Book Review – Spark of the Everflame

Spark of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, #1) by Penn Cole
Narrator: Amanda Dolan
Series: Kindred's Curse #1
on May 31, 2023
Length: 13 hours 12 minutes
Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy
Pages: 438
Format: Audiobook
Goodreads

When old secrets catch fire, everything will burn.
In a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by the Descended, their cruel offspring, Diem Bellator yearns to escape the insular life of her poor village.
Her mother’s sudden disappearance—and the discovery of a dangerous secret about her past—offer Diem an unexpected opportunity to enter the dark world of Descended royalty and unlock the web of mysteries her mother left behind.
With the dying King’s handsome, mysterious heir watching her every move, and a ruthless mortal alliance recruiting her to join the growing civil war, Diem will have to navigate the unwritten rules of love, power, and politics in order to save her family—and all of mortalkind.
Spark of the Everflame is the first book in The Kindred's Curse Saga, a four-book fantasy romance series. This slow burn, enemies-to-lovers epic is perfect for lovers of magic, dragons, angst, and banter and will appeal to fans of books like A Court of Thorns and Roses, From Blood and Ash, Gild, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night.

Julie’s Review of Spark of the Everflame: A Novel (The Kindred’s Curse Saga):

I went into this with some biases from the posts I have seen in the bookverse. One is that the series is amazing but you have to get through book one, and that the FMC Diem is unlikable. And another was a really cool reel I saw where the book girlie was recommending books based on your favorite musical, and for Wicked she lists this book because of the strong themes of good vs. evil. So let’s get into it.

I don’t get the hate for the character. Diem is headstrong and fiery, and her moral compass drives her. Also, that “Fight” voice inside her head pushes her full force to do the things she believes in anyway. Is she a bit wishy washy when realizing she might be different? Yes, but who wouldn’t be in that situation. She keeps trying to find her way, and makes a lot of mistakes. But then she course corrects and learns from everything that happens. Where the brutal Descended and their “progeny laws” care little about mortals, Diem cares about all lives. No innocents are to be punished, no matter what side of the “war” they are on. I totally empathize with her frustration and confusion with her emerging self, her strong convictions and need to find her true self and her true calling. Because so far in life she has been doing what everyone else expected of her. And it’s high time she lives for herself. I also enjoyed how she doesn’t cower. She outright calls Luther by all kinds of names, and not the title she is supposed to call him. And he allows it to happen! Because she’s so feisty! Or is it because he knows something she doesn’t yet.

Henri, well, he means well I suppose but he’s not it. Sorry dude, you’re just a distraction and I felt no romance between them. He really is just the familiar lifelong companion, but not someone who lights her up. And after the things the organization he belongs to did… and how upset that made Diem… surely he is aware that he’s lost her. Right?

I don’t know what to make of Luther. He is mysterious and confusing. A Descended prince who may or may not have had something to do with her mother’s disappearance? Is her her enemy at the beginning? Or just another one of them who she is supposed to dislike and distrust? Luther’s interest in Diem seemed sudden. What is she to him? Especially in the last scene with them together? Because his words were all riddles and confusing. First he is broody and angry and then he is touch her and I will show you what it means to disobey me? Yes there is definitely a spark between them, but it’s not very developed in book 1. I don’t see this as a romance, not yet. I did like the bonus chapter from Luther’s POV that’s online, though I would have loved it to be part of the book. Or at least added to the audiobook. It gave only slightly more context, but still kept its secrets.

The ending, wow I wasn’t expecting that. I mean, I knew she would finally realize what she is, but for that to happen? Is that why her mother hid her all these years? Did she know her destiny? I have questions! Good thing I bought all 3 audiobooks during the Audible sale, and the final book is releasing later this fall. I don’t have to wait long for answers.

The pacing overall was a bit slow but I wasn’t bored, so there’s that. I’m glad I did the audio because it is very well done. One narrator, but all the voices were done so well. And if this is the book you have to “get through” with the rest of the series being amazing, I’m looking forward to it. Because this was really good, and sounds like it’s going to get better.

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Lynn’s Review:

Vibes: Liked it but not love\make it a part of my personality. I found the plot predictable in the way of most fantasy\romantasy books. (Of course, he’s a shadow wielder. Of course, she’s powerful and doesn’t realize it. Of course, they have all the sparks.) That’s not a bad thing. Just nothing that stood out as amazing while I was listening. Did totally love Sorae the gryvern. More of her, please! Diem’s inner conflict was interesting. Her healer vows conflict with trying to protect all the mortals. Her mother’s secrets seem VERY LARGE and VERY DANGEROUS. I’m hoping Luther’s mysteries are explored at some point from his POV. And not only in a bonus chapter. I never got the feels between Diem and Henri. Obviously, that romance is doomed. Way more sparks with Luther! The narrator did a good job with all of the distinct voices. Nobig complaints. Will definitely be moving on with this series! 

 

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