Blood & Honey
“Blood & Honey” by Shelby Mahurin is the second installment in the “Serpent & Dove” trilogy, a young adult fantasy-romance series. Following a near-fatal encounter with the Dames Blanches, protagonists Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel become fugitives, fleeing from coven, kingdom, and church. The narrative revolves around their journey to secure allies while navigating escalating dangers, including deadly witches and internal conflicts. The book shifts tone from the first installment, focusing more on tension and survival than romance. Key themes include loyalty, sacrifice, and the struggle between destiny and choice. The novel ends on a cliffhanger, setting up the trilogy’s conclusion. With 528 pages, it expands the dark, magical world of Belterra while deepening character arcs and conflicts.
Blood Drops: Lou
byMahurin, Shelby
The chapter opens with Lou witnessing a blood witch ritual called *pendency*, where Gabrielle mourns her mother’s death. The atmosphere is heavy with grief as Lou reflects on the brutal murder of Etienne Gilly, whose charred and decapitated body was left as a gruesome message. The witches reveal a pattern: victims are rumored to be the king’s illegitimate children, suggesting a targeted campaign of torture. Lou suspects her mother, Morgane, is behind these killings, possibly as retaliation for her defiance or as part of a larger, unexplained plan. The violence feels personal, especially since Etienne’s body was placed near Lou’s tent.
Lou grapples with guilt and fear, realizing Morgane’s actions may be directed at her rather than the king. She recalls her mother’s threat to harm those close to her if she fled, and Etienne’s death seems to confirm this warning. Despite the urgency to reunite with Reid and Beau, who are also in danger, Lou stays to support Gabrielle through the ritual. The chapter highlights Lou’s internal conflict—her desire to protect her friends clashes with her dread of Morgane’s next move. The blood witches’ ancient mourning customs underscore the gravity of the situation.
The narrative shifts to Lou’s interactions with Gabrielle and Ansel, revealing their camaraderie amidst the tension. Gabrielle’s innocent yet perceptive comments about Coco, the blood witches’ *princesse*, spark Lou’s curiosity about Coco’s troubled past. Gabrielle explains that some witches resent Coco due to her mother’s betrayal, which exiled their community. This revelation deepens Lou’s empathy for Coco, as she reflects on her own strained relationship with Morgane. The chapter subtly contrasts Lou’s maternal trauma with Coco’s, adding layers to their bond.
As the chapter concludes, Lou remains determined to leave with Gabrielle and Ansel after the ritual, prioritizing their safety over La Voisin’s uncertain alliance. The blood witches’ whispered rumors and Etienne’s horrific death loom over their plans, emphasizing the pervasive threat of Morgane’s cruelty. Lou’s resolve to confront her mother intensifies, but her immediate focus is on protecting those around her. The chapter ends on a somber note, blending grief, fear, and a fragile hope for survival.
FAQs
1. What is “pendency” in the context of the blood witches’ beliefs, and how does this concept relate to the current events in the chapter?
Answer:
Pendency refers to the transitional state between life and death in blood witch belief—where the soul remains earthbound until the deceased’s ashes ascend. This concept is central to the mourning ritual Gabrielle and Ismay perform with Etienne’s blood. The chapter shows pendency in practice as they prepare his pyre and paint symbols with his mother’s blood, emphasizing the witches’ spiritual connection to death and their belief in a sacred transition process. The ritual underscores their grief while highlighting cultural differences in how they process loss compared to outsiders like Lou.2. Analyze Lou’s realization about the pattern that led her to Etienne’s body. What does this reveal about Morgane’s methods and psychological manipulation?
Answer:
Lou realizes the white pattern that led her to Etienne’s decapitated body wasn’t her own vision but an imposed one—a violation of her mental space. This reveals Morgane’s calculated cruelty: she forced Lou to witness the horrific aftermath while making her complicit in the discovery. The placement at Lou’s tent and the brutal manner of death (burning and decapitation) suggest this is both retaliation for Lou’s escape and a psychological tactic to reinforce Morgane’s earlier threat about butchering those Lou cares for. It demonstrates Morgane’s preference for layered messages that combine physical violence with emotional torment.3. What evidence suggests that Etienne’s murder is part of a larger pattern, and what political implications does this carry?
Answer:
The chapter reveals multiple victims with similar mutilations since Modraniht, all rumored to be King’s illegitimate children. This establishes a clear pattern of someone systematically targeting the monarch’s offspring through extreme torture. Politically, this suggests either a personal vendetta against the king (possibly Morgane’s revenge for past wrongs) or an attempt to destabilize the kingdom by eliminating potential heirs. The brutality serves as both punishment and spectacle, designed to spread terror while exposing the king’s past indiscretions—a strategy that could undermine royal authority while satisfying personal vengeance.4. How does Gaby’s conversation about Coco provide insight into the internal politics of the blood witches?
Answer:
Gaby reveals lingering resentment toward Coco due to her mother’s historical betrayal that caused the witches’ exile. This highlights how blood witch society maintains generational grudges and judges individuals by their lineage. The prejudice against Coco—despite her royal status—shows their community values loyalty above hierarchy. Lou’s defensive reaction underscores her protective friendship with Coco while demonstrating her outsider perspective, as she expects automatic reverence for royalty. The exchange also introduces the concept of consent through Gaby’s innocent commentary, contrasting the witches’ moral framework with their capacity for lasting bitterness.5. Evaluate Lou’s conflicting emotions about Morgane’s possible motives. What does this internal struggle reveal about her character development?
Answer:
Lou wrestles with relief that Morgane might be killing individuals rather than enacting mass genocide, immediately followed by guilt for that relief. This moral conflict shows her growing conscience and the psychological toll of her mother’s crimes. Her analytical approach—questioning why now, why this method—demonstrates strategic thinking honed by survival necessity. The realization that Etienne’s death might be a personal message to her (rather than just anti-royal violence) forces Lou to confront her own role in the unfolding tragedy, marking a shift from self-preservation to acknowledging her actions have wider consequences for innocent lives.
Quotes
1. “The blood witches called it pendency—the time between this life and the next. ‘The soul remains earthbound until the ashes ascend,’ Gabrielle murmured, holding a cup of her mother’s blood.”
This quote introduces the haunting concept of pendency, a key cultural ritual of the blood witches, while also setting the mournful tone of the chapter. It reflects the deep grief and spiritual practices surrounding death in this world.
2. “Someone was targeting the king’s children. Torturing them.”
A pivotal revelation that drives the chapter’s central mystery. This quote underscores the brutal stakes and hints at a larger conspiracy, connecting Etienne’s death to a pattern of violence against the king’s illegitimate offspring.
3. “It was a message—another sick move in a game I didn’t understand. She’d wanted me to know he’d suffered. She’d wanted me to know it was my fault.”
Lou’s chilling realization about her mother’s motives reveals the psychological warfare at play. This quote captures the protagonist’s growing dread and the manipulative cruelty of the antagonist, Morgane.
4. “If Morgane was actively hunting the king’s children, Reid and Beau were in graver danger than we’d anticipated.”
This quote marks a turning point where Lou recognizes the broader implications of the threat. It shifts her priorities from seeking alliances to urgent protection of her loved ones, raising the narrative tension.
5. “In all the years Coco and I had known each other, we’d never spoken of her mother… I hadn’t wanted to look upon a mother who could abandon her own daughter. The irony of my own situation wasn’t lost on me.”
A moment of poignant self-reflection where Lou confronts parallels between Coco’s backstory and her own fraught maternal relationship. This quote deepens character development and thematic exploration of abandonment.