The way this book ended and the fact that I can't immediately go to the next book is CRIMINAL!

I am loving the politics of this world, the revolution that is happening and of course, the romance is starting to build and I am HERE for it!

OH MY GOSH I loved this book so much I could not put it down! Luther and Diem are absolutely perfect and I literally LOVED everything about them. This is one you won’t wanna put down! The romance, the world building, the story, the characters… all of it is amazing.

What an awesome follow up in this world!! This one is a lot more political, but I loved the character growth!

It also reminded me a lot of A Court of Mist and Fury, in a good way 😉

It has the slowest of slow burn romances ever. But I also loved every second of it??

I just love how easy this series is to follow. There’s no confusing elements or tons of people to keep track of. It’s a single POV and the main character is someone I actually want to read about.

Glow of the Everflame takes the world Penn Cole established in Spark and expands it even more. This felt more like the plot-heavy fantasy I was promised, and it was absolutely addictive to read.

I read this book in 24 hours. It definitely keeps moving, even if some of that movement is around in circles. There were multiple times I put the book down due to frustration or anxious anticipation, but I always picked it back up ready to see what happened next.

There were probably two things that kept this from being a five star read for me. One was Diem, the POV character. I realize this is an intentional choice, but she was so frustrating to read. Sometimes I wanted to smack her upside the head and make her actually think through her actions and the actions of the people around her.

The other thing I think held this book back from being for me how much information was given to me in a way where it felt like Diem also should have known it. I love guessing plot twists, but when other characters in the book have also guessed the twist and are trying to tell Diem, and she won’t listen to them, that was frustrating to me. It felt obvious instead of earned, and I want to earn it damn it!

That being said, I will definitely be continuing with this series! Here’s hoping we get a release date for book four soon, because Heat of the Everflame is high up on my TBR.

I will post my review to IG no more than 14 days before publication, and on Amazon on publication day

This book is everything, I can't even express how much I loved it. The slow burn, the LONGING. The best found family I've read in a long time. The heartache. The loyal gryvern. I couldn't put it down to save my life. This is absolutely, without question, a new favourite book and series.

Spice level: 🌶️/4 (mostly a lot of tension)
Diem has unexpectedly been crowned queen of Lumnos, but how can that be if she's human? Everyone was certain the crown would go to Luther, the strongest in the magic of their region. Now Diem has the power and position to take down the Descended from the inside, of she can survive the period of Challenging and learn to use her new power. Who can she trust now on the thick of those she once hated? She'll learn pretty quickly it's not as black and white as she once believed

"You are the fate my heart was spared for. As long as it beats, you will never fight alone."

Wow, book 2 of this series packs quite a punch! I will admit that Diem is not my favorite for much of this book because it's hard when she's just missing all the signs. That said, Luther leaves quite an impression. Get ready for some court intrigue and power struggles (internal and external).

Thank you to Atria Books for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I'll be adding an Instagram post the week or so before the pub date.

The way I can feel that this story is building into something massive and amazing (at least it sure better be amazing)! And it is making me so excited to read the rest of the series!

I did find this book slightly slower in pace compared to the first one, but it was still a very enjoyable fantasy series that I would definitely recommend (especially to fans of the Kingdom of Runes and Throne of Glass series).

And I would consider this a slow burn for those wondering!

At some points Diem was a bit annoying, but it could be easily overlooked because of how character-driven this story is. All of the characters are so well developed and likable and flow into the story so well. I think this is such a great ensemble cast of characters and I LOVE to love side characters. I demand a good ensemble, so this made me happy.

Since this is a sequel, I don't want to say too much and risk spoiling or revealing anything that is best to be discovered when reading. But I will repeat that I am so excited to finish this series, the build up is keeping me intrigued and on the edge of my seat. I love suspense in a fantasy!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

First, I want to say thank you to my old B&N coworkers for convincing me to read this series. This has become of my favorite new series of 2024. However, even with that said this sequel frustrated the hell out of me. And most of my frustrations revolve around Diem. She was such a spitfire in Book 1 and in the sequel it was like we lost some of that amazing character arc. Instead we traded her out with a naive temper tantrum child. The amount of times I wanted to scream at her especially revolving around her conversations with Henri. Multiple times I kept saying “ma’am you cannot be that dumb, ok great you are being that dumb.”Plus some of her treatment toward her inner circle felt a little degrading when they have fought tooth and nail for her and have been nothing but loyal.

But anyway I digress, even though some parts had me screaming. I still thoroughly enjoyed reading book 2 and in the end Diem did redeem herself. Especially with the scene with Diem and her gryphon reminded me of Daenerys and Drogon going to conquer Ethos.

Overall I highly recommend this series. If you are a fan of Throne of Glass this will be right up your alley. “Glow of the Everflame” is a great continuation of the series and I can’t wait to dive into book 3. Thank you to Atria & NetGalley for providing me an arc to read and review!

Love this series… love the characters and the magic system. I’m hooked and can’t wait to see where the series goes.

I have so many questions I devoured this I NEED THE NEXT BOOK. My romantasy friends- y’all need to read this series!!!

This book picks up right where the first one left off and I don't want to spoil anything but the storyline evolves slowly and perfectly. We learn so much about the descendant's world, we meet so many new friends, and Diem gains new enemies of course. There is a challenge, political plotting, and two romance story lines. One made me want to throw the book out of the window and shake Diem about how stupid she was and the other was a perfect slow burn. I loved the story about her magic, her family, and of course the secrets of Prince Luther.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an early copy of this copy of the book. It was independently published at first but has now been bought by Atria and will be traditionally published on 12/3/2024.

this series has me in a chokehold, this one wasn't my favourite out of them and it was kind of hard to get through but it was worth it IMO

Compared to the first book, this was horrendous. This is the continued story of Diem after the goddess names her queen in the field. The whole book is the character self sabotaging, and being stubborn to the detriment of the story. 80% of it is her being rejected or belittled by Luther's ex and all the houses. It should have been one big event rather than giving each house a chapter including the mortals. At 90% is when the book finally gets interesting at the challenge but then it's back to dragging on. We also had to yet again endure a book of mixed signals between her and Luther. The story should have been cleaned up, and cut in half. It would be so much better.

I loved the first book, but I couldn't stand it. It was just overall boring and the same poor decisions repeated. The epilogue was OK, but again it was her mother being stubborn.

YELLING FROM THE ROOFTOPS FOR EVERYBODY TO READ THIS SERIES!

Where book one (Spark of the Everflame) was captivating and delicious, Glow doubles the stakes, making for an even better read than book one. This is a perfect romantasy series for readers who love both romance and fantasy, and refuse to skimp on a helping of either subgenre. There is TENSION! There is POLITICS! There are SCHEMES and BETRAYALS and LOSS and SEXUALLY CHARGED SHOE REMOVALS!!!! I am wildly obsessed with this series but especially this book, as it traverses well-loved, familiar tropes and plot points while exploring a brand new dimension to the story.

Glow continues telling Diem's story, seeing her through the tumultous changes thrown her way at the end of Spark. Diem is forced to face court politics, the tricky process of choosing alliances, and a whole new cast of characters, all while navigating her very complicated feelings about the people she's relying on to guide her through the pinnacle of her journey: the Challenging.

My love for Diem grew in leaps and bounds in this installment. Sometimes it's hard to relate to fantasy main characters, because real life enemies are decidedly less sexy or exciting, and I've never had to prove myself to a species of people who abhor me and everything I represent, but there's something so deeply relatable in Diem with her recklessness, her avoidance of things that give her anxiety, her yearning and relentless clinging to people and ideas from her past, and her tendency to let her emotions run the show and throw all planning and scheming to the wind. Penn utterly nails the trifecta of great storytelling — compelling characters, a captivating plot, and enough sizzling romance to keep you hooked the entire length of this deliciously slow burn story.

Without getting too much into where the story takes us here, rest assured that there are plenty of twists and moments that will have you pacing your room reading at 30000 wpm speeds. It's also chock full of all of our favorite tropes: ONE HORSE! Quirky found family! A mutual who-did-this-to-you, i'll-kill-them moment! And an MMC who not only calls her good girl, but who would also literally burn the entire world down for her just to lay it at her feet.

This is a series for the romantasy fans, for the slow burn folks, for the I-love-cliffhangers-because-I-love-theorizing people. It's a RIDE and one I'm already dying to reread just to feel even a shred of the emotional whirlwind that this put me through for the first time again.

“𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛. 𝙰𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚜 𝚒𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚜, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎.”

Glow of the Everflame by Penn Cole
5/5 🌟
1.5 - 2/5 🌶️

Now that is what I'm talking about! I was HOOKED on this installment from the beginning and it didn't let me go. I loved where this story took us. This book was so heartbreaking. It literally BROKE my heart. There was so much character development for Diem. Much needed character development. Luther. Ah Luther. I was so glad to have more of him in this book. I loved all the side characters especially Taran and Eleanor. I didn't like Henri in the last book and I still don't. Henri is definitely right up there with Dain and Tamlin. 🥴 The reveal at the end was a complete shock. I want to read book 3 I'll wait until book 4 is closer to release

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Glow of the Everflame is the second book in the Kindred’s Curse series and continues to follow Diem as she finds herself caught between the world of the Descended and the world of the mortals.

That was a horrible blurb, but I don’t want to include any spoilers.

GUYS. This book was INCREDIBLE. I devoured it and loved every single second of it. I felt like at no point did I really have a good idea of what was going to happen, or where it was going to go. The plots and twists DIDDDDD plot and twist lemme tell ya!!

I liked Diem as a main character, but she definitely did things that made me roll my eyes. However, Luther Corbois…….. the MANNNNNNNNNN that you are. He’s hit the top all-timer list of book boyfriends people. The banter??? The touch her and you die vibes??? I’m obsessed. Gnawing at the gates of my ENCLOSURE for this man. The side characters are all incredible too - Eleanor, Teller, Taran, Alixe, Lily, I love them!!!!

Jumping into book three which is 1,026 pages…… wish me luck! 🫡

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

The novel follows Diem, a fiercely determined protagonist who is faced with a dire challenge: to avert impending war through a precarious alliance with the very people she despises—the royal family of House Corbois.
One of the most commendable aspects of Cole’s writing is her ability to weave intricate character dynamics that resonate with the complexity of human emotions. Diem is not a one-dimensional heroine; she grapples with deep-seated prejudices, personal loss, and an identity shaped by her tumultuous past. As she navigates the glittering yet treacherous realm of the Descended elite, readers accompany her on a journey that compels them to question their own perceptions of morality. The manner in which Cole portrays the Corbois family challenges the age-old trope of "good versus evil," allowing for nuanced storytelling that adds depth to the narrative.
The tension in Glow of the Everflame is expertly crafted, with the clock ticking down to Diem's deadline of thirty days. This countdown creates an atmosphere of urgency that propels the plot forward, while also allowing for moments of introspection. Diem's confrontation with her past—particularly the mystery of her missing mother—adds another layer of intrigue, pulling readers deeper into her emotional battles. The interplay of her old flame and a new romantic interest adds a relatable layer of complexity, showcasing how love can complicate our loyalties in times of crisis.
This book is a gripping tale of survival, self-discovery, and the moral complexities of human nature. It poses questions about loyalty, identity, and the sacrifices one must make for the greater good, making it not just an adventure but a reflective journey. For fans of fantasy that combine vivid world-building with character-driven narratives, this book is a must-read. As Diem discovers, the path to truth and redemption is fraught with challenges, but it’s in facing those challenges that we often find our true selves.

I’m obsessed with this series. I loved the first one and didn’t think I’d love the next more but boy did I. Loved!

The first book of the series was good… This book was a thrilling ride on an emotional rollercoaster!
The story was full of twists and turns that kept my eyes glued to the page. Sometimes I wanted to smack Diem, but most of the time she is quite the badass FMC. She is struggling with a lot through this book - love, family, friends, growing as a person and as the unchallenged queen.
Luther still has a large piece of my heart in this one and the more we learn, the deeper I fell for him - Diem too 😉, while Taran has the rest of it. The rest of the side characters also continue to contribute significantly to the story.
The plot and pacing is perfection, in my opinion. I was glued from the beginning until the very end and that ending left me wanting so much more.
I recommend this to all fantasy readers out there.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an e-arc of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Oh. My. I haven’t felt this way about a series since ACOTAR. Absolutely delicious. LOVED the first book. I feel this second one is giving us a lot of world building, a lot in conflict building and is setting us up for a huge climax. I can’t freaking wait. Diem is a fierce main character. She gives me Katniss and Feyre vibes. I’m all about it. And Luther?! WOW. Rivaling Rhys here for best book boyfriend. 😍 the magic, the heroism, the battles….FABULOUS book.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS SERIES. I'm so happy it's getting traditionally published and will shout about this series until the end of time. PICK IT UP