Incendiary
#1 of 2 in Hollow Crown Series
on Goodreads (8,869)
What’s inside...
Renata Convida was kidnapped as a child by the King's Justice and taken to the palace of Andalucia, where she used her abilities as a Robari to steal memories from the king's enemies. Now, as part of the rebel group known as the Whispers, Renata works to overthrow the crown and protect the remaining Moria from destruction. When Dez, her unit commander and love interest, is captured, Renata returns to the palace under cover to save him and complete his mission. As she navigates palace politics and confronts her past, Renata uncovers a secret that could change the fate of the kingdom and end the war that has cost her everything. Set in a lushly drawn world inspired by Inquisition Spain, Zoraida Córdova's fantasy is an epic tale of love and revenge perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir and Sarah J. Maas! 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. But 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.
Character compass
Renata Convida
Dez
Prince Castian
Discussion points
How do Renata's memories influence her choices throughout the story?
What do you think about the moral dilemmas faced by the characters? How would you handle similar situations?
How does the author explore the theme of power and resistance? Can you draw parallels with any real-world situations?
What role does friendship and trust play in the book? Discuss how it impacts the characters' decisions.
In what ways do the characters in 'Incendiary' change from the beginning to the end of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage open-ended responses to delve deeper into the child’s understanding and perspective. Use examples from the book to guide discussions about complex themes like ethics and resistance. Relate the story’s situations to the child’s own experiences to make it more relatable and meaningful. Reinforce the importance of empathy by discussing characters' emotions and motivations. Pose hypothetical scenarios to help the child explore different outcomes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of standing up against injustice
Explanation: In 'Incendiary', the protagonist Renata confronts and challenges the oppressive system in her kingdom, fighting for justice and equality.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify unfair situations in their everyday life, whether at school or in social settings, and understand the value of speaking out or taking actions against injustices.
Example Lesson: The power of self-acceptance
Explanation: Renata struggles with her identity and past actions but learns to accept herself, her abilities, and her worth by the end of the story.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children develop self-confidence and recognize their unique qualities and strengths, fostering a positive self-image.
Example Lesson: The significance of teamwork and trust
Explanation: Throughout the book, Renata relies on her companions and forms meaningful alliances, learning that trust and teamwork are indispensable in overcoming challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to collaborate with peers, sharing tasks, and building trust in group activities or school projects.
Example Lesson: Understanding the consequences of one's actions
Explanation: Renata faces the outcomes of her decisions, both good and bad, which teaches her about responsibility and foresight.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that their actions have consequences and encourages them to think about the impact of their decisions before acting.