Immediately after finishing the first book in this series I dove right into the second. The cliff hanger at the end of book one might have been predictable but it did its job well as I am very intrigued as to what happens inside those palace walls.
“Perhaps, for the right person, we endure the pain, because the torture of never having them at all is the more unbearable fate.”
Penn Cole, Glow of the Everflame
*Possible spoilers ahead*
About The Book
Author: Penn Cole
Publisher: Atria Books
Published Date: July 18th, 2023
Page Count: 610 Pages
Main Genre: Romantasy
GoodReads Rating: 4.34
Format: E-Book
“It’s a reminder that no challenge can destroy the parts of us that truly matter. We’re not reborn in the flames. We’re revealed.”
Penn Cole, Glow of the Everflame
Synopsis
An unexpected gift offers the power to change everything. Keeping it could cost Diem her life.
The threat of war has arrived at Diem’s doorstep, along with a new discovery that could save her people. To use it, she must survive the next thirty days by forming a devil’s bargain with the people she hates the royal family of House Corbois.
But as she dives into the world of the Descended elite, Diem quickly realizes good and evil aren’t as simple as they seem. Old prejudices are challenged, and new loyalties blur the line between friend and foe.
Meanwhile, her mother is still missing, and the secrets she left behind can no longer be ignored—and neither can the Guardians and their demands. Caught between an old flame and a sizzling new spark, Diem must confront the truth about who she is and what she wants before time runs out.
War is coming, and dangerous enemies wait on all sides.. but the most deadly battle Diem faces may be the one for her heart.
Synopsis From GoodReads
“Burn, my Queen. Glow so bright, the darkness trembles.”
Penn Cole, Glow of the Everflame
Rating
Review
I had a false hope that wearing the crown would force Diem to make better choices. She claims her choices are for the betterment of all but girl your emotions are going to get everyone killed.
This book started to feel more YA than Adult and I think that is the main reason why this got a lower rating than the first book. I just really expected more from Diem now that she became queen but maybe that wasn’t fair of me to expect.
While the World building and politics were amazing and kept me interested in the book The character growth was still not up to my standards, at least not for Diem. If any of our characters had strong developmental growth it would have to be Teller. Teller really stepped into his role towards the end of this book and I appreciated getting to interact with him more.
Every decision Diem was making I was saying “ohhhh Girl, no.” I just really need her to step up and make some decent choices for once and not just giving in or giving up. She really needed to practice her magic but was acting like a baby whenever she did. Going into the challenging felt useless to me cause she clearly can’t use her powers. I truly believe the only way she could destroy her opponent is because of the goddess herself. I just needed more from Diem herself and not just pure luck from being “The Chosen One.”
The ending of this book really pissed me off as well because I completely saw every step of it coming. Diem is her own worse enemy which bleeds into basically sabotaging the whole world.
My only wish is that we see more of her and Luther and less of them fighting. If she self sabotages this relationship anymore I might freak out. He literally tells her the most romantic and cute things and she just doesn’t let herself see his intentions, its annoying! Please no more Henri, nothing about that relationship is interesting.
“That if a man made you doubt whether his love for you would survive anything, he does not deserve you.”
Penn Cole, Glow of the Everflame
QOTD: At what point do you start to DNF?
World of Bai 