There is no way the publisher thought they could bury this information, but the author used AI to edit her initial draft. Instead of paying a human editor to do so, and going as far as supporting AI audiobooks. I refuse to continue reading this. I'm happy if anyone enjoys this book and I understand that the author used AI editing and not AI writing, but there is no world in which I can trust that the book wasn't partially AI written if the author is comfortable editing with AI.

The most sensational read from start to finish and in every which way. I was fully engrossed in the story from page 1 and before I knew it, I was turning the final page. Just brilliant!

I'm gobsmacked - this was amazing and so, so, sooo good!!! 5 billion stars/5, fantastic!!
Diem is most definitely one of my top 10 favourite main characters and LUTHER!! OH I LOVE THAT MAN!!

Diem is the main character, she is a healer in a poor area. She has to take potions to hide her real heritage which she finds tiresome at times as no one tells her why.
Her mother also a healer disappears after Diem overhears her arguing with someone.
Diem then finds herself in the world of the descendants.
In this book we are drawn into Diem's world.
I liked the way Penn Cole builds worlds, and the richness of her writing.
She has created a strong heroine, who stands up for herself and cares about others.
I also liked the way the story progressed it was never slow.
It has interesting characters can't wait to read the next one.
Highly recommend.
Thanks to the publisher for granting my wish and Netgalley

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a copy of Spark of the Everflame. I devoured this book! The story, characters, world, political landscape were all excellent and beautifully written. This is a fantastic fantasy option to get anyone out of a reading slump. I loved the growth and complexity of the main character and how we see her emotions and world views develop throughout the book and her own journey to discovering the right path and uncovering information about her past. I also enjoyed the way that the Descended were written and how we are able to discover more information about them throughout whilst maintaining the mysteriousness about them. I also loved how this book sets up the series but still gives its own great story in and of itself. I would definitely love to continue with the series!

I was completely absorbed into Diem's world, her family, and her life as a healer. This story brings an intriguing concept, with the mortals and the Descended on opposing sides in a story fuelled by politics and rebellion. Diem is daring, bold, and makes for a great main character. I enjoyed experiencing her story, and the way she interacted with the world. I'm certainly not a Henry fan though and found her interactions with him a little jarring but that may well be by design. In contrast, we have the enigmatic dark Prince - surprisingly tolerant of Diem's spirited behaviour and disinterest in bowing to others. We feel the beginnings of a slow burn romance here and the barest hint of it has me hooked. These are two characters on opposing sides, separated by a world of secrets, and will no doubt find themselves in each others orbit again - something I can't wait to see, so I can confidently say I'll be picking up the rest of this series to find out what comes next!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

4/5 stars! I've heard so many good things about this author, so I was thrilled to get a chance to read this book. Penn Cole reminds me of a lot of Amelia Hutchin's books: they're good but the female main character makes me want to pull my hair out. The plot is a little slow, but I was rooting for most of the cast. Interested to see what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

wow wow wow I absolutely loved this book!! it had a lot of the popular fantasy tropes and themes, but there’s a reason they’re used all the time, it’s because it works. I can’t wait to read the second book and devour it as well

spark of the everflame was such an engaging read that really gripped me right from the start! it had such a good premise and I enjoyed the different fractions and aspects of the book we got to experience

deim ―୨୧⋆ ˚ I actually really liked deim's character although she was stupid and made decisions that made me want to throw the book across the room she was fearless, kind-hearted and a breath of fresh air. as far as fmc go in fantasy books deim is one I have had most fun reading so far this year, just down to how determined she was but how she could back it up. I absolutely rooted for her throughout

plot ―୨୧⋆ ˚ the plot itself was so engaging and the world building really brought the story to life in so many ways. but overall, the pacing of this book really fell flat for me. at times it felt like I couldn't get enough of the story and it was so engaging and then I would read the next chapter and it would be excruciating slow. the ending is probably a massive feeding quality for this book and now I NEED to read the second one. honestly this felt more like a prologue to the next few books opposed to an engaging fantasy book in its own right butttt I still enjoyed lost of parts of the book !!

overall, super enjoyable albeit a bit slow but something I kind of expect in fantasy novels setting up a 4 book series. ⭐️💌

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spark of the Everflame is a riveting romantasy. First off I loved the world-building, how social injustices are portrayed and the rebel movements. The plot is full of mystery and twists and turns, some are predictable but still enjoyable. The FMC (Diem) is feisty and frustrating. Her role as a healer was interesting to read about. I feel there was good character growth and hope this continues within the next book. BUT she is definitely one to make poor decisions. The MMC is very much a side character but I liked this, as this just built the tension for me, I was left wanting more and I hope he gets his air time going forward. The banter is great. I also love an animal companion in any book and there’s some amazing creatures that feature. Whilst this book may not win prizes for the writing, it’s highly addictive and I think it will only get stronger and stronger over the series. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

This was definitely interesting! I enjoyed the world building and I really liked the characters. Of course, as the first book in a series, there's a lot of explaining and details and the pace is slow, but I think it was a great start. Looking forward to the sequel!

This was definitely interesting! I enjoyed the world building and I really liked the characters. Of course, as the first book in a series, there's a lot of explaining and details and the pace is slow, but I think it was a great start. Looking forward to the sequel!

I was gifted this book by the publisher on Netgalley - it was already on my TBR.

I very much enjoyed this book, Diem as a FMC is very relatable, and even though I suspected where the book would end, it was still done extremely well and did the book justice. Her knack for saying what she thinks and getting herself into trouble was entertaining to say the least, and her interactions with Luther have some real chemistry happening that I can't wait to read more about. I finished this book yesterday and am already a quarter of the way through book 2, which is so far even better than the first. I have a feeling I'll be finished with book 3 by midweek. 5⭐

Finally got to reading this book and I’m very much into it! I wish NetGalley would give you the option to do half stars, this was a 3,5 for me.

This definitely felt like the first book in a series. A lot of explaining and getting to know the world and the characters. It was definitely interesting enough to keep me reading, but I have a feeling that the next Books will be more of my alley (I hope!)

It was definitely a good start and I’m intrigued to continue this series!

I've been reading lots of dark romances recently so this was a refreshing read, I enjoyed it through out and would definitely recommend this to others!

This book! While some of it was predictable and things I’ve seen before, it was highly enjoyable and so much fun. I was dragged into the story pretty fast, and it only got better. I need more of this. It can’t just stop there.

I have so many questions and theories for this series. I can’t want to see where this will go.

I remember hearing about this book years ago and now with the traditionally published release, I’ve been able to read it. I regret that it took me so long to get to this story!
Penn Cole has constructed a really interesting world and characters who are torn in so many directions. I like the mystery of Diem’s parentage (though it’s more like Diem’s increasing awareness and not wanting to admit it) and how she is torn about her future, about her abilities to change the world. The ending was a plot twist - did not see that coming - and I am so excited to pick up the next one!

The world building in this book is fantastic. The plot is a slow build but it still managed to keep me engaged and turning the pages needing to know what was going to happen next. I felt fully immersed in this magical, yet relatable, place with how descriptive the writing is. I cannot wait to see where the next book takes us if this one was only dipping our toes into this world. Diem is so strong and stubborn and I am here for it. Luther is mysterious and I cannot wait to peel back the layers and find out more about him!!

OMG, I finally know what all the hype is about. This book was everything I was looking for and so much more. For a debut novel especially this was just amazing. The characters are so perfectly imperfect, so real with real problems and yet we are in this fantasic fantasy world with injustice and mysteries. Couldnt put it down and read this book in one setting. One of the best reads of this year and will be reading the second book after writing this review
What I liked:
- the characters and their dynamics, the family, the friends, the strangers. The conversations felt real and not awkward and placed. We have strong family bonds but family always includes conflict and we have enough of that
- the world building and magic system in general were just amazing, I was drawn in and I want to know so much more about the world and its workings
- the romance that is building on the horizon, I already knew this was going to be an overall slow burn and I am so here for it. I hate insta-love and this is just so much better, Im just much more invested in the romance
- the writing was great, not too flowery but not too little detail just perfect amount

What I didnt like:
honestly dont even know, fantastic read, no complains from my side

Thanks to netgalley and Headline for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

‘Don’t choose a mediocre life for a mediocre man. Go be exceptional. And if he’s really he one, he’ll come along for the ride’

Overall I loved this book! Whilst it follows a similar structure to many other fantasy novels there’s something about this one that seems unique.

I loved the world building in this. The magic system was so interesting - the fact that different factions have different coloured eyes and that relates to their powers. And you could really feel the tensions building in the world - the poor ‘normal’ people vs the rich powered people.

I was really invested in the rebel uprising - how it seemed to bring people from all walks of life together in a unified cause of stopping the tyranny of the crown. A secret rebellion group that’s unhappy with how society is - wanting to go against the current government.

What I found interesting here was the moral dilemma Diem faced - she wanted ‘vengeance’ for how the Descendants treated her people but she didn’t want that to come at the cost of innocent descendants. I’m really intrigued to see how her needing to ‘choose a side’ plays out in future books.

Diem was such a badass FMC. I loved how confident she was in her abilities, not only as a healer but also in fighting. She never shied away from standing up for herself and others.

The tension she has with Luther - the way they challenge each other and she says what she thinks. The fact she could literally be executed for treason the way she speaks to him, yet she does it anyway. I was obsessed with their relationship! A very slow burn enemies to lovers that was just so well written - you could feel the way they antagonised each other yet he was so protective of her.

I loved the juxtaposition of the two romance options and how they paralleled the two factions in her society - Henri of the uprising, who wants to give her a safe quiet life, and Luther of the Descendants, who challenges her and pushes her to see her ‘true’ self.

Overall this has similar vibes to Red Queen and is the perfect choice if you want a badass FMC, rebel uprisings, a morally grey MMC with shadow powers and an amazing cast of side characters.

ARC copy provided by Headline & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.