Illusionary: The unforgettable second installment of historical fantasy series, Hollow Crown

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So I enjoyed Incendiary, but Illusionary solidified this duology as a new comfort and something I will be rereading for years to come. In the first book in the Hollow Crown duology we are introduced to our struggling protagonist Renata. Initially, I found it difficult to connect with and understand Renata, however my response to her was a mirror to how she felt about herself. Her progression into self-discovery and ultimately, acceptance, is what propelled this duology ahead for me. I found her journey to be both refreshing and unique, as it was a character exploration and arc that was cultivated so diligently and intentionally. Illusionary, in my books, surpassed its predecessor (Incendiary). It is my favourite of the two books in the duology. Córdova does a great job of mesmerizing readers into her fantasy world. After the first chapter, I was immediately hooked and invested in the plot. I am also in love with this author's writing style. Córdova's writing style is both beautiful and feels somewhat poetic. Ungroup your party members and then cast a Greater Invisibility spell. On the second floor, there are four portals there but don’t interact with them. Go to the left side to find a Metal door. Alex Fraser and Kimerly J. Wilcox discovered this type of illusory motion effect in 1979, when they developed an image showing repetitive spiral arrangements of luminance gradients that appeared to move. Fraser and Wilcox's illusion was not nearly as effective as Kitaoka's il­lusion, but it did spawn a number of related effects that eventually led to the Rotating Snakes. This family of perceptual phenomena is characterized by the periodic placement of colored or grayscale patches of particular brightnesses. The Spanish Inquisition with much-needed magic, a lush world, and heart-stopping intrigue . . . I couldn't get enough of this sweeping journey of love and loyalty!

This book was character development at its finest. Renata grows so much since the events of Incendiary, both emotionally and in regards to her power, and I loved seeing that progress. Not that I didn’t like her in the first book, but it’s always beautiful to see a character become a better version of themselves. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that she’s one of my new favorite YA heroines. (The fact that she has my brother’s name is an added bonus.) I also adored seeing more of Castian, who is a character I was already in love with from Incendiary despite we don’t see much of him. I say this all the time, but Zoraida Córdova is the only author who managed to make me fall in love with a character and a ship by only getting glimpses of him and by throwing clues at his real motives. I always thought that there was more to the Matahermano than what everyone knew and this sequel confirmed it. If the love was strong before, it’s made of adamantium steel now. Renata and Castian are looking for Dez and the Knife of Memory. The Gray, where her stolen memories are stored is falling apart, trying to take her and reality with it. Meanwhile, war is brewing and our heroes seem to be caught in the middle of it. Together, Renata and Castian have a chance to save everything, if only they can set aside their complex and intense feelings for each other. Renata's heart may still beat for Dez, but as the danger of their quest increases, so does her attraction to Castian.An epic and spellbinding fantasy, Incendiary is a darkly rich tapestry of twisted magic, deadly consequences, and riveting stakes Not only do we see characters such as Leo, Lady Nuria, and Dez again, but we meet new ones that have found their place in my heart. And as much as I loved meeting all these characters again or for the very first time (especially Leo who has a very special place in my heart), the focus is entirely to be put on Ren and Prince Castian.

Honestly, there's nothing that I didn't like about this story. It's beautifully written, and each character has their own memorable personality . . . Add it to your TBR, because I'm telling you, you're not going to want to miss itTwo talented chess players challenge each other on and off the board in bestselling author Hazelwood’s YA debut. A compelling world filled with beautiful, brutal magic and characters that feel real enough to touch -weighed down by memory and fueled by love and vengeance. I felt the pacing flowed nicely throughout Illusionary. The events of the book kept me hooked from beginning to end. I enjoyed seeing the characters travel all over Puerto Leones. Córdova brought this world to life with her gorgeous writing style and the inclusion of all the different customs/traditions and foods. The world-building was beautifully fleshed out. If you want to learn more about Bookshelves specifically, please read the Bookshelves FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). I really liked the romance element that was added in this second book, and think the two characters who end up together are a much better fit - that being said I still think a couple of plot decisions felt off with the characters as we know them, but these mostly happen right at the end so I wasn't too annoyed. I liked that this book actually let me understand the characters better, that we slowed down the action (without losing it) and everything felt more thought out and complete than what I felt from the first book.

Even better the second time around! Although rereading Illusionary made me realize that I still haven’t really forgiven Dez and Margo😆 The author's lyrical writing caresses and envelops you in an inviting way and the narrative is so immersive, I get lost in this impressive world she has created. A bittersweet melancholy threads through it. A sense of foreboding permeates the atmosphere. Foreboding also laces the situation with the Gray and the danger it poses for Renata. But there is also optimism, and I revelled in the new knowledge acquired of the kingdom, the Moria, the past etc. If Incendiary was a journey of discovery for Renata Convida, then Illusionary is where she truly finds herself. So much remains hidden from her, deep within the Gray. But things have changed. Memories are no longer hers to take. Instead, they are breaking out of their prison in her mind, revealing a secret past that has the power to change the future of Puerto Leones. All she has to do is team up with an enemy, take a journey into the unknown, and overturn the rule of a tyrant… With reverent attention to detail, Córdova’s skilful world-building and plotting in the first book, Incendiary, opened up the second book to the sort of character development that all fantasy authors should aspire to. In what I’ve coined as the Juliette Ferrars effect, Renata’s journey of self-love and acceptance is an unravelling gift, a slow and beautiful thing that complements the fast-paced, action-fuelled adventure that is the gripping finale to this series.With a searing enemies-to-lovers twist bound up in the memories of Renata’s past, you will be a mess of tears from beginning to end. There wasn’t one part of this series I didn’t love – from overthrowing an evil monarchy and exploring an intricate magic system, to sibling rivalries, romantic subplots and an ending straight out of a fairytale, I am in complete awe of Córdova’s writing and will be eagerly awaiting her next book! Not knowing where a person is looking makes us uneasy. That's why speaking with somebody who is wearing dark sunglasses can be awkward. And it is why someone might wear dark sunglasses to look "mysterious." The Ghostly Gaze Illusion, created by Rob Jenkins, takes advantage of this unsettling effect. In this illusion, twin sisters appear to look at each other when seen from afar. But as you approach them, you realize that the sisters are looking directly at you! Castian and Renata were definitely my favorite part. These two met my every expectation and their banter and deepening relationship was worth all the wait and anticipation from the first book! However, I also appreciated the friendships forged and I was especially pleased that Leo, who was one of my favorites in Incendiary was such a big part of this story! Yay for found families, you guys! I’m so happy. Ever since I read Incendiary, I have been telling everyone that this duology deserves more hype! If Incendiary was a journey of discovery, then Illusionary was about growth and adventure. Renata's struggles with her identity and her power was very much apparent from the first book and was continued in Illusionary. Although her development came a little late in the book which made me worried in the beginning.