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bookdreamer2024's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
j_lynn_a80's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cmitchell2781's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written
This book was AMAZING. I'll admit it took me some time to get into it, but I wasn't really aware of what story I was going into. After I had a better grasp, I couldn't put the book down. I love Lou and Coco, and Lou's relationship with Reid is just...so good. The way magic works, with the patterns and a trade for a trade was fascinating. Magic is always said to come with a price, but the cords that Lou sees provides an immediate look as to what that cost is. I loved the storytelling in this book and cannot wait to start Blood and Honey.
This book was AMAZING. I'll admit it took me some time to get into it, but I wasn't really aware of what story I was going into. After I had a better grasp, I couldn't put the book down. I love Lou and Coco, and Lou's relationship with Reid is just...so good. The way magic works, with the patterns and a trade for a trade was fascinating. Magic is always said to come with a price, but the cords that Lou sees provides an immediate look as to what that cost is. I loved the storytelling in this book and cannot wait to start Blood and Honey.
iz_shevez's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Lots of telling rather than showing and the last 100 pages were lowkey a fever dream.
* spoiler*
Big tiddy liddy song being a part of what could have been an epic final battle took me out. years were taken off my life
* spoiler*
Big tiddy liddy song being a part of what could have been an epic final battle took me out. years were taken off my life
megancperry's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't read such a well-written romance for as long as I can remember! The tension and the character development was amazing throughout this book - I absolutely fell in love with the two protagonists! I'm not sure I can wait until September for the sequel, although I am curious as to where the romance will go, as obviously it was all built up and developed in this instalment. Nevertheless, I can't wait!! I may well also reread this closer to the time to refresh my memory.
autumnel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
A witch and a witch hunter are bound by marriage. I've actually never read an arranged marriage trope books. There's a spice in it which i DID NOT EXPECT. The romance was okay but not too much tension. Halfway through the book I found it a bit boring. But I kept turning the pages and it got better as the book came to a close.
All my questions were answered in the last 100 pages. It was fun, a good book but the lack of tension didn't excite me iykwim. The romance is a big part of this story. There's nothing special about the world building except the witches and the huntsman. So, I don't see much magic in it. A typical story about a war between humans and witches but of course there is a plot twist at the end!
All my questions were answered in the last 100 pages. It was fun, a good book but the lack of tension didn't excite me iykwim. The romance is a big part of this story. There's nothing special about the world building except the witches and the huntsman. So, I don't see much magic in it. A typical story about a war between humans and witches but of course there is a plot twist at the end!
jyeetreads's review against another edition
4.0
4 out of 5 STARS
Like others said:
There are things about this book that influence me to give it a higher rating then it probably deserves.
Yes, magic system is not fleshed out, writing reads somewhat like a fanfic, plot decisions are interesting?, romance is insta-lovey,
BUT
-The story picks up and you can’t stop reading to figure out happens next. I read the 500+ pages mostly in one sitting.
-Lou’s 21st century comebacks are top-tier and absolutely HILARIOUS in juxtaposition with most everyone else’s formal, old English- had me ROLLING lmao.
-Despite reading like a predictable fanfic, the story was actually pretty unique. Instead of the “good girl raised in patriarchy meets bad boy who gets her to break some rules”, we got “badass witch of a matriarchy meets SIMP for the law, flustered monk boy”. Quite a change, and thus the character development was refreshing.
And... that’s why I do give it more points than it probably deserves. Lol
SPOILERS BELOW (post-read notes)
-lemme just say real quick, who kisses someone after puking bile? Homie I get you’re in love but a smooch can wait LMAO
-the romance was definitely fanfic-y for me. I don’t really get how they fell in love with each other when they barely saw each other. Right as they were getting comfortable with each other they got some intense attraction... Lou and Reid’s relationship development seemed more on the way to being friends not lovers. So it ultimately didn’t feel realistic and instead seemed insta-love-y. Maybe it’s because of their weird “holy matrimony” (which also is a typical fanfic trope) that influenced their ideas of each other as loved ones? Idk. It’s meh to me.
-end kinda fell flat for me. It seemed a bit stretched out and the spark that kept me reading was dissipating. I know there’s a sequel but nothing in the plot left me wanting to anticipate the sequel. It’s pretty rare for me to want to continue a series so I guess I’m just picky, but yeah I don’t think I’ll continue.
- this book alone was satisfying in itself. It was just “nice” ya know? A good read but not a great one.
- got this book in paperback and whoever did the cover art deserves some of Pan’s sweet buns. It’s so beautiful and a big reason why I purchased the paperback instead of my usual e-book (oops guilty)
Like others said:
There are things about this book that influence me to give it a higher rating then it probably deserves.
Yes, magic system is not fleshed out, writing reads somewhat like a fanfic, plot decisions are interesting?, romance is insta-lovey,
BUT
-The story picks up and you can’t stop reading to figure out happens next. I read the 500+ pages mostly in one sitting.
-Lou’s 21st century comebacks are top-tier and absolutely HILARIOUS in juxtaposition with most everyone else’s formal, old English- had me ROLLING lmao.
-Despite reading like a predictable fanfic, the story was actually pretty unique. Instead of the “good girl raised in patriarchy meets bad boy who gets her to break some rules”, we got “badass witch of a matriarchy meets SIMP for the law, flustered monk boy”. Quite a change, and thus the character development was refreshing.
And... that’s why I do give it more points than it probably deserves. Lol
SPOILERS BELOW (post-read notes)
-lemme just say real quick, who kisses someone after puking bile? Homie I get you’re in love but a smooch can wait LMAO
-the romance was definitely fanfic-y for me. I don’t really get how they fell in love with each other when they barely saw each other. Right as they were getting comfortable with each other they got some intense attraction... Lou and Reid’s relationship development seemed more on the way to being friends not lovers. So it ultimately didn’t feel realistic and instead seemed insta-love-y. Maybe it’s because of their weird “holy matrimony” (which also is a typical fanfic trope) that influenced their ideas of each other as loved ones? Idk. It’s meh to me.
-end kinda fell flat for me. It seemed a bit stretched out and the spark that kept me reading was dissipating. I know there’s a sequel but nothing in the plot left me wanting to anticipate the sequel. It’s pretty rare for me to want to continue a series so I guess I’m just picky, but yeah I don’t think I’ll continue.
- this book alone was satisfying in itself. It was just “nice” ya know? A good read but not a great one.
- got this book in paperback and whoever did the cover art deserves some of Pan’s sweet buns. It’s so beautiful and a big reason why I purchased the paperback instead of my usual e-book (oops guilty)
thebookishbesties's review against another edition
4.0
This series has been on my TBR for a hot minute, thanks in large part to the gorgeous covers.
I figured this witch fall was the perfect time to start it. I do admit it took me a bit to get into the audiobook and at the end I am still a bit confused on a few parts but overall really enjoyed the story and the characters.
I figured this witch fall was the perfect time to start it. I do admit it took me a bit to get into the audiobook and at the end I am still a bit confused on a few parts but overall really enjoyed the story and the characters.
readwithkiekie's review against another edition
5.0
What an incredible reading experience.
I’ve not rated a book 5 stars in over a year. Nothing has excited me or blown me away. I didn’t have high expectations for Serpent and Dove but it blew me away.
It’s well written, the characters are charming in their own way, there’s a lot of fun and silly moments in here but mainly the story is so engaging. It’s a little dark and mysterious with the right amount of light. Highly recommend!
I’ve not rated a book 5 stars in over a year. Nothing has excited me or blown me away. I didn’t have high expectations for Serpent and Dove but it blew me away.
It’s well written, the characters are charming in their own way, there’s a lot of fun and silly moments in here but mainly the story is so engaging. It’s a little dark and mysterious with the right amount of light. Highly recommend!