Book Review (YA): The Rebel and the Rose by Catherine Doyle
Release Date: December 2nd, 2025
Rating: 9 out of 10
Spice Level: 1 out of 5
Cover Grade: A+
Audiobook Narrator: Excellent performance by Freddy Carter & Emily Carey
Synopsis
In The Rebel and the Rose, Seraphine Marchant leads the Order of Flames against shadow magic while struggling to contain her growing powers. When the King summons her, she must face her rival, Ransom.
Sera haunts Ransom’s thoughts. Their clashes deepen a rivalry that distracts him from the burden of commanding the Order of Daggers. Night after night, he questions if shadow work will forever define him.
Forced to collaborate by royal decree, Sera and Ransom battle both the rebellion of the “people’s saint,” and their illicit attraction. As an age-old prophecy blossoms, this second Valterre novel weaves political intrigue with the enemies’ struggle against desire and destiny.
Strengths: The fantastical, imaginative world features slow-burning tension alongside visual storytelling. Pacing is just right—highly engaging and flows effortlessly from scene to scene with dialogue-driven chemistry between a memorable cast of characters. The ending is unexpected and leaves you disappointed in some characters’ actions, what the heck!
Weakness: Maybe a tad too descriptive during a love scene for the target age, but I didn’t mind.
Verdict
Big heart emoji, I am so glad I picked up this book. I absolutely love Ransom and Sera. All the characters feel so real and connected. I jumped into this story in the middle, not realizing this was book two. Now I have to read book one, and I can’t wait for the next book. The ending was both satisfying and so infuriating with certain…people. I need to know what happens next. (9/10)
Thank you, Catherine Doyle, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster & Libro.fm. I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Pre-Order Your Copy
Aber Stoat Books (print)
Bookshop.org (eBook)
Libro.fm (audiobook) 🎧
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From the Publisher:
Series: The City of Fantome
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books / Simon & Schuster
Hardcover / Audiobook
ISBN: 9781665955140 / 9781668152966
528 pages / 13 hours 22 minutes
Narrators: Freddy Carter & Emily Carey
Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
Young Adult Fiction / Romance
Young Adult Fiction / Loners & Outcasts
Description:
The path of destiny burns with love, magic, and betrayal in this second book in the City of Fantome enemies-to-lovers romantasy series perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Caraval.
From a remote hilltop haven, far from the city of Fantome, Seraphine Marchant and her Order of Flames plot to eradicate shade magic with lightfire. But as Sera struggles to control her blooming powers, destiny calls her back to Fantome—and to the assassin who haunts her dreams.
Ransom Hale can’t get Sera out of his head. As their rivalry grows and he grapples with the responsibility of leading the Order of Daggers, he feels himself slipping further from who he wants to be. Is he doomed to a life in the shadows? Or can he forge another path?
Meanwhile, rebellion is stirring in the kingdom, and a dangerous prince grows in power. Forced to work together by order of the king, Sera and Ransom’s conflicted hearts are tested to their limits. And all the while, an ancient prophecy is unfolding that will change the fate of Valterre forever…
Author Bio:
Catherine Doyle is the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of the Twin Crowns series, The Storm Keepers trilogy, The Miracle on Ebenezer Street, and The Lost Girl King. Catherine grew up in the West of Ireland, and her books have been published in over twenty-five languages. She holds a BA in psychology and an MA in publishing.
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