This book has been on my TBR for a minute. I just finally took the plunge and am so happy that I did! The hype is real for this one. It was a wonderful intro to a new world and new characters that left me wanting SO MUCH MORE. I read that this was a slow burn and MAN was it. There really was no spice in this one which was fine but there is a lot to unpack and I'm REALLY hoping spice with a particular prince in the near future. I liked Diem a lot- she was happy to be content with her life and what she didn't know. But then her mom went missing and everything she thought she knew started to change. Her perspective changed. She started questioning things she didn't before. She started to see things outside of her rose colored glasses. She started making decisions for herself. This girl had been through a lot. She was stuck in this world where everyone was in their own box and that was that. She didn't want to be in a box. She wanted to be able to be who she wanted to be whenever she figured it out. Henri was kind of meh. He seemed to be what she thought she wanted before her rose colored glasses got changed out. He pushed her to become a rebel if you will but didn't seem to support her in her decisions. He pushed her but in the wrong way. And then there is Luther. My man Luther who I am guessing is going to end up being Diem's mate or the equivalent in this world. He was a prince. The complete opposite of everything Diem knew or stood for. He knew her mom. He was elusive and terrifyingly powerful, but Diem wasn't afraid. If anything she was more afraid of how he made her feel.

Diem is trying to show the world that everything is fine. She is fine. Life is fine. Except it's really not. Her mom has been missing for more than 6 months and no one seems to care except for her and her brother. Her friend- Henri- who now seems to want to be more is kind of intriguing to her, but she also finds herself not wanting to fit into the box he is trying to put her in. Now that her mother is gone, Diem is a higher up with the healers. So when an accident occurs and Diem saves the princess without realizing it- her life starts to change. Well actually it changes because of her brother Luther. He was so rude and irritated with her but she found herself drawn to him and his power. But he is a Descended. Her kind and the Descended are enemies of a sort. This is what she has been avoiding most of her life, but she can't any longer. She has decided to stop taking a powder her mom has been giving her for forever and things are changing. She seems to have power she doesn't know about. So when it comes to life when she is trying to save someone from a Descended. She has had enough. She decides to listen to Henri and sign up to be a rebel of sorts. Which is how she finds herself back in the palace under the scrutiny of Luther. She has a mission but who does she think she is. She is in over her head. She is getting mixed signals from Luther too- like maybe there is more than this mask he keeps showing her. So when she gives up intel to the rebel group that backfires, she realizes that she has made a mistake. She doesn't want to fight violence with violence. She will find another way. She changes up her life- no longer a healer but figuring it out one day at a time. She can't help but thinking if she will ever see Luther again now that the healer door is closed. But then the King dies and ALL BETS ARE OFF when it comes to Diem. Because there is definitely something going on with her that she doesn't know about yet but apparently the Mother does.

UGH THAT ENDING!! I seriously love romantasy but I question if these authors are out to torture yet. Luckily I have book 2 and plan on starting that right away. I can't WAIT to read more about Luther and Diem- I mean that KISS!! Why oh why do our heroines always fight these strong feelings?? And Henri- I have a feeling that is going to end badly. I have read that the next book is even more of a slowburn so here is to that. I definitely recommend this one if you haven't picked it up yet!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review :)

I can tell you right now this is a six tier, Roman Empire book for me. I read it all in one night. I could not put it down. This is a MUST READ fantasy. And read it immediately.


This a story of a fantasy realm with two classes: mortals (humans obviously) and descended (children of the gods and mortals). The mortals and descended are not allowed to marry or have children together, and the mortals are treated like second class citizens. So, of course there is a rebellion brewing and the FMC is caught in the middle. Then, to make the politics even higher stakes, the the King is dying and the next ruler will be the most powerful in the country (the crown decides). Your FMC is a healer and when her Mother disappears she finds herself having to provide healing services to the descended where she meets the prince.

Tropes: Strong FMC, Two Class Society, Rebellion, Morally Gray, Rebellion, Fantasy World Politics, Love Triangle, Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn

Spark of the Everflame is one of the BEST fantasy romances I've ever read. Diem is brave, loyal, and whole heartedly loves her people. Penn Cole has create an immersive world that will grab you and never let go. I can't wait to see where Diem, Teller, Henri, and Luther go and evolve to become. I LOVED IT. 5 Stars, HIGHLY RECOMMEND

This was a wonderful way to start a series. It was so fast paced that I did not want to put it down. I was so glad I had book 2 because the ending had me wanting more.

I ended up DNFing this one. It was really slow to start and I was super confused by the action. Once it picked up, I found the main character to be incredibly insufferable and annoying. It also started to lull again and I couldn't get past 30%. I wasn't t invested in the story and the concept just fell flat to me. I won't be continuing with the rest of the series. Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the ARC to read and review.

Do I let the last 20% of a book completely change my thoughts and feelings towards the other 80% of the book? Unabashedly, yes, I do. Spark of the Everflame is an easy 5 stars after that ending!!

The setup and world building in Spark is awesome. It’s different from other fantasy worlds yet not convoluted. The magic and dynamics of this world are set up just enough to satisfy me in this first book, and intrigue me to excitedly read the rest of the series.

I found the middle third of Spark to be a little difficult to get through, but the high praise I’ve heard about the series combined with the complex characters that we’re introduced to were just enough to keep me motivated to push through that middle 30%. I can see where some readers may get frustrated with Diem and some of the choices that she makes, but I get where’s she’s coming from with her limited knowledge and understanding of the world around her. She’s just a girl trying to find a place in this world!!

However, Ms. Penn Cole sure knows how to end a book, my Kindle was glued to my hand that last 20%, I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN!! I’m really excited about the rest of this series. Spark ends in an exciting place, and then you throw the epilogue and Luther’s POV in there too??? Consider me obsessed and pumped to read Glow of the Everflame ASAP!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity to read the trad pub ARC of Spark!

diem is the WORST. zero personality except being snarky, snapping at people, and caring about other people. oh, you can’t stand to show emotion? oh, you can’t stand to think things through? WOW WHAT AN INDEPENDENT FEMALE PROTAGONIST LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

anyways.

i do think that this is such a cool world, and i am rather intrigued by the snippets of fantasy elements we got. how does the magic work? do i get to see the other kingdoms? and will diem finally act like a normal human being for once???

also, prince luther🤔 not sold on him YET but he has potential! the romance has potential! even if the story moved a little slowly at times, i’m excited to see what happens in the next book. the romance has a lot of potential, and I can already see the chemistry forming! and the plot picked up really well around the 65% mark!

3.5 stars!

a huge thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

this book got me out of my acotar hangover. this book and the whole series in worth it! just read it!!

*thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for my review*

To say that this book lives up to the hype would be effective, but lacks the nuance that this book deserves. Penn Cole has crafted a story that is so skillful—both elaborately detailed and fully accessible—with her fully immersive writing. The world building and magic system were unique and interesting, and the characters were beautifully flawed. The plot was complex and compelling—I was rooting for Diem the whole time, even when I thought she was being stupid. Packed with political and social intrigue, I didn’t expect such a satisfyingly slow (and I mean SLOOOOOOOWWWWW) burn. Honestly, I just enjoyed this read immensely. Cliffhanger endings are not my thing, but this one felt so right. I’m so stunned by the picture the whole story paints, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this excited to read the next book in a series!

New favorite series unlocked!! And I'm only on book 1! I can definitely see why people are comparing this to ACOTAR and I'm here for it. I absolutely love when a fantasy series breaks the norm of the main couple getting together in the first book, then miscommunication/betrayal in the second book. Also, it's time for a break from Fae and this world was so refreshing. I'm learning to appreciate a good slow burn, and Diem and Luther are iiiiiiitttttt y'all. We have an independent FMC, a broody scarred shadow daddy Prince, and some of the best banter I've read in a long time. Add in a mystery element into the plot and I'm HOOKED. Itching to get my hands on the second one.

I started hearing a lot of hype around this book. I was intrigued but I had been putting it off. Don’t do what I did, and start it now! This book absolutely gripped me from the beginning! This is the next epic romantic fantasy for sure. Diem, a healer, stumbles across her mother in a secret conversation with a Descendent (children of the gods), in the mortal city. Then her mother never comes home that night; she’s gone without a trace. I can’t say much more because this is a fun story to go into blind! Cole does an excellent job of slowly introducing the world and characters to the reader. Her writing style is beautiful and immersive. The world is fae-adjacent but unique.

For those who love:
✨Romantic Fantasy
✨Slow Burn Romance
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Demi-gods & Mortals
✨Magical Realms
✨Court Intrigue

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Absolutely incredible from start to finish. I'm obsessed and ended up buying the 2nd and 3rd books on audible before I was even finished with this one, if that's any indication of how much I enjoyed it. I will be binging the next two books as I eagerly await the 4th book to be released.

Diem was the best kind of FMC. She was so badass and knew how to fight, did everything she could for everyone else and displayed so much courage no matter what she was faced with. I'm so curious as to her family history, although I think I know where it's going, and I need to know more about Luther and what's going on between him and Diem. Luther could definitely use a little bit of work character wise, and he seemed like a bit more of a background character, especially compared to the amount of time Henri was at the forefront of the story. My interest is sooooo piqued and I'm hoping that their relationship progresses more in the next book.

AMAZING!!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! Can't wait to read the next two books.
f you’re a fan of immersive fantasy worlds, strong heroines, and epic romance, “Spark of the Everflame” is must read!!

This book had so much potential. I liked the concept of the world, but all that was overshadowed by how badly the main character came across. Diem is extremely unlikeable. I understood what the author was trying to do, but it ended up being an annoying mess. Diem was always making stupid decisions and then reacting outrageously when she had to face the consequences. It was so over the top that I ended up hate reading to ending and will not continue with this series.

Romantasy • Fantasy • Enemies to Lovers
Pub Date • 1 January 2023

Thank you @atriabooks for gifting me the first two books in this series! And happy publication day to Glow of the Everflame! 🎉

Here we have a winning formula for romantasy: fast-paced, action-driven rebel alliance versus evil empire, frail humans versus god-like rulers, magical beings in a layered world that we begin to peel back, allowing for further development, and can’t forget mr. princely shadow daddy pitted against a fearless heroine who is sharp-witted, albeit a bit slow on the uptake.

Let me tell you this is a highly bingeable slow burn romantasy. There will be the start of a love triangle and of course, it will be nigh impossible for stable, reliable, ever loyal Henri to ever compare to the godlike wielder of shadows Prince Luther. I am impressed that the book comes to closure on the main plot line, while leaving us tantalized for what’s to come.

thank you Atria for the eGalley!

This was a solid book! I did have an issue with the FMC being in denial for way too long that i did have to knock down a star for it. Aside from that though, it was entertaining! I can't wait to see where the next book goes.

3.5 stars rounding up to 4 stars

Ugh, this is the romantasy I've been waiting for!!! It was so captivating, I was fully invested in the world and the characters, and the romance was everything!! This is a slow burn romance between Diem, a girl searching for answers about her missing mother, and Luther, heir to the Descended throne. I knew immediately that Henri was not for me and was sooo glad when my feelings were validated! Diem is probably the strongest FMC I've read this year in a romantasy and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!! I know it's going to be right up their with ACOTAR and Fourth Wing, an instant classic!

Ugh, I really think I'm phasing out of my romantasy era. I used to really love this genre, before it actually became a genre. But recently it's all reading a little too cookie-cutter and juvenile for my ever evolving tastes. My lack of enjoyment is really no reflection on the book itself... I really think it's just more of a me thing. I'm in denial because I used to love reading this type of story and sadly I just don't seem to get the same feelings from it like I used to.

I really enjoyed this book. The world building was great and I really enjoyed how it was a fantasy book with romance. Excited to continue the series

Unfortunately this was just not for me. It just didn't grasp my attention the way I wanted it to. I will try this one again as a published book. I have purchased the finished copy to read in the near future.