A review by emilywemily6
Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was surprised by how this book didn’t feel too long while I read it; there was plenty of action and things happening to love the story forward. The beginning felt a little cyclical though which slowed things down. While I enjoy this complex world and the magic system, I was really frustrated by Diem’s utter lack of character growth throughout this book. Even though she should be a different person that she was in book 1, she hasn’t changed. She is still stuck on the same moral quandary. And while she is biting at the bit to act in revenge against anyone who hurts/has hurt her family, she lacks the fortitude to actually cause harm to those who deserve it. It’s getting a bit old. In order to be a queen, she needs to make sacrifices, and she is unwilling to do so, even when it is necessary for the good of the many or of the kingdom. She was often short-sighted and not very smart, to the point where supposed plot twists were very predictable and heavy handed in the author’s allusions. I was screaming at Diem because she felt blindsided by betrayal and often forgot the “get out of jail free cards” that were available to her. I will say that the growth of the side characters and the introduction of some complex and interesting tertiary characters were really well done and kept me interested. I’m looking forward to the last book but feel it’ll be a long one…
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