Romantasy – World of Bai

Book Review: “Glow Of The Everflame” By Penn Cole

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

“Spark Of The Everflame” Full Review

*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?

Book Review: “Spark Of The Everflame” By Penn Cole

I remember seeing these books pop up all over the book spaces early in 2025 and deciding I would not be falling for the hype. Well this was the official last book I read in 2025 and I am not upset about it, but was the hype really worth it?

“If you cannot be stronger, be smarter. Choose both your battles and your enemies with care. Know when to flee a fight to win a war.”
Penn Cole, Spark of the Everflame

About The Book

Author: Penn Cole

Publisher: Atria Books

Published Date: June 1st, 2023

Page Count: 438 Pages

Main Genre: Romantasy

GoodReads Rating: 4.17

Format: EBook

“You think I fear my own death?” he whispered in my ear. “Every day I draw breath is as much a curse as a gift. I’ve been living on borrowed time for longer than you can imagine. If you’re the way my fate finally catches up to me, I can’t fathom a more beautiful end.”
Penn Cole, Spark of the Everflame

Synopsis

In a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by the Descended, their cruel offspring, 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 mortalkind.

Synopsis From GoodReads

“Hope without reason is… it’s cruel.”
Penn Cole, Spark of the Everflame

Rating

Review

I remember trying the first chapter of this book maybe 8 or so months ago and not immediately connecting with the book and putting it down. I am not really sure why I gravitated to this book as my next read but I am glad that I did.

There is always a part of me that hates to pick up the hyped books as I want a unique experience at times but I always feel the FOMO at some point. What if the hype is truly worth while? I could be missing out on one of my all time favorite books!

With all of that said I did enjoy my time reading this book, for the most part.

The world building was probably my favorite part of this book. The world seems beautiful and complex. The politics of this world seemed to pique my interest and kept me wanting to know more.

The magic system is still a bit hazy to me as we don’t dive too much into that aspect yet in this book but I am interested to learn more for sure.

The part that I struggled with was quite literally just our main character. Diem is honestly so annoying. I am struggling to want to root for her as every decision she makes just makes me angry. And I understand that not all main characters need to be or should be likable but it makes me more invested in the story if they are.

What really saved this book is the side characters. I love Diems family, her brother and father both have interesting side stories that we vaguely hear about that I am dying to know more! Also Luther, our MMC, is swoon worthy! I feel the romantic tension steaming off of him at every turn.

I think this series has a lot of potential! There is so much we don’t yet know about or might only have small snippets of information at our grasp that keeps you coming back to the pages. This book left off on a pretty big cliff hanger, all be it a pretty predictable cliff hanger, that made me immediately download the next book. So despite my hate for Diem I think I will probably finish this series sooner rather than later.

“Don’t choose a mediocre life for a mediocre man. Go be exceptional. If he’s worth it, he won’t judge you. And if he’s really the one, he’ll come along for the ride.”
Penn Cole, Spark of the Everflame

QOTD: If a main character is annoying in your eyes do you DNF a book or push through?

Book Review: “Zodiac Academy: Heartless Sky” By Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

This series is probably a bit longer than I would like haha. I have switched to listening to the audios for the last few books and honestly this has helped me a ton!

This series has me in constant sorrow and heartbreak which honestly sucks but I am so far in that I can’t stop and DNF the series. I truly do need to know how this ends as you can’t go through this much trauma and not know if we have a semblance of a happy ending.

“I call it loving you with the intensity of the sun and the devotion of the moon because you are my end, baby.”
Caroline Peckham, Heartless Sky

About The Book

Author: Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

Publisher: Dark Ink

Published Date: December 18th, 2021

Page Count: 991

Main Genre: Romantasy

GoodReads Rating: 4.20

Format: Audio

“I’ll love you ‘til the world is dust,”
Caroline Peckham, Heartless Sky

Synopsis

The winds of fate are shifting, and it finally seems like they’ve been twisted in our favour.

On the run and cast out from society, we’ve been forced to hide from the mad man who stole our throne. But as more secrets come to light and my sister and I work harder than ever before to reach our potential and claim our birth right, the end is finally drawing closer.

There is no turning from this path now. The curse chases on our heels as time rushes by and the blood drenched destiny of the man I love looms ever closer just like the monster who stole our throne.

We must prepare for the final battle, but three things are clear now.

The cards have already been dealt.

Blood will spill for a new future to rise.

And the stars themselves can’t help us.

The fight for the throne is upon us. All hail the heartless sky.

Synopsis From GoodReads

“I love you, Roxanya Vega,” I said, my voice raw with the truth of that. “No matter what happens with this fate, the war, my father, the throne, all of it pales beside my love for you. And I know I’m not good enough for you but that just makes it all the easier for me to worship you the way you deserve because I won’t ever stop trying to live up to being the man you deserve to have. Not until my dying breath and beyond that too if it’s what you want.”
Caroline Peckham, Heartless Sky

Rating

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“You snuggle with Darcy and Darius all the time. But where’s my snuggles, Lance? Where’s. My. Snuggles?”
Caroline Peckham, Heartless Sky

Review

*** Spoilers Ahead! ***

This series is honestly a bit too long for my taste. I feel like this book especially had a timeline that was hard to follow. I couldn’t tell how much time was passing or had passed between chapters. It felt like it all moved way to fast and yet way too slow all at the same time. The ending to this book made me cry… I am very upset about Darius dying but his mother’s death hit me even harder I’d say. She was trying to save her new found family and her sons but also refused to go back to her abusive, controlling and overall horrible ex husband… her and her new love killing themselves was so sad yet so powerful! Darcy and Orion getting to their fated mate moment was kind of underwhelming to me… I was excited for it to happen but it wasn’t as touching of a moment as I would have hoped.

Darius and Tory getting married was great! Sad they didn’t get to live any of that marriage together though… Gabriel being taken as Lionel’s seer makes my heart sink.. but hopefully he can sit on that seer throne and get some real shit done! Lionel taking Xavier’s wings breaks my heart! Xavier deserves so much better than what he’s going to wake up too in the next book. Overall the writing kind of sucked but and the book wasn’t perfect… but here I am still invested.

“That when we stood before each other and he saw a queen, I saw a king staring back at me.”
Caroline Peckham, Heartless Sky

“You are meant for the sunlight, Lance Orion. So you’ll stand with me in it or else we’ll stay in the dark together,”
Caroline Peckham, Heartless Sky

Book Review: “Zodiac Academy: The Big A.S.S. Party” By Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

This was a super short story that is told from the perspectives of Max and Geraldine. This is a novella that many people say you can skip if you would like and honestly I totally get it. I am not sure why I took the time to read this one haha.

“If you can’t handle the idea of me meeting other people, maybe even hooking up with them, then we can just call tine on thig thing between us. Because I’m not ever going to put my life on hold for a man. Especially one who doesn’t think I’m good enough to make the cut for the long term”
Caroline Peckham, The Big A.S.S. Party

Other Zodiac Academy Reviews

Origins of an Academy Bully: Book 0.5

The Awakening: Book 1

The Awakening: As Told By The Boys: Book 1.5

Ruthless Fae: Book 2

The Reckoning: Book 3

Shadow Princess: Book 4

Cursed Fates: Book 5

About The Book

Author: Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

Publisher: Independently Published

Published Date: August 2nd, 2020

Page Count: 98 Pages

Main Genre: Romantasy

GoodReads Rating: 3.85

Format: E-book

“Oh, silly boy,” Geraldine said as she looked down at me with wild eyes. “You didn’t think you’d be in charge here, did you?”
Caroline Peckham, The Big A.S.S. Party

Synopsis

Once upon a moon, the wild wind whispered in my ear that the true queens were returning to Solaria and I made it my mission to open up their path to the throne so that they could slip right in like an oily oyster.

Now, on this most special and wonderous of days, the very day of their birth – I will prove myself to be the most loyal and dependable of their followers. Though of course, Venus is in my chart and Lady Petunia has caught sight of the bothersome barracuda once more.

Max Rigel is my most sinful of temptations, the shark in the dark who wishes to lure me to his sea cave and I don’t know if I’m Fae enough to resist him for long.

But one thing is for sure, I will make certain the Vegas get the big A.S.S. party they deserve for their birthday or I’ll die trying. Succulent squids be damned!

This is a 25k novella set in the world of Solaria during Book 5 of the Zodiac Academy series, Cursed Fates, featuring Geraldine and Max as they attend the party of the century and try to resist the lure of the moon as it pushes them together once more. It’s full of slippery salmons and more buttery bagels than you can shake a stick at and is best read after Cursed Fates.

Synopsis From GoodReads

Rating

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Review

This book expands more into Max and Geraldine’s relationship. We get to see what happened the night of the Eclipse which was fun but pretty much everything after that night was kind of pointless. This Novella really didn’t add or take anything away from the series so if you didn’t feel like reading it that would have been ok!

Geraldine has a good heart but the way she talks is really annoying. It takes me completely out of the story and now you expect me to read those crazy words in the middle of a spicy scene and think “Oh wow, that’s hot!”.. Yeah no thank you!

Geraldine reminds me a bit of a Mormon Girl gone crazy. I grew up in the LDS (Mormon Church) and we would say all sorts of weird things instead of swearing or talking about something deemed “inappropriate”. I just see her and think of a good church girl who has a wild side and honestly I don’t really love that image. I am trying to leave all that behind haha.

I really like Max and I am glad that we could get some more of his POV as we don’t get to read from him often. He is the Heir that is the most in tune to his emotions and is willing to just vibe. I really hope we get to see more of his character in the next few books.

I will root for these two to be together but honestly, lets keep their romance closed door! Thank you!

“Fate is a funny friend and a heartless enemy.”
Caroline Peckham, The Big A.S.S. Party

QOTD: Does the way characters “talk” bother you at points in time?

Book Review: “Zodiac Academy: Cursed Fates” By Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

The ending of book four made me upset and left me hanging so I had to pick this one up immediately so I could get some answers! Honestly, this book left me even more upset than the fourth one which I thought would have been impossible! I am honestly taking a break from this series due to the trajectory it has started to take which makes me kind of sad.

“That’s what love is, Tor,” Darcy said in exasperation. “It’s taking a leap of faith. It’s opening yourself up and letting your walls down and allowing someone to see every dark and broken corner of your soul. It’s truth and honesty with yourself and them. It’s raw and brutal and terrifying and real. You can’t just claim to want it, but refuse to allow yourself to be vulnerable to it. That’s not how it works. If you love someone, truly love them, you’ll bear you soul to them and let them be the keeper of your heart no matter how fragile or damaged it might be. And if they love you then they’ll do everything in their power to keep it safe, to nurture and protect it and heal over all the old wounds.”
Caroline Peckham, Cursed Fates

Other Zodiac Academy Reviews

Origins of an Academy Bully: Book 0.5

The Awakening: Book 1

The Awakening: As Told By The Boys: Book 1.5

Ruthless Fae: Book 2

The Reckoning: Book 3

Shadow Princess: Book 4

The Big A.S.S. Party: Book 5.5

Spoilers are ahead if you have not read the books I have reviewed up till this point! Proceed with caution.

About The Book

Author: Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

Publisher: Kings Hollow

Published Date: December 21st, 2020

Page Count: 886 Pages

Main Genre: Romanatsy

GoodReads Rating: 4.32

Format: E-Book

“Because in my heart I know I deserved the answer you gave me,” I replied honestly. “I wasn’t worthy of your love then and I’m still not worthy of it now. But if you gave me forever then I’d spend every second of it trying to be.”
Caroline Peckham, Cursed Fates

Synopsis

After the devastating events at Zodiac Academy, we have to deal with this darker world we’re faced with.
Lionel seeks to hurt us, the Nymphs seek to hurt the entire Fae race, and between all of it, we just have to try and survive each day as it comes.
I’m afraid of everything falling apart, but it looks like it already has.

Synopsis From GoodReads

Rating

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Dynamic Rating

“Darius would have spent the rest of his life making up for all he’d done to her, he would have watched over her more fiercely than the moon did the Earth. He’d have given her the world.”
Caroline Peckham, Cursed Fates

Review

This book was so slow compared to some of the other books in this series. I wanted to like it so bad but I found myself more so waiting for the book to end. It took me two weeks to read where the other books in the series before this I was bale to finish in just a few days. I don’t think it is a good sign to be pushing on till the end of the book. I should be sitting on the edge of my seat biting my nails with anticipation and I just didn’t get that feeling.

The fourth book made me so upset by the end so I was really hoping this book would close some of those wounds and start looking up for these girls but I was completely wrong!

Orion got arrested?! I mean I should have seen it coming but I think I was just in denial. Darcy and Orion are my favorite romance as I like both of their characters and their POV’s but that all went up in flames when the FIB showed up to take him and then him lying in court made me so upset! Our one stable relationship just got destroyed and my interest in the books went right off with it. I know we have to have some new plot points to keep the books moving or else we would run out of books but honestly this series probably could have been shorter but all be it less dramatic.

Tory and Darius are both starting to grow on me more, I hate Tory a tad bit less this book as she was finally starting to find her footing but still… This slow burn is trying to take me out! I love how in love Darius seems, he literally makes me swoon and I am thankful that Tory is starting to notice these details! Them running together every day was becoming one of my favorite parts and the gifts they were giving one another were chefs kiss!

Gabriel is the twins lost brother?! That was a plot twist I didn’t expect at all but I am here for it! Gabriel is quickly climbing to the top of my list of favorite characters and I only wish him the best bit I am terrified something bad might happen to him just cause everyone seems to like him so much.

The ending of this book pissed me off even more than the last book which I didn’t think would be possible. Lionel is already too powerful so the fact that he now bonded Tory to him is crazy! That should be illegal honestly and should be taken to court.. Also he just attacked all the Heirs so the other counselors better be prepared to do some ass Kicking next book. I don’t understand how Lionel can keep getting away with so much, it is beyond exhausting at this point.

Next book they better free both Tory and Orion from their misery or at least give me something substantial to root for as it feels like everything I liked about these books has now been tossed aside. I am just struggling to find my love for the books like I had at the start of the series.

Knowing me I will probably pick up book 6 here soon just cause I can’t stop myself from being curious about how it all ends, I just don’t want to be disappointed anymore.

“Don’t talk shit about my Mate.”
Caroline Peckham, Cursed Fates

QOTD: What’s a series that disappointed you?

“You can’t just claim to want it, but refuse to allow yourself to be vulnerable to it.”
Caroline Peckham, Cursed Fates

Book Review: “Zodiac Academy: Shadow Princess” By Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

I picked this book up right before Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros came out and made it 50% of the way through before putting it down to read Onyx Storm. I am so happy I had already started this before hand cause I was feeling a huge slump coming on and this helped me dig my way out of it. If it wasn’t already started I probably wouldn’t have picked up another book for weeks due to how empty I had felt, not that this book left me feeling any happier though haha.

“The next time you want to drown in them, tell me about it.” “Why?” “Because if you’re going to drown then I’m going to drown with you.”
Caroline Peckham, Shadow Princess

Other Zodiac Academy Reviews

Origins of an Academy Bully: Book 0.5

The Awakening: Book 1

The Awakening: As Told By The Boys: Book 1.5

Ruthless Fae: Book 2

The Reckoning: Book 3

Cursed Fates: Book 5

The Big A.S.S. Party: Book 5.5

Spoilers are ahead if you have not read the books I have reviewed up till this point! Proceed with caution.

About The Book

Author: Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

Publisher: Kings Hollow

Published Date: January 13th, 2020

Page Count: 724

Main Genre: Romantasy

GoodReads Rating: 4.27

Format: E-Book

“YOU ALL PASSED THE RECKONING. THE STARS MUST BE FUCKING WITH ME.”
Caroline Peckham, Shadow Princess

Synopsis

After the events of the Lunar Eclipse, Tory and Darcy must learn to deal with the darkness which shadows their lives.

With a secret binding them to Darius and Orion, they must find a way to all work together for the greater good. But some things are easier said than done…

Synopsis from Goodreads

“She is so…everything. Does she know how everything she is?”
Caroline Peckham, Shadow Princess

Vibes Rating

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“I don’t want you on your knees. I want you fighting me and hating me and fucking me like you mean it. You’re Roxanya Vega and you weren’t built to bow to anyone,” he growled passionately. “You want me to hate you?” I asked in surprise. “I want you to feel for me. And I’ll take hate if that’s all you’re offering.”
Caroline Peckham, Shadow Princess

Review

This book honestly had so much going on! To name a few; Seth holding Orion and Darcy’s secret over their heads, Orion and Tory bonding over a dare, Tory and Darius Having the hottest sex of their lives… Twice… (The Throne Scene..), Xavier getting to be care free in his Pegasus form, the snowball fight and Caleb and Darius both putting their hands on Tory’s Thighs during Christmas dinner.

I had so much fun reading all of these adventures but that ending had me on the edge of my seat. Fate is honestly so cruel.

Because Seth found out about Darcy and Orion’s relationship we saw less of these two in this book which made me quite sad. I think their relationship is one of my favorites so when Orion told Darcy he though t they were Elysian Mates my heart did a few flips! Also, them making promises to one another was seriously so cute! I hope these two are end game but I honestly am so unsure! Especially after we thought we lost Orion by the hands of his sister! I had a feeling that the ending of this book would bring harm to Orion, I honestly thought he would either end up in prison or die due to the way everyone was saying they hated the ending of the book and that it will make you cry.. Little did I know that these authors had a gut wrenching twist in store for me.

Tory and Darius being Elysian Mates didn’t surprise me but them being forced by the stars to make this decision after only knowing each other for four months threw me for a loop. This book has had me pining for them to be together all series and we finally get to see them have a few special moments together but they truly never got to talk to one another about their feelings on the matter. SO to find them under the stars to make the biggest decision of their lives I knew immediately that this was the scene everyone was so broken up about. I can’t blame Tory for the decision she made, I mean she is right, the man seriously tortured her. But as the reader we know that Darius has a different side to him and that’s what made reading this scene so difficult… If only Tory and Darius had some more time maybe things could have been different.

Seeing Darius under the stars and the emotion from him really solidified him as a favorite character for me in this series while Tory on the other hand is quickly falling into last place for me. I understand where Tory is coming from but she causes herself so many problems that could be avoided and her inner monologue doesn’t really help me understand her motives completely, I guess I am just exhausted of her self sabotaging, I am just exhausted and I hope to see her character really grow in the rest of the series.

Orion forcing the girls to participate in school activities that don’t seem to fit their personalities was a fun plot point in this book, no matter how small it feels as of now. Tory had to join the cheerleading squad despite her being the least peppy person anyone knows and Darcy was forced to try out for the Pitball team even though she is super clumsy and not really into sports. I think this is a fun way to see some kind of character growth while they adapt to being outside of their comfort zone I just wish we got to see more of it or at least more Pitball, I could care less about cheerleading haha. But also why wouldn’t he just make them both join Pitball so he could have two of the strongest, most versatile players? Having two girls who can use all elements would make the team undefeatable right? But maybe I don’t know enough about the fictional sport to make this determination.

I am terrified for what will come next in this series now that Orion’s Shadow Princess of a sister has been released. I think the rest of the book just became unpredictable for me. I really hope Tory and Darius can get a second chance at their mating bond or can at least find some common ground as my heart aches for them! I will Immediately be jumping into the 5th book… Wish me luck!

“Because we don’t get to choose our obsessions. And you’re mine.”
Caroline Peckham, Shadow Princess

QOTD: Is there a main character in a book that you just can’t stand?

“Because you’re in my head all the time. You pulse through my blood with each beat of my heart. I live for every scrap of attention you offer me and suffer through every moment you spend ignoring me,” he said darkly, holding my eye the entire time.”
Caroline Peckham, Shadow Princess