Scan barcode
A review by laurenbookishtwins
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
4.0
I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you kindly to HarperTeen for my review copy.
Louise le Blanc, or Lou as she likes to be called, fled her coven for the City of Cesarine, where witches like herself are feared, hunted, and burned. Reid Diggory is a Chausseur, sworn to the Church and with only one principle in which to live by: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. The two are forced together against all the odds — they must marry. Between the war amongst witches and Chausseur’s, Lou’s deadly enemies, and her growing affections, a choice must be made.
At first I was a little nervous to start reading this because I had been hearing some amazing things about it and was worried it wasn’t going to live up to my expectations. But thankfully I adored it. I mean, is it any surprise I did? An intense fantasy with magic, witches, and war which is my jam. And with a hate-to-love romance between a broody devout witch-hunter and a snarky witch in hiding? Of course, I loved it.
“A witch and a witch hunter bound in holy matrimony. There was only one way such a story could end – a stake and a match.”
Mahurin managed to strike a perfect balance between world-building, intricately woven magic system, swoon-worthy romance, rising tensions, and the slowly forming witchy schemes. There was never a dull moment, but neither was it too fast-paced. It genuinely didn’t feel 500 pages long because I was so enamored with every aspect of this debut.
Lou was a particular favourite. She hid her insecurities and fear behind her foul mouth and allure and I loved it. She was a fantastically developed and complex protagonist — brave, intelligent, witty but she also undeniably looks out for her own self-interest. Her romance with Reid was a m a z i n g. I am a huge fan of angsty enemies-to-lovers romances and this one did a brilliant job. There is also a lovable side cast of characters — I particularly enjoyed Ansel.
“He was such a brute. A somewhat adorable, pompous-assed brute.”
If you’re looking for a solid fantasy with an intricate magic system, a swoon-worthy romance and a broody devout love interest, then this is definitely a book you should keep your eye on. I am eagerly awaiting the next book!
Louise le Blanc, or Lou as she likes to be called, fled her coven for the City of Cesarine, where witches like herself are feared, hunted, and burned. Reid Diggory is a Chausseur, sworn to the Church and with only one principle in which to live by: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. The two are forced together against all the odds — they must marry. Between the war amongst witches and Chausseur’s, Lou’s deadly enemies, and her growing affections, a choice must be made.
At first I was a little nervous to start reading this because I had been hearing some amazing things about it and was worried it wasn’t going to live up to my expectations. But thankfully I adored it. I mean, is it any surprise I did? An intense fantasy with magic, witches, and war which is my jam. And with a hate-to-love romance between a broody devout witch-hunter and a snarky witch in hiding? Of course, I loved it.
“A witch and a witch hunter bound in holy matrimony. There was only one way such a story could end – a stake and a match.”
Mahurin managed to strike a perfect balance between world-building, intricately woven magic system, swoon-worthy romance, rising tensions, and the slowly forming witchy schemes. There was never a dull moment, but neither was it too fast-paced. It genuinely didn’t feel 500 pages long because I was so enamored with every aspect of this debut.
Lou was a particular favourite. She hid her insecurities and fear behind her foul mouth and allure and I loved it. She was a fantastically developed and complex protagonist — brave, intelligent, witty but she also undeniably looks out for her own self-interest. Her romance with Reid was a m a z i n g. I am a huge fan of angsty enemies-to-lovers romances and this one did a brilliant job. There is also a lovable side cast of characters — I particularly enjoyed Ansel.
“He was such a brute. A somewhat adorable, pompous-assed brute.”
If you’re looking for a solid fantasy with an intricate magic system, a swoon-worthy romance and a broody devout love interest, then this is definitely a book you should keep your eye on. I am eagerly awaiting the next book!