Spark of the Everflame

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of substance use

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel eventually reveals Diem’s true identity as half-Descended. In what ways did this revelation reshape your understanding of her earlier actions and choices?

2. The world of Emarion features a stark divide between mortals and the Descended. How effectively did Cole establish this fantasy world and its complex politics? Have you read other works with similar class divides, such as Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass or Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen?

3. Which scene from Spark of the Everflame stayed with you most vividly after finishing the book?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Diem struggles with balancing her duty to her family with her personal desires. When have you faced a similar conflict between obligation and individual choice?

2. What role does the inner voice play in Diem’s development throughout the novel? Have you experienced a similar internal push toward action or change in your own life? How did you respond to it?

3. Diem’s relationship with Henri represents comfort and tradition, while her attraction to Luther represents risk and the unknown. Have you ever been torn between a safe, familiar path and a more uncertain but potentially rewarding one?

4. Diem chooses to stop taking the flameroot powder that dulls her emotions and abilities. Can you relate to a moment when you decided to embrace a part of yourself you had been hiding or suppressing? What prompted that decision? How did others respond to this change?

5. Diem initially joins the Guardians of the Everflame but later questions their methods when innocent people are harmed. Have you ever joined a cause or group only to discover their values didn’t align with yours?

6. How does Diem’s moment of power and self-acceptance at the end of the novel change your understanding of her character? Can you relate to a similar moment of revelation in your own life? What led to that breakthrough?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The strict laws forbidding relationships between mortals and the Descended reflect real-world prejudices and divisions. What parallels do you see between Emarion’s societal structure and divisions in our own world?

2. The novel portrays different forms of rebellion against authority—Diem’s personal choices, the Guardians’ violent resistance, and Luther’s position within the system. Which approach do you find most effective, and why?

3. Diem works as a healer but eventually realizes this path was chosen for her rather than by her. How does the novel’s exploration of predetermined roles versus personal choice reflect modern conversations about career and identity?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. In what ways does the author use the symbolism of fire and flame throughout the novel?

2. What does Diem’s first-person narration reveal about her character and worldview? How might the story differ if told from another character’s perspective?

3. How do Henri and Luther function as foils for each other in the novel? What aspects of Diem’s character do they each bring out in her?

4. The flameroot powder is a key metaphor in the story. What larger themes does it represent? How does Diem’s rejection of the powder reflect her journey toward self-acceptance?

5. Spark of the Everflame combines elements of fantasy, romance, and coming-of-age narratives. Which genre elements did you find most compelling in the story?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Create a new character for the sequel. Who would they be? What role would they play in Diem’s journey and the political landscape of Emarion?

2. Design a type of magic for yourself in the Emarion world. What would it be and why? Would you choose to be a mortal, a Descended, or something in between like Diem? How would your choice affect how you navigate the political tensions in Emarion?

3. Describe the potential plot of a sequel now that Diem knows she’s the heir to the throne. How do you think her relationships with Luther, Henri, and her family might change?

Need more inspiration for your next meeting? Browse all of our Book Club Resources