Isn't it intriguing how a book can evoke such strong emotions toward its protagonist that you find yourself both frustrated and utterly captivated?
Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole is precisely that kind of novel. I don’t know what I was expecting when I first started this book but perhaps because I just finished reading the Percy Jackson series and Fourth Wing, I was somehow subconsciously expecting a book with a magical main character who is driven by their sole purpose.
But no, upon starting the first book of The Kindred's Curse Saga “Spark of the Everflame”, I found myself in an unprecedented love-hate relationship with the main character, Diem Bellator.
Diem is a 20-year-old healer living in the modest village of Emarion, a subset for the mortals and contrasting neighboring village to the town for the descended, cruel offspring of the gods who belittles mortals. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her mother, the woman protecting her from the harsh reality of their world, Auralie, mysteriously disappears, hereby thrusting Diem into a world dominated by the Descended. Her journey is one of danger and self-discovery.
From the very beginning, I couldn’t help the frustration I felt at Diem’s character. What a paradox! She is not only excessively stubborn but also impulsive. I cannot count how many times I called her character immature and self-centered, however, without this tenacity, her character won’t develop.
Plus, despite how much she frustrates me, I found her somehow relatable, almost felt as if I was angry at her because I saw myself in her. Love me a book that can portray a character as an authentic human, flawed and impulsive.
The societal hierarchy, with the Descended wielding oppressive power over mortals creates an immersive storytelling in which you can already see the stage setting for rebellion. And of course, every female reader can’t get past a book without fan-girling over a male character in the book.
Mine would be Prince Luther, the Descended’s heir to the throne.
Diem and Prince Luther’s relationship gave the enemies to lover’s storyline and if there’s one thing every book lover knows too well, it is the complexity yet undeniable attraction that comes with the enemies to lovers trove. The slow-burn, the chemistry, the build-up, absolutely breath-taking.
Undeniably, Diem’s personality is exasperating to say the least, but so is the journey of self-awareness for everyone even in real life. Despite the fact that everyone tells her where she needs to be, convincingly so, she just couldn’t ignore the fire burning inside of her, leading her towards a completely opposite path even if that would make her a rebellious brat.
I love the author’s (Penn Cole) method of character development and plot progression. The way she introduces new characters as well, a masterpiece!
This book keeps you engage because like I mentioned earlier, you get pissed but you can’t stop, you’re in too deep, you’ve got to finish it else you’ll miss out on something important, lol. That’s exactly how I felt. This book keeps you turning the pages because even from chapter one, Penn Cole somehow manages to build your curiosity to uncover the secrets that lie within which by the way, will keep you reading till Chapter 32, the last chapter for book 1.
I’m off to start book 2, “Glow of the Everflame”. Let’s see what secrets these pages hold.
Thank you for reading! :)