Review: Heat of the Everflame (Kindreds Curse Saga #3)

Heat of the Everflame, Book 3 in the Kindred’s Curse Saga by Penn Cole

Published By: Atria Books
Publication Date: September 12, 2023
Date Read: September 4, 2025
Genre: Adult – Epic Fantasy / Romantasy
Source: Bought
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 1026

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The war has begun. Both sides demand Diem’s allegiance—or her death.

After her disastrous coronation, Diem finds herself at the center of the conflict between the Descended and the Guardians. With her newfound friends and the man she’s falling for on one side, and the mortals she has vowed to protect on the other, Diem must walk a careful line to save the people she loves… even from each other.

The mystery of her unusual heritage begins to unravel, sending Diem and Luther on an unexpected journey across the realms. The answers may hold the key to winning the war, but finding them will require her to face painful truths about her mother, her bloodline, and her fate.

Meanwhile, the Crowns have set Diem in their sights. Some could be her greatest allies—while others want her dead. To end their oppressive reign, Diem must sort friend from foe and risk it all to build an army of her own.

But a powerful figure in the north has plans that could change everything…

“Show me your worst, my darling, and I’ll show you how far my love can go.”

After finished Glow of the Everflame, the second book in the Kindred’s Curse Saga, I was really excited to dive straight into book 3 but I have to admit I was apprehensive. Purely because of the size of this book. I’ve been very vocal in the past about the fact that chunky books intimidate me, and the size of this book nearly stopped me reading this series as a whole. It was the size of Heat that caused me to listen to the series on audio, rather than reading them physically. I have to say this book was huge, but it was so so good! I loved every single moment of it.

In the previous book, I remember stating how much Diem had frustrated me with her sheer stubbornness and silly decision making skills. I have to say that Diem in book 3 is just fantastic. I absolutely adore her. The character development she has gone through throughout this series is one of the best character arcs I have ever read in my life. All the stupid decisions was worth it for her to get the person she is now. It was such a fantastic journey, and one you don’t really realise how great it is until you get to the third book.

I don’t think, in all of my years of reading, I have ever had such a strong emotional reaction throughout the entire book like I did with Heat of the Everflame. I went through every emotion reading this book. Joy, sadness, heartbreak, hope and anger. I have never felt so furious as I did reading this book. Not because of Diem, as some people would guess, but because of how other characters treat her like she was a fragile little flower. It infuriated me on her behalf, and I remember storming into work furious because of the book. I feel it really shows just how phenomenal this book is that it can illicit such a reaction in me.

My one slight gripe about Heat of the Everflame is the sheer size of it. While I am glad that I finally read this one, I do feel like it could have been 2 smaller books. I remember starting to get to the 50% mark and felt like it was wrapping up storylines ready for the shocking cliffhanger. It just felt to me like a natural conclusion to part of the story, but I was only at 50%. So I do feel like this really could have been split into two books but the book is still absolutely fantastic. If you’re like me and get intimidated by big books, I do still recommend that you read it as you would really be missing out by skipping on this fantastic series.

I truly feel like the Kindred’s Curse Saga may be my favourite Romantasy series. I something struggle with Romantasy as I feel the romance overtakes the plot… I feel the opposite with this series. The plot and character development is so strong, and the romance the most delicious of slow burns… it’s just the perfect balance. Despite my issues with the length of this book, Heat of the Everflame was definitely the best book in the series so far. A part of me is actually happy the next book is not released yet as I really do need a bit of a break after reading Heat. I need time to consolidate all my thoughts and theories. Having said that, I cannot wait to read the next instalment, and I will definitely be diving in whenever it releases. This whole series is a definite must-read, so if you haven’t picked this one up, I highly recommend it.

“And don’t forget why they banned these books for mortals in the first place.
Why is that?
Because an education is the most powerful weapon of them all.”