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A review by jyeetreads
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
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)