#Review - The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle #YA #Fantasy

Series: The City of Fantome # 1
Format: Hardcover, 512 pages
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Dark 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, eighteen-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.  

The Dagger and the Flame, by Catherine Doyle, is the first installment in the author's City of Fantome series. 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. Key Characters: Seraphine Marchant, and Ransom Hale. On the night of her mother’s murder by an assassin, Seraphine runs for her life. Seeking sanctuary within House Armand & 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?

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. The Daggers consumed shade magic turning bodies into deadly weapons. Daggers are lead by Gaspard Dufort who, for some reason, wanted Sera and her mother, who was a smuggler, dead. Cloaks wear shade magic to blend in with the night. Cloaks are led by Madame Cordelia. 

Cordelia grudgingly agrees to allow Sera to stay until she can learn how to be a Cloak. What Sera doesn't know is that Ransom, heir to the Order of Daggers, has been told that he must kill Sera. Nothing can prepare Sera for the moment she finally comes face-to-face with Ransom and she stabs him. Ransom is shocked to discover that this unassuming farm girl wields a strange and blazing magic he has never seen before and soon begins a game of cat and mouse with Sera. As the Cloaks and the Daggers grapple for control of Fantome’s underworld, there is trouble brewing when people start turning up dead, and it appears the city is being overrun by monsters of some sort. 

There are, obviously, issues that I had while reading this book thus the rating like the discombobulated pacing. There was a particular scene where they are battling monsters who have been infected with corrupted shade and instead of focusing on the battle, Sera and Ransom waste time doing other things. One of the other things is that Sera joins the Cloaks and then does basically nothing for them despite getting paid to be there. What's that all about? Also, there is a surprise which you can pretty much figure out yourself once a certain character is told that he must kill Sera if Ransom can't. This book is obviously setting the stage for what is to come next. 

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#Review - Burning Crowns by Catherine Doyle , Katherine Webber #YA #Fantasy #Romance

Series: Twin Crowns # 3
Format: Hardcover, 480 pages
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Romance

The thrilling finale to the high-stakes fantasy rom-com trilogy that began with Twin Crowns, about twin princesses separated at birth—from bestselling UK authors Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber.

Twin queens Rose & Wren survived the Battle for Anadawn and brought back magic to their kingdom. But danger lurks in Eana’s shadows.

Wren is troubled. Ever since she performed the blood spell on Prince Ansel, her magic has become unruly. Worse, the spell created a link between Wren and the very man she’s trying to forget: Icy King Alarik of Gevra. A curse is eating away at both of them. To fix it they must journey to the northern mountains—under the watchful guard of Captain Tor Iversen—to consult with the Healer on High.

Rose is haunted. Waking one night to find her undead ancestor Oonagh Starcrest by her bed, she receives a warning: surrender the throne—or face a war that will destroy Eana. With nowhere to turn and desperate to find a weapon to defeat Oonagh, Rose seeks help from Shen-Lo in the Sunkissed Kingdom, but what she finds there may break her heart.

As Oonagh threatens all Rose and Wren hold dear, it will take everything they have to save Eana–including a sacrifice they may not be prepared to make.

 

Burning Crowns is the third and final installment in co-authors Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber's Twin Crowns trilogy. Key Characters: Wren Greenrock and Rose Valhart. Setting: Kingdom of Eana, The Sunkissed Kingdom, and Gevra. The story alternates between Wren and Rose. The story itself picks up two months after the Battle of Anadawn where rebels sought to overthrow the twin witch sisters who were raised apart. Wren in Ortha, Rose in Anadawn Palace. 

It has been two months since Wren broke the ancient curse that split 5 strands of magic (tempest, enchantment, warrior, healing, and seer). Upon breaking the curse, it not only freed a very angry spirit, Oonagh Starcrest who has vowed to change the world in her image. It also left a hole in Wren's heart because of the shocking loss of the woman who raised her. At the same time, thanks to Wren's blood magic spell, she is now bound to Alarik, and a curse is slowly eating away at her magic making her a liability in the fight against Oonagh unless she can find a way to break the curse. 

Meanwhile, Rose is trying to keep the newly freed witches of Ortha happy, while making sure the non-witches are taken care of, and not left to feel that they don't belong in Eana. When a celebration goes wrong, Rose finds herself once again alone because of Wren's magical misfiring, and her desire to break the curse that has bound her to Alarik. When Rose's beloved rose garden suddenly dies without warning, and birds disappear from the sky, Rose knows that Oonagh is making her move.  

Rose is awakened one night to find her undead ancestor Oonagh Starcrest by her bed. She is told that she must surrender the throne or face a devastating war. With nowhere to turn and desperate to find weapons strong enough to defeat Oonagh, Rose seeks help from Shen-Lo in the Sunkissed Kingdom. Rose's relationship with Shen Lo, the lost heir of the Sunkissed Kingdom, goes through some interesting twists which include a King's choice selection for women around the world who might become the next Queen of the Sunkissed Kingdom. 

While Rose searches for allies and weapons, she finds herself under attack time and time again by Oonagh who seemingly out thinks and outguns the twin sisters at every angle. Wren and Alarik search for a way to break their bond, break the curse which sends them on a long journey to a sacred place of healing. 

Wren prays for her ancestor, Eana to help her find a weapon that can defeat Oonagh who has begun the process of creating a nearly unstoppable undead army that includes witches, ancestors, and deadly animals. In one of the more action packed action-packed finales of the year, nothing is off limits, and characters from all three Kingdoms have no choice but to put their lives on the line to save their world.

*Thoughts* I am glad that I started and finished this series. I loved that Wren and Rose finally are comfortable with each other after a year of finding out they had a twin sibling. Although Wren goes through the most troubles with her curse, Rose is the one who gets in the deepest with her war with her ancestor. I love the relationships in this book. In a way, there was a semi-triangle, but in the end the authors did the right thing for both Wren, and Rose. 

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#Review - Cursed Crowns by Catherine Doyle, Katherine Webber #YA #Fantasy

Series: Twin Crowns # 2
Format: Hardcover, 512 pages
Release Date: May 9, 2023
Publisher: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

The second book in the swoony and high-stakes fantasy rom-com series that began with Twin Crowns, about twin princesses separated at birth—from bestselling authors Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber.

Twin queens Wren and Rose have claimed their crowns…but not everyone is happy about witches sitting on Eana’s throne.

Coolheaded Rose plans a royal tour to establish goodwill throughout the kingdom. But Wren balks—how can they gallivant around Eana when their grandmother Banba is imprisoned in Gevra?

Impatient Wren steals away on a ship to the icy north, where King Alarik offers a deadly magical bargain in exchange for Banba’s freedom. Desperate, Wren agrees. But her spell has unexpected consequences….

Meanwhile, when Rose's royal tour is interrupted by a mysterious stranger claiming to be from the long-lost Sunkissed Kingdom, the strands of destiny pull her south to the ancient Amarach Towers, where only the Seers of Eana know why the Restless Sands are erupting—and why Shen-Lo himself might hold the key.

But back in Anadawn, rebellion is brewing. And if Eana is to stand a chance at peace, the sisters will need to reunite once more and convince their people to forsake old loyalties for new ones.

Cursed Crowns, by co-authors Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber, is the second installment in the authors Twin Crowns series. Set against a sweeping world inspired by Doyle's native Ireland and Webber’s childhood in the California desert, this thrilling adventure full of warmth, wit, and sizzling romantic tension will appeal to readers of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and Kiera Cass. Told in alternating perspectives by twin sisters Wren and Rose, Cursed Crowns combines the best aspects of the high-stakes romance of The Princess Bride with the commercial action of Serpent & Dove. 

Twin sisters Wren Greenrock, and Rose Valhart, who was raised to be Queen while her sister was abandoned and raised by a group of witches by her grandmother, Banba, have found each other but the road ahead is not as smooth as they expect. Their kingdom of Eana is still getting used to what's going on but not everyone is sold on the idea of Queen witches. Rose is more natural and groomed to be queen and Wren speaks as she wants. In fact, it appears as though there is a rebellion happening that is pushing the limits on Wren who desperately wants to rescue her grandmother from King Alarik of Gevra.

After several weeks of trying to be the queen she is expected to be by her fellow witch allies who are causing trouble everywhere they go, Wren decides that Rose can run the country much better than she can. So, Wren takes matters into her own hands and goes after Banba herself, while leaving Rose to handle the royal tour on her own. While Rose goes on the royal tour and its nothing like she expected. People aren't crowed around to show love and loyalty. Her only saving grace is Shen Lo who stands by her like a bodyguard, while also knowing that his heart belongs to Rose.

While Wren is working to free Banba, she learns there's more than just anger and ruthless with King Alarik. She spends time with the Queen and makes her laugh again. Alarik may even have a heart and shows kindness and care to Wren. But his condition to send both her and her grandma home is high. Then there's the consequences of fooling around with magick that she had been warned not to use. Such consequences won't be spoiled except to say that a long lost fabled character from the past will have much more to say in the next installment. 

Meanwhile, when Rose's royal tour is interrupted by a mysterious stranger named Kai who claims to be from the long-lost Sunkissed Kingdom which hasn't been seen in a very long time. The strands of destiny pull her south to the ancient Amarach Towers, where only the Seers of Eana know why the Restless Sands are erupting—and why Shen-Lo himself might hold the key and whether or not Rose and Wren will reunite in order to save the Kingdom from being stolen from them by hostiles who hate witches. 

Let's briefly break down the sisters, shall we? Wren can be reckless. Doesn't think too far ahead because of her temper. But in this book, she sadly learns that there are consequences when one doesn't think before they act. As I said, those consequences are off page just waiting to pounce. Rose she is able to see past her rosy lens of what being a Queen is. She grows into fiercer Rose while also being a merciful, just & kind leader. But nobody better mess with her kingdom if they know what's best for them.

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#Review - Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle, Katherine Webber

Series: Twin Crowns # 1
Format: Hardcover, 480 pages
Release Date: May 17, 2022
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Romance

The first in a delightful and thrilling fantasy rom-com duology about twin princesses separated at birth—one raised as the crown princess and the other taken as an infant and raised to kidnap her sister, steal the crown, and avenge their parents' murders—from acclaimed authors Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber.

Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she’d steal her sister’s place on the throne. Trained from birth to return to the palace and avenge her parents’ murder, she’ll do anything to become queen and protect the community of witches who raised her. Or she would, if only a certain guard wasn’t quite so distractingly attractive, and if her reckless magic would stop causing trouble.…

Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility—and she won’t let a small matter like waking up in the desert with an extremely impertinent (and very handsome) kidnapper get in the way of her duty. But life outside the palace is wilder and more beautiful than she ever imagined, and the witches she has long feared might turn out to be the family she never had.

But as coronation day looms and each sister strives to claim her birthright, an old enemy becomes increasingly determined that neither will succeed. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?

Twin Crowns, by authors Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber, is the first installment in a fantasy rom-com duology about twin princesses separated at birth; one raised as the crown princess and the other taken as an infant and raised by her grandmother to steal the crown and avenge their parent's murder 18 years ago. Told in alternating perspectives, Twin Crowns is a fantasy rom-com that combines the high-stakes romance of The Selection with the humor of The Princess Bride and the commercial action of Serpent & Dove.

Princess Rose Valhart was raised as a princess and the rightful heir to the throne of the kingdom of Eana. She knows that with power comes responsibility. For 18 years, she's been under the thumb of Willem Rathborne aka Kingsbreath, who plans on marrying her off to a far off land so that he can raise an army to finally get rid of the witches that are left. What Rose didn't expect was to be kidnapped in the middle of the night by Shen Lo, or taken to a place where she will soon discover that not only does she have a sister she's never met, she's also got a grandmother who has been planning her revenge for 18 long years. Rose's journey learning more about the world and herself is very fulfilling. Rose also finds herself in an enemies to possible lovers situation.

Wren Greenrock was taken away for her safety to grow up in a community of persecuted witches after their parents are brutally murdered shortly after their birth. She has always known that one day she’d steal her sister’s place on the throne. Trained from birth to return to the palace and avenge her parents’ murder, she’ll do anything to become queen and protect the community of witches who raised her. Or she would, if only a certain Captain Tor Iversen wasn’t quite so distractingly attractive, and if her reckless magic would stop causing trouble. Wren's romantic interlude is more complicated in that she's supposed to be Rose who is in love with her fiancé but finds Tor much more exciting.

The two storylines of Wren and Rose are certainly very different. Wren is enterprising, mouthy and ready to take on any challenge, while Rose, accustomed to royal life, expects everything to run smoothly and to be listened to. Both characters find themselves, getting to know a very different world than they knew until now. But as coronation day looms closer and they each strive to claim their birthright, the sinister Willem Rathborne, becomes increasingly determined that neither will succeed. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?

I think what makes this book more relatable is the fact that you have two authors writing two different characters instead of one author writing two different characters. The book also does a good job of switching between super heavy and dark, to hilariously funny and light scenes. Of course I will be waiting for the sequel to be released since the ending left a glaring issue for both sisters to deal with.   

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