4.05k reviews for:

Gods & Monsters

Shelby Mahurin

3.89 AVERAGE

adventurous funny hopeful fast-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
adventurous dark emotional lighthearted sad tense medium-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

ANSELLLLL 😔😔

Este libro es una montaña rusa de emociones, estas feliz, tensa, con miedo, triste y llorando a mares.
Si que a algunas cosas les falta un poco mĂĄs de desarrollo y a otras no tanto pero se lleva las 5 Estrellas por todo lo que me ha hecho sentir esta trilogĂ­a.
Lo mejor de esta historia son sus personajes y como vas encariñåndote con cada uno de ellos, son maravillosos.
adventurous emotional tense medium-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
adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful tense medium-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

Hope isn't the sickness. It's the cure. 

A stunning end to a trilogy that I thoroughly enjoyed. Like both of the books before it, Gods & Monsters was full of twists and turns, each keeping me hooked and taking me by surprise. There were so many high points and times I was on the verge of tears. Lou and Reid's relationship also had it's fair share of turbulence but they were so wonderfully enamoured with each other.

I was endeared to so many of the characters who grew from strength to strength. Even the characters that I hadn't anticipated liking so much like, Jean Luc, and those I was previously ambivalent to, like Celie. Surprisingly it was Beau who became my favourite in this final instalment, somehow he was always able to be the bright spot in all of the darkest moments. 

The only criticism I had was that the ending seemed a little rushed, with the final battle progressing so quickly after 3 books worth of build up. 

Every mention of Ansel made me want to cry. He really was the best of them all.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

UGH ANSEL 😭 
adventurous dark emotional tense slow-paced

mariawheeler's review

5.0

this epilogue has ruined me

5 ⭐
ri_ri's profile picture

ri_ri's review

4.0

3.75 stars

“Hope matters most, I say fiercely. Hope isn’t the sickness. It’s the cure.”


Gods and Monsters delivered a satisfying conclusion to what has been a spellbinding and roller-coaster trilogy. After my disappointment with book two, I had lowered my expectations, but this final installment reignited my love for the Serpent & Dove series. The story was not only magical and mesmerizing but also beautifully atmospheric, thanks to Shelby’s exquisite, detailed narrative. I loved the riddles and clues, the thrilling action sequences, and the group’s strategic planning to finally defeat the main villain. While the book did have some filler content due to its length, and the plot occasionally felt repetitive, the strength of the characters more than made up for it.

“Fear was inevitable. We all made our choices, and we all suffered our consequences. We all felt fear. The trick was learning to live with that fear, to continue forward in spite of it.”


The found family in this book is so precious—Lou, Reid, Coco, Beau, Celie, and even Jean Luc. They fought together against the evil, had each other's back. They all built something beautiful and hopeful together amidst the mayhem and chaos of their world, as friends and family.

Lou is one of my favourite fantasy female character. She is the embodiment of fire, and I love how she is soft-hearted yet fierce and protective. She is perfection. Reid had me swooning again in this book. The amnesia trope hurt a lot, but I loved seeing how he was falling for Lou again for the second time, how he couldn't resist the inevitable pull towards her —how he tried to hate her for being a witch but couldn’t help falling in love with her through the re-exploration of their relationship. Reid and Lou's love faced new trials in this book, but they both recontructed their relationship from the foundation of love and trust, and this time it's even stronger than before.

“I stared at her tearstained face, chest aching. She didn’t need to convince me. I’d do anything she asked. If kissing her would stop another tear from falling, I’d kiss her a thousand times. If we survived the night, I’d kiss away every tear for the rest of her life.”


Beau is another reason I loved this book. He was really charming, equally sweet, thoughtful, and hilarious, with just the right amout of possessiveness when it came to Coco. I wish we got his own book in this series or a novella for his and Coco's story. Coco is the ultimate best friend. I love how she protects, supports, and loves Lou. She is ready to burn down the world for Lou, and that’s true queen behavior. I also adored Coco and Beau's emotional and angsty love story. It was heartbreaking to see them deny their feelings while clearly longing for each other, but knowing they ultimately found happiness together was all I wanted since the first book.

“Just do it,” she said. “Hurry up.”
He grimaced at the words but took a small step forward, lowering his voice. “If I remember correctly, Cosette, you don’t like it hurried.” Another step. Coco’s fingers still trembled. She fisted them in her skirt. “Not with me.”
“I don’t like anything with you.”
“Liar,” he whispered. Then he lowered his lips to hers.


The final battle scene was spectacular, expertly crafted with intense emotion and action. And the epilogue? A masterpiece. It was easily the highlight of the book. I am happy for Ansel, though my heart will never stop hurting for him. Reid and Lou got their happy forever after, and it was perfect.

“It doesn’t end in death. It ends in hope.”