Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:
Synopsis for 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 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?
Author: Catherine Doyle
Series: The City of Fantome
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: No
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Magic
Heat Rating: Warm
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: September 2024 – ongoing
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
Ah, yet another series I believed to be a duology but was sadly mistaken. I had noticed that my library added the first 2 books at the same time for their audiobook collection and the premise sounded interesting. I love a good enemies to lovers and for some reason, I thought this was loosely inspired by Romeo and Juliet (but I have no idea why I thought that).
However, had I known that this was going to be trilogy, I probably would have held off picking it up until it was finished. Oh well…
The Concept / The World:
The world is interesting. It has many layers and we spend a long time building it up in The Dagger and the Flame (#1). Which enhances the sequel but makes the first book dull at times.
I’m not sure where I read that it is Romeo and Juliet inspired – maybe I just put the two rival gangs aspect together. Anyways, you can see subtle allusions to the Shakespeare play if you know where to look. But it isn’t a straight-up retelling either so if that’s what you want, maybe go elsewhere.
The Plot:
Unfortunately for most books I read in the later half of 2025, they had to compete with The Crimson Moth which I thought was such perfection at delivering the mortally enemies to lovers plotline. So I found this plot to be slightly dull in comparison. I craved some big plot twists as I was reading (there is one very good one) but nothing wowed me about the plot in either book.
The Characters:
I appreciate Seraphine’s journey. She didn’t draw me in to her story though as much as I hoped. Same with Ransome.
Usually in stories like this, I gravitate to some side characters to keep my interest but that didn’t happen either.
The Romance:
It was just meh to me. I wanted it to suck me in an it didn’t.
My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:
I will be honest: I’m really struggling to write this review because I don’t really remember much of it. I don’t even remember how it ended…
My Audiobook Experience:
It was a good production and I probably stuck with the series longer than had I picked up the book because it was an easy listen.
Series Rating: DNF
The Dagger and the Flame 3/5 | The Rebel and the Rose 3/5 | Book 3 TBP
Had I binged this as a series, I probably would have stuck around for book #3 and finished the series. But I’m struggling to remember a single thing about this series and I didn’t like it enough to reread the first 2 books before I pick up the 3rd. So this is the end of the road for me!
Read if You Like: enemies to lovers, rivals
Avoid if You: want a faster paced story
- These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (These Violent Delights Series #1)
- Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli (The Crimson Moth Duology #1)
- Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin (Serpent & Dove Series #1)
- The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith (The Rose Bargain Series #1)
