“Glow of the Everflame” is the exciting sequel to “Spark of the Everflame” reigniting my hope for the romantic fantasy genre.
Book Review: Glow of the Everflame
- Author: Penn Cole
- Series: Kindred’s Curse #2
- 637 pages, Kindle Edition
- First published: July 18, 2023
If you haven’t read the first book yet, beware of spoilers.
Plot of Glow of the Everflame
The story picks up immediately after the cliffhanger ending of Spark of the Everflame. In this installment, we dive deeper into the world of magic, palace intrigues, and the secrets of the Descendants. I appreciate how multiple perspectives reveal that both sides have their virtues and flaws.
Tempo
Once again, the narrative maintains a steady, moderate pace, which is a strength of Penn Cole’s writing. Despite being longer than the first book, I didn’t find any sections to be filler. It was intriguing to piece together the connections between the characters and follow Diem’s internal struggles. Heartbreaking events are skillfully balanced with the growing tension between the main characters.
Romance
The romance is well-developed throughout the story. This is one of the slowest burn romances I’ve encountered since The Book of Azrael, and the anticipation was excruciating. The tension between Luther and Diem is palpable, and with the emerging love triangle and Diem’s emotional turmoil, it feels like a ticking time bomb. Luther has definitely secured a spot in my book boyfriend rankings.
Characters
I appreciate how the protagonist faces impossible choices once again. Uprooted from everything she knows and thrust into a foreign environment, she must carefully consider who deserves her trust. It’s difficult to unlearn everything you’ve been taught when it’s all you’ve ever known.
Diem’s character continues to evolve in this sequel. She becomes more assertive and begins to accept her new role, shaping herself into the queen she aspires to be. The author masterfully conveys her emotions, from uncertainty to the grief of losing a loved one, making each moment resonate until the nerve-wracking conclusion.
The secondary characters add humor to the story. Diem is compelling on her own, but when paired with Taran, the dynamic is perfect. One of the reasons this book is such an enjoyable read is the witty banter and dialogue between the characters.
My Honest Review
I enjoyed Glow of the Everflame even more than the first book. Again, I would rate it 5 stars, though I have a few minor complaints. These mainly concern the book’s physical design. While the book is undoubtedly beautiful, the world map seems small and underwhelming against the stunning cover; it could have been full-page. Additionally, the quality of the cover itself could be improved—my copy already shows visible wear and splitting along the edges.
Spark of the Everflame Book #1
“Heat of the Everflame” Book #3
An unexpected gift offers the power to change everything—but keeping it could cost Diem her life.
The threat of war has arrived at Diem’s doorstep, along with a new discovery that could save her people. To use it, she must survive the next thirty days by forming a devil’s bargain with the people she hates most: the royal family of House Corbois.
But as she dives into the world of the Descended elite, Diem quickly realizes good and evil aren’t as simple as they seem. Old prejudices are challenged, and new loyalties blur the line between friend and foe.
Meanwhile, her mother is still missing, and the secrets she left behind can no longer be ignored—and neither can the Guardians and their demands. Caught between an old flame and a sizzling new spark, Diem must confront the truth about who she is and what she wants before time runs out.
War is coming, and dangerous enemies wait on all sides.. but the most deadly battle Diem faces may be the one for her heart.
Glow of the Everflame is the second book in The Kindred’s Curse Saga, a four-book fantasy romance series. This book will appeal to fans of plot-heavy, character-driven romantasy such as A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, Gild, Shadow & Bone, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night.
