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.
Marionette: Reid
byMahurin, Shelby
The chapter opens with Reid reflecting on his lack of combat experience alongside Lou, despite their tumultuous lives. He recalls previous encounters where Lou’s brutal efficiency in dispatching enemies left him in awe. Now, witnessing her in action again, he realizes she is a formidable force. Lou moves with unexpected speed and precision, using both her knife and magic to overpower opponents, leaving Reid to grapple with the reality of her deadly prowess.
As the bar fight escalates, Reid quickly assesses the danger and prioritizes the safety of their companions. He forces Coco, Beau, Ansel, and Madame Labelle to flee, recognizing that their anonymity is their only protection. Meanwhile, Lou engages multiple attackers, parrying blows and using her magic to incapacitate them. The chaos intensifies as villagers panic and bounty hunters reveal themselves, trapping Reid and Lou inside the bar.
Reid and Lou fight side by side, their coordination seamless despite the dire circumstances. Lou’s playful banter contrasts with the violence, as she bites Roy and kisses Reid mid-battle. Their chemistry is undeniable, even as they face overwhelming odds. Reid blocks a crushing blow from the barkeep, while Lou continues to taunt and outmaneuver their enemies, demonstrating her creativity in combat and her unshakable confidence.
The chapter culminates with Lou and Reid confronting the bounty hunters at the door. Lou negotiates with them, feigning sympathy for their cause while subtly threatening them. The hunters remain unmoved, valuing the king’s bounty over her offer. Lou’s wit and Reid’s determination highlight their resilience, leaving the reader on edge as the confrontation remains unresolved. The tension between survival and surrender lingers, setting the stage for the next chapter.
FAQs
1. How does Reid’s perception of Lou’s combat abilities evolve throughout this chapter, and what specific observations lead to this change?
Answer:
Reid’s perception of Lou transforms from initial disbelief to awed recognition of her lethal capabilities. Initially, he couldn’t fathom how someone “so small” could kill grown men with “such brutality” (referencing past events like the smithy incident). In this chapter, witnessing her firsthand—her speed, dual-wielding knives, and seamless integration of magic (e.g., flexing fingers to topple opponents)—he concludes she’s “a menace.” Specific observations include her feinting techniques, using magic to smash enemies into the bar, and multitasking combat with witty banter. The chapter underscores her unpredictability, as when she bites Roy or flips over Reid’s back, blending physical and magical violence with unsettling ease.2. Analyze the significance of the bounty hunters’ appearance and their interaction with Lou. What does this reveal about the broader societal conflict in their world?
Answer:
The bounty hunters’ arrival heightens the stakes, revealing systemic persecution of witches and the commodification of their lives. Their taunting—pocketing wanted posters, referencing Lou’s head’s monetary value (100,000 couronnes)—exposes how authority figures (like the king) incentivize witch hunts. Lou’s sarcastic negotiation (“I’m suddenly feeling quite sympathetic to [La Dame des Sorcières’] cause”) critiques this economy of violence. The hunters’ casual brutality (“cut it off while you’re still breathing”) mirrors societal dehumanization of witches, while Lou’s defiance (mocking her valuation) underscores her refusal to be reduced to a bounty. This interaction crystallizes the broader war between magical and non-magical factions.3. How does Lou’s combat style contrast with traditional expectations of witchcraft, and what might this suggest about her character?
Answer:
Lou defies stereotypical witchcraft by combining raw physicality with magic. Unlike passive spellcasting, she bites, kicks, and uses knives, even as she manipulates forces (e.g., cracking skulls telekinetically). Her irreverent humor (“You smell a bit ripe”) and tactile aggression (biting Roy) reject the trope of witches as detached or purely mystical. This hybrid style reflects her pragmatic, chaotic nature—she weaponizes every available tool, including her body and wit. Her lesson to Reid (“get creative”) further emphasizes adaptability, suggesting she views magic as an extension of brawling rather than a separate discipline. This paints her as a revolutionary figure who redefines witchcraft on her own terms.4. Reid and Lou’s dynamic during the fight reveals key aspects of their relationship. Identify two moments that illustrate their evolving partnership and explain their significance.
Answer:
- The Kiss: Amid chaos, Lou kisses Reid, who reciprocates despite his usual stoicism. This moment—interrupted by her teasing “toothsome” remark—shows their chemistry transcending danger, blending passion with dark humor. Their mutual focus on combat (Reid blocks a club mid-kiss) underscores how their relationship thrives in adversity.
- Combat Synchronicity: Reid hurls Coco to safety while Lou distracts enemies, then they fight back-to-back, flipping and parrying seamlessly. His protectiveness (“We’ll meet you at camp”) balances her aggression, revealing trust. Their banter (“Have you tried any patterns yet?”) during battle highlights how they challenge and teach each other, forging a partnership where violence and intimacy intertwine.
5. Evaluate Lou’s attempt to teach Reid magic during combat. Why might this be a pivotal moment for his character development?
Answer:
Lou’s insistence Reid “see beyond this disgusting little room” to perceive magical patterns forces him to confront his latent abilities amid life-or-death stakes. Her instruction—”get creative” instead of fearing repetition of his past failures—shifts magic from theoretical to practical survival tool. This moment is pivotal because Reid must reconcile his Chasseur-trained aversion to magic with its necessity in protecting allies. Her teaching method (urging observation while fighting) mirrors her own improvisational style, pushing him toward adaptability. The scene sets up his eventual acceptance of magic as an extension of his combat skills, not a moral compromise.- The Kiss: Amid chaos, Lou kisses Reid, who reciprocates despite his usual stoicism. This moment—interrupted by her teasing “toothsome” remark—shows their chemistry transcending danger, blending passion with dark humor. Their mutual focus on combat (Reid blocks a club mid-kiss) underscores how their relationship thrives in adversity.
Quotes
1. “The woman was a menace. She moved with unexpected speed, feinting and striking with both hands.”
This quote captures Reid’s astonished realization of Lou’s combat prowess, showcasing her formidable fighting style that defies expectations based on her small stature. It marks a turning point in his understanding of her capabilities.
2. “I try not to be needy, really, but a little help over here would be grand—”
Lou’s sarcastic plea mid-battle perfectly illustrates her characteristic wit and the dynamic between her and Reid. This quote represents their banter even in life-threatening situations, revealing their relationship’s unconventional nature.
3. “You can’t imagine how toothsome you look right now, Reid… It means I want to eat you alive.”
This provocative exchange demonstrates Lou’s playful yet dangerous personality and the growing romantic tension between them. The quote stands out for its mix of humor, flirtation, and underlying intensity.
4. “Magic in combat can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to end like this morning. The trick is to get creative—”
Lou’s instruction to Reid about magic use represents a key theme of the chapter - her attempting to teach him magical combat techniques. This quote shows their evolving partnership and Lou’s role as mentor.
5. “Frankly, I’m insulted. It’s worth at least twice that. Have you spoken with La Dame des Sorcières?”
Lou’s sarcastic negotiation with bounty hunters about her own bounty price perfectly encapsulates her fearless attitude and dark humor. This quote highlights her ability to remain composed and witty even when facing mortal danger.