Title: Glow of the Everflame
Author: Penn Cole
Publisher: Independently published
Publication date: July 14, 2023
ISBN: 9798988161721
Synopsis:
An unexpected gift offers the power to change everything. 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 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.
The second book in The Kindred’s Curse Saga follows Diem as she begins to uncover secrets about herself and her world that she could have never imagined. As her understanding of the world expands and explodes, so to does Diem grow in her capabilities.
The slow burn romance is tantalizing as it navigates the ups and downs of two people still getting to know each other in a volatile world. The bond that grows between Diem and her love interest is exciting and varying as the story progresses. It’s constantly changing and the reader never knows quite what to expect as they get to know one another through the most difficult of situations. They struggle with communication, outside influence, deep mistrust and misunderstandings, but beneath it all is an unwavering support.
In addition to the growing romance, this book delves deeply into the politics of this world and a better understanding of the magical system. There’s intense complexity to all of the characters, their families, and their motivations. The world expands in this book as Diem is introduced to the most influential families of her state, Lumnos, as well as leaders from the many states surrounding her own. It becomes apparent that there is so much more to this world than we originally understand and Cole does a masterful job of navigating the growing intricacies and relationships.
You’ll be kept on your toes with a number of twists that are honestly so shocking and surprising, it’s impossible to see them coming. Cole keeps the reader on their toes and knows how to drive the story forward without giving much away. My jaw dropped a few times as she threw in a few lefthand turns that I couldn’t have predicted.
My only complaint is surrounding Diem, the female protagonist, who’s inexperience and naivete leads her to make some infuriatingly stupid decisions sometimes. I know some of these choices are introduced to create tension in the plot, and specifically to drive the slow burn romance, but I find it hard not to be angry at her for being so blindingly in denial or so selfish. Overall, she is an excellent character and her growth throughout the book is beautiful to watch. She is discovering her found family and learning new things about herself with each passing day, making her story incredibly engaging. She’s strong and continues to be a brazen and brave leader. She is meant to be on a downward arch as she spirals out of control, but sometimes her behaviour is so infuriating, I did almost walk away on a few occasions.
This is one of my new favourite series and I hope it will continue to gain traction. I’m just about to pick up book three and I’m waiting with anticipation for book 4 to be published. If you’re in the Maasverse or Yarros hangover period, give this series a try!
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 