Serpent & Dove By: Shelby Mahurin

Synopsis:

Bound as one to love, honour, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all.

(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40024139-serpent-dove)

4.1/5 on Goodreads

4.6/5 on Barnes & Noble

Review:

Spoiler Alert!

3/5

I decided to read Serpent and Dove because everywhere on 'bookstagram' I saw Blood and Honey, the sequel, and it seemed to get a lot of praise. So here I am.

For the most part, I enjoyed reading Serpent and Dove. I really liked the idea behind it and the execution was fairly well done, however, where this book really lost me was at the end. From after Lou and Reid fought and Lou was kidnapped to when Lou was being saved I really just skimmed it. I could not get into the parts where she was talking with her mother or her old friends, and when Reid and Ansel were travelling to find her.

I loved the characters though, I love how Lou was strong and independent and would stand up to anyone no matter their status. She was bold and though she had moments and made choices I didn't agree with, overall I think she was a great character.

Reid was caring and considerate and a good balance for Lou. I enjoyed seeing them grow through the book and pick up traits from each other, like Lou becoming softer and Reid bolder.

Ansel was definitely a favourite of mine, how he tried to stand up against Lou to impress Reid, but the poor boy didn't stand a chance. His loyalty was shown well, especially when he stood up against Reid to go find Lou, despite the fact she had lied and hidden things from them, and he looked up to Reid.

There were some moments I don't quite understand the point of (may I bring up Beau and his 'Big Tiddy Liddy' moment? I get they needed a distraction, but that was the only way? While reading I found it very awkward) but there were also many I found were impactful written very well when I felt I really knew where the characters stood. Personally, I loved all the times Reid and Lou went out together. I loved seeing their relationship develop and getting to see who they were past the veneer they both hid behind, and I found some of the moments they shared really sweet.

Overall, I gave this book a two and a half to three out of five because the ending really didn't do it for me, even though I did enjoy the majority of the book. It is one of those books that I would read most of again, or maybe look back at my favourite moments, but not do a complete re-read. I will most likely still be reading the next one though, I do still want to see how the characters handle what happened and how they continue to grow.