Review: Mahurin’s debut novel took me out of a reading slump and reminded me what it feels like to simply read for fun! 

One of my favorite aspects of “Serpent & Dove” is the relationship development between Lou and Reid. At the beginning of the novel, the pair truly despised each other, Lou hating Reid for being a Chasseur (witch hunter) and Reid hating Lou for leaving him with no choice but to marry her or risk his reputation being tarnished. I thoroughly enjoyed reading from both of their perspectives because the alternating chapters allowed me to see how their forced proximity resulted in undeniable attraction. Lou and Reid ultimately learn to put their differences aside, proving that love conquers all. 

Mahurin’s world-building in “Serpent & Dove” further captured my interest. In an interview, Mahurin shared that the inspiration for “Serpent & Dove” was an episode of the television adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander.” As a fan of the show, I definitely drew parallels between it and “Serpent & Dove.” Though Claire, the protagonist from Outlander, was called “La Dame Blanche,” she did not actually possess any supernatural abilities. Mahurin does, however, create a fictional world where the reader is invited to imagine a world where Dames Blanches are real witches. Lou, a Dame Blanche herself, channels her magic through the land by manipulating patterns of magical golden cords. Her friend Coco, a Dame Rouge, gets her magic from blood. I appreciated how Mahurin made the two different types of witches distinct from one another, even going so far as to create rules that the Dames Blanches must abide to (nature demands balance) that the Dames Rouges do not. 

Aside from being populated by witches, the Chausseurs call the city of Cesarine home. The presence of witch hunters within the novel creates conflict, tension, and as previously mentioned, the perfect foundation for an enemies to lovers romance. 

As I was reading, I thought the plot would be pretty straightforward and I was delighted to be proved wrong. There were many shocking reveals that I did not see coming and found immensely entertaining.