THE REBEL AND THE ROSE

Old flames reunite to unravel a saint’s prophecy in this sultry, explosive sequel.

Three months after the events of The Dagger and the Flame (2024), Seraphine Marchant and her friends are secreted away in the countryside, where they’re establishing the Order of Flames. Sera is fearful of the saint-imparted powers that call to her. Her estranged lover, Ransom, has taken over leadership of the rival Order of Daggers, which uses the power of Shade magic to bend shadows to the murderous whim of the highest bidder. With growing unrest directed against the corrupt king and rumors of others imbued with powers like Sera’s, the king brings the rivals together to seek out those with saintly magic and help determine the future of Valterre—and being thrown together rekindles their love. Doyle develops her rich worldbuilding as the adventure moves beyond the city walls, and the blending of prophecy and divination with a dash of dark academia deepens the fantasy lore. Action sequences and well-timed reveals keep the pace brisk and pages turning with an extensive body count that will challenge the squeamish. The enriched character development infuses the steamy romance with maturity and sincerity. While the dialogue is stronger in this entry, the heavy reliance on expletives feels like a substitute for creative word choices. The conclusion positions the story for a sequel. Most characters are cued white.

A thrilling and promising second series entry.