Gods & Monsters (Serpent & Dove, 3)

Oh. My. Goodness. I'm so sad that this story has come to an end. I'm happy to say that I really loved this third and final book in the Serpent & Dove trilogy.What an adventure it took me on with my beloved crew! I really enjoyed seeing more of Belterra. I especially loved journeying to Le Présage - a city under the sea L'Eau Mélancolique. All of the details from the city, to Le Palais de Cristal (a palace/ship in the city), to the appearances of the melusines who live in the city. I found it to be fascinating and I loved it all!This book had me feeling ALL the emotions. I can't tell you how many times it had me teary eyed. Old wounds were ripped open, and honestly I'm happy they were with how it all turned out.Such a great ending to this story. I'm truly going to miss this world and these characters. I'm sad that it's over. As with every series I love I just want more. 😆 I'd love more adventures with this special group. Even from other characters pov, like Coco or Beau, short stories from the melusines, and Célie. Anything to stay in this world with these characters I've come to love ever since reading the first book.

YES. YES. A million times yes. Reid is still my favorite. Lou was absolutely spectacular. And Beau, surprisingly, climbed the ranks.The epic conclusion to the Serpent & Dove trilogy was absolutely perfect. We wrap up all of the intense storylines, we have all our favorite characters doing the things we love most about them (banter, banter, and more banter), and we go out in delightful fashion.The beginning dragged for me, not because the story was dragging, but because the writing was disorienting. The descriptions and emotions just didn't flow well (obviously, there were certain characters who were acting different for *reasons* based on the ending of the previous book). That slow start was more than made up for with a great middle and conclusion.It had been a couple months and a quite a few other books read between reading Serpent & Dove, Blood & Honey, and Gods & Monsters - to the point I had very much forgotten characters that were casually mentioned in previous books and reappeared here. I think there were a lot of assumptions that the reader wouldn't need to be reminded who those characters were. I would have appreciated the nice SLAP in the face, drown me with the quick summary as to why we should remember this character and why they were important to bring up now.While the ending was EVERYTHING, I think I still felt a bit... disappointed. Not because it didn't deliver, because it did, but I think I imagined it being more. There was a death that was unnecessary, didn't serve the plot at all, and didn't make me feel anything. Sadly, at that point, I was thinking 'get on with it and go back to the main plot' which is a hard cringe for me.The epilogue was a nice touch, but I think it might have been trying a little too much. Once again, I wanted that SLAP in the face reminder that we did not get at all. Left me wanting more, and not in a good way. Still, Reid and Lou's storyline wrapped up quite nicely. The tension throughout the book with them was absolutely thrilling. I am saddened that I will not get more of them.

Disclaimer: Kindly forgive my errors and any incoherent babbling as I write this review through my tears of joy and pain after the exquisite gift that was the epilogue of this book and series. As Michael Scott would say, “my heart is so full right now” 🥺I may have started with my praise for the epilogue, but this book from start to finish was an utter triumph. After the heartbreaker that was the ending of the last book, the author pulls some bold moves by introducing new POVs and giving her main leads some interesting challenges, while at the same time somehow bringing back the wonder and the ✨spark✨ that was so unique to S&D. Consequently, my heart both ached for our favorite witch and her huntsman when they suffered, and it soared at their glorious banter. Heck, it soared each time Lou does anything on page, the absolute goddess.As always, Reid has his moments where one wants to smack him, but they’re more than compensated by stern Captain Reid and his sheer devotion of Lou that comes through no matter what the universe throws at them. That soul deep connection of two opposites who can’t help but love each other is what epic romance is made of. Coco, I would like to emphasize, is a Queen and her friendship with Lou is worthy of sonnets. I cannot stress enough how much I love Beau and his vain, wonderful, affectionate self and the lightness he brings to their motley crew. Celie and Jean Luc totally surprise stole my heart and I was here for it. Lou is…Lou. Wild, badass, inspiring, naughty, EXTRAORDINARY.This story is as much a story of the power of hope and fresh starts and found families as much as it is about the fantasy and the romance. I can unequivocally say that this is one of the most satisfying finales of any series I have ever read, and makes me want to go back and meet these people all over again.

Essa trilogia não foi uma das melhores que já li.Sinceramente, acho que a autora explorou pouco o elemento fantasia ao criar esse mundo em específico e não desenvolveu tão bem o relacionamento amoroso dos personagens principais que deu origem a tudo. Entretanto, a história melhorou sensivelmente no segundo livro e um pouco mais na conclusão.Isso porque houve uma expansão do universo criado com o aparecimento dos personagens do reino do mar, a explicação da origem da magia e o surgimento de uma personagem bem importante e inesperada, elementos que conjugados acabaram deixando o enredo mais interessante.Apesar de o desencontro sucessivo de Reid e Lou ser um pouco cansativo na história, há um maior desenvolvimento da relação entre os dois e com os demais personagens que, de certa forma, consolida a amizade formada entre o grupo.É um final previsível, sem grandes surpresas, mas que traz um desfecho feliz após tantas lutas e perdas. Foi bom!E sabe de uma coisa? Depois de ter lido o fiasco do quarto livro da série De Sangue e Cinzas, eu passei a apreciar mais a autora e essa trilogia. Shelby não criou um mundo tão complexo ou um enredo tão instigante, mas foi coerente com tudo que criou e desenvolveu desde o princípio, enquanto a Jennifer logrou destruir totalmente o enredo e os personagens desenvolvidos em três livros em apenas alguns capítulos, arruinando uma narrativa cheia de potencial. Então aprendi que, às vezes, a consistência e a coerência na escrita superam uma pretensa criatividade!

You have to read this trilogy!Absolutely enchanting and equally infuriating. Makes you laugh, cry, fall in love with the characters and the story. I dare you. :)

After reading the second book of the series I felt disappointed because I felt in love with serpent and dove. But because I didn’t want to leave the series unfinished, I push myself to buying the third and let me tell you I DO NOT REGRET IT💗 This was the perfect ending for the series, each chapter left me wanting more and I even cried with some of them. I would totally recommend the series just for the 1st and 3rd book, literally you will fall in love with every character and each drama!

This was way better than the second book but not as good as the first. I, particularly, felt the ending quite rushed. The epilogue was expected but it was a better ending.

The first book is in this series was by far my favourite but this was a great conclusion.