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    FantasyRomance Novel

    Blood & Honey

    by Mahurin, Shelby
    “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.
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    Blood & Honey

    Nous Tombons Tous: Reid

    by Mahurin, Shelby

    Reid fran­ti­cal­ly attempts to open a mag­i­cal­ly barred trap­door, des­per­ate to reach Lou, who remains unre­spon­sive inside. His pan­ic inten­si­fies as his com­pan­ions, includ­ing Dev­er­aux, Beau, Coco, and Ansel, gath­er around him. Dev­er­aux sug­gests find­ing an alter­na­tive entrance through a near­by ceme­tery, but ten­sions rise as Jean Luc warns of the dan­gers posed by Chas­seurs in the area. Coco refus­es to help Reid open the door, cit­ing Lou’s pro­tec­tive enchant­ments and the risk to his life. Reid’s frus­tra­tion mounts as he fails to sum­mon his usu­al mag­i­cal abil­i­ties, resort­ing to using Toulouse’s tarot cards to glean cryp­tic guid­ance.

    The group debates their next steps, with Reid insist­ing on find­ing Lou despite the risks. Jean Luc’s loy­al­ty to Célie clash­es with the oth­ers, par­tic­u­lar­ly Liana, while Beau tries to medi­ate. Reid’s deter­mi­na­tion hard­ens as he real­izes Lou is the key to locat­ing both her and Célie. He dis­miss­es Ansel’s desire to join the group, order­ing him to stay behind with Zen­na and Seraphine for safe­ty. Reid’s impa­tience and sin­gle-mind­ed focus under­score the urgency of their mis­sion, as he fears Morgane’s tor­ment of Célie and Lou’s poten­tial dan­ger.

    The scene shifts to the ceme­tery, where the group arrives at the sec­ondary entrance marked by a weath­ered angel stat­ue. The inscrip­tion “Nous Tombons Tous” (“We all fall down”) adds a somber tone to their descent into the cat­a­combs. Reid leads the way, with Beau and Jean Luc express­ing appre­hen­sion about the dark, con­fined space. Dev­er­aux advis­es against split­ting up, but Jean Luc argues for effi­cien­cy. Reid over­rules him, insist­ing they stay togeth­er and rely on Blaise, Liana, and Ter­rance to track Lou’s scent.

    Reid’s unwa­ver­ing con­fi­dence in Lou’s abil­i­ty to find Célie dri­ves the group for­ward, despite Jean Luc’s skep­ti­cism. The chap­ter ends with Reid’s res­olute dec­la­ra­tion that Lou will suc­ceed, rein­forc­ing his trust in her and the urgency of their mis­sion. The ten­sion between the char­ac­ters, the eerie set­ting of the ceme­tery, and Reid’s des­per­ate deter­mi­na­tion cre­ate a grip­ping atmos­phere as the group ven­tures into the unknown.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What does Reid’s inability to see magical patterns initially suggest about his state of mind in this chapter?

      Answer:
      Reid’s temporary inability to see the golden magical patterns reflects his extreme emotional turmoil and loss of control. When he desperately tries to access his magical abilities to open Lou’s enchanted trapdoor, “not a single strand of gold” appears, showing how panic has clouded his perception (page 472). This contrasts sharply with his later success when using Toulouse’s tarot card, suggesting his powers are tied to emotional regulation. The chapter emphasizes this through physical descriptions of his “raw, visceral panic that closed [his] throat” and narrowed vision, demonstrating how extreme stress can block one’s capabilities.

      2. Analyze how the phrase “Nous Tombons Tous” (We all fall down) serves as thematic foreshadowing in this chapter.

      Answer:
      The engraved crypt phrase foreshadows both literal and metaphorical falls within the narrative. Literally, characters are descending into catacombs where dangers likely await (page 474). Metaphorically, it reflects Reid’s emotional collapse (“loss of faith in oneself” per the Strength card interpretation, page 473) and the precarious alliances forming between former enemies like Jean Luc and the witches. Deveraux’s soft delivery of the translation (page 474) underscores its gravity, hinting that all characters—regardless of power or status—will face vulnerability. This mirrors Reid’s realization that even Lou, his strongest ally, might fall to Morgane’s schemes.

      3. How does Reid’s treatment of Ansel reveal his prioritization of mission over relationships?

      Answer:
      Reid’s harsh dismissal of Ansel (“Just stay here… I was out of time,” page 474) demonstrates his willingness to sacrifice interpersonal connections for strategic goals. Though Ansel clearly wants to help, Reid views him as a liability after Modraniht (“proved more hindrance than help”) and manipulates him by invoking protection of Zenna and Seraphine. This cold pragmatism contrasts with earlier chapters where Reid showed more patience. His immediate departure without comforting Ansel’s visible hurt (“chest caved… burning gaze to the ground”) reveals how Lou and Célie’s peril has pushed him into a single-minded, emotionally detached state.

      4. What conflicting loyalties does Jean Luc exhibit, and how do other characters react?

      Answer:
      Jean Luc explicitly prioritizes Célie over the group (“I’m loyal to Célie,” page 472), creating tension with allies like Liana who sarcastically mocks his “inspir[ing]” loyalty. His refusal to protect the group from Chasseurs (page 472) shows divided allegiance, while Beau humorously warns him about provoking deadly consequences from the witches. This conflict mirrors larger themes of unstable alliances—Reid himself allies with former enemies like Nicholina. Jean Luc’s mutinous silence after Beau’s warning (page 472) suggests he recognizes the danger but won’t compromise his priorities, making him both an asset and a risk.

      5. How does the tarot card “Reverse Strength” symbolically reflect Reid’s journey in this chapter?

      Answer:
      The reversed Strength card (page 473) perfectly encapsulates Reid’s arc: its meaning—”intense anger,” “loss of faith in oneself,” and identity crisis—mirrors his frantic actions and emotional spiral. His explosive anger at the trapdoor and desperate card reading show eroded confidence, while Toulouse’s comment (“You had me worried”) confirms Reid’s uncharacteristic instability. Yet the card’s appearance also marks a turning point: Reid regains enough focus to interpret it and strategize (“thinking quickly. Analytically,” page 473). The upside-down woman mastering the lion visually parallels Reid struggling to control his own ferocity, hinting at potential growth through adversity.

    Quotes

    • 1. “If you’re determined to continue on this rather fruitless course of action, I will not stop you. I will, however, point out this door has been barred with magic and suggest we journey to a secondary entrance.”

      (Deveraux to Reid)
      This quote captures the tension between urgency and pragmatism, as Reid’s desperation clashes with Deveraux’s calm logic. It underscores the magical barriers central to the conflict and the group’s fractured dynamics.

      2. “To know the unknown, you must unknow the known.”

      (The voices in Reid’s mind during his tarot reading)
      A cryptic yet profound insight into the chapter’s themes of identity and transformation. This line reflects Reid’s struggle with his evolving abilities and the sacrifices required for growth.

      3. “Nous Tombons Tous. We all fall down.”

      (Engraving on the crypt, interpreted by Deveraux)
      This haunting phrase symbolizes the inevitability of downfall—both literal (the characters’ descent into the catacombs) and metaphorical (their moral and emotional collapses). It foreshadows the trials ahead.

      4. “She will.”

      (Reid’s terse reply when questioned about Lou’s loyalty)
      A powerful, clipped declaration of faith in Lou, contrasting with Jean Luc’s skepticism. It highlights Reid’s unwavering trust in her, a key emotional anchor amid chaos.

      5. “You had me worried for a moment.”

      (Toulouse to Reid after the tarot reveal)
      This moment of dark humor amidst crisis underscores Reid’s reconnection with his abilities. It also subtly critiques the performative nature of identity and confidence in high-stakes situations.

    Quotes

    1. “If you’re determined to continue on this rather fruitless course of action, I will not stop you. I will, however, point out this door has been barred with magic and suggest we journey to a secondary entrance.”

    (Deveraux to Reid)
    This quote captures the tension between urgency and pragmatism, as Reid’s desperation clashes with Deveraux’s calm logic. It underscores the magical barriers central to the conflict and the group’s fractured dynamics.

    2. “To know the unknown, you must unknow the known.”

    (The voices in Reid’s mind during his tarot reading)
    A cryptic yet profound insight into the chapter’s themes of identity and transformation. This line reflects Reid’s struggle with his evolving abilities and the sacrifices required for growth.

    3. “Nous Tombons Tous. We all fall down.”

    (Engraving on the crypt, interpreted by Deveraux)
    This haunting phrase symbolizes the inevitability of downfall—both literal (the characters’ descent into the catacombs) and metaphorical (their moral and emotional collapses). It foreshadows the trials ahead.

    4. “She will.”

    (Reid’s terse reply when questioned about Lou’s loyalty)
    A powerful, clipped declaration of faith in Lou, contrasting with Jean Luc’s skepticism. It highlights Reid’s unwavering trust in her, a key emotional anchor amid chaos.

    5. “You had me worried for a moment.”

    (Toulouse to Reid after the tarot reveal)
    This moment of dark humor amidst crisis underscores Reid’s reconnection with his abilities. It also subtly critiques the performative nature of identity and confidence in high-stakes situations.

    FAQs

    1. What does Reid’s inability to see magical patterns initially suggest about his state of mind in this chapter?

    Answer:
    Reid’s temporary inability to see the golden magical patterns reflects his extreme emotional turmoil and loss of control. When he desperately tries to access his magical abilities to open Lou’s enchanted trapdoor, “not a single strand of gold” appears, showing how panic has clouded his perception (page 472). This contrasts sharply with his later success when using Toulouse’s tarot card, suggesting his powers are tied to emotional regulation. The chapter emphasizes this through physical descriptions of his “raw, visceral panic that closed [his] throat” and narrowed vision, demonstrating how extreme stress can block one’s capabilities.

    2. Analyze how the phrase “Nous Tombons Tous” (We all fall down) serves as thematic foreshadowing in this chapter.

    Answer:
    The engraved crypt phrase foreshadows both literal and metaphorical falls within the narrative. Literally, characters are descending into catacombs where dangers likely await (page 474). Metaphorically, it reflects Reid’s emotional collapse (“loss of faith in oneself” per the Strength card interpretation, page 473) and the precarious alliances forming between former enemies like Jean Luc and the witches. Deveraux’s soft delivery of the translation (page 474) underscores its gravity, hinting that all characters—regardless of power or status—will face vulnerability. This mirrors Reid’s realization that even Lou, his strongest ally, might fall to Morgane’s schemes.

    3. How does Reid’s treatment of Ansel reveal his prioritization of mission over relationships?

    Answer:
    Reid’s harsh dismissal of Ansel (“Just stay here… I was out of time,” page 474) demonstrates his willingness to sacrifice interpersonal connections for strategic goals. Though Ansel clearly wants to help, Reid views him as a liability after Modraniht (“proved more hindrance than help”) and manipulates him by invoking protection of Zenna and Seraphine. This cold pragmatism contrasts with earlier chapters where Reid showed more patience. His immediate departure without comforting Ansel’s visible hurt (“chest caved… burning gaze to the ground”) reveals how Lou and Célie’s peril has pushed him into a single-minded, emotionally detached state.

    4. What conflicting loyalties does Jean Luc exhibit, and how do other characters react?

    Answer:
    Jean Luc explicitly prioritizes Célie over the group (“I’m loyal to Célie,” page 472), creating tension with allies like Liana who sarcastically mocks his “inspir[ing]” loyalty. His refusal to protect the group from Chasseurs (page 472) shows divided allegiance, while Beau humorously warns him about provoking deadly consequences from the witches. This conflict mirrors larger themes of unstable alliances—Reid himself allies with former enemies like Nicholina. Jean Luc’s mutinous silence after Beau’s warning (page 472) suggests he recognizes the danger but won’t compromise his priorities, making him both an asset and a risk.

    5. How does the tarot card “Reverse Strength” symbolically reflect Reid’s journey in this chapter?

    Answer:
    The reversed Strength card (page 473) perfectly encapsulates Reid’s arc: its meaning—”intense anger,” “loss of faith in oneself,” and identity crisis—mirrors his frantic actions and emotional spiral. His explosive anger at the trapdoor and desperate card reading show eroded confidence, while Toulouse’s comment (“You had me worried”) confirms Reid’s uncharacteristic instability. Yet the card’s appearance also marks a turning point: Reid regains enough focus to interpret it and strategize (“thinking quickly. Analytically,” page 473). The upside-down woman mastering the lion visually parallels Reid struggling to control his own ferocity, hinting at potential growth through adversity.

    Note