New York Times Bestseller * Indiebound Bestseller * An Amazon Best Book of 2019 * B&N’s YA Book Club Pick
“A brilliant debut, full of everything I love: a sparkling and fully realized heroine, an intricate and deadly system of magic, and a searing romance that kept me reading long into the night. Serpent & Dove is an absolute gem of a book.” —Sarah J. Maas, #1 New York Times bestselling … book.” —Sarah J. Maas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses series
Bound as one, to love, honor, or burn. Book one of a stunning fantasy trilogy, this tale of witchcraft and forbidden love is perfect for fans of Kendare Blake and Sara Holland.
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.
As a huntsman of the Church, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. But when Lou pulls a wicked stunt, the two are forced into an impossible situation—marriage.
Lou, unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, must make a choice. And love makes fools of us all.
Don’t miss Gods & Monsters, the spellbinding conclusion of this epic trilogy, coming July 2021!
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Good solid story. I liked the humor and the opposing characters and how they all ended up having to “get along” at certian parts. There was quite the web of relationships and that kept me on my toes. I liked the uniqueness of the magic.
I wanted more world building, especally in the beginning. More of an explanation of the title. I would have liked more of a balance between the developing romance and the a tion in the plot, and I would have really loved more scenes with the use of the magic so get a better “visual” idea of it.
I will be reading book two and I hope we get more time with some of the characters and the same humor and steam as book one. Four solid stars.
From the moment I heard about this book, I wanted to read it. It sounded like something for me, something I’d really enjoy. And yet, ever since I got the book, it stood on my shelves. I’ve been on the brink of picking it up quite a few times and then picked up another book instead. But today it was finally time to see if this book could live up to my high expectations.
And I can already answer that question: Yes, it did. This book was everything I liked in a book and I really enjoyed it from the very first page until the very last. And now I’ve closed it I realize that this book was only the beginning, only the build up. Which means that the best is still to come. So, I save the last star for that occasion.
The two perspectives worked really well for me. I really loved it that we got to know both Lou and Reid quite well because we were spending times in both their heads. It made it easier to understand them, to know where they are coming from, why the hatred for the other (although, lets discuss hatred) is rooted so deeply and why they are eventually overcoming it.
Combine that with a lovely world building and magic system and it automatically leads to a great plot. Although the world and magic system aren’t quite original and are a lot of well known elements combined, it does feel real and firmly rooted. The rules are quite clear (even though they are challenged at times), the political positions are clear and the intrige is really believable because of all that.
Now we’ve seen all the important players on the chessboard and now the war that was brewing has really started, I can’t wait to see what book two brings!
I was super sketchy towards this book when I first started reading. I did not think I was going to like it and even considered DNFing it. I didn’t understand why the reviews were so high. Let me admit how wrong I was because I have never more happy to have stuck with a book than I am after reading Serpent & Dove.
Shelby Mahurin’s writing is one that I fell in love with. The brilliance of the story and how the story progresses is what made me love this book. Reid and Lou are two completely different people and shouldn’t even be near each other because it is Reid’s job to kill Lou’s kind. The loathing and judgment coming from both of them created massive tension and the fact that Lou could be caught at any moment really set a great tone for the story. Reid and Lou’s relationship was such a slow burn that you almost miss how little things change in the way they treat one another.
This book is a nice set up for the next book in the series because I’m dying to more about the witches and more of the history of their kind. This was a solid first book and I really look forward to reading more books by this author. Definitely give Serpent & Dove a try. So worth it.
Review:
I’ll be honest, I was very skeptical on wether or not I would enjoy this book. It sounded right up my alley, yet it was being hyped up everywhere. And I tend to not enjoy some of the most popular books out there, but I have been dying to read this since I first heard about it.
“Wicked are the ways of women and especially a witch. Their guile knows no bounds.”
I went into Serpent & Dove not expecting much, and winding up really enjoying it!
I really liked the writing. It was easy to read and enjoyable. Loved the characters themselves. Lou is my spirit animal, lol. I liked Reid, although at times I wanted to reach through the book and punch him in the face.
The story definitely didn’t come off like your typical YA, in a good way though. There is cussing and sex. It was nice to see a YA book being a little more realistic to how teens actually act. Though to me, Lou and Reid didn’t really feel like teenagers to me. I actually kept forgetting that they are only supposed to be about 18, I believe. They definitely acted and felt more like adults to me. Which doesn’t bother me, but like I said, I kept forgetting how young they are.
“There are some things that can’t be changed with words. Some things have to be seen. They have to be felt.”
The story itself was interesting, though a little slow at times for me. I could have done with a little more action. It was a little bit more slow paced than I was expecting. Might just be that this is the first book in the dualogy, and is the introduction to the story.
“Love makes fools of us all, darling.”
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a great debut. I am really looking forward to the sequel, Blood & Honey later this year.
An amazing read that will you enchanted.
I’m amazed this is a debut novel. The writing was beautiful and the storyline/plot kept me hooked.
I loved the characters, as well as understood them, and was painted a clear picture of them. The world wasn’t painted quite as well. The love story was realistic and very sweet without being cheesy.
If you liked “The Cruel Prince” series by Holly Black, I think you’ll like this one. The key difference is that where Black makes you distrust everything and everyone, Mahurin gives you hope.
It’s a bit long. But that’s a personal preference haha.
I loved ever second of this
Fav book of 2019.
Can’t wait for BH 2020!
4- man I hate the mother in this, really really hate her. The father isn’t much better, so prepare yourself for some crappy parent figures. I had to get that out, i was that mad at them when I finished this book. This was an unexpected enjoyable read. Great characters with deep dark secrets, danger, and challenges in beliefs, it all made for a great read. Now i need book 2, there was a cliffhanger ending and I need to see one character go down !
Okay so I finished The Queen of Nothing before reading this book and it definitely left me in a big book hangover. After a week or so I knew the only way to get out of it or push it along would be to read a book that I will love equally as much or more, so I picked this book off my shelf… It has made me go from one book hangover to another, and I’m not even completely finished with the last one!
I wasn’t even half way through this book when I began to really click with the characters. It happened very quickly and without my knowledge. I love Ansel, Coco, Lou, and Reid. So much character development occurred, especially for Lou and Reid. It happened in a way that made me love them even more. I have to admit, at first I didn’t know how I felt about Reid. I didn’t think I would end up liking him as much as I do, and that’s what I call good character development!
An event occurred close to the middle of the book that had me balling my eyes out and I have to say I am shocked because I have never cried during the first book. I usually cry in the second or third, and it usually is a tear or maybe glassy eyes. I hadn’t cried the way I did over this book in around four years! This book forced me to cry multiple times and the author definitely has my heart in her hands. This book easily made it to my list of favorite books that I will recommend to anyone.
The story is very entertaining and original. I haven’t read many books with witches in it. I think I have only read one other one. It’s not because I don’t like books with witches in it or anything, it’s just that I haven’t seen many or gotten around to reading the ones I have with them. But because of this book, I think I may just start going into a phase where I need to read every single book with a witch in it!
I can’t wait to see how the story continues and what happens next for Lou and Reid! I need the next book ASAP! This wait is going to be hard…
Possibly my favorite read of 2019! It’s so hard to choose!
This was my first read into witches since Harry Potter. I love Shelby’s historical take on it, and her magic system! The characters were realistic, original , and funny. It was refreshing to have the male protagonist actually believe in and stick to his guns about his beliefs, for once, instead of the ‘abandon everything for the girl’ notion I’ve seen before. While some part of the plot and character backstories were predictable, to me, I still enjoyed the ride and can’t wait for the sequel in 2020!
I had a major problem. I was in a book slump and I couldn’t get out. Just when I finally caught up to my reading challenge, I fell behind once again. So I do what I always do every time it happens: choose a book I’m almost certain I would like. So yes, I chose Serpent & Dove. Before it was released, I already saw the hype around it. Witches, enemies to lovers, angsty romance? Count me in.
Initially, I found it hard to get into it because of my slump. But once I adjusted, I was hooked and I couldn’t stop. It was unlike anything I’ve ever read.
If there is a couple as star-crossed as ever, it is Lou and Reid. Seriously. They are enemies in every sense of the word — the hunter and the hunted. It was part of who they are and it’s all they’ve ever known. I was honestly worried about how they could be together after the truth is revealed. Because even if they love each other, the world they both know would never permit it. I was really glad that Shelby still found a way that made sense. I don’t like books that push characters together for the sole reason that they love each other without considering the outside circumstances. Fiction or not, I would like things to happen for a reason, thank you very much.
If you know me, you know that I really love enemies to lovers stories. I like how they go from hating each other to having feelings for each other. But there is one catch: it must happen gradually. I’m glad this book came through. I liked how they went from hating each other, to slowly accepting the situation they were in, to discovering that the other isn’t half as bad as they originally thought, to denying their feelings, and finally, to accepting it. When I say I want enemies to lovers stories, this is what I mean.
My only complaint about this book is that it uses French phrases without providing the translation. I can’t speak French and sometimes, I’m too lazy to look it up. I just skip it. It could have been important but I will never know. I hope the next book hears my prayers and translates everything for me.
As with every book ever written, I know that not everyone will like it. But if you love sweet and slow-burn enemies to lovers stories with kick-ass witches on the side, read this.
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In a world where war wages between the church and witches, the witch hunters are sworn to hunt them down. And the price of having magic is death. So what happens when forbidden love and secrets meet? Pure magic. This book’s vivid and vivacious characters and its many plot twists made it impossible to put down!
Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from you, (…)
Where you go, I will go.
Where you stay, I will stay.
I as soon as I started reading it, I was at its mercy.
Everything hurts from reading it relentlesly – my neck, my eyes,… Except for my poor reading soul which got its true satisfaction. It feasts on stories like this one.
How can a person write a debut story so good, is beyond me. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING; every character, every word, every pause, matters.
The heroine is so wicked, so funny, I loved her the most.
I can not wait for Blood & Honey!
If you’re a fantasy reader, pick this one up. You’ll be thanking me.
This book was amazing, I enjoyed and loved it so much….now I’ll count the days until the next installment hit shelves 😉
In this world witches are hated and fearied by people that doesn’t have magic, so they are hunted down by the Chasseurs.
Lou is a witch that had to escape from her people and hide in order to live, until she makes a mistake and marries a Chasseur named Reid and must lie to him since he’ll have to kill her if he finds out she has magic.
In this book you’ll find action, romance, friendship, loyalty… it’s simply perfect.
The concept is good, two sworn enemies, a witch and a witch hunter, forced into the ultimate alliance, holy matrimony. Unfortunately, the editing is what killed it for me. Though it is an easy read, it is so repetitive that it just made this novel quite challenging.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
One of the most original depictions of magic that I have read in a long time.
I finished reading Serpent & Dove in the wee hours of the night and I’ve now had some time to ruminate.
Serpent & Dove is based in a fantastical world in which females can be witches and men can be their hunters. Lou is the former. Witch by birth, hiding from her coven in a city where the huntsman (Chasseur) call home. She ran two years ago, to save her life, and the lives of many innocent. She never imagined that in her quest to stay hidden she’d end up married to a very powerful Chasseur, Reid. Now she must hide from the world and her husband alike, because even though he may be falling in love with her, he’s sworn to burn all witches.
My first thoughts while reading this came pretty quickly on. Right away it felt quite sexually charged for a YA story. It didn’t read YA to me. I’m all for my YA being on the dirty side and these characters are actually 18+, so it’s not a real bother to me. But if you are looking for clean teen reads, I don’t think this will really count. Not really graphic compared to some others I’ve read, but I’d not call it “clean”.
Again, while I’m totally FOR some sexy times, it did feel like it was a major plot thread at the beginning and even I would have been okay with it being toned down some.
My second thought was how much I loved this world. The Chasseur’s remind me of the old Templar Knights and the witches were cunning and smart and some really, really cruel. It absolutely hit on some of my favorite fantasy themes. (Silly Sidenote: If you are a gamer and ever played Dragon Age, this is a book you’d probably love)
The characters were all very intriguing and well fleshed out. There is a bit of adventure, intrigue, betrayal, mystery and of course, woven throughout a love story. An impossible union that started as a means of survival and grows with an abundance of hope.
This was a great debut and I’m extremely eager to see where Mahurin’s imagination takes this world, these characters and us readers.