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.
Painted Hair: Lou
byMahurin, Shelby
The chapter opens with Madame Labelle presenting Lou with a complex alchemical mixture to dye her hair gold, emphasizing the impracticality of the time-consuming process. Lou rejects the idea, wary of using magic after a recent conflict with Reid, who remains distant and hostile. The group discusses alternative, non-magical disguises, but Madame Labelle’s suggestions—such as pickled leeches or toxic lead oxide paste—are met with disgust and concern over dangerous side effects. The tension highlights Lou’s determination to avoid magic while underscoring the group’s precarious situation.
Lou’s refusal to use magic stems from Reid’s traumatic experiences with it, which have left him deeply distrustful. The group debates whether Reid will ever reconcile with his magical abilities, especially given the ominous presence of a matagot, a supernatural entity. Madame Labelle dismisses the idea that the matagot is solely linked to Reid, suggesting Lou’s own troubled history with her murderous mother, Morgane, could be the cause. Lou deflects the concern, focusing instead on practical disguises like ribbon and hair dye to evade capture by Chasseurs or recognition from wanted posters.
The mood lightens briefly as Lou and Coco mock the exaggerated scar depicted on Lou’s wanted poster, sharing a moment of levity. However, the underlying anxiety resurfaces when Ansel voices fears about their safety, particularly Reid’s vulnerability if they separate to seek allies. Lou acknowledges the risk but insists on the necessity of dividing their group to recruit La Voisin’s blood witches for their plan to confront Morgane. Reid’s earlier outburst against the separation lingers as a point of contention.
The chapter concludes with a glimmer of hope as La Voisin’s potential alliance is mentioned, though the challenges ahead remain daunting. The group’s dynamics—ranging from humor to tension—reflect their shared trauma and determination to survive. Lou’s pragmatic approach clashes with Madame Labelle’s skepticism, while the looming threat of Morgane and the Chasseurs keeps the stakes high. The chapter sets the stage for a risky confrontation, balancing camaraderie with underlying dread.
FAQs
1. What are Lou’s primary motivations for seeking non-magical hair dye solutions, and how does this reflect her relationship with Reid?
Answer:
Lou seeks non-magical hair dye solutions primarily to disguise herself without provoking Reid, who is deeply troubled by magic after two traumatic experiences where people died as a result of its use. Her caution reflects her sensitivity to Reid’s emotional state and her attempt to maintain harmony in their group. This dynamic shows Lou’s protective instincts toward Reid, as she prioritizes his comfort over quicker magical solutions, even when faced with impractical or dangerous alternatives like lead oxide paste or pickled leeches (pages 63–65).
2. Analyze the significance of the matagot’s presence in the camp. How do different characters interpret its appearance, and what does this reveal about their perspectives?
Answer:
The matagot’s presence sparks debate among the characters, revealing their underlying fears and biases. Madame Labelle dismisses the idea that it’s linked to Reid, suggesting it could instead be tied to Lou’s traumatic encounters with her murderous mother, Morgane. Coco, however, implies the matagot’s arrival aligns with Reid’s unresolved magical turmoil. These interpretations highlight Madame Labelle’s defensiveness about her son, Coco’s pragmatic suspicion of Reid’s instability, and Lou’s attempts to downplay her own vulnerabilities (pages 65–66). The matagot serves as a symbolic harbinger of unresolved conflict within the group.
3. How does the tension between safety and necessity drive the group’s decision-making in this chapter? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The group grapples with balancing immediate safety against long-term goals, particularly in their plan to split up and recruit La Voisin’s blood witches. Reid vehemently opposes separation, fearing Morgane will target him or use him to manipulate Lou, while Lou and others argue it’s necessary to gain allies for confronting Morgane. Additionally, Lou’s refusal to use magic for disguise—despite its efficiency—prioritizes Reid’s psychological safety over practicality. These conflicts underscore the precariousness of their situation, where every choice carries significant risk (pages 66–67).
4. Evaluate Madame Labelle’s attitude toward Lou and the group. How does her sarcasm and insistence on impractical solutions reflect her broader role in the narrative?
Answer:
Madame Labelle’s sarcasm (e.g., her deadpan remark about the lethal side effects of hair dye) and impractical suggestions (like pickled leeches) reveal her frustration with the group’s avoidance of magic and her impatience with their cautiousness. Her demeanor positions her as a foil to Lou’s diplomacy, emphasizing generational or ideological divides. By pushing dangerous alternatives, she indirectly critiques their fear of magic, reinforcing her role as a provocateur who challenges the group’s comfort zones (pages 64–65). Her sharpness also hints at her own anxieties about Reid’s fate and Morgane’s threat.
5. Why does Ansel express concern about La Voisin’s camp, and how does Coco’s response contrast with his worries? What does this reveal about their characters?
Answer:
Ansel voices unease about whether La Voisin’s camp can truly protect their allies once the group separates, reflecting his anxiety and tendency to anticipate worst-case scenarios. Coco, however, responds with immediate confidence, showcasing her pragmatism and focus on the bigger picture. Their exchange highlights Ansel’s role as the group’s moral conscience—emphasizing safety and unity—while Coco embodies decisive action, even when risks are involved. This contrast underscores the tension between caution and boldness in their mission (page 66).
Quotes
1. ““White wine and honey, followed by a mixture of celandine roots, olive-madder, oil of cumin seed, box shavings, and a sprinkle of saffron.” Madame Labelle carefully arranged the bottles on the rock we’d fashioned into a table. “If applied and left to alchemize for a full sun cycle, it will transform your locks to gold.””
This quote introduces the theme of transformation and disguise, showcasing Madame Labelle’s arcane methods and Lou’s resistance to using magic. It sets up the tension between practicality and magical solutions in their precarious situation.
2. ““He’s used magic twice, and both times, people have ended up dead. He just needs… time to reconcile everything. He’ll make peace with himself.””
Lou’s defense of Reid highlights the central conflict of his relationship with magic and guilt. This quote reveals the emotional stakes and trauma driving Reid’s character arc in the chapter.
3. ““Twice now your mother has attempted to murder you. For all we know, Absalon could be here because of you.””
Madame Labelle’s blunt statement underscores the dangerous family dynamics and foreshadows potential threats. It forces Lou to confront her own denial about Morgane’s relentless pursuit and the broader implications for their group.
4. ““Not from Morgane. She could already be here now, watching us.” I flipped my middle finger over my head just in case. “But ribbon and hair dye might hide me from anyone who sees those wretched wanted posters—might even hide me from the Chasseurs.””
This quote captures Lou’s defiant humor in the face of danger while revealing their strategic concerns about visibility. It demonstrates how the characters balance survival tactics with their rebellious natures.
5. ““You said Morgane threatened to cut out Reid’s heart. After we separate, she could take him, force you back to the Chateau.””
Ansel’s fearful observation crystallizes the chapter’s central dilemma - the risks of splitting their group. It heightens tension about Morgane’s threats and the vulnerability of their plan.