SERPENT & DOVE By Shelby Mahurin

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Series: Serpent & Dove #1
Published by HarperTeen on 9/3/19
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Young Adult
Pages: 528
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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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.

As a huntsman of the Church, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. But when Lou pulls a wicked stunt, the two are forced into an impossible situation—marriage.

Lou, unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, must make a choice. And love makes fools of us all.

Short and Sweet

Lou is a thieve and that’s the only lifestyle she knows after leaving her coven and swearing off magic. Reid is a  Chasseur (a witch hunter) sworn to the church to do his job. When Lou and Reid cross paths they end up in an unfortunate situation that ultimately ends with them being married. Now Lou has to figure out how to survive with one of her greatest enemies, but she finds herself falling for him.

Characters

Lou: Lou is our main character and sadly her past wasn’t the best, because her mother tried to sacrifice her on her 16th birthday. Ever since then Lou has been on the run and she gives up magic and anything having to do with it. Lou becomes a thief and this is how she ends up crossing paths with Reid. I love Lou her dialogue is amazing and funny and she has no problems with making people uncomfortable and pushing the limits, she honestly what makes the book so enticing.

Reid: Reid is our other main character and his past isn’t that great either. As a baby Reid was left behind and the church adopted him which is how he became a Chasseur. Reid takes his job very seriously and doesn’t believe that a witch should be allowed to live. I love Reid too, I mean even though he didn’t want to be married to Lou he took his vows seriously and he protected her and made sure she was safe and theres just so much more to him than the Chasseur Reid who follows rules.

Coco: Coco is one of Lou’s best friend, mainly her only friend. Coco is a blood witch which is different from what Lou can do. I love the friendship between these two, they care a lot about each other, and just when you thought that Coco made it to safety she actually found a way into the Chasseur’s tower just to be closer to Lou and look out for her.

Ansel: Ansel is an initiate and his job is to make sure that Lou doesn’t get into trouble while Reid is away. I loved Ansel he takes his job seriously but he’s also caring and even when he finds out that Lou is a witch he doesn’t kill her like he’s supposed to he ends up considering her a friend, which is what I loved most about him.

Romance

Lou and Reid: These two didn’t get together because they loved each other or even liked each other, they ended up together under circumstances that neither one foresaw. I like how the relationship slowly progressed and how they got to know each other. The chemistry was there and I like that Lou was able to get Reid to be more carefree.

My Thoughts

~ We get both Lou and Reid’s POV and I enjoyed both of them I didn’t prefer one over the other I think both were great.

~ The book is also set in a French inspired world which I thought was interesting I liked it. I like how authentic it felt and Lou usually spoke more French than Reid did.

~ Lou’s mother thinks that by sacrificing her it will end a feud between witches and the Chasseurs but in the end Lou ran away. So Lou’s mother has been searching for her ever since.

~ There’s a twist near the end of the book that I wasn’t expecting and I’m sure most of the characters weren’t expecting it either.

~ I love how Ansel and Lou became friends and that in the end he realized that not all witches are bad like he’s been taught and he’s the one who convinces Reid to stay with her.

~ Even though Reid and Lou were married she had to keep her secret from him which was hard especially when she found herself falling for him.

~ I found that I couldn’t put this book down and the ending was great and I just want to know what the group will do next.

Overall

Serpent and Dove was one of the best books I’ve read this year! Everything about it was amazing; the characters, the plot, the progression, and the ending! I need the sequel now, there was a cliffhanger and I just need to know what happens next. Definitely read this book because its amazing and its one you won’t be able to put down!