Spark of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse #1) by Penn Cole

 

Summary (from the publisher): 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 mortal kind.

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.

Review: Diem Bellator is a young woman who works as a healer in a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled by the Descended, their offspring. When her mother disappears suddenly, it gives Diem an opportunity to see the world of the Descended royalty for herself. As the elderly and cruel king lays dying, Diem clashes with his heir, Prince Luther, feels torn between the wishes of her childhood love Henri and her own independence, and is pulled into a resistance against the ruthless politics of the descended. 

Ugh, I loved this romantasy way too much! Diem is such a strong, independent character. I loved her mysterious origin story (her father is adopted, and her true father is unknown) and how devoted she is to her patients, despite having a really sarcastic and fiery personality most of the time otherwise. The world Penn Cole has created in this book is intriguing and I couldn't help but be curious about the future of the realm after King Ulther dies. The undeniable tension between Luther and Diem was incredibly well done. 

I was a bit disappointed in some of the relationship building in this. Specifically, the way Diem speaks to Luther. She is disrespectful and insulting at every turn. This would absolutely not have been tolerated by someone of a much higher status than her, and he demonstrates that he is unafraid to punish others for far more minor infractions. I understand that this is to set the stage for their 'enemies to lovers' vibes but it just went too far. I also was extremely frustrated the way he would drop meaningful hints that he knows more about her history and her mother but yet Diem fails to ask follow-up questions. Why would she never ask him to explain himself?? This is clearly done just to build suspense, but it felt unrealistic. 

That being said, I devoured this book and immediately started book two upon finishing it. It ends on quite the cliff hanger, and I am absolutely reeled in enough to *need* to know what happens next. Excited for the rest of the series. 

Stars: 4