by Shelby Mahurin
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Released: September 19, 2019
Pages: 513
Publisher: HarperTeen
Overall: 4.5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Setting & World-building: 4/5
Emotional Investment: 3/5
"A witch and a witch hunter bound in holy matrimony. There was only one way such a story could end-- a stake and a match."
Witches! Witch Hunters! Bar songs! One-bed trope! Must I go on? As a debut novel, Shelby Mahurin really raised the bar. This book has everything from fantasy to romance and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.
Quick Summary: Louis Le Blanc left her coven two years ago, at the prime age of 16, and has been living a life of thievery in Cesarian where witches like her are burned by the Church. Reid Diggory has devoted his life as a Chausseur to the Church, where he protects the innocent and hunts the guilty, or commonly known as the witches. But through a devious occurrence, Lou and Reid find themself being forced into holy matrimony to maintain their image. As feelings get in the way jeopardizing the ongoing war between the Church and the witches, secrets grow, and Lou and Reid have to make a choice: How much does love account for?
First of all, the world-building in this book. Oh my gosh. The imagery that sets up the Tower where the Chausseur's live compared to the rest of the town was explained so beautifully. And the entire atmosphere of Cesarian was written with so much depth. On top of that, the magic system in this book was so unique. Like how there are Dames Blanc and Dames Rouges, both representing two different covens who are supposed to hate each other. Dames Blanc works in magic seen in the patterns of the universe while the Rouges do blood magic. Also, it was the first time I've read about a witch's power that relies on "an eye for an eye". Like if Lou ever wanted to cast a spell she also had to impair herself somehow and usually supernatural beings have an open well of power.
I abhorred the church in this book. Starting from when they decided to refer to witches as 'it'. And ending with when they treat women like objects and something that can be tossed around and seen as an afterthought. Wow, that's kind of how the world is today. Anyways, the Archibishop pissed me off so much, like how can you be so hypocritical. Everything you do goes against everything you say. Also, I cannot stand slapping. It's the highest form of disrespect. So when the Archibishop slapped Lou from mouthing off I got so mad. I dare he lay a hand on another being, especially as someone who walks around like royalty. Believing in God is one thing, but using God to excuse your bad actions is another.
The characters in this book are people I genuinely want to be friends with in real life. Lou was so strong and fearless as she literally went through the worst imaginable pain a person can go through. But through it all, she was funny and there for all her friends even when they fought. Reid in the beginning was not my favorite person. I don't mind him now but I think I have to read the rest of the books for him to truly be a favorite character. Don't get me wrong though, Lou and Reid are the most adorable couple in the world though. They have the angst, passion, banter, and emotional moment necessary for every beautiful relationship. Sometimes I don't know if I want to be Lou or marry Lou.
The secondary characters like Coco and Ansel, seriously have a special place in my heart. We just got a glimpse into Coco's true potential and I'm so excited to learn her past and coven like she truly is such an amazing friend and woman. Ansel, my child is so innocent and I have to protect him at all costs. My baby Chausseur truly deserves to find happiness, but like when he stood up to Reid I was so fricken proud. Beau was a character that clearly has an important part to play going forward but we only saw one side of him and it was a debaucher (not that I minded, hehe). Madame Labelle was a constantly mysterious character. I do think if she just told Lou and Coco the truth instead of trying to disguise it by trying to buy her, a lot of the problems would have been solved. Nevertheless, her and Reid's relationship going forward is something I really want to see because they clearly have some issues and trauma to work through.
The entire book was truly just a bundle of laughs and angst but I had to knock 0.5 off because the ending felt really fast. Not the actual ending but how quickly Reid's emotions changed. Like yes, love makes everybody believe, but I thought they were going to leave their relationship in a difficult position after she told the truth just so the angst would build and there would be material for the next book. But who knows Mahurin could swoop in and add all types of problems to increase the tension.
Anyways I had a really fun time reading this book and now I'm excited to start the next one which I just got from the library. I recommend this book to anyone who loves forced proximity and two opposite people falling in love.
Quotes
"There's something haunting about a body touched by magic"
"What sort of pompous ass wears brocade while mourning?"
"Regret changed nothing."
"Besides--didn't all men share some sort of unspoken camaraderie? A mutual understanding of their own collective importance?"
"Goodbyes were final, and we would see each other again someday"
"Now, there was only a woman. And she was small. And she was frightened. And she was strong."
"You really think I could knock two fully grown men unconscious?"
"Yes"
"Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay"
"Death couldn't take him away from me. He was me. Our souls were bound."
"Shall I remind you? There are two more verses to 'Big Titty Liddy'"
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