*I started this series because I received this ARC and wanted to make sure I got a review in before it gets archived at the end of this month, and I have NEVER been so glad I started a series! I’ve loved every book and cannot wait for the next one.

This was A LOT. I feel like I was just thrown around on a rollercoaster, then flung off the edge at the end for good measure.

This book was SO good but also feels like they threw 2-3 books worth of information at us in one go. Like the other books, it was easy to read and follow what was happening which can often not be the case with action packed fantasy novels.

I did find it frustrating that EVERY time something important was going to be revealed, they would say something like “I’ll tell you tomorrow” - given the length of this book, I felt like we could have cut to the point a bit more. I understand a lot of this foreshadowing that they won’t have all the time in the world but considering Luther nearly died, yet they are all still acting like tomorrow is a given was a bit jarring.

I really love most of our characters, however I do find Diem to be a bit unlikeable at times. She is incredibly naive and quite arrogant, especially when talking to the other Crowns, which is so at odds with how she was in the first 2 books. I do see this as character grown that she is becoming more comfortable in her power, but it often comes across as unlikeable.
Taran is an absolute gem and comes out with some great one liners - he better make it out of this series unscathed!!

I hope next book we get more growth from Luther - as much as I love him, he spent 1000 pages feeling like just Diems lackey and he has so much more to give.

I need book 4 immediately 😭

🔥 BOOK REVIEW 🔥

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5)

The Heat of the Everflame is REAL, and I am obsessed. Thank you to NetGalley, Headline Publishing, and the wonderful Penn Cole for this ARC—I inhaled it like dragonfire. 🐉✨ And guess what? The paperback hits shelves March 11th, so mark your calendars! 📅

Diem Bellator is back, and she is not here to play nice. After that disastrous coronation (seriously, could it have gone any worse?), she’s stuck between two warring sides, trying to protect both the people she loves and the people she should love. But with secrets unraveling, Crowns scheming, and Luther making *everything* even more complicated (swoon 😍), Diem has to figure out who she can actually trust—and whether she’s strong enough to survive it all.

And let’s talk about the absolute madness of this book being over 1000 pages long… and yet, I still devoured it in under 24 hours. Sleep? Who needs it when there’s betrayals, magical chaos, and slow-burn tension so thick you could cut it with a sword? ⚔️🔥

This book gave me everything—high-stakes action, delicious tension, magical intrigue, and just the right amount of angst that had me SCREAMING. Enemies-to-lovers fans, you are FED. 🍽️🔥 The banter? Chef’s kiss. The world-building? Utterly immersive. The betrayals? Stabbed me in the soul. And the twists? Let’s just say, I did *not* see that ending coming. 😵‍💫

If you love complex heroines, morally gray love interests, and enough angst to fuel a very dramatic playlist, you need this book. Now excuse me while I go emotionally recover before book four destroys me completely. 😭💔

I'm a big fan of The Kindred's Curse Saga and Heat of the Everflame didn’t disappoint.

The world building was very impressive. You truly feel like you are going on a journey with the characters and discovering Emarion with them. Talking about the characters, I loved meeting new ones (Zalaric has my heart!)

You get a fast-paced plot with a lot of twists and turns and I could not put my kindle down. But you what wasn’t fast-paced? The relationship between Diem and Luther. Penn Cole is truly the queen of slow burns and I absolutely adore that.

What frustrated me with this book, was the very dumb decisions Luther and Diem make at times. Some part of the book also felt a little repetitive.

The cliffhanger had me screaming! I cannot wait for Burn to be published and to read the last book in this amazing series.The Kindred's Curse Saga is one I always recommend to everyone and really is a staple in the romantasy genre.

Thank you so much for NetGalley, the publisher&the author for an earc of this book!

I'm obsessed with this series and these characters! Almost 1000 pages in this book and I LOVED every single one of them. There's never a dull moment. The world expanded hugely, and if the plot isn't actively moving forward or an action scene isn't taking place, it's because there's important character or relationship development happening on page. We were given answers in this one, but so many breadcrumbs left to follow for the final book. The found family? The magic? Diem? LUTHER?! Perfection. That cliff hanger is killing me and we have no release date for the final book, but best believe whenever it releases I will drop everything to read it! In the meantime I'll be rereading the first three books over again.


Thank you so much to Headline and NetGalley for sharing rhe earc.

776 pages is not enough.

Now imagine the most popular romantasy series you’ve read and loved – just like that read, the world Penn Cole has created (and expands expertly in Heat of the Everflame) is not going to let you go. Sure, you’ll now be chasing the experience of reading Penn Cole’s series for a while, but you won’t take it back for the world.

And, you know the drill, these books will become ones you’d trade about anything to get to read for the first time again. I’ve read them all twice – and counting.

Heat of the Everflame is an example of why we love reading. Because you can be in a slump, thinking you’ve already read the best that BookTok or Bookstagram has to offer – and then stumble upon a series like this and start the process all over again. If you need a reminder that there will be another unexpected “Roman Empire” Romantasy series, do yourself a favor and pick up Heat of the Everflame.

The reader in me loves how completely immersive Diem and Luther’s story is. The literature PhD in me loves the gorgeous writing and expert pacing. The skeptic in me discovered that these are characters I could easily root for and believe in. And the book reviewer in me would pick this as her “one recommendation” for you, if pressed.

Here you’ll find slow burn (the best I’ve read) and eventual spice as the series progresses—and, trust that Heat of the Everflame DELIVERS in spice--political intrigue, found family, “he falls first.” Strength and moral compasses, deception and bargains – and THE best declaration from a love interest I’ve ever read.

This is my favorite series of the last few years. And each book gets better and better – so you know Heat is my favorite.

So far.

If NetGalley allowed more than five stars, this one would deserve it. Thank you so much for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. I simply cannot wait to see what's next from Cole.

Heat of the Everflame is an exhilarating and immersive read that had me hooked from beginning to end. The world-building is particularly impressive, with a richly detailed setting that feels both magical and grounded. The author’s ability to create a vivid, enchanting world really adds depth to the story and pulls you right in.

The plot is fast-paced and full of twists, keeping you on the edge of your seat. There’s a great balance of action, intrigue, and emotional moments that make the story engaging and dynamic. The stakes feel high, and the tension builds steadily, making it hard to put the book down.

The characters are a highlight of the novel. They’re well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique motivations and growth throughout the story. The protagonist, in particular, stands out with her strength and complexity. The relationships between characters are nuanced and add significant depth to the narrative.

While the book is generally strong, there are a few moments where the pacing slows down a bit, and some plot points may feel a tad predictable. However, these are minor issues in what is otherwise a gripping and well-crafted story.

Overall, Heat of the Everflame is a fantastic read for fans of fantasy. It combines a compelling plot with rich world-building and strong character development, making it a standout in the genre. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an exciting and immersive fantasy adventure.

Another great instalment of the Kindred’s Curse Saga. I loved Luther and Diem and their dynamic. This one is a long read and the second half is notably slower, so you do have to persevere, but I would still recommend reading, especially if you loved books one and two.

I’m honestly unsure if I’ll be continuing this series after Heat of the Everflame. I absolutely adored books one and two, but this third installment left me feeling very up and down. The pacing and character development felt like a complete 180 from what I had grown to love.

I know Diem has been a polarizing character for many readers, but I never found her unbearable—until now. Her characterization in this book, paired with the overwhelming miscommunication, made it genuinely difficult for me to get through. It felt like these two elements dominated about 70% of the book, which made the story frustrating rather than engaging.

Another major struggle for me was the world-building. The first two books did such a great job of expanding the world and setting up intriguing conflicts, but this book left me with more unanswered questions than I expected—especially considering the intense cliffhangers from before.

I really wanted to love this book as much as the first two, but it just didn’t work for me. I’m torn on whether I’ll pick up the next one, but for now, I’m feeling pretty disappointed.

Amazing! Words can not express how much love this book and series. Luther and Diem are amazing together. This series has evolved so much. It has the best slow burn romance ever and the found family in this series rivals the inner circle in ACOTOR. I am holding my breath and begging for Burn! Penn Cole you are amazing! Please hurry! 😉

Thank you to Netgalley, Penn Cole and Headline for this ARC

This series is everything!! Plot driven but full of romance. I can’t get enough of these books. The characters have great character development as the series goes on and you become so invested in each character you feel as if they are your best friends

Heat of the Everflame is such a good book. Loved the story so much! I rated it 5 stars because I couldn't put it down for a second. So so good.

I'm a huge fan of the Kindred's Curse saga and Heat of the Everflame did not disappoint! Penn Cole expertly expands the world and magic system, in a way that is somehow both mind blowing and easy to follow.

What I love about these books is that you truly never know what's going to happen next! Just when you correctly predict one outcome, another happens that shakes you to the core - and the end of this book is the perfect example of that.

I am now desperately awaiting Burn of the Everflame!

When I finished Glow (book two) I was wanted more of the world, and we get that in this book. The world building that happened was brilliant - no fleeting visits. We got to know realms, people, and magic. The situations that put the characters in each place to allow the world building felt purposeful, not tokenistic.

I do wish there was more communication, especially between characters, but we're still dealing with a young and independent FMC who was unceremoniously thrust into a world she not only knew nothing about but also grew up despising, so I'm not surprised we have an overly headstrong character here. But I'm glad to see so much growth in her in this book. She's definitely growing.

Luther. I. Just. There are words there, but. I don't have them just now. He's strong, in so many ways, but his heart is just something else. And I just can't right now. The ending of the book still has my heart on a vice. His devotion, his loyalty, his stubbornness. He's a great character and I really can't wait to see more of him. His bonus chapter(s) are great - I really enjoyed his one in this book, and the small bit we get from his pov at one point too (vague so no spoilers).

So much happens in this book. But the end of book cliffhanger is sore. It's likely why I have no words and my heart feels the way it does. I need a moment, but I also need to rest and heal myself before I do this again. It's been a while since I felt like this with a book - I both love it and really don't like it in equal measure. A sign of a book well done in my opinion.

Bring on more adventure and heartache in book four....

Penn Cole’s Heat of the Everflame is an ambitious and sweeping continuation of the Kindred’s Curse Saga, bringing high stakes, unraveling mysteries, and long-awaited romance to the forefront. As war erupts, Diem finds herself caught between factions, forced to navigate treacherous alliances and her own rapidly evolving power. With Luther by her side, she embarks on a journey across realms to uncover the truth of her lineage—a truth that may be the key to ending the war but comes with devastating consequences.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its immersive world-building. Cole expands the scope of the story by introducing new kingdoms, each with its own political intrigue, betrayals, and power struggles. The time spent in Umbro’s kingdom, in particular, adds a fascinating new layer, especially with the mind-speaking elements. These explorations keep the narrative fresh, even when some plot beats—Diem’s repeated conflicts with rulers—start to feel predictable.

The romance between Diem and Luther remains a central focus, and while their dynamic is still compelling, it shifts in ways that may divide readers. The tension and slow-burn build-up of the earlier books give way to a more established relationship here, making for some satisfyingly emotional moments but also diminishing some of Luther’s edge. Meanwhile, Diem continues to grow into her role, embracing her power more fully, though her tendency to make reckless decisions without learning from past mistakes can be frustrating at times.

At over 1,000 pages, Heat of the Everflame is a dense read, and while action, magic, and romance keep things engaging, the pacing does suffer in places. Some conflicts feel repetitive, and certain arcs could have been tightened to maintain a stronger momentum. That said, the book still delivers plenty of intrigue, humor, and intensity.

With another cliffhanger ending that promises even greater challenges ahead, this installment will leave you eager for the next book. If you love slow-burn romantasy with intricate world-building, warring factions, and grumpy-but-devoted love interests, Heat of the Everflame is a worthy, if slightly meandering, continuation of Diem’s journey.

4.25🌟

I’ve been sat here debating this one! The first half of the book was amazing, easily a 5 star but I think book 3 should have finished there. With the second half of the book made into a separate book. The second half was a lot slower and pulled the book down slightly, which was a shame. The slow burn was exceptionally slow, which gave great tension between the MMC and FMC.
I have to say I highly recommend the series and really can’t wait for book 4. This is a series that will stay with me for a while 🥰

I requested this, and then realised I'd already read it. However, I thought I'd share my thoughts.

Overview:
The third book in the Kindred's Curse series, we follow our two main charactersas the travel to different realms to gain allies.

Review:
While I loved the first two books in this series, I felt that this title dipped a little bit. It felt too long and I was getting frustrated with the FMC.
Penn Cole manages to write in a way that's engaging but I struggled with the plot for this one. It seemed like a place holder, building up to the next book in the series. Diem started to do things that felt out of character, and Luther did nothing to stop her. There was more world building in this book than we'd previously seen before, which I liked, but Diem visiting the other realms became predictable and repetitive.

I can see how other people would love it though, the slow-burn romance continues, the magic system becomes more interesting and there's some great scenes.

•the ending isn't as bad as I thought but still another cliffhanger, but it think it will make a good read in the one.
• I mayble slightly liked book 2 more than 3 but this was still soo good. It's a long one but alot happens. A lot of secrets are revealed but i also have just as many questions needing answered
• I loved seeing all the other kingdoms in this one. especially the time spent in the Umbro's kingdom a little mind speaking is my fave !
•less of the friend group which sucked because I love them but lots more of The main couple together IYKYK
• I equally wanted to binge this and take my time because I didn't want it to end ! I really enjoy the FMC in this one she's really accepting her self and her powers and the MMC his grumpy protectiveness is everything. I love the romance in these books! This one is the spiciest but it's not loads but I think it's a perfect amount
•Theres still alot of laugh out loud moments too which I love, there's got to be some fun with torture !
'"I am very naked, and you are very dressed," I joked, trying to laugh off my unease.'
"Why is it you and I never seem to be
unclothed at the same time?"

I love this series but my god can this group not catch a break. I do think this book could have been split in half and as readers we would have been able to digest a lot more of the story.

But the ending 🤯

Heat of the Everflame is the third instalment in the Kindred’s Curse Saga. Following Diem as she grasps life-altering events that see her go from a human healer, to discovering she is descended, to becoming queen of Lumos, and much more that would be spoilers for those who have not read the first two books.
I have to begin my review by stating how much I adored the first two books in the series. They made this series become a fast favourite. However… this third instalment really lost me. The characters spend the whole book going round in circles, coming to the same conclusions, and all of the battles have the same outcome. Diem is incredibly naive and constantly makes mistakes that puts her and everyone she holds dear at risk. This wouldn’t necessarily be an issue if she learned from these mistakes, but in this book she doesn’t seem to.
Luther’s character also did a full 180. I loved the build up and the tension in their romance. How slow burn it was to the point you could feel their genuine connection. But for some reason in this book he lost his charm as a strong character, and he was reduced to following Diem round like a lovesick puppy.
It wasn’t all bad, there were some great moments in this book of action and the found family continued to be really strong (this was also lost towards the end of the book however as the other characters were no longer present)
I believe that the story has some great foundations and real potential, but this particular instalment was too long. It was long for the sake of being long, because the same plot seemed to be recycled for 1000 pages.
*spoiler*
Diem goes to one of the other kingdoms, doesn’t see eye to eye with their ruler, wants to protect both humans and descended, betrayal, ruler dies, Diem becomes the queen of that kingdom.
The first time it happened it was a great twist, but it happened 3 times in one book, making it very repetitive.
I guess I am more let down because of how much I adored the first two books. This book is by no means bad, but it could’ve been a lot shorter and had a much stronger impact on the reader.

I really did love this series, but this book really was tooooo long in my opinion. It felt very dragged out and made me want to put it down quite often.

I'm still a big fan of the world and the Characters do I NEED the newest book asap!