The Dagger and the Flame - Catherine Doyle

I found this book while wandering Comic Con, and the cover instantly caught my eye. I went in blind but had a feeling it would be good, and I was right.

It leans more into fantasy than I usually read, but the world-building and pacing made it easy to follow and hard to step away from.

Seraphine’s been through a lot, but she’s so wrapped up in her own pain that she shuts everyone out. Still, watching her open up and grow, especially in her relationship with Ransom, was worth it.

Ransom, meanwhile, was impossible not to like. He fell faster, admitted his feelings to himself sooner, and his quiet strength balanced Seraphine’s fire.

Between the action, emotion, and touch of magic, I was pulled in completely. Waiting for the next book is going to be rough. I need to know what happens next!

“Why do we need to wait –”

“For this,” he said, kissing her.