Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove, #1) by Shelby Mahurin – Spoiler Free Review

Publisher: Harper Teen

Publication Date: September 3, 2019

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, NA (I know it’s listed as YA BUT I disagree. I think it’s New Adult.)

Adventure Rating: 4.5 Stars

Goodreads | Amazon

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“**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. “

I was so nervous going into this one! It has SO MUCH HYPE. And I know people both who have hated it and others who have loved it. I ended up loving it! I am so glad I buddy read it with my friend, Alexandra (Bookstagram: @Bookish_Euphoria She has seriously GORGEOUS photos)

I just want to talk real quick about the religious aspect of the book. It made me nervous at first because I am a Christian and some of the baddies are religious. BUT I am a non-denominational Christian and I believe very differently than what the religious beliefs are in the book. It was more align with old Catholicism, which was really scary and horrible back then. I normally don’t bring up religion from books but because they talk a lot about the Bible and Bible verses, I felt weird about it.

ANYWAY. Reid and Lou are definitely one of my new OTPs! They are perfect opposites and I loved their enemies to lovers romance. They balance each other out really well. And they help each other see the good (and sometimes bad) in each other. Lou has a fighting spirit that is enviable. She wants a different world than the two that are offered to her. Eventually, she inadvertently gets a group together to fight for that future. I am all for it!

I love the plot. It was super intense, with Lou constantly on her toes and always keeping vigil. There were a couple surprising plot twists that I actually didn’t see coming! I’ve never wanted to spoil anything more because it was crazy sauce.

The magic system was way cool! Mahurin managed to keep things unique! I like it when magic takes a toll on the person. It makes it as real as it can get. AND that there are different magics. Lou has a give and take kind. If you want to break a lock, you have to break something of your own. And Coco’s magic is blood magic. She has to bleed to use magic.

Random thoughts: I actually want Coco and Ansel together.