"Heat of the Everflame" by Penn Cole is an absolute gem! From the very first page, I was hooked by the rich world-building, fast-paced plot, and unforgettable characters. Cole masterfully blends elemental magic, high stakes, and emotional depth into a story that’s impossible to put down. Fans of epic fantasy won’t want to miss this one—I'm already counting down to the next book!

Book three picks up right where book two left off. The Descended and Guardians both demand Diem’s allegiance or her death! War cannot be avoided. However, Diem’s healer background and her quest to rule for ALL people, both Guardian and Descended, are both her strength and weakness.

And Luther…gawd! He’s absolutely unwavering in his love and support. “Don't mistake compassion for lack of courage,” he growled. “Anyone can slaughter their enemies. Hate is easy - it’s mercy that requires greater strength. I’ll be damned if I let you believe that beautiful heart of yours is a weakness. Trust your instincts, my Queen—above all else, trust yourself.” 😍🔥

While I REALLY liked book 3, it wasn't my favorite in the series: It's too long (800 pages) and repetitive (things we already know from books 1 and 2), and Diem’s self-doubt feels redundant. However, Book 3 ends on a serious cliffhanger, one I saw coming yet didn’t see coming at all. Sorry, I know that doesn’t make a lot of sense. But I loved how book 3 ended—the endless possibilities for what can happen in book 4 (the finale).

Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5

I am so in love with this series, it isn’t even funny! 😭 Ms. Penn, you really did your big one with this one. I have not been this obsessed with a series since Fourth Wing came out, and that’s saying something. I love being sucked into a fantasy like this where everything is done so well.

The world building in this series is fantastic. I love the way it’s laid out. The map is so different from what I’ve seen in other fantasy series but is actually easy to understand. I thought the way the author expanded on Emarion in this installment was genius. It wasn’t spoon fed to us but done in a way that wasn’t overwhelming or like drinking from a fire hose. I genuinely think this is one of the most interesting worlds I’ve read about in a long time. The magic system is fascinating and makes perfect sense within the world, which isn’t always the case with other fantasies.

The characters are another bright spot in this series. I swear I love each and one every one of them. Every new character is introduced in a well-rounded and distinguished way that keeps you from confusing them despite there being a large cast of characters. Each one is distinct and has their own traits and characteristics. Zelleric was a highlight for me in this book, as was Taran, as always. I loved their dynamic.

I am so beyond ready to see more of Luther Corbois!! That ending was absolutely jarring 😭 Not even fair! Still, I love how it shook out. There were some things I didn’t see coming and didn’t expect at all, especially with how Diem’s story progressed. I love where her character arc is going. She had a lot of growth in this. I was squealing with everything that went down in Fortos. AS SHE SHOULD! 👏🏼

Diem and Luther’s romance is just chef’s kiss 🤌🏼. That is how you do a slow burn. The yearning was OFF THE CHARTS! Luther is a true yearner. That burn was absolutely delicious and paid off in the most explosive way. I was physically squirming by the time we got to the end. And the library? 🥵 oh my gosh … shaking in my boots. There were so many scenes that had me gritting me teeth and happily suffering the burn.

Needless to say, I am so beyond excited for Burn to come out. I actually cannot contain the anticipation. It is palpable. I only take a half star off because it was soooo long, but I actually can’t think of anything I would have cut. It was well beyond fully-fleshed out. Cole did not skimp on a single detail.

If you’re looking for that next earth-shattering fantasy that will give you the same feelings as Throne of Glass and Fourth Wing, then park it right here!

Thank you to Penn Cole, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the eARC! All opinions stated are my own.

That cliffhanger?! Are you kidding me?! These books just keep getting better and better as the series continues and I can't wait to see what Penn Cole comes up with in the next one (whenever that might be... side eye). This book gave you a glimpse into some of the other territories and the rulers of those territories. It was amazing to see Diem find her way as a ruler while still coming to terms with her powers, and while there were some situations where the answer was right in her face at times, she was kicking butt throughout most of this book!

Second read (listen) thoughts -

I take back feeling like this book was dragging along, I think really what I was feeling before was because I read the entire series so quickly that it felt longer than it actually was. This series is seriously chef's kiss. I am CHOMPING at the bit to get my hands on the ARC of the new one (but of course want Cole to take all the time she needs, it will be better for her and then all of us when the story is able to be as great as all three in this series has been).
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I have loved this entire series thus far (seriously - I recommend this to anyone I come across that even remotely seems like they'd be interested in a recommendation), and I enjoyed this as well though it sometimes felt as though it was dragging at parts. However for how lengthy of a read it was, it was very seldom that I felt the sensation of being drug along through the plot, so I would say that was of minimal concern.

<spoiler>The cliffhanger this story finished on <i>destroyed</i> me. I already felt like Diem and Luther were separated too long, because the yearning I feel when they're apart renders me useless until I reach the point of their being reunited. I did feel like I was able to predict Diem becoming the Crown of each realm, as Cole's foreshadowing was sprinkled throughout each book and I would catch it but then quickly move on. As the tension started ramping up, it became more clear what she was alluding to.

I don't feel like we can trust Diem's mother, even though she naively seems to continue to do so at the risk of herself and others who have time and time again proven themselves as trustworthy. </spoiler>

I am excited to see how the rest of this series unfolds, and cannot wait until the next release is available.

Thank you to Penn Cole and Atria Books for an advanced copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Why did this book take me so long to read? Because I didn’t want it to end! I want to stay immersed in this world with Diem and Luther and all of their friends. The political machinations in this one are top tier, you don’t know who to trust, what will happen and no character is safe.
Penn rips your heart apart and shreds you to pieces, keeps you on the edge of your seat, and slowly puts your heart back together before ripping it apart again. The world building continues to captivate me and Diem’s magic continues to grow. New revelations are made and I am terrified for the next instalment. You may as well bury me now.
Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for a digital advanced copy of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own, as well as given freely.

Thank you to Atria Books for this e-ARC of Heat of the Everflame in exchange for an honest review. I really liked the first book in this series. I kind of liked the second book, and I'm not completely sure how I feel about the third book. To be completely honest, I just didn't like Diem at all in this book. I was okay with her in the first two books, but she just really ground my gears in this one. There were a lot of twists but honestly, just with Diem, I couldn't really enjoy them or feel too invested by them. I do think I really like the direction the plot is going but I'm afraid that more books will just make the series drag on and I'll find myself disinterested.

The Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole is the third book in the Kindred's Curse series. I love this series! In this book, there were some more slow parts and it felt a little repetitious at times. However, the story was great and explored more of the world that we haven't had the chance to see in the first two books. And some of the repetition was necessary for those that may have waited a while in between books. It is so easy to forget what happened in previous books when you are reading them as they come out. Now, how long until the next one?

To start, I just want to say that this book took me NINE months to finish. I disliked Diem in the first two books, but I had just gotten back into reading and had heard good things about this series and wanted to push through. But I was so burnt out with her by the time I got to this one that I DNFd it...
Eventually and finally I made my way back and it did not disappoint! Diem grows so much in this book and is such a different character by the end. Her morals never stray, but her demeanor takes a complete 180.
There were parts that frustrated me still, like Luther not telling Diem about his godstone wound, or Auralie only seeing the worst in Luther, so that took away some of mt enjoyment, but this is still a solid 4 stars for me!
Even though it took me so long to get back to this one, it's going down as a series I'd recommend!

ALSO that cliffhanger ending?!???

LUTHER!! The man that you are!!!! I would like to profusely thank Penn Cole for writing this amazing series and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARCs. Without these two things, I would not have read this story. And that would have been unacceptable. The twists and turns in this book kept me on my toes and guessing at what was going on. I love when a book makes me think about what every single word the author wrote could mean. Penn Cole, PLEASE give me the next book now.

✨Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole✨

Genre: Romantasy
Pages: 1026
Series: The Kindred’s Curse,Book 3

📚After her disastrous coronation, Diem finds herself at the center of the conflict between the Descended and the Guardians. With her newfound friends and the man she’s falling for on one side, and the mortals she has vowed to protect on the other, Diem must walk a careful line to save the people she loves… even from each other.

The mystery of her unusual heritage begins to unravel, sending Diem and Luther on an unexpected journey across the realms. The answers may hold the key to winning the war, but finding them will require her to face painful truths about her mother, her bloodline, and her fate.

Meanwhile, the Crowns have set Diem in their sights. Some could be her greatest allies—while others want her dead. To end their oppressive reign, Diem must sort friend from foe and risk it all to build an army of her own.

But a powerful figure in the north has plans that could change everything...

📝I’m so sad😭I loved the first two books but this one disappointed me. It had all the things that I dislike about fantasy.

Diem turns into this overpowered FMC that refuses to listen to anyone. She’s annoying, unreasonable and reckless. Luther turned into a whole other character. He used to be a commanding presence that challenged Diem, in this book, he morphed into an obedient and forgettable sidekick. Diem and Luther’s dynamic here made no sense.

Finally, this book was too long. The plot was drawn out for no reason. You could have cut 300 pages and nothing would have changed.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I had heard a lot about this series, but hadn't started it yet (I like to binge my way through) -- so I had to backtrack and start at book 1. I loved that that author was able to build this world fluidly, without stopping the storyline to fill in the fantasy/expository for pages and pages. It was well peppered through the action.

For this book specifically: at this point in the series, I loved Diem and Luther already, and it was difficult to go through their one-step-forward, seventeen-steps-back situation in this installment. I absolutely wanted to tie them both to chairs and make them talk openly and honestly with each other, which is super frustrating as a reader.

That said, I do feel like the action and plot twists keep getting better and better. This ends on a cliffhanger, and the author gives us enough foreshadowing to ponder possible solutions for the issue. I also feel like this world is unique in many ways, so that it doesn't automatically make me think of other series in the genre - it's a fresh story, but still holds true to many of the best loved themes/tropes of romantasy.

And now...I sadly wait for the last two books. Sigh. However, this was good enough for me to know at the start that I would enjoy the re-read with each additional novel. Well done, Penn Cole!

Love this series so much! Sad I have to wait for the next one!!
This is such a good fantasy story - great characters and world building. Love it and so excited for the next one!!

Heat of the Everflame delivers another intense, emotional installment in the series as Diem navigates war, love, and the mystery of her past. The stakes are higher than ever, and the twists keep coming as new alliances form and old loyalties are tested. The world building remains rich, the pacing strong, and the cliffhanger ending leaves you desperate for book four. A solid continuation that fans of the series will thoroughly enjoy.

This was my favorite fantasy series I read in 2024. I have missed the feeling of reading a fantasy series that I could not put down and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning consuming. I cannot wait for "BURN" and am so grateful for the tragedy, drama, and love story in the beautiful world building of this story.

Immediately yes. This was incredible! The series just keeps getting better and better!! I couldn't put it down and was hooked from the very beginning. Can't wait to continue with the series!

Due to Kobo not supporting the new Netgalley file type, I wasn't able to read this book in time to give feedback for it. It's still on my TBR and I'm looking forward to diving in when I get a copy.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This is such a thrilling series! I can’t put it down and I’m so looking forward to more! The writing is so captivating and Diem is a great MC!

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Penn Cole does it again, destroyed my heart, and put it back together with Hello Kitty-themed bandaids and a kiss. I was initially intimidated by the length of this boo,k but I flew through this and so will you. The political intrigue is getting increasingly deep, and the characters along with it.