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A review by starfleckedsoul
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
5.0
The story revolves around Lou, a girl who has been running from her past —her identity— for two years, sweeping into the world of thieves and courtesans at East End to escape her. During one of her troubled days, she stumbles upon Reid Diggory—a Chasseur, witch hunter. Little did they know that that one meeting would knot their fates together—in cords of gold, pits of fire, and drips of blood.
I might be exaggerating with that little synopsis, but hey, it speaks a lot about my opinions about the book. I definitely had high expectations upon diving into this book, although I was skeptical when I first heard of it. Also, the cover is just drastically gorgeous, isn’t it? I’m a sucker for that black and gold.
Anyway, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I can now talk about why and how this book climbed its way up my favorites.
First of all, the voices. I especially love the point of views of this book, it’s so refreshing to read a first person POV from a male, especially since he has a giant conflict with Lou. Lou… I fell in love with her on the first 5 pages. She has a very distinct voice, it reverberates through my head so much that I can now say that I’ve been brought out of my reading slump. Shelby Mahurin wrote the characters so well, Lou especially. Also, I usually fall in love more with guys who have bad reputations you know, but Shelby did her job well in making me swoon with Reid. Other than that, I also love the fact that we have a group at the very end of the book, it makes it more thrilling to worry about more than two characters. I just hope neither of them dies (edit, after reading B&H: someone died)
Second, the story telling. The buildup is so good, it definitely keeps you hooked all throughout. There’s gore, romance, angst, family drama, magic—what more can you ask for??? It’s one of the best concoction. And it’s sort of set in a French setting, I’m not sure, but that’s the vibe I get.
Lastly…the themes. I love how we’re fighting for feminism here. I love how there’s no fine line between good or bad, but instead a morally grey area. I love how we get to see from almost every aspects.
So of course, I love everything. I can’t seem to find anything I’d complain about. But yes, that’s my very subjective review. Bottom line is, YOU SHOULD READ IT.
I might be exaggerating with that little synopsis, but hey, it speaks a lot about my opinions about the book. I definitely had high expectations upon diving into this book, although I was skeptical when I first heard of it. Also, the cover is just drastically gorgeous, isn’t it? I’m a sucker for that black and gold.
Anyway, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I can now talk about why and how this book climbed its way up my favorites.
First of all, the voices. I especially love the point of views of this book, it’s so refreshing to read a first person POV from a male, especially since he has a giant conflict with Lou. Lou… I fell in love with her on the first 5 pages. She has a very distinct voice, it reverberates through my head so much that I can now say that I’ve been brought out of my reading slump. Shelby Mahurin wrote the characters so well, Lou especially. Also, I usually fall in love more with guys who have bad reputations you know, but Shelby did her job well in making me swoon with Reid. Other than that, I also love the fact that we have a group at the very end of the book, it makes it more thrilling to worry about more than two characters. I just hope neither of them dies (edit, after reading B&H: someone died)
Second, the story telling. The buildup is so good, it definitely keeps you hooked all throughout. There’s gore, romance, angst, family drama, magic—what more can you ask for??? It’s one of the best concoction. And it’s sort of set in a French setting, I’m not sure, but that’s the vibe I get.
Lastly…the themes. I love how we’re fighting for feminism here. I love how there’s no fine line between good or bad, but instead a morally grey area. I love how we get to see from almost every aspects.
So of course, I love everything. I can’t seem to find anything I’d complain about. But yes, that’s my very subjective review. Bottom line is, YOU SHOULD READ IT.