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Serpent & Dove
(Serpent & Dove #1)
by
This is a previously published edition of ISBN 9780062878021. An alternate cover edition can be found here.
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 ...more
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 ...more
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Start your review of Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove, #1)
Apr 19, 2019
✨ A ✨
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone who loved Nina and Matthias from SoC
First Read July 2019
Few things compare to that feeling you get after finishing a book that lived up to your expectations. Ever since I read the blurb of this book I knew I was going to love this and I WAS NOT DISSAPOINTED.
It had everything I adore:
• addictive; easy writing
• enemies-to-lovers
• marriage of convenience
• witch/witch hunter romance
• slow burn
• intricate magical system
• heart warming female friendship
• morally grey characters
• inner battle of right and wrong
In the land of Belte ...more
Few things compare to that feeling you get after finishing a book that lived up to your expectations. Ever since I read the blurb of this book I knew I was going to love this and I WAS NOT DISSAPOINTED.
It had everything I adore:
• addictive; easy writing
• enemies-to-lovers
• marriage of convenience
• witch/witch hunter romance
• slow burn
• intricate magical system
• heart warming female friendship
• morally grey characters
• inner battle of right and wrong
In the land of Belte ...more
“Now move, or I swear to God, I will strip naked right here and dance the bourree!”
I thrust my hands on my hips and looked at him expectantly.
He didn’t even glance at the people around us. […]
Instead, he kept his eyes trained on mine, a slow smirk spreading across his face.
“Do it.”
Don't judge me! I can feel your judgement! I know, I know, I liked a YA fantasy, not even in spite of the romance but because of it. What is the world coming to?
I gotta say this right because many people I interact ...more
This is one of the most ridiculous books I've read this year and it's only January. It has such an absurd setup for the plot, clumsy characterization, and the humor lands very poorly (I cringed every time the main character would loudly sing "Big Titty Liddy"). I did like the 1 sex scene though.
sooooo much fun!
it seems almost wrong to rate this bc it feels like i'm reviewing a fan fiction that i read at 3 am
there are a bunch of complaints i have about the craft of this book, but at the same time it was a whirlwind of a story that kept me wildly entertained even as i physically stopped myself from rolling my eyes every other chapter.
therefore, it sits right between a one (for quality) and a three (for fun).
although if i EVER see the phrase "big titty liddy" again it's on sight
there are a bunch of complaints i have about the craft of this book, but at the same time it was a whirlwind of a story that kept me wildly entertained even as i physically stopped myself from rolling my eyes every other chapter.
therefore, it sits right between a one (for quality) and a three (for fun).
although if i EVER see the phrase "big titty liddy" again it's on sight
I know I know this does not have the qualities of a 5 star book. The magic system is nonsense and undeveloped. I have never read fanfiction in my life but this book sure felt like one. However I really really enjoyed it. Reid reminds me so much of myself because I too was raised into a family where there were no curses, and even as an adult now it still feels kinda awkward when someone curses near me.
Dec 04, 2019
Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
everyone, including your grandma
"It doesn’t end in death. It ends in hope."
Let me tell you about my favourite NA fantasy book of 2019.
_______________
A Story About A Witch Getting Hitched But Much More.
Serpent and Dove stole my heart in so many ways and all I want to do is go back and read it all over again. This lush tale full of magic and intrigue is wildly imaginative but soft at the same time and if you're a fan of romance + fantasy, I highly recommend trying this!
©
The sales pitch;
- enemies to lovers
- k ...more
Let me tell you about my favourite NA fantasy book of 2019.
_______________
A Story About A Witch Getting Hitched But Much More.
Serpent and Dove stole my heart in so many ways and all I want to do is go back and read it all over again. This lush tale full of magic and intrigue is wildly imaginative but soft at the same time and if you're a fan of romance + fantasy, I highly recommend trying this!
©The sales pitch;
- enemies to lovers
- k ...more
petition to change the name of this book to the never ending story
reading my twitter followers' most disappointing books of 2019 ...more
reading my twitter followers' most disappointing books of 2019 ...more
I wasn’t attending to the star giving auctions for too long but finally I FOUND A… ( oh no I couldn’t find an adjective to express my feelings about this book. Fantastic! No! Too weak! Extraordinary! No! Not emphasizing my emotions enough! Okay let’s get over this auction as I resume my brain storming to find the right words!)
One zillion stars… Did I hear three zillion! What the hell! Five gazillion! What! One jillion, one jillion! Okay two, three jillion! Oh the read head crazy lady already wro ...more
One zillion stars… Did I hear three zillion! What the hell! Five gazillion! What! One jillion, one jillion! Okay two, three jillion! Oh the read head crazy lady already wro ...more
4.5 Stars! Such a beautifully rich fantasy debut. I was so pleasantly surprised to find how attached I became to the characters and overall story. This is not a book you are going to want to miss!
Full review to come.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Teen in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Full review to come.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Teen in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
2.5*? Undecided.
5/5 ⭐
Full review on my Blog: The Dacian She-Wolf 🐺
This book's mood song match - Witching Hour by In This Moment
When other girls were playing with their dolls, pretending to be princesses like Rapunzel or Cinderella or whatever, I was hiding in my secret place aka a huge linden tree at the very back of my family’s orchard and pretending that I had the ability to control the elements.
I was basically running around pretending I’m flying on a stick, bending the wind at my will and “magically” t ...more
Full review on my Blog: The Dacian She-Wolf 🐺
This book's mood song match - Witching Hour by In This Moment
When other girls were playing with their dolls, pretending to be princesses like Rapunzel or Cinderella or whatever, I was hiding in my secret place aka a huge linden tree at the very back of my family’s orchard and pretending that I had the ability to control the elements.
I was basically running around pretending I’m flying on a stick, bending the wind at my will and “magically” t ...more
Sep 09, 2019
Cardan Greenbriar
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
for fans of To Kill A Kingdom, Matthias and Nina, Manon Blackbeak (and yes there is a Manon)
Shelves:
fangirling,
favorite
DOES THE SERPENT CHASE THE DOVE?...more
OR DOES THE DOVE CHASE THE SERPENT?
BOTH!
BUT! I WILL CHASE YOU ON MY FLYING BROOM IF YOU DON'T GIVE THIS ONE A TRY
THIS BOOK FUCKING CURED MY NINA AND MATTHIAS DEFICIENCY
IT'S LIKE -- A MARRIAGE BETWEEN MANORIAN AND NITTHIAS
MINAAEMIC PATIENTS WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
WITCH BLOOD DESCENDENTS WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU WAITING FOR? DO NOT DISGRACE YOUR ANCESTORS!!!
insert Ellie Goulding quote
OH AND PLEASE TAKE THIS IN HIGH DOSES -- 49 TIMES A DAY
P.S. i ha
for the first time ever, i picked up a book without knowing anything about it. i didnt read the synopsis, not the back cover, nothing. and i have no idea if thats why im rating this so highly - because everything was such an exciting surprise - or what, but wow. this had me hooked!
the first thing that i noticed right away was the writing. my gosh, this does not read like a debut novel. this feels as if its written by a seasoned fantasy author. its utterly divine.
and the content is sooo magical. ...more
the first thing that i noticed right away was the writing. my gosh, this does not read like a debut novel. this feels as if its written by a seasoned fantasy author. its utterly divine.
and the content is sooo magical. ...more
4.5 stars. Reread on Audio 2020
*********
September Fairyloot Unboxing! As usual, click on the GOODIES LINK under the pic to see the Goodies!
THE GOODIES LINK
She said, "You broke my ass bone!" I can’t 🤣😂
Sorry y’all everything is funny and good at the moment! I passed my cancer check up today!! 10/14/19
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more
*********
September Fairyloot Unboxing! As usual, click on the GOODIES LINK under the pic to see the Goodies!
THE GOODIES LINK
She said, "You broke my ass bone!" I can’t 🤣😂
Sorry y’all everything is funny and good at the moment! I passed my cancer check up today!! 10/14/19
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more
this is definetly one of the best books that i've read this year
Holy Fuck.
*deceased*.
Full review to come.
*deceased*.
Full review to come.
A perfectly, adequate YA fantasy story about witches and witch hunters that left me feeling lukewarm.
I went in with low expectations and came out of it not completely blown away by the story, which I expected. It was enjoyable, adorable, had its hilarious moments and the pacing was great.
I got out of it what I wanted.
Even though the story lacked for me when it came to the world building and character development, I feel like the groundwork has been laid and I hope it’s build upon in the seque ...more
I went in with low expectations and came out of it not completely blown away by the story, which I expected. It was enjoyable, adorable, had its hilarious moments and the pacing was great.
I got out of it what I wanted.
Even though the story lacked for me when it came to the world building and character development, I feel like the groundwork has been laid and I hope it’s build upon in the seque ...more
This was a rather hard review to write. I have to say that it seems that with hyped/popular books, it seems that I either love them or hate them; unfortunately, this was the latter.
This book having an average 4,15* and 4,11* friends' average rating, seemed like a sure good read. Especially since even people who I "always" agree with seemed to like this book, the thing is while many people recommended this book to me, I still cannot blame it on having too high expectations for it. I honestly did ...more
This book having an average 4,15* and 4,11* friends' average rating, seemed like a sure good read. Especially since even people who I "always" agree with seemed to like this book, the thing is while many people recommended this book to me, I still cannot blame it on having too high expectations for it. I honestly did ...more
the people who dislike this book are wrong, and that's just facts.
(i'm kidding--i love u and your reading tastes very much. muah.)
I'll preface this review by saying I typically don't enjoy books about witchcraft, so I was nervous going into this one. For me, books about magic walk a fine line of being too silly, which really takes me out of the world and makes it seem more childish instead of its intended intensity. But this book, its writing, and its world COMPLETELY captured me.
My favorite pa ...more
(i'm kidding--i love u and your reading tastes very much. muah.)
I'll preface this review by saying I typically don't enjoy books about witchcraft, so I was nervous going into this one. For me, books about magic walk a fine line of being too silly, which really takes me out of the world and makes it seem more childish instead of its intended intensity. But this book, its writing, and its world COMPLETELY captured me.
My favorite pa ...more
#1 Serpent & Dove — 4.5 Stars
#2 Blood & Honey (TBR)
Ahh I love this book so freaking much!! and I’ve been walking on air since I finished it. This is an impressive debut novel that doesn’t feel like one at all bcs of how outstanding the author’s writing craftsmanship is.
I’m not good with summarizing, but basically this book is about two sworn enemies who, after a stunt gone wrong, are forced into a matrimony. However, there’s more to this book than just the slow burn enemies to lovers bloomin ...more
"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."
I don't know about you, but I find it is a rare day that the hype beast lives up to it's nature, and what a glorious feeling it is when a book lives up to the promises doled out by publishers and early reviewers alike. Serpent & Dove deserves every bit of praise that has been heaped upon it's name, and it will be a most excruciating wait for the second installment. If you have ...more
I don't know about you, but I find it is a rare day that the hype beast lives up to it's nature, and what a glorious feeling it is when a book lives up to the promises doled out by publishers and early reviewers alike. Serpent & Dove deserves every bit of praise that has been heaped upon it's name, and it will be a most excruciating wait for the second installment. If you have ...more
WOWWW!!! This was amazing! What a stunning début! I did NOT think, going into this, that it would be earning itself a place on my favourites shelf! If uni hadn't been such a hindrance (lol whyyy), I'd have absolutely torn through this in one sitting! If this is what Shelby Mahurin has to offer, I'm excited for what's to come in the future!
This was an enemies-to-lovers romance, reminiscent of Matthias and Nina from Six of Crows (aka my OTP of the series), but instead of Grisha, Lou was a witch an ...more
This was an enemies-to-lovers romance, reminiscent of Matthias and Nina from Six of Crows (aka my OTP of the series), but instead of Grisha, Lou was a witch an ...more
I DARE ANYONE TO NOT LOVE THIS BOOK! ❤️
Being stubborn as I am, I was hesitant about letting myself love this book because I saw how much others loved it (I am stupid like that!). So when I started I was hard at work trying to find flaws with it. And sure, I did find one or two, but soon they fled my mind completely - I was just swept up in this story! This is the first time since I was a teenager that I have stayed up waaaay past midnight because I couldn't stop reading! ❤️
Being stubborn as I am, I was hesitant about letting myself love this book because I saw how much others loved it (I am stupid like that!). So when I started I was hard at work trying to find flaws with it. And sure, I did find one or two, but soon they fled my mind completely - I was just swept up in this story! This is the first time since I was a teenager that I have stayed up waaaay past midnight because I couldn't stop reading! ❤️
"I promised to...more
My dudes, this book was....something.
Okay so the only time I actually like romance in a book is if it starts off with hate. Dude I love hate. So obviously I was very excited for this book and it did not disappoint- well at least the first 300 pages didn't.
The thing is, I really liked Reid at first because I thought he was chivalrous and all but there's a difference between chivalry and being a dumbass and our beloved Reid is a cringey dumbass.
The romance was sudden and cringey and made me want t ...more
Okay so the only time I actually like romance in a book is if it starts off with hate. Dude I love hate. So obviously I was very excited for this book and it did not disappoint- well at least the first 300 pages didn't.
The thing is, I really liked Reid at first because I thought he was chivalrous and all but there's a difference between chivalry and being a dumbass and our beloved Reid is a cringey dumbass.
The romance was sudden and cringey and made me want t ...more
Serpent & Dove is one of those fantastic fantasy books that completely deserve being devoured, as slowly or as fast as you wish. It will increase your interest with each new chapter, so much that its 500 pages will have felt like 300 by the end. Shelby Mahurin doesn’t reinvent witches, but she does do something interesting with the concept and the use of magic. The forbidden love part sure was exciting, too, and I dare say I’m counting down the days until the release of book 2.
If I have one com ...more
If I have one com ...more
3.5 Stars
I picked this up because I saw it being touted in some places around GR and booktube as a "racy" YA romance that was (perhaps) edgy enough for some people to feel it should have been classified more as New Adult a la ACOTAR.
And because I had a Barnes and Noble gift card burning a hole in my pocket.
So I picked up this and Ninth House.
And perhaps a couple other things.
It also felt very season appropriate to read about witches and buy black books with snakes on the covers. Very Hallowe ...more
I picked this up because I saw it being touted in some places around GR and booktube as a "racy" YA romance that was (perhaps) edgy enough for some people to feel it should have been classified more as New Adult a la ACOTAR.
And because I had a Barnes and Noble gift card burning a hole in my pocket.
So I picked up this and Ninth House.
And perhaps a couple other things.
It also felt very season appropriate to read about witches and buy black books with snakes on the covers. Very Hallowe ...more
”I was no one's sacrifice. Not then. Not now. Not ever.”
Still a fantastic read the second time around- I adore Lou as a character and I am eagerly anticipating the sequel towards the end of this year.
Original review:
I LOVED THIS!!! All the stars for this witchy goodness!!! 🧙♀️
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.
The war between the witches and the church is ancient and ongoing. Louise is a witch who has runaway ...more
Still a fantastic read the second time around- I adore Lou as a character and I am eagerly anticipating the sequel towards the end of this year.
Original review:
I LOVED THIS!!! All the stars for this witchy goodness!!! 🧙♀️
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.
The war between the witches and the church is ancient and ongoing. Louise is a witch who has runaway ...more
"Why the fuck is everyone in this kingdom trying to murder my wife?"
And just like that, I fell in love forever.
I haven't laughed/suffered so much while reading a book in a very long time.
I also just realized one of the reasons I liked this story so much is that the main characters remind me a lot of Matthias Helvar (my absolute favorite character from Six of Crows) and the gorgeous Nina Zenik. Their dynamic is very similar and they're both so beautifully characterized it's impossible n ...more
Louise Le Blanc is a witch who knows a few things about the world. For example, witches are good and the Chasseurs are bad.
Good versus evil. There is no room for an in between.
But when her own mother tries to kill her, she is forced to flee her coven and the world suddenly seems a bit more complicated.
Maybe everything isn't as black and white as she thought?
Reid Diggory has lived a very different life than Lou. As a Chasseur he abides by the creed 'Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.'
The C ...more
Good versus evil. There is no room for an in between.
But when her own mother tries to kill her, she is forced to flee her coven and the world suddenly seems a bit more complicated.
Maybe everything isn't as black and white as she thought?
Reid Diggory has lived a very different life than Lou. As a Chasseur he abides by the creed 'Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.'
The C ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YA Buddy Readers'...: Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove #1) by Shelby Mahurin - Restarting June 15th 2020 | 157 | 177 | Jun 25, 2020 08:54AM | |
| Fantasy Heroines: Serpent & Dove Discussion | 1 | 1 | Jun 22, 2020 05:16AM | |
| The Procrastinato...: * Serpent & Dove (June 2020) Group Read Discussion | 32 | 43 | Jun 19, 2020 01:19AM | |
| YA Buddy Reads Co...: Serpent & Dove Buddy Read (Starting on the 1st week of June 2020) | 45 | 24 | Jun 13, 2020 06:40PM | |
| CdC - Gruppo di l...: * Libro #39 e 40 - La signora del martedì / la Strega e il cacciatore | 4 | 17 | Jun 06, 2020 09:13AM | |
| Bookalicious Book...: Serpent & Dove Book Thread | 3 | 12 | Mar 03, 2020 09:05PM |
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Shelby Mahurin grew up on a small farm in rural Indiana, where sticks became wands and cows became dragons. Her rampant imagination didn't fade with age, so she continues to play make-believe every day—with words now instead of cows. When not writing, Shelby watches the Office and obsesses over her Twitter feed. She still lives near that childhood farm with her very tall husband, semi-feral toddle
...more
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Serpent & Dove
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“I loved her. Despite everything. Despite the lies, the betrayal, the hurt. Despite the Archbishop and Morgane le Blanc. Despite my own brothers. I don't know if she returned that love, and I didn't care. If she was destined to burn in Hell, I would burn with her.”
—
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“I was no one's sacrifice. Not then. Not now. Not ever.”
—
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