Title: The Dagger and the FlameAuthor: Catherine Doyle
Series: The City of Fantome #1
Pages: 528
Publication Date: Oct. 1, 2024
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
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…
In Fantome, a kingdom of cobbled streets, flickering lamplight, beautiful buildings, and secret catacombs, Shade-magic is a scarce and deadly commodity controlled by two enemy the Cloaks and the Daggers – the thieves and the assassins. On the night of her mother’s murder, 17-year-old Seraphine runs for her life. Seeking sanctuary with the Cloaks, Sera’s heart is set on revenge. But are her secret abilities a match for the dark-haired boy whose quicksilver eyes follow her around the city?
Nothing can prepare Sera for the moment she finally comes face-to-face with Ransom, heir to the Order of Daggers. And Ransom is shocked to discover that this unassuming farmgirl wields a strange and blazing magic he has never seen before… Among rumours of monsters stalking the streets and the rival guilds grappling for control of Fantome’s underworld, Sera and Ransom are drawn together by something more than just magic and must face a deadly choice – forgiveness or vengeance? Kiss or kill? Dagger or Flame?
This blog uses affiliate links for some book recommendations, and if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission. Thanks for supporting this little bookish corner of the internet!
Sometimes it takes a monster to destroy a monster.
When I saw this stunning cover and then read the premise, I knew I needed to read this story. It didn’t disappoint! It reminded me a little of Chloe Gong’s These Violent Delights series in its tone and structure, though the writing style and story are completely different. Like Gong’s books,. this is a suspenseful and engrossing read with well-crafted characters and a fabulous slow-burning love story.
When Seraphine’s mother is murdered, her entire idyllic country life explodes. Running from her home and the brutal assassination, Seraphine seeks refuge in the city with the Cloaks, like her mother told her to. Seraphine knows her mother was murdered by the rival group the Daggers (cloak and dagger – love it!), and she wants revenge, but when she comes face-to-face with the Dagger assassin following her, the lines between enemy and friend begin to blur. With deadly monsters roaming the streets and killing indiscriminately, Seraphine learning more about her unusual magic, and the power struggle coming to a head, Seraphine and Ransom must decide what (and who) they want to fight for.
Ransom is tasked with killing Seraphine, and he doesn’t quite know why he can’t do it. I love Ransom! His story is so interesting, and I like how we slowly learn about him and his ties to the Daggers. The Cloaks crew is fabulous as well. Well, most of them. lol A rag-tag group of thieves and assassins, they form this unique found family that helps Seraphine when she’s at her most vulnerable. Ransom has a few friends who are more like family, too, though their situation feels more bleak and divisive than the Cloaks gang. There are some interesting dynamics to explore in both groups and in the society at large, which is very much influenced by the machinations of the groups in the underbelly of the city.
I thought this was a great read. The world is fascinating and the plot is super immersive. I was so interested in the magic system and in the characters’ stories, as well as the romantic subplots. And with that dramatic and tense ending, I can’t wait to find out what happens next! I’m afraid for a few of my favorite characters, and I’m eager to see where a couple of the relationships go.
She didn’t know if her tears were born of grief or hope, or the soaring relief at having found a kindred soul in this dark circle of hell, who wanted to climb out of it with her.
Those who refuse to wield the dagger are doomed to die by its blade.
What we do is not always who we are.
“Run away with me, he said with devastating simplicity. “Tonight. Tomorrow. Yesterday. I don’t care.” He gently brushed the hair from her eyes. “We have the same dream. Let’s chase it together.”
Grief was a cinder block chained to her ankle, fear sitting heavy on the other. She needed to make a weapon of both if she was to survive here.
Catherine Doyle grew up in the West of Ireland. She holds a first-class BA in Psychology and a first-class MA in Publishing. She is the author of the Young Adult Blood for Blood trilogy (Vendetta, Inferno and Mafiosa), which is often described as Romeo and Juliet meets the Godfather. It was inspired by her love of modern cinema. Her debut Middle Grade novel, The Storm Keeper’s Island (Bloomsbury, 2018), is an adventure story about family, bravery and self-discovery. It is set on the magical island of Arranmore, where her grandparents grew up, and is inspired by her ancestors’ real life daring sea rescues.
Aside from more conventional interests in movies, running and travelling, Catherine also enjoys writing about herself in the third-person.
I must have read a synopsis for this a long time ago because it sounds so familiar and I’m glad you brought it (back?) to mind!! Sounds like it delivers what I’m hoping for 🙂