Another cliffhanger great book. Perfect for 3 out of 5. Sometimes predictable but overall couldn't put it down.

3.5/75 ⭐️

solid book!!!! i think her writing is getting better with every release and the plot is, well, she’s starting to make a bit more sense after what felt like a lot of tropes thrown together to make a fantasy book. i simply cannot wait for the next book and i am high key eating this series UP!!!

Wow! This book was so good from start to finish, I couldn’t put it down. That ending hurt my soul in the best way possible. I absolutely cannot wait for the last book because I can’t even imagine how the story will go from where this left off. This book was fast paced with plenty of both fighting and romantic scenes, and at no point was I bored or felt it lagged. I loved the vivid descriptions of all the different kingdoms we see in this book. We were introduced to a lot of new characters, but it didn’t feel overwhelming. I also really enjoyed the character growth that we see not only with our main couple, but with their friends and families too. I have zero complaints and have already been telling all my friends to read this series.

🌶️🌶️.5/4
War is here. After a disastrous coronation, Diem finds herself with her new friends and love interest in one side and the mortals on the other. On top of this, questions about her birth father loom large as her magic starts to do weird things. Then there's the other Crowns; can she find enough allies before it's too late.

Fresh off of finishing this and I am devastated! There's a lot more of Emarion in Heat of the Everflame and and even more emotional turmoil. By the end I was very stressed and do not see how they are going to come through all of this. I'm trying to be optimistic that we will see a resolution sometime... If you have already read Spark and Glow, you need to read this!

Thank you to Atria Books for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book is due to be published 3/11/25. I'll post to Instagram closer to the pub date.

um hi yes, I’ve been emotionally traumatized by this series & I’d like to seek financial compensation 🤧😭 and this installment y’all? I was fighting for my life from start to finish!!!!

if you’ve been sleeping on this series until now, don’t make the same mistake I did! 🤯 *stefon voice* this club has everything: romantasy, brooding morally grey MCs, savior trope, killer plot twists, found family that you refuse to let go of, epic world building, and in case you think that’s all, we’ve even got DRAGONS! 🙂‍↕️🐉

I’m absolutely in love with this universe and these characters - even if some of the actions and sequences had me scratching my head at times… diem, our queen of all queens, is a hot mess who is just finally accepting herself and making questionable decisions for the sake of the world - but I’m also kind of here for it? I’ll be screaming at her idiocy and then marching into battle alongside her the next chapter oops

and LUTHER MY PRINCE! a lil lovestruck idiot too who didn’t do much rather than being eye candy 🥵 but I’m 500% here for that too… I just really hate the keeping secrets to protect one another trope!!! it ends all of the tension yes, but it almost never is actually for the best

I just really love the theme throughout these three books that no one is inherently bad or good and that unity should always be the goal 🥹 I love when fantasy books reflect our world too

the plot twists in this one were unmatched, even though I suspected most of them, and I loved seeing how everyone’s alliances shifted throughout the story! I absolutely need the fourth book ASAP 😭🖤

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

rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: columbia valley pinot noir

Writing reviews for series is always difficult past book one because I don’t ever want to say anything that gives the previous books away.

I’m enjoying this series. It is very bingeable. This book was entirely too long though. 🤣 A 2000 page series with a single POV is a bold move.

This series is for you if you like:
Romantasy
Slow burns
Beginner fantasy
The chosen one
He falls first
Beginner fantasy

Definitely slow burn of a story considering this is the third book of the series. I would say that this was a good read but not as good as the first two. The world building is still interesting and helps to bring life to the story. The characters relationship are mostly still a positive especially the banter between them. The flaws in this is that the main character is so overpowered to the point where there isn’t tension or feel like there real stakes to it anymore like first two books. For the main male interest, it feels like he lost his entire personality, the best way to put it is that it’s like he is GoT season 8 Jon snow who’s only line is “my queen”. Other than that, I would say that it’s good that it kept me interested but I can’t help but feel a little disappointed in this one.

This is book 3/4 of the series (book 4 doesn’t have a release date yet) it was probably my least favorite of the three so far, but it was still a 4 star read for me!

This one felt quite different from the other 2. Coming in over 1000 pages, it’s quite the commitment. The pacing was a bit different and the story took a weird turn, but I still read it in 3 days and dreamt about it haha!

This is also the slowest slow burn I have ever read. Each book is 1/5 spice, and this one is no different. Which is surprising for a kindle unlimited series!

I cried at parts. I rolled my eyes at parts. And stayed up late all week reading it. I still can’t wait for book 4 to come out, and hope it does soon!

Penn Cole has done it again! Every single book in this series is a 5 star book.

Heat of the Everflame picks up right were Glow left off - Diem seemingly at the heart of a brewing war between humans and the descended. Penn takes us to new realms and introduces fresh characters, adding depth to an already incredible series. The world building and character development are outstanding, and the story is packed with enough tension and twists to keep you hooked until the very end.

The writing is so vivid and detailed that it feels like you’re watching the story unfold in real life. It’s easy to get completely immersed in the world and attached to the characters.

Penn is the master of the slow burn and Luther is my top MMC. 3 words: The library scene.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for the ARC!

I love this series so much. I cannot wait to get Burn. I began reading these on KU and was so happy to hear they were being traditionally published. I love an enemies to lovers romantasy and this series is everything I would want. Diem is a great FMC, right up there with Aelin to me. I don't want to give too much away as this is the third book in the series, but I cannot recommend this series enough!!

I am so immersed in this world and I cannot wait to see what happens in the last book. I love Diem and Luther and the worldbuilding and writing were top notch!

Well, well, well. The Queen of Cliffhangers, otherwise know as evil genius Penn Cole has done it again with Heat of the Everflame. This baby was THICC and it took me longer to read it than it would normally take, but that’s only because I read slowly so I did not miss a single word, feeling, glance, or handflex. I am continually impressed by how each book gets better and better.

Just as with Glow, Heat picks up right where Glow left off. You are immediately transported back to Coeurile and Diem. In this book, we finally get to see Diem grow into her confidence not only with her magic but also with her crown. She is learning, not only to fight for both sides of the war, but to work with them as well. In each book we see her settle a little more into her true self. I’ve been amazed by her journey since Spark and I cannot wait to see where her character development continues in Burn.

Just when I thought I couldn’t love Luther more than in Glow…he proves me wrong. The love and adoration he feels for Diem basically drips from the page. And the spice…WAS SPICE-ING. Cold shower after that chapter spice-ing.

Lots of new characters in this one! Some you will love. Some…not so much. But each and every one was important to the story. You won’t know who you can trust and you’ll continually flip back and forth until their intentions are revealed.

I have continually said that The Kindred’s Curse Saga is this decade’s Throne of Glass and this is a hill I will die on (just like Penn will die on reading in publication order). I cannot wait for the next book in this series. Do yourself a favor and start this series. You will not regret it.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

The third installment of the Kindred's Curse Saga, leaves off following Diem Bellator's epically mess of a coronation ceremony.

Cole does a wonderful job further building the world we've come to know and love in the first two installments, but adding more action, suspense, and well, kingdoms.

I thoroughly enjoyed Luther and Diem's back and forth relationship, all the supporting characters, and cannot WAIT too see what comes next.

I read all three books in the matter of days, and am dying to finish the series.

Penn Cole took the Bookstagram community by storm with her Kindred's Curse series, and this third installment delivers a compelling continuation of the overarching story. Cole's masterful world-building and strong character development—despite some mixed opinions about Diem online—remain standout elements of these books. While the pacing in this installment occasionally feels slower, the story remains an intense and immersive experience that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.
Thank you to NetGallery and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Perfection. 1,000 kindle pages of perfection. I devoured and obsessed over this series like it was my morning cup of coffee. I thought about it constantly to and couldn’t wait to crack open my kindle to continue this adventure. I love love love Diem and Luther and can’t possible wait another second for book four. The world building, the political plot, the character growth, the magic, the betrayals, the mother/daughter layer, the slowest of slow burns, the gravers, the humor and banter… I’m here for all of it. If you’re looking for your next fantasy series this is it!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

4⭐️. Okay so hear me out. I love this world and this story. But a 1000+ page book is too much book for what this installment of the story needed 😂 I wanted more luther and diem and instead I got various assortments of diem making decisions that piss everyone off 100% of the time. Also I hate her mom? Also it feels like some of the problems were repetitive… idk. I still really enjoyed reading it and this series is one of my new obsessions but I think this could’ve been 2 books 🙃

4.5 ⭐️

I am still new to the fantasy world & really have loved this series so far.

I was nervous starting this book because it was daunting how long it was. But once I started the book it is so action packed it went by so quickly.

I loved the ending & can’t wait for the next book!

Pub Date: March 11th, 2025

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books, & Penn Cole for this #gifted eARC.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to preview this eARC.

The new cover has deeper, rich colors from the Indie cover. The map is so beautiful and the artwork in the book is stunning! I LOVED the Luther POV bonus chapter at the end!!

Penn Cole doesn’t just turn up the heat; she sets the pages on fire! The third book in the Kindred’s Curse saga will have your heart pumping as Diem finds herself at the heart of a war. As alliances are tested and friendships strained, Diem risks it all to build her army and end the oppressive reign of the crown.

One of my favorite things about this series is the found family piece which shines through in Heat of the Everflame! Diem needs to have people around her that she can trust and Luther, Teller, Alix, Taran, Eleanor, and Lily are her people!! Luther is the REAL DEAL!! He will BURN THE WORLD DOWN for Diem and I cannot get enough of him. Everything out of his mouth is pure gold!!

I have many thoughts about Aurelie, Diem's mom - that I will hold to myself to keep this spoiler-free and for the love, Diem, PLEASE KILL VANCE ALREADY!!

I love watching Diem's growth through the series. Sometimes I've been frustrated with her decisions (Vance) but she's trying to navigate a world she wasn't prepared for and balance her care and concern for all parties involved.

This book has the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers and I have so many thoughts!! (again, spoiler-free)

Burn of the Everflame can't come soon enough!!

Romance Content: 2 open-door scenes and language

Penn Cole is such a master of telling a fantasy romance tale where the romance is slow burn and the fantasy shines through. I always recommend this to SJM fans that want more than just smut.

This book was hands down incredible. Diem’s story is so relatable - she is always told she cannot do something and then she proves everyone wrong. I cannot wait for the last one to come out.