Here’s the thing, I read the first book a while ago and I remember enjoying it, I think I rated it 3.75/5, I loved the banter in the first one with the two MCs but I find myself struggling to read this installment. I’m not sure if it’s just because it’s been a while since I read book 1 or if I’m just struggling with them being separated initially because their banter was what u loved so much in the first book.

The City of Fantome: Book Two is a solid follow-up that raises the stakes without losing the emotional tension that made the first book so addictive. Seraphine’s struggle with her growing powers feels grounded and personal, even as the plot expands into rebellion, prophecy, and high-stakes alliances. The magic system gets more layered, the world of Valterre more dangerous, and the threads of loyalty and betrayal are pulled tighter. It’s the kind of fantasy that doesn’t just rely on the worldbuilding—it puts its heart into the characters and their choices, even when those choices hurt.

At the center of it all is the slow-burning tension between Sera and Ransom, which continues to deliver. They’re enemies, allies, and something in between, and being forced to work together brings out all the right kind of friction. Ransom’s inner conflict—his fear of becoming the man he doesn’t want to be—mirrors Sera’s journey, and watching them push and pull through that is what makes the story work. If you like your romantasy with bite, heart, and just enough angst to keep you turning the pages, this one’s worth picking up.

Thank you to Simon Teen and NetGalley for the ARC of one of my most anticipated reads of late 2025!

This review will contain mild spoilers for 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 - proceed with caution!

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘦 continues a few months after the events of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦. The frost is melting as winter's grip loosens on Fantome, but the frigid tension between Sera and Ransom hasn't thawed. Since fleeing the City, Sera has strengthened the Order of the Flames, hoping to increase accessibly of lightfire by convincing shade smuggler's to join her cause - and abandon Ransom's shade. He's now leading the Order of the Daggers and trying to ignore his lingering feelings for the spitfire he had come to care deeply for. Forced to work together under the King's orders, the pair battle complicated feelings and a growing resistance amidst a prophecy that is starting to unfold...

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced and exciting story! As with its predecessor, the beautiful and digestible prose makes for an addictive read that I never wanted to put down. With varied character motivations and lines blurring with complicated feelings, I anticipated and questioned potential betrayals. The found family trope remains strong, and readers get to experience daggers and flames forced to coexist, which goes about exactly as you'd expect!

I loved the setting of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦, yet I welcomed the expansion of the world as a quest finds our characters leaving Fantome and traversing Valterre. The lore of the Saints is also further explored, adding depth to the story and politics. The magic system is intriguing, and I loved how there was an element seemingly inspired by the dancing plague as this was a dangerous, fascinating magical power to explore.

Fans of the first installment will not be disappointed when this hits shelves in September (UK) or December (US)!