Author: Shelby Mahurin

Rating: 5/5

Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all.

I've seen countless reviews of this book, some good and some bad. It can be a hit or miss for you, depending on your reading taste - but thankfully, I loved this book. I finished it in a few hours and then bought the sequel a few days later. The plot was beyond intriguing and I was at the edge of my seat with each twist and turn. The magic system was pretty astounding and I adored the fact that Shelby emphasised that magic has a price. Lou wasn't able to just do what she wants without paying. I've seen other books where characters get away with everything, it can make the book quite monotonous. But this book was far from boring for me. Shelby weaved the perfect world and I know for sure I'll be coming back to visit all the time.

I loved the progress that both Lou and Reid made. The latter abhors witches, hunts them - yet, he's married to one. It was great seeing him apprehend that witches were the same as everyone else, except, with a little bit of magic.

I was half tempted to slit my arm open again, so he could see the blood that flowed there. The blood that was the same colour as his own.

Lou:

Where do I even begin? Lou just may be one of my favourite characters of all time. She was so unapologetically her and wouldn't dare let anyone tell her what to do. Reid could never catch a break with her around because she always kept him on his toes.

"You're my wife-"

"Yes, you've mentioned that! Your wife. Not your slave, not your property. I signed that stupid piece of paper to avoid imprisonment."

I think she's a magnificent example to little girls because she stands up for what she believes is right, even though she's encircled by people who are out to eliminate her kind. Through all the wicked things that witches have done, Lou knows that there are good witches out there and she is desperate to prove it. The scene with the witch burning at the stake and Lou screaming will stay in my heart forever. Lou is an amazing woman. Fullstop.

Reid:

Sigh. Reid is such a moral man, so righteous to the point that it was hilarious. He has no idea what to do with Lou, who's the complete opposite of him. He was funny, at least, the way he reacted to the things she did was funny. I loved the fact that he came out of his shell the further the book went on, learnt that even good people do corrupt things. He was trained to loathe witches and had no idea that he was married to one.

"Just - don't, Lou. Please. Despite what you think, he's given me everything. He gave me a life, a purpose. He gave me you."

Swoon. I love him so much, and I admire the way he cares for Lou, although he tries to fight it in the beginning. Even though they were literal strangers about to get married, even though he blamed her for their situation, even though he was sure he hated her - he still protected her.

"If this woman is to be my wife, you will not touch her again."

Also, like all love interests, he messes up at some point. But he soon learns from his mistake, realises that this is still the same woman that he fell in love with. And he sets out to make things right.

My wild-hearted, foul-mouthed, steel-willed heathen had broken. I had broken her.

Perfection. Absolute perfection. I was obsessed with the pacing of their love story. It wasn't too slow and it wasn't too fast either. It was just perfect. I have super high expectations now and I'm also second-guessing the whole bad-boy trope. Because Reid is a good man and I loved him so so much.

Give this book a chance. Please. Shelby Mahurin needs so much more recognition because she's a brilliant writer and I love how active she is with her readers. I love her, I love her characters, I love her books. She's amazing. Also, I need the Big Titty Liddy song. Right now.