From the Bookshelf of Addicted to YA…

Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove, #1)

Shelby Mahurin

Start date: November 1, 2020

Finish date: November 30, 2020

Discussion: Series

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the series BOTM
[close] Won the poll for the series BOTM

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Series

* Continuing Series- Nightbane
By Bailey · 4 posts · 30 views

last updated Aug 12, 2025 07:32AM

* New Series- The Princess Trials
By Bailey · 10 posts · 59 views

last updated Aug 27, 2025 04:41PM

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What Members Thought

Jan 06, 2020 Lauren DelGaizo rated it it was amazing

This novel entered a rare tier of ones that tip me over the edge into all-consuming obsession. I'm talking Pinterest board-level obsessions. Addictive, well-crafted, and original. I am happy to own a copy for my personal collection--already, I've reached for it three times since turning the final page.

Ultimately, my thoughts come down to this: it was an excellent debut. I am having some trouble reconciling my thoughts and critiques in my mind because the scope of the story was so advanced that This novel entered a rare tier of ones that tip me over the edge into all-consuming obsession. I'm talking Pinterest board-level obsessions. Addictive, well-crafted, and original. I am happy to own a copy for my personal collection--already, I've reached for it three times since turning the final page.

Ultimately, my thoughts come down to this: it was an excellent debut. I am having some trouble reconciling my thoughts and critiques in my mind because the scope of the story was so advanced that it feels like a seasoned author wrote this, but small details niggle in the back of my mind. To qualify this, however: I am a mid-twenties woman with a fiction writing degree who aspired to write YA fantasy--not a humble brag, I promise! What I mean to say is that I am an older audience who is likely more preoccupied by writing technicalities than the target audience of teens.

First and foremost, there is an explicit sex scene. I thought it was very well written; I liked that it was from Lou's specific POV instead of third person, as well as the realistic approach to pleasure and pain as opposed to the fantasy-like portrayal of SJM scenes, for instance. That being said, I do not think that teens cannot or should not read this type of content, but I do think it poses an interesting dynamic: this is a YA book, presumably intended for teens, but this scene--and the excessive profanity, and the take on religion, and much of the topical material--is representative of a book that is dark and gritty and wholly different from the feel of much existing YA fantasy targeted directly to them. It the ideal type of novel for me, a 25 year old woman who reads YA over adult fantasy, and it feels like it sits well with this type of slightly older audience. Particularly because while billed as a fantasy--and it is--this book is a romance. It reminds me of Shatter Me: there is a fantastical plot moving slowly in the background, but at the forefront of every single scene are two characters falling in love. And I personally enjoyed that, but I do want to make the distinction.

That being said, I adored the atmosphere of the book: the premise was familiar enough to catch my attentions (Witches! France!) but with a sharp, creative edge. I will say that much of the world left me with questions: it felt like the author was leaving too much up to the reader to connect the dots, or perhaps had lost some integral details through rounds of editing, and it left me feeling like I had missed a line, which was disappointing because I desired to soak up every detail of this world!

The characters themselves truly enraptured me: Lou was a type of protagonist I haven't seen before: smart, acerbic, and cheerful. Don't get me wrong, I love a good "hard", tough female lead, but I found it so easy to identify with Lou as a girl who allowed herself to feel each of her emotions as they happened, whether they were happiness or displeasure. Reid is one of my favorite male leads I've encountered lately, only in part due to single-handedly bringing back the red haired-love interest trend. Some may consider him a bit boring, but I found the nuances of his portrayal of pure good to be fascinating in conjunction with the soft-hard dynamic. The religious aspect of his nature (as well as the perceptions and discussion of it within the book!) was unique and provided a lot of layers to consider.

I also enjoyed the presence of the other characters, but I hope in the sequel we get more of their personalities; sometimes it felt like they were used as props or supplements and I want to know them more deeply. This is ultimately a representation of my thoughts on this novel: I thoroughly enjoyed most every element with the caveat that it was a debut. Shelby Mahurin shows talented, promising prose and a great handle on an innovative, weaving plot. But the best part about this is that we're getting a second book in this world, with these characters, to see how she grows as a seasoned writer. ...more

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Feb 20, 2023 JazzyReadz💜 rated it liked it

This book was fun at times but no means great. It was funny sometimes and if I ignored the poor writing and plot and accepted the trashyness I could have a good time. Lol but this book is by no means a masterpiece ground breaking novel. It’s fun trash. Like reality tv.

Overall The romance was super forced. Most of the characters lacked depth. The world building was terrible. For a witch/witch hunter book it didn’t really dive into that a whole lot. Fun theme but it missed the mark.

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Feb 08, 2020 Min rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: dnf

This looked set up to be one of those books I would generally enjoy. I gave it so many chances but I could just not become invested in the story. This fell flat for me. DNF at about 20%.

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