Spark of the Everflame - The Saga - SPOILERS

Star Rating: ★★★★★

“You saw it too, didn’t you?” I stopped, but I didn’t look back. “Last night,” he said, “right before the roof collapsed. The vision. The battlefield.” I couldn’t move, my body paralyzed, my thoughts stunned to stillness. “What if our story isn’t over, Diem Bellator? What if it’s only beginning?”
-Spark of the Everflame

“I would have walked into the flaming heart of the sun itself,” he shot back. “If you are suffering, nothing will keep me from coming to your aid. Least of all something as trivial as death.”
-Glow of the Everflame

“Don’t you dare mistake compassion for lack of courage,” he growled. “Anyone can slaughter their enemies. Hate is easy—it’s mercy that requires the 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.”
-Heat of the Everflame

COMING MARCH 1, 2024 - Burn of the Everflame!! 

This is a series that only got better as I started each book. I will admit the first book is a little slow. Diem, our FMC, is feisty and strong. For me, she was really likable from the start--until she became a spy, then things started to get weird. For me, I was met with a character who was clearly being lied to her entire life, but I thought she would actually be someone who would make rational decisions when faced with the truth. 

The only smart move Diem makes in the first book is to stop taking the flameroot powder. 

As we continue to book two, she stays with her mortal fiance, even when she realizes that she is not mortal and that he doesn't really treat her right... When Luther's loyalty and attraction is staring her in the face, she flees. It was incredibly annoying to read from the perspective of someone who seemed to be highly intelligent at the beginning of the story. 

I didn't like that Diem and Henri blatantly cheat on one another, but it is supposed to be forgivable because they both do it? Or because Diem tried to breakup with him one time before giving into Luther? That just isn't enough for me to excuse it. I do think Henri was only going with the engagement because he wanted access to the new power that Diem provided as the crown, and yes, that is also so wrong. In my mind, however, it doesn't excuse the story-line of cheating on your partner. And again, this is something I thought Diem should have seen coming since she seemed to be of rational mind when we started the series. 

However, even though those areas of the story were ridiculous and frustrating, after Diem ends her relationship with Henri, the tale finally becomes something I felt like I could devour. And devour it, I did! 

Diem and Luther are so loyal to one another, it is clear they are meant to be mates. I must admit, I love that mating with someone is a choice, rather than something that is fated. They can act on being connected for eternity, or they can choose otherwise. I think having the power to choose overrides the destiny story-line for me. I also love that Luther is 100% supportive of Diem's choices to mate or not, even though you can tell he would love to be mated to her for life. 
When Diem finally realizes she wants to be mated to Luther, its another "no-duh" moment for me. Of course you should mate with him! 

As far as the main conflict goes, I think Penn Cole does an amazing job of creating these courts and political systems that are set in their ways. I found it to be really realistic, especially as we get to the end, and you think Diem has found an ally from another crown, only for her to be somewhat blindsided yet again. It is super realistic for people to be uncomfortable with change, and seeing Diem with three crowns would be something the other crowns would not accept. I like that it didn't just work out for her. The magic systems were also really interesting to me, how each crown controlled one type of magic. This made it exciting as you make your way through the story and each crown's lands. 

I am really excited for March 1st. The cliffhanger for book three is absolutely insane, and I'm dying to see what Penn Cole does for the finale!