Book one of a stunning fantasy trilogy, this tale of witchcraft and forbidden love is perfect for fans of Kendare Blake and Sara Holland.
Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.
As a huntsman of the Church, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. But when Lou pulls a wicked stunt, the two are forced into an impossible situation—marriage.
Lou, unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, must make a choice. And love makes fools of us all.
This is a romance first and a witch story second, and the book makes you wait for the witchcraft. The forced-marriage setup is the hook, and the alternating viewpoints do real work, letting you watch two people who should be enemies slowly change their minds. Banter and a hero who grows are why readers tear through it.
The catch is the fantasy. For a long stretch it plays like historical fiction set in a city drawn from old France, and the magic stays understated until late. When it arrives it's good: every spell costs the witch something of equal worth. Some readers also feel the romance speeds up too fast. If you want spellcraft from page one, adjust your expectations. If you're here for the sparring, you're in the right place.
Publishers Weekly found it uneven, with fuzzy stakes and a slow start, but liked the tender romance and the resilient heroine. Common Sense Media was warmer and called it hard to put down. It was also a 2019 Goodreads Choice nominee in YA Fantasy, which says more about its readers than its critics.
Add to your library to track progress and write reviews
Find Serpent & Dove Shelby Mahurin in PDF, EPUB, ebook, audiobook, print, or library editions.
1 books in catalog
Shelby Mahurin is the New York Times bestselling author of the Serpent & Dove trilogy. She grew up on a small farm in rural Indiana, where sticks became wands and cows became dragons. Her rampant imagination didn’t fade with age, so she continues to play make-believe every day—with words now instead of cows. When not writing, Shelby watches The Office and reads voraciously. She still lives near that childhood farm with her very tall husband and semiferal children. Visit her online at www.shelbymahurin.com.
Serpent & Dove
