Name: Liz Griffin's review of Illusionary by Zoraida Córdova
Item: Illusionary
Rating: 5
Author: Liz Griffin

Zoraida Córdova

In this thrilling adventure, our magical heroine embarks on a dangerous journey in order to bring justice to the kingdom—perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir and Sarah J. Maas. Reeling from betrayal at the hands of the Whispers, Renata Convida is a girl on the run. With few options and fewer allies, she's reluctantly joined forces with none other than Prince Castian, her most infuriating and intriguing enemy. They're united by lofty goals: find the fabled Knife of Memory, kill the ruthless King Fernando, and bring peace to the nation. Together, Ren and Castian have a chance to save everything, if only they can set aside their complex and intense feelings for each other. With the king's forces on their heels at every turn, their quest across Puerto Leones and beyond leaves little room for mistakes. But the greatest danger is within Ren. The Gray, her fortress of stolen memories, has begun to crumble, threatening her grip on reality. She'll have to control her magics—and her mind—to unlock her power and protect the Moria people once and for all. For years, she was wielded as weapon. Now it's her time to fight back.

Illusionary

Princess Twasam 

"It has to be you. I trust you. I love you, Cas." His chest rises and falls so rapidly that he places a hand over his heart, as if he could physically stop it from beating. "Then dont" "Don't love you?" "Hate me," he pleads. "I could endure your hatred. I would devour its fruit if it meant keeping you with me."

Micke Newcomb

So glad I finally finished this amazing duology. Enemies to lovers with powerful character arcs! Amazing food descriptions! Court intrigue and rebel magic and even some pirates! If you’re a fan of The Witchlands or Serpent & Dove, I beg you to read Incendiary and Illusionary!

Liz Griffin

I love this book. But I’m so mad because it ends and I’m not ready. It took me a while to read the first book but this one was so quick. The romance and action make it really fun and we learn more about the characters and their relationships. I only wish I got to see more of the ending revolution and I wish it was drawn out a bit more but I am trying to cope with the fact that this book is over. 

Jayla Poindexter 

For years, she was wielded as a weapon. Now it's her time to fight back. Reeling from betrayal at the hands of the Whispers, Renata Convida is a girl on the run. With few options and fewer allies, she's reluctantly joined forces with none other than Prince Castian, her most infuriating and intriguing enemy. They're united by a lofty goal: find the fabled Knife of Memory, kill the ruthless King Fernando, and bring peace to the nation. Together, Ren and Castian have a chance to save everything, if only they can set aside their complex and intense feelings for each other. With the king's forces on their heels at every turn, their quest across Puerto Leones and beyond leaves little room for mistakes. But the greatest danger is within Ren-the Gray, her fortress of stolen memories, has begun to crumble, threatening her grip on reality. She'll have to control her magics-and her mind-to unlock her power and protect the Moria people once and for all. The most wanted rebel returns in Zoraida Córdova's gripping conclusion to the Hollow Crown duology.

Áróra Lind 

** spoiler alert **
           4,5 stars

"I am Renata Convida. I am a Robári. I am of the Moria people. Once I was a rebel, one of the Whispers. Now I am just a traitor."

WOW, this book was amazing. I think it is a great ending to a duology. 
Incendiary was the first book I ever read by Zoraida Córdova and I loved it and I definitely wasn't disappointed with this one! Zoraida wrote an amazing world and amazing characters, 

I love the characters in the story, the romance and the adventure are amazing. Ren's character grew in this book and I loved to see her learn how to control her powers and about them. The banter between Ren and Castian was so good. I really enjoyed their slowly growing relationship (definitely a good slow-burn romance)

This duology is perfect for anyone that loves Ya fantasy with romance and adventure.

Chiara Vitale Zelaia

Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars

To say ILLUSIONARY was one of my most anticipated sequels of 2021 is an understatement, so I’m super happy I was able to get my hands on an e-arc of this wonderful book! I read Incendiary last year for the #booktalkwithwifey read-along and fell in love. It has so many of the elements I love: royals, rebels, court intrigue and magic all wrapped in one. But what ruled over all else was Prince Castian. This villainous prince who somehow dominated the narrative even with little page time, whose charisma and mystery haunted every word. Needless to say, I fell absolutely in love with him and the twists Zoraida Cordova added to his character. The enemies to lovers potential was thick in the air (especially because it’s far more complex than a simple enemies to lovers) and I craved it!

Illusionary delivered. Oh boy if it did.

I admit that plot wise I preferred the first book. The court intrigue of Incendiary did it for me a little more than the runaway adventure story we got in Illusionary and some aspects—especially the ending—could have been more fleshed out. But you know me, I’m a character driven reader at heart, and when the characters get me, there’s little than can be done to spare my soul. Illusionary was very much a character driven book and the development of characters and relationships overrode the plot.

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.

Now do you know what I want? A collection of short stories on happy royals and world travels. If you know, you know.

Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia

If I could put my feelings in a jar every time I finish a book, Illusionary’s would be glowing. 

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. 

I do think I preferred the castle’s setting in Incendiary a little bit more than the journey we got in Illusionary, but I loved everything else so much more, which is saying something. One of my favorite aspects of the story was the characters. Renata, Castian and Leo are particularly close to my heart. I’m so happy that the author found a way to have Leo be an integral part of the plot in this book as well because I love him. Lady Nuria, who was one of my favorites from book one, reconfirms her badass queen status even though we see her less. And there’s also Dez. I didn’t much care for in the first book—not that he didn’t seem like a good character, but he didn’t click with me as Castian did—but I reevaluated him here. I’m weak for bromance, so when I saw Dez and Castian interacting…I was lost. The other aspect I loved of this book is, of course, the romance, which was superb. Sweet, epic, and hawt to the point that I wished this was a New Adult/Adult book so we could have more!

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an eARC through NetGalley. I feel so incredibly honored and happy to have been able to read one of my most anticipated sequels early, and I’m glad that this book surpassed my every expectation. I can officially confirm that the Hollow Crown duology is one of my favorite of all time. I’m hopeful that the epilogue served not only as a closure to the duology, but also as a hopeful door to a possible spin off series. I wouldn’t mind seeing that at all.

Kate

A brilliantly written, beautifully crafted, satisfying conclusion to a sensational fantasy duology. 

This book was everything I'd hoped it would be and then some. I couldn't have asked for more (except, perhaps, many more books because I don't want to leave these characters, their world or story.)

Illusionary is YA fantasy at its finest. It's reminded me why I keep persevering with this genre, despite often not getting on with it. Zoraida has written a story, world, magic system and cast of characters that sucked me in from the first page of book one. I won't be forgetting this story anytime soon and you can bet I'm not going to stop talking about it either.

Kayla 

Sheila

Sophie

Laura S. Fleming

Zoraida Cordova

For years, she was wielded as a weapon. Now it's her time to fight back. Reeling from betrayal at the hands of the Whispers, Renata Convida is a girl on the run. With few options and fewer allies, she's reluctantly joined forces with none other than Prince Castian, her most infuriating and intriguing enemy. They're united by a lofty goal: find the fabled Knife of Memory, kill the ruthless King Fernando, and bring peace to the nation. Together, Ren and Castian have a chance to save everything, if only they can set aside their complex and intense feelings for each other.With the king's forces on their heels at every turn, their quest across Puerto Leones and beyond leaves little room for mistakes. But the greatest danger is within Ren-the Gray, her fortress of stolen memories, has begun to crumble, threatening her grip on reality. She'll have to control her magics-and her mind-to unlock her power and protect the Moria people once and for all. The most wanted rebel returns in Zoraida Cordova's gripping conclusion to the Hollow Crown duology.

Micke Newcomb &
Illusionary by Zoraida Córdova

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