Review Detail

Lou is on the run from her family and she lives a thieving life with her friend Coco. Both of them are witches, but their magic is completely different from one another because they aren't from the same coven. When Lou finds herself in a sticky situation, she has no choice but to enter a marriage with the captain of the Chasseurs, Reid. The Chasseurs' sole purpose is to kill witches which means Lou is hiding in plain sight.

Reid is a man of morals and even though he doesn't like the idea of marrying Lou, he won't go against the Archbishop. So, he accepts the responsibility of being Lou's husband, even if it means having to be good to her. Lou is unlike any other women he's met. She's crass and doesn't have respect for the Archbishop. This strains their relationship even more because neither can see eye to eye, but they're both stuck with one another.

SERPENT & DOVE is an alluring debut that leaves me wanting more from Shelby Mahurin. She created Lou to be aggressive and she who will do anything to survive, but she also has a heart. Even though she seems reckless, she's actually a strong girl who just wants to live. Reid is a churchman who will kill any witch who crosses his path. It's how he was raised and he knows no different. Living with someone who wants your kind dead isn't the easiest thing to do. Even though they're married, Lou hides the biggest part of herself from Reid. Both characters are strong and I love the character development that unfolds throughout the book.


Final Verdict: This is a story of witches, churchmen, forbidden love, action, betrayal, and so much more. As I read, my heart dangled from a string, threatening to snap at any moment with all of the emotional tension between the lines. I would recommend SERPENT & DOVE to anyone who's looking for a unique read they won't be able to put down.