Name: Serpent & Dove
Series: Serpent & Dove #1
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: Audiobook (available on Kindle Unlimited)
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
Spice Rating: (forgive me I can’t remember how detailed as I’m editing this rating!) Glimpses & Kisses 🌶️
Rating:
Synopsis: Goodreads
Bound as one to love, honor, 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.
Review:
Serpent & Dove was recommended to me by my friend Hannah and when I saw that it was witch x witch hunter, I was on board immediately. Lou and Reid end up in a forced marriage in order to protect Reid’s reputation as the Captain of the Chasseur’s. I ate this up, truly. I was listening to the audiobook while playing Stardew Valley (there is a definite theme to my audiobook usage at the moment…) and loved the narrator’s way of bringing this story to life.
I really enjoyed the plot! I’m sure there were plot holes, there almost always is, but the vibes were there and so I enjoyed it! I loved the Church Vs Witches elements, and Chasseur or ‘Chas’ as Lou called Reid, really grew on me by the end of the audiobook – it wasn’t a french word I was familiar with, but now I kind of love it – and it’s just a soldier essentially (I believe!). The french aspects of the novel were unexpected, but also loved. I never felt like I didn’t know what was going on because of something sounding or being French – so that was well done.
I not only loved our main characters and their dynamic – but I loved the relationships they devloped with other characters (Ansel is my favourite side character, just in case anyone was wondering!). I didn’t necessarily believe the romance once it came on board- which others have mentioned in goodreads reviews, but I did believe it by the end of the book. And by the end, I loved Reid. Full stop. No notes.
I sadly found the ending of the book to be rushed, to the point where I wondered if I’d missed chapters somehow… Now I can admit that could be down to me listening to the audiobook, but also it could be that it was legitimately a bit rushed and all over the place. I have hope that this element is fixed in the sequel though!
I definitely intend to continue with this series – I don’t know if it’ll be audiobook or kindle, but I will continue! I haven’t heard many people talk about this book, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s because no one knows about it or just because I’m late to the party! But I definitely recommend giving Serpent & Dove a shot (and again, I loved the narration from the audiobook!).
“Why the fuck is everyone in this kingdom trying to murder my wife?”
Reading With Tyler 
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