Skip to main content

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin (Review #159)


"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."

Review:
This was such a hyped book, there was no way I was going to skip this one! It was way more interesting than I was anticipating. Lou was so complex and conflicted as a person. I absolutely adored the whole murkiness of this war. Are the witches truly these evil creatures out to plague the world, or is the church an institution with a genocidal agenda? The answer isn't always clear, but Lou makes it clear she wants no part in it. She has refused her magical abilities for years, and only uses them, while in search for an artifact that could protect her from other witches forever. And after a rocky escape from a heist, she is forced into marriage with one of the only people she has to fear, aside from other witches - a witch hunter. 

He thinks her just a lowly thief, still a nuisance, but not pure evil like the witches. They bond over the course of the book and eventually grow to love each other, which we expect. Their entire relationship had many hills and valleys from beginning to end and I sincerely enjoyed them. Coco was by far my favorite character, though. She was a ride-or-die friend for Lou and I was so happy she was an integral part of the story. She rocks. Frankly, I think she carried the team, you know what I mean? A true queen in my opinion. There were some twists I didn't seem coming which I always enjoy as well. We stan surprises. 

And this may be a weird thing to like about a character, but I was happy that Lou wasn't a virgin. I know this is a weird thing, but one thing I've found with main female characters in fantasy is this preservation of their virginity. And to me it doesn't make sense. For Lou, she has been living in the underbelly of Cesarine, consorting with all different walks of life, including prostitutes. And not that means she HAS to have sex, I feel like its a normal thing, especially if she has had past romantic partners. I feel like authors use virginity as a sign of their female characters (not the MALES I notice) goodness still being intact. Being a virgin has NOTHING to do with it, and I appreciated that change. 
Overall this was a great read, and worth the hype. I already have the sequel so I look forward to continuing this story!


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian (Review #29)

"Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister. Kate is tired of the rumors, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person - her ex-best friend - and she's ready to make her pay. Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him. Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they've each had a taste." Review: This book was FAN-TAS-TIC!! I am not for the petty popular girl books, and this is definitely not one of those books. The revenge you wish you got on the person who double-crossed you is finally let loose In one of the best and most inventive ways, and the ending left me jaw-dropped. This is a book everyone should have on their shelf.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (Review #20)

"Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can. She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed. There is. She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She's wrong." Review: This is a book you simply have to read. It's probably a part of my top ten favorite books list. Mara is this girl who just lost her friends and boyfriend in a terrible, but also peculiar, accident and now people who tick her off - and who she's attracted to (cough-cough-Noah-cough-cough) - are in her powerful line of fire... It's a tantalizing tale that will have you (for a lack of a better cliche) gripping the edge of your seat!!

Fire with Fire by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian (Review #68)

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN THIS FAR IN THE BURN FOR BURN SERIES, STOP NOW. DO NOT READ. THIS IS BOOK 2.  FOR REVIEW ON BOOK 1, CHECK OUT BURN FOR BURN ! "Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan: work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn't exactly go the way they'd hoped at the Homecoming Dance. Not even close. For now it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it's not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie's meaner than she ever was before. And then there's sweet little Mary... she knows there's something seriously wrong  with her. If she can't control her anger, she's sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it's not just that Reeve bullied her - it's that he made her love him. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, b...