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The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle completely captivated me from the first page to the last. The writing style is lush and evocative, drawing me effortlessly into the vivid, intricate world that Doyle has crafted. The pacing is perfect, with each twist and turn keeping me on the edge of my seat. The world-building is nothing short of phenomenal, with every detail meticulously crafted to create a setting that feels both fantastical and real. The main characters are complex and compelling, and the chemistry between them is electric, simmering with tension and passion. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "In the darkest of flames, we find the brightest truths." This line encapsulates the depth and intensity of their relationship and the story as a whole. I was completely immersed in this world, and I can’t recommend this book highly enough definitely a 5-star read for me.

The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle 🗡️🔥

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘿𝙤𝙮𝙡𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙨-𝙩𝙤-𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧. 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙝 𝙅. 𝙈𝙖𝙖𝙨, 𝙇𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙪𝙜𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙚 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙚𝙧.

𝙄𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚…

This book was INCREDIBLE 👏🏻✨. Here’s some elements I loved:

🗡️ The romance was PERFECTION 🥹. When I say enemies to lovers I MEAN it with this one, like they almost kill eachother multiple times (and I ate it up). These characters had the best banter together and I was literally giggling out loud at their interactions 😭. Obsessed is an understatement 😍.

🔥 The fantasy world this was set in was so unique and intriguing and the fantasy plot line had me so hooked the whole time!

🗡️ The friendships and found family in this book were so sweet 🥹

🔥 The ENDING!!! The whole last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat and then it ended in a way where I am dying to read the next one to see where the story goes!

🗡️ I couldn’t stop thinking about this book, when I wasn’t reading it I was just thinking about the next time I could pick it up 😤.

I really loved this. While it’s a fairly genre appropriate YA romantasy it’s also deeply unique. I enjoyed the voices of the characters and felt like this was a world and a system that was never seen before.

This made what could have been predictable completely unique and hooked me to devour this book.

Overall it’s well written, well paced and the characters were deeply likable which are all huge pluses. Can’t wait for the next book

Okaayyyy this was good!! One of the main things that stood out to me about this was the originality of it, I feel like I’ve not read anything similar regarding the concept of Shade magic and Lightfire. I feel as though there are so many magic systems in fantasy literature that already exist, but this had that originality and uniqueness and managed to stand out from the others. Alongside really enjoying the magic system, I thought the world-building was very well done and the pacing was spot on.

I thought the relationship (and the dual POVs) between Sera and Ransom unfolded well and at a pace that made sense (and is necessary, in my opinion) for the enemies to lovers trope. I did enjoy the two main characters; however, the on-page sexual content maybe felt a bit out of place to me for a YA read – perhaps it wouldn’t so if it wasn’t marketed as YA.

Very enjoyable read, looking forward to the continuation! Will be checking out Catherine Doyle’s other works too!

Fans of romantasies will be thrilled with The dagger and the flame and are sure to eagerly await the next in the series. The kingdom of Fantome is a strange wondrous place where Shade-magic is used by two enemy guilds, The Cloaks and the Daggers, the thieves and the assassins. After the murder of her mother, 17-year-old Seraphine leaves her farm and runs for her life to the home of the Cloaks, an order of thieves, and the place her mother told her she would find shelter. She is pursued by a dark-haired boy, Ransom, who has been ordered to assassinate her. Will he succeed in his wicked quest? Will Seraphine survive and avenge her mother’s murder?
Told in the voice of Sera and Ransom, the reader gets to know the motivation and skills of these two protagonists. The reader is dragged into the story right from the first chapter as Sera flees the scene of her mother’s murder. From then on, the tension is high as Ransom attempts to kill her, and she uses all her skill and magical power to repulse him. Gradually they begin to understand each other, with a slow burn enemies to lovers romance that will delight people who enjoy this trope.
The world of Fantome is unique. Shade-magic is fascinating and the idea of two guilds using it for nefarious purposes is engrossing. It is easy to overlook the morality of what is done as the action and tension of monsters and assassins stalking the streets is ramped so high by the author that the reader gets carried along. And then there is that cliff-hanger ending!
Fans of Leigh Bardugo, MA Carrick, and Lili Wilkinson, as well as readers of the romantasy genre are likely to enjoy this fast-paced story, although a spicy scene in the middle of a battle may make it more appropriate for older teens.
I look forward to the next in the series.

This was such a fun read!

From when these two characters meet I’m thinking okay, there is mutual attraction, so unlikely they are going to get to that stabby-stabby kind of enemies-to-lovers. I WAS SO VERY WRONG AND I AM SO THRILLED BY THIS OUTCOME. The TENSION between these two?? The CHEMISTRY?? Impeccable. I love it. I was cackling at the absolute murderous pettiness that follows. It got so very personal and my guy is OBSESSED. I want the next book PLEASE!!

Outtakes:
🟢POV - well paced
🟢Side characters 🔛🔝 (shout out to Pip)
🟢TENSION BETWEEN FMC AND MMC
🟡twists were predictable
🟡would love more world building in subsequent books: what is the lore of these saints?? What is this magic they possessed that you speak of??

Thank you so much to Simon & Scheuster for the e-arc, this was one of my highly anticipated reads of the year and I was so excited to see that my request was approved!

The Dagger and the Flame marks the beginning of the City of Fantome series, immersing readers in the unique Kingdom of Fantome. The story unfolds through a dual POV (my absolute favourite), following Sera as she finds refuge with the Cloaks, and Ransom, the successor to the Order of Daggers. Themes and tropes included in this book include;

Enemies-to-lovers
Rival Guilds
Unique Magic Systems
Monsters and Intrigue
Found family
Family secrets

I loved the quick start of this book, immediately immersing the reader in Sera's perspective as she races towards safety. While the pacing did slow down towards the end, I still found it enjoyable. The story reveals the Kingdom of Fantome and explains the distinct magic system as Sera integrates into the guild of Cloaks. The rivalry between guilds was a highlight, and we see diverse viewpoints as the narrative shifted between characters. The world-building could definitely have been fleshed out more, however, considering the ending of book one I’m hopeful that we get further insight in future books. I would consider this book to be 50/50 on being Romance and Plot driven.

I truly enjoyed our main characters and I am so pleased to say we have some amazing side characters on both Sera and Ransom’s ends! Furthermore, I am even more pleased to say we have a proper and authentic Enemies-to-Lovers romance which is perfectly suited to the rival Guilds aspect of this story! I must confess that I was somewhat let down by the romantic aspect. The sudden shift from characters trying to actively kill each other to becoming lovers in just a few chapters, without much development, left me feeling disappointed. Especially since the enemies part was portrayed so well!

My main criticism is that this YA Fantasy book unexpectedly featured an extreme spicy scene that felt out of place and unnecessary. While I adore spice in my books, it just didn't fit well with the overall story for me. In saying this, the writing and characters are definitely suited to the YA genre which circles the debate of whether or not Open Door Spice should be included in YA books, personally, I am not the biggest fan of this (but each reader is different, each to their own!).

I am absolutely going to continue this series as overall I truly loved the characters, plot, magic system and intrigue in this first instalment!

“To the people we left behind, and the daggers we became”

This was such a fantastic fast paced interesting YA read, unique magic system, found family, twists and turns, laughs and tears!

All strong FMCs have a tragic backstory and Sera is no different, with tragic loss and the want for a bigger better life we follow Seraphines journey in Fantom where she is forced to join the Cloaks in order to survive and get revenge, the Daggers are assassins who run the city, they are her biggest threat but also her target!

“Sometimes it takes a monster to kill a monster”

I am so excited for book 2!

This was such a great refreshing fantasy read. I firstly want to say that the idea was incredible. Loved it. Loved the idea of shade and lightfire and the cloaks and daggers. It was nothing like I've read before and I liked the originality of it. The main characters were great, and watching their little love connection grow was a good pace for me. Not too fast, and not too slow. I also think the book had the right amount of side characters, but also kept them involved in the story. Sometimes fantasy books don't do enough with the side characters, or they're mentioned but we don't actually get to witness their character development alongside the MC, but this book did that so well. The twists and turns were perfect. I had theories about Serephine's dad, but I was still surprised at who it was and also the end with Lark.

One thing I will say that reduced this to a 4 star for me, was that I felt this book could have been a stand alone story. I didn't care for it ending on a bit if a cliff hanger to go into a sequel. It might have been a longer read, but I would have preferred it for this story.

The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle
Thanks to Simon and Schuster AU for this copy.

Sera is a young girl in a world full of danger and mystery. In Fantome, where two rival guilds feud, she is in the sights of a deadly killer but something draws her ever closer. Great for fans of Shadow and Bone, this new YA urban fantasy will keep you wanting more.

Sera and Ransom’s dynamic was the highlight of this book. I loved their banter and I found that every time they crossed paths Doyle’s writing shone. However, I found that the other characters were quite dull in comparison and much of each character’s motivations were based on those relationships so it would have been nice to see them more fleshed out.

The environment and world-building of Fantome were so cool and unique and I’m excited to see what else Doyle comes up with in this world. Young Adult readers will love this book, it comes out on the 2nd of October 2024.

The Dagger and the Flame had me stuck. It is an enemy to lovers story that felt like a true enemies to lovers story without the cliché. This book wasn't a blind blowing, wow story, but I couldn't put it down. It had a nice steady pace to it, it wasn't the book that I had to rush to find out what happens next but also was a a story that I lost myself in. I lost myself in the world, in the characters, in the whole thing. The writing was clear ayet descriptive, I didn't have to re read sentences to make sense of it and I think there was just enough description and glimpse into the side characters that you felt you knew them, there was a depth in them that can sometimes be missed. I also think Dagger and the Flame was a nice length too. Sometimes books can just keep going for no reason, but I felt this one was just right. I am intrigued for the next book, that is for certain.

The reason I feel stuck as I feel like The Dagger and the Flame has all the makings of a 5 star read but it is missing a little bit of something and I don't quite now what that something is. Either way, I would definitely recommend this book for any fantasy/romance lovers out there.

Enemies to lovers, rivals, assassins vs thieves, monsters, magic and rogues all reside between these pages

Seraphine Marchant, daughter of a smuggler, seeks sanctuary amongst the Cloaks when she is marked for assassination by the order of the Daggers

Ransom is second in line to the order of Daggers and consumed by the darkness, he must kill Seraphine to win favour in the line of succession

A fantasy of wildfire in fictional Fantome. Very Romeo and Juliet

This was slightly slower than the books I've read recently but I'm in love. The build up between Ransom and Sera was so necessary for the story and I'm glad I stuck it out until the end. I can't wait to return to the city of Fantome and see what becomes of the new order and how Ransom and Sera deal with everything

A novel truly worth the title of 5 stars. Absolutely phenomenal 👏

Catherine has expertly woven together a story of romance and forbidden love, with a story of revenge, and saving a city from scary ass monsters. Sprinkle some fantasy, mystery, heartache and *world class* banter... masterpiece.

This is not a book to miss!

This one was a great start to a series!

The enemies to lovers trope felt genuine and unfolded quite nicely and the dual POV helped a lot with that development. I enjoyed the banter between the two leads despite it being a little cheesy in places. It could have done without the spicy scene. I don't mind spice in books however, there is a time and place for it and in a street with a horde of monsters behind you is not it.
The secondary characters were fleshed out adequately enough though i did question when the three Cloaks went on missions, they seemed to be not keeping much of an eye on the newbie...
The pacing of the book was fine for me. I would have liked a little more depth to the world building (the king is mentioned so much throughout the book yet never appears and i would like more on the Saints and that belief system) and hopefully this will happen more in the second book.
The magic system was easy to understand and believable as to where it comes from and to how it is wielded, but i wonder if there are others in the city/world who use it without being in the Orders?

Ultimately a fun read and will probably be picking up the second book when released.

I quite enjoyed this book. There was a lot going on with different factions and magic that our FMC was trying to navigate as she grieves the loss of her mum. As I was reading it was giving me similar vibes as the Nevernight series from Jay Kristoff. The stories weren’t the same or anything like that but it just felt like they could have been from the same world.

There was plenty of action as our MCs try to dodge each other as we tried to work out the mystery of the monsters. There’s family drama, new friends, strange pets, and murder. What more do you need?

Thanks to netGallery and the publisher for access to this ARC.

Genre: Romance/fantasy MF
Format: Digital
POV: Dual
Tropes: enemies to lovers, two warring factions, magic and monsters, assassins and thieves.
Spice: 🌶️ /5
Age suggestion: 16+

thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an e-arc of this title!

the prose, the setting, the characters, THE DOG!! there is so much to love and look forward too in this book, and the ENDING!! AHHH!!

I adored being able to get both Sera & Ransom’s perspectives throughout this book and thoroughly enjoy a proper enemies to lovers & was so pleased to watch these characters grow over the span of the book!!

the prose is stunning, I admit that sometimes there were so many similes & metaphors that it started to feel like that was all I could notice, but it was genuinely such a beautiful read, I cannot wait for the next one!

This was such a magnificent read, and I had been waiting the whole year for something like this, so thank you Catherine Doyle!

The magic system was amazing, it was so unique and the concept of shadows and light was quite genius, and perfectly fit into the world building. It really did feel like I was in a beautiful European city and it reminded me of Amsterdam a lot.
The magic system also perfecting fit into the plot concept of the rival orders, The Order of the Daggers (assassins) and The Order of the Cloaks (thieves) and their rivalry. I wish we got to see more of the Cloaks as the plot felt more focused on the Daggers.
Also, Catherine Doyle really knew how to develop this fantasy world's history, the origins of the magic system was so interesting. The concept of saints, reminds me of Shadow and Bone, made this story have so much more depth!

The writing was absolutely beautiful, but at some points, it would go really simple. Like there were some magnificent quotes, but then some characters would swear out of nowhere? The banter between the two main characters is some of the best I have ever seen, especially in the first half of the book when Ransom and Sera were trying to murder each other. It was so tense!

The storyline felt very fast paced because it had dual POVs, so it was never slow or boring, and because of this, it felt the plot started from the very beginning of the book. Also because of the dual POVs, we never knew what the main characters were going to do next, when they would appear in the other main character's POV, and it was so thrilling and so unexpected. It really did feel like a game of cat and mouse between Ransom and Sera throughout the whole book!

I have never read one of Catherine Doyle's books before, but I was very impressed and I will definitely be continuing this series, I cannot wait!

Tropes:
- enemies to lovers / forbidden love: Sometimes this trope is done in an instant love way, or there isn't really a reason why they are enemies, but with Ransom and Sera, you never knew if they would kill or kiss each other, up to the very end of this book.
- found family: I rarely see a young adult book with found family, and this book clearly had it, as seen in the quote 'Home is not just a place. It’s people. It’s family.’ Every character in this book had a purpose and contribution to the plot, and I was grateful.

Thank you Netgalley, Simon & Schuster and Catherine Doyle for this amazing arc!

"The Dagger and the Flame" by Catherine Doyle is a tale of magic, revenge, and romance set in the kingdom of Fantome. Effortlessly captivating the reader from the start with intricate world-building, dynamic characters, and a well-crafted plot. Amongst the vivid scenes, there are action sequences, character building, high stakes and emotions, even shocking OMG moments. This book has it all!
I could not put this book down, and when I did, it was all I thought about and getting back into the story! I'm still thinking about it after finishing it. The writing was fluid, the banter spot-on, the world of Fantome and Valterre with Cloaks and Daggers was brilliantly crafted. Cannot wait for more Sera and Ransom, and what Saint Oriel has in store for them!

I am not a big romantasy reader, but somethingd about this one made me pick it up.

It took me a while to get into it, as there was a lot of world building to get us going.

Then things took off, and it drew me right into Sera and Ransom's cat and mouse game. I did like their chemistry a bit more when they were hating on each other before they just all of a sudden were all into each other.

Part III really kicked things up a notch, and it left me needing more

I look forward to seeing where this series takes me next