𝑺𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
• I’m grateful we saw some growth in Diem. She is less of a petulant child (though she still has plenty of frustrating moments). She still wears her emotions pretty freely, but is gaining better control of them in some regards.

• The tension between her and Luther is 🥵 - it’s a slow slow burn filled with so much witty and sexy banter. Much of this book focused on their developing relationship. Luther is my new book boyfriend crush.

• I loved all the side characters in this one. Though Diem has to determine who to trust - she lands herself in a circle that would do anything to protect one another. There are some side characters leaving me questioning their intentions though. Are the secretly good but pretend to be evil? Or are they pretending to be good and would make evil choices for their own gain?

• Also I love Sorae

Can you die from a slow burn burning too slowly? Because you're KILLING ME, Penn! But let's be real, I freaking love it haha.

This book is everything I want in a second installment. It's incredible world building, it's Diem wrestling with what she's always thought and what she's learning about this new side of herself. We get some amazing new characters that I'm instantly in love with... and we get our heart ripped out of our body and crushed into a million little pieces.

Diem is forever my queen, even when she drives me crazy, and I can't wait to see where her story goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Glow of the Everflame is a thrilling and immersive fantasy that locked in from start to finish. The world-building is rich and detailed, and I loved how the magic system felt both fresh and seamlessly integrated into the story. The characters are well-developed and easy to root for, especially the protagonist, Diem Bellator, whose journey of growth and resilience was so satisfying to follow. The plot is perfectly paced, with just the right balance of action, mystery, and emotional depth. Penn Cole’s writing is vivid and descriptive, bringing every scene to life without ever feeling overwhelming. I found myself completely absorbed in this world, and I didn’t want to leave. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy with heart and adventure, this one is must-read for sure. Can't wait to read more of Cole's work in future!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What an amazing fantasy series OMG! this book is a perfect example of why I adore the genre! Fast paced, excellent characters, easy to grasp (while still being complex) world building. I ate this up and am so excited to continue the series.

After the first book I hate to admit it, but this was kind of a let down. It was like watching a car crash, so bad but you can't look away. Diem was annoying in the first book but I could overlook it but in this was she was just unbearable. I had to take a bit of a break in the middle of the book because I couldn’t stand it anymore. I think I only persevered because I wanted to see more of Luther. There's slow burn and then there’s... this. I don't need to read two full books just to get that they've built trust and are obviously going tot end up together, but I especially don't need two books of Henri planning to kind while Diem's just like "this is fine." I read this for the promise of romance but the fantasy elements were just average, right until the last 5%. I'm all for a last minute twist/cliff hanger but it really was a lot to get through and almost not enough payoff. Not even Prince Luther could redeem this for me. I’ll still continue reading the series because of the cliff hanger and I'm still trying to redeem the series but it's mostly out of spite now (and for Luther, who is in no way a perfect character but the only highlight left for me)

Thanks to Atria Books, NetGalley and Penn Cole for this e-ARC that I chose to read and review

4.25-4.5 stars. I liked this one more than the first! The romance has built, the plot has thickened, and I’m fully immersed in this world and invested in its characters. I stayed up really late reading it so you know I must like it a lot— sleep be important to me.

The FMC second guessed herself a lot and while it could be seen as annoying, I think I find her character relatable in that way so I can hardly judge her for that. Just throwing that out there since I know her character has mixed reviews.

Book 3 is coming out in the US later this year and I have to read it. It’s a need.

Huge thank you to Atria and NetGalley for my eARC!

this series is easily become one of my new favorites! i loved this so much! i love learning new things about the characters and the world and i feel like there’s something new every other page. i did guess who was “leading” the Guardians pretty early, especially since Henri was like oh you’d like her and im like seriously dude you couldn’t tell her it was her own MOM???? speaking of Henri, i don’t like him. i did at first, but the further into the series i got, i realized he’s just basically using Diem and lying to her and doesn’t give one fuck about her.
but i also have a bone to pick with Diem. Luther is so open and honest with her and cares about her and what she can do and all she did for half of the book was doubt him to a fault. like anytime anyone had something negative to say, SHE JUST BELIEVED THEM WITHOUT PROOF. like girl. enough is enough!!!! i also feel like the Guardians killed Andrei??? those are the vibes i’m getting.
anyway, the ending was amazing, although i don’t know how Aurelie didn’t recognize her own daughters voice😂 i’m excited to find out more about Diems lineage and her eyes and what happened to the Heartstone.
thank you netgalley and Atria for this e arc in exchange for my honest review.
4.5/5

While one reviewer's quote of, "this book would be so much better without Diem in it" was hilarious. I am going to have to agree with her and still give the book 5 stars. I think Penn Cole is an amazing writer and the world building was great. The characters (except Diem) are likeable and Luther is goals. She may not deserve him right now, but I have a feeling she will get some much needed character development in the coming books.

“𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒔𝒐 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒅.”

Listen - When I tell you I blew through these so fast… ❤️‍🔥 This series has officially become my latest obsession.

Glow of the Everflame is the second book in The Kindred’s Curse Saga, a four-book fantasy romance series. This slow burn, enemies-to-lovers epic is perfect for lovers of magic, dragons, angst, banter, strong female leads, and political intrigue. These are for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, From Blood and Ash, Gild, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night series!

Penn Cole’s writing is beautiful, weaving a tapestry of magic, and complex relationships that kept me turning pages late into the night. The slow burn romance between Diem and the heir to the throne adds a layer of tension and longing that will resonate with fans of epic fantasy and enemies-to-lovers romance. Whew! 🥵

If you’re a fan of immersive fantasy worlds, strong heroines, and epic romance, Glow of the Everflame is a must-read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in this captivating saga.

A MUST-READ romantasy!

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

This book has me in a chokehold. I don’t know if I’ve ever been invested in a series the way I’m invested in this one. I care SO much about what is happening in the characters’ lives and has it become my whole personality? Maybe. I’m not mad about it.

Penn Cole’s masterful storytelling picks up in book two the moment it left off in book one, which made me so so happy because OMG I HATE A CLIFFHANGER. The political intrigue and court dynamics in this book were intensely satisfying, and for a hot minute I didn’t know who to trust! While this was not a quick-moving plot, I was totally wrapped up in the story and character development.

The found family aspect of this story particularly spoke to me—I love when characters have to face a major shift in perspective. There’s something about it that feels so good in my soul. The sexual tension in the book was also well played. Like so many others, I love a slow-burn that is actually slow. Also, Luther forever. ✌️

Wow. And once again I am absolutely in love with a fantasy book. This book had me up past 3am finishing it! I loved how high the stakes were, it seemed like Diem was finally getting the memo about what she needs to do in order to save her people. And the slow burn is SLOW BURNING. I don’t think I’ve ever highlighted as much as i did in this book. Absolutely incredible and I can’t wait for the rest of the books, BECAUSE THAT CLIFF HANGER?!?!?!?! Wild.

Wow!!!
Glow of the Everflame by Penn Cole completely blew me away.
The constant twists, betrayals, and high-stakes politics had me hooked. Nobody in this story is safe, and trust is a dangerous gamble. Watching Diem get pulled deeper into the world of royals she despises made for a tense, addictive read I couldn’t put down.

Diem is such a fiery, flawed character. I love her strength, but wow, her decision-making in this book? Frustrating. She constantly sabotages herself, and there were moments I wanted to shake some sense into her. That said, her growth feels realistic, even if it’s hard to watch at times. Luther, though, is everything I love in a male lead. Broody, loyal, and willing to burn the world for Diem, he steals every scene he’s in. Their romance is the slowest of slow burns—painfully slow—but somehow, every small moment between them feels so meaningful that I couldn’t even be mad.

The worldbuilding and side characters really shine in this one. There’s such depth to the story, and the supporting cast is so well-written that I found myself invested in their arcs, too. The action scenes, especially the challenge, were heart-pounding. The stakes feel higher than ever, and that cliffhanger? Brutal. I need the next book in my paws now.

If I have one gripe, it’s that Henri needs to exit stage left permanently. And while the pacing started slow, once the story picked up, it didn’t let go. If you love political fantasy with tension-filled romance and constant twists, this series is for you.

Thank you NetGalley & Atria Books.

This series is worth they hype! I feel like a lot of recommendations from social media have not been living up to the hype recently but this series has me hooked! If you are burnt out from reading things that are not living up to your expectations, give this a try!

Note this is Book 2 in the series. Make sure you've read Spark of the Everflame first!

This was such a quick read. Despite it being longer than book 1 in the series, I read it in two sittings! It had me kicking my feet and experiencing that feeling of falling more in love with this fantasy world than our own. The banter! The chemistry! The tension!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an eARC of this book! I have already purchased the new special edition hardcover version as a book trophy for my shelves.

I got about a quarter of the way through this before I realized it was part of a series. I was hooked (but confused), so I'd highly recommend this one after you read book 1!

The book started off very interesting. Just like first book strong start but then it sort of went downhill for me. It kept me interested enough, but there was something missing. I can't seem to like the Main character. The writing is great, it's just the accessive monologuing and inner thoughts. This wasn't my cup of tea but im sure there are plenty who would enjoy this.

OBSESSED with this entire series! If you liked ACOTAR and The Crowns of Nyaxia series, then you will eat this up. Don't expect it to take you long to read either, because the pacing of the book will have you abandoning all responsibilities for a binge session. It's hard to give a full review on a book that's not the first in a series, but this one does begin right where the previous book left off. Glow of the Everflame will have you kicking, giggling, screaming, surprised, stressed, crying, and feeling every single emotion. I beg of you, YOU MUST READ this series if you're a romantasy girlie. Penn Cole has quickly become a favorite author of mine.

3.5 ⭐️

while the writing could still use some help and the plot is all over the place (or nonexistent), tell me why i’m EATING THIS UP. the romance and banter are still top tier and i kinda had a blast…y’all go pick up this series!!!

4 Stars

The deluxe edition of Glow of the Everflame by Penn Cole is a treat for fans of the series and a testament to why this BookTok sensation continues to captivate readers. With its striking design—gorgeous full-color endpapers, a beautifully embossed hardcover case, and an exclusive bonus chapter—this edition elevates an already enthralling story into a collector’s dream.

Diem Bellator’s journey grows even more complex in this sequel. The stakes are higher, the alliances more fragile, and the emotions more intense as she navigates a world on the brink of war. Cole excels at creating morally complex characters, and Diem’s interactions with the royal family of House Corbois are a standout, showcasing her growth and the nuances of her evolving worldview.

The love triangle—between an old flame and a compelling new interest—adds emotional depth without overshadowing the larger narrative. The tension is palpable, and while the romantic elements sizzle, they never detract from the overarching story of survival, self-discovery, and duty.

The bonus chapter is a fantastic addition, offering new insights into the characters and hinting at what’s to come in the series. While some plot threads feel slightly rushed or unresolved, the overall pacing keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Glow of the Everflame is a worthy sequel, and this deluxe edition makes it an essential addition to any fan’s bookshelf. It’s a dazzling blend of action, intrigue, and romance, and I can’t wait to see where Diem’s story takes us next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Another fabulous fantasy. Romance, fast paced plot, intriguing characters.

I cannot express how much I love Diem and Luther. They are literally everything to me and I can’t stop thinking about their journey. Heat can’t come fast enough!