The Glow and Spark: What Worked for Me
Reading Glow of the Everflame was an adventure teeming with court intrigue, slow-burn romance, and political tension. From the start, Penn Cole delivers a vivid, immersive world that drew me in with its unique blend of fantasy and romance. The book shines brightest in its character dynamics, particularly the tension-laden relationship between Diem and Luther. Their slow-burn romance—complete with heartfelt moments like sharing vulnerabilities and even foot massages—had me rooting for them despite the odds.
Luther deserves all the accolades for being the standout character. His unwavering devotion to Diem, paired with a quiet strength, gave the story emotional depth and made me swoon more than once. I appreciated how the author developed their relationship, showing tender moments that built toward deeper emotional stakes.
The political intrigue was another highlight. Diem’s foray into court politics added complexity to the plot, with shifting alliances and blurred lines between good and evil. The pacing struck a near-perfect balance, neither dragging nor rushing, making the courtly machinations compelling and believable.
Dimming the Flame: What Didn’t Work
While the book had its strong points, there were areas that left me wanting more. Diem, the protagonist, tested my patience repeatedly with her rash decisions and inexplicably cruel treatment of both allies and loved ones. Her consistent mistrust of those trying to help, coupled with blind trust in obviously manipulative figures, made her character arc frustrating to follow.
Her lack of substantial growth over the course of the story was disappointing, especially since she occupies the sole point of view. I longed for a secondary perspective—perhaps Luther’s—to provide balance and allow moments of respite from Diem’s tumultuous and often infuriating choices.
The love triangle (or square?) involving Diem, Luther, and Henri felt overplayed, particularly because Henri’s presence seemed designed only to inject unnecessary drama. While I appreciated some of the romantic tension, the lack of real chemistry between certain characters weakened the emotional impact.
Finally, the magic system and training sequences could have been fleshed out more thoroughly. Diem’s sudden mastery of her powers at a crucial moment felt unearned and diminished the stakes. Similarly, significant events like her father’s death lacked the emotional buildup necessary to make them truly impactful.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Glow of the Everflame is an engaging read with moments of brilliance that will appeal to fans of slow-burn romantic fantasy. However, the protagonist’s unlikability and some missed opportunities in character development and world-building detract from its potential. That said, the compelling court intrigue and the promise of future installments have left me curious about where this saga will go.
