Series: The Kindred's Curse Saga (4 books)
Author: Penn Cole
Books: Spark of the Everflame (2023), Glow of the Everflame (2023), Heat of the Everflame (2023), Burn of the Everflame (Expected July 2026)
Publisher: Self-published (e-books) / Atria Books/Simon & Schuster (print editions)
Genre: Romantasy, Epic Fantasy Romance
Tropes: Enemies-to-lovers, Slow burn, Forbidden romance, Class difference, Gods and mortals, Found family
Spice Level: 3/5 (Moderate to explicit, builds across series)
Why BookTok Is Obsessed with The Kindred's Curse Saga
In a romantasy landscape dominated by established names, Penn Cole emerged in 2023 as a self-published debut author and promptly conquered the New York Times bestseller list. Her Kindred's Curse Saga has become one of BookTok's most beloved series; a sprawling epic that combines political intrigue, a meticulously crafted magic system, devastating slow-burn romance, and a heroine who refuses to dim her fire for anyone.
The series follows Diem Bellator, a mortal healer living in a world colonised by gods and ruled by their cruel offspring, the Descended. When her mother mysteriously disappears, Diem is thrust into the dangerous world of Descended royalty, ancient secrets, and a brewing civil war that demands she choose sides. Complicating everything? The enigmatic Crown Prince Luther, whose loyalties remain as shadowed as his magic.
If you've been searching for your next fantasy romance obsession; something with the political complexity of Throne of Glass, the forbidden romance tension of ACOTAR, and genuinely surprising plot twists; Penn Cole delivers. With sixteen translations, a publishing deal with Simon & Schuster, and a passionate fanbase that has made "chaos demon" an affectionate term for its author, The Kindred's Curse Saga has earned its place among romantasy's elite.
The Series at a Glance
Book | Title | Published | Pages | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Spark of the Everflame | June 2023 | ~550 | Available |
2 | Glow of the Everflame | July 2023 | ~594 | Available |
3 | Heat of the Everflame | September 2023 | ~1,026 | Available |
4 | Burn of the Everflame | July 2026 (TBC) | TBA | Pre-order |
Accolades:
#1 New York Times Bestseller
USA Today Bestseller
Library Journal Starred Reviews (multiple books)
Sold in sixteen languages worldwide
Print editions with Atria Books/Simon & Schuster (US) and Headline Books (UK)
The World of Emarion
Before diving into the books, understanding the world Cole has created proves essential to appreciating the series' scope.
The Descended are the offspring of gods who colonised the mortal world generations ago. They possess powerful magic, longer lifespans, and rule over mortals with varying degrees of cruelty. Their society is divided into Houses, each governing a realm of Emarion with distinct cultures, politics, and magical specialties.
Mortals live as second-class citizens at best, oppressed subjects at worst. Some have organised into the Guardians of the Everflame, a rebel alliance fighting for mortal rights; though their methods grow increasingly extreme.
The Nine Realms of Emarion each possess unique characteristics: Lumnos (Realm of Light and Shadow), Umbros (an underground kingdom of moral ambiguity), Ignios (harsh desert realm), and others that expand the world's scope throughout the series.
The Crowns are the ruling families of each realm, locked in complex alliances, rivalries, and power struggles that drive much of the political intrigue.
Book 1: Spark of the Everflame
The Premise
In a mortal world colonised by gods and ruled by the Descended, healer Diem Bellator yearns to escape 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 a 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 must navigate the unwritten rules of love, power, and politics to save her family; and all of mortalkind.
What Makes It Special
Spark establishes Cole's greatest strength: crafting a heroine whose fire burns unapologetically bright. Diem is fierce, compassionate, stubborn to a fault, and refuses to be diminished by anyone; mortal or Descended. In a genre sometimes criticised for passive protagonists, Diem acts, challenges, and fights even when outmatched.
The slow burn between Diem and Crown Prince Luther begins here, and Cole demonstrates remarkable restraint. Their dynamic builds through tension, antagonism, and stolen moments of unexpected connection. Luther himself proves immediately compelling; morally grey, strategically minded, hiding depths beneath his cold exterior.
The world-building impresses without overwhelming. Cole introduces the class conflict, magical system, and political landscape organically through Diem's eyes. The mystery of her mother's disappearance provides narrative drive whilst revealing larger truths about the world.
The ending delivers a revelation that recontextualises everything; a cliffhanger that has launched countless readers immediately into book two.
Potential Considerations
Some readers find the first act's pacing slow as Cole establishes the village setting before the plot accelerates. The world contains familiar romantasy elements (oppressed mortals, magical aristocracy, forbidden attraction), though Cole's execution brings freshness to these foundations.
Book 2: Glow of the Everflame
The Premise
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 most: the royal family of House Corbois.
But as she dives into the world of the Descended elite, Diem quickly realises 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.
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.
What Makes It Special
Glow expands the scope significantly. Diem enters the viper's nest of Descended court politics, where everyone has an agenda and trust is currency she cannot afford to spend. The book excels at making readers question every character's true allegiances.
Luther's character deepens considerably. Through Diem's perspective, we see the calculating strategist forced to navigate impossible positions, the protective instincts he struggles to hide, and the growing tension between duty and desire. Their slow burn becomes genuinely agonising; every near-miss, every loaded glance, every moment of vulnerability that gets interrupted.
The found family element strengthens. Characters like Taran, Eleanor, and Alixe become beloved companions, each with distinct personalities and their own arcs. Cole writes friendship with as much care as romance.
The book's signature quote; "We're not reborn in the flames. We're revealed"; encapsulates Diem's journey toward self-acceptance. She's learning to embrace all parts of herself: mortal compassion and Descended power, healer's instinct and warrior's rage.
Another devastating cliffhanger awaits.
Potential Considerations
Middle-book syndrome affects some readers; the plot advances but resolution remains distant. The large cast of Descended royalty can be difficult to track initially. Some find Diem's internal conflict repetitive, though others appreciate its realism.
Book 3: Heat of the Everflame
The Premise
The war has begun. Both sides demand Diem's allegiance; or her death.
After her disastrous coronation, Diem finds herself at the centre of conflict between the Descended and the Guardians. With her newfound friends and the man she's falling for on one side, and the mortals she has vowed to protect on the other, Diem must walk a careful line to save the people she loves; even from each other.
The mystery of her unusual heritage begins to unravel, sending Diem and Luther on an unexpected journey across the realms. The answers may hold the key to winning the war, but finding them will require her to face painful truths about her mother, her bloodline, and her fate.
What Makes It Special
At over 1,000 pages, Heat represents Cole's most ambitious instalment. The world expands dramatically as Diem and Luther travel the nine realms, each distinctly crafted with unique cultures, politics, and magic systems. The underground kingdom of Umbros and harsh desert realm of Ignios receive particular attention.
Diem's powers continue evolving, and watching her grapple with abilities that frighten even herself provides compelling internal conflict. She's becoming something unprecedented, and the weight of that transformation drives much of her character arc.
The romance finally moves beyond slow burn into something more; though Cole maintains tension through Luther's secrets and the impossible positions both characters occupy. Their scenes crackle with unresolved emotion.
New characters expand the cast, including the morally ambiguous Zalaric whose introduction promises significant developments. Meanwhile, established characters face devastating choices. The found family dynamic reaches new emotional heights as sacrifices mount.
Cole raises every stake for the finale. The cliffhanger ending leaves Diem in seemingly impossible circumstances.
Potential Considerations
The length intimidates some readers, and the middle section; particularly political manoeuvring in Umbros; can feel slower. Some find Luther's emotional withdrawal frustrating, though it serves his character arc. The romance, already glacially slow, takes a backseat to plot at points.
Book 4: Burn of the Everflame
Expected Release: July 2026 (date TBC - author states no official date has been announced)
What We Know
War has overtaken Emarion. In the north, Ophiucae and his army of bloodthirsty mortals seek to eradicate all Descended from the continent. In the south, the Guardians of the Everflame lie in wait, plotting a rebellion generations overdue. In Lumnos, the Crowns are gathering. Caught between two deadly foes, they must form an unlikely alliance to save their people.
But the Crowns have a secret; and a heart without its mate will burn the world down to fulfil its fate.
Hatred reigns. Hope seems lost. With the future in darkness, can a flame emerge to bring the light?
The Wait
The gap between Heat of the Everflame (September 2023) and Burn has tested reader patience significantly. Cole originally planned a Spring 2024 release, then June 2024, then the date became TBD. The delays stem from Cole's transition from fully self-published to hybrid author (partnering with Simon & Schuster for print editions), audiobook production, international publishing deals, and the creative demands of concluding a 4,000+ page saga.
Cole has addressed the wait directly, noting she refused to rush the conclusion of a story readers have invested so much in. Newsletter subscribers can access the first three chapters of Burn as preview material.
The Characters
Diem Bellator
The mortal healer whose life transforms when her mother vanishes. Diem's defining characteristics; her fierce protectiveness, stubborn refusal to be diminished, compassion for the vulnerable, and gradually awakening power; make her one of romantasy's most beloved recent heroines.
Her journey across four books traces growth from village healer to something far more significant. She learns to embrace contradictions: mortal roots and Descended blood, healer's mercy and warrior's necessity, independence and partnership. Readers particularly connect with her struggle to accept all parts of herself without shame.
The series dedication; "For anyone who has ever been told their spark shouldn't burn so bright and for all the people who loved them precisely because it did"; captures Diem's essence perfectly.
Luther Corbois
Crown Prince of House Corbois, heir to Lumnos, and one of romantasy's most compelling recent love interests. Luther initially appears as the cold, calculating Descended prince Diem should hate; and does, at first.
Throughout the series, Luther reveals depths that transform reader perception: the burden of ruling justly in an unjust system, the strategic mind constantly playing moves ahead, the fierce protectiveness he struggles to conceal, and the devastating devotion he develops for Diem.
His moral greyness proves genuinely grey; not evil pretending to be good, but someone making impossible choices within a broken system whilst trying to change it from within. His loyalty, once given, proves absolute.
The Found Family
Taran: Beloved by readers for his fierce friendship with Diem and his own emotional journey throughout the series.
Eleanor: Source of wisdom and the iconic "We're not reborn in the flames. We're revealed" quote.
Alixe/Teller: Additional members of Diem's inner circle who provide support, comic relief, and their own compelling arcs.
Zalaric: Introduced in Heat, a morally ambiguous figure whose role in the conclusion promises significance.
The Villains
Cole excels at complex antagonists. The Descended elite includes characters readers love to hate, whilst the mortal Guardians demonstrate how justified rage can curdle into something monstrous. Even seemingly clear villains reveal sympathetic motivations, and apparently trustworthy figures hide devastating betrayals.
Why The Kindred's Curse Saga Works
The Slow Burn That Actually Burns
Cole commits to her slow burn across thousands of pages, and the payoff rewards patience. Every near-kiss, interrupted confession, and loaded glance builds genuine romantic tension rather than frustrating stagnation. When moments of connection finally arrive, they land with earned emotional impact.
Political Complexity
The conflict between Descended and mortals resists simple good-versus-evil framing. Both sides contain heroes and villains, justified grievances and inexcusable actions. Diem's position between worlds forces genuine moral complexity rather than easy answers.
World-Building That Expands
Each book reveals more of Emarion; new realms, cultures, magical systems, and political dynamics. Cole clearly planned her world deeply, seeding details in early books that pay off later.
Character Growth That Feels Earned
Diem's transformation from village healer to her book-three status feels organic rather than convenient. Her power grows, but so does her wisdom, emotional intelligence, and understanding of the world's complexity.
The Found Family Core
Beneath the epic scope lies genuine warmth. Diem's relationships with her found family provide emotional grounding amidst political machinations and supernatural threats.
Perfect For Fans Of
If you love The Kindred's Curse Saga, you might also enjoy:
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas – Similar enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – Epic scope with strong female protagonist
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout – Class conflict and forbidden romance
The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent – Slow burn enemies-to-lovers
Gild by Raven Kennedy – Heroine finding her power in oppressive circumstances
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco – Enemies-to-lovers with political intrigue
The Plated Prisoner Series by Raven Kennedy – Morally grey heroes and captive heroines
About Penn Cole
Penn Cole is an internationally bestselling author whose debut series has made remarkable impact. Before pursuing her lifelong dream of publishing, Cole had careers as an artist and attorney. Although a Texas native, she currently lives in France with her husband.
Cole's path to publication represents an indie success story. She self-published Spark of the Everflame in June 2023, followed by Glow and Heat later that same year; an ambitious release schedule that quickly built momentum. The series' success led to a partnership with Atria Books (Simon & Schuster) for print editions featuring new covers, illustrated endpapers, interior art, and bonus chapters. Headline Books handles UK editions.
Known for engaging directly with readers through Discord and social media (earning her the affectionate title "chaos demon" for her tendency to drop hints and send fans spiralling), Cole maintains an active connection with her community. She's represented by Kimberly Whalen of The Whalen Agency for literary rights and Mary Pender at WME for TV/film rights.
The series has been sold in sixteen languages to date, with additional translations ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are in the series?
Four books total. Books 1-3 are available now. Burn of the Everflame (book 4) has an expected release date listed as July 2026 on some platforms, but Penn Cole states no official date has been announced; she'll confirm through her official channels when certain.
What's the spice level?
The series builds from slow burn tension to explicit content as the romance develops. Early books focus on romantic tension; later books include on-page intimate scenes. Cole provides content warnings on her website.
Is this series complete?
Not yet. Three of four books are published. Burn of the Everflame will conclude the saga.
Do I need to read them in order?
Absolutely. Each book ends on a significant cliffhanger and builds directly on previous events. The overarching mystery and character development require sequential reading.
How long are the books?
They're substantial. Spark is approximately 550 pages, Glow around 594 pages, and Heat exceeds 1,000 pages. The entire series spans roughly 2,800+ pages with the finale still to come.
Is the romance slow burn?
Extremely. This is one of BookTok's slowest burns, with romantic tension building across thousands of pages before significant payoff. If you want immediate gratification, look elsewhere. If you love agonising anticipation, this series delivers.
What are the content warnings?
Cole provides detailed content warnings on her website (penncole.com). Major warnings include: on-page sex, domestic violence resulting in death, child death, violence and mild gore, brief thoughts of suicide, and attempted assault (on page in certain books). Readers can contact Cole for specific chapter guidance.
Is there an audiobook?
Yes, through Podium Audio. The audiobooks are released alongside or shortly after print/e-book editions.
Why has book 4 been delayed?
Cole transitioned from fully self-published to hybrid author (traditional print, self-published e-books), requiring coordination across multiple publishers. Audiobook production, sixteen international translations, and the creative demands of concluding an epic saga contributed to delays. Cole has stated she refused to rush the series conclusion.
Why You Should Read The Kindred's Curse Saga
For Diem: A heroine whose fire burns bright; fierce, compassionate, stubborn, and utterly compelling. Watching her grow across four books provides genuine satisfaction.
For Luther: Morally grey done right. A love interest whose complexity rewards attention, whose loyalty devastates, and whose slow revelation keeps readers analysing every action.
For the Slow Burn: If you love romantic tension that builds across thousands of pages, few series deliver quite like this one.
For the World: Emarion is richly imagined, with political complexity, distinct cultures, and magic systems that reward engaged reading.
For the Found Family: Beneath the epic scope, the warmth of genuine friendship grounds the story emotionally.
For the Plot: This isn't romance with fantasy dressing; it's fully-realised epic fantasy with romance woven throughout. Mysteries, political intrigue, and genuine surprises reward investment.
For the Quotes: Cole writes lines that readers tattoo on their hearts (and sometimes their bodies). The series overflows with memorable moments.
Final Thoughts
Penn Cole's Kindred's Curse Saga represents everything modern romantasy does well: a fierce heroine growing into her power, a morally complex love interest whose devotion devastates, political intrigue with genuine stakes, and slow-burn romance that rewards patience with earned emotional payoff.
The series isn't without flaws; the length challenges some readers, pacing occasionally sags, and the wait for the finale has tested patience. But for those who surrender to the world Cole has built, The Kindred's Curse Saga delivers an immersive, emotionally satisfying experience.
Three books in, with thousands of pages behind us and one massive conclusion ahead, the series has earned its place among BookTok's most beloved recommendations. Penn Cole set out to write the kind of slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers epic that made her fall in love with romantasy, and she succeeded.
Now we wait; impatiently, desperately, theorising wildly; for Diem and Luther's story to reach its conclusion.
Some flames are worth the burn.
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Books Featured in This Article
Spark of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
When old secrets catch fire, everything will burn.In a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by the Descended, their cruel magic-wielding 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.
Glow of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
An unexpected gift offers the power to change everything-but 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 most: 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.Glow of the Everflame is the second book in The Kindred's Curse Saga, a four-book epic fantasy romance series that follows our fiesty, 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. This book will appeal to fans of plot-heavy, character-driven romantasy such as A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, Gild, Shadow & Bone, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night. Content warning (MAY INCLUDE SPOILERS): death, violence, sexual content, swearing. This book contains adult themes and is intended for readers 18+. This book ends in a cliffhanger.
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
The war has begun. Both sides demand Diem's allegiance-or her death.After her disastrous coronation, Diem finds herself at the center of the conflict between the Descended and the Guardians. With her newfound friends and the man she's falling for on one side, and the mortals she has vowed to protect on the other, Diem must walk a careful line to save the people she loves... even from each other.The mystery of her unusual heritage begins to unravel, sending Diem and Luther on an unexpected journey across the realms. The answers may hold the key to winning the war, but finding them will require her to face painful truths about her mother, her bloodline, and her fate.Meanwhile, the Crowns have set Diem in their sights. Some could be her greatest allies-while others want her dead. To end their oppressive reign, Diem must sort friend from foe and risk it all to build an army of her own.But a powerful figure in the north has plans that could change everything...Heat of the Everflame is the third book in The Kindred's Curse Saga, a four-book epic fantasy romance series that follows our fiesty, bad*ss heroine Diem Bellator in her fight against injustice, 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. This book will appeal to fans of plot-heavy, character-driven romantasy such as A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, Gild, Shadow & Bone, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night.