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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 Forbidden Infirmary: Lou

    by Mahurin, Shelby

    Lou recounts her recent ordeal to her hus­band, care­ful­ly omit­ting key details about Angelica’s Ring and Madame Labelle’s involve­ment to avoid fur­ther sus­pi­cion. She strate­gi­cal­ly empha­sizes the dan­ger she faced from Andre and Grue, know­ing her husband’s pro­tec­tive instincts will work in her favor. Despite their strained rela­tion­ship, she notes his unex­pect­ed defense of her in the dun­geon, which momen­tar­i­ly over­shad­ows his usu­al arro­gance. Lou’s cun­ning nature shines as she manip­u­lates the sit­u­a­tion to her advan­tage, con­fi­dent that Tremblay’s sta­tus will shield her from reper­cus­sions.

    Back in their room, Lou’s mind races with plans to explore the Tower’s for­bid­den upper floors, sus­pect­ing a hid­den infir­mary or lab­o­ra­to­ry where the Chas­seurs dis­pose of witch vic­tims. She reflects on the hypocrisy of their jus­ti­fi­ca­tion for killing witch­es, con­trast­ing it with her own sur­vival instincts. The pos­si­bil­i­ty of a mag­ic-laden loca­tion excites her, as it could pro­vide the per­fect cov­er for her clan­des­tine activ­i­ties. Her deter­mi­na­tion to uncov­er the truth is pal­pa­ble, even as she feigns non­cha­lance about her husband’s impend­ing restric­tions.

    Their con­ver­sa­tion takes a tense turn as her hus­band announces a new chap­er­one, Ansel, to mon­i­tor her move­ments. Lou imme­di­ate­ly seizes the oppor­tu­ni­ty to pro­voke him, teas­ing­ly sug­gest­ing she might seduce the young guard. Her play­ful yet cal­cu­lat­ed remarks about Ansel’s age and inex­pe­ri­ence vis­i­bly unset­tle her hus­band, reveal­ing his pos­ses­sive­ness despite his dis­dain for her. The dynam­ic between them oscil­lates between ani­mos­i­ty and an unspo­ken ten­sion, with Lou expert­ly exploit­ing his vul­ner­a­bil­i­ties to main­tain con­trol.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Lou fur­ther antag­o­niz­ing her hus­band by read­ing aloud from a jour­nal con­tain­ing love let­ters to Célie Trem­blay, his for­mer flame. Her mock­ery of his roman­tic ide­al­ism sends him into a rage, cul­mi­nat­ing in a phys­i­cal chase as she locks her­self in the wash­room. This final act of defi­ance under­scores Lou’s rebel­lious spir­it and her refusal to be sub­dued, set­ting the stage for her next move. The inter­play of pow­er, wit, and unre­solved ten­sion between the two char­ac­ters leaves the read­er antic­i­pat­ing their next con­fronta­tion.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What strategic omissions did Lou make when recounting her story to her husband and the Chasseurs, and why were these omissions significant?

      Answer:
      Lou deliberately omitted several key details when recounting her story, including any mention of Angelica’s Ring, Madame Labelle’s interest in it, and Tremblay’s involvement in trafficking. These omissions were strategic because revealing such information could further connect her to the witches, putting her at greater risk of persecution. By keeping these details hidden, Lou maintained a precarious balance between appearing cooperative and protecting herself from additional scrutiny. She also relied on the assumption that Tremblay and Madame Labelle wouldn’t incriminate themselves by revealing the ring’s existence, further shielding her from danger.

      2. How does Lou’s husband’s reaction to her story reveal his conflicting feelings toward her, and what does this suggest about their relationship?

      Answer:
      Lou’s husband exhibits a mix of protectiveness and possessiveness in his reaction to her story. While he is furious at the men who attacked her and vows no one will harm her again, his actions are also driven by his role as her husband and the societal expectations tied to it. His defense of her in the dungeon, though limited, hints at a grudging sense of duty or care, but his immediate focus on controlling her movements (“Your new arrangements”) underscores their strained and unequal relationship. This dynamic suggests a tension between his rigid adherence to authority and the complexities of their forced marriage.

      3. What does Lou’s internal monologue about the Chasseurs’ justification for killing witches reveal about the hypocrisy of their beliefs?

      Answer:
      Lou critiques the Chasseurs’ moral distinction between “murdering” and “killing,” pointing out the hypocrisy in their belief that burning witches is justified while other forms of violence are not. She highlights how this logic allows them to rationalize their brutality toward witches as morally acceptable, even as they condemn similar acts in other contexts. This reflection exposes the arbitrary and self-serving nature of their ideology, which serves to dehumanize witches and justify systemic violence. Lou’s sarcastic tone underscores her disdain for their bigotry and the flawed reasoning behind it.

      4. How does Lou’s manipulation of her husband in their conversation about her new warden demonstrate her tactical intelligence?

      Answer:
      Lou strategically manipulates her husband by feigning interest in the young warden, Ansel, to provoke his jealousy and distract him from enforcing stricter control over her. Her suggestive comments about Ansel’s age and her plans to “train” him are calculated to unsettle her husband, playing on his possessiveness and moral rigidity. This tactic not only delays the implementation of her surveillance but also gives her room to maneuver for her planned exploration of the forbidden upper floors. Lou’s ability to exploit her husband’s vulnerabilities showcases her sharp wit and adaptability in navigating oppressive circumstances.

      5. What does Lou’s discovery of her husband’s journal entries about Célie Tremblay reveal about his character and their marriage?

      Answer:
      The journal entries reveal that Lou’s husband harbors deep, romantic feelings for Célie Tremblay, which contrasts starkly with his cold and controlling demeanor toward Lou. This discovery underscores the emotional dishonesty and hypocrisy in their marriage, as he clings to idealized love while enforcing a rigid, loveless union with Lou. Lou’s mocking reaction—reading the entries aloud to provoke him—highlights her awareness of this disparity and her refusal to be cowed by his authority. The journal serves as a symbol of his unfulfilled desires and the fragility of his moral posturing.

    Quotes

    • 1. “I walked a thin line as it was, and I didn’t need to give them another reason to tie me to the stake.”

      This quote captures Lou’s precarious position as a witch hiding among the Chasseurs. It reveals her constant awareness of danger and her strategic omission of key details to survive, highlighting the central tension of her dual identity.

      2. “No man will ever touch you that way again.”

      A pivotal moment showing Lou’s husband’s protective stance, despite their antagonistic relationship. This quote represents the complex dynamic between them—his sense of possession mixed with genuine concern, marking a shift in their interactions.

      3. “There was a difference between murdering and killing. Murder was unjustified. What they did to the witches… well, we deserved it.”

      This biting observation critiques the Chasseurs’ hypocritical morality. Lou exposes their twisted justification for witch hunts, encapsulating the novel’s exploration of institutionalized persecution and moral ambiguity.

      4. “If such a place existed, it was surely doused in magic. Just the sort of cover I needed.”

      A crucial revelation of Lou’s plan to investigate the Tower’s hidden infirmary. This quote shows her resourcefulness and sets up the chapter’s central mystery while emphasizing her magical nature and survival instincts.

      5. “I’ll give him his first fuck.”

      This deliberately provocative statement showcases Lou’s rebellious nature and her strategy of unsettling her husband. It demonstrates her use of shock value as both a defense mechanism and a tool for manipulation in their power struggles.

    Quotes

    1. “I walked a thin line as it was, and I didn’t need to give them another reason to tie me to the stake.”

    This quote captures Lou’s precarious position as a witch hiding among the Chasseurs. It reveals her constant awareness of danger and her strategic omission of key details to survive, highlighting the central tension of her dual identity.

    2. “No man will ever touch you that way again.”

    A pivotal moment showing Lou’s husband’s protective stance, despite their antagonistic relationship. This quote represents the complex dynamic between them—his sense of possession mixed with genuine concern, marking a shift in their interactions.

    3. “There was a difference between murdering and killing. Murder was unjustified. What they did to the witches… well, we deserved it.”

    This biting observation critiques the Chasseurs’ hypocritical morality. Lou exposes their twisted justification for witch hunts, encapsulating the novel’s exploration of institutionalized persecution and moral ambiguity.

    4. “If such a place existed, it was surely doused in magic. Just the sort of cover I needed.”

    A crucial revelation of Lou’s plan to investigate the Tower’s hidden infirmary. This quote shows her resourcefulness and sets up the chapter’s central mystery while emphasizing her magical nature and survival instincts.

    5. “I’ll give him his first fuck.”

    This deliberately provocative statement showcases Lou’s rebellious nature and her strategy of unsettling her husband. It demonstrates her use of shock value as both a defense mechanism and a tool for manipulation in their power struggles.

    FAQs

    1. What strategic omissions did Lou make when recounting her story to her husband and the Chasseurs, and why were these omissions significant?

    Answer:
    Lou deliberately omitted several key details when recounting her story, including any mention of Angelica’s Ring, Madame Labelle’s interest in it, and Tremblay’s involvement in trafficking. These omissions were strategic because revealing such information could further connect her to the witches, putting her at greater risk of persecution. By keeping these details hidden, Lou maintained a precarious balance between appearing cooperative and protecting herself from additional scrutiny. She also relied on the assumption that Tremblay and Madame Labelle wouldn’t incriminate themselves by revealing the ring’s existence, further shielding her from danger.

    2. How does Lou’s husband’s reaction to her story reveal his conflicting feelings toward her, and what does this suggest about their relationship?

    Answer:
    Lou’s husband exhibits a mix of protectiveness and possessiveness in his reaction to her story. While he is furious at the men who attacked her and vows no one will harm her again, his actions are also driven by his role as her husband and the societal expectations tied to it. His defense of her in the dungeon, though limited, hints at a grudging sense of duty or care, but his immediate focus on controlling her movements (“Your new arrangements”) underscores their strained and unequal relationship. This dynamic suggests a tension between his rigid adherence to authority and the complexities of their forced marriage.

    3. What does Lou’s internal monologue about the Chasseurs’ justification for killing witches reveal about the hypocrisy of their beliefs?

    Answer:
    Lou critiques the Chasseurs’ moral distinction between “murdering” and “killing,” pointing out the hypocrisy in their belief that burning witches is justified while other forms of violence are not. She highlights how this logic allows them to rationalize their brutality toward witches as morally acceptable, even as they condemn similar acts in other contexts. This reflection exposes the arbitrary and self-serving nature of their ideology, which serves to dehumanize witches and justify systemic violence. Lou’s sarcastic tone underscores her disdain for their bigotry and the flawed reasoning behind it.

    4. How does Lou’s manipulation of her husband in their conversation about her new warden demonstrate her tactical intelligence?

    Answer:
    Lou strategically manipulates her husband by feigning interest in the young warden, Ansel, to provoke his jealousy and distract him from enforcing stricter control over her. Her suggestive comments about Ansel’s age and her plans to “train” him are calculated to unsettle her husband, playing on his possessiveness and moral rigidity. This tactic not only delays the implementation of her surveillance but also gives her room to maneuver for her planned exploration of the forbidden upper floors. Lou’s ability to exploit her husband’s vulnerabilities showcases her sharp wit and adaptability in navigating oppressive circumstances.

    5. What does Lou’s discovery of her husband’s journal entries about Célie Tremblay reveal about his character and their marriage?

    Answer:
    The journal entries reveal that Lou’s husband harbors deep, romantic feelings for Célie Tremblay, which contrasts starkly with his cold and controlling demeanor toward Lou. This discovery underscores the emotional dishonesty and hypocrisy in their marriage, as he clings to idealized love while enforcing a rigid, loveless union with Lou. Lou’s mocking reaction—reading the entries aloud to provoke him—highlights her awareness of this disparity and her refusal to be cowed by his authority. The journal serves as a symbol of his unfulfilled desires and the fragility of his moral posturing.

    Note