The Dragon and the Dove

The City of Fantome #3

by Catherine Doyle

Sera and Ransom’s fates are decided in this thrilling third and final book in the New York Times bestselling City of Fantome enemies-to-lovers romantasy trilogy perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Caraval .

War has come to the kingdom of Valterre. Led by the self-proclaimed People’s Saint, a gathering faction plans to seize control of the kingdom and the lands beyond. Outwardly united against this common threat, Sera and the newly-Sainted Ransom find themselves divided by their diverging destinies.

The more Saints that Sera creates, the more her life force ebbs away. The people look to her as a leader and a symbol of peace, but is the cost too high? Meanwhile, Ransom’s powerful and terrifying shadow-magic threatens to pull him even deeper into darkness. Perhaps, to save Sera, his true destiny is to become the villain.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Young Adult, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 24, 2026

About the author

Catherine Doyle grew up in the West of Ireland. She holds a first-class BA in Psychology and a first-class MA in Publishing. She is the author of the Young Adult Blood for Blood trilogy (Vendetta, Inferno and Mafiosa), which is often described as Romeo and Juliet meets the Godfather. It was inspired by her love of modern cinema. Her debut Middle Grade novel, The Storm Keeper's Island (Bloomsbury, 2018), is an adventure story about family, bravery and self-discovery. It is set on the magical island of Arranmore, where her grandparents grew up, and is inspired by her ancestors' real life daring sea rescues.

​Aside from more conventional interests in movies, running and travelling, Catherine also enjoys writing about herself in the third-person.

Reviews

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus}]

*Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review!*

I can’t believe I got ar arc of the 3rd and final book of The City of Fantome as well.

[S S]

Don't even need to read this to know it's going to be phenomenal like the last two.

P.S. I wish I had an arc... ♡♡♡ (You can have my first born in return!)

[_literati_]

2026 WILL BE THE YEAR I WILL BE LIVING ON THE STREETS WITH MY BOOKS

[Carly K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m sad to leave this world and these characters, but what a satisfying end. Although I’ll admit a bit heartbreaking and tear filled 😭

This final installment started with a bang! You’re thrust back in to this world and reminded of the peril everyone is in and just how much you hate Andreas. Truthfully, the middle section started to feel a little redundant, and while I understand why (especially with the ending), the stakes felt like they were lowered for a bit. But then everything picked back up for the final 30%!

LOTS of different POVs thrown in the mix, which allows you to better understand each Saint and their mental state.

Also, can we talk about the epilogue??? Eyebrows are raised 👀

Thank you to Simon Teen and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts! 💛

[Mery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Co to była za książka. Co to były za emocje.

Trzeci tom serii, którą pokochałam całą sobą, był pięknym ukoronowaniem historii.
Stawka poszybowała w górę o jakieś milion pięter, a bohaterowie stają przed wyborami niemożliwymi. Powstrzymanie Andreasa to najwyższy priorytet, ale wszyscy wiedzą, że zabić świętego jest rzeczą niemal niemożliwą… Chyba że ma się odpowiednie narzędzia.

Zazdrosny, zaborczy i terytorialny Ransom, absolutnie zakochany i z niemal obsesją na punkcie kobiety która kocha. Czasami wzdychałam trochę za bardzo na to, co robił, ale ostatecznie go rozumiem. Poza tym jego kartę tarota wytatuuje sobie na czole, bo to nadal jedna z moich ulubionych postaci pod słońcem.
Seraphine nadal pozostała takim samym badassem jakim była i to jak stawiała Ransoma do pionu, to był hit 😂
ALE NIEZAPRZECZALNYM ZWYCIĘZCĄ TEGO ROZDANIA BYŁ CARUSO. 😂 Chłop dosłownie wygrał moje serce, dzięki niemu było zabawnie i odświeżająco. Mogłabym o nim przeczytać całą serię 😂

Kocham, kocham, kocham. Jedna z najlepszych serii fantasy jakie czytałam.

[mo • lesmotsdemo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up for Goodreads and Netgalley.
It was a solid conclusion to the trilogy. The pace was steady and the overarching plot wrapped up effectively. Seraphine was probably the best character of the trilogy; she was strong and selfless. All of the other characters were well-developed and each had their own personality. The love interest was not memorable in any way, especially next to Seraphine. Their romance was fine, even though they sometimes felt too different: Seraphine’s selflessness and Bastian’s selfishness clashed. Also, I’ve seen that it was apparently marketed as young adult: it is not. It is a new adult romantasy trilogy, because of its sexual content (not the most graphic content but certainly not fade to black either) and its language.
Despite the mismarketing, I recommend this trilogy. It is well-written, and has a strong plot and a strong main female character.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Thank you for the ARC of The Dragon and the Dove. This final book in the City of Phantome trilogy was an action-packed and emotional read from start to finish. The stakes felt higher than ever, and the characters were pushed to their limits. So many long-running storylines came full circle, making this a rewarding finale. The ending hit hard emotionally, and I found myself deeply feeling Nadia's heartbreak. Fans of the series won't want to miss this conclusion.

[MoonBeam]

I have adored the last 2 books in this trilogy (5 stars!) and I am incredibly excited to read the conclusion! I only dream to receive an early copy E-reader/kindle copy, that would make my year!! But no stress if not, I'll be patient and read it as soon as it's available. Lots of love, support and continued success to Catherine Doyle :)

[Magdalena (magdal21) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I really liked this series and consider it a pretty solid YA trilogy. Seraphine and Ransom’s story was wrapped up neatly in this final book. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t quite as strong as the previous two novels.

Somehow, this book managed to be extremely fast paced without being particularly dense when it came to the plot. It’s not that nothing happened, but the story felt surprisingly simple. Most of it followed the same basic pattern of creating new saints, fighting a villain, and trying not to die. Speaking of the villain, he also felt a little cartoonish compared to what we got in the previous installments. Also a lot of the excitement seemed to rely on shock value and the emotional impact of seeing characters we already knew and liked die.

Expanding the number of POVs wasn’t a bad idea per se, especially since Ransom and Sera’s dynamic wasn’t my favorite in this book. I actually enjoyed Caruso and Val’s banter a lot more. The problem was that with so many different perspectives, it started to feel like all of these characters were becoming protagonists in their own right. So by the end I found myself wishing they’d gotten a bit more closure too, instead of most of it being reserved for Sera and Ransom.

Still, despite my quibbles with this finale, I really enjoyed the trilogy as a whole. I got attached to these characters, and I’d happily spend more time with them.

[Cinnidh 晲術徊輣]

Let me guess. He’s the dragon and she’s the dove? 🤨 Gotta make her seem weak, right ladies?

[Stacyfrancesreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well…that's it. Stick a fork in me; I'm DONE. 😭 This series has been my entire personality for the last two books, and somehow, I'm now expected to accept that it's actually OVER?!

The Dragon and the Dove was everything I wanted from a finale: romantic, hilarious, chaotic, devastating, and full of callbacks to everything I've loved about this series from the beginning.

We pick up with Sera dealing with the consequences of becoming the Saint Maker, Ransom adjusting to being the newly resurrected Saint of Nightmares, and Andreas still being an absolute pain in everyone's arse. Sera's magic is taking its toll, Ransom's powers are increasingly unpredictable, and Fantome is basically one bad day away from complete chaos.

Meanwhile, Sera and Ransom remain completely and utterly obsessed with each other. As they should be.

“When you see me in my dress, you'll fall to your knees.”
“Already there, Spitfire.”

I loved seeing them at this stage in their relationship. They know exactly how they feel now, but they've also both experienced losing the other, and that fear sits underneath so much of their love.

“I don't just love you with my heart, Seraphine. I love you with every ragged piece of my soul.”

We also see more of Bastian beneath Ransom Hale through Anouk, who refuses to let him believe Sera is the only goodness in him.

“She is the goodness in me, Anouk.”
“Like hell she is.”

Sera might be his sun, but Anouk remembers the boy who found “colour in the grey” and cast “light in the dark” long before Sera knew him. I loved learning how their childhood shaped the man Ransom became.
And then:

“The sun will be up soon.”
“My sun's already risen.”

RANSOM HALE, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FAMOUS. 😭

Then there's THEO. BLOODY. VERSINI., who has one of my favourite arcs in the entire finale. He's spent so long carrying the weight of the Versini name, and now he's terrified his new power and the darkness he feels might say something about who he really is.

“Because I know you. I know your heart. I know what you stand for.”

And THAT'S Theo. Not his name. Not his blood. Not whatever fate has decided he should be.

It's something Madame Fontaine sums up perfectly:

“It is intent that decides the flow of one's magic. And the worth of their soul.”

The Dragon and The Dove never simply reduces darkness to evil; it’s what these characters do with it that matters. This is what makes Andreas such a powerful villain: his compulsion removes choice completely, while he dangles “greatness” like a carrot in front of a Theo already frightened by his own ambition.

There is a tremendous difference between being great and being good.
BLOODY THEO. 😭

Fontaine, herself, just ABSOLUTELY SHINES. She is elderly, cryptic, grumpy as hell, and always acts as if everyone around her is wasting her time. Caruso insinuating she was a “blunt antique” and her responding, “You little fucker” was ICONIC.😂

Meanwhile, Nadia and Lark’s storyline was painful. Nadia had wanted Lark back for so long, but what does it mean to get someone back when they’ve been transformed beyond recognition?

“Magic has its own hunger. Be careful what it takes from you.”

And then we have Val and Caruso. At last.

I've been feral for these two idiots since they met in The Rebel and the Rose, and the payoff was EVERYTHING I wanted. Val is technically the Saint of Truth, yet she’s completely dedicated to lying to herself about Caruso, whose love language continues to be casual offers of murder.

“Who ruined your day, Valerie?”
“Oriel, I suppose.”
“Huh. I can't see my way to murdering her. Pick someone a little closer to home.”

But underneath all the stabbing, jealousy, and general unhinged behaviour:

“I feel like I'm losing my people.”
“I'll be your people.”

CARUSO DANTES, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE. 😭

And don't worry, personal growth hasn't interfered with his commitment to murder.

“Last words?”
“Don't care.”

I HOWLED. 💀

And Val's version of admitting she has feelings?

“I care about you too. But if you tell anyone, I'll kill you.”

THE ROMANCE…🥹🔪 I need their spin-off even MORE now.

The found family and banter will forever be some of my favourite parts of this series, even when everything is going spectacularly to shit. There are some brilliant little callbacks from previous books in the City of Fantome series, including Ransom understanding the level of danger a fountain pen can pose because Sera once stabbed him with a letter opener and “it fucking hurt” . 😂

Then we reached the final part. This is where Catherine Doyle apparently decided I'd been emotionally stable for long enough. I cried. Recovered. Cried again. BLOODY THEO. Thought surely, we were finished?...

Then I read the epilogue.

Big mistake. 💀😭

I'm saying nothing, but the way these arcs come full circle is genuinely beautiful. We have things from The Dagger and the Flame that matter. People’s names matter. The themes of light and darkness matter. And, after three books brimming with power, revenge, death, and destiny, I really love that the ending asks something much simpler: what comes next?

“Move in with me.”
“All right.”
“Adventure with me.”
“Gladly.”
“Grow old with me.”
“With pleasure.”

I'M FINE. 😭

Looking at my Kindle, I apparently made 797 highlights while reading this, which should tell you everything you need to know about how I feel about this series. 😂 I fell in love with Fantome in The Dagger and the Flame; The Rebel and the Rose became my entire personality, and The Dragon and the Dove was the most perfect ending to the series.

I couldn't have asked for a better book to bid farewell to this hilariously dysfunctional little found family. The Dragon and The Dove reminded me why The City of Fantome is, and will forever remain, one of my absolute God-tier romantasy series.

Infinity stars. ✨🖤

Now I’m off to scream into my pillow or something because I’m devastated that there is no longer a “next book” to wait for. 😭

Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster Children's UK, Catherine Doyle, and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Daniela M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like we have really strayed from the plot here. In the third installment of the City of Fantom trilogy, we went from a pretty grounded plot of thieves verses assassins, battling a turf war with the help of a drug that turned people monstrous.

Now, by book three we have saints, super powers, and a villain that feels cartoonish compared to the well-rounded book 1 villain. I was struggling to even understand what was happening and why with this villain. These not longer felt fleshed out, and I just felt like we completely lost the plot here.

We follow Seraphine and are friends as they prepare for battle against the prince for the safety of Fantom. The relationships have become stronger by this point with the secondary cast, however, Sera and Ransom become complete side characters in their own novel. Neither seemed to really spearhead their scenes, and their POV chapters weren’t as entertaining or gripping as the others.

With the saint making and superpowers, I started to wonder what book I was reading and how much it strayed from the original material. Maybe it just wasn’t for me, but it just felt like the plot of the CW shower Riverdale, where you have a solid and grounded first season, then shit hits the rails and you’re like, “What is happening? Why are there superpowers?” But not as bad as Riverdale.

The reactions from characters to certain things continued to make me scratch my head wondering what these people were thinking. We have more death of characters and everyone is kind of just like “meh” about it. How are we not more effected by these deaths? These were your friends, despite what path they may have fallen towards, when someone you once cared about dies, you kind of forget the shitty things they did and mourn them in one way or another.

There were a lot of scenes that started to set something up, and then did a short time jump not to show it. Like talking about getting everyone ready for a meeting, then having the meeting over in the next sentence. It didn’t really make sense, and happened often.

The ending was also really rushed and felt jarring after the snail’s pace the book was going in. I think this series would have been better as a duology and hinted more at this sainthood stuff better in book 1.

I enjoyed it as a whole, but I have a lot of grievances with the pacing as well as the character’s responses to things. I wish we stayed more grounded with the plot, and kept the villain of book 1 throughout the entirety of the story, because he was far more compelling.

Thank you NetGalley, Simon and Schuster, and the author for the ARC!

[bells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was a WHOLE rollercoaster. There were moments where I was like, “I don’t like where this is going and I did NOT sign up for this,” and then a twist left me absolutely FLABBERGASTED. I genuinely had no idea where the story was going, and that made me super anxious, but somehow everything still felt exactly right.

I love love love Sera and all her fire (no pun intended). She’s fierce, determined, and so willing to give everything she has for the greater good, even when it threatens to completely break her. There’s something so poetic about watching her keep choosing to fight even when she’s crumbling.

My goldfish memory completely forgot about THAT little thing with Ransom at the end of book two, but now that everything is finally falling into place… UGH. MEAL. And then THAT TWIST??? DOUBLE MEAL.

I absolutely loved the bond between Sera and Ransom. THE DEVOTION. THE LOVE. I WANT WHAT THEY HAVE. Somebody please get me out of here.

And then there’s Val and Caruso. Oh my goddddd. Their chemistry and their stupid banter were SCRUMPTIOUS. I’m sorry but they absolutely stole the show for me in this book.

And I won’t say too much because spoilers, but I LOVED seeing some of the characters go through their transformations. Their new powers fitting their personalities so perfectly was such a satisfying detail, especially considering how much these characters have grown since the previous book. Like, the character arcs were so chef’s kiss.

And the build-up to the final battle was so rewarding. There was so much power, desperation, rage, and sacrifice. Everything was finally colliding, and it felt SO worth the journey.

I was genuinely terrified that the ending of this final book was going to emotionally obliterate me. Thank GOD it didn’t. I mean… it did. Obviously. But not on a I-will-need-at-least-five-business-days-to-function-properly scale. The ending just felt… right. Everything fell into place, and looking back at the journey from book one made the whole series feel so much more beautiful.

And then the epilogue… Am I sensing a new book? A new series? I see the vision, I see the hint, and I’m so down for whatever that is.


════════════════════════

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated reads this year - and it was everything I'd hoped - but now I'm sad that it's over. I'll miss these characters.

War is coming, and preparations are in the works. Sera creates more saints to help, but it takes a toll on her health, and she fears she may not live long enough to see the outcome of the war. When saints are made, no one knows what power they'll have, but I liked that it matches their personalities.

As the Saint of Nightmares, Ransom's shadow creatures are dark and deadly, and he's afraid the darkness is consuming him. His sister, Anouk, reminds him of the boy he used to be, the one who found color in the gray and light in the dark. Her perspective shows a side of Ransom that's only glimpsed throughout the series. He and Theo have the best character arcs in my opinion.

While Ransom and Sera have many quote-worthy lines, it's Val and Caruso's budding romance that nearly steals the show. Their threatening banter/love language is hilarious and perfect for their dynamic, and I'll be the first one in line to read it if the author gives them a spinoff series.

When I say the high stakes scenes are action-packed and emotional, double whatever you're thinking. Ransom and Anouk aren't always in control of their powers, Lark continues to raise the dead to battle the saints, it's unclear whose side one of my favorite characters is fighting for, and villain Prince Andreas strips free will and compels townsfolk to carry out his commands. With so much going on, it didn't feel like nearly 500 pages.

I'm a big fan of epilogues that give a peek into the future of characters, and the author provides a beautiful one. Highly recommended for fans of the enemies to lovers trope, strong character arcs, and a unique magical system.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Paulina · Rating 3 out of 5]

“𝙞 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩, 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙞 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡. 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙞 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥. 𝙞 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚, 𝙞’𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙛𝙖𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙮 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨”

what a great ending to this trilogy! i really loved how everything came together, even if the ending was a little bittersweet. i definitely cried my eyes out during those last few chapters 🥹

ransom and sera are absolutely wholesome, and i love how, against all odds, they just keep being pulled towards each other. you can really feel how much they love and care for one another, and their relationship was definitely one of my favourite parts of the trilogy

i also really enjoyed getting povs from theo and valerie. i love when books like this don’t just focus entirely on the fmc and mmc, but take the time to dive deeper into the side characters too. they’re just as important to the story, and i really enjoyed getting to know them better - and don’t get me started on tobias and fabian

my biggest issue was that the book felt a little slow for me. considering it was around 500 pages, i felt like not a huge amount happened, and we seemed to go around in circles for a large chunk of the book. then, when we finally reached the ending, it felt like everything wrapped up a little too quickly

i also wish we’d gotten a little more of what happened to everyone after the ending, because after everything they went through, i would have loved to see where their lives went from there

overall, though, i really enjoyed this trilogy and i’m glad i stuck with it. ransom and sera have my whole heart, and despite a few pacing issues, this was a really emotional and satisfying conclusion

“𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙞 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙞 𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙘𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩?”

[Sophie TM · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to share too much in my review because this is the third and final installment of the City of Fantome, but to keep it vague(ish):

I’ve been obsessed with this series ever since I randomly picked up The Dagger and the Flame from my local bookshop, and now two books later, this was such a worthy, satisfying send-off to a fantastic trilogy. The stakes were sky-high from the start, the pacing was great, and Catherine Doyle tied up (almost) every loose thread so well. I am genuinely heartbroken to leave Fantome and these characters behind, but something in that bonus chapter makes me think maybe (hopefully) we might get more in this universe??

We got a lot more POVs in The Dragon and the Dove than the previous two books, which usually makes me nervous, it can get messy fast, but I really enjoyed it in this case. Every single voice felt completely distinct, and watching their paths branch out and collide really helped build the tension. It also really allowed the plot to branch out more organically which, for a third book, can be a challenge. It also really served to highlight the found family/reluctant allies dynamics that made this cast so interesting and loveable in the first place.

Plot-wise, the main couple's romance takes a slight back seat to the battle chaos, scheming and politics going on, but secondary romantic threads added to this book made up for it. Plus, the chemistry between the various romances has matured right along with the characters, so there was a bit more spice this time around, which felt earned and natural.

Between the action, heartbreak, and that satisfying but intriguing finale, I’m a wreck, but a happy one. If you haven’t started this series yet, consider this your sign, you’re in for a treat!

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a review copy in preparation for an upcoming UKYASpotlight interview. It has not affected my opinions.

THE DRAGON AND THE DOVE is an action-packed finale to this series.

Given this is a romantasy series, you expect relationship tension. I was glad that this came from their worry over how the other has used their magic. They're both trying to make the relationship work but also freaking out more than a little about the toll magic is taking.

In addition to Seraphine and Ransom, there are chapters from Theo, Val, Anouk, Caruso, and Nadia (with the first two being the largest of the additional perspectives.) I particularly loved getting into Theo's head as he has the weight of legacy on him, in a way the others don't. They have expectations based on who they are, not their ancestors, and this legacy has a real effect on his behaviour.

There is so much action in this book! In addition to the big final battle you'd expect from a fantasy series finale with a big bad out to conquer all, there are plenty of engagements beforehand - and not all against their enemies.  Not everyone is in the alliance because they believe in the cause - and not everyone trusts their fellows. Ransom and Theo in particular do not get along.

There was a cost to it, which I appreciated. Not everyone survives on both sides, and there are some really close calls. The showdown with Lark was more emotional than I expected (given how much I don't like him!)

[Caity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this ARC!! It was my most anticipated read of 2026!

3.5⭐️
I am so torn about this review because the first two books in this series were 6 star reads for me and this one fell short of the mark 😭
The Good:
-more POVs: these can often go so wrong but I loved getting more bits of the story, especially from Theo’s POV. My only issue here is that several of them from anouk or Nadia felt a little superfluous and a bit long.
-wrapped up nicely. The story had a solid ending that made sense, served the characters, and solved all the issues and closed all the holes so to speak
-Val and Caruso
-the magic system really is so unique
-Theo

The Bad:
-sera’s voice didn’t always feel like “sera”; she never seemed to fall back into character
- sera and ransoms dynamic felt stilted and generic for most of the book. I missed their original chemistry that made the series what it is
-it just felt so long. Every single part in it felt like it could have been considerably shorter while still getting the point across. I kept finding myself thinking “OMG GET ON WITH IT!!”, even during critical action sequences (which there were also one too many of)
-ransom turned into a very cliche, caricatured shadow daddy and I just didn’t love it

I’m so sad to have to write such a mid review esp bc I was looking SO forward to this book and since the second one was such a banger. But this one just couldn’t pull off the same flair and ended up lackluster. But it did have a satisfying ending so I’ll give it that…!

[Nish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up The Dagger and the Flame on a whim and became so invested that I was lucky enough to have my request approved for an arc of book 3, The Dragon and the Dove! This was a neat conclusion to a whimsical, darkness versus light (i.e. shade vs firelight) battle of the ages. Whilst preparing to defeat the Prince, Seraphine and Ransom's bond was tested as their differing motives finally came to the surface. As a line draws between the two sides, theirs is not the only bond that is tested when loyalties that have lasted years are also questioned.

Catherine Doyle is brilliant at writing supporting characters to strengthen the narrative and despite multiple POVs the plot was never confusing. The short chapters made this a fast paced read and even more enjoyable, there was so much going on to progress the story that this book was hard to put down. Lark as a villain was dangerous and sinister and genuinely made my skin crawl. On the other hand, Caruso and Val's banter was my favourite part of this book. Having now read the trilogy, I wouldn't categorise this as YA given the sexual content (and particularly gruesome ending in The Rebel and the Rose (Book 2)) but as the storyline is not overly complicated, it may have been targeted to a YA audience for that reason and regardless I would still definitely recommend it. The loss of a favourite character, and I won't say which one, meant I didn't enjoy the ending of the book as much as I'd have liked so it's not quite a 5* read for me but it hasn't taken away from how much I enjoyed the journey in Fantome overall and the growth of these characters!

Thank you @netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's UK for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest unedited review.

[Fallon Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concluding the series with a bang, this was easily my favourite book of the trilogy - picking up where book two left off, Sera and Ransom are gathering their allies for the inevitable conflict with Prince Andreas, the self-proclaimed People’s Saint. Yet while Sera feels called to make more saints, she can also feel a part of herself slipping away each time. Battling against time and Andreas’ increasing power, nothing about the future seems certain.

This book was packed with action from start to finish, I really enjoyed the wide range of POVs we got, and I especially loved any page time we got with Val and Caruso! I also appreciated Ransom’s character growth in this book. I often find in romantasy books that the MMCs can be underdeveloped and little more than a foil for the FMC, which ultimately just makes them bland, cookie cutter characters. But Ransom manages to be both a simp for Sera while also maintaining his own individuality beyond their relationship.

I will admit that there are some elements that, if you look too hard, don’t quite stack up and others that are a bit too easily and neatly wrapped up; however, it’s a YA book so I’m giving it some grace! Overall, a great conclusion to a fun YA trilogy that feels quite different from your standard fae, witch or vampire style of fantasy books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book.

[Erica Stanforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM DISTRAUGHT.

Ugh. I’ve never been so happy to receive an ARC in my life (THANK YOU Netgalley and publishers).

For starters, every book in this series is 6⭐️ for me. That is SO rare. I couldn’t read them fast enough. And this third and final book did not disappoint. Nothing in this trilogy ever felt drawn out or repetitive. Each book had it’s own story to tell. I LOVED that we get different villains. Loved that we get different love stories (KICKING MY FEET AT YOU CARUSOOOOO 🥹🥹🥹). It isn’t just the same story happening over and over like soooo many other multi-book series.

Sera is so wonderful in this book. She is truly going through it but she is SO strong and SO selfless without ever feeling like a martyr. Ransom is Ransom. We love our puppy dog nightmare boyfriend. 😂🖤

I LOVEDDD the extra POVs we got in book 3 as well. VAL AND CARUSO ARE EVERYTHING. And the epilogue pov??? Well I won’t share it because it’s a lovely surprise but it was 🤌🏼🤌🏼

The devastation?!?! I CRIED SO MANY TIMES. 😭 It has seriously been so long since a book has made me cry.

Anyways. This book will be living in my head rent free for the foreseeable future. And do not expect me to shut up about it anytime soon.

No notes.

♾️⭐️

[Shénagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Dragon and the Dove was a good ending to the series and overall I really enjoyed it. There was plenty of action, danger and emotional moments, and I liked that everything didn't work out perfectly for everyone. It made the story feel like it actually had consequences and kept the stakes high.

Sera was once again one of my favourite parts of the book. She's strong, determined and willing to put herself on the line for the people she loves. I also enjoyed getting different POVs as it gave us a better look at everything that was going on.

There were a few things that stopped this from being a higher rating for me though. At times, it felt longer than it needed to be and some parts did drag a little. With so many characters and POVs, I occasionally found it hard to keep track of everyone. There were also parts of the story that I could see coming, and while I was happy with the ending, some things felt a little too easy.

Overall though, I really enjoyed this final book and was happy with how the series came to an end. It had action, emotion and plenty of drama, and despite a few issues along the way, I stayed invested in the characters and their story.

A solid 4-star read for me.

[Margaret Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dragon and the Dove is a fantastic conclusion to Catherine Doyle's City of Fantome trilogy. The combination of high-stakes fantasy, romance, dangerous powers, and an ever-growing threat makes this such an exciting finale.

I especially love how much emotional weight is given to Sera and Ransom's journey. Their relationship has always been such an important part of the series, and the circumstances they face in this final installment make their bond feel even more significant.

The world of City of Fantome continues to be one of the strongest aspects of the series. The saints, shadows, flames, and magic create an atmosphere that feels both beautiful and dangerous, while the increasingly high stakes keep the story moving toward a truly epic confrontation.

Catherine Doyle has created a wonderful cast of characters and a fascinating fantasy world, and this feels like a fitting final chapter to their story. I'm definitely sad to see the trilogy come to an end, but I'm very glad I got to experience this world.

A thrilling, romantic, and emotional fantasy finale that fans of the series will definitely want to pick up.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devastated in the best way, and what a treat to get an advanced copy of this one. The story picks up right where we left off before, and we hit the ground running. I did not feel like there was a single slow moment, a single slump or lull. Each moment is intense, heart warming or wrenching, and deliberate. Usually, throwing in multiple POVs only confuses me or makes me a little irritated (see, Assistant to the Villain series, which I still enjoy!!), but the additional POVs here are meticulously done in a way that actually ties into the singular story at hand. Rather than overwhelming the reader with multiple storylines, the author uses the different perspectives to enlighten the reader on the plot at hand, but through the eyes of distinct, well rounded characters. I have so many emotions after reading this, and although my heart is torn, I am happy with the conclusion of this story and how the author tied this up without dragging it along unnecessarily. I’m excited to see what she writes next in this universe!

[B. Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

How swift the ending comes!
I read this in less than 6 hours. The pace is very fast and there are no lingering moments. We are re-introduced to our main characters and their conflict, then it’s off on an adventure speed running to the conclusion.
The gang is all here and it’s interesting to see how Sera, Ransom, and the other Flames have grown since the first book. The friendships and humor shared continues to feel genuine.
The rivals to soulmates was given time over the three books, so it wasn’t rushed. If it hadn’t been given the space it needed I think the intensity of Seraphine and Ransom’s love in this installment would have felt like too much.
The magic system expands here in a way that I think strengthens the characterization.

The conclusion felt earned, every character having gone through change and sacrifice.

I’ve enjoyed this YA series. And think that teen and new adult readers will find a lot to like about the journey of these characters.

Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Simon Teen for the ARC!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This final book in a YA trilogy picks up with young lovers Seraphine and Ransom stretched to their absolute limits as they try to protect themselves, their friends and their city from the clutches of a manipulative madman.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this book that I am giving 3⭐️.

Unfortunately this book felt like a fast paced rush to the finish line filled with an excessive amount of too easy for everything. Now that we now Sera can make Saints she can just turn all of her friends and everyone close to her into a Saint to fight the final battle. Ransom continues his emo-esque descent into I am the darkness before the standard no you are the light conversion to heroness.

When I compare this book to everything I loved about book one, I’m honestly a bit disappointed by how this all turned out. I will purchase a copy of this book since I already have the other two.

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Simon & Schuster Publishing and NetGalley, for the ARC!
This was a very satisfying end to the trilogy. I really enjoyed the different perspectives throughout the chapters and how they showed each character’s part in getting to the conclusion. I’ve always enjoyed the unique magic in this series, and I loved how this installment expanded on it.
I do think it dragged at times and could have easily been at least 100 pages shorter. There are also just so many characters that, at times, I forgot who was who—especially if you haven’t read the second book recently.
Another thing that felt a little out of place was some of the “romantic” scenes between the different couples. It’s hard to maintain the suspense of a fighting scene when it suddenly switches to kissing and romantic banter like they’re not in the middle of a battle!
Overall, though, I really enjoyed the ending and would definitely recommend the series!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘰𝘷𝘦 is a thrilling conclusion to one of my favorite series!

The final installment of the City of Fantome trilogy opens with explosive action, wasting no time hooking readers. The found family is expertly penned, exploring side characters to add impact to the story. Doyle's prose is fitting for the atmosphere and is incredibly immersive. It's bittersweet to have finished this adventure!

While some of the solutions to Sera's problems felt a bit convenient, the plot is packed with detail to move the story forward and I didn't mind when characters were able to catch a few breaks.

I loved the magic system and feel it was all tied up in a satisfying conclusion. I will be recommending this trilogy for years to come!

Thank you to Simon Teen and NetGalley for the advance reading copy!

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the eARC. I was very excited to start the third and last book in The City of Fantome series.
I loved getting to catch up with Sera and Ransom and all of the great side characters again. This book, like the others, starts out fast and doesn’t slow down until the final conclusion. I didn’t give this 5 stars because, while our main character, Sera, is amazing, her counterpart, Bastian, just never seemed like a good match for her. Although the ending is not what I predicted, it was a satisfying conclusion to this series. I would recommend this series to others who enjoy romantasy reads that have easy world building. I know this is considered a young adult but really is for an older reader due to the sexual content throughout the series.

[florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible end to an incredible series. I absolutely loved this and I wish I could read it for the first time again.

The sacrifices in here, my god they were dramatic and heartfelt and soul destroying. If you thought that well loved characters would be safe, think again. There were so many aspects of this story that took me by surprise and I just loved it.

Sera and Ransom will always have my heart, they are such a delightful pairing who would burn the world down for each other, while encouraging each other to find their light.

The sense of pressure and the responsibility that they all felt really came though.

I just had the best time reading this and would thoroughly recommend it.