Committing to the TBR

Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole is fast-paced, easy to devour, and honestly exactly what I needed after my Onyx Storm slump. Some fantasy authors drown you in world-building, and I end up flipping back like, “Wait, who’s fighting again?” But Penn? She feeds it to you in manageable bites. I might have been confused at times, but it felt like I was learning the world with Diem. No harm, no foul!

Let’s talk about Diem. She’s messy, complicated, and incredibly unreliable– and I love her for it. Watching her not fall for Henri? A personal win. (THANK GOD! He was giving Chaol. Sorry Chaol stans.) I’m not here for the “I want you to unknowingly drop everything you stand for and join my side of the war, but I’m going to give you no backstory and keep you in the dark because it amuses me” trope. No thanks! I’ve seen this film before… and I didn’t like the ending!

But Diem herself? I felt so drawn to her. She’s constantly questioning herself– wanting to fight for what’s right, realizing maybe she picked the wrong side, and loving people who might not deserve it. Her father figure and Henri taking opposite stances in the war just deepens the internal tug-of-war. She feels unreliable, but maybe she’s just overwhelmed- and who wouldn’t be?

Now Luther… oof. I want to be into him, but something’s just not clicking. If Henri wasn’t such a walking red flag, I’m not sure I’d be rooting for Luther and Diem. There’s mystery, there’s hear, and he clearly cares about her– but he’s still a bit too enigmatic. I personally need more. More softness, more depth, more something to balance the powerful broody energy. Still, that knife scene when he checks her for weapons? I could eat that up every time. Maura was internally screaming with her little cane and so was I.

The world of Lumnos is brutal and beautiful, and the story blend magic, rebellion, and inner conflict seamlessly. One theme that really stood out was Fate vs. Choice. Diem doesn’t know the full prophecy for herself yet, but you can feel it simmering just underneath the surface of Spark of the Everflame. I’m sure the next one will rip it right open.

Vibes-wise, it gave me From Blood and Ash meets The Cruel Prince— not in plot, but in vibes and energy. There’s political tension, coded language, dramatic reveals, and that delicious banter. No bully-romance here, but Diem definitely knows how to spar.

Closing the last page, knowing what Diem is probably going to face next? Yeah… we’re in for a wild rife. Bring on Glow of the Everflame.