Scan barcode
mariereads_'s review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I was no one's sacrifice. Not then. Not now. Not ever.
Exhilirating. Gripping. Intense.
I've had a bit of a book slump for more than a year and it's only been this month that I've had the courage to start reading again.
Serpent and Dove was one of the best books that got me out of my reading slump.
I love the exquisite and detailed world-building that Shelby Mahurin has created. It transports the reader to 17th century France and you could actually feel and experience that you were witnessing magic and mystery unfold.
This enemies-to-lovers, off-page marriage, daggers-to-throat relationship between Reid and Lou was off the charts! The balance between their vulnerability both as a couple and as individuals, and the turmoil, secrecy, and fear that they both are dealing with speaks to me on so many levels!!
I cried my eyes out when
More than that, I loved how Lou built strength to face her mother and take a hold of her fate. It's such a fascinating and empowering thing that one can make a path and fate of their own and not succumb to what was "phropecised"
The side characters were also very lovable! Throughout the book, Coco and Ansel has claimed a soft spot in my heart for them. Even Jean Luc despite being a total jerk, I'm rooting for his character development, if there is any, in the next books.
Some of the plot twists are shocking and surprising while others were heavily foreshadowed that I knew when to anticipate them or just guessed it outright.
Suffice to say, this initial installment of the series has me hooked and eager to buy the second book so I can journey with Lou and Reid throughout the series.
Graphic: Genocide, Misogyny, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, and Cursing
kazik's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Self harm, and Torture
owlishly_reading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Genocide, Infidelity, Vomit, and Death of parent
jasirepe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
ehmannky's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I also love a good "falling in love with my spouse and somehow this makes my wanting them more complicated" trope. And both Lou and Reid hit all of the best notes of the potential of this trope. Their angst in learning to trust each other and falling in love in spite of themselves was just delicious. Their relationship moves fast, especially since Reid is theoretically in love with someone else at the beginning, but it's not as fast as some romances I've read, and I forgive it because I just loved Reid and Lou so much.
God, I hope in the next book Ansel and Coco and Beau can find their way into the throuple of my dreams while.
Graphic: Body horror, Genocide, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Vomit and Kidnapping
Minor: Torture