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

Product Information

Whether this could have been fixed with multiple POV’s, or making the series a trilogy I’m not sure. I’m sorry that sounds so bitter, it just didn’t do it for me and I could see such potential which is why I’m annoyed. The sequel begins a couple of weeks following the events of Incendiary and I was delighted to re-immerse myself in the rich world of Puerto Leones that the author has created.

Although the stakes are high in this book, it feels like Zoraida Córdova really had fun with the writing. Renata grows so much since the events of Incendiary, both emotionally and in regards to her power, and I loved seeing that progress. Leo’s sass and wit combined with Castian’s dry humour and Renata poking fun at them both made for some of the best dialogue in the novel. When the main character is forced to partner with the villain of the story, you just know that tension will be brewing and dear, there’s some real tension. 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.I was happy that it picked up right where the first book ended because it didn't confuse me or anything.

While there is no emotional development when it comes to relationships in the book, I did enjoy the emotional progression of Ren herself in this book. She'll have to control her magics, her mind, and her heart to unlock her power and protect the Moria people once and for all. A few really interesting new characters popped up while Castian and Renata were making eyes at each other. Illusionary picks up a short time after the first book (incendiary) finishes and follows Renata Convida as she attempts to save her kingdom and the (magical) Moria. Leo and Nuria are the other characters that I absolutely adore like they're literally the best friends you'd love to have by your side.Additionally, since everyone becomes fast friends, it becomes obvious that Ren and Castian have feelings for each other, and Leo and Ley love to remind them of it. Also I have read too many books now where the plot is all about the protagonist having to make a sacrifice and it’s discussed for chapters, there’s an end goal which will save the world but the cost is her life, she hides it from him as he talks of their future etc. She know’s injustice in more than one form, and yet she never lets it stop her from fighting for what is right, even if that means going against people she classed as friends.

Still, I found myself adoring every single page of this book, and this was mainly because of the characters. Overall, Illusionary is a fast-paced, thrilling sequel with a punchy finale that cements the brilliance of this duology. Castian was engaged to Nuria, they loved each other to the extent she begged Ren to remove one of her most intimate memories of him to help her, and he just ditches it because he’s such a brooding hero.That was just something about it that hooked me right from the beginning again and, with the way Córdova developed the story, I had such a feeling of deep satisfaction while reading this that I'm writing this review with a smile on my face. The ending was awesome, and I loved that the solution to Ren and Cas’s problem was not to take the throne but instead to run away with pirates. She'll have to control her magics--and her mind--to unlock her power and protect the Moria people once and for all. The ending just didn’t give me any of the things that I wanted for the characters or myself, but this is an instance where I definitely know this is just me. I really enjoyed this book and would have given 5 stars if not for one little thing (i'll mention later).