisfying when they line up. Though, scene transition could use just a hair more elaboration. There were a few moments where my attention would be divided, and suddenly I had to replay the last minute or so because the scene and characters present are just suddenly different, and it can be a bit disorienting to go from a still quiet reflection over to a scene of two people struggling over a dagger on the floor. I understand the "it's okay to use a little to describe a lot" school of theory, but maybe a sentence or two of mood change would make it a lot smoother.

That said, it is a great book over all, with fun characters and a great magic setup that I'm legitimately interested in seeing more of. More like this, please!

different narrator...

this could have had a better far better narrator with a more engaging voice.

Zero stars

If I could give it 0 stars I would. There were several blatantly obvious actions the character should have taken and after the millionth one I just can’t finish this book—from chapter 28.

This story concept had such promise and that is why I tried to keep going even though I was done by chapter 10.

I wanted fantasy/sci-fi not romance

Chapter 5, I’m out. Please stop putting these books in the wrong genre. If I wanted to buy a romance book I would’ve bought one. I do not care for those books as I want a story with substance. I am bothered when a genre that I prefer has 90% romance. You have miscategorized this book. Ughh