Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Abandoning magic and surviving off whatever she could steal, Louise le Blanc ran away from her coven to Cesarine two years ago. Here, witches like Lou are hunted down due to fear. Then they are burned.

Reid Diggory, a Chassuer sworn to the Church, lives his life by one rule: thou shall not suffer a witch to live. Therefore, Reid and Lou’s paths were never supposed to cross. However, a wicked act forces Reid and Lou into marriage.

With the war between witches and the Church being ancient, Lou’s fate will be worse than fire if her most dangerous enemies get to her. However, Lou cannot ignore her feelings nor who she is, but has to make a choice.

Yet, love makes us all foolish.

Before reading Serpent & Dove, I knew a few very small details about the main character Lou. Thanks social media. However, there are so many details that you won’t expect that if you see anything on social media, don’t fret. All of the main characters are complex, unique, and loveable in their own ways. Now I will only be discussing the two characters that have point of views throughout the book.

Lou le Blanc is a Dame Blanche, a witch who’s magic requires a natural balance. However, Lou is so much more than the title of witch. Lou is also sarcastic, passionate, quick witted, compassionate, loves sticky buns, and is a little heathen. Not only does Lou throw herself into everything she does, but she savors every experience. One aspect of Lou that I love is that she loves messing with people despite the consequences. Lou goes out of her way to mess with Reid, a Chassuer, in spite of the fact that he would burn her for being a witch. Then there is the side of Lou that feels too much and puts others before herself. Yes, Lou is selfish, however she will ensure others are not in pain or suffering.

Now there is Reid Diggory the Chausser. Reid, growing up in the Church as an orphan, consequently is a Chassuer hating witches. However, hating witches and living to the code of a Chassuer, doesn’t define Reid. He is also loyal, kind, organized, and a little naïve. All Reid knows is the teachings of the Church, therefore he doesn’t have much experience with everyday people and is misguided by hate. Although he only knows to hate witches, Reid treats those around him with kindness and sticks to those he is loyal to. I love the transformation Reid makes from when we first meet him to the end of the book. He starts out as a hard nose, learns along the way, and then slowly opens his mind and rethinks everything he knows.