Serpent & Dove Spoiler Free Review

 Title: Serpent & Dove

Author: Shelby Mahurin

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: September 3rd 2019

Number of Pages: 528

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Goodreads 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.

I picked up this book for two reasons, one because it was about witches and who doesn’t want to read books about witches in autumn and two the enemies to lovers romance and I can safely say it does not disappoint. I will say I was a little unsure for around the first 15% of this book but once I hit 20% I was in love.

First off I have to talk about the characters who were all amazing. This book alternates between Lou and Reid’s POVs which I loved as it really helped you to get a feel for each of their characters and connect better with them. Lou is sarcastic to the core, a thief and has a filthy mouth (so expect a lot of swearing in this). She reminds me a bit of Celaena Sardothian in the beginning books of the Throne of Glass series and I loved her. Reid on the other hand is the complete opposite. He is the Captain of the Chasseur, he is very serious, holds tightly to his principles and he kinda reminded me a little of Chaol Westfall and again I couldn’t help but fall for him. To be honest this was the Chaol and Celaena relationship that I wanted at the beginning of the Throne of Glass books.

The romance in this was everything. It’s a slow burn enemies to lovers and I was living for every moment of it. After an event that takes place at the beginning of the book Reid and Lou are forced into a marriage contract in order to save his reputation and keep Lou form prison and possible hanging. Not only are these two sworn enemies due to the fact that if Reid ever found out Lou was a witch he’d have her burned at the stake but they are complete opposites and Lou takes great pleasure in rubbing him up the wrong way. Their banter throughout this was to die for and I loved watching as they slowly began to let their guard down around each other. This is definitely the enemies to lovers romance that we all deserve.

I also loved the side characters in this first off there’s Coco, Lou’s best friend, who is also a witch and badass and we need more female friendships like this in YA books. And there’s Ansel who is training to become a Chasseur and is absolutely adorable and I loved watching his and Lou’s friendship grow throughout the book.

One of the other things I really liked about this was the magic system because it demands a sacrifice. Instead of begin able to use magic whenever they want the witches must give up something of equal value to the amount of magic they are using for example giving up one of their senses or a memory. I just feel that magic systems like this, that require some sort of balance are far more interesting to read about.

I really love the writing in this, it was fast paced and addictive and once I really got into this I did not want to put it down.

I will mention that there is a slightly explicit sex scene in this.

Trigger warnings: violence, self harm in regards to using blood magic, death, religious persecution and parental abuse.

Overall, this was a great read and if you love enemies to lovers romances then I urge you to pick it. I gave this 4.5 out of 5 stars.

 

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Have you picked this book up yet? What were your thoughts on it? and if not do you plan on reading it in the future?