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Spark of the Everflame: The Kindred's Curse Saga, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged


When old secrets catch fire, everything will burn.

In a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by their cruel offspring, the Descended, Diem Bellator yearns to escape the insular life of her poor village.

Her mother's sudden disappearance—and the discovery of a dangerous secret about her past—offer Diem an unexpected opportunity to enter the dark world of Descended royalty and unlock the web of mysteries her mother left behind.

With the dying king's handsome, mysterious heir watching her every move and a ruthless mortal alliance recruiting her to join the growing civil war, Diem will have to navigate the unwritten rules of love, power, and politics in order to save her family—and all of mortal kind.

Spark of the Everflame is the first book in The Kindred's Curse Saga, a four-book epic fantasy romance series that follows our feisty, bad*ss heroine Diem Bellator in her fight against injustice and oppression, her struggle to survive in a royal palace full of betrayal and intrigue, and her journey of self-discovery and finding true love. This slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers series is perfect for fans of unique magic systems, dragons and other mythical creatures, angst and romantic tension, and hilarious banter.

Product details

Listening Length 13 hours and 12 minutes
Author Penn Cole
Narrator Amanda Dolan
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date January 02, 2024
Publisher Podium Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0CNQDXH68
Best Sellers Rank #212 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#6 in Horror Fiction
#15 in Fantasy Romance (Audible Books & Originals)
#35 in Epic Fantasy (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
17,496 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the world-building beautiful and the writing quality well-written. They also describe the book series as fantastic and a great start to a fantastic series. Customers describe the romantic pacing as slow. They love the characters and the romance is just right. Opinions are mixed on the pacING, with some finding it good and carefully orchestrated, while others say it starts out slow.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

185 customers mention "Storyline"172 positive13 negative

Customers find the storyline spellbinding, fun, and hooked from the beginning. They also appreciate the incredible world-building, neat magic system, and predictable yet unpredictable turns. Readers also say the vibes are impeccable and very valuable.

"...It’s just a really great read with a great storyline, a beautiful world with strong characters that you get attached to so quickly...." Read more

"...There's plenty of action, mystery, and intrigue, and just when you think you have it all figured out, the book hits you with an epic cliffhanger...." Read more

"...The writing in this book is phenomenal, the story intriguing and the world building and character development was good...." Read more

"...This was such a fun and captivating read. While there is a lot going on, I never felt like I was confused or lost in translation...." Read more

78 customers mention "Characters"61 positive17 negative

Customers like the characters in the book. They mention that they love the slow burn romance.

"...This book is so well written. The inner monologue of the main character is really good, and I really love the Penn Cole’s writers voice...." Read more

"...The magic system is unique, and the characters are layered, each hiding their own secrets...." Read more

"...book is phenomenal, the story intriguing and the world building and character development was good...." Read more

"...The characters were not fleshed out and the romance was silly 🤷‍♀️, so nothing intrigues me to continue.This was a 3.0 ⭐️..." Read more

70 customers mention "Writing quality"62 positive8 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book well-written, easy to follow, and perfect. They also say the sass and banter is perfection and it's easy to get sucked into the story.

"...This book is so well written. The inner monologue of the main character is really good, and I really love the Penn Cole’s writers voice...." Read more

"...The world-building is refreshing, not overly complex, and was perfect for me who needed a book with a lighter mental load...." Read more

"...The writing in this book is phenomenal, the story intriguing and the world building and character development was good...." Read more

"This was fun, well written & fast. I really loved the character development. I cannot wait to learn more about everything in this world...." Read more

25 customers mention "Book series"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book series fantastic, hooking them from the first paragraph. They also say the concept is good, and the story pulls them in.

"...This book is a fantastic introduction to The Kindred's Curse Saga, plunging you into a world where mortals and gods collide...." Read more

"...Speechless, excited, amazed, and completely fascinated! I don’t even know where to start. Diem Is actually a really cool kid...." Read more

"This story just pulls you in, and it's amazing!..." Read more

"...I have thoughts....Okay, this book started off pretty darn good...." Read more

22 customers mention "Romantic pacing"18 positive4 negative

Customers find the romantic pacing of the book great, with a slow burn and amazing chemistry between the main characters.

"...This story is all about the slow burn, the suspense, and the carefully orchestrated moments that will keep you eagerly flipping the pages...." Read more

"...political intrigue, a neat magic system, awesome FMC, and a sloooooow burn. This is very much a book I wish I had read sooner...." Read more

"I loved this book/ series so much! It's a slow burn, but the story really keeps your attention...." Read more

"...But the slow burn is worth the wait! Do yourself a favor and just buy it...." Read more

20 customers mention "Romance"15 positive5 negative

Customers find the romance in the book action packed and great. They also say they can't wait to read the next one.

"...I like the romance building between Diem and Luther. Knew Henri wasn’t “it”. Some things were easy to predict.Look forward to next book" Read more

"...And of course, there's the slow burn romance...." Read more

"...The characters were not fleshed out and the romance was silly 🤷‍♀️, so nothing intrigues me to continue.This was a 3.0 ⭐️..." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book. Love the characters! Love the slow burn romance!..." Read more

19 customers mention "Originality"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the world-building beautiful, immersive, and unique. They also say the book is intricate and creative.

"...The spice is really good – it’s tastefully done and hasn’t gotten super spicy yet, but it’s so good. 2 or 3/5 on the spice scale. 5/5 stars...." Read more

"...Not even our reigning Romantasy Queen SJM. Her world is superbly fleshed out, no corner is left unexplored and she does it in such a way that you..." Read more

"...On the other hand I really liked the world building and I'm intrigued to read about the characters growth in the next installment." Read more

"...Lots of the YA tropes that I love, but also creativity! I'm on to reading the next one." Read more

35 customers mention "Pacing"19 positive16 negative

Customers are mixed about the pacing of the book. Some mention that it has good pacING, they breezed through all three books quickly, and everything just flows so naturally. However, others say that the story builds up slowly.

"...Everything just flows so naturally and it’s a super fun read. I didn’t want to stop reading it (obviously I didn’t)..." Read more

"4 ⭐️ 1 🌶️. Let me tell you that this was a slow burnnnn world building book...." Read more

"...story is all about the slow burn, the suspense, and the carefully orchestrated moments that will keep you eagerly flipping the pages...." Read more

"This book began with a slow start, but has Tee’d it up for the next book. I’m excited for the next book in the series." Read more

"Spark of the Everflame" is a blazing debut that sets the stage for an epic adventure.
4 out of 5 stars
"Spark of the Everflame" is a blazing debut that sets the stage for an epic adventure.
"Spark of the Everflame" ignites a captivating journey through a world where old secrets blaze anew, and the flames of revolution threaten to consume everything in their path. Penn Cole crafts a spellbinding tale filled with intrigue, tension, and the promise of untold revelations.What a wild ride! I loved the world-building, and I enjoyed reading from Diem's POV. Diem, our fiery FMC, bursts onto the scene with sass and determination. Her quest for the truth and freedom from other's choices was captivating. When Luther comes on the scene, let's just say things HEAT UP. HA! I suspect there is way more to Luther, and I can't wait to learn more about him.What I loved:1. World-building ✨2. Diem's sassiness 💥3. Diem + Luther ❤️‍🔥The tension crackled between Diem and Luther, adding complexity to their interactions, which kept me on the edge of my seat. Their dynamic is electric, filled with sparks (see what I did there) of passion and conflict that fuel the narrative's fiery momentum. I only hope they communicate more in the next book.While Diem's impulsiveness can sometimes lead her into trouble and cause frustration, her resilience and determination shine through, hinting at a journey of growth and self-discovery ahead. The cliffhanger was brutal, but luckily the second book is available, so I don't have to wait to continue. Thank the Everflame!"Spark of the Everflame" is a blazing debut that sets the stage for an epic adventure filled with twists, turns, and the promise of revolution. (okay, I'm done with all the fire puns 😜)
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2023
I started this book at lunch one day and got to chapter 2. I then came home from work around four pm and started reading it again, and finished it at eight pm. Spark of the Everflame is probably one of my favorite books that I have ever read.

This book is so well written. The inner monologue of the main character is really good, and I really love the Penn Cole’s writers voice. Everything just flows so naturally and it’s a super fun read. I didn’t want to stop reading it (obviously I didn’t)

The flow of the story was good, and the way that the character makes decisions. Sometimes I was like “Oh my gosh, why?” and I could feel Diem’s anger and emotions. Some of her decisions -though I didn’t always agree with them- kept me on the edge of my seat and brought much more intrigue to the storyline.

The characters are all very strong and standout. Diem’s snarky attitude is perfect, and so is her will to fight and be heard. In Henri you can see the fervent core beliefs that he lives by. He tries to protect her from his world at first, then he’s proud of her cause he thinks she believes the same things he does. I love the Prince Luther. He’s so broody and larger than life in Diem’s eyes. I love that you can see that he cares about Diem. Even Diem’s familial relationships are written so well and are so strong. You want her dad to be proud of her, you want her little brother to be in the gifted school, you want her teacher Maura to believe in her. The character conversations are excellent. The characters are what pull you into the story, and make you feel like you are right there with Diem.

The world building is beautiful. The author describes the beauty of the Descended castle and town, the mortal slums and all its smells. It’s very easy to build a picture of what Diem is seeing in your minds eye.

The storyline is really good. There’s no super clear antagonist (yet). There are some antagonistic characters throughout the story, but there’s not a specific antagonist. However the story builds up like it’s going to have one. If you look at it – the war that is brewing and the fighting between the mortals and the Descended is the antagonistic part of the story, which I really like. But the storyline is still clear – bad things are happening to her and she is trying to adjust and fight. It’s just so good.

Like I said, this has got to be one of my favorite books that I’ve read, and definitely one of my top books of 2023.

The spice is really good – it’s tastefully done and hasn’t gotten super spicy yet, but it’s so good. 2 or 3/5 on the spice scale. 5/5 stars. I recommend this for anyone who loves the MC finding power within themselves, enemies to not-quite-lovers, (but the feelings are there), and found power. It’s just a really great read with a great storyline, a beautiful world with strong characters that you get attached to so quickly.

It comes out June 1st – and I recommend it!

I received a free copy of this book from the author - all opinions and review is completely voluntary and 100% honest
19 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024
"Spark of the Everflame" by Penn Cole had been on my TBR for ages, and thanks to a nudge from a friend, I finally jumped in. This book is a fantastic introduction to The Kindred's Curse Saga, plunging you into a world where mortals and gods collide. The Descended, the ruthless offspring of the gods, hold the power, keeping mortals in their place. If you're into slow-burn fantasy with a cliffhanger, this book is for you.

Diem Bellator is a young woman who dreams of escaping her small village. When her mom vanishes without a trace, she's suddenly thrown into a world of Descended royalty, sinister secrets, and a political landscape full of danger. As she navigates this new territory, Diem finds herself surrounded by allies that are less than trustworthy and complex relationships that are anything but straightforward.

Every interaction between Diem and the king's enigmatic heir is charged with energy and tension. There is an undeniable pull with him and she doesn’t know why. At the same time, she’s struggling to understand if her childhood best friend, who seems like the obvious choice is the person she should spend the rest of her life with. This story is all about the slow burn, the suspense, and the carefully orchestrated moments that will keep you eagerly flipping the pages.

The world-building is refreshing, not overly complex, and was perfect for me who needed a book with a lighter mental load. The magic system is unique, and the characters are layered, each hiding their own secrets. There's plenty of action, mystery, and intrigue, and just when you think you have it all figured out, the book hits you with an epic cliffhanger. You'll want the 2nd book ready right away.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Intrigue, Betrayal, and Cliffhangers in 'Spark of the Everflame'
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024
"Spark of the Everflame" by Penn Cole had been on my TBR for ages, and thanks to a nudge from a friend, I finally jumped in. This book is a fantastic introduction to The Kindred's Curse Saga, plunging you into a world where mortals and gods collide. The Descended, the ruthless offspring of the gods, hold the power, keeping mortals in their place. If you're into slow-burn fantasy with a cliffhanger, this book is for you.

Diem Bellator is a young woman who dreams of escaping her small village. When her mom vanishes without a trace, she's suddenly thrown into a world of Descended royalty, sinister secrets, and a political landscape full of danger. As she navigates this new territory, Diem finds herself surrounded by allies that are less than trustworthy and complex relationships that are anything but straightforward.

Every interaction between Diem and the king's enigmatic heir is charged with energy and tension. There is an undeniable pull with him and she doesn’t know why. At the same time, she’s struggling to understand if her childhood best friend, who seems like the obvious choice is the person she should spend the rest of her life with. This story is all about the slow burn, the suspense, and the carefully orchestrated moments that will keep you eagerly flipping the pages.

The world-building is refreshing, not overly complex, and was perfect for me who needed a book with a lighter mental load. The magic system is unique, and the characters are layered, each hiding their own secrets. There's plenty of action, mystery, and intrigue, and just when you think you have it all figured out, the book hits you with an epic cliffhanger. You'll want the 2nd book ready right away.
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5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2024
I’m a very critical reader and throne of glass is my Roman Empire right now. I wasn’t insanely impressed with crescent city or ACOTAR so no I’m not just a SJM fanatic. The writing in this book is phenomenal, the story intriguing and the world building and character development was good. Some characters get on my nerves but such is life when you get invested in a good book. This hit the mark and kept me very interested. First book I’ve read since TOG that has been worth a written review. 9/10 would recommend and my only critique is that the entire book is basically world and character building and setting the stage for the main problem. Very little action or plot development by the end but left me feeling like the next book will be fire.
6 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2024
I honestly picked up this book because I have seen it all over my bookstagram. I truly had no idea what this was about and I went into this book completely blind. I am so glad I did because it was so dang good. The world and character building are so good in this. I love a good slow burn romance and wow this is was going sloooowww lol. But I did love the interactions between Luther and Diem. At least what we got to see. I am eager to see more of them in the coming books. This was such a fun and captivating read. While there is a lot going on, I never felt like I was confused or lost in translation.

This book does end on a cliffy, so be prepared to have the second book on hand immediately. You will want to jump right in! The ending literally had my jaw on the floor!

Top reviews from other countries

Cliente Kindle
5.0 out of 5 stars impressionante
Reviewed in Brazil on November 30, 2023
Uma história cativante, não consegui parar de ler e acabou daquele jeitinho especial que a gente fica desesperado pra continuar
One person found this helpful
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ACG
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best stories I've read
Reviewed in Canada on October 11, 2023
Just finished book 3, so leaving this review on all 3 books. This is one of the best stores I've read and I've read a lot of stories. The world and characters the author created is amazing. This is a deep read. It's more fantasy, adventure, and action than it is romance, but it's there, and it's wonderful. You know a book is good when you're doing something else and you wonder what is happening in your book. I'm so bummed I have to wait 4.5 months to read book 4 and that leaving book 3 means leaving this world for a while. Kudos to this author. I'm so looking forward to what she comes out with next.
Sandra Groß
5.0 out of 5 stars (Etwas) besser als Forth Wing
Reviewed in Germany on June 28, 2024
Warum gibt es keinen größeren Hype um diese Serie??? Ich persönlich feiere die Bücher um Diem und Luther wirklich sehr. Für mich reiht es sich auf gleicher Höhe zu Forth Wing ein...vielleicht sogar noch ein bisschen besser, weil ich die slow burn Romanze zwischen Diem und Luther schöner, spannender, tragischer und romantischer finde.
Tolles Charakter-Building, sehr schön ausgearbeitete Welt - oder eher zwei Welten, die unterschiedlicher nicht sein könnten. Herzerwärmende Beziehungen, spannende Handlungen, eine unheimlich sympathische Protagonistin mit einer sehr kurzen Zündschnur, was immer öfter zu witzigen Wortwechseln und Sticheleien führt.
Und ein wahnsinnig spannender Cliffhanger.
Ich kann diese Serie nur empfehlen und sogar auf Englisch ist sie wunderbar zu lesen.
Mónica
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! What an amazing surprise
Reviewed in Spain on December 7, 2023
Really did enjoy this book. What an amazing surprise, the story, the characters, the tension, the plot-twists. I read the first 2 books in 2 days!
I recommend 💯
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible
Reviewed in India on September 5, 2023
The character arc
Diem's turmoil
Aurelie.
I adore the pace of the story the mystery it incorporates... must read it
One person found this helpful
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