#Spark of the Everflame

[skyler-reads28]

not enough people are talking about Penn Cole’s, Kindred’s Curse series and it’s driving me crazy.

I need people to talk to about it! I need fanart!

If you like fantasy, slow burn romance, magic, gods, etc give it a try! It genuinely surprised me and now I can’t put them down.

[romanticatheartt]

Now that I'm free from university (not completely free... but yeah)

[shopofstars]

why dont people talk about the kindred’s curse saga? WHY???

[fiveflatcutie]

i knew i just have to share this for all the girlies out there! 📣

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

Hey lovely I was wondering if you ended up reading Spark of the Everflame yet? I remember you mentioning wanting to read it.

I’m trying to decide if I should get it or not?

@fundamentalcherrytree

[chelsea-lat3ly]

[wereallbooked]

Our January Wrap Ups!

In January, M read 17 books (everyone say thank you throne of glass) and H read 12! We read books like Onyx Storm, The Courting of Bristol Keats, Spark of the Everflame, The Ministry of Time, and Love, Theoretically.

Our Thoughts below the cut: (spoiler free until the very end, and only minor spoilers there!)

H’s reads:

The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson: For some reason, the first 100-or so pages of this book felt WEIRD to me. I can't quite put my finger on why, but it was one of those reads where enough is off to make you hyper-vigilant about everything else in the book, and it killed my vibe...until we entered the second act. THEN, it ate and left almost no crumbs. (maybe 2 crumbs?) I really loved Tyghan. I REALLY loved Tyghan's connection to Bristol's lore (iykyk) and I thought the use of dual POV here was an excellent way to differentiate it from the romantasy market at large. 3.75⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cruel Winter With You by Ali Hazelwood (M also read this, but she didn't want to count it. I am all about that Goodreads challenge): I don't know why, but I spent this entire read picturing Liam Mairi from Fourth Wing as the MMC, which probably added at least a star to my rating. Oops? I know a lot of people thought this man was creepy for his little photography habit, and I think in real life I would also be bothered. However, he is a man written by Ali Hazelwood, soooooooooo. 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flawless by Elsie Silver: When I read this bad boy, it was baby's first cowboy romance! M actually gave this to me for Christmas because I made one too many "we should try a cowboy romance" jokes. While reading, I alternated between intense joy and wondering who Rhett voted for. I think the fact that he was Canadian helped. A little. As I have gone on to read more from this series, however, the things that bothered me about Rhett are only intensified by reading about his brothers (latent misogyny, anyone? a smidge? a hint?). I DID have fun, though, which is what matters in a book like this. I was a big fan of the whipped cream shenanigans. I am also a milk hater, so that didn't bother me too much. 3.75⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hopeless by Elsie Silver: Here's my beef with this one: If you promise me a book about a virgin with a big age gap, I expect a book about a virgin with a big age gap. I feel like Elsie could have committed to the bit a bit more? She gave Bailey a funny mix of sexual promiscuity and innocence, which is FINE, but wasn't what I was expecting. Further, she seemed to shy away from the age gap a bit by making Bailey more "mature". I felt like she could have just....not? If you pick up the fourteen year age gap romance book and get offended by the fourteen year age gap...that's on you. I don't think THAT's the audience Elsie needed to cater to here, but that's just me. 2.75 ⭐️⭐️

Andromeda by Therese Bohman: I contain multitudes! The first half of this novel was really lovely. I really enjoyed the FMC’s (I believe her name is sophie? but we find that out on page 100 or something) voice and description of things. It felt almost Sally Rooney esque, and I am a huge Sally Rooney fan. And then, we got to Gunnar’s POV. I didn’t vibe with Gunnar. I probably should have anticipated this. There are few old men I do vibe with. However, Gunnar killed the novel for me. I got this from BOTM, and they advertised it as exploring themes of modernity. It DOES do this, however, the novels view on modernity and my view on modernity do not mesh. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Favorites by Layne Fargo: This was my other BOTM pick this month! Again, I really liked the first half. It’s a Wuthering Heights retelling and the first half is much more loyal to the original story. The feeling of knowing tragedy is at the door but not being able to break through the pages and warn the characters was awful. I recommend! However, the late second and third acts diverge from the original novel, and in order to do so, fundamentally alter Heath (Heathcliff)’s character. This is all to say, I wish Heath was a worse guy overall. I get WHY he isn’t, though, especially after looking into Fargo’s backlog after finishing. Still, I was really disappointed with the novel’s end. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen: I really put off starting this one because I was intimidated by it. I don’t know WHY I was intimidated, but it was my BOTM pick for December, and then I let it languish on my shelves for weeks. I should NOT have waited!! It was a beautiful story with beautiful prose. I loved the excavations of Chinese history, the elevation of lesser known consequences of the Cultural Revolution, and the examination of the Chinese-American identity. GREAT stuff. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros: This was my THIRD read. Originally, I gave fourth wing 4 stars, then 4.5 on my first re read, but this read pushed it back down to 4. The Empyrean series is my current fixation. I had no choice in the matter. My main blog is a fourth wing fanfiction blog. Violet and Xaden are verrrryyy important to me. However, the prose in fourth wing is so incredibly clunky. I get terminal red pen brain when reading. I thought a LOT about V and X’s chemistry while reading this time around (for fic reasons, LOL) and their big moments in the first half of the story arc didn’t eat like usual. The insta-lust wasn’t as bad as I remember it being, but then Violet didn’t really seem like she liked him ?? as much as usual anyway. HOWEVER, the second half of the book is where I USUALLY gripe about their development (re: all the actual relationship building happening off screen, what do they talk about, does xaden have a hobby) and on this read I actually caught a lot more of the minor references that show them falling in love! Casualty of the chaotic prose: it’s hard to catch a lot of the one-line mentions. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros: This book is my baby and I love her. She’s the only girl in the world to me. I heard Lexi on Fantasy Fangirls describe Iron Flame as a transition book, and at first, I didn’t agree with this assessment. However, when I thought about it further, I think that’s why I love it so much. When I first read IF, my life was in a transitory period, and I also felt like my whole world had been turned upside down. A lot of people say X and V are annoying here. I, again, disagree. I raise you this: they’re just like me for real. Both of them and the way they react to things are EXACTLY what I would do. Maybe this is problematic, but I do NOT care. The problems I have with FW do all still exist in this one, but they don’t bother me. I don’t have red pen brain here. 6 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (read twice. in a row. back to back.): This is our book club read, so we’ll have a separate post for her! However, I will say that my first read was NOT great. I care about these books (see reviews 8 and 9, LMAO) and I was wayyyy too invested in certain theories going the way I wanted (re: Halden and Xaden, specifically). I was so anxious that Xaden was going to do something drastic based on the way he was acting that the entire first read was a 12 hour anxiety attack. I originally rated the book 4 stars, and then, I was minding my own business a few hours after finishing. The ending crossed my mind, and I burst into tears. Repeatedly. At length. So then, I made it a 5 star! On my re read, I was experienced a LOT more of that five star feeling, until the last 100 pages or so when I once again succumbed to dread. A lot of the popular critiques of this book aren’t things I “agree” with. I didn’t expect “good” world building after books one and two, for example. The prose is what it is. But! More on that later. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood: Ali’s best work? Dare I say? I ADORED this. Elsie is so me coded it felt like Dr. Hazelwood was in my walls. I LOVED how Jack handled her issues. I really enjoyed the sex. Ali is always so freaking funny. This has me cackling. This has me crying. Incredible. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

M’s reads:

*spoiler free until the end*

1. Kindred's Curse Saga

- Spark of the Everflame ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

- Glow of the Everflame ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

- Heat of the Everflame ⭐️⭐️

honestly was really excited to read this series bc i wanted to listen to ffg deep dives. i liked the first book well enough and i really liked the premise that the main character is a healer. the second book was good too i thought, and i was really propelled through the series because each book ends on a massive cliffhanger and i couldn't stand it. but then by the third book idk it all became too much - too much going on - too many bad decisions made by the fmc.

2. ACOSF ⭐️⭐️⭐️

love love the series but this was probably my least favorite book out of them all. it felt too long and honestly they fucked too much for me girl pls 😭😭😭 loved the sisterhood developed with nesta, gywn, and emerie and also her own sisters. as per my goodreads 3 stars for the plot and 5 for the sisterhood

3. A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston ⭐️⭐️⭐️

really wanted to like this one because who doesn't like a book written about a book? but i just couldn't vibe with the fmc and mmc and i couldn't with how it ended.

4. Ready or Not by Cara Bastone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

okay actually kinda throughly enjoyed this one and it was really fun and super sweet. loved the mmc and the overall nyc vibes. every character was quirky and unique and the situation was kinda insane which i lived for. i would read this again for a spark of joy.

5. All of TOG ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

no words. best series i've ever read idk why i didn't read tog sooner i was so missing out. every book was good in its own way. you didn't ask but here is my ranking of books in the series.

heir of fire

kingdom of ash

throne of glass

crown of midnight

empire of storms

assassins blade

tower of dawn

queen of shadows

*i have more comments on this series in the spoilers section*

6. Onyx Storm ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

most anticipated read fr. enjoyed it. loved the world building and xaden and violet in this. violet was truly girlbossing it up. ALSO loved ridoc in this he has my whole heart. I feel like we got to love all the side characters a bit more here so that made my soul happy. not sure where to rank it in terms of fourth wing and iron flame. i feel like i should have reread fw and if before this but i was too busy girlbossing it up with tog.

1. The Ministry of Time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

was really not into it in the beginning probably because i haven't read lit fic in a while, but it def grew on me and the commentaries about being mixed race really hit home for me here 💔. def reccomend this to ur wasian besties because i almost cried.

8. Tethered ⭐️⭐️

this is your sign not to read books you see on tiktok because i was like oooh ahhh vampires i LOVE a vampire. not saying i don't love this vampire, but i couldn't get into it just based on the way the book was written and there's so many more books in the series i just knew i couldn't keep going through it. if you want a trashy wattpad vibe book (sorry if u love this book and i just called is trashy but its trashy in a good 2000s britney spears) kinda way.

**spoilers**

- kindreds curse saga: okay so my main qualm with this whole series is that by the third book the way the fmc acts just became too much and it's as if she's having no self-growth at all. like sorry for throwing tomatoes but she kept making decision after decision that led them running on their asses elsewhere. and it just never ended. ALSO i just couldn't with them fucking in the library after they fought a battle and then getting caught. PLS a library. anyways. also another comment is that i was really wanting to read this series because she was a healer but then turns out she doesn't even want to be a healer so i felt a bit sad about that in my soul.

- TOG: i have so many thoughts on this series my life is geneuinly changed thank you parents for buying me the box set for christmas because i could reread these books forever. what truly amazed me about these books were that characters i kinda disliked or hated (cough cough chaol) i truly came to love and understand by the end of the series which is so hard to do as an author i think. like i went from hatimg chaol in queen of shadows to feeling so sorry for him in tower of dawn. not that its not fucked up what he did to aelin and nehemiah but like you really get to empathize with him and his sitaution. and manon too! i didn't really like reading her parts at first but then i loved her by the end. and also i wasnt sure how to feel about rowan in heir of fire bc i already knew he was endgame but now i also love love rowan so much its like he's the perfect balance for aelin. also cannot express my love for the fmc that is calaena / aelin like she is amazing in every way possible.

[oh-my-wolfstar]

how the fuck is there NOTHING on Ao3 about The Kindred’s Curse Saga? It’s a decently pollute series with three books and yet there’s not a single fic

[bookishbanterwithmandz]

Absolutely loving The kindreds curse series. A little over halfway done with the 3rd book in the series and I’ll be sad to put this series down until the last one comes out.

The cruel prince is next on my reading list though ❤️

[watchnrant]

Spark of the Everflame: A Fiery Tale of Magic and Rebellion

Spoilers Ahead!

Alright, let’s dive into Spark of the Everflame—a lush fantasy from Penn Cole that serves up an irresistible mix of magic, political scheming, and forbidden love. If you’re into stories that blend world-shaking stakes with deeply personal struggles, this book might just steal your heart (and your sleep).

The World and Story Setup

From page one, Cole drops you into the realm of Emarion, where nine distinct kingdoms are under the sway of the Descended—semi-immortal beings born of literal gods (no pressure, right?). The world-building here? Chef’s kiss. It’s sprawling and intricate but still totally accessible. Plus, the magic system is a standout—uniquely tailored to each character, which adds some real flavor without bogging you down in arcane explanations.

The story follows Diem Bellator, a young healer whose life flips upside down when her “chronic illness” turns out to be her suppressed magical abilities. (Cue the gasps.) As she weans off her flameroot meds and her powers awaken, Diem gets pulled into a storm of political drama, family secrets, and—you guessed it—a touch of romance.

Oh, and did I mention her mom’s mysterious disappearance ties into the dying king and a rebellion brewing between mortals and gods? Yeah, that kind of drama.

Characters: Not Just Pretty Faces

Diem Bellator is the heart of this story, and she earns her place in the spotlight. Her role as a healer isn’t just window dressing; it’s baked into her identity and adds a layer of complexity to every tough choice she faces. Watching her navigate impossible situations—like deciding to save Descended soldiers from a fire she’s partially responsible for—is equal parts thrilling and gut-wrenching.

Then there’s Prince Luther, the morally gray heartthrob with enough layers to make an onion jealous. His slow-burn romance with Diem is packed with tension, witty banter, and a lot of “should-we-or-shouldn’t-we” moments that actually feel earned. Add in a supporting cast that’s just as fleshed out—each with their own agendas and moral baggage—and you’ve got a character lineup that’s impossible to forget.

Themes That Hit Hard

At its core, this book is about identity, power, and the cost of rebellion. The titular “Everflame” is more than just a plot device—it’s a symbol of resilience and defiance, both for Diem and the oppressed people of Emarion. Cole weaves these themes in seamlessly, so you’re never hit over the head with “big ideas,” but you still feel them simmering beneath every plot twist.

The Pacing Rollercoaster

The first half of the book is like a slow, simmering stew—it’s all about laying the groundwork and building Diem’s personal stakes. Then the second half? Boom. It’s an explosion of action, betrayal, and major plot reveals. My only gripe? A few emotional beats (like Diem’s falling-out with her dad and childhood bestie Henri) felt a little rushed compared to the meticulous character work earlier on.

Writing That Packs a Punch

Cole’s writing is a vibe. The dialogue snaps, the action sequences are vivid without being overwhelming, and the emotional moments hit hard. Diem’s healing scenes, in particular, are beautifully written and give you a real sense of her internal struggles. Oh, and if you’re a sucker for witty repartee, her scenes with Luther are pure gold.

Final Verdict

This book doesn’t just tick the boxes for epic fantasy—it sets them on fire and dances in the ashes. With its morally complex characters, rich world-building, and a plot that keeps you guessing, Spark of the Everflame is a must-read for fans of fantasy with some teeth.

That said, this one isn’t for the faint of heart. It tackles some heavy themes—child death, thoughts of suicide, systemic oppression, and more—so tread carefully if those are triggers for you.

If you loved the gritty rebellion of The Hunger Games or the romantic angst of Twilight but crave a more intricate world with deeper stakes, this book is your next obsession. The cliffhanger ending will leave you scrambling for the sequel, so clear your schedule now—Penn Cole’s just getting started, and trust me, you’ll want to be along for the ride.

[bookswithmandz]

Found this gorgeous painting today and got such a good deal on it. Now time to curl up and see if we can finish this book before the release of Onyx storm!

[fiveflatcutie]

PLS IM GUSHING

[beautifullyundone98]

Reading the Everflame series and I've just about had it with Diem and Luther's miscommunication bullshit.... JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER OMG 😭😭😭

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

Spark of the Everflame

★ ★ ★ .5 ☆ ☆

“But I was made of swinging fists and rash words, my edges too jagged and my temper too hot. Nothing about me was delicate.” -Diem

I will be honest, for me, this book felt like it took a while for the story to actually start. It was her daily regular life for the first half of the book. With slow build up and you go through. Honestly Diem’s interactions and temper is what kept me going. Pointing fingers to the Prince’s chest and telling him “If you value that hand, you’d best remove it from my arm,” like Diem…girly…I know you’re strong but do you have a death wish?? She was so entertaining I couldn’t help but read on. Is she reckless? 100%. She is so incredibly loyal and I couldn’t help but like her, even though her confidence is bigger than her body in the first book.

Diem works as a healer in Mortal City. She has been taught from a young age by her mother about the healer profession and works at a healing centre in town. Because of being taught so young, she was able to achieve full healer status by 14. The age where mortals are considered adults. While others are usually trainees at this age.

Once Prince Luther was featured more in the book, is when it really became exciting for me. The chemistry between the two was incredibly captivating. Especially in scenes where she’d be talking to Luther with all the attitude in the world, or joking around, and he’s just there staring (with a sliver of a smirk) at her, letting it happen, while everyone around is shocked and in fear for their lives. We love a man that’s soft for the girl.

Prince Luther is hoping to be the next in line to the throne. His Uncle is currently the king of Lumnos. A lot of people expect him to be chosen. He is ready to be chosen if that is the will of the gods. Will he be though?? (Guess you better read the book to find out.)

I think its important to mention, Diem is Mortal. Luther is a Descended, which is a mix of mortal and the Gods. These two races are separated, they cannot be together. Any Mortal or Descended that is found to have a relationship will be punished. And if a child comes of this, the child will be executed. They can not be together. Out of fear of dulling the Descended bloodline. The Descended have diamond hard skin, magic talents, riches and faces of beauty coming from the gods themselves. They have blue eyes, at least if they are from Lumnos. And mortals have brown eyes. And yes, this is important. Every nation has their own eye colour showing who and what they are.

Lumnos, Realm of Light and Shadow - A light which burns, while shadows bite. Their eyes of blue haunt day and night.

Chapter 27 really solidified it for me. Yes, 83% in. Is when I was officially sold. Some people may look at this as a bad thing. I want to clarify that the first half wasn’t boring, not in the slightest, the story needed to be built up. There was a fair bit to go over. So I’m glad I could learn a lot about this unique world and its cities and nations. Chapter 23 is when things lifted for me a lot. So much happens from this point on. I read the last half of the book in half a day cause from that point on I was hooked.

And bruh…I’m sorry…that ending?! Holy shit!!! I dropped my kindle and jaw simultaneously in shock! Through the book you can tell what she is. You can tell she isn’t what she think’s she is, what she’s been told all her life. But damn!! I did NOT expect that last scene to happen. It made me instantly download the next book. I couldn’t not continue after that. It’s like the plot punched a crater in me, and the second book would be the only cure to the hole in my chest that it created. I’ve been thinking about it since the 16th when I finished it (It’s the 20th of Dec as of writing).

So yes, I’ve already started the second book, I already have thoughts. I’m so excited to see how far this Queen of a character goes. Even though she’s small (I guess compared to the Descended), man she’s a beast and an enchantress in my books.

Man…Henri will not be pleased.

I absolutely recommend this book. It’s so much fun, the events just get more and more captivating as the book goes on. And by the end you’re left wanting more in the best possible way.

“…If you’re the way my fate finally catches up to me, I can’t fathom a more beautiful end.” - Prince Luther

@fundamentalcherrytree @koresflowers for you two beautifuls💝

[bookishbethanyerin]

• july reading wrap-up •

At the start of the month, I set out to read more fantasy – there are so! many! fantasy, romantasy, and paranormal romance series I want to read, and though I love these genres, I often feel like I need to be in the right mood for them. Which means they often end up languishing on my TBR despite the fact that I hear amazing things about them.

And while I did not read more fantasy books than contemp romances, I did read a whole bunch of them, so I’m counting it as a win. And! I read my first Lisa Kleypas historical romance, so you know – look at me branching out a bit.😎

And in addition to ~all that~, I’ve also started writing an F1 sports romance that is fueled by female rage.✌️

July!