5 ⭐️

YA
Enemies to lovers
Thieves & Assassins

My new obsession! Absolutely loved it. The world building, the story. The progression the pace.
The characters connection. The burn. So so good. I ate it up.

Read if you liked Powerless & Throne of Glass.

Thank you Simon and Schuster UK and Netgalley for the eARC.

Dagger and Flame started out so promisingly. Rich in lore, with a unique magic system. The banter between our MCs was so fun and I loved their early interactions.

Unfortunately, the book didn’t keep its momentum and I found myself disliking Sera, our FMC. The overall story was good but the final nail in the coffin for me was the magical orgasm. I just couldn’t take the book seriously after that.

A couple of the twists just had no impact on me and, whilst I did find the actual plot interesting, I just wasn’t invested in the characters in the way I want to be when reading a book.

The world-building and the lore were the saving graces of this book.

Fantasy, proper enemies to lovers and a swoon-worthy romance - what more could you ask for?
The Dagger and the Flame will sit right along side all of your favourite romantasy titles. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Cassandra Clare.

I loved this book. I thought the world building was very good and enjoyed the history of the Cloaks and Daggers and the overall glimpse you get into the city of Fantome and the Saints.

Sera and Ransom were both very interesting and engaging characters and I enjoyed that we had both POVs throughout.

The story has a few twists and turns, some I predicted and some came out of nowhere which I feel is always good and keeps us readers on our toes.

My only slight complaint was the Daggers becoming so upset and self righteous whenever anyone attempted to kill/harm them. Surely as assassins they should understand more than anyone and expect people to retaliate. But this was a very minor side point and in no way detracted from the story or characters, just something I kept coming back to.

Really excited to see where this story goes and looking forward to the next installment.

Buckle your seatbelts, folks, you’re in for a ride! This book dives almost straight into the action and keeps the momentum moving throughout. I was completely hooked on this addictive tension between Ransom and Sera, a forbidden attraction between enemies from rival factions. The danger and their power struggles built the complexity of their relationship, making their growing feelings all the more interesting. This book certainly has some dark moments, and the family relationships experienced by both Ransom and Sera are a mix of darkness and light. I enjoyed how the plot played out, unravelling the mysteries that emerged at a pace that helped keep the book moving along quickly enough.

We’re not left on too much of a cliffhanger at the end which is nice, but that certainly doesn’t mean I’m not desperate to have the sequel as soon as possible to find out where the road takes us and to see more of my favourite characters.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle is a fun, fast paced fantasy. I think it is going to be one of my top fantasy reads of the year. I really loved the development of the enemies to lovers story line between our main characters. The worldbuilding is well done and I loved the idea of rivalry and power battles between the cloaks and daggers and the unique magic system in this book. It is well written with charismatic characters, intriguing, gripping plotline and unique and well done worldbuilding and magic. I am really looking forward to reading more as this series continues. I found myself consuming this book in 24hours as I just couldn't put it down and was captivated by the characters and the plotline.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Thank you so much NetGalley for this e-arc

Catherine Doyle's The Dagger and the Flame is a spellbinding tale full of rich world-building, gripping intrigue, and emotional depth. The story effortlessly blends high-stakes adventure with intimate character moments, immersing readers in a world of magic, loyalty, and betrayal. Doyle's writing is captivating, with vivid descriptions and well-paced action that keeps the plot moving at a satisfying pace. The characters are complex, particularly the protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery and courage is deeply engaging. Fans of fantasy and strong heroines will be thoroughly enchanted by this enthralling read.

Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy fiction!

GO AND READ THIS BOOK!
Like now, GO.
Honestly you won't regret it.
This will be one of the biggest fantasy reads of the year.

Cat Doyle has delivered Enemies-to-Lovers, actual enemies, not the soft 'urgh you annoy me' vibes but the brutal 'I will unalive you and smile while I do it' vibes. I am talking multiple murder attempts, savage banter and the kind of tension that was just *chefs kiss* angsty chemistry for the win!

Couple that with the insane world building we've come to expect from Doyle and the City of Fantome just bursts off the page. The magic system felt unique and imaginative. I loved the concept of the two waring guilds, the Cloaks and the Daggers, how each faction used magic differently and for different purposes. The duel point of view, offered a great insight into both Sera and Ransom (new book boyfriend acquired) and their reluctant blossoming romance as they have put aside their annomosity
to work together against a bigger threat.

This was a 5 star read. It had everything I wanted and I can not wait for the next book.

Honestly consumed this entire thing so fast because this was REAL and TRUE kick-your-feet-and-giggle FUN. I had such a good time reading this!!! Actual enemies to lovers who have real reasons to hate each other and have multiple murder attempts and injuries courtesy of each other. Combined with genuine connection and effort to get to know and understand each other????!!!! It’s been a long time coming!!!

The plot had me hooked. Was it the most well crafted insane storyline ever created? Absolutely not but I was ENTHRALLED and I thoroughly enjoyed all of the reveals. The romance had me blushing and I can’t stop thinking about these characters and their care for each other. Also big fan of the family drama B plot, as well as the ragtag bunch of friends and animal sidekick. Honestly, this book has everything. I’m so excited to see how it continues.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children's UK and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.

Overall had a good time with this! The magic system and romance were super interesting and I am curious to keep going with the series. The pacing was lacking at points and I think the book could've been a bit shorter but overall enjoyable!

4.25 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Catherine Doyle really fed our cravings for shadow magic but with a unique twist and I ate it up, the enemies to lovers banter was feet kickingly good and funny. I was always excited to pick the story back up when I had to put it down and the last 25% really hooked me the most, so much so that I read it in the short time I had before work yesterday morning 😂

My favourite quote:
"I almost gave up, and then you came barrelling over the horizon like a runaway sun. You shattered the darkness, Seraphine. And I realize now that all these years I wasn’t wishing for freedom. I was wishing for you."

I've now since pre-ordered the special edition from Waterstones with the sprayed edge because this is a new favourite and I can't wait for the next instalment in this series!

My Instagram review will be posted tomorrow 13th September over on https://www.instagram.com/chadreadsrom/

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
4 stars book from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling in The Dagger and the Flame and relatable, likable characters,. Loved every single second reading it.

“sometimes it takes a monster to destroy a monster”

If you're looking for a TRUE enemies to lovers fantasy romance, thats filled with sass, a slow burn romance, rival gangs and a SUPERB plot. Look no further.

Not only is the romance deadly, but this tale is filled with dark magic, monsters, assassins and more. With the control of the city of Fantome at stake and Seraphine desperate to not only survive but get revenge on the leader of the Daggers, the one to blame for her Mother's murder, we thrown into a world filled with secrets and dark magic.

The Dagger and the Flame will have you not only swooning but gripping the edge of your seat, prepare for an enemies to lovers fantasy tale filled with secrets and plot twists.

Can I just say wow? I was totally hooked on this new enemies to lovers fantasy. Slightly NA the YA due to one little spicy scene, (no sex) but what I loved is that the romance was important but also didn't overshadow the amazing unique plot that Catherine has created.

What to expect

True enemies to lovers
Fantastic worldbuilding
Monsters
Magic
Found family

The city of Fantome, I was picturing a dark Paris, is a place where it's underground is ruled by 2 opposing sides. The Daggers are trained and brutal Assassins, and the Cloaks are Theives.
When Seraphine loses her mum to the Daggers, she turns to the only place in the city she might find safety, the Cloaks. But there are events that have already been set in motion that will change what they though they knew forever.

Ransom, a Dagger has been set the task of killing Seraphine. I loved the cat and mouse game the 2 had throughout this book. And the slow realisation that they need each other, very reluctantly I might add being enemies on opposite sides. When Monsters stalk the city, killing all in their path they must join together to save themselves and their city.

I loved the side characters in this, they were really well developed. Also I love Found Family and this was giving me all the good vibes.

I think this book is going to be super popular and it deserves all the hype. It has so many twists and turns to keep you hooked, and it is set up nicely for a sequel without leaving too much unfinished, which I love!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

I loved the tension this book brought and the way that the enemies to lovers trope was done. Sometimes it can be a little over done but this one hit the nail on the head and I loved Seraphine and Ransom. So perfect. The tension, the banter, so good.
The world building was really lovely and really immersive, I felt like I was in the city with them, running through the streets. It was a great book and I look forward to the next.

3.75 ⭐ just couldn't quite connect with the characters in this one, the plot was good but everything just felt flat and stale co sidelong I love a good enemies to lovers, I didn't vibe with the two main characters dynamic or relationship and banter was not as exciting. The plot overall was OK but the storyline just felt meh in conjunction with the couple and worldbuilding.

Oh this book! Everything about it sucked me in and I just HAD to keep reading.

Our main characters Ransom and Serephine were perfect together. The very definition of enemies to lovers and the angst and tension between them was perfection. The banter had me smiling all the way through.

I didn't see any of the twists and turns coming, they were great and the found family aspect made me very happy too. It was so sweet to see everyone come together as a family, and be betrayed by people they loved.

Definitely one to watch and I will be looking forward to book two. Serephine will be living rent free in my head for a while.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

Actual enemies to lovers, a genuine connection between two characters, and a fresh-feeling magic system. I liked the plot of this; shadow monsters and discovering once-lost magic, falling in love when he’s meant to be killing her, and discovering her family secrets along the way. It hit a lot of marks for me!

Sera managed to be a ‘spitfire’ without her banter feeling like cringe one-liners. Ransom has a feral smile and fits perfectly in the morally grey love interest trope without it feeling like an over-done copy. The side characters were cute, even if the found family felt a little flat to me.

The only thing I didn’t like was the ‘spicy’ scene in the middle of the big battle/conclusion? It felt so ridiculously out of place, and probably should have been moved to a different point in the story.

A solid start to a series though, I’ll definitely check out the sequel!

Spicy, fast-paced enemies to lovers fantasy adventure with strong world building and memorable characters. Bit too YA for my young teen readers but solid YA steamy romance without the use of explicit language if that’s a useful way of placing it within the romantasy range!