This review covers the first three books in the Kindred’s Curse Saga by Penn Cole.
Spark of the Everflame (The Kindred’s Curse Saga, Book One)
Author: Penn Cole
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Romantic Fantasy / Epic Fantasy–Romance (Romantasy)
Year of Publication: 2024 (hardcover), 2025 (paperback)
Date of Publication: October 8, 2024 (hardcover); June 3, 2025 (paperback)
Pages: 416
ISBN-13: 978-1668085738 (paperback)
Audiobook Read by: Amanda Dolan
Summary of Spark of the Everflame
Spark of the Everflame is the first installment in The Kindred’s Curse Saga by Penn Cole.
The story follows a woman named Diem Bellator. Diem lives in a world where gods, known as the Kindred, once ruled, and their offspring known as the Descended, enslave mortals. The Kindred were nine immortal siblings. They crafted a magical pact known as the forging after seeking refuge in the mortal world, following the violent destruction of their own home.
Each of them fell in love with a citizen of Emarion, which is the world where the story takes place. They abandoned their immortal life and bond themselves to their mortal lover’s lives. They created nine realms one of which is Lumnos, where Diem lives. The Kindred wanted the Descended to rule and create peace. Sadly, the Descended chose to enslave the mortals.
Diem lives in the mortal city and works as a healer. Her life and that of her father and brother changes when her mother suddenly vanishes. With her mother missing, Diem’s goals are to find her mother, keep her brother in school, and serve as the palace healer in her mother’s absence. As the dying king’s heir, Prince Luther, watches her every move, a dangerous alliance beckons her to join a civil war brewing among mortals. To protect her loved ones, Diem is forced to balance power, romance, and political peril in a fight that could ignite the world.
Glow of the Everflame (The Kindred’s Curse Saga, Book Two)
Author: Penn Cole
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Epic Fantasy / Romantic Fantasy (Romantasy)
Year of Publication: 2024
Date of Publication: December 3, 2024
Pages: 624 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1668086759
Audiobook Read by: Amanda Dolan
Summary of Glow of the Everflame
Glow of the Everflame is the second installment in The Kindred’s Curse Saga by Penn Cole.
Book 2 fully introduces us to House Corbois and the other Houses within Lumnos that make up the ruling aristocracy among the Descended, and gives us so much to remember!
The threat of war looms as Diem Bellator confronts a startling discovery that could liberate her people—but wielding it will come with dangerous consequences. To gain time and leverage, she strikes a devil’s bargain with her sworn enemies: the royal House Corbois. As Diem settles into the world of the Descended elite, she begins to see that the lines between friend and foe are far from clear. With her mother still missing and the demands from the Guardians rising, Diem finds herself torn between an old love and a new, smoldering connection, while fighting not only for her people—but for her heart too.
Heat of the Everflame (The Kindred’s Curse Saga, Book Three)
Author: Penn Cole
Publisher: Atria Books / Simon & Schuster
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Romantasy, Adventure
Year of Publication: 2025
Date of Publication: March 11, 2025
Pages: 848 (hardcover edition)
ISBN-13: 9781668098264
Audiobook Read by: Amanda Dolan and Will M. Watt
Summary of Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole
Heat of the Everflame is the third installment in The Kindred’s Curse Saga by Penn Cole. Book 3 opens up with Diem Bellator in captivity. The coronation was a complete disaster.
War brews between the Descended and the Guardians, and Diem must fight not only for survival but also for the people who both fear and need her. Alongside Luther, she journeys across the different realms, uncovering long-buried truths about her bloodline that could change the fate of Emarion.
Enemies grow bolder, alliances are tested, and powerful Crowns may prove either allies or deadly foes. As Diem prepares to raise an army, a mysterious northern figure stirs—one whose power could tip the balance of the coming war.
Main Plot & Characters
- Diem Bellator – She is the main character in this story. Diem is caught between her need to please all sides and save everyone.
- Prince Luther Corbois – He is a prince in Lumnos and a member of House Corbois.
- Auralie Bellator – Diem’s mother, whose vanishing and hidden ties to the Descended ignite the plot’s mystery.
- Andrei Bellator – He is Diem’s father. He served in the Emarion Army, which is the unified military force of the Nine Realms of Emarion.
- Teller Bellator – He is Diem’s younger brother. They have a very close relationship. Teller attends the Descended school.
- Henri – He is Diem’s childhood sweetheart and her oldest friend. He dislikes the Descended.
- Maura – She is a fellow healer who worked closely with Diem and her mother.
- The Descended – Oppressive demigods who rule over mortals, inciting conflict and resistance.
- The Guardians (Rebel Alliance) – They are made up of mortals who are rebelling against the Descended’s dominance and tempting Diem into their cause.
- King Ulther Corbois — At the start of the book, he is the King of Lumnos (the Realm of Light and Shadow). He is the older brother of Remis Corbois and the younger brother of Garath Corbois.
- Lilian (Lily) Corbois – She is a Princess and sister to Luther.
- Remis Corbois – He is the Regent of Lumnos, father of Lily and Luther, and brother to King Ulther.
- Garath Corbois – He is the Warden of the Shadows and father of Aemonn and Taran.
- Avana Corbois – Wife of Remis Corbois and mother of Lily and Luther.
- Aemonn Corbois – He is the older brother to Taran and son of Garath.
- Alixe Corbois – High General of the Royal Guard (in Heat of the Everflame).
- Freah Corbois – Wife of Garath Corbois and mother to Aemonn and Taran.
- Taran Corbois – He is the son of Garath Corbois, younger brother to Aemonn and Luther’s trusted ally.
- Eleanor Corbois – She is Luther’s cousing and serves as advisor to Queen Diem.
- Cordellia – She is the Leader of the Arboros Guardians.
- Brecke Holdern – He is friend of Henri. He gave Diem a blade made of Fortosian steel, which is one of the only substances that can pierce Descended skin.
- Doriel – They are the Crown of Sophos (the Realm of Thought and Spark). This realm is open to mortals but by invitation only. Diem’s brother, Teller, aspired to get a spot to study here because they are known for their innovation and library.
- Lana – She is a healer trainee. She is also part of the Lumnos Guardians and has taken on missions in support of their cause.
- Iléana Hanoverre – Commander in the Royal Guard, formerly romantically linked to Luther
- Marthe Hanoverre – She is the Matriarch of House Hanoverre and Iléana’s grandmother. Marthe understands the game of politics and is a force to reckon with.
- Jean Hanoverre – He is Iléana’s older brother and a powerful Descended. He is Zalaric’s father.
- Zalaric Hanoverre – He is a half mortal and half Descended. He uses the Hanoverre name even though his family denies his existence.
- Evrim Benette – Head of House Benette. He has two children named Lorris and Evanie.
- Faunos Queen – (Realm of Beast and Brute). Mortals are forbidden in this realm unless passing through.
- Arboros Queen (Realm of Root and Thorn) – They supply many of the medicinal plants that Diem and the other healers used for treatment.
- Queen Yrselle, Queen of Umbros (Realm of Mind and Secret) – Mortals and descended from all realms are welcome but the available careers here are not conventional. Most of the other realms distrust this queen.
- King of Meros – He reigns over the Realm of Sky and Sea, Meros. This realm is renowned for its bustling ports and its mastery over wind and water magic.
- King of Ignios – He reigns over the Realm of Sand and Flame. His realm is completely off limit to mortals. Traveling here as a mortal means sudden death.
- King of Fortos – the Realm of Force and Valor. It’s close to Lumnos where Diem lives and is where her parents met while serving in the army.
- King of Montios – He reigns over the Realm of Stone and Ice. This realm is forbidden to mortals. He is much older and uses a walking stick.
- Perthe – He is the soldier Diem saved from the armory fire.
- Sorae – She is the gryvern of Lumnos; she has a connection to Tybold, the Ignios gryvern.
- Tybold – the gryvern of Ignios.
- Baldrum – the Gryvern of Fortos.
- Rymari – the gryvern of Montios.
- Vexes – the gryvern of Sophos.
- Xipherus – the gryvern of Ophiucae.
- Ophiucae – He is Diem’s sire (biological father).
- Blessed Mother Lumnos – is the Kindred of Light and Shadow. The Corbois family trace their lineage to this Kindred. She is worshiped and revered as a central figure in the religion of the Lumnos people, who see her as both protector and guide.
Writing Style
The story is told mostly from Diem’s perspective.
We absolutely loved the world-building in all three books! Penn Cole did a fantastic job with this. We not only learn about places like Lumnos, Fortos, Faunos, Arboros, Ignios, Umbros, Meros, and Montios, but the author also gives us the Gryvern’s, concepts like the Kindred, Flameroot powder, Forging day, the challenge, Blood war, and of course Blessed Mother Lumnos!
The characters are memorable and you are guaranteed to never forget the members of House Corbois as a lot of them are extremely likeable. There are funny moments, a lot of suspense, and some parts of the books that will piss you off especially as it relates to Henry, Vance, and Diem’s decisions. So kudos to Penn Cole for taking us on a very enjoyable, sometimes painful and emotional rollercoaster.
Our favorite of the three books was Book 2. A large portion of Book 3 would have given Book 2 a run for it’s money but there are some parts towards the end of Book 3 that were not entirely to our liking. With that said, if we are judging based on the first 45 chapters of Book 3, then Book 3 is a clear winner out of the three books and was absolutely amazing. However, if we are going by the entire book, then Book 2 wins without question.
Quotes from The Kindred’s Curse Saga
- “Fight.”— A recurring plea from the voice in Diem’s head.
- “Is it right to lie to someone you love when you know death is coming. To let them believe that the future might stretch on forever when you know your time left together is far shorter? Or is that adding cruelty to tragedy?”— Luther
- “You can’t do the right thing if you are dead.”— Zalaric
- “Claim me, daughter of the forgotten.”— recurring voice/saying Diem Bellator keeps hearing.
- “Blessed Kindred.”— A recurring expression, used almost in the same way we say “oh my god! or oh my gosh!”
- “Hope doesn’t make you a traitor but I do think there are some people who cannot be redeemed.”— Luther
- “War is death and misery and sacrifice. War is making choices that will hunt you for the rest of your days.”— Diem reflecting on what she needs to do
- You think I fear my own death?” he whispered in my ear. “Every day I draw breath is as much a curse as a gift. I’ve been living on borrowed time for longer than you can imagine. If you’re the way my fate finally catches up to me, I can’t fathom a more beautiful end.”— Luther
- “When we meet again, remember this moment child. How I could have made you kneel, how I could have made you beg.”— Words of the mysterious woman who approached Diem in a dark alley. We later learn who she is
- “You wear your emotions on your sleeve Diem. Your Temper has always been your weakness.”— Andrei Bellator
- “Good intentions don’t save lives.”— Cordelia
- “If Meros was the waypoint for the inter-realm trade of legitimate wear, Umbros was it’s sneaky evil twin.”— Diem’s reflections
- “With respect my queen…your survival instincts are shit.”— Luther
- “By the Flames!”— Exclamation that refers to the old religion (ever flames), which is forbidden
- “They told me you would come for me… They told me your blood would shatter our stone and lay waste to our borders. I am not afraid, Devourer of Crowns. Ravager of Realms. Herald of vengeance.”
“Give him our gift, Daughter of the Forgotten. When the end has come, and the blood has spilled, give our gift to my faithful heir, and tell him this is my command.”— King Ulther’s words to Diem Bellator - “But remember you are a phoenix too. We do not fear the flames, for the hotter we burn, the higher we fly…Burn my queen, glow so bright, the darkness trembles.”— Luther’s words to Diem before the challenge
- “When all else fails, keep moving…If you cannot run, then walk. If you cannot walk, then crawl…If you are outnumbered or overwhelmed or if all seems lost, just keep moving. Onward until the very last breath.”— Diem remembering the words of her father, Andrei Bellator
Final Thoughts
The Kindred’s Curse Saga is a very enjoyable read. It balances war, romance, and the narrative pushes its characters to their breaking points. The book gives us characters to love, hate and even those we can’t help but hope for their redemption (shoutout to Remis and Aemonn Corbois!). It is one of those books that once you start you can’t wait to get to the next one and if you re-read you will pickup on things you missed the first time around. Fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and The Shadow of What Was Lost will enjoy this series.
Book 4 (Burn of the Everflame) is expected to be published on July 14, 2026.
Have you read any of the books in The Kindred’s Curse Saga and are you excited about Burn of the Everflame?
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