Serpent & Dove
“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.
The Pattern: Reid
byMahurin, Shelby
The chapter opens with Reid in a state of anguish as he witnesses the fatal wounding of a woman he deeply cares for, likely Lou. Despite his desperate attempts to save her, her life slips away, leaving him devastated. Their shared gaze in her final moments hints at unfulfilled possibilities and a profound connection. The tension escalates when Morgane, a powerful witch, threatens Reid with a blade, leading to a violent confrontation where he retaliates with brutal force, only to be subdued by her magic.
Morgane’s dominance is further demonstrated as she immobilizes Reid and targets his allies, Ansel and Beau, revealing her plan to execute Lou as part of a dark prophecy. The witches rally behind her, their bloodlust heightening the chaos. Reid struggles against his magical restraints, driven by desperation to save Lou, who remains defiant even in the face of death. Morgane’s chilling incantation underscores the ritualistic nature of the impending sacrifice, creating a sense of inevitability.
The scene takes a dramatic turn when Coco, another ally, attacks Morgane, momentarily disrupting her control and freeing Reid. Despite Lou’s plea for him to help Coco, Reid prioritizes Lou’s safety, only to witness Coco’s collapse. Beau’s unexpected and absurd intervention—singing a crude song—diverts the witches’ attention, providing Reid with an opportunity to seize Morgane. The absurdity of Beau’s actions contrasts sharply with the life-and-death stakes, adding a layer of dark humor.
In the climax, Reid holds Morgane at knifepoint, poised to end her, when the Archbishop’s voice interrupts him. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, leaving Reid torn between his rage and the Archbishop’s urgent plea. The tension between revenge and duty remains unresolved, setting the stage for the next chapter. The emotional intensity, magical conflict, and moral dilemmas drive the narrative forward, keeping readers on edge.
FAQs
1. How does Reid’s reaction to Lou’s fatal wound reveal his emotional transformation throughout the story?
Answer:
Reid’s visceral reaction—falling to his knees, desperately attempting to stanch Lou’s wound, and clutching her hands—demonstrates a profound departure from his earlier rigid, duty-bound persona. The text emphasizes his emotional vulnerability through his hunger for imagined alternate realities (“a thousand other moments might’ve happened”) involving Lou’s maternal presence in his life. This moment crystallizes his character arc from dogmatic huntsman to someone capable of deep emotional connection, particularly with a witch he was originally conditioned to despise. The raw desperation in his actions contrasts sharply with his earlier disciplined self-control.2. Analyze Morgane’s use of religious and prophetic language during the ritual. What purpose does this serve in the narrative?
Answer:
Morgane adopts quasi-biblical diction (“thy blood is the price,” “whosoever drinketh of it shalt surely die”) to frame Lou’s sacrifice as both a cosmic necessity and a fulfillment of prophecy. This rhetorical strategy serves three purposes: (1) It mirrors how institutional power (like the Chasseurs) manipulates sacred texts for control, revealing Morgane’s hypocrisy; (2) The “lamb devouring the lion” inversion subverts traditional power dynamics, foreshadowing potential upheaval; (3) The ceremonial language creates a chilling contrast with the physical violence, heightening the scene’s horror. Her performance transforms personal vengeance into a seemingly divine mandate.3. How does Beau’s unconventional distraction tactic reflect the chapter’s themes of resistance and subversion?
Answer:
Beau’s absurdist interruption—stripping while singing a crude song about “Big Titty Liddy”—represents a deliberate rejection of expected resistance methods (violence or solemn defiance). This achieves three thematic ends: (1) It parallels how Lou and Reid subvert societal expectations (witch/huntsman love); (2) The ridiculousness temporarily paralyzes the witches, proving that unconventional tactics can disrupt entrenched power; (3) It contrasts Morgane’s grandiosity, exposing how pompous authority can be undermined by humor. The scene suggests that survival sometimes requires abandoning traditional scripts for creative resistance.4. What is the significance of Coco’s attack on Morgane, and how does it advance the plot?
Answer:
Coco’s intervention is pivotal for both thematic and narrative reasons. Thematically, her attack—targeting Morgane’s blood with clear intent to consume it—mirrors Morgane’s own predatory magic, suggesting cycles of violence. Plot-wise: (1) Her assault disrupts Morgane’s concentration, freeing Reid; (2) It demonstrates the Dames Blanches’ internal fractures; (3) Her subsequent collapse creates urgent stakes for Lou and Reid’s escape. Most importantly, Coco’s willingness to sacrifice herself for Lou reinforces the chapter’s exploration of loyalty beyond blood ties, contrasting Morgane’s familial betrayal.5. Evaluate how the chapter uses physical bondage as a metaphor for larger constraints on the characters.
Answer:
The invisible bonds restraining Reid (“cinched around my body… drawing blood”) symbolize multiple systemic constraints: (1) The Chasseurs’ indoctrination he’s only now overcoming; (2) The witches’ literal and societal oppression; (3) Fate’s grip as prophesied events unfold. Notably, Reid breaks free through sheer force when motivated by love for Lou, suggesting personal agency can overcome systemic control. Meanwhile, Beau and Ansel’s parallel restraints highlight how multiple factions are trapped in this conflict. The imagery culminates when Morgane’s power flickers—a visual representation of destabilizing hierarchies.
Quotes
1. “We each stared at the other hungrily—as if in that brief moment, a thousand other moments might’ve happened.”
This poignant moment captures the depth of Reid’s grief and regret as he faces his mother’s death. The quote beautifully conveys how time seems to expand in moments of tragedy, allowing a lifetime of memories to flash before them.
2. “Nature demands balance! Louise le Blanc, thy blood is the price.”
Morgane’s chilling proclamation represents the central conflict and prophecy driving the chapter’s events. This quote encapsulates the ruthless logic of vengeance that motivates the witches’ actions against the House of Lyon.
3. “I love you,” she whispered. No tears marred her beautiful face. “I will remember you.”
Lou’s heartbreaking farewell to Reid demonstrates remarkable courage in the face of death. This tender moment contrasts sharply with the surrounding violence, highlighting the purity of their connection amidst the chaos.
4. “BIG TITTY LIDDY WAS NOT VERY PRETTY, BUT HER BOSOM WAS BIG AS A BARN.”
Beau’s absurd distraction tactic provides crucial comic relief in the tense climax. This unexpected moment showcases how humor can be weaponized against fanaticism, temporarily stunning the bloodthirsty witches.
5. “I should’ve drowned you in the sea,” she snarled, but her hands stilled regardless.
Morgane’s venomous threat to Reid reveals the depth of her hatred while demonstrating Reid’s gained upper hand. This exchange marks a turning point where Reid finally gains control over his nemesis.