SERPENT AND DOVE BY SHELBY MAHURIN
“I was no one’s sacrifice. Not then. Not now. Not ever.”
– Shelby Mahurin
Specifics:
Book: Serpent and Dove
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Published: 3rd September’2019
Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Romance novel
Series: Serpent and Dove #1
Publisher: Harper teen, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
Pages: 513
My rating: 5/5
Blurb:
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.
~~~
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 hanted. They are feared. And they are burned.
Sworn to the church as a Chasseur, REID DIGGORY has lived his life by one principal: Thou shall 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.
“There are some things that can’t be changed with words. Some things have to be seen. They have to be felt.”
– Shelby Mahurin
Review:
This was a very smooth and easy read. It was so gripping that I couldn’t keep it down. I am in love with everything about this book. This is why it became my first 5 star read of the year 2020.
The premise of the book is alluring in itself. A witch and a witch hunter in holy matrimony? Bring it on! This is a classic enemies-turn-to-lovers kind of a story with a twist. It is not clichéd at all and is one hell of a love story. How I started and finished in less than 3 hours (not in a single sitting though I wish I had three free hours at once), only the author should know. I am craving for books with such writing styles now.
The writing is not only easy to follow but is hilarious. Roll on the floor laughing kind of hilarious! It was so much fun reading the book. The lead characters are so strong and have amazing personalities that are hard to not fall for.
Lou, the witch, is not only clever but is hilarious. I was afraid that like many other books, the strong female lead will end up becoming sulky and dependent on her love once she finds one. This however did not happen in the book and props to the author for that. Reid, the witch hunter, while is true to his believes, has a heart of his own and the book builds up to him following his heart instead of what he is fed since birth. The other characters were beautifully sculpted too. Every character’s traits were clearly shining and everyone had their strengths and weaknesses.
The story, set in ancient France, has a very strong world that it is built around. It is set in a time where Chasseurs protect their city by burning the witches at the stake and the witches retaliate by planning to bring the kingdom down. With an unexpected turn of events, Lou and Reid are forced to get married or be punished for their mistakes. They choose the former and it is followed by a jaw-hurting bickering that ends up in a beautiful love story. But, just like any classic bollywood movie (yes, I am comparing it with one), enters a twist in the plot testing the love between Lou and Reid. And what amazing of a twist it is!
The rest of the story is fabulous with them fighting for each other and to save the world. The author also manages to give us a few very major heart attacks with twists that are so unexpected. The ending had me amused. There was a cliff hanger though and I cannot wait for the next part to be out.
There are some parts that may be triggering to a few people. There is violence, sex, abuse of drugs which are a part of the story but if you can get over that, definitely worth reading.
I rate this book, 5/5 stars.
“Wicked are the ways of women—and especially a witch. Their guile knows no bounds.”
– Shelby Mahurin
Spoiler alert:
The plot, the characters and the twists in the plot were like daggers in my mind. Spoilers ahead, kindly skip to avoid them.
First of all, the characters! They were really well built and grew quite a bit through the book. I adored so many of them. There were such strong and powerful beings.
Lou aka Louise le Blanc, the sole heir to the La Dame des Sorcieres (aka the queen of the Dame Blanche witches) is the hilarious little devil that not only stole Reid’s heart but mine too. She has such a strong and vibrant persona that is so addictive. I feel terrible for how her mother has treated her and also for the fact that the other witches believe that her sacrifice would be a noble deed. I love how she does everything that she is asked not to (spoke to my soul, that trait of her) and that she was always willing to (if not looking for) take risks.
Reid Diggory, the man of the house! I despised him in the beginning. I knew I will grow to love him but I just couldn’t get myself to like him from the beginning. I, however, understood that he was just brought up with so much hate around him and those surroundings gave him a home and that he was never pushed to think otherwise. Finding out that his mother (Madame Labelle) was a Dame Blanche too and that he was probably the first male witch were pivotal twists in the story. Moreover, he is a bastard child of the king Auguste? Couldn’t get any better, can it? I cannot wait to see him grow more in the coming books.
Ansel! Sweet and cute and adorable Ansel! To think that he might have grown up to be another Reid Diggory if not for his early exposure to Lou makes me cringe. I am glad he chose to see the reality and to make his own choices instead of blindly believing what he was being thought.
Coco aka Cosette Monvoison, a witch of another species, the Dame Rouge (witches that used blood magic) was BRILLIANT. That is the word! Intelligent and clever, the way she risks her life to infiltrate the Chasseur’s tower as Brie Perrot just to stay close to her friend in case she gets into any danger speaks abundantly about her fierce mannerisms. Connected with her o
The plot twists, holy mother of God! My favourite part was how Lou and Reid were linked in death too. Lou’s death would have killed the king and all his kin which included Reid. Also the part where the Archbishop, even though strongly believed in the downfall of witches, chose his love for his daughter over his beliefs and did everything he could to protect her.
While the story seems complete, the book does end on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2.
The book definitely has an amazingly strong and hilarious plot and is a must read for someone who loves magic, humour and romance.
“Our lives reflect our hearts.”
– Shelby Mahurin
Reasons to read the book:
- It’s hilarious
- Very smooth writing stule
- Strong characters
- Beautiful Love Story
- Heartbreaking twists that will keep you wanting for more.
Cons:
- You might have a stomach ache form laughing
- It does end on a cliff hanger (not with any lose threads though)
- Has triggering stuff like violence, sex, drugs.
- Book 2 does not come out until (Blood and Honey) won’t be out until July 28th this year.
“Maybe men can learn a thing or two from women.”
– Shelby Mahurin
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