I love this enemies to lovers story.

It’s longing and betrayal. Sadness, grief and triumph. Found family, rivals and most of all longing and lust.

I loved this book. I couldn’t wait to get to the parts about Random and Sera. There love is so fantastic to experience as they let it develop between them.

It’s a unique magic system that comes from a plant. But the rivals use it in very different manners. There are big mystery reveals and a bit of a cliff hanger for the second book, but it has a finalised ending.

Great book for the enemies to lovers trope

4.5 stars
TW; death of parent(s), active murder attempts, death, mentioning of past domestic violence and child abuse, grooming and manipulation

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

I have to admit, it took me a good moment to get invested in this story, but once I was hooked, I had to know what happened next and consumed it. This YA romantasy is great for fans of enemies to lovers looking for something that truly fits the term. For a good portion of The Dagger and the Flame, Seraphine and Ransom attempt to kill each other or at least survive against opposing orders, and I eagerly waited for the tension that subsequently brewed.

Of course, the storyline has quite a level of predictable twists, but the comfort I took out of reading the tropes, plot twists, and the romantic development all play out in the way I expected was worth picking up the read. If you've read a lot of fantasy, there isn't a lot new here - both protagonists have tragic backstories that have led to their current lives, one as an assassin, the other trying to survive after her mother is killed, and both have essentially been conditioned into the roles they play now. I enjoyed their quieter moments, especially with the paper darts, where it allowed the pair to be young, naive, and stupid in love. Their hope matched well with their personalities and the story told, and the passion that followed with reckless abandon fitted well too. Ransom and Seraphine were believable protagonists, and I couldn't help but want more for them, especially at the end where it all leaves off.

The magic system and the imagery of the city of Fantome really appealed to me. I appreciated the information around how Shade worked, and why the Daggers utilised the compound to gain their heightened skills to make them fluent killers. I equally liked how it could be manipulated into items to wear, such as the Cloaks did, and the darker ways it was worked with too. It made it interesting that everyone was so human without it, and how it could also be what came for those who overused it in the end. I'm excited to see how Shade and Lightfire will evolve as this series continues.

I did appreciate Ransom's storyline a bit more than Seraphine's. Her story took me much longer to warm up to, but as the betrayals and secrets unfolded, I grew to love her more, and I'm eager to see what she and her friends will do in the sequel, following the explosive ending. I also like how Seraphine and Ransom left off, both wanting more for the other where it currently doesn't work for their individual pursuits. It will be intriguing to see how they clash once more when the next book is released. But until then, I highly recommend this story to those who are searching for a read where it may be predictable but still offers an engaging experience.

An absolute must read!! This enemies to lovers romantasy was so thrilling I could not put it down. I really liked all the characters and found so interesting. The plot was captivating and I devoured it so quickly.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the ARC to be able to review this book early.

It took me a while to get into this book, however, once I hit that tipping point I loved it. I enjoyed the story, and the characters were compelling. Most of all though, I enjoyed the descriptive writing that Catherine brought to the table. The scenes and events within the book were beautifully written and I thoroughly applaud Catherine for her ability to set the atmosphere. It really made immersing myself in the world a lot easier and most of the time I truly felt like a fly on the wall in the world.

I look forward to reading future novels by Catherine, as I'm very excited to see what comes next.

A new to me author, I ate this up and will be seeking out other titles by the author. The world and city of Fantome are rich enough to jump right into without a visual map, I was imagining northern Italy type environment. The concept of Shade magic was a unique take on shadow magic. The rival underworld gangs rely on the organic product of Shade. The assassins, The Daggers, ingest the Shade and are marked by it, whereas the Cloaks, the theives in the night, wear or use Shade imbued objects.

The FMC, Sera, the daughter of a murdered Shade manufacturer, has a true enemies to lovers arc with MMC, Ransom, heir apparent to the Dagger empire. This relationship is beautifully crafted around the background of truly having reason to dislike and distrust. Small steps of trust and attraction uncover their inner motivations. The paperplane message system was simple yet, not. A nice summation of their relationship. Simple yet,, not.
The found friends and faithful familiar, Pippin, offer beautiful support roles and have room to grow in their scope and invovlement.
As I read, I did get The Crimson Moth/Heartless Hunter vibes. The consistent pacing and story development was a lovely change. The ending has set up perfectly for more books without the hangover of a cliffhanger.
I would happily recommend this for upper YA romantasy with some respectful mild spice in the latter part of the book.

With thanks to NetGalley, Simon Shuster Australia and the author for an eARC of this book ahead of publication. All opinions are my own.

The Dagger and the Flame was one that I was so excited to read and my god did it live up to my expectations! It was filled with so much action, revelations and developments but it wasn’t too much. I found myself so connected to the characters, their stories and of course their secrets as well which all came to light. I loved the tension between Seraphine and Ransom, like I need more of it. The battle scenes were written so well and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Probably my top read of this year to date and I couldn’t fault it! Bring on book two.

After her mother's murder, Seraphine runs for her life and seeks shelter with the Cloaks, one of two enemy guilds in Fantome. She wants revenge. But then she meets Ransom, heir to rival guild the Daggers, and nothing is as it seems as the two rival guilds grapple for control of Fantome's underworld.

With the two main characters trying to kill each other for most of the book, I really enjoyed this feeling of a genuine enemies to lovers!

Doyle creates an intriguing world, with a rich magic system and an underworld built on lies and secrets. The characters are complex, with wants and feelings that border into the morally grey sphere.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for an e-arc! All opinions are my own

My fellow enemies to lovers fiends, this one is for YOU. I couldn’t put this book down, I wanted to rush home from work to read it, I stayed up until 1am to finish it. It was SO good. This is a TRUE enemies to lovers, with a plot that keeps you guessing until the end.
The final chapter has me already needing to read a sequel, I cannot wait to enter back into this world.

HOW REFRESHING it was to finally read a genuine enemies to lovers romantasy where they were trying to kill one another for a good chunk of the book. This book was honestly pure magic. A simple and creative magic system set in a world that is rich in secrets and intrigue with complex, well-constructed characters – I am so keen for the next book in this series. I think that this book is the start of something really special and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

4.5 / 5

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for the opportunity to read and give an honest review.

A huge thank you goes to Net Galley, Simon & Schuster and Catherine Doyle for letting me read an e-ARC of The Dagger and the Flame! This YA romantic fantasy is the first book in a true enemies to lovers series (The City of Fantome) and I’m so excited for you to begin this adventure!

Although there’s a clear line between the guilds of Daggers and Cloaks, you know what I love most about The Dagger and the Flame? How easily we wander the murky grey area of morality when it comes to our main characters. A lot of the people you meet in this YA romantasy aren’t purely good or evil, and I love how we’re encouraged to figure out what motivates them! Add to that the history of the guilds, with the sister who was torn between the choices of her brothers? This. Is. Spine. Tingling.

I’m just going to say it…. Within The Dagger and the Flame, it’s actually Ransom who quickly became my favourite character. His backstory is a tragic one, and it’s easy to expect that this would blind him to the faults of his guild. After all, they took him in when he had no one. But our Dagger is a quick-witted young man, constantly assessing everything around him. And when things start to go awry? Let’s just put it this way: you desperately want him to receive a redemption/salvation arc. But because I don’t do spoilers (at least, not if I can help it), I’m not going to tell you if he gets one. Sorry. But also… Still not sorry enough to spill the tea.

In this YA romantic fantasy, we’re treated to a number of surprising events. And who wouldn’t love that?! Some of them hark back to the morally grey area I was talking about just before, but others? They’re just pure magic from Catherine’s creative mind and I am *so* thankful for it! This world is so rich in secrets, I’m already aching to read the next book and find out more. Seriously. I need it like I need to keep breathing.

The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle is a YA romantic fantasy full of unique magic, deadly power struggles and monsters galore. This is the beginning of something very, very special and I need you to add this to your TBR. You can never have too many books on there, trust me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 ⭐️
1 🌶️

The story is a refreshing take on the romantasy genre with a TRUE enemies to lovers trope and a unique magic system. They have shadow daddies, guys, but it’s done so differently and I’m IN LOVE.

Right from the first page, I was hooked and not a single time afterwards did my attention waver. The plot is heavier on the fantasy side than it is on romance, but I have no complaints. Once you do get to the romance, I hope you’re ready for the slow burn with a dash of tension and delightful banter, because it was all so delicious to experience.

My favourite thing about this book were its well-developed characters. Yes, even the side characters! I enjoyed seeing Seraphine evolve from a simple farmgirl to a strong and determined thief, and there was so much depth to Ransom aside from just being another addition to the shadow daddies line up. About halfway through the story, I started growing attached to one of the side characters and I can’t wait to know more about them in the next book. I’m not saying their name but I have my eyes on you, Catherine Doyle.

The last 30% had me on the edge of my seat and I even yelled out at one point - apologies to my sleeping dog. There were so many twists and turns, and nothing could have ever prepared me for that ending. A word of caution for some of you; while this is a YA novel, there is an open door spicy scene in the story. I’m personally not a fan of quite descriptive spice scenes in YA novels and I believe the story would’ve been better without it.

Overall, the story was a fun read and it truly deserves all the hype it’s getting at the moment. I’m emotionally shattered but I can’t wait to revisit the story once the audiobook comes out because Freddy Carter (!!) is voicing Ramson (OH MY GOD).

Catherine Doyle has done it again! If you enjoyed her Twin Crowns trilogy, you will love The Dagger and the Flame. This book sets the stage for an exciting new fantasy series filled with compelling characters, intriguing magic, and high stakes. It’s a fast-paced read that draws you in from the very first chapter.

Stars:
• Doyle’s writing style is immersive and fast-paced. The world-building creates a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama, making Valterre feel like a place brimming with ancient magic and lore.
• Ransom and Sera’s enemies-to-lovers storyline kept me on my toes. Doyle fully embraced the trope, complete with attempted murder on both sides.
• The found family elements, especially with Pip, the fluffy companion, were a delightful touch. Pip added some much-needed lightness and charm to the more intense moments.
• This first book lays a solid foundation for what could become another epic fantasy series. The action, lore, and character dynamics set the stage for plenty of excitement in future instalments.

Wishes:
• The relationship between Ransom and Sera developed a bit too quickly for my liking. I loved their banter and dynamic, but I wish there was more build-up before things escalated between the two.
• At times, I wasn’t sure if this was more YA or NA. While it leans toward YA, the tiny bit of spice and occasional profanity might push it toward an older audience.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An intricate web of secrets, underground wars and an unusual magic system made for a unique young adult read.

The revenge plot was great and this really gave the enemies to lovers trope the perfect base to draw readers in. I really enjoyed the banter and the battle within about doing what should be done and what is right that Ransom experienced. His character growth was the best and I really enjoyed his perspective the most.

Seraphine was a gritty and gutsy FMC who backed herself, but her thirst for revenge often put her in deadly situations. It would have been good to see just a little more maturity from her character, but I have a feeling that will come in Book 2.

Overall this was a enjoyable romantasy read, but prepare for a slower start to this book before it starts to pick up the pace into something you wont be able to put down.

3.5 stars. It took me a little while to get into this one, and I can definitely see why people say it's true enemies-to-lovers—they literally try to kill each other multiple times. Rival assassins, intriguing magic, and animal companions kept it interesting. It's marketed as YA, which you can tell from the writing style, but there’s a bit of spice thrown in that felt out of place with the rest of the story. I’m still firm in thinking spice doesn’t belong in YA. The world and magic system were super interesting, but I felt the execution didn’t quite live up to my expectations, and it dragged in places, so I think it would have worked better if it was shorter. I did really enjoy Ransom's character, and both main characters had fascinating backstories.

4 Stars

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the ARC - this is my honest review*

This felt a bit like a balm for the soul and was a rich, comforting read that I had a good time with.

The Dagger and the Flame is the story of Seraphine Marchant who, after the death of her mother, seeks sanctuary with the Order of Cloaks, an order of thieves, in the City of Fantome. The Cloaks’ greatest enemy in the city are the Order of Daggers, a band of assassins, who reside in the city’s catacombs - and Seraphine has been targeted for assassination.

Ransom, a member of the Order of Daggers, has been given Seraphine’s mark and begins to stalk her through the city.

Meanwhile, a series of grotesque monsters have begun to attack people in the city, interrupting Ransom and Sera’s game of cat and mouse and forcing the two to work together to find a way to save the city.

Was this perfect? No. But it was a well thought out, rich story set in the underbelly of a fantastical city (think of a 18th century Paris - or at least I did). I liked most of the characters (though Val and Bibi were a bit meh) and I found the story played out in a satisfying way with enough angst to break my heart.

The romance happened relatively quickly though I wouldn’t call it insta-love or insta-lust, and whilst I at first thought this was more of a YA story, the language and way it escalated (not quite spicy, but adjacent) was definitely more NA.

I’m very excited to see what’s next for Nadia, Theo and the Orders.

This was one of the better Romantasy stories I’ve read in a while and I think it’s definitely worth reading. I’m keen to see what’s next for Ransom and Sera after that ending.

Hubba hubba!

🗡️ Romantasy / Fantasy with Romance
🗡️ Enemies to lovers
🗡️ Intense and interesting plot
🗡️ Fast paced 🔥
🗡️ Some spicy 🌶️

I'm so excited to see where this series goes!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars rounded up

This was a great immersive read! A high stakes Romeo and Juliet style YA romantasy with two warring underground magical factions. The Daggers, a society of assassins that ingest the addictive and slowly degenerative substance, Shade, to blend into darkness and use shadows as weapons. And their arch nemesis, the Cloaks, a family of thieves who weave shade into clothing to utilize its magic for speed and stealth.

After the assassination of her mother, Sera finds herself the newest mark of the Daggers, and knows that the only place she will now be safe is with the order of the Cloaks and pushes her way into their sanctuary. She is granted refuge, but finds that her mother may have been hiding secrets that led to her death.

This was a great enemies-to-lovers storyline with compelling characters and a number of secrets and twists that kept me hooked. Sera was a feisty FMC, and it was heartwarming to see her with her found family after losing everything. She was young, but not overly naive which was so refreshing. Ransom was a tortured but loveable MMC who couldn’t help but be drawn to her.

The tension between these two was EVERYTHING. I only wish there were more Ransom POV chapters. He was so alluring and deadly. And good on Sera for holding her ground for the majority of this book! There was one open door romance scene, which I don’t mind in a YA novel. The rest of the book definitely had the tone of a YA story, so for me I felt that it fit.

I knew because this was a series that the ending was going to hurt. And it did.

Similar titles: these violent delights, the hurricane wars, defy the night

Tropes:
- enemies to lovers
- Underground war
- Found family
- Dual POV
- Secret Bloodlines
- Slow burn

I was very intrigued by the premise of this book, but I decided to DNF after 30% and here's why...

This book follows Seraphine. She finds her way into the Cloaks (a thieves guild) and is looking to seek revenge on the dagger (assasin) that killed her mother.

I found that there really wasn't any substance to any of the characters. Seraphine was just a girl looking for revenge. She barely showed any signs of the grief and trauma she must have gone through right after losing someone. She joins the guild and immediately makes 2 close friends, which I found didn't get me a chance at all to watch their relationship grow. Ransom (mmc) just seems like another run of the mill shadow daddy with no actual personality most of the time.

The plot was so so dragged on. It didn't start to get anywhere until about 20% through, and even then I found that I just had no incentive to want to know what happened next. The magic system was kind of lackluster, and for an almost 600 page book, reading 30% of it isn't a small amount. You would expect for things to pick up much sooner.

I will say, I did really like the writing style and the prologue had me intrigued. This book just was not for me and I didn't love it as much as I thought I would.

Regardless, I'm so appreciative to have been able to read this as an e-arc. I hope it finds the right audience.

‘It was midnight in the city of Fantome, and Seraphine Marchant was running for her life.’

In the dark underbelly of the beautiful city of Fantome, two rival guilds vie for dominance. The Cloaks are thieves, the Daggers are assassins. Both use an alchemical substance known as ‘Shade’ to aid them. On the night her mother is murdered, seventeen-year-old Seraphine seeks sanctuary with the Cloaks. She is determined to seek revenge. Ransom, an assassin with the Daggers, is being groomed to succeed as the leader of the Daggers. To prove he is worthy, he is ordered to assassinate Seraphine.

‘Magic was a game of restraint. To consume it all was to place one foot in hell.’

But the city of Fantome is under siege. There are rumours of monsters stalking the streets. Seraphine and Ransom are drawn together and need to make a choice.

I really enjoyed this fantasy novel. Yes, there is a fairly predictable element of romance, but both the main characters have intriguing backstories. Their loyalties to their respective guilds are tested and they each face danger. There are so wonderful supporting characters as well (particularly Theo) and a couple of puzzles to be solved.

The ending sets the scene for a sequel, and I hope that I do not have to wait too long to read it. Marketed as YA, I believe that this novel will also appeal to other readers of well written fantasy regardless of age.

‘All it takes is an enquiring mind and a dauntless spirit.’

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wowowowowowow!!!! Blown away. Probably one of my top reads this year thus far.

This fully met and exceeded all my expectations. I'm not normally much of a YA reader but this was just too good. I wanted more romance but I'll take any scraps I can get because the tension was *chefs kiss*

The writing, plot and pacing was perfect imo. There wasn't a huge info dump and the world was super easy to get into - I was initially worried since there were so many names introduced at the beginning but the story flowed effortlessly. I binged read this in two days - would have been in one sitting if I didn't have to go to work. The story was so engaging and I was literally squealing my way through the book from 35% in.

The romance was immaculately built and I loveeeeed the enemies to lovers to ???? development. It was executed flawlessly since the chemistry was so well written and imbued in all the scenes. There were no filler moments, all side characters felt properly fleshed out and the ending left me intrigued (aka desperate) to see what happens next.

Also: the fountain scene. That's all. Triggered some heart palpitations at 2am.

If I had to really nitpick on any flaws, it would be that majority of the plot twists weren't that surprising however it was built up so well that I totally ate up the reveals regardless.

Would read again, especially in anticipation for the next installment of the City of Fantome series. I hope I get an ARC because I cannot waittt! This will for sure be living rent free in my head for the next couple of months.

Overall rating: 5/5