Serpent & Dove

Tender romance and a rebellious, resilient heroine buoy this uneven tale, which counsels understanding and forgiveness in the face of zealotry and persecution. First in a planned duology, Mahurin’s debut follows Louise—an irreverent witch on the run from her coven, the Dames Blanches—and Reid, a pious Chasseur, who kills witches for the Church of Belterra. Homeless, abstaining from magic, and stealing to survive, Lou conspires with two friends to pilfer an enchanted ring that will help hide her from the Dames Blanches’ queen, La Dame des Sorcières. When the heist goes wrong, attracting Reid’s attention, Lou places him in a compromising position to publicly discredit him. Her ploy backfires: Reid’s boss, the Archbishop, orders them to marry, thus maintaining the Chasseurs’ virtuous reputation. Lou acquiesces, provided that she can conceal her true nature; who better to protect her than a witch hunter? But matters become increasingly complicated as love blooms. Poorly established stakes, wobbly worldbuilding, and a shortage of action slow the start, but the bombshell-laden conclusion thrills while whetting readers’ appetites for the sequel. Ages 14–up. [em](Sept.) [/em]