Happy release week to Serpent and Dove. I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since I saw the cover. Hello black and gold! Not to mention there are witches, enemies to lovers, and family secrets.
Summary
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
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Edelweiss. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
A witch and a witch hunter. Can you get any more star-crossed? If you recently jumped on the bandwagon of Good Omens, then you definitely should check out Serpent & Dove. Serpent & Dove exists in this world of ancient feuds, the spreading of lies, and the belief that everything is black and white. Not only is there a direct connection between womanhood and witchcraft – temptation and danger – Mahurin’s debut expands on what you might know about witches.
There is a direct cost to the magic, but within Serpent & Dove are a myriad of different witches. The witchcraft world building may be my favorite part of the book and one that will only become more fascinating in book two, no spoilers! Louise’s personality seems to come at direct opposition to the images of other women in the book. She can be crass, loud, and very determined. But I think that Mahurin leans into what Louise’s personality means for her in defiance of the images society puts on her. She isn’t like some of the other characters who are quite proper, and she seems to delight in defying expectations. To the max.
Serpent & Dove is a book that asks us if we can change our fate. It is one that celebrates all the shades of magic in between good and evil. How we can be taught one thing our entire lives, only for us to step into the light. Instead of just looking out for ourselves, what consequences do our actions have in the greater world?
Find Serpent & Dove on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound & The Book Depository.