Week 49 Review: The Dagger and the Flame

From Goodreads:

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 this searing young adult fantasy.

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 guilds: the Cloaks and the Daggers—the thieves and the assassins. On the night of her mother's murder, seventeen-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 farm girl wields a strange and blazing magic he has never seen before. As the Cloaks and the Daggers grapple for control of Fantome's underworld, Sera and Ransom are consumed by the push and pull of their magic…and the deadly spark and terrible vengeance that keeps drawing them back together.

My Review:
I had such a great time reading this book! I really enjoyed the books that were written with Katherine Webber, so I was excited to pick this one up, it sounded really good, and it was, with characters who I was rooting for, in a world I wanted to know more about!

The premise sounded really interesting, with them being rivals, thieves vs. assassins, and that it is enemies to lovers? I loved that, they really didn't get along, and they are in opposing groups, so they had a reason not to like one another. But of course there is that romantic interest! I entirely loved their banter! 

Their magic was really intriguing to learn more about. I always want to know more about everything, especially in first books where we're just getting to know these characters, their world, and this book did a good job of giving us these details. There's still plenty of learn, but it was a good introduction for the start of a series. 

After what this book gave us in terms of story, I'm really looking forward to book 2, I can't wait to spend more time with Seraphine and Ransom, to see where their story will go. I really had such a great time reading this book and I can't wait for more! 

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to see where the series goes! 

Author: Catherine Doyle 
Series: The City of Fantome #1
Read: November 30th, 2024
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really good, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published: September 3rd 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars