R E V I E W

The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle

☆☆☆☆☆

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Simon and Schuster UK Children's

After seeing a few reviews about this book, I'd initially decided not to read it. Having read some of the Twin Crowns series, I believed this would be another young adult story without enough substance or mature content for me. As it happens, I was wrong, and I thoroughly enjoyed The Dagger and the Flame.

Set in a Paris-inspired fantastical setting, this story follows two rival orders; the Cloaks (magic-fuelled thieves) and the Daggers (magic-fuelled assassins). Chased into the city after the death of her mother, Seraphine Marchant has little choice but to heed her mother's warnings and join the illusive Cloaks, battling her own fragile morals whilst evading the handsome Dagger at her throat and striving for revenge against the man behind it all.

This enemies-to-lovers fantasy proved to be quite addictive, as we become immersed in Ransom and Sera's cat and mouse dynamic and their flirtatious tête-à-tête. Whilst the term 'enemies' is often casually applied to this trope, where two individuals meet with shared antagonism, it is rare to see a story where true enemy-like behaviour is employed but employed it was as Sera fights for her life, tooth and well, letter opener against the Dagger with a score on her head.

A gripping story that could have been a stand-alone but with an intriguing conclusion that has me eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

Great cat and mouse game between a thief and an assassin in an alt Paris city. I liked the concept a lot. The magic system was also quite fun.

The Dagger and the Flame führt uns in eine spannende und großartige Welt. Catherine Doyle ist eine bemerkenswerte Autorin, die einen von der ersten Seite an fesselt.

The story is nice and well done, I like the intrigue and the mysteries around the characters. Love Randsome backstory and his character was very intriguing. The FMC fell a bit rush and clueless for me at times , but still enjoyable.

The most joyous read from start to finish and in every which way. I was fully engrossed in the story from page 1 and before I knew it, I was turning the final page. Just brilliant!

Thank you for this eARC. This was an enjoyable read, with wonderful lush worldbuilding, and a few tropes, but those were done well.

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

Set in a world where magic is controlled by rival guilds, the Cloaks and the Daggers – the thieves and the assassins, The Dagger and the Flame follows 17-year-old Seraphine is on a mission to seek vengeance for her mother's murder when her path crosses with Ransom, heir to the Order of the Daggers, who has been tasked to kill her.

Oh the enemies to lovers was so real with this one! Those who love with the enemies to lovers won with this book. Their scenes had be squealing and giggling like a little girl, one of the reasons why I enjoyed this book. Sera and Ransom are both unpredictable, reckless but also brave and that's what makes them entertaining to read about. You never know what you're going to expect next from them. The tension and banter between them didn't disappoint one bit. There were times that you didn't know whether they would kill each other or kiss each other. I can't wait to read the next book to see what happens next with them.

The only thing that I didn't rate this book a full five stars was because the pacing a times was a bit off. Some parts were info dumping and didn't make much sense at the given time. I do think that perhaps this book would be better marketed as NA and not YA, the only thing that makes this book Young Adult is the characters being teenagers.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me to an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Fantastic Start to the Series

This series kicks off with a compelling slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance that keeps you hooked from the very beginning. The story is packed with intense action, corruption, and secrets that unravel in unexpected ways. While some characters are morally grey, making complex decisions that add depth and intrigue to the plot, others are more straightforward, providing a balanced and dynamic cast. Each twist and turn keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the intricate character development ensures you are deeply invested in their journeys. This is a must-read for fans of intense, layered storytelling and those who enjoy exploring the complexities of human nature

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

Seraphine Marchant is the daughter of a smuggler, or rather, she is the recently orphaned daughter of a smuggler. Running from the Daggers, Fantome's underground order of assassins, she seeks sanctuary in the only place she will truly be safe, the order of Cloaks. Now facing down a life as a thief, Sera must stay vigilant - there is still an assassin on her tail. Ransom, drawn into the Daggers as a child, is that assassin. But there's something different about this mark, and try as he might, be just can't bring himself to kill her... not right away at least. Set in a world where Shade, dark magic, is stronger even than the rule of law, Sera and Ransom must work together, wittingly or unwittingly, to untangle the twisted web of magic and lies that robbed her of her mother, and seeks to rob Ransom of the only family he has ever known.

This was an action-packed fantasy, with an interesting world that felt well crafted and fleshed out without being too complex which made it so easy to become completely absorbed in and lose yourself in the world of Fantome.

This book is perfect for fans of young adult and new adult fantasy who love the following tropes:

- enemies to lovers
- fantasy romance
- high stakes
- slowburn
- interesting world building
- found family

𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒋𝒊𝒔:🔥🗡️💀✨🖤
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒕: The first book in a new YA Romantasy series filled with magic and mystery.
𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕:
🔥Found Family
🗡️Forbidden Romance with banter
🔥Rival Guilds, both using magic to carry out their respective thieving/assassinating
🗡️Heists & Mystery
🔥Twists and Turns

𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
This was a fabulous fantasy, with an interesting world that felt well crafted and fleshed out without being too complex which made it so easy to become completely absorbed in and lose yourself in the underbelly of Fantome.

There were twists and turns, some I guessed (go me!) and some I didn’t which was fun but my favourite part was the banter between Sera and Ransom which felt wonderfully electric and the notes they traded- it had me grinning while reading!

I’ve come to the conclusion that I just VIBE with Cat Doyle’s style of writing- I’ve loved both this book and Twin Crowns (one of my favourites!) that she co-wrote…Cat’s style just suits me perfectly and is so easy for me to consume! I can’t wait for Book 2 (and literally anything else Cat writes😂)

𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

Sadly, this book didn't work for me and I ended up DNFing at 30%.
I loved the Twin Crowns series and was really excited for this release because it sounded right up my alley, but I just couldn't get into it.

Something about the writing style felt distant, I. can't really pinpoint my issue with it because objectively, the writing is good, but I could tell that it stopped me from getting invested.

I also found the plot a bit repetitive and by the time I DNFed, it felt like nothing much has really happened. I usually love dual POV but a lot of what was said in one was then repeated in the other.

I know other people really loved this book and I'm quite sad that I didn't, but I just didn't get invested and had no interest in finishing.

i loved this so much. ive been slumpy atm and this book?? amazing i just read 200+ pages in one sitting which is an adhd FEAT. ty for letting me read this

This was a very enjoyable book that was a breeze to read. Its full of;
- enemies to lovers
- fantasy romance
- high stakes
- slowburn
- interesting world building

There is a lot to like about this one. I love when books follow a structure, just because it makes everything usually very easy to read. This one plays on the Romeo & Juliet dynamic, and i think it was done really well. The mystery and intrigue is also present right from the first page which helped to keep me hooked and wanting to read more. I was also really interested in the complex and well thought out characters. Even those that were secondary and didn't really play a big part in the overall story line, appeared to have been throughout really well.

I really appreciated how easy things ere to understand. None of the politics or magic systems were overly complicated and that just meant that i was able to focus on what was unfolding within the story rather than trying to remember key info.
Of course because this is a romantasy book it was obvious that the tension between the two main characters would develop into romantic tension, and it didn't disappoint at all!!
I really enjoyed not quite knowing what each character was going to do in these intimate moments, They're both reckless and unpredictable which made it an even funner read.
The plot twist near the end was pretty obvious, but it was still good, It also makes sense for a YA book to be predictable.

The pacing was a little bit hit or miss, It felt at times like the author was trying to cram as much as they could into this book without thinking on how it would impact the overall flow, Some parts were just info dump heavy, boring, or didn't really make much sense/ seem very relevant at the time.

Overall, really enjoyable! very curious to see where things go in book 2

3.75

What to expect?

- Enemies to Lovers
- Fantasy
- Sworn Enemies (Romeo & Juliet vibes)
- High Stakes
- Slow Burn
-Found Family
-Touch her and die

My thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. It felt very on brand for Catherine and I think anyone who has enjoyed her previous work will enjoy this novel. The world was unique and interesting, I liked the Romeo/Juliet feuding houses elements as well as the mystery surrounding the tragedy at the start of the novel.
I saw the plot twist coming pretty early on, but that's to be expected with a YA novel. The characters were intriguing, especially the friends Sera found along the way.
I would have liked some more 1 on 1 interaction between our protagonists a bit earlier on and struggled with the pacing in the middle.
However, this was a great story full of fun twists, turns and tension.

When I first heard the term Romantasy, I knew it was created for me. I love fantasy, I love romance, but actually both of them only if they are combined. And in those cases I personally like there to be as much fantasy as there is romance. So, when I came across this book on Netgalley I of course had to request a copy and Simon and Schuster was so kind to give me a copy. I was even more surprised when the Dutch publisher Harper Collins NL gifted me a special edition hardcover!

This book was everything I had hoped it would be. From the start I was sucked into the story. That's mostly because the author created some really interesting and layered characters. In a way they are both teens, stuck in a shitty situation. Which means they are willing to be a little reckless, a little daring and a little brave. And that's exactly what keeps the plot flowing and what creates some delicious tension.

Especially because the author does a great job making that tension both romantically and dangerous. Of course, we know it's a romantasy, so we kinda know they're probably not really going to kill each other and yet, there are quite a few situations where they came very close. There are quite some moments where we don't know for sure what they're gonna do. Are they gonna kiss? Or are they attempting to murder the other?

I also really liked the setting and the magic. It's not too complicated, so from the start it's easy to grasp what's going on, how the magic works and what led to the use of this magic. However, it does lead to some very interesting situations. Especially because during the book the author keeps on adding to the mythology and magic, combining it with Alchemy. I'm really curious what will wait for us in the sequel. It feels like there is a lot more amazingness to come!

I knew Catherine Doyle wouldn't let me down with her book and this didn't. I loved everything about this book, the plot, the characters, THE ROMANCE and the world building. Just so good. I will definitely be rereading.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK Children's for an early copy of this book in an exchange for my honest review.

DNF at 56%


This was probably the most boring book I've read the whole year. I was expecting a fast-paced fun story about two rival guilds that I will fly through and absolutely fall in love with. But this was just meandering without any real plot and the love story was nowhere to be found. I thought this was supposed to be a romantasy (which is not my favorite genre, but I keep giving it a try anyway.) so where is the romance? The two main characters don't really interact with each other that much, they meet maybe three or four times during the first 30-40% and these meetings do not last long. They are trying to kill each other every meeting and suddenly they lust after each other? Without any sort of development? That is not love nor romance for me. And highly unbelievable.


Also, this is categorized as YA, right? But apart from the characters being teenagers, this could have been an adult book. And I think it would have been better that way.

What I really enjoyed was the world and the magic. Especially the magic was very well done in my opinion, and original. That is ultimately why I kept reading, because I wanted to know more about it. And about the saints that the people worship as gods and saviors of the realm. There could have been more atmosphere though. I did not really feel immersed in the story.

Also the plot with the monsters attacking Fantome and the fire magic was very interesting and kept me turning the pages. To my endless dissapointment, about 50% through the book we get explained everything that is going on, by a random character who by some miracle knows all the information we need and immediately shares everything with our main characters. So all the suspense is killed as is my will to continue reading. Like this is a key information and we learn it as like a by the way this what's going on?! No! You can't give your characters important information this easily. They have to work for it. Earn it.


Also, there are some very bad decisions in this book. For example our main character Seraphine is a thieve and she is going on heists, breaking into people's mansions and stealing from them. I love a heist. But this is just stupid. She's going in to the mansion without any sort of planning before hand. She doesn't know the lay out, the ways in or out, what she can encounter inside etc. Part of the fun of a heist is the planning. As a reader knowing the plan and seeing it go absolutely wrong. Why do you write a heist and do not include the planning phase? And the heists are way too easy, you aren't scared for and they feel just like side quests that delay the actual plot with mysterious monsters attacking the city.

And as I said, the plot is very very slow and meandering. We have a hundred pages before we even hear about a monster. This book is almost 500 pages. It could have been around 350 in my opinion. So much unnecessary stuff that could have been taken out.

I enjoyed our main characters. I did not love Ransom as a love interest though. In my opinion he was a bit creepy and would be an awesome villain, but a love interest? No. Also, the side characters could have been a bit better developed. I liked them, I liked the romances betwwen them, I just wish we got a bit more from them.

So, this book had a great potential but in the end ended up being boring and lackluster.

Catherine Doyle's "The Dagger and the Flame" is a thrilling start to the City of Fatome series and brings fresh blood to the young adult fantasy category. Set in the enchanting city of Fantome, this novel spins together elements of magic, revenge, and forbidden love. In a world where shade-magic is controlled by rival guilds of thieves and assassins, 18-year-old Seraphine seeks vengeance for her mother's murder. Her path crosses with Ransom, the heir to the Order of Daggers, igniting a dangerous mix of attraction and conflict. As they navigate the treacherous underbelly of Fantome, both must choose between forgiveness and vengeance, love and duty.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨ Thrilling adventure in a magical Belle Époque-inspired world
💖 Enemies-to-lovers
🌟 Complex characters
🌃 Atmospheric setting: cobblestone streets & secret catacombs
🔮 Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas & Leigh Bardugo

Doyle creates a vivid, atmospheric setting reminiscent of Paris, with cobblestone streets, flickering lamplights, and secret catacombs, and a picturesque countryside outside the city. The shade-magic at the center of the book creates unique conflicts and possibilities, I'm looking forward to learning more in the next book(s). The tension between Seraphine and Ransom is outrageously palpable, with their relationship evolving from animosity to a sizzling, slow-burn romance. Their back-and-forth relationship is filled with tension, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry. Doyle does a great job showing how they move from being enemies to working together, making their growing bond feel real and satisfying. The secondary characters, especially Seraphine's found family among the Cloaks, add humour and heart to the narrative.

This book is perfect for fans of young adult and new adult fantasy who crave intense enemies-to-lovers romances with some spice, fantasy world-building, and high-stakes adventures. Readers who enjoy the works of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and Stephanie Garber will find themselves engrossed in this captivating new series. It's an ideal choice for those who love stories of revenge, forbidden love, and characters grappling with moral dilemmas in a richly imagined fantasy world.

Note: This is an updated review after a re-read. I read it so fast the first time, I felt like I missed the better points. I'm glad I did, now I love it even more and cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster Children's UK and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Well, this was frustrating. After hearing so much praise, I ended up trying to finish this book as fast as possible just so that I would be done with it.

The core of the story held promise - I liked the idea of gang rivalies and the magic was interesting. But the other elements were disappointing - the worldbuilding was minimal, background characters - underveloped and the romance had no flame. The main characters experienced instant love and even though there were so many reasons not to act on it (which would have given the readers more tension), of course they ignored it.

This book was not for me and I'll probably will not pick up the sequel

The Dagger and the Flame was a rollicking, romance filled, humour tinged fantasy adventure.

Seraphine Marchant is the daughter of a smuggler, or rather, she is the recently orphaned daughter of a smuggler. Running from the Daggers, Fantome's underground order of assassins, she seeks sanctuary in the only place she will truly be safe, the order of Cloaks. Now facing down a life as a thief, Sera must stay vigilant - there is still an assassin on her tail. Ransom, drawn into the Daggers as a child, is that assassin. But there's something different about this mark, and try as he might, be just can't bring himself to kill her... not right away at least. Set in a world where Shade, dark magic, is stronger even than the rule of law, Sera and Ransom must work together, wittingly or unwittingly, to untangle the twisted web of magic and lies that robbed her of her mother, and seeks to rob Ransom of the only family he has ever known.

The Dagger and Flame is a Adult enemies-to-lovers romantasy, with some solid YA elements. I would recommend this for YA readers who want to dip their tow into adult romantasy, or regular readers of adult romantasy, who don't mind their spice very mild! The stand out of this book is the moral and emotional considerations on the part of both of our POV characters / leads. Doyle also works in some good twists, and well considered friendships. There are some elements that felt a little out of place, and some of the choices made by our FMC particularly didn't make the most sense, but holistically, this was a good idea, executed well. I give this 3.5 stars, rounded up.

Thank you to Catherine Doyle, Simon and Schuster, and NetGalley for a galley of this in exchange for an honest review.