Book Review: Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Title: Serpent & Dove
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Genre: Fantasy YA
Format: Hardback
Length: 518 pages
Series: Serpent and Dove #1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: 3rd September 2019

My Rating: ★★★★ (4 stars)

Goodreads | Storygraph

Synopsis:

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. 

My Review:

I loved the premise of this novel and was so happy that my boyfriend bought it me as a Christmas present last year.

I loved the overarching plot of this novel. The dual narrative helped me to connect to both Reid and Louise. I got to see their thoughts and feelings about each other which helped drive it along.

There is a strong female friendship in this novel with Coco and Lou and I lived for it. Ansel is my precious little peach and I need more of him!

Serpent & Dove is a fantasy novel that begins in media res. It doesn’t spend 200 pages building up the world but I do think it could’ve benefited from a little more world-building as I did struggle at times to picture it.

I loved the banter between Lou and Reid and that we got to see their relationship develop. The reason for their marriage did rub me the wrong way, but I tried to put it to one side due to the time period it is seemingly set in.

I look forward to the sequel when it comes out and I think this was a fantastic debut novel from Shelby Mahurin.