#bookrec

Oops! Clearly, my listening comprehension skills still leave something to be desired ;-;.

Here is a reuploaded version. 🖤 Apologies! @nicosraf

Rafael Nicolás - Angels before Man

Spark of the Everflame is the first book in The Kindred’s Curse saga, a fantasy romance that mixes political intrigue, magic, and personal growth in a world ruled by powerful descendants of gods known as the Descended. The story follows Diem Bellator, a young healer from a quiet village whose life is turned upside‑down when her mother disappears under mysterious circumstances and truths about her heritage begin to emerge. As Diem ventures beyond the walls of her home, she learns that her world is far more dangerous—and complicated—than she ever imagined.

One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its immersive world‑building. The society of Emarion, divided between ordinary mortals and the powerful Descended elite, creates a tense backdrop for conflict and rebellion. Diem’s journey from sheltered healer to someone involved in a growing civil war feels gripping, and the moral questions she faces about duty, love, and identity add real emotional weight to her story.

Many readers praise the slow‑burn tension between Diem and Prince Luther, describing their dynamic as complicated, layered with mistrust, frustration, and chemistry that only builds over time.

However, some find the pacing slow at first and Diem’s decisions frustrating, especially early on, which can affect engagement for some.

Overall, Spark of the Everflame is a character‑driven, richly detailed fantasy romance that sets up a larger saga of power, choice, and personal discovery.

For my upcoming book release!

I swear, every time I pick up an April Kerner book, I tell myself I’ll take it slow and then end up binging the whole thing in one night. Her stories just hit different—they’re emotional, messy, and so real that I feel like I know her characters personally.

After reading Boys with Secrets, I thought, “Okay, there’s no way she can make me feel this much again.” Then I read Boys with Braces, and now I’m just sitting here, fully invested in these fictional people like they’re my actual friends. Lazar? Riley? John? I’d defend them with my life.

I love how Kerner doesn’t shy away from difficult topics but still gives us those heartwarming, swoon-worthy moments that make me believe in love again. Her writing has this effortless way of making you feel everything—the angst, the joy, the absolute devastation (because yes, I did cry).

The writing is quite good.

I enjoyed gradually discovering the point of the framing device.

The vast majority of the expats are adorable.

Really wish portions of the plot didn't require the protagonist to stop asking pertinent questions and become deeply passive in the middle.

Truly wild that Barack "the arc of history is long but it bends towards justice and thus incrementalism my one true love is the path forward" Obama would recommend a book so firmly of the belief that there is not merely no arc to history but that one must firmly grasp the tiller to amend what has gone wrong.

All of the food Gore makes sounds very tasty.

Recommendation for the general public: it's not very long, and is quite an enjoyable read. It doesn't really care that much about how time travel works, so don't be turned off if you have trouble tracking multiple timelines.

Remember to take care of yourself and check the CW's for these books, especially the horror list.

19.10.24

Reading Japanese classics is so oddly comforting(?) I know it sounds insane as most of them consist of sensitive topics but sometimes some lines are so good, it makes you want to squeeze your own heart until it ruptures, it makes your head spin in circles leaving you numb and unable to think any further while the line that you just read echoes like a haunting whisper in the dark.

I am in a bit of a reading slump, and I need some good fantasy recommendations. What are you all reading?