A review by booksalacarte
Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

5⭐️3🌶️

Romantasy
20yo FMC
Immortals
Demigods vs mortals
Class divided
🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 normative society
Female rage
Rebellion
Mystery
Forbidden love
Banter

This series has been on my radar for a long time, and I finally decided to dive in after hearing so many of my mutuals rave about it. I even grabbed the first book during a free eBook promotion on Amazon! It’s taken me a while to get to it, but I’m so glad I did.

The first book was fantastic. It had all the elements of a series I know I’ll love: slow world-building, slow burn romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, a mysterious history, and a kingdom in turmoil. If you’re not a fan of a slow buildup, Cole’s writing style might not be for you, but I personally found it immersive.

Penn Cole’s writing is rich and layered, pulling me in from the very first page. I was so hooked, I was reaching for the second book before I even finished writing this review. I’m glad I waited until more books in the series were available!

The character development, both for the main and side characters, was excellent. I genuinely cared for all of them, and I loved seeing the relationships grow beyond just the romance. This added depth, making each character feel distinct rather than part of a larger group following the protagonist.

The romantic tension was skillfully done—there’s a lot of push and pull, particularly with the FMC’s evolving feelings. It kept me invested and rooting for them, even when the relationship was in a delicate balance.

I’m really excited to continue this series and can’t wait to see where it goes!