(Serpent & Dove #1)
by Shelby Mahurin
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Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 519
ISBN: 9780062878021
Genre: Young Adult | Paranormal | Witches
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy | Own
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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. (Goodreads)
I have to admit that the first thing that drew me to Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin was that absolutely gorgeous book cover. (Snakes seem to the new thing for book covers lately, and the cover for this book is definitely eye catching.) After reading the summary for the book I was not only intrigued, but I also thought this would be a great addition to my Halloween TBR. And it WAS.
It’s been quite a while since I read a good witch story, so I was super excited to read Serpent & Dove. I very much enjoyed the storyline for this book. It’s all about witches and magic and so much more, and I was hooked as I turned the pages. The book ends in a way that definitely left me wanting more, and I’m super curious to see what’s going to happen in the next book.
I have to say I love SO many of the characters in this story. SO MANY. Lou, the main character, is definitely my favorite. I loved her sass and humor so much. Watching the relationship between her and Reid grow over the course of the story was both interesting, and, I dare say, quite intense. (It’s a very well written enemies-to-lovers storyline.) This was really fun to watch. (I also want to add that there is a pretty graphic sex scene in the book, which kind of caught me by surprise, because this book is a YA book, and I don’t see that in YA very often. It didn’t bother me, I read a lot of romance, but if that’s not your type of thing, be prepared.)
While I had a review copy and a finished copy of this book, I opted to listen to the audiobook after checking out a sample clip on Audible. I am SO glad I did! I have listened to a few audiobooks narrated by Holter Graham in the past, and I very much enjoyed his voice for Reid. The voice for Lou was also familiar, and I can’t tell you how many books I’ve listened to that have been narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. SO MANY BOOKS! I love her voice, and I was beyond thrilled to have her tell me Lou’s side of the story.
Overall; If you like a good witch story, then you definitely want to look into Serpent & Dove! This book was a really quick read, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, Blood & Honey, which is set to release in 2020!
OOh nice! This is on my TBR pile and I can't wait to read it! I heard about that particular scene too and I was like whoa! But then again despite ACOTAR series being marketed as "upper YA" it's still right there among all the other YA books. I really think publishers should utilize the New Adult genre, that starts around 18 years concerning character ages, I don't know why they are so against it. But whatever, I guess! Lol.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!! Can't wait to read this one!