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bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
1.0
“There are some things that can't be changed with words. Some things have to be seen. They have to be felt.”
➽ Serpent & Dove was a massive letdown for me! Initially, I was excited to read it, as I love witchy stories and this was very popular when it came out. The story follows Louise, a young witch who has to hide her identity as her kind is prosecuted by witch hunters. She ends up having to marry Reid, a hunter of the church to cover up a scandal. Usually, I enjoy enemies-to-lovers romances, but not when they are written like that. I rarely give out 1-star ratings, but I had issues with every single aspect of this book. Apart from what I mentioned below, there were also some fatphobic and aphobic comments in the story.
➽ Worldbuilding: The magic system is lacklustre and the setting is shallow. The author wanted this to be a French-inspired world but it's obvious she didn't do proper research. Instead, she randomly uses French words/phrases whenever she likes (it's not even consistent in the story itself) but doesn't follow them up with anything else. It felt like she just translated what words she wanted and sprinkled them into the story. The idea of the different types of witches was interesting but didn't stand out to me at all. The whole world didn't feel cohesive, as the language is too modern but then the author keeps reminding us that this is supposed to be set circa. 15th century, so there's a ton of sexism and religious bigotry.
➽ Writing: The writing style didn't fit the story. Apart from the constant repetitions of some phrases (like 'my husband/wife'), the author used modern language in her medieval setting (I'm not sure what time period this is supposed to be set in, I think around the 15th century?). It was so jarring to encounter modern colloquialisms in the story at times, as no one would have spoken like that. Louise sings a song that starts with "Big Titty Liddy" multiple times throughout the story and apart from being cringey and vulgar, it didn't fit into the setting at all!
➽ Main Character: Louise was probably one of the least annoying things about this book. I liked that she's in hiding and trying to outrun her past, as she's sick of being seen as a sacrifice. In general, her feisty attitude and humor were endearing at first. I also liked her friend Coco, but she sadly didn't get enough page time. In the end, her vulgar song and language got on my nerves though. Her mindset was way too modern for the setting, but at the same time, she made SO many excuses for Reid's possessive and sexist behavior.
➽ Love Interest: Reid was a horrible character who never changed. He's a witch hunter and works for the church, so he despises witches but has no idea his new wife is one. Reid never makes an effort to unlearn his own bigotry and keeps treating witches like animals. His bloodlust and dehumanisation were unpleasant to read about. His possessive and aggressive behavior never changed and it often felt like it was Louise's task to 'fix' him. There was no nuance in their dynamic and obviously, Reid magically changes his opinion only in the very end via the 'power of love'. Even secondary characters like Ansel - a fellow hunter - slowly change, but Reid clings to the church's teachings, even when they become improbable.
➽ Romance: Reid and Louise's relationship was so offputting and unhealthy. The reason they have to marry is so fabricated and ridiculous, it didn't happen organically throughout the story. It's offputting from the beginning that he only marries her, as the city thinks he sexually assaulted Louise. This isn't true, but obviously, the church thinks that he has to 'save his image'. The church is full fo sexist attitudes and Reid isn't much better. He was controlling and possessive over Lou at times and definitely thought she was more like his property because she was his wife. Reid doesn't have any character development like I though and it's Lou who excuses his behavior and tries to fix him. Their relationship was just a big red flag for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Misogyny, Death, Sexual content, Murder, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Confinement, Self harm, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Suicide, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
bluebreex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It definitely did not live up to the hype for me and I didn't really love the romance in this book: it felt a bit forced and rushed. But, I did find the portrayal of witches and magic really interesting! The magical aspect was the main thing that kept me invested, as for me I did not get that invested in the plot until around Act 3.
I found Lou being the character I liked the most all in all - however that doesn't count for much in the end due to how I found almost all of the men in this book to be perverted and creepy. (Whether that was intentional or not).
Not sure if I will continue with this series or not.
I found Lou being the character I liked the most all in all - however that doesn't count for much in the end due to how I found almost all of the men in this book to be perverted and creepy. (Whether that was intentional or not).
Not sure if I will continue with this series or not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Misogyny
Moderate: Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy
ldermer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Genocide, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Vomit, Child abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual harassment
onemamareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Misogyny, Death, Murder, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Gaslighting, and Genocide
neaky__'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Things I liked:
• The mechanics behind the white witches. I LOVE how their magic has limits and how the magic is presented. I also liked how the magic has a scent in this universe.
• Relationship between Reid and Lou was fast but surprisingly believable.
• I wasn’t expecting the final “twist” i guess you could say. A cruel twist of fate and i’m excited to see where it will lead in the next book.
Things I didn’t liked:
• I don’t think many of the side characters aside from the main few were developed.
• Some parts are cringey and predictable but overall not too much.
• The mechanics behind the white witches. I LOVE how their magic has limits and how the magic is presented. I also liked how the magic has a scent in this universe.
• Relationship between Reid and Lou was fast but surprisingly believable.
• I wasn’t expecting the final “twist” i guess you could say. A cruel twist of fate and i’m excited to see where it will lead in the next book.
Things I didn’t liked:
• I don’t think many of the side characters aside from the main few were developed.
• Some parts are cringey and predictable but overall not too much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Murder, Misogyny, War, and Sexism
Moderate: Vomit, Suicide attempt, Genocide, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
ayah_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
2.5
wtwbwuegejej the way this book had SO MUCH POTENTIAL TO BE GOOD AND THEN JUST SUCKED SO BADLY.
Gahhhhhhhhhh first off the colonial allegories in this book are so unbelievably strong I have no idea why I've never seen this talked about.
The mortals stole the witches land, the witches' magic comes from their connection to the land and their ancestors, the church/Christianity is the major driving force behind the persecution of the witches (because they use religious narratives to further their own hatred and legitimatise their destruction and killing of witches), the differing views on historical events. If that's not western colonialism idk what is.
So to have Lou fall in love with Reid is literally like an Indigenous person falling in love with their coloniser. This is not enemies to lovers, this is an opressor/opressee dynamic.
It COULD have been a different dynamic if only Reid had fallen for Lou and Lou had not. Not only is it insta love, but it literally makes NO SENSE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DEVELOPMENT ON REID'A BEHALF FOR HER TO FALL FOR HIM??? she says he's too good for her, deserves better and like WHERE ???? She literally would die to save him but to die and save her people no she won't do that ????? make it make sense !!! Also let's not forget all the sexist and patriarchal thinking he has towards her at the beginning, like hell she would actually fall for him.
I understand Lou not wanting to die because other innocent people will die but at least fight more for your people and don't BE OKAY WITH DYING FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS LITERALLY KILLED AND HUNTED YOUR PEOPLE.
I enjoyed the first 60ish% because I had this hope that maybeeeee things would turn our differently, but then in the last 30-40% of the book I realised where it was going and that I didn't care to continue with this series, and so it took me soooo long to finish.
~spoilers~
What makes it even more annoying and frustrating is that some of the plot is really interesting??
Lou being the Archbishop's child. Reid being the son of a witch (Madame Labelle was great) and the King. REID BEING THE FIRST MALE WITCH !!! WYEHWUEU the plot thickened towards the end and it would have been so interesting to see Reid go through this individual arc of unlearning his hate, and then we have Lou falling for him, you know an actual slow burn character development arc in which all three books are used to develop their relationship !!!!!!!
The magic system is also very cool and not something I've seen before in that way.
So overall, while I had some fun, I now feel like I need to cleanse my soul with a much much better book 😭😭😭 will definitely not be continuing with this series!
Gahhhhhhhhhh first off the colonial allegories in this book are so unbelievably strong I have no idea why I've never seen this talked about.
The mortals stole the witches land, the witches' magic comes from their connection to the land and their ancestors, the church/Christianity is the major driving force behind the persecution of the witches (because they use religious narratives to further their own hatred and legitimatise their destruction and killing of witches), the differing views on historical events. If that's not western colonialism idk what is.
So to have Lou fall in love with Reid is literally like an Indigenous person falling in love with their coloniser. This is not enemies to lovers, this is an opressor/opressee dynamic.
It COULD have been a different dynamic if only Reid had fallen for Lou and Lou had not. Not only is it insta love, but it literally makes NO SENSE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DEVELOPMENT ON REID'A BEHALF FOR HER TO FALL FOR HIM??? she says he's too good for her, deserves better and like WHERE ???? She literally would die to save him but to die and save her people no she won't do that ????? make it make sense !!! Also let's not forget all the sexist and patriarchal thinking he has towards her at the beginning, like hell she would actually fall for him.
I understand Lou not wanting to die because other innocent people will die but at least fight more for your people and don't BE OKAY WITH DYING FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS LITERALLY KILLED AND HUNTED YOUR PEOPLE.
I enjoyed the first 60ish% because I had this hope that maybeeeee things would turn our differently, but then in the last 30-40% of the book I realised where it was going and that I didn't care to continue with this series, and so it took me soooo long to finish.
~spoilers~
What makes it even more annoying and frustrating is that some of the plot is really interesting??
Lou being the Archbishop's child. Reid being the son of a witch (Madame Labelle was great) and the King. REID BEING THE FIRST MALE WITCH !!! WYEHWUEU the plot thickened towards the end and it would have been so interesting to see Reid go through this individual arc of unlearning his hate, and then we have Lou falling for him, you know an actual slow burn character development arc in which all three books are used to develop their relationship !!!!!!!
The magic system is also very cool and not something I've seen before in that way.
So overall, while I had some fun, I now feel like I need to cleanse my soul with a much much better book 😭😭😭 will definitely not be continuing with this series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment
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