Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Expected Publication: September 3rd 2019
Page Count: 520
Genres: YA Fantasy
Goodreads // Wordery // Book Depository
For her sixteenth birthday, Louise le Blanc’s mother gave her three things: a sacrificial altar, a ritual knife, and a wicked scar.
Lou’s death would have ended the ancient war between the Church and witches, but Lou refuses to become a martyr. Forsaking her coven, she escapes to the gloomy city of Cesarine and hides her magic as a thief in the criminal underworld. But life in Cesarine has its own dangers. Huntsmen roam the city revered as holy men. Witches burn without trial. And the Archbishop, the Church’s austere patriarch, revels in violence.
As a huntsman, Reid Diggory lives by one verse: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
He’s devoted his entire life to eradicating the occult and making his surrogate father, the Archbishop, proud. Finally given the chance to capture a witch of his own, Reid is devastated when a foul-mouthed thief thwarts him—and doubly devastated when she too disappears. Hell-bent on bringing her to justice, Reid vows she won’t escape again. But when Lou tricks him into public scandal trying to avoid capture, the two are forced into an impossible situation—marriage.
Marriage to a huntsman could provide real protection from the witches—if Lou can convince Reid she isn’t one herself. The secret proves difficult to keep as Lou begins practicing magic in secret within the heart of the Church, determined to prepare for her mother’s inevitable return. As time passes, however, Lou discovers yet another danger lurking: her own growing feelings for her husband. But Reid is still dangerous. He’s just as likely to tie her to the stake as defend her if he learns her true identity. With enemies closing in—and more than her own life at stake—Lou must decide who she can trust before it’s too late…and she’s not the only one with a secret.
REASONS I’M EXCITED FOR OF SERPENT AND DOVE
I’m a sucker for a marriage of convenience trope.
Witches! and witch-hunters! Yes.
Pre-release hype. Honestly, I’ve just seen so many good rave-reviews from reviewers I really trust.
WWW WEDNESDAYS
What are you currently reading?
ebook: Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Audiobook: Maskerade (Discworld, #18) by Terry Pratchett, Blameless (Parasol Protectorate, #3) by Gail Carriger and The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1) by R.F. Kuang
What did you recently finish reading? Shadows & Dreams
(Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator #2) by Alexis Hall
What do you think you’ll read next? Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
I’m so interested in this one. The cover is such a stunner. And witches? yes please! I love Red Sister. It’s one of my favourite books. I hope you enjoy it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
This does sound amazing and I’ve seen so much hype over this book! I received an eARC but I’ve been saving it for closer to the release date. Hopefully it’ll be just as good as reviewers have been saying 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really hope you enjoy it!
LikeLike
I’ve seen this one around a lot. I’m really excited about it too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome cover and an awesome blurb! I hope it’s as awesome as the hype.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the cover. And the plot sounds good too. I like that marriage of convenience twist too. Hope you enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is definitely on my TBR as well. It’s been so long since I’ve read a witch novel, and I’m all for the marriage of convenient trope as well. 😉
❤ Aimee @ Aimee, Always
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVE that cover! Marriage of convenience stories are usually a lot of fun to read. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Witches and witch- hunters- sounds fabulous. I want this one too now haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊😊😊
LikeLike
This book does sound like it is going to be really epic! I love that cover so much. It gives off such a fantastic vibe for the concept. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I cant wait to see it in person!
LikeLike
Nice! Seeing a lot of this one around lately! I have it on my watch list myself! Lol. Hope you love it once you get to read it!
Thanks for visiting my WoW!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whew. Witches and witch hunters? And a marriage of convience! LOVE IT!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This cover looks freaking amazing! Plus it sounds so intriguing!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome Wow pick! I love witch stories and that’s a cool cover!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love witchy reads so this one is definitely going on my TBR. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person