Heat of the Everflame: The Kindred's Curse Saga, Book Three Paperback – September 9, 2023

I’m so glad I took the plunge (and braved the dent in my wallet) to buy this series on Amazon. Living in the Philippines, where these books aren’t available in local bookstores, it was worth every penny (or peso, in my case). 💸The story follows Diem, our strong-willed FMC, who embarks on a journey to find her mother. Along the way, she stumbles upon life-changing secrets about herself and the world she thought she knew. With a brewing war between rebels and the Descended (the ruling nobles), Diem faces impossible choices—not just in battle but also in love. Does she follow her heart back to her childhood sweetheart or fall for the mysterious, brooding prince?💭 My thoughts:This series DID NOT DISAPPOINT. It’s worth every ounce of hype and then some! The author’s writing will pull you into the story and make you feel like you’re living right there with them. The characters are brilliantly crafted, the banter is witty and snarky (I was giggling constantly!), and the found family dynamic? I’d love to have them in my life!📖 Spark of the Everflame:Unputdownable from start to finish. I couldn’t stop reading because every chapter left me craving more. And the ending? OH. MY. GOD.😱 So glad I bought all three books at once, or I’d have gone crazy waiting!📖 Glow of the Everflame:This is where all the action kicks into high gear. And did I mention it’s a slow-burn romance? It’s the slowest of slooooow burns, but the tension is off the charts! You’ll be begging for more.📖 Heat of the Everflame:Admittedly, this was my least favorite of the three. Diem’s self-doubt really started to get to me, but the story is still a must-read. It deepens the world-building and answers some major questions. Though slower compared to the first two books, it’s absolutely worth it!Now, I’m counting down the days until book 4 drops! 😩 Please, release it already—I need closure! 🙏🏻😭

I love book 3 of a series. We are usually introduced the background of our main character in book 1, we are given a life change/coming into one’s own in book 2, and then we get to explore the universe in book 3. Heat of the Everflame did not disappoint.I loved following Diem + Luther’s story, I loved seeing the conflict, world building, and insertion of our big bad of the series. I am excited to see where Burn (book 4) will take the cliffhanger as there are so many possibilities!!

*****This review is for the first three books because I just read them all together 😂****Spark: 423 pagesGlow: 637 pagesHeat: 1024 pagesAnd I devoured all 3 in 6 days because I could NOT get enough of this story, these characters, this world!I loved the fantasy part of the books. It was different and not overdone. There were mortals, but also the Descended who were not fae, but descendants from matings of gods and mortals. The world building was PERFECTION. I felt like I could vividly feel the vibe of each realm. I understood each realm without Penn having to overdo it on the description There was enough diversity in the characters, but allowing the eye colors to determine each Realm's Descended. Let's talk romance! The slow burn is so, so, so good! There's points where it becomes comical (in a good way) where the main characters are SOOO CLOSE and you just KNOW they are going to get interrupted in some way and when they do, I just yell out "CALLED IT!" Classic enemies to lovers trope as well that is deliciously written with these characters. I could not get enough. Speaking of characters.... Diem is EVERYTHING. I've never related to a character so much ever in my life. Her not wanting to be tied down, but wanting to love. Her wanting to help everyone. Seeing the good in everyone. Wanting to fight all the injustices. Empowering women. Sassy & spicy & genuinely good. Her daddy issues. Her badassery. I would actually yell and clap and cheer at her speeches like I was really there. Luther. Mother F*cking. Corbois. He has surpassed the Bat Boys to become my #1 Book Boo. As I said I relate to Diem in her fear of love & commitment and Luther's unconditional devotion to her as Queen and his declarations of his admiration for her and all that she is, good and bad, I felt that in my soul. I know these fictional men are setting unrealistic expectations for women, but why is it unrealistic to expect your partner to love you unconditionally? That's a rant for another day, but my point is this: Luther set the bar for my next relationship. If I have to pull scenes from the books to make a lesson plan for the next man, I will. Thank you, Penn, for creating a beautiful example of what unconditional love should look like. This is a Romantasy series and it has the romance and the fantasy and there's action and adventure, but on a deeper level, there's the topic of all the injustices that are perfectly disguised in context of Emarion, but are easily recognized in our own world such as racism, classism, sexism (looking at you, Ignios), lack of access to resources, health care, knowledge, systemic oppression, erasure of culture and history... I could go on and on. And this series is inspiring because you want Diem to unite the people and right all the wrongs and it stirs something inside you to want that for our own world too. And lastly, I want to say that I love Penn Cole and she is an amazing author for several reasons, BUT SHE IS ABSOLUTELY EVIL FOR THE WAY "HEAT" ENDED. I will NOT get over this any time soon, Penn. 10/10 would recommend and I am telling everyone about this series until the Rite of Endings is recited to me.