Scan barcode
hailey2510's review against another edition
4.0
I tried to read it last year and got bored like half way in, but this time I liked it. Pretty standard for its genre.
blurrypetals's review against another edition
1.0
I'm so tired. Can we please stop copying Sarah J. Maas's homework? She didn't even do the reading last night, she's not qualified to copy off of!
I actually felt like this had a pretty strong start. It was reminding me a little of the early portion of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and had a similar air as The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh, which are two of my favorite books, so I was intrigued! This also contains my two favorite tropes: enemies to lovers and arranged marriages!
Great! What could possibly go wrong?
Answer: so much. Just like with Wicked Saints, there are other two star reads I definitely hated more than this, but that doesn't mean I can forgive it of the cardinal sin of being boring.
This book also feels like just as much of a debut novel as it is. I don't mind knowing that something is a debut, but I really hate feeling how much of a debut it is. It has a snail's pacing...if the snail got stepped on and fuckin' died. The comedy does not land. The magic system is poorly explained and a little inconsistent.
I also felt like this had one of the most drawn-out, messy, and uninteresting final acts I've had the displeasure of reading, which I also think is a big statement considering the fact that I just finished reading Wicked Saints.
Anyway, I can't say I expected a lot out of this, but it did have a strong start, so it was pretty disappointing to see that energy fizzle out.
I actually felt like this had a pretty strong start. It was reminding me a little of the early portion of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and had a similar air as The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh, which are two of my favorite books, so I was intrigued! This also contains my two favorite tropes: enemies to lovers and arranged marriages!
Great! What could possibly go wrong?
Answer: so much. Just like with Wicked Saints, there are other two star reads I definitely hated more than this, but that doesn't mean I can forgive it of the cardinal sin of being boring.
This book also feels like just as much of a debut novel as it is. I don't mind knowing that something is a debut, but I really hate feeling how much of a debut it is. It has a snail's pacing...if the snail got stepped on and fuckin' died. The comedy does not land. The magic system is poorly explained and a little inconsistent.
I also felt like this had one of the most drawn-out, messy, and uninteresting final acts I've had the displeasure of reading, which I also think is a big statement considering the fact that I just finished reading Wicked Saints.
Spoiler
Reid gets over his prejudices really quick. Also surprise, he is a witch! I love how little foreshadowing there was for this! It's actually the plot point I was most interested in, but there was no setup for it that I could follow. Also Lou becomes really mushy and warm in the blink of an eye, which felt rather jarring to me.Anyway, I can't say I expected a lot out of this, but it did have a strong start, so it was pretty disappointing to see that energy fizzle out.
kashima's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
hsecen's review
4.0
July 2021 reread:
I really enjoyed this book! I think the plot is so different from other fantasy books I've read and I really like the way magic is described in this book. A lot of the elements seem really thought out and as someone who enjoys world building and that whole aspect of a story, I appreciate the detail and consistency throughout. Some of the pacing is a little quick for my taste but the book is long enough that it distracted me from that a little. Lou and Reid have some really great chemistry, and I loved all the side characters as well. There are some really great surprises at the end, and had me finishing the book really quick because it was rather exciting. I will note that I've been reading books while listening to the audiobook - and I do *not* recommend that for this book, the audio narrators grated on me. I enjoyed the book so much more just reading it normally!
I really enjoyed this book! I think the plot is so different from other fantasy books I've read and I really like the way magic is described in this book. A lot of the elements seem really thought out and as someone who enjoys world building and that whole aspect of a story, I appreciate the detail and consistency throughout. Some of the pacing is a little quick for my taste but the book is long enough that it distracted me from that a little. Lou and Reid have some really great chemistry, and I loved all the side characters as well. There are some really great surprises at the end, and had me finishing the book really quick because it was rather exciting. I will note that I've been reading books while listening to the audiobook - and I do *not* recommend that for this book, the audio narrators grated on me. I enjoyed the book so much more just reading it normally!
fionasfairytales's review against another edition
5.0
Synopsis: Young witch Louise "Lou" Le Blanc fled her coven years ago and sought refuge in the dreary city of Cesarine, making a living off of thievery. Here in this charming, dark, and french-inspired metropolis, the Church holds the power and, by way of their huntsmen--the Chasseurs--, they hunt and burn witches like Lou. But when a sticky situation forces Lou and one particularly reverent Chasseur, Reid Diggory, into holy matrimony, everything for the pair changes. Now, Lou is forced to hide her magical identity and deal with her everchanging feelings for Reid. Together, they uncover a dark underbelly to their own pasts and the Belterra they thought they knew.
Review: SERPENT & DOVE is a dark, magical, and entirely unique story about love and loyalty. Mahurin crafts an enchanting world full of spells and sticky buns that made me want to dive straight into the pages of the book. But even more impressive was the expertise with which she created and developed such intricate, charming, and realistic characters, all of whom I either wanted to be best friends with, kiss, or burn alive. It was a bit of a slow-burn and it took me a while to get through the first half, though it did a great job at setting the scene and developing both the relationships and characters. But after that bit, I could not put the book down! And THE ENDING???? PHEW!
SERPENT & DOVE is a must-read for any and all lovers of twisted magic, enemies-to-lovers romances, or strong and amusing characters. And to anyone that's stuck in the first half, I urge you to KEEP GOING--it's worth it, trust me!
I cannot wait for BLOOD & HONEY, which I'm sure will be an even more impressive display of Mahurin's talent for weaving such wonderful tales.
Review: SERPENT & DOVE is a dark, magical, and entirely unique story about love and loyalty. Mahurin crafts an enchanting world full of spells and sticky buns that made me want to dive straight into the pages of the book. But even more impressive was the expertise with which she created and developed such intricate, charming, and realistic characters, all of whom I either wanted to be best friends with, kiss, or burn alive. It was a bit of a slow-burn and it took me a while to get through the first half, though it did a great job at setting the scene and developing both the relationships and characters. But after that bit, I could not put the book down! And THE ENDING???? PHEW!
SERPENT & DOVE is a must-read for any and all lovers of twisted magic, enemies-to-lovers romances, or strong and amusing characters. And to anyone that's stuck in the first half, I urge you to KEEP GOING--it's worth it, trust me!
I cannot wait for BLOOD & HONEY, which I'm sure will be an even more impressive display of Mahurin's talent for weaving such wonderful tales.
enchanted_reading's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0