#penn cole

[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.

[whatcha-reading-today]

Great reads of 2024

Bye 2024, while you were a long and grueling year but at least there were some great reads to pass the time. In total, I read 333 books according to goodreads. I read a ton of horror, sci-fi, romance, and horror romances and will list some of my favorites and surprises by genre.

Favorite horror stories:

For being creeped and disgusted. Most of these stories deal with some real world nastiness like homophobia, transphobia, and racism.

Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle: Misha is a screenwriter being forced to kill his popular gay characters but what's that? His monsters are coming to life? Such a fucking blast.

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due: our MC is sent to a 'reformatory' where boys behaviors are 'corrected'. This is pretty horrific and forces the reader to confront the horrors of racism.

Compound Fracture & The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White: I recommend all three of AJW's books, CF is more thriller while TSBIT is full on body horror and violence.

Fluids by May Leitz: The most disgusting book I've read this year! Want to read about lesbians doing absolutely awful things to themselves and others due to desperation? This is for you!

The Library on Mount Char by Scott Hawkins: God has a bunch of children stuck in a library and bad shit is happening. Think a speedrun of Gideon and Harrow. Wild and fun.

The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo: This novella focuses on our nurse MC forced to help an Appalachian town in the 1920's. There's racism, transphobia, and some horrific transformation sequences. This has one of the most memorable sex scenes I've read this year.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters: A classic haunted house story. The creeping and building dread is so wonderful.

Favorite Romances:

These are sweet and fun romances. I enjoyed the audiobooks for each of these stories.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch: this is such a cute story that involves the princes of Christmas and Halloween. I'm not over that every time our Halloween prince curses silly plastic decorations appear.

Swift and Swaddled by Lyla Sage: Super sweet western romance with our golden retriever MMC and black cat FMC. Cute!

Favorite Horror Romances:

Come for the gorgeous covers, stay for the body horror, the rot, and violence that may end in romance.

Tenderly, I am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone (ARC-TBR July 2025): gothic romance that I found so engrossingly written. Highly recommend if you're looking for an incredible gothic romance.

My Throat an Open Grave by Tori Bovalino: Leah wishes her brother away, at which point he's kidnapped by the Lord of the Wood and has to reclaim her brother. Beautiful and sad, more horror than romance.

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt: This is cult horror, our MMC is a sacrifice slated for his father's cult and our FMC just wants to help.

Favorite Romantasies:

More fantasy than romance, these fantastical stories are both book 1 in a series and do a great job of setting the stage for some elaborate fantasy and eventual romances.

Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole: super fun, our FMC is a healer and the MMC is the prince and also a sort of demigod.

Nightstrider by Sophia Slade: This is a great start to a fantasy with two worlds--ours and a dream world. Little romance here but a really fantastical set up.

Favorite General Fiction:

Foster by Claire Keegan: this book is like 80 pages and is so good. We follow a girl sent to live with some older foster parents because her family are about to have another kid (I believe they already have like 9?). This was just so beautiful.

Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg: An exploration of queerness, gender, and power in the 1990s. This is a tough read but such an important part of queer history.

Blackouts by Justin Torres: A conversation between an old and a young man who explore and examine what it means to be queer interspersed with blackout poetry.

Horse by Geraldine Brooks: This explores the life of a horse through multiple perspectives. I'm not a horse girlie and I can't stop thinking about this freaking horse.

Favorite Nonfiction:

Truman by David McCullough: this behemoth covers ALL of Truman's life from birth to death and between. I found it enlightening especially before visiting Hiroshima.

Who Would Believe a Prisoner?: Indiana's Women's Carceral Institutions, 1848-1920 by The Indiana Women's Prison History Project: This is a collection of published articles by inmates at Indiana Women's Prison on the history of Indiana's Women Prison. The abuse and the ugliness surrounding the history of the prison is well explored.

Who's Afraid of Gender? by Judith Butler: I loved that Butler isn't fucking around this book. They postulate and describe where hatred and fear of gender come from and smashes every logical fallacy you can think of.

American Predator by Maureen Callahan: A detailed account of the murders and manhunt of Israel Keyes. Fast paced and quick true crime read.

Favorite Surprises:

These are all new authors for me. For all of these, I picked these up on a whim and was blown away.

The Theseus Duology by Mary Renault: a lovingly memoir-esque story of Theseus.

Death in the Spires by KJ Charles: this is a dark academia murder mystery. Think 'I know what you did last summer' but in old timely London. I've only read Charles' romances and oh boy was this a delight!

The Borrowed Hills by Scott Preston: this is about sheep farmers who plan a heist and things just go horribly wrong. So artfully written, such wonderful creeping dread.

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim: this is a courtroom thriller told from the perspective of several characters. Sort of slow moving in parts but I found this to be a breathtaking read.

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

I’ve been enjoying Glow of the Everflame. But because I’ve had to work 30+ hours this week, I’m a tad behind. I’m hoping to finish before New Years tho🎉

[fiveflatcutie]

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

[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!

[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!

[tothestarsandwhateverend]

yall i just BLAZED through penn cole’s kindred’s curse series (the 3 that are out) and i have no words. it is so damn good

[summaryi]

Spark of the Everflame - Penn Cole

2/5

is it just me?

it's so highly reviewed and im NOT into it

it's FINE, but not GOOD

it has potential, but it should be BETTER

it feels fucking half-assed

the pacing is so bad

nothing is believable, it's all so rushed

and if you're going to have twists and turns and some mysteries, we need at least SOME clues or answers, or else the unknown piles up and becomss really frustrating

IMO the spark???? came way too quick

OR

shoukd have become WAY MORE

that's the TITLE and it just kept

sparking

weakly

it should have had WAY more impact

and the big mystery?????? kinda answered, but? it feels totally insignificant

AND

Diem's whole like

identity crisis and loyalties and all that

flip-flopped way too quickly

all those moments should have meant something

but they were too easy to discount

[bookcoversonly]

Title: Spark of the Everflame | Author: Penn Cole | Publisher: - (2023)

[euphoric-melancholyy]

Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole - Review

In a genre saturated with romantasy that lacks nuance and relatability, Penn shines and ups the bar for everyone else in this genre. As much as this book is about an angry woman living her life in the middle of mortals and descended (long lived descendants of gods and mortals), it’s not hard to draw the modern day real-world divide she’s actually writing about. In this way, it’s very reminiscent of Carissa Broadbent’s writing - the well-written narrative, badass morally grey characters, and nuance of a complex there’s-no-right-answer world. There might be villainous characters, but there’s no true villain, and this is a concept that our FMC struggles with throughout the novel.

The way Penn writes her characters, you can *feel* all if the emotions they are feeling, and you’ll go through a rollercoaster of them. I found myself cheering Diem on, and then screaming at her the next second “why would you do that!!!” and wanting to smack her upside the head. She’s brave, smart, and angry. And her anger is so relatable and well written.

Spark of the Everflame is not romance heavy YET, but it’s a wonderful start to one. I fell in love with the MMC and cannot wait to see more of him (and the dragon!) in the later books. I loved how Diem’s arc did not revolve around him, and how she is her own individual with a lot of other, bigger problems at the moment. This is a slooooow burn with angst and not-so-fated mates and I am loving every second of it. There’s mystery that is well built (THAT ENDING 😱) and I also enjoyed the family representation. Diem has a relatively normal family on one side - her dad and her brother. There’s a specific scene where Diem and her father are teasing her younger brother and it was just so normal and fun and real, in a genre where almost everyone is an orphan. But her mom is a different story, and the mystery, tension, intrigue, and fantasy of it all gives readers the best of both worlds.

Easily a 5 star for me, and mind boggingly good for a debut novel. And the 2nd book is one of the best books I have ever read in my life

[bookishlyvintage]

owlcrate day 4: goblet stones & drink

Paired with my current read & a new book sleeve coming to my shop soon!

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

Added these to my collection today. After a crazy hectic week I defs think I earned it haha

I started Spark of the Everflame on the way home and it’s pretty good so far. But I’m only up to chapter 4. And I plan to do a study on Dracula. I’ve been wanting to do a study on a classic for a while now. So I bought the paperback copy so I can annotate to my hearts content.

[fiveflatcutie]

okay, taran just climbed high in my favorite book characters of all time 🤣

[bookishbanterwithmandz]

Me trying to finish Glow of the everflame before the release of Onyx storm. Let’s just say I stayed up way past my bedtime 🤪

bingewatching will never come close to bingereading. there is nothing like blocking out the entire Earth for ten hours to read a book in one sitting no food no water no shower no bra and emerging at the end with no idea what time it is or where you are, a dried-up prune that's sensitive to light and loud noises because you've been in your room in the dark reading by the glow of a single LED. it's like coming back after a three-month vacation in another dimension and now you have to go downstairs and make dinner. absolutely transcendental

[watchnrant]

Magic Meets Raw Humanity: Glow of the Everflame

In “Glow of the Everflame,” the second installment of the Kindred Curse Saga, Penn Cole crafts a masterpiece that transcends the typical boundaries of fantasy romance. This isn’t just another story about magic and destiny – it’s a profound exploration of identity, grief, and the complicated bonds that both strengthen and burden us.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Writing that Burns Bright

Cole’s writing style is nothing short of mesmerizing. She possesses a rare talent for weaving together the grand scope of epic fantasy with intimately human moments that leave you breathless. The prose shifts seamlessly between elegant formality for world-building and raw emotional authenticity for personal scenes. Her metaphors aren’t just beautiful – they’re devastating in their accuracy. When she describes armor as “both shield and cage, keeping the arrows out while trapping the monster in,” it captures perfectly how we sometimes imprison ourselves in our own defenses.

Character Depth that Resonates

At the heart of the story is Diem Bellator, a protagonist whose journey feels achingly real despite its fantastical setting. Her struggle with identity – caught between mortal and Descended worlds – serves as a powerful metaphor for anyone who’s ever felt caught between two worlds or versions of themselves. What makes her compelling isn’t just her strength or her magic, but her very human flaws: her impulsiveness, her struggle with vulnerability, and her complicated relationship with power.

The supporting cast is equally well-crafted. Luther, with his complex mix of duty and buried humanity, makes for a fascinating foil to Diem. Their slow-burn romance crackles with tension, built on a foundation of mutual distrust that gradually evolves into something deeper. Teller, Diem’s brother, provides some of the most powerful emotional moments in the book, especially in scenes where he cuts through her self-doubt with the kind of brutal honesty only siblings can deliver.

Emotional Impact that Leaves Marks

Where this book truly excels is in its handling of grief and family bonds. The scene where Diem discovers her father’s death is gut-wrenching not just in its immediate impact, but in how it forces her to confront the regret of their last interaction. Cole doesn’t shy away from the messiness of loss – instead, she leans into it, showing how grief can be both a weight that drowns us and a force that shapes us.

The family dynamics are particularly well-rendered. The relationship between Diem and Teller feels authentically sibling-like, complete with the ability to oscillate between exasperation and unconditional support. The flashbacks of their father, who “never saw me as weak because I was a girl, who taught me to embrace it as my strength,” add layers of depth to both the character relationships and the themes of identity and power.

World-building with Purpose

While the fantasy elements are rich and well-developed, they never overshadow the human element of the story. The conflict between mortals and the Descended elite serves as more than just plot fodder – it’s a vehicle for exploring prejudice, power, and the possibility of change. The magic system, particularly Diem’s growing powers, works as both literal plot device and metaphor for personal growth and responsibility.

A Few Shadows in the Light

The complexity of the political dynamics and large cast of characters can occasionally feel overwhelming, and some readers might find Diem’s impulsive decisions frustrating. However, these elements ultimately serve to make the world and characters feel more authentic rather than detracting from the story.

Verdict

“Glow of the Everflame” is a rare achievement – a fantasy romance that delivers not just on the promise of magic and romance, but on deeper themes of identity, family, and the price of power. Cole has created something special here: a story that entertains while it moves you, that builds a fantastic world while never losing sight of the very human heart beating at its center.

This is a book for readers who want their fantasy with depth, their romance with complexity, and their characters with real, messy humanity. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt caught between worlds, struggled with their identity, or grappled with the weight of expectations versus personal desire.

A solid 5/5 stars – this is the kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the last page, leaving you both satisfied and eager for the next installment.

Content Warning: The book contains themes of death (including parental death), violence, grief, and complex family dynamics.