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

The Dagger and the Flame
Thank you to Simon & Schuster, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to review this book and provide my unbiased opinion.

Amongst the criminal underworld of the City of Fantome, two rival gangs, the Cloaks and the Daggers- thieves and assassins respectively- utilise Shade; a rare magical performance enhancer, to carry out their wicked deeds.
Seraphine Marchant dreams of adventure from her peaceful farmhouse, the kind she likes to read about in books, despite warnings from her mother who is a Shade smuggler. So when her Mother is assassinated by a Dagger and her home burnt to the ground, Sera must seek out the protection of the Cloaks, and attempt to conceal herself from the hunter in pursuit.
A high fantasy enemies-to-lovers story, The Dagger and the Flame was an enjoyable read, if a little simple for my taste in fantasy. It read more like a young adult story in its complexity, dialogue and plot, and I wouldn’t have put it in the ‘romantasy’ genre without the one romantic scene. However, I liked the characters and the setting, which reminded me a lot of Six of Crows and The Gilded Wolves.
Not a slam dunk for me, but a pleasant light read.

ARC Review of The Dagger and The Flame by Catherine Doyle
* * * * *
An intruging fantasy read with enemies to lovers, a murder, monsters and magic and saints. You are taken for a journey and a spin!

Seraphine lived isolated with her mother, knowing there was more to what her mother was doing in the dark...because now she was dead.
All she could do was run.
Even as she finds a place to hide, she is far from safe.

Very detailed fantasy world that makes you want to grab a history book on the place.
Got a bit lost her and there with the plot and needing to remember everything that was given by the author with the magic, the people, and the saints. Still thrilling nonetheless.
Ransom is of course a dish we all want served.
Seraphine is strong and adaptable.
The found family situation is of course not great for one of our characters but of course it comes with an epic battle, some cheap shots at each other, and giving us some drama with our Sera and her Ransom.
But happily ever after is not even close for these two. OOH that ending!

I loved this book! I adored each character and every character was so complex. I love the rivalry and magic. My favourite thing would have to be the banter between Sera and Ransom as well as the banter each character has with others. I absolutely loved the paper planes scenes and the fountain scene! This was such a fun book as well as heartbreaking. I can’t wait to read the sequel!!

This book really surprised me. I didn’t like the cover (sorry but I can’t help but judge) and previous to this I’d read A Court of Thorn and Roses series, Fourth Wing/Iron Flame and then the Throne of Glass series, so my expectations were high. Initially I didn’t like the writing, it seemed to formal and names such as Ransom and Fantome made me question if this book was for me. I received this as an arc through NetGalley (THANK YOU) and so kept reading to give it a chance. I’m soooo glad I did. I’m not sure when it happened but this book hooked me and I needed more! And then I didn’t want more (but I did-you’ll understand when you read it) and then I wanted more again. It took me on a roller coaster of emotions I was not expecting.
What I am expecting is that there will be a book 2 and I will come back to see what happens in Fantome next.

It reminds me of OABH x Divine Rivals x The Serpent and the Wings of the Night.

There’s nothing like exceptional writing in a fantasy series. Big praise for Catherine Doyle’s creative writing. She made the entire book fluid, concise, and most of all entertaining. It’s definitely categorised into the fun and easy read.

Another big thing that makes this book stand out is that the entire world is unique (which makes it a bit like OUABH).

🧡 More things I love about this book:

🔥 Unique fantasy world (no faes and vampires here)
🔥 Unique magic system (think Harry Potter herbology)
🔥 Enemies to lovers (like real loathing)
🔥 The slow burn (I was almost dying)
🔥 Found family
🔥 Bad ass MMC
🔥 Smart, witty and sharp tongued FMC
🔥 He falls first and hard
🔥 So much adventures (not your typical trials or games storyline)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Dagger and The Flame by Catherine Doyle is a really well done enemies to lovers fantasy novel. A Romeo and Juliet sort of rivalry that has a lot of family drama with a touch of magic.
It took me a bit to get into at first, but then I was hooked! It is a perfect first book: it has a comprehensive world building to set the tone and the background of the story, a great introduction of the characters with some action and spiciness and good writing.
I really enjoyed it, it was a great book and I am looking forward to continuing this story.

The Dagger and the Flame had me hooked from the first few chapters. An epic tale where the lines between enemies and lovers are blurred. Tensions are high and difficult choices need to be made. A book filled with assassin's, shadows, secrets and of course banter that will have you kicking your legs. I will definitely be first in line for book 2 of this series.

This is a great start to a series, loving the magical system and warring factions. Dual POV and enemies to loves who actually have enmity between them.

Can't wait for the next instalment!

If you haven't already guessed by my rating, I have a new favourite book. Within the first ten pages, I was already in love with Seraphine and her adorable pupper Pippin, and then Ransom showed up and I was GONE. Both Seraphine and Ransom are such complex characters and I rode every wave of anxiety and exhilaration right alongside them. I could talk at length about how clever the magic system is in this book (I'd put it firmly in the Hobbit-style "you can learn all that there is to know about it in a month, and yet after a hundred years it can still surprise you," and the story is all the better for it. The city of Fantome and the cast of characters that inhabit it have imprinted themselves on my mind and my heart forever. I can't wait to see what's in store in the rest of the series.

This book was a whole ass three course meal, and I ATE!!!!

Enemies to lovers where they ACTUALLY try and kill each other, but then pass hate filled love notes in the most youthful giddy way?!!? Adore.

I enjoyed the storyline and magic system so much, and Catherine took the term shadow daddy very literally.

I can’t wait to see where this story goes, and to find out about everyone’s baby Theo. Also if anything happen to Val, Bibi or Pippin I might pass away.


Thank you to net galley for this arc. I am so excited to get this in my FairyLoot later this month 🥰

The Dagger and the Flame ARC Review

My rating: 5⭐️
Spice: 2🌶️

I freaking loved this book so so much. The banter in the book was so fun and entertaining. Sera was such a strong character but was also quite cheeky and playful. Ransom on the other hand was quite cool and collected but was like a moth to a flame when it came to Sera! It was so sweet seeing the new found family that Sera created and the family Ransom had being in the dagger group. I’m sad with the ending of the book because now I have to wait patiently 😩Oh! Might I add, THE QUOTES!!! I’m a sucker for quotes that I resonate with and this book did not disappoint. My two favourite quotes:

“Her heart was shredded to ruins, but it was still beating.” 💔

“What right have you to decide anything for me.”

Oh my. Anyways, this book was wonderful. I highly recommend. It’s definitely a bit different to what I’ve read. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining read!

This novel contains violence and romantic themes.

If you like books that contain:
🔥 Magical elements
👫🏻 Found family
🔥 Feisty FMC
👫🏻 Enemy houses
🔥 And more

This book is for you.

🔥 The Dagger and the Flame releases 2nd of October 2024 🔥

Thank you to @netgalley and @simonschusterau for the opportunity to read this ARC.

⚠️ Just a heads up, this book does contain violence⚠️