January 2025 First in a Series BOTM - Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

[Jamie]

When old secrets catch fire, everything will burn.

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.

Spark of the Everflame is the first book in The Kindred's Curse Saga, a four-book fantasy romance series. This slow burn, enemies-to-lovers epic is perfect for lovers of magic, dragons, angst, and banter and will appeal to fans of books like A Court of Thorns and Roses, From Blood and Ash, Gild, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night.

**This BOTM thread will be open until February 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Grace]

I have to see how to make it work, but I will probably join in on this.

[Jamie]

Chapters 1-8 => (view spoiler)[I'm really enjoying this so far. I'm still confused as to what she is, but she can't be mortal, lol. I don't think Henri is going to be the love interest either. I'm not sure what I think about him. I'm also not sure her mother is in fact dead. Lots of secrets. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapters 9-16 => (view spoiler)[ Diem has to be a Descended. And I don't know how she can't know this.

I also feel like something bad is going to happen with Henri. Like he won't be as good as he seems right now with her. I'm not sure if he's tricking her for some reason, or knows more than he's letting on, but I'm starting to get a vibe from him.

I also don't think that her mom is dead. I'm not sure what happened. I'm almost wondering if she is the one in charge of Henri's group. But that might be too obvious and she clearly knew her daughter was a Descended. Shoot, maybe that's not even her mother, lol (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapters 17-24 => (view spoiler)[ I don't like Diem. She started out strong, but now she is this hypocritical girl that makes irrational and stupid decisions.

I get her being upset about things, but when she thought she could get all of this stuff in the palace because she had gotten some papers off some guys desk?!?!? lol. yeah, stupid.

She isn't thinking about her brother or her father. She's just thinking about herself and her anger.

I'm more pissed that she joined the Guardians. That's when everything went downhill. I'm not sure what it will take for me to actually like her again. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Oh fun! I'm hoping to get to this one before the end of the month. Jamie, how are you finding it so far?

[Jamie]

It's definitely interesting. I really wanted to get to this one so I just started it right away. I don't regret it. I have lots of questions and feel lots of different things about some of these characters, lol

[Jamie]

Chapters 25-end => (view spoiler)[I'm struggling with Diem. She is so wishy washy. I get that she doesn't want war, but one minute she's like I can't be a healer because I put this in motion, then she's talking with Henri and he's convincing her she should stay a Guardian, lol. Just STOP!!! Gah, this is what drives me nuts.

That ending though has me wanting to jump immediately into the next book. She's the fucking QUEEN! LOL. Take that Henri!!

I'm not sure what I think about her mom and dad. Obviously with the epilogue we know her mom is alive. But we still don't know why she was wanting Diem to hide her true self by taking that tonic or whatever it was. Then you have her dad, and I'm not sure what his role is in anything because he seemed really pissed off that she was at the castle. Then he kicks her out of the house?!?!??!

Clearly she has a tie to Luther. It's almost like they are fated mates. I'm super intrigued by that relationship.

I also think this might be the author's debut. If that's the case, I can excuse some of the issues I had with the book. Because putting aside my issues, this would be a pretty damn good debut book all things considered. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

Starting this!

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 1 : I have to say I’m interested right off the bat! Fantasy isn’t my usual genre but I like the MC and the world building is interesting and easy enough to understand.

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ So I’m assuming she’s a half descendant and the powder was keeping her powers at bay. I didn’t read the blurb so I’m going in blind on this (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 16 (view spoiler)[ So is she joining the resistance and she’s one of them? I’m trying to figure out where this is going. I kind of feel some spark between her and “His Royal Highness” Luther (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 20 (view spoiler)[Oh there’s definitely some chemistry between Diem and Luther (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

@Jamie (view spoiler)[ It crossed my mind too that her mother was the leader of the guardians too. I also wonder how she doesn’t know. She seems super smart so it doesn’t make sense she wouldn’t figure it out. Especially the way that lady acted over that herb for her medicine. I think her dad knows though. He seems like a good guy. I didn’t get a bad vibe from Henri but I definitely think Luther is the love interest instead of him. I think it may turn him bad though. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

End of chapter 29 (view spoiler)[ So did they know each other from another life. I need to go back and read what it said about someone coming that would unite something another. 😂 Great description. I can’t believe she’s so stupid to not know she’s descendant. I mean, come on. Luther 🔥 (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

I found what I was taking about in chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ Teller is telling them about a boy born to a mortal father who didn’t feel magic until he was twelve and felt called back to his terremère. I think she’s something like that maybe. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

Finished! Well I was definitely not expecting that ending. 😂

I know this was the BOTM. Can we have a thread to continue the series? I would say maybe I could nominate the next book for BOTM for March but considering not many people read this one, I doubt it would win. Just let me know if you do a thread. Thanks!

[Jamie]

Shannon The Show Stopper wrote: "Finished! Well I was definitely not expecting that ending. 😂

I know this was the BOTM. Can we have a thread to continue the series? I would say maybe I could nominate the next book for BOTM for M..."

I plan on reading the rest of the series, so if you want, I can set up a series thread for the rest of the books.

When would you want to start?

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

You tell me. I have like 4 books planned so anytime after a week.

[Jamie]

Ok, I'll do a series thread to start around Feb 12.

[Jamie]

Here's the link to the series read: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Shannon The Co-Captain]

Jamie wrote: "Here's the link to the series read: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

You're awesome! Thanks!