Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.
Title: Serpent & Dove
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Series: Serpent & Dove #1
Rating: 4.5/5
Synopsis (Goodreads):
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.
Thoughts:
I really, really, really liked this novel. But first things first – can we just take a moment for this ridiculously beautiful cover?!? I wasn’t sure what it portrayed at first but after looking at it for awhile I think it’s a dove and serpent lol. I mean obviously because of the name, but it didn’t hit me until today haha. I just felt like everything about it just screamed adventure and heartache. I especially love the golden serpent circling about.
Anywayyys, like I mentioned I really liked this novel – it has love, magic, badass character’s, interesting plot line, witches, witch hunters, adventure… the list just goes on! I really liked the main character’s – Lou and Reid. Lou is a very very very funny woman who has sass and radiates coolness. Definite role model material. Reid, a very handsome fellow who has his heart on the right place. Incredible. Other character’s me liked is Coco, Lou’s best friend – she was amazing and I loved to read about their bond. Then we have Ansel, sweet sweet Ansel – an absolute sweetheart.
The plot was really interesting and had me absolutely hooked. I mean a witch and a witch hunter falling in love? Can it literally get any better? Throw in a forced marriage between the two as well and of course you caught me. This book was really good. Since I was a kid I have thought that witches are very cool, and these were as well, absolutely – but they were also very very very scary individuals. The witches in Lou’s mother’s clan seemed like a cult. The religious witch hunters were also interesting to read about, and their home were where we were situation wise mostly in the novel. There were twists and turns when you went further into the novel.
Serpent & Dove also has an enemies to lovers trope – which was written brilliantly. Although if I could make one wish it’s for the romance to have been more “seen”, I just felt like it was a bit too slow in the beginning and then it became very hasty. However, the romance in the novel was very sweet to read about.
So if you’re after a fast-paced read with multiple twists, magic and unlikely romance this is definitely the book for you!
I hope you have a beautiful Monday and an incredible week!
Hugs!
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