Glow of the Everflame” by Penn Cole is a captivating fantasy novel that blends adventure, lore, and compelling characters. This book picks up right where ‘Spark’ left off throwing Diem into a new world that she must learn to navigate. Her unwavering sense of integrity, even when bargaining with those she despises, adds depth and makes her an incredibly engaging character to follow. The book’s complex characters and suspenseful plot, and engaging world building made the book impossible to put down. Luther Corbois is a book boyfriend like no other. This man can give a monologue that makes you weak in the knees.
While the miscommunication trope is used in this book, I didn’t hate it like I normally do.
Overall, it’s a must-read for fantasy/romantasy fans. I would put this series in the top 5 for fantasy series!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

Absolutely loved this. Penn Cole is building something truly special in this world. The characters are wonderfully fleshed out and complicated and I was on the edge of my seat predicting how things would go down. Could not put this down.

"Glow of the Everflame" by Penn Cole is an engaging fantasy novel that transports readers into a richly crafted world filled with magic, intrigue, and complex characters. The story centers around a protagonist who embarks on a quest to harness the power of the Everflame, a mysterious and potent force that holds the key to both creation and destruction.

Cole's writing is vivid and immersive, painting striking visuals of the landscapes and magical elements that populate the narrative. The pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of action, character development, and world-building that keeps readers invested throughout.

One of the standout features of the book is its character development. The protagonist is relatable and undergoes significant growth, facing both internal and external conflicts that challenge their beliefs and abilities. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, adding depth and dimension to the story.

Themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the struggle between light and darkness resonate throughout the narrative, providing a thought-provoking layer that elevates the plot beyond a simple adventure.

However, some readers may find certain plot twists predictable, especially if they are well-versed in the fantasy genre. Still, the execution and emotional stakes make these moments impactful.

Overall, "Glow of the Everflame" is a captivating read for fans of fantasy, combining adventure, rich lore, and compelling characters. It sets the stage for potential sequels, and readers will likely be eager to see where Cole takes the story next.

Diem for president!! Sign me up!

There will be some spoilers if you haven't read the first book in the series, Spark of the Everflame so beware!

Glow of the Everflame is the second book in the Kindred's Curse series and begins right after the events of the first book. Diem is in denial of the fact that the crown of Lumnos passed to her and the fact that she is most likely one of the Descended. She's unceremoniously brought to the palace and introduced to the reigning family, the House Corbois, thrust into royal politics on the first night of her reign and she holds her own. As the book goes on, Diem learns how to deal with all the manipulations and mind games of court and show herself to be a worthy player. She's not perfect, has lots of flaws and can be impulsive but Penn Cole does a great job of showing that Diem's heart is in the right place and her struggle in dealing with both extreme ends of the spectrum and the battle that she has ahead of her to achieve some kind of peace between mortal and Descended.

Miscommunication runs rampant in this book but I didn't mind it at all when it usually infuriates me! Cole had me hooked on these characters and their struggles that were established in the first book and as stupid as some of their decisions were, I was invested and there was no way I was putting this book down. It's the slowest of slow burns, romance and plot wise, and I enjoyed every second of it and read furiously to the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was so good! I absolutely loved the first book in the series and I was so excited to read this one and this was so much better some how! The romance developed so nicely and the story line is a amazing

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of the first book, so I am gitty over getting the second one.

The second book continues into a world on the brink of war, and Diem finds herself caught between political intrigue and personal discovery. Diem must navigate the treacherous waters of the elite royal family, House Corbois, while dealing with her own people's future. Diem must confront harsh truths and take charge of her destiny before the noble families do.

Diem refuses to back down even when negotiating with those she despises. She has to figure out how to navigate the House of Corbois and Luther. They represent the power and influence that can save or destroy Diem's people. Yes, all the tension and drama is still there. Diem must learn how to use her new power and discover the secrets that surround her. She has to face both new enemies and unexpected allies. She is also torn between the comfort of a past love and the allure of a new romantic interest. The story builds toward a climax where Diem must make critical decisions.

I absolutely loved Diem as the main character! She's fierce and feisty and commands respect in every situation, which makes her incredibly compelling to follow. I especially admired her unwavering sense of integrity, even when she had to bargain with those she despised. She's a character who knows her worth and refuses to compromise her values.

The author's writing brought the world to life; the vivid descriptions of action sequences and the world-building were so well done that I could picture everything perfectly. As someone who is a very visual reader, I appreciated how descriptive and immersive the writing was. It felt like I was right there with Diem in the heat of battle or navigating the intricate political webs of the elite. The mix of action and romance and the tension between old and new loyalties kept me hooked. The author also did a fantastic job blending Diem's struggles with the more significant conflicts in the story, making it both exciting and emotionally engaging. This book is a must-read for everyone!

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books.

I picked up Glow of the Everflame and read until 4:30am - something I've only done one other time this year! I finished reading Glow in under 24 hours!

Diem is thrown into a whirlwind of political schemes as she discovers who she truly is and who she can trust. She discovers that sometimes the people you’ve hated your whole life just might become your ride-or-die crew.

With her mother still missing, Diem has to face the secrets she left behind. With war coming and a battle for alliances, Diem also realizes her greatest battle may be the one she’s battling with her heart!

The ascension ball and dance with Luther was my favorite part. I adore the found family in this story. There’s pain and overcoming along the way and the amount of growth Diem has through this story is powerful.

I love the new map and the information about the realms. This is one of my favorite series. I can’t wait to read the Luther POV bonus chapters.

Loved it! Glad Diem started to get her sh*t together and we learn more about Luther and the magical realms. It kept us intriguing and learning as Diem learned too.

There was some heartache but also some heart warming - longer than the first. I look forward to the story evolving and watching Diem continue to succeed and Lord, will she end up with Prince.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Well, I’m so happy to say this was an absolutely exceptional sequel.

It’s always so amazing to discover a series you really, really enjoy and this one is absolutely living up to all the hype.
It had everything I loved about the previous novel, with even more of alllll the goodness!

So I obviously recommend this one — check it out, I think you’ll really love it!

This book was so good!!! Such a slow burn in the BEST way. The banter between the FMC and MMC is perfection. I cannot wait to see where this story goes 🩵

The second book in this series started off with a bang! I was hooked from page one and, no joke, found myself crying at just 17% in. That’s got to be a personal record, but this story hit on all the emotions.. Diem’s character development really soared in this book, and I loved following her journey. The found family elements and the introduction of new side characters were a fantastic addition.

The banter, the tension, and the angst between Diem and Luther were absolutely on point. Luther is seriously swoon-worthy and completely devoted to her. The “will they-won’t they” dynamic was thrilling, and it made the romance even more fun to read. The plot also really kicked into gear in this installment, making it an outstanding follow-up to the first book. You definitely don’t want to miss reading this series! I’m so happy it’s being traditionally published so more people can enjoy it!

✨ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
🪄 Unique magic systems
🐴 Only one horse trope
📚 Fourth Wing, From Blood and Ash, Game of Thrones
👑 Court intrigue & politics
♥️ He falls first
🔥 Slow burn romance
🚫 “Touch her and die” / “Who did this to you” / “Good girl”
🗡️ Fierce female leads
🤴🏻 Brooding, mysterious male leads
🥰 Found family
🐉 Bonded magical creatures

I love this series! I was so excited to have the opportunity to read the ARC Copy! Thank you NetGalley and Penn Cole! I truly adore this book and the characters in it. I am so excited to see what Penn does next!

I know my readers are going to love this series as much as I do!

I loved this book so much more than the first one! While we explored more of the world-building and dynamics of the characters in the first book, now we are seeing the consequences of their actions play out in full force. Not to mention the romance, which has definitely become a whole lot more spicy! I am so excited for the high stakes that are at play and cannot wait to see where the fate of these characters lies in the next installment. I highly recommend this read for anyone who loves fantasy and a solid, scorching romance!

I couldn't put this book down and can't wait to read the next book in the series! It's an exciting page-turner. I loved getting to know the characters better and watching Diem navigate court life. My main complaint about the first book is that Diem and Luther weren't on-page together enough and this book delivered the close proximity I was looking for. Highly recommend!

The series continues at a solid 4.25 stars pace!!

Diem’s been named the Queen of Lumnos, shocking quite literally everyone in town, including her. With Prince Luther and his merry band of cousins Taran, Eleanor, and Alixe, and her brother Teller and his crush (maybe more??) Princess Lily, Diem’s got a solid crew to help her learn to tap into her magic, navigate the tricky House politics, and survive the 30 day challenging period!

While this was a long book, it felt like every page was building something and taking us somewhere. We got to really explore our characters- live with Diem as she struggles to come to terms with all the lies she’s been told her whole life and accept her new life, Luther as he tries to protect this woman (and keep his secrets), Eleanor as she finally is seen as worthy within her family, Taran as he hides his love and care for his friends and family in jokes, Alixe as she gets a chance to meet her hero and hopefully prove his legacy well. The characters individually and the found family aspect were so beautifully woven together! The relationship aspect was ultra slow slow sloooooow burn, and we were all Taran watching it happen!!!

The cliffhanger was WOW (slightly expected twists but to have it play out was wild!!) and sets up so well for Diem’s early reign!

Thanks so much to Penn Cole and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

The cliffhanger at the end omg, I need to read the next book. This book picks up where the last one ended and I really enjoyed the political intrigue and the drama between the families. This book is a bit slower than the first book with lots of worldbuilding and politics but i think it was worth it. We follow the fmc as she tries to navigate the crown on her head, and what it means and we also see her grapple with not wanting it and then her reasons for wanting it. I liked seeing the fmc become and finding out her history and lineage and also navigating politics and the houses. Despite its length, I think this book was a good addition and I can't wait to see what happens next. Thanks to the publisher for this arc.

✨Book Review✨

Glow of the Everflame - Penn Cole

🌟 I really enjoyed this book after some initial plot and world building. Once the events started picking up I struggled to step away from reading. If you like fantasy, slow burn romance, and Game of Thrones vibes then start this series with Book 1: Spark of the Everflame - trust me, add this to your TBR list!

🛑 I put my recommendation at the top of this review - because if you haven’t read Spark of the Everflame (Book 1) DON’T read my summary or evaluation! There are heavy spoilers, so if you haven’t read book 1 come back once you have! 🚨

❗last warning - spoilers ahead ❗

📖 This book picks up the moment the first book ends, with the crown on Diem’s head and her panic ensuing. Luther enters the scene shortly after and everything escalates from there. The rest of the story is Diem navigating her newly appointed position, which includes many political conversations with the Houses and a potential “challenge” from them as well. Will her reign end before it has truly begun or will Diem be able to pull off staying alive long enough to rule?

📚 Once this book picked up speed I could not get enough of it. Luther finally got the page time we were all looking for and I was not disappointed in his character development. Diem finally shows her backbone and left me applauding her strong responses at different barbed comments. New characters like Taran and Eleanor gave the story depth and allowed for world-building insight.

🎯 I devoured this book. I also had to message my local librarian to make sure our branch had book 3 available, because the cliffhanger I was left on is not okay!

Has anyone else read this book/series? I have got to talk this out with someone!

#BookReview #GlowOfTheEverflame #Diem #Luther #HouseCorbois #BookRecommendation #Bookish #BookLover #Romantasy #Bookstagram

oh my GOODNESS! a sequel better than the original? who is she? she is stunning!!! 🤩

after that super rude cliffhanger, I was immediately invested and curious to see where diem’s story lies ahead and how her relationship with the mortals and descended adapts over time! and spoiler alert, I loved every second of her growth!!!

I’m not gonna lie, I was very annoyed with diem and her inability to let go of her past throughout most of this story. she seemed so focused on what she should do and what she should be accomplishing that she refused to accept who she actually was, but those moments at the end were 🥹🥹 perfect

I’m also not a fan of love triangles, and I was physically in pain watching diem fight for a love with henri that he clearly didn’t reciprocate once he found out who she really was 🙄 and honestly how could she not see what was right in front of her? ugh see paragraph above

which brings me to the family of the corbois!! they were the perfect side characters I never knew I needed and now never want to live without 😭 I would die for taran, eleanor, lily and luther many times over - I’m a sucker for a found family trope y’all

the action and plot building in this one takes the cake over the first book (which was more introductory), and left me again in total suspense on how this story is going to end! every time I get settled in an arc, it gets completely flipped on its head - and I love it!

thank you atria and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!!

rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: burgundy red blend

Hands down, 5 infinity stars for this book. I have only given two other books five infinity stars this year and this book is right up there with them. The second book in fantasy series tend to be my absolute favorite and this one is no exception

Glow of the Everflame picks up immediately where Spark of the Everflame ends. While Diem was a bad*ss in Spark, nothing compares to her in Glow. Diem really begins to grow into herself and the role she is destined to play in her world. We, as readers, struggle with her throughout, trying to decide WHO we really believe, WHAT we really believe, and HOW it is all going to work out for the best. She is learning not only to fight for what is right in a society that only benefits the rich and powerful as well as learning that sometimes she is not always right...and can admit it.

Luther is perfection. No notes. Ever. 10/10 recommend you get yourself a Luther. He is the epitome of what we want in a MMC. He will burn the world down for Diem if that’s what she wants, but he’ll also be just as happy to hand her the matches to let her do it herself. Luther is both a protector of everyone he loves and the catalyst that sparks them into action.

The banter! The hand flexes! The angst! The longing! The slowest of the slow burns! This book has it all!

A very special thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Penn Cole does it again!!
This series is absolutely fantastic and I urge anyone who wants a genuinely well written fantasy with romantic elements to read this series. It is so well done and I’m so captivated by the characters and world that Penn has created.