Heat of the Everflame delivered everything I wanted in the third installment of this spellbinding series—heart-pounding action, jaw-dropping revelations, and a romance that burned brighter than ever. Diem’s journey was more intense than ever as she navigated the impossible choices between duty, love, and survival. The political intrigue had me on edge, and the unraveling of her lineage added layers of emotional depth that made every twist hit harder.
Luther and Diem’s dynamic was electric, filled with aching tension and unshakable loyalty. Their journey across the realms was immersive, and every battle, betrayal, and sacrifice felt monumental. The stakes were sky-high, and the author didn’t hold back, making the war between the Descended and the Guardians feel raw and unpredictable.
The writing was cinematic, the pacing relentless, and the world-building richer than ever. If this series has taught me anything, it’s that the author knows exactly how to shatter my heart and leave me begging for more.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (very descriptive open door scenes)

Quick notes:
*Third in a series
*Touch her and die
*Expanded world-building
*Found family
*Secrets revealed
*Cliffhanger ending

My thoughts:
This series just keeps getting better and better! I enjoyed books 1 and 2, but this took the action, world-building, and romance to another level. I didn't realize how long this book was when I started, but I honestly never felt like it was padded with filler or needed to be cut down. There were a few times in the second half when the plot slowed down a bit, but then the next chapter would ramp up the romance or action and keep me invested. From start to finish, the romance was HOT. They were together but also still in a bit of a slow burn situation that kept the tension going. And when they finally gave in to their desires fully, it was burning up the pages 🔥🔥🔥 In terms of the plot, I loved how we got to explore other realms in a way that never got confusing or repetitive (Rebecca Yarros, please take note). Everything made sense, but there was still enough mystery left to keep me guessing and on the edge of my seat. I also still liked Diem, although I understand why some don't love her choices. I'm very curious to see where this goes after the cliffhanger ending- I honestly can't predict how this will play out, and it's got me very excited!

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really love this series and this world and these characters (most of the time - but your girl Diem does make me want to scream sometimes iykyk). There was so so much packed into this book, and while I loved where the story went, it was just too long - 1000+ pages for a book that isn’t the series finale is a lot for me. That cliffhanger though, I need book four asap!

Penn Cole delivers another pulse-pounding installment in the Everflame series with Heat of the Everflame, a book brimming with political intrigue, star-crossed romance, and shocking revelations. As war erupts, Diem is caught between two warring factions, forcing her to navigate treacherous alliances while uncovering the truth about her heritage. The stakes soar higher than ever as she and Luther embark on a dangerous quest that could determine the fate of the realms. With its breathtaking world-building, heart-wrenching twists, and a romance that burns just as fiercely as the battle for power, this third installment is an absolute must-read. Fans will devour every moment.

This book was absolute perfection. Somehow, this series just keeps getting better and better!

What I loved:
- The magic system and world-building are so immersive; I found myself completely lost in it.
- Diem and Luther’s relationship is everything. Luther’s unwavering dedication is next level, and their banter and flirting had me giggling and kicking my feet.
- This author does an amazing job with the slow burn. I've stayed completely engaged and invested throughout all three books.
- The side characters are all incredible, but Taran's humor was definitely one of the highlights for me!
- Diem’s character growth was so satisfying. I loved watching Diem grow and become more self-aware in this book. I enjoyed watching her come to terms with her powers and bloodline.
- The political intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat. Watching Diem navigate alliances and figure out who she can trust, while balancing the needs of both mortals and the Descended, was fascinating.

I’m completely invested in this world! But that ending… What just happened?! I’m still processing and am not sure how I’m supposed to wait until next year for book 4. I can't wait to see where this journey goes next!

“I was a creature of the embers, fire incarnate, a living flame. If this was what it meant to burn, I wanted to burn forever.”

Wow! Still processing that ending! This book was a wild ride from the start, and left no room for breaks. The twists and turns, some predictable and some not, kept me turning the pages well past my bedtime. And the tension! My goodness, Penn Cole knows how to write it!

Some of my favorite parts:
- Taran and Zalarik’s banter…so funny!
- The array of different realms you got to experience.
- Luther’s devotion ❤️
- Diem coming into herself & the role she’s been fated to play.
- The tension
…and the edge of emotion that Penn Cole can hold you over the fate of your beloved characters…for chapters.

“You will remake this world. You will be the voice they never had and the sword they were never allowed to wield.”

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Penn Cole for allowing me to read an advanced complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm not sure how I felt about this. In a lot of ways, I have more negative things to say than good. But, I still find myself swooning over the romance at times, and am really enjoying the world and magic system. Because of that, this book gets pretty high ratings. But, that being said, there was still a lot of things in here that I was not enjoying.

Firstly, why was this 1000 pages. There was absolutely no need for that and a lot of the middle of the book can be cut. I think mindless traveling from one place to another scenes are so boring and a lot of the ones that occurred here did not add enough to the story to really make sense being here. I also felt as though we were having the same conversation over and over of mortals vs. the Descended. We get it.

Secondly, Diem. Now, I seen a ton of Diem hate, and lots of people finding her to be the most annoying FMC they've ever read. I don't think she is that bad, but I am getting annoyed with that fact that she is getting crown after crown after crown. Like it's taking the choose one trope a bit too far. And it was also very predictable, when I assume it was supposed to be a big twist. Also, for a character that claims to not want the crown, she sure throws around her many titles a lot to get what she wants.

Third, Luther.. I used to LOVE Luther, he was so interesting and the slow burn and their romance was fantastic in the first two books. Now that it is not really a slow burn and more of a miscommunication trope, I definitely disliked it a lot more. There were still a few lines that got me good here and made me kick my feet a little. But overall, Luther lost so much interest here and was just a shadow to Diem. Like I love a guy to fall at a women's feet, but Luther stand up. I also personally have issues when main characters, especially romantic interests get hurt in a book. It is so hard for me to believe that something could actually happen to them. I found myself with zero emotions when Luther "died" because of course. He didn't. If there is going to be a death, or a near death, make it believable. Especially when a different character almost died of the exact same thing and then didn't. Loses my trust in the author a lot.

The ending had a nice cliffhanger...but again I have lost faith in the author so I know everything will be okay in the end. Diem will be fine.

That sounds like a lot of hate....but I did overall enjoy this book. I just find it easier to harp on the things I didn't like. Regardless, I will still read the next one, obviously.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This series just keeps getting better!!
Penn Cole does it yet again in the third segment of the Kindred Curse series!

Book three kicks off right where book two left off! As the war between mortals and the descended is here, and Diem feels conflicted now more than ever. After years of hating the descended she’s learned there’s so much more than meets the eye and not all descended are as ruthless and vile as she once thought. Likely not all mortals, specifically those in the rebel group the Guardians, aren’t as virtuous as she once thought. As she continues to fight for what she believes in after a disastrous coronation, Diem now more than ever needs to find allies as she grows into more power than she thought possible.



Thoughts and Spoilers:

This series is stunning! The most deliciously painful slowburn of all time, it is truly a lesson in yearning which so different than a lot of popular fantasy/romantasy circling around right now. I really love how much Diem continues to grow as a character not only alone, but into her relationships as well. For someone who is so fiercely stubborn and independent to learn to trust people and rely on others? She doesn’t always put her trust into the right individuals but she continues to learn. The growth of the side characters and their backstory was fun too

Luther Corbois oh the man that you are. The way this man is so fiercely dedicated?! Their relationship by the end was truly delicious. Especially after all those chapters where they’re separated, and then reunited but with some drama imbedded too. Their sweet moments were all that more precious because of how hard they had to fight to get back to each other!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for an ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Penn Cole has done it again! I've rated every book thus far in this saga 5 stars. It is rare that books in a series just keep getting better but this is the exception. Especially when this book was the longest one yet. Bravo. That ending though??? I'm not ok!! How in the world am I supposed to wait until 2026 for the 4th?! I cried many times while reading this and it was definitely a roller coaster of emotions. I would recommend this series to anyone who loves epic fantasy romance with high stakes and an incredible cast of characters. The character development is unreal. Huge thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!

Heat of the Everflame cements this series as one of my all-time favorite romantasy reads! Penn Cole delivers everything—slow-burn tension that burns, breathtaking world-building, and a romance so intense it’s impossible to put down. The character arcs are perfection, the emotions run deep, and every twist keeps you hooked. If you haven’t started this series yet, you’re missing out. Absolutely unforgettable!

Let me just say - the chokehold this series had on me through the entire month of February was relentless. I read all three books without stopping and lost so much sleep to them! They are so insanely addicting! The level of attachment I feel to these characters is like no other - they seriously feel so real to me, the character development in these books is top notch. I absolutely love Luther, despite his respect for Diem when she's making very bad decisions... see above. I would also die for Sorae and probably Taran too.

The book was definitely 200 pages longer than it needs to be and there was a lot of wandering around different forests that it started to feel repetitive. Also how many times can one girl make the same dumb decision? Stop ignoring everyone around you and take some advice for once! The part of the book in Umbros was definitely my least favorite, it brought out the worst sides in both Diem and Luther. Diem pissed me off so many times through this series but especially in this third book. I constantly had to tell myself that she's young and impulsive... but she also has zero control over her emotions and temper and makes very poor decisions. She threatens everyone she comes into contact with but yet she's annoyingly set on not killing people - that contradiction really started to drive me nuts. Either kill people or shut up. Sometimes people just need to be unalived! And yes I obviously mean in books, not real life - this is fantasy, some people deserve to die. Diem's denial of facing the obvious really got annoying - I would figure something out (not praising myself... certain things were VERY obvious) and then it would take 300 pages for her to come to the same conclusion. Girl, come on already. WAKE UP.

The ending of this book was a little odd to me, it just didn't really make sense given how well we know Diem and Luther... especially Luther. The fact that he missed so much was mind boggling to me. I feel like maybe the author just knew where she needed the story to go and this was the only way she could think to get us there? After all the character development and growth we saw in Diem (she's still annoying but there was some growth!), it felt uncharacteristic for her to end up where she did. I know how I want the fourth book to begin and I will be very sad if it goes any other way!

Despite Diem driving me absolutely insane I still think these are great books. I always try to remind myself that liking the main character is not a prerequisite of being a great book... though it does make the experience more enjoyable. The only other thing I'm mad about is how long I now have to wait for the fourth book. I need it now!!

Well this is going to be tricky to be spoiler free, but I will find a way!

Phew, slowest slow burn in all of history. I hated it so much that I LOVED it. The tension was amazing, their deepening care for each other *perfection*.

It was a true romantasy, but I loved that there were still strong fantasy elements and it wasn’t just about their relationship. But their care for each other was so deep it had me in tears by the end.

At the start of the series I wasn’t sure I would ever remember the other regions, kindred, powers, etc. But by the end of this book it was so engrained in me. I loved that I didn’t have to memorize it to keep going and make sense, that it was woven into the story so well that it just became part of it, not something I had to work for or was confusing.


This is going to be excruciating to wait for book 4, but I can’t wait to see how this continues!

Thank you To NetGalley and Atria books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This book is an exciting and fast-paced continuation of the series that immerses readers in a world filled with magic, danger, and intense romance. The story follows a strong-willed protagonist who must confront a mystical force while grappling with personal conflicts and relationships. Cole’s world-building is vivid and engaging, with a rich backdrop that draws you in from the start. The chemistry between the main characters adds an emotional depth to the plot, balancing the action with heart. While the pacing can be relentless at times, it’s a thrilling ride for fans of magical adventures and high stakes. Heat of the Everflame delivers a compelling blend of fantasy, romance, and action.

This series is one of my top favorites series ever! The writing is so beautiful and easy to understand. And the banter between the main characters is so good!

3.50 stars

This is book 3 of a series and I found it was relatively easy to pick back up into the story. The book is massive and at times it seemed to be repetitive and drag on. My connection to the world and characters are only mid level when it should be more by now. It's a good book but hoping the next one blows me away

Book review of Heat of the Everflame:

Tension between Mortals and the Descended are at an all time high. Diem is fighting a losing battle trying to stay impartial between the two groups and the lines between good and evil are getting blurrier as time goes on.

When Diem and Luther travel across the continent, Diem finds answers about her unusual heritage, and it’s not what she’s expecting. Diem begins to question everything. Who is really on her side? Why is Luther hiding his feelings? Who can she trust? She’s not so sure anymore.

I can’t say too much more about the plot without giving away spoilers, so I’ll leave it at that. 😉 This book was AMAZING! Edge of your seat action, lovable and complex characters, devout friendships, and let’s not forget about the love interest, Luther. He’s giving off major “who did this to you?” vibes and we’re here for it! He starts out all broody and serious, but underneath that he’s a protective, starry-eyed man in love.

If you have not read this series yet, please go do it now! Begin with Spark of the Everflame, then Glow of the Everflame, and finally Heat of the Everflame. I can’t wait for book four!

Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5 (A couple open door scenes)
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a strong third entry in the Kindred's Curse Saga series, it had that element that I was hoping for from the previous two books. The world was great getting back to and was invested in what was happening. It continued the story perfectly and the characters were everything that I wanted. Penn Cole was able to weave a great world and am excited for more from Penn Cole.

Heat of the Everflame is the third book in the Kindred’s Curse Saga by the extremely talented Penn Cole. I loved getting to read Luther and Diem’s story continue. It was like catching up with long lost friends. I love that Diem will do anything for those that she loves. It was great seeing Diem grow and open herself up to love. I can’t wait to read what happens next for this duo.

"It is not just my body that craves you...It is my heart... My scarred, ruined scrap of a soul. Your smiles, your affection, the way you look at me, the way you see me... that is my lifeblood.
I would sooner wither without food or water, sink into the sea until my lungs burst, abandon my magic and let my godhood burn me alive from within than endure one more day of life without you in it." 🔥🔥

I'm sorry, WHAT?! No. No! I refuse. She did not just do that. That is the most ILLEGAL cliffhanger I have ever read in my entire life. What the actual f*** am I supposed to do now?? The end said the 4th book was out in 2024 and I was like oh thank God...Sike! It's been delayed and it's not out yet 😭😭
I honestly think this is a worse cliffhanger than Onyx Storm. It made me physically rage. If you know, you know.
That being said, I loved it. The author sucked me in from book one and I read all 3 in 6 days. Luther has my whole heart and I love Diem... The world, the magic, the characters...it's just phenomenal, BUT I really need to know what happens next, or I might actually go insane.
SOS.

this book is massive. with how long it was, I dont know if their was a good spot to possibly split it into two books, but it was good. It just took me longer than normal to finish.

I did pick up super easily on what was viewed as one of the twists of the book, but interesting that Diem's additional ingredient added to her medicine was not shared so we will see if the people of the continent will realize they need her.

Everyone acted childish and that got my nerves a few times.

but overall I did enjoy the book.

I plan to share this title on my instagram on Monday, March 10th over at www.instagram.com/robinashleyreads