so_many_books's review against another edition
5.0
This book is all about magic and witches and men hunting withces and an enemies to lovers trope that is to die for!
Needless to say I enjoyed Lou's story very very much!
Louise or as everyone knows her, Lou ran from her coven a long time ago and gave up her magic to hide in a city of men who live to kill her.
She manged to live unseen for two years and avoided Chasseurs, soldiers who hunt witches, but an unfortunate twist of fate brings her face to face, or rather face to chest with Captain Reid Diggory. The good Captain was raised and lived by one principle: no witch must survive. Their encounter leads to a rather interesting twist of their life... marrige.
Now that they live together bound by their vows to the other and Lou keeping a very very big secret of hers things are getting interesting!
I truly loved this book as it presented a new angle on witches and magic! The cost of performing magical acts is great and can ruin any soul or flesh. Living without her magic is a challange for Lou but she is determined to keep it that way with Diggory on her toes.
It was amazing seeing two so different souls gravitate towards each other, learning little thing about the other and slowly catching feelings that neither should have.
Lou and Reid's relationship is sweet, lovely and a little heartwrenching knowing that they are basically enemies and Reid's upbringing drilled the hatred and fear into him.
With the threat to Lou's life and the slow unreveling of secrets including evil witches, the royal family and Reid himself the story is fast paced and exciting! You have the feeling of impending doom over their heads the whole time and it's overwhelming.
Of course, authors have a rather annoying fascination with cliffhangers and last minute revelations that change everything so I am really really looking forward to the next chapter of this magical story.
If you look for an exciting and unique story about witches, a different kind of magic and a sweet love trope than I can only suggest Mahurin's amazing Serpent&Dove!
Needless to say I enjoyed Lou's story very very much!
Louise or as everyone knows her, Lou ran from her coven a long time ago and gave up her magic to hide in a city of men who live to kill her.
She manged to live unseen for two years and avoided Chasseurs, soldiers who hunt witches, but an unfortunate twist of fate brings her face to face, or rather face to chest with Captain Reid Diggory. The good Captain was raised and lived by one principle: no witch must survive. Their encounter leads to a rather interesting twist of their life... marrige.
Now that they live together bound by their vows to the other and Lou keeping a very very big secret of hers things are getting interesting!
I truly loved this book as it presented a new angle on witches and magic! The cost of performing magical acts is great and can ruin any soul or flesh. Living without her magic is a challange for Lou but she is determined to keep it that way with Diggory on her toes.
It was amazing seeing two so different souls gravitate towards each other, learning little thing about the other and slowly catching feelings that neither should have.
Lou and Reid's relationship is sweet, lovely and a little heartwrenching knowing that they are basically enemies and Reid's upbringing drilled the hatred and fear into him.
With the threat to Lou's life and the slow unreveling of secrets including evil witches, the royal family and Reid himself the story is fast paced and exciting! You have the feeling of impending doom over their heads the whole time and it's overwhelming.
Of course, authors have a rather annoying fascination with cliffhangers and last minute revelations that change everything so I am really really looking forward to the next chapter of this magical story.
If you look for an exciting and unique story about witches, a different kind of magic and a sweet love trope than I can only suggest Mahurin's amazing Serpent&Dove!
coeurgrenadine's review against another edition
5.0
This was ridiculously good! Very fun to read.
The chemistry between the two MCs was what made it worth it.
Read it from cover to cover and didn't regret it!
The chemistry between the two MCs was what made it worth it.
Read it from cover to cover and didn't regret it!
erinall3232's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sageereads's review against another edition
5.0
as a first time reader of fantasy this book did not disappoint!!
fairyaura's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
the fact that this book is specifically marketed to sarah j maas fans makes sense. the author has a similar style and sense of humor, with questionable writing choices. i don’t think the fantasy world was well researched and the intermittent french words were jarring, but shelby mahurin is definitely better at writing plot and character development than sarah. i just got sick of reading the word “ass” so much and seeing modern prose and dialogue in an older setting. the main character was not the most likable but experienced character growth: however, the middle of the book was as good as it got, and the end plot twists and climax left something to be desired as it became all about who is actually related to who, and sort of shot itself in the foot when it was revealed that i don’t plan on reading the rest of the series, but there was some substance to this first book and i don’t anticipate that i’d retain that opinion if i read on.
Spoiler
reid is actually a male witch, so the whole witch x witch hunter thing lost its potency.jinrui's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
nothanxxh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i enjoyed reading it.
i like lou (fmc)
i don’t feel anything for the male character.
didn’t like the progress of their relationship, they fell in love with each other too soon and by too soon, I don’t mean the page limit cause it was 300+ I only mean that they didn’t really know each other or they didn’t know anything significant about each other for them to love each other. so it didn’t hit the way it was supposed to hit, liked their banter though. COCO and LOU supremacy.
i like lou (fmc)
i don’t feel anything for the male character.
didn’t like the progress of their relationship, they fell in love with each other too soon and by too soon, I don’t mean the page limit cause it was 300+ I only mean that they didn’t really know each other or they didn’t know anything significant about each other for them to love each other. so it didn’t hit the way it was supposed to hit, liked their banter though. COCO and LOU supremacy.
justcallmeemily's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Child abuse