Catherine Doyle

#1 Twin Crowns - ★★★★★

Twin Crowns was such a magical read. From the moment I read the synopsis, I wanted to know more about these two sister twins. The action starts from the very first page, and it never stops. Even when it ended, I was immediately craving to read the second book in the Twin Crowns series. Needless to say, I will be pestering and stalking both authors for book spoilers and updates.

Synopsis:

Two sisters. One throne. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the show more crown?

Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she would steal her sister’s place in the palace. Trained from birth to avenge her parents’ murder and usurp the princess, she will do anything to rise to power and protect the community of witches she loves.

Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility including marriage into a brutal kingdom. Life outside the palace walls is a place to be feared and she is soon to discover that it’s wilder than she ever imagined.

Twin sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other’s lives a whole lot better…

My Thoughts:

The royal theme entwined with magic really hooked me. The stories about the witches were some of my favourite scenes whilst reading this book. All the awful things that happened to them, things that were done to them. How they were forced to go into hiding and give up so many things, the throne being one of them. However, what really made me love them was the willpower for them to keep fighting. They never give up and finally come back to fight for what truly belongs to them.

“When you break open the stone heart of Anadawn Palace and seize your rightful place on its throne, all the winds of Eana will sing your name. May the courage of the witches go with you, my little bird.”

I also loved that this book features twin sisters. I was very glad that we didn’t have any of those stereotypical moments that authors like to do with twins. It was such a relief! Wren and Rose are two completely different people with different personalities, and this book really explores that. They are both so very lovable in their own unique way. I connected with Wren slightly more than I did with Rose. Perhaps due to the fact that Wren is more adventurous, outspoken and sarcastic. However, Rose is also amazing – and her story is very emotional. The development she is going through is inspiring. It’s not easy to suddenly realise that your whole life has been based on lies, and now you are away from home and have to relearn everything from the beginning.

“I imagine the battles a princess must fight don’t often call for knives and swords.”

Everything about this book captivated me. The world, the twin sisters, the witches… Then Tor and Shen, the Cliffs, the desert and the unknown places we are still yet to explore. I can vividly imagine every detail in this world, because it was so perfectly described. The story itself carried excitement and suspense at the end of each chapter. It made me desperate to keep reading. And the chapters swapping between Wren and Rose’s points of view only add up to the fast pace the book has.

The romance in this book is adorable. We have a few slow burn romances entwined with humour. I am so invested in these people’s relationships and I can’t wait to read about their happy ever afters. The bonds that they make are very wholesome and adorable, and I am here for it.

Rose glared at him. “Do you always talk to women the way you talk to your horse?”
“You should be flattered. There’s no one in this world I respect more than Storm.”

I also had the privilege to attend two online meetings and meet both authors. They shared so many incredible details about the book, the places and the motivation behind it. Reading this book with some amazing bookstagrammers as part of a readalong and also whilst chatting with the authors made this book very special to me. I will forever cherish that experience!

To sum up, although I could go on forever, please pick this book up! It’s the magic YA fantasy you’ve been yearning for. As soon as you finish the first chapter and the magic starts working, you won’t be able to put Twin Crowns down. I am sure Wren’s enchantment spells have something to do with this!

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The two stars are for the general idea and setting. Beyond that, I didn't enjoy it. The characters are flat and don't really develop, the plot is trope-heavy and a little muddled, and there's an awful lot of cruelty that's not given proper weight. For most of the book it's annoying, and because each page is so annoying you never really get to enjoy the ideas. Though it resolves itself a bit in the end, I'm consistently bothered by the interactions. Not something I'd ever give to my nephew.

The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle was a delightful surprise. While the book is categorized as a romance, it offers a rich fantasy world with engaging characters and well-crafted lore that makes it hard to put down. As an older male reader, I found the balance of adventure, intrigue, and romance to be compelling. The story is fast-paced, and the relationship dynamics are nuanced, making it more than just a typical love story. It's a great read for anyone who enjoys a blend of show more fantasy and romance, regardless of genre preference. show less

I was immediately attracted to this book because it is set in Ireland, on Arranmore Island in County Donegal and promised Irish mythology. Doyle delivers with realistic descriptions of the Irish countryside and retellings of old myths. I also think it's fun that she changed her main character, Fionn Boyle is named after her grandparents that lived on Arranmore, and that her last name is Doyle, so close to Boyle. Fionn Boyle regrets having to leave Dublin and his loving, but show more mentally-disturbed mother to spend the summer on remote Arranmore Island with a grandfather he hardlly knows and his sister, Tara, who has turned into a terrible teen. Even the ferry crossing upsets Fionn as he's afraid of the sea. His father died at sea. Grandfather Malachy at first seems confusing with his talk of magic and his candles everywhere, and Fionn despairs of enjoying the summer. Yet Malachy knows something Fionn does not: that Fionn is stronger than he thinks and that Arranmore is his true home. Fionna and Malachy form a bond, helping each other. In the meantime, another family on the island thinks their son should be the next keeper of the island after Malachy. At odds, Fionn and Bartley race to find the sea cave that will answer the one question both want to ask. This is a fine middle-grade novel full of adventure, family and mystery. I look forward to reading the next book. show less