Serpent & Dove - Review

Book Review:
Title: Serpent & Dove
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Publisher: HarperCollins
I received an early copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“A witch and a witch hunter bound in holy matrimony. There was only one way such a story could end–a stake and a match.”

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.


Let me introduce you to the book community's new obsession! I can already tell this book is going be very popular when it releases (I mean it kind of already is) and rightly so, because I freaking LOVED this book!

Before I get into what I loved, I just want to put it out there that Serpent & Dove does contain a sex scene so it's definitely for individuals who enjoy more of the upper YA or NA books. There is only the one scene so if you're not completely comfortable with such mature content you could just skip the scene and read the rest, but that's for you to decide.

I personally really loved that this book read a little older with its themes and characters, because as I get older (as much as I love reading YA and will continue to do so for years to come) I do sometimes crave a story that bridges the gap between YA and Adult - aka New Adult. I definitely feel as though there aren't enough books with characters that are in their late teens or early 20s (apart from contemporary NA romance) so this was a breath of fresh air.

The story revolves around Lou, who is a witch, and Reid, who is a witch hunter, and their unexpected (and unwanted) alliance. When I heard the premise of the book and how it was going to be a slowburn enemies-to-lovers with a marriage of convenience, I was SOLD, but a little wary as I've read books that should have ticked all the boxes but ended up falling flat - Serpent & Dove did not fall flat at all. It delivered on every single aspect.

Lou and Reid's relationship was just *chefs kiss*
The constant fighting at the start, with no trust between the two, that then slowly transformed into mutual respect, that then blossomed into something sweeter - it was literally everything!

But even separately, I thought they were brilliant characters. I could relate and sympathise with them both even though they were fighting for completely opposite things.
In YA we usually see the female love interest conforming to meet the needs of the guy, while the guy stays his normal brooding self, but Shelby Mahurin completely broke that trope - both of these characters go through their own journey, separately and together, to find the balance between what is morally right and wrong.

Honestly I don't think there are any 'villains' in this book (apart from maybe Lou's mother.) All of these characters have been fed a narrative since birth which has left them feeling like they need to fight to survive - its a very grey situation, which is actually so captivating.
Like I don't like it when the author says from the start that these are the good guys and these are the bad guys, I want to experience that slow journey of deciding for myself if there even is a 'right' side.

I think all in all this book was just a real page-turner and delight to read. It contained a lot of the tropes you typically see in YA, but they were introduced and tackled in a newer and fresher way that I adored. The writing was great, the world was imaginative, the execution of the plot was brilliant and the characters were deliciously grey - what more could you want?

I think I've rambled on enough, so I'm just going to end by saying that Serpent & Dove has definitely secured a spot on my Favourite Reads of 2019 list!
I can't wait to see what's in store next for Lou and Reid

5 Stars
Goodreads