For All Those Caught In The Flames, Remember That The Hottest Fires Forge The Strongest Swords.

I recently finished reading Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole. This is book #3 in the Kindred's Curse Saga.

~POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT~

  Rating: 4.5/5 stars

"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 one another.

When the mystery of her unusual heritage begins to unravel, it sends Diem and Luther on an unexpected journey across the realms. The answers they seek may hold the key to winning the war, but finding them will require Diem 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…"

Things pick up right after the ending of book 2, and it has a powerful start. The world-building is getting stronger and stronger. With the characters' journey into different Crowns, I thought it might make things complex, but it did not. It's quite easy to grasp, and the author does a fantastic job of making things clear. I would, however, like to know more about the Kindred, perhaps in the next book.

The pacing is consistent and fairly fast-paced, although the second half is far more hands-on action. The first half mostly deals with Diem's capture and her rescue, her and Luther connecting and trying to figure out where they stand in the upcoming war. The second half is more to do with finding allies, sacrificing positions, battle scenes, getting answers, betrayals, and establishing their true love. So yeah, lots happen in this book.

Diem- I'm not going to lie, there was a point in this book when I got kinda annoyed with her because of the stupid decisions she was making and not acting like a queen. BUT it worked out as for her, it is also a journey of self-growth and self-worth. I loved how her character developed from a self-doubting woman to a fierce, lethal, and someone who finally accepted she is the rightful queen. I just know for a fact that her comeback is going to leave everyone shook! I like how righteous she is and willing to give people another chance, even though they do not deserve it. I also loved how she finally accepted she is in love with Luther and wants more. Had she not realized that I would have fought for Luther myself lol. One thing I really appreciated about her was that she made her mother grovel.

Luther- Y'all don't understand how much I LOVE THE MAN. He is so fierce, loyal, protective, and always ready to reason, to go to war, to die for his love. He is never to run away. There was a particular storyline in the first half when I thought the worst, and it had my heart in pieces. But thankfully, nothing of such happened. Am glad to see his queen finally realized his worth and is ready to fight for him too, cause that's exactly what he deserves. But at the same time, I would like to see him lead a bit. I know he is not a leader, but he was trained to be one. I would love to see that side of him again and am expecting that to happen in the next book. His love for Diem is nothing less than a devotion, and that in a sense sums his character aptly.

Diem's mother whose name I have already forgotten- The reason why I give her a special mention is cause I hate that woman and I need to get things off my chest. She has no love in her. She should have groveled harder. After being rescued, she had the audacity to boss Luther and Diem around and lecture them? What for woman?! Stop being a hypocrite. Check your own self first, check your own past! Smh.

The supporting characters- I like Taran, Alixe, and Teller a lot. Taran and Alixe surely were missed in the second half, but I am looking forward to what they have to offer in the next book. Teller reacted exactly like a brother would, so I don't hold it against him. I like Soren a lot, I wouldn't want to lose her at all.

The romance was in the midst of a battle and political intrigue, but so well done. I do, however, believe that the slow burn shouldn't have taken that long, especially spice. Both of them love each other, but finding a perfect moment to spice it up was torture. I love how much Diem and Luther love each other. They protect. They are always ready to sacrifice themselves for each other. To kill for each other and they have killed for each other. These two deserve such immense happiness, I hope they get it.

The ending left me internally sobbing, and my heart is broken. I want revenge on the backstabbers and sneaky bastards. I need to see Diem achieve her goals. I need to see Luther achieve his dream and peace.

That said, I do stand by my words that the first book is the weakest in the series. But I'm glad the second book and now the third are such amazing reads. Also, I do believe that this book could have been 200-250 pages shorter had some of the bits from the first half been removed, but I am willing to overlook it as it's a very character-driven, relationship-driven book and war-centric book.

Check out Heat of the Everflame, and discover what happens when those caught in the flames remember that the hottest fires forge the strongest swords.