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A review by syl_val15
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
5.0
4.75 rounded up to 5, because it's worth it!
After finishing the book more than two weeks ago and shortly writing a review after I now decided to finally post the review.
Does anyone ever have a certain feeling where you love a book so much that you try to read as slowly as possible, just because you’re loving everything about it and don’t want it to end? Yep, that was me with this book.
At first, I was so nervous to pick this book up, because whenever I see a book that's getting all the hypes I decide not to read or not to love it, because a lot of times they disappoint me and don't live up to my expectations but boy was I wrong about this one. I simply couldn't stop myself loving this book.
Alright, my thoughts on the book.
“There are some things that can't be changed with words. Some things have to be seen. They have to be felt.”
Cover: First of all, this cover is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!! Probably the best book cover in 2 things: 1) Best cover that has snake on it (the others seemed too bland for me), 2) Best YA cover of 2019 periodt!
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, slow-burn, marriage of convenience I mean what more can a reader want, right?
Romance: It.was.perfection. That's it.
Friendships: There were not one but two friendships that I loved between the main character and the secondary characters. First one being Lou and Coco: badass witches who aren't afraid of anything and they can just speak however they want
And the second was: Lou and Ansel: I loved how Ansel cared about Lou and vice versa, they had a cute kind of big sister little brother kind of relationship.
World building: Historical books have always been a favorite genre of mine, because they always give an enchanting atmosphere of some sort. This book took place in France during the 17th centure, I believe, which was also done very well.
Pacing: Although the book was a little over 500 pages, it didn't even felt that long. I honestly wouldn't have minded if it were longer.
Writing style: I still can't believe how this was the author's debut novel. She did everything brilliantly. I was captivated from the story from the very early chapters. Major Kudos to her.
I don't think I've read enough books which were about witches and witch crafts and even if I did there weren't enough expanations or descriptions about them, however in this book I definitely learned new thing about them.
Twist and Turns: Some of them I saw coming from early on and some of them I didn't. But even the ones that I knew were going to happen and the minute they were revealed I was still in shock. They definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.
Genre: Most of the time it felt more like new adult/adult fantasy than just young-adult, based on the way how the characters behaved and spoke and the much more suggestive content and themes in the book.
Lastly, who do I recommend this book to: Everyone!!!
Also, I know Lou and Reid are getting compared to Nina and Matthais from Six of Crows duology, because of their similarities, relationship and everything else and I'm writing this because I fully agree with that. But, if you loved Nina and Matthias, you’re going to love Lou and Reid even more. I know it’s sounds impossible because they're one of the best couples in YA fantasy genre, but it’s true.
From the moment I finished 'Serpent and Dove' I eagerly started counting off the days for the sequel, and I'm hoping it'll be as good or if possible even better than the first book. *fingers crossed*
After finishing the book more than two weeks ago and shortly writing a review after I now decided to finally post the review.
Does anyone ever have a certain feeling where you love a book so much that you try to read as slowly as possible, just because you’re loving everything about it and don’t want it to end? Yep, that was me with this book.
At first, I was so nervous to pick this book up, because whenever I see a book that's getting all the hypes I decide not to read or not to love it, because a lot of times they disappoint me and don't live up to my expectations but boy was I wrong about this one. I simply couldn't stop myself loving this book.
Alright, my thoughts on the book.
“There are some things that can't be changed with words. Some things have to be seen. They have to be felt.”
Cover: First of all, this cover is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!! Probably the best book cover in 2 things: 1) Best cover that has snake on it (the others seemed too bland for me), 2) Best YA cover of 2019 periodt!
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, slow-burn, marriage of convenience I mean what more can a reader want, right?
Romance: It.was.perfection. That's it.
Friendships: There were not one but two friendships that I loved between the main character and the secondary characters. First one being Lou and Coco: badass witches who aren't afraid of anything and they can just speak however they want
And the second was: Lou and Ansel: I loved how Ansel cared about Lou and vice versa, they had a cute kind of big sister little brother kind of relationship.
Spoiler
(he even kind of kept Lou's secret from Reid, talk about loyalty).World building: Historical books have always been a favorite genre of mine, because they always give an enchanting atmosphere of some sort. This book took place in France during the 17th centure, I believe, which was also done very well.
Pacing: Although the book was a little over 500 pages, it didn't even felt that long. I honestly wouldn't have minded if it were longer.
Writing style: I still can't believe how this was the author's debut novel. She did everything brilliantly. I was captivated from the story from the very early chapters. Major Kudos to her.
I don't think I've read enough books which were about witches and witch crafts and even if I did there weren't enough expanations or descriptions about them, however in this book I definitely learned new thing about them.
Twist and Turns: Some of them I saw coming from early on and some of them I didn't. But even the ones that I knew were going to happen and the minute they were revealed I was still in shock. They definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.
Genre: Most of the time it felt more like new adult/adult fantasy than just young-adult, based on the way how the characters behaved and spoke and the much more suggestive content and themes in the book.
Lastly, who do I recommend this book to: Everyone!!!
Also, I know Lou and Reid are getting compared to Nina and Matthais from Six of Crows duology, because of their similarities, relationship and everything else and I'm writing this because I fully agree with that. But, if you loved Nina and Matthias, you’re going to love Lou and Reid even more. I know it’s sounds impossible because they're one of the best couples in YA fantasy genre, but it’s true.
From the moment I finished 'Serpent and Dove' I eagerly started counting off the days for the sequel, and I'm hoping it'll be as good or if possible even better than the first book. *fingers crossed*