SERPENT AND DOVE BOOK REVIEW AND CHAT

[@ArchivesOfJina]

It’s very refreshing for you to say just because a relationship in a book is toxic doesn’t mean that’s something you’d pursue in your own life and it’s fiction!!!! I feel like I always have to defend myself when I enjoy books with “problematic characters”. I know it isn’t for everyone but still.

[@VividReads]

My biggest problems on booktube is that relationships in novels get classified as "problematic" or "helathy" by people who have never been in a serious long-term relationship. From all the romance tropes the one I truly consider to be toxic is the childhood friends to lovers trope. It really promotes some unhealthy standards and ideas and doesn't allow people to move on from their infatuation.

[@jessferguson721]

I love this comment I love these sorts of books and I hate the amount of people saying that this effects actual life like shut up Thank you

[@MrEvldreamr]

i like what i like. Toxic is an overused term to describe anything that isnt perfect anyways. the obsession with perfection is probably the real reason ppl cant hold relationships

[@ebnovels]

Hey everyone! Just want to clarify, I had no idea the author addressed the “is this YA or NA” topic on Twitter over the weekend. My saying I think it’s NA isn’t based in the sexual content the author referenced, but more the fact that there’s language used in the book in more excess than I normally see in YA. From what I understand, pg13 movies can’t even use this much language, so if the language on its own would bump this up to R in a movie, then in my mind, that makes it at least NA. The sex scene in the book-as the author said-is not very detailed :) Regardless, my opinion was not meant to be an argument with the author. I only mentioned it because it’s a book review, and the YA genre has changed dramatically in recent years, so sometimes people can be blindsided by how explicit or vulgar a YA book can be. I only meant to inform! I really appreciate that the author took the time to address this on Twitter and her thoughts are important for readers to consider also 💕

[@desinicole6947]

I totally agree about the ring. Multiple times throughout I was like- why not use the ring?

[@ebnovels]

Haha, ok, I’m glad you said that! I thought I was going crazy and completely missed something 😆

[@Alex-mm3wo]

The ring should have been used MULTIPLE TIMES! There were many times where I was just screaming to myself for her to is use it!

[@kefinkamed]

Maybe it´s a guilty pleasure sort of thing, but I loved this book. I realise it is perhaps on the more silly side and definitely on the easier end of the spectrum, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did not actually read it, I listened to the audiobook version, and that probably played a big part in me loving it so much, because both narrators were brilliant and vivid, the story flowed effortlessly. I found myself finding stuff to do so that I could keep listening :) I´m sure there are people who do not like it because of all of the things you mentioned. Still, personally, I don´t think this is a relationship that one should take absolutely seriously, and the author clearly outlines it by using so much humour and having Lou trying extra hard to blow Reid´s lid off. It´s completely over the top, and that is perhaps why I don´t take it super seriously. However, I also loved the fact that he reacted the way he did when he found out about her. It turned his world upside down, and for someone with his oppressive and single-minded background, it is normal that he retrieved almost instinctively to what he knew to be true and familiar. It was realistic and done very well, I think. I am curious what the next book will be about, and I really hope the author will manage to keep the light / heavy ratio as well as she did with this one.

[@MrEvldreamr]

agreed

[@4556789mazda]

I actually really enjoyed the book. I tend to hate most romance it books but thought that it was well done in this and a little more realistic. I also agree with her being able to use the invisibility with the ring a couple of times in the book. I think she didn't though because if she's using the invisibility she's losing the other effect that's helping her to hide from enchantments (and the witches looking for her).

[@ebnovels]

Ah, I was wondering about that. That’s a good thing to point out :) I’m glad you really enjoyed the book as well!

[@vri5955]

I enjoyed this book too and I agree with you

[@damlaacll]

Yesss!!! Beau was just randomly there now. I still don’t understand why he joined them 🤣

[@tsunami3963]

Yeah, is like he just happened to be at the brothel. While I do understand that he'd be interested in Lou's fate (since he'd die if she did) the way he was just there at the right time threw me off a little

[@katanabluejay]

"witches are supposed to be burned in their world" And our world too in some places and time periods :(

[@ebnovels]

Yeah, I think most people are aware of that 😆 However, in a lot of fantasy books, witches are normal. Just wanted to clarify that in this particular story, that’s how they treat them :)

[@Elena-gv5wi]

I hear people complaining about toxic romantic relationship in books, but I don't hear people complaining about toxic parent/child relationships or toxic friendships in books. And in my opinion, I didn't think that the relationship between Lou and Reid was toxic.

[@vri5955]

Honestly, same. I think their relationship was pretty good.

[@emilyh.7229]

I think she couldn't use the ring at one point, because she knew her mother was close. Madame Labelle said something about her being able to feel it (as it belonged to Morgane in the 1st place).

[@sabrinabelarte1110]

I love that you mentioned about the analogy with the story of nina and matthias. :) I had the same thought while I read it. ❤

[@mystoreysofstories]

You made me excited to read this. I have to read it for my book club next month and I was worried with it being so long that I wouldn’t like it and have to push through, but now I’m looking forward to starting the book and it sounds like something I’ll enjoy at least. :)

[@ebnovels]

It was definitely very entertaining, imo at least :) I hope you and your book club enjoy it! It didn’t feel long to me at all 😊

[@QManagerin]

sounds exactly like the kind of book I'll love- I know most people either want the romance in their books to be the main motivation or they rather not have it at all, I personally love if it's balanced out and it's so hard to find. I definitely checking this one out. Thank you for reviewing it.

[@ebnovels]

You’re welcome! I hope you like it as much as you’re thinking you will :D

[@rishitachakraborty9783]

This is the first book review I saw from you and I really liked the format. It's very different! Usually, non-spoiler part isn't that long. I loved the time stamp too!

[@ebnovels]

Oh, well thank you! :D

[@lostinabookcase3796]

"It makes sense for her to be familiar with the more....saucier things in life." So she likes to cook spaghetti or something?

[@erinfox2671]

I’ve been interested in this book, but after watching your review (I skipped spoilers) I think I’m going to go buy it on my lunch break. It just seems like a good autumn read to get me in the mood with the whole witch thing.

[@lunaerislunaeris795]

I hope you don't stop doing these individual review videos. Not a lot of booktubers still do them nowadays but I really like them, and yours especially!

[@Nasser851000]

Hey Elliot, what's your favorite book of all time? love your hair btw ;)

[@VileficHD]

Indeed :)

[@ebnovels]

The Hero of Ages :) It’s the third Mistborn book. I love that trilogy and I really like how everything wrapped up 💙

[@lauraleroy7999]

I was thinking about picking this one up (mainly because of the cover not gonna lie). I'm not a huge fan of romance in books, but I am curious about the witch and witch hunter dynamic. Might buy it on book depository, great review as always!!

[@ebnovels]

Thanks! I don’t normally want my books to be too romance heavy, which is obviously a personal preference, but even with that preference, I still found that this was a very entertaining book :)

[@nikki09sterling24]

Loved this book! Just finished it. ☺️

[@thewhitelotusxdeviantart5246]

I just finished reading Serpent and Dove in about four days and I agree with the majority of moments you mentioned in the book. For example, there was such a big emphasize on the ring from the first few chapters and after Lou starts living in the tower I ended up forgetting completely about the ring. There was mentions of the origins of the ring even towards the end but I don't think it was used enough in the book. Another thing you mentioned was Beau (coco's lover), he first showed up at the party that Lou had to go to cause Reid was receiving a reward (spoiler kinda) and it was just a moment where it was like: Who are you??????? I originally thought the main characters for this book would be: Lou, Reid, Coco, Ansel, the Archbishop, Lou's mother and I guess Jean Luc cause he's got it out for Reid. Another thing that kinda caught me off guard was how Lou referred to Reid as "Chass" but when she says Reid for the first time I kinda had to go back and see if Ansel or Jean Luc said his real name in front of her (maybe it was just me, kinda gave me a wait. what? moment). I think I would have liked if there were more magic moments between Lou and Coco and how Lou wanted to practice to protect herself against her mom or maybe exploring that room again with Bernard and the other patients. But I did love how oddly realistic the dialogues between Lou and Reid were? If that makes sense? Like how concerned he was about her hiding secrets from him and her sudden interest to learn more about him and yet, he barely knows anything about her. I would have liked to see more interactions with sub characters like Cecile or Jean Luc maybe suspecting Lou to be a witch or someone tries to spy on her, it would have made things difficult for Lou's situation but I imagine Reid would have a lot to think about. Overall, I really loved the book and hate that I gotta wait till September for book 2. If you have any enemies to lovers book recommendations kinda similar to Serpent and Dove, feel free to let me know! I'm digging through Goodreads and I need to something to fill the void T_T Ps: Already bought Queen of Nothing along with book 2 and book 3. Hope you can help!!!

[@letucceallegergy]

I’m so glad I found you !! I just got this book and can’t wait to finish what I’m currently reading just so I start this book lol I’ve heard so much about this !!

[@ebnovels]

I hope you like it! Even if it’s a completely random, different video, feel free to comment letting me know what you thought of it when you get to it :)

[@nocompromisetostand]

For me, she doesn't use the ring often because of the witches who looked for the ring.

[@keren4804]

I am definitely planning on picking this book up, I had my eyes on it since I heard of it. At the moment I have strayed away a from YA and currently reading High Fantasy but the concept of this book sounds interesting and you said there is good banter so I am soo down for that. Also I love Enemies to Lovers and glad that the romance isn't the main plot here :)

[@fredrickbass4994]

Yeah, I definitely really enjoyed this book. The whole hate to love thing was kind of frustrating at times because I'm the kind of person who always roots for the love to win. Though, I didn't like the joke Lou made right before the "climax" of the will they won't they thing because it kind of took away some of the pay off in my opinion.

[@alyssamonae4933]

I thought the same thing about the ring and it would of been nice to see more of its power play out. The again, knowing that any use of magic (ring included) gives of a certain scent, I can also understand why it wasn't used while she made her way to Bas.

[@HollowMoonReads]

I just finished this book and I enjoyed your review.

[@ysabellelaxamana]

Currently reading it and it's been a while since I've read a novel with dual perspectives (I think the last book I've read with that was the This Savage Song duology) and I agree with the points you've said that it all comes down to preferences. For me, it was so hard to get past the first part I only got a little invested in it when I was halfway through part 2. It was sometimes over the top and dramatic but it was also entertaining and hilarious because my standard for humor is so damn low and I crave awkward funny moments in books (because I love it in anime and kdramas lmaoo). Her writing is sometimes not my style but I think she does a good job of making it atmospheric or like setting the mood on where the characters are at the moment. And with the hate to love trope, I can't help but compare it to The Folk of the Air trilogy by Holly Black because I personally think that trope was done so well in that trilogy.

[@sarahmatthews5878]

I finally got a chance to listen to this on audio. Serpent and Dove and That "Pub song" scene near the end throttled me so hard. It was like, swallowing spit the wrong way. My favorite part was when Reid was in the garden talking to Saylli(his ex girlfriend.). I don't know how to spell her name.

[@justcherriezzz]

so someone totally might’ve said this. i didn’t read all 91 comments, but she couldn’t use the ring for several reasons. in that specific instance, she didn’t know where Bas was. she needed Ansel to take her. also, i don’t think the author wanted a plot conveniency issue

[@loislane7895]

In regards to that whole "is it toxic" thing, I personally don't think that it is. Because they both are their own people who grew up with very different beliefs. And it makes sense that when a way of thinking is literally ingrained in you, that you'd react how you'd normally react. And we also learn that Lou also kinda had the same problem. That it took time for her to see that the world wasn't black and white. I personally think that they are very good for each other in that Lou (who had a very similar belief system but reversed to his) can help him also see that the world isnt black and white, that there's more than meets the eye, and more than what a single person tells you is right or wrong.

[@ebnovels]

I don’t think it’s toxic either, but I’ve seen how some people react to other book relationships that are kinda similar, and I can’t tell if that’ll be something that bothers people about this one!

[@loislane7895]

@@ebnovels Too true but someone will always be bothered with something concerning anything

[@AozoraZz]

Have you read Ten thousand doors of January yet? Would love to hear you thoughts on it. ❤️

[@Lilli626]

I want to watch this soo bad but I'm only halfway through the book right now !

[@ebnovels]

Ah! Let me know what you think of it once you finish it :D

[@Lilli626]

@@ebnovels definitely will!!☺️

[@Lilli626]

@@ebnovels so I just finished it and have to say I enjoyed it. I liked the main character and thought she didn't fall under the typical I'm a witch and I know what I'm doing type of trope. I think Lou and Reid balanced each other out although I'm not 100% convinced of their relationship. I feel like towards the end a lot of new concepts where introduced out of the blue like the creatures that helped them. It didn't seem like a world that contained other magical creatures at least it wasn't hinted at the start. Overall I agree about the ring (how she never used it and how it was forgotten when her mother took it when they excaped) and the kings son. Why would Coco reveal herself soo easily to him it seemed odd like we missed something in that storyline. I'm hoping we get her point of view in the next one. And I recommend the audio it was nice at least the part read for Louise not so much who narrated Reid's part it was kind of annoying hehe.

[@Lilli626]

@@ebnovels also I forgot to mention that it seemed that misogyny was a themed in the book but it was only addressed when it seemed that Reid was the only male that thought differently about it and only towards Lou. Which is contradictory considering as a whole they don't consider the witches female but rather refer to them as "it". Maybe it will be addressed more in the next book because warlocks do exist after all?🤷🏾‍♀️

[@mariichyuu]

Does anyone know if this a stand a lone?

[@Grace-lw1qs]

It's a duology.

[@fredrickbass4994]

The Sequel will be called Blood and Honey.

[@emiliesecoulidis]

the sequel is coming out either september 1st or 2nd🙈

[@0.o650]

What about it is new adult? the cursing? or..?

[@MsNonaElShanona]

spoilers : I did like the first 70% of the book , the romance wasn't cringy which is rare for me recently , but I did think it was a romance wearing a fantasy cloak though , the fantastical element was a bit shallow , and I would've like the villains not to be one dimensional , I was expecting more from her mom's character , over all I liked it it was very entertaining , to answer your question : I thought it was because she had that guy guard she couldn't just disappear 🤔 but the ring should've been used now that you've mentioned it 🧐

[@ebnovels]

Yeah, I don’t know how much I loved the second part. That said, maybe we’ll find out more about her mom in the next book, and then she’ll feel more fleshed out. There’s potential there, I think, especially with the fact that there’s evil on both sides :)

[@vri5955]

I honestly loved this book.

[@casiedomingos5197]

I read this book and it had great moments and also muah moments it felt a little (bad wattpad) to me at some times and with that I mean just childish behavior and the foul language seemed over the top. The story could’ve been pushed a little further about Reid and the discussions about witches there were a lot of bank spots like for example Lou training it was done what once? So tiring overall 3 stars but no more. And I think the whole thing with the ring was that they would be able to smell it right?

[@Arabesqueando]

You have totally convinced me to read this book!

[@katyareads221]

You are too kind.

[@rozusperelko]

Yes for this shitbook

[@GEORGIOARCADE]

Lol i was still sleep when this uploaded my friend but I'll do my best to make it to these early morning uploads. This story sounds like my kinda thing with the witch stuff, the dark themes. The main character definitely has crazy start to this story based off your description with the prostitute stuff. I think Liu & the guy has a love hate relationship but can be entertaining possibly. I do want some romance in this but suspense too. Hate to love is probably one of my favorite tropes if written right. It makes it interesting especially if the guy was nice. I'm gonna give this story a try. You did a great job of explaining it to me. Happy Reading & Monday to you 💫💜

[@ebnovels]

Happy reading and Monday to you as well! I’ll clarify that the main character herself isn’t a prostitute, but she does interact with prostitutes in the story. Anyway, I hope you like the book if you’re able to get around to it :)

[@GEORGIOARCADE]

@@ebnovels haha thanks for the clarification. I do tend to get things mixed up sometimes 😅

[@moiradizon2952]

I loved the book lmfao bUT I AGREEE WITH THE RING

[@user-hh5ys7pj3u]

Alessia Cara twin?

[@safinan8008]

Thank u for the book review!!

[@ebnovels]

You’re welcome!

[@hi-sb7qn]

I got this book as a kk present (shh) and now I want to read it before I give it away

[@folklors7581]

This relationship obvously not gonna be super cute and sane, i mean they are in idk, xvi century??? It wouldn't be realistic at all if the relationship was totally cute(?

[@gracesweeney-salan3914]

I HAVE A THEORY and hear me out bc i have reasoning: did anyone else think the prince that we met at the ball will be the endgame love interest for Lou? first of all this book was so heavily marketed to sarah j maas fans and all SJM books feature a love story where the first love interest is not the one the main character ends up with (e.g tamlin, rhys and feyre). SECONDLY even in the few scenes he was in, Lou was already disgusted with him and had that sexual tension and hate vibes towards him and he was acting so much like rhys in the first ACOTAR book. ALSO i feel like the prince was not in this book much so that we forget about him and are distracted by Reid so we dont see it coming.I feel like reid and lou's relationship was lacking passion and spark and reid is a bit dull, whereas i already felt tension between lou and the prince in those few scenes that could set up a great hate-to-love romance. please tell me im not the only one who thought this

[@ebnovels]

You know, I’d never thought that was what would happen, but I’ll be very curious to see once the sequel comes out 😄

[@Azusayam]

I really don’t think so. The writer made it quite valid that Reid and Lou are endgame. Also, I sense the romance between Coco and the prince (esp toward the ending, when she mentioned they were currently kept fighting each other). That’s where the dislike-to-love romance would come. Besides, talking about ACOMAF, I think it is quite obvious Rhys and Feyre would end up being together from the start😂? Feyre recognised him as the most beautiful man when she first met him and her drawer is painted with night-themed and stars. Tamlin even didn’t appear a lot in the last 1/2 of the first book. Therefore, these stories seem completely different from my views🤔.

[@Azusayam]

If you want more references, you can probably check out the Q&A sessions in the writer’s instagram account. She is hinting about Coco and the prince/Ansel (so I guess it would probably feature a love triangle in the sequel while have noting to do with the protagonists).

[@slkendall85]

Oh man, I found myself hating this book more and more while I read it. I could not finish past the part where coco’s love interest joins the plot. It was so predictable and canned. It does not help that I finished the six of crows duology immediately before this, and that was better. The tone of the book was too heavy and too light at the same time. Witches are being murdered in front of her and yet there isn’t really any atmosphere of fear and she keeps practicing her magic. She’s pretty much immediately over it. The tone seemed very low stakes in the setting of high stakes events. The stakes and plot felt very young teens, and yet... older characters/sex/murder. Seemed like a mismatch in tone. The two characters share maybe 1-2 personal details and are suddenly the love of each other’s lives. I don’t agree that it seemed like they disliked each other as much as I would expect them to, given the political climate of “witch burnings are cool and legal”. The male character is immediately and permanently over his lifelong racism because “love”. Pretty damaging way to show teens how racism is resolved. The witch/witch hunter relationship in six of crows was already far-fetched, but at least they showed there how frequently he had to encounter his ingrained racism in his own thoughts and try to actively recognize and work against that. The adult male character first person perspective seemed like a pre-teen girl and was not a convincingly male voice. I found this book really bad.

[@justcosmika7843]

I have about 100 pages left of this one and OH MY GOD I love it so much its so so so good the drama, the intrigue argh! And yes definitely agree its at least NA age bracket :)

[@meganstewart1977]

I loved this bookkkkk

[@moumitareads3738]

Magic was not defined

[@sternchen]

I personally liked Reid and his motivations, as well as the religious angle, but I still dislike the story as a whole. Too many dropped plotlines and shoddy worldbuilding to be enjoyable to me.

[@russtin1]

So you liked the witch more than the mean macho man? I can guess who you voted for in 2016.

[@ebnovels]

I’m conservative, actually, but you can continue making your extremely inaccurate and irrelevant assumptions.

[@russtin1]

Elliot Brooks I just have an off-beat sense of humor.

[@tessi233]

I just found Lou too annoying to continue this book.