Serpent & Dove - Shelby Mahurin.

Serpent & Dove.

Author: Shelby Mahurin.

Pages: 560 pages, Paperback.

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA, NA, Witches, Magic, Fiction, Paranormal. 

Published: First published on September 3, 2019. Later published by Harperteen on August 4, 2020.

Goodreads Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.03

Hello, my fellow readers. Today's book is going to be 'Serpent & Dove' by Shelby Mahurin. Set in a world of powerful women, dark magic, and romance. Serpent and Dove will tempt you for more. This is the first book of the trilogy 'S&D'. This tale of witchcraft and forbidden love is perfect for Kendare Blake and Sara Holland fans.

The content of the book is really magical. This book gave me French - Salem vibes. S&D reminded me a little bit of the Hunchback of the Notre dame. Because it takes place in France. The story includes a church, a tower, and a theatre. And, the hunters wanted to burn all the witches... (Esmeralda almost burned as well In the story of the hunchback of the Notre Dame, However she wasn't a witch but a gypsy). Anyway, the story was furthermore different and I enjoyed it. S&D revolves around the church against all the witches (mostly the blanc witches) and, interestingly, both sides are not completely good or completely bad. And the way Shelby described both sides... was astonishing good. 

 

I really got hooked on this story while reading it. The main character is Louise, but she calls herself Lou. She dresses herself the way she likes and not because of the standards. And she does what she wants and needs to do, to survive. She is a tough woman and a little bit rude, but in a fun way. I really like her character.

Reid has lived a completely different life as Lou. He was trained his whole life to kill a witch and be a prude. But then he met Lou and his life changed for the better. While reading this book, you get to see how he grows as a character (in a good way) and that makes him a character that I enjoy reading.

The book contains more fun characters and some bad characters. Also, some characters have big plot twists which make the book even better. Some characters betray each other and some characters protect each other. 

The world-building of the book is fun. As I said, how the book describes some things remind me a lot of the story and world-building from the hunchback of Notre Dame and it gave me those vibes as well. It takes place in the 18th century of France and damn... I kinda wish to relive this century in France. Because it sounds really interesting and exciting. The book contains a map, however, mine doesn't have one (this map is from the internet). 

The book is addictive and easy written. If you enjoy an enemies-to-lovers trope, witch and hunter romance trope, and marriage of convenience trope. Then this book is the book you are looking for. I really enjoyed the writing style and the characters. The story was great and fun. And I would like to discover it further. 

Synopsis:

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.

Love, ❤

DarkBlue.