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    Serpent & Dove

    by Mahurin, Shelby
    “Serpent & Dove” by Shelby Mahurin is a YA fantasy novel set in a French-inspired world where witches are hunted by the Church. The story follows Louise “Lou” le Blanc, a witch who has renounced magic and hides in the city of Cesarine, and Reid Diggory, a devout witch hunter. After a chance encounter forces them into an arranged marriage, their opposing loyalties and beliefs create tension. As Lou’s secrets threaten to unravel, the pair must navigate betrayal, forbidden romance, and a brewing war between witches and the Church. The novel explores themes of identity, prejudice, and the clash between duty and desire, blending fantasy, romance, and adventure.
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    Serpent & Dove

    The Guest of Honor: Lou

    by Mahurin, Shelby

    The chap­ter opens with King Auguste host­ing a grand ball to hon­or Reid for sav­ing his fam­i­ly from a witch attack. Lou, the nar­ra­tor, reflects on the irony of cel­e­brat­ing Reid’s suc­cess, as his fail­ure would have spared her from her own dire predica­ment. Despite her reser­va­tions, she acknowl­edges Reid’s hero­ism, even as she grap­ples with her con­flict­ed feel­ings about his actions. The scene sets a tone of ten­sion and dark humor, with Lou’s inter­nal mono­logue reveal­ing her sharp wit and under­ly­ing vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty.

    Lou’s inter­ac­tions with Coco and Reid high­light her com­plex rela­tion­ships. Reid departs to meet the Arch­bish­op, leav­ing Lou with Coco, who insists on prepar­ing her for the ball. Their ban­ter is play­ful yet charged, as Coco aggres­sive­ly styles Lou’s hair despite her protests. Lou’s reluc­tance to con­form to soci­etal norms—such as brush­ing her hair—showcases her rebel­lious nature, though she secret­ly enjoys Reid’s atten­tion to it. The dynam­ic between the two women blends cama­raderie and mild antag­o­nism, adding depth to their char­ac­ters.

    The chap­ter shifts focus to Lou and Coco’s trans­for­ma­tion for the ball. Lou admires her ele­gant gown and healed appear­ance in the mir­ror, though she envies Coco’s more strik­ing fig­ure. Their con­ver­sa­tion about cour­te­sans and beau­ty reveals Lou’s inse­cu­ri­ties and pride. Ansel’s arrival inter­rupts their prepa­ra­tions, and his flus­tered reac­tion to Coco’s bold flir­ta­tion pro­vides com­ic relief. Lou teas­es Ansel, enjoy­ing his dis­com­fort, while Coco rev­els in the atten­tion, fur­ther empha­siz­ing the play­ful yet charged atmos­phere.

    The final scene tran­si­tions to the group’s jour­ney to the cas­tle, with Coco con­tin­u­ing to tease Ansel, much to the amuse­ment of the guards and Lou. The grim, impos­ing cas­tle con­trasts with the live­ly inter­ac­tions, under­scor­ing the ten­sion between the cel­e­bra­to­ry event and the dark­er under­cur­rents of the sto­ry. Lou’s wry obser­va­tions and the group’s dynam­ic leave the read­er antic­i­pat­ing the unfold­ing events at the ball, blend­ing humor, ten­sion, and intrigue.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What is the significance of the ball being held on the eve of Saint Nicolas Day, and how does Lou feel about its purpose?

      Answer:
      The ball is significant because King Auguste scheduled it to honor Reid for saving his family during the witches’ attack. It marks the beginning of a weekend of celebration. Lou, however, has mixed feelings about it. While she acknowledges Reid’s heroism, she ironically wishes he had failed, as the king’s death would have freed her from her own predicament (likely a life-threatening situation tied to her scar or a curse). Her internal conflict highlights her complex relationship with Reid and her survival instincts.

      2. Analyze the dynamics between Coco and Lou during the preparation for the ball. What does their interaction reveal about their friendship?

      Answer:
      Coco and Lou’s interaction reveals a playful yet intimate friendship. Coco takes charge of Lou’s appearance, insisting on brushing her hair despite Lou’s resistance, showing she cares about Lou’s presentation. Lou’s eventual compliance and their banter (“I look divine in everything”) demonstrate mutual trust and affection. Coco’s reference to the Bellerose courtesans and Lou’s jealousy of Coco’s figure add humor and realism to their bond. Their dynamic balances teasing with genuine support, emphasizing their deep connection despite Lou’s usual stubbornness.

      3. How does Ansel’s reaction to Coco reveal his character and the social tensions in their world?

      Answer:
      Ansel’s flustered reaction to Coco—stammering, avoiding touch, and being visibly awed by her beauty—reveals his youth and inexperience with women, as well as his earnest nature. His tension reflects the strict social norms of their society, where interactions between men and women, especially those like Coco (a witch posing as a healer), are fraught with unspoken rules. Coco’s boldness contrasts with Ansel’s restraint, highlighting the divide between their personalities and the broader societal expectations of propriety versus freedom.

      4. What symbolic details in the description of Cesarine Castle contribute to the chapter’s tone, and what might they foreshadow?

      Answer:
      The castle’s description—ancient, unadorned, and looming with “bloody red light” from the setting sun—creates a foreboding tone. The “spear-like” evergreens and fortress-like appearance suggest danger and rigidity, mirroring the political and magical tensions in the story. This imagery foreshadows potential conflict or violence at the ball, aligning with Lou’s unease about the celebration and the underlying threats from witches and the Chasseurs. The castle’s grim presence underscores the precariousness of the characters’ situations.

      5. Critical Thinking: Why might Lou’s internal monologue about Reid’s heroism and her own survival be considered morally ambiguous?

      Answer:
      Lou’s thoughts are morally ambiguous because she simultaneously acknowledges Reid’s bravery and wishes he had failed, as his failure would have spared her life. This duality challenges traditional notions of heroism and selflessness. Her pragmatism (prioritizing survival over ethical ideals) makes her a complex protagonist. It raises questions about whether self-preservation justifies indifference to others’ lives and whether loyalty to oneself can coexist with love for others (like Reid). Her character blurs the line between selfishness and realism, inviting readers to reflect on morality in extreme circumstances.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Still, it felt odd celebrating Reid’s victory when his failure would’ve solved my predicament. If the king and his children were already dead, there would be no reason for me to die too. Indeed, my throat would’ve very much appreciated his failure.”

      This quote captures Lou’s darkly humorous yet poignant internal conflict—her survival is paradoxically tied to the failure of her heroic husband. It reveals the tragic irony of her situation and her wry coping mechanism.

      2. ““I look divine in everything.””

      Lou’s defiant self-confidence shines through this quip, showcasing her signature wit and unshakable (if sometimes performative) self-assurance. It also contrasts with her later vulnerability about her appearance.

      3. ““Oh, but I do.” She pushed me back down in my seat, attacking my hair as if it’d personally offended her. When I tried to wriggle away, she whacked me on top of the head with her brush. “Be still! These rats have to come out!””

      This lively exchange exemplifies Lou and Coco’s dynamic—equal parts affectionate and combative. The physical comedy underscores their deep friendship while revealing Lou’s resistance to change (even in hairstyles).

      4. “She’d also insisted I heal the remainder of my bruises. Another velvet ribbon covered my scar. Overall, I looked… good.”

      This moment of quiet self-appraisal shows Lou’s rare vulnerability about her appearance and past trauma. The ribbon symbolizes both concealment and the care others show her, marking subtle character growth.

      5. ““Might as well give them a show,” I whispered. Coco grinned wickedly and pinched Ansel’s backside in response.”

      This playful interaction highlights the trio’s camaraderie and Lou’s mischievous spirit. It also serves as comic relief while subtly demonstrating how Lou and Coco navigate a patriarchal world on their own terms.

    Quotes

    1. “Still, it felt odd celebrating Reid’s victory when his failure would’ve solved my predicament. If the king and his children were already dead, there would be no reason for me to die too. Indeed, my throat would’ve very much appreciated his failure.”

    This quote captures Lou’s darkly humorous yet poignant internal conflict—her survival is paradoxically tied to the failure of her heroic husband. It reveals the tragic irony of her situation and her wry coping mechanism.

    2. ““I look divine in everything.””

    Lou’s defiant self-confidence shines through this quip, showcasing her signature wit and unshakable (if sometimes performative) self-assurance. It also contrasts with her later vulnerability about her appearance.

    3. ““Oh, but I do.” She pushed me back down in my seat, attacking my hair as if it’d personally offended her. When I tried to wriggle away, she whacked me on top of the head with her brush. “Be still! These rats have to come out!””

    This lively exchange exemplifies Lou and Coco’s dynamic—equal parts affectionate and combative. The physical comedy underscores their deep friendship while revealing Lou’s resistance to change (even in hairstyles).

    4. “She’d also insisted I heal the remainder of my bruises. Another velvet ribbon covered my scar. Overall, I looked… good.”

    This moment of quiet self-appraisal shows Lou’s rare vulnerability about her appearance and past trauma. The ribbon symbolizes both concealment and the care others show her, marking subtle character growth.

    5. ““Might as well give them a show,” I whispered. Coco grinned wickedly and pinched Ansel’s backside in response.”

    This playful interaction highlights the trio’s camaraderie and Lou’s mischievous spirit. It also serves as comic relief while subtly demonstrating how Lou and Coco navigate a patriarchal world on their own terms.

    FAQs

    1. What is the significance of the ball being held on the eve of Saint Nicolas Day, and how does Lou feel about its purpose?

    Answer:
    The ball is significant because King Auguste scheduled it to honor Reid for saving his family during the witches’ attack. It marks the beginning of a weekend of celebration. Lou, however, has mixed feelings about it. While she acknowledges Reid’s heroism, she ironically wishes he had failed, as the king’s death would have freed her from her own predicament (likely a life-threatening situation tied to her scar or a curse). Her internal conflict highlights her complex relationship with Reid and her survival instincts.

    2. Analyze the dynamics between Coco and Lou during the preparation for the ball. What does their interaction reveal about their friendship?

    Answer:
    Coco and Lou’s interaction reveals a playful yet intimate friendship. Coco takes charge of Lou’s appearance, insisting on brushing her hair despite Lou’s resistance, showing she cares about Lou’s presentation. Lou’s eventual compliance and their banter (“I look divine in everything”) demonstrate mutual trust and affection. Coco’s reference to the Bellerose courtesans and Lou’s jealousy of Coco’s figure add humor and realism to their bond. Their dynamic balances teasing with genuine support, emphasizing their deep connection despite Lou’s usual stubbornness.

    3. How does Ansel’s reaction to Coco reveal his character and the social tensions in their world?

    Answer:
    Ansel’s flustered reaction to Coco—stammering, avoiding touch, and being visibly awed by her beauty—reveals his youth and inexperience with women, as well as his earnest nature. His tension reflects the strict social norms of their society, where interactions between men and women, especially those like Coco (a witch posing as a healer), are fraught with unspoken rules. Coco’s boldness contrasts with Ansel’s restraint, highlighting the divide between their personalities and the broader societal expectations of propriety versus freedom.

    4. What symbolic details in the description of Cesarine Castle contribute to the chapter’s tone, and what might they foreshadow?

    Answer:
    The castle’s description—ancient, unadorned, and looming with “bloody red light” from the setting sun—creates a foreboding tone. The “spear-like” evergreens and fortress-like appearance suggest danger and rigidity, mirroring the political and magical tensions in the story. This imagery foreshadows potential conflict or violence at the ball, aligning with Lou’s unease about the celebration and the underlying threats from witches and the Chasseurs. The castle’s grim presence underscores the precariousness of the characters’ situations.

    5. Critical Thinking: Why might Lou’s internal monologue about Reid’s heroism and her own survival be considered morally ambiguous?

    Answer:
    Lou’s thoughts are morally ambiguous because she simultaneously acknowledges Reid’s bravery and wishes he had failed, as his failure would have spared her life. This duality challenges traditional notions of heroism and selflessness. Her pragmatism (prioritizing survival over ethical ideals) makes her a complex protagonist. It raises questions about whether self-preservation justifies indifference to others’ lives and whether loyalty to oneself can coexist with love for others (like Reid). Her character blurs the line between selfishness and realism, inviting readers to reflect on morality in extreme circumstances.

    Note