Serpent And Dove by Shelby Mahurin – Spoiler-free Book review

Hello lovelies!

This is one of my favorite book of the year! Words cannot fathom how incredible this book was! Hope you’ll enjoy my review! 🙂

Title: Serpent and Dove (Serpent and Dove #1)

Author: Shelby Mahurin

Blurb (Goodreads):

Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.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.

Rating: 5 MARVELOUSLY WICKED STARS

This book is going straight up to my “favorites” shelf. And God knows I’m picky. This book delivered all its promises and even more! It wasn’t your cliché “book to lovers trope” because the writing style was impeccable. Simply perfect. Mahurin left clues throughout the story and I liked how cleverly everything gradually unfolded as though we were detectives. I liked how it alternated between Lou or Reid’s point of view. A truly unputdownable book.

Lou is one of the best-written characters ever. She is strong, resilient, selfless (despite what she thinks) and loving. It was a real pleasure to read this story through her point of view.

Reid holds a solid place in my heart. I wanted to hug him constantly. He was the best and sweetest husband anyone could ask for. And he was a lovable character. I loved how we got some insight on his own backstory and his point of view was always funny and entertaining.

The other characters were all just as important and well-written. Ansel and Coco were the best support system a gal could have. I loved the banter between Lou and Reid. I snorted and laughed out loud more more than I would like to admit. It felt intimate and it was filled with sexual tension. That rooftop scene…

I loved how the magic system worked with Dames Blanches and Dames Rouges. I liked the balance and cost needed to practice magic. It made it believable and realistic. (I wish I were a witch…).

I loved all the twists and turns in the story. There were so many but it did not feel like gratuitous. And also, as a Frenchwoman I loved all the French words and French elements in the story. It was a wonderful idea and fit the atmosphere of the story.

I can’t believe I have to wait a full year to read the next book. The cover for the second book was recently announced and I am SO EXCITED!! It is BEAUTIFUL!

Let’s chat in the comments! 🙂

Karla xx