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.
Red Death and His Bride, Sleep Eternal: Reid
byMahurin, Shelby
The chapter opens with Reid, the protagonist, being prepped for a performance by Zenna, a member of Troupe de Fortune. Irritated by her heavy-handed makeup application and the oppressive atmosphere, Reid questions the absence of his mother and fellow performer Beau. The troupe has arrived in Beauchêne, a village on the outskirts of La Fôret des Yeux, where a stage has been constructed for their act. As the sun sets, Reid feels an inexplicable unease, heightened by the knowledge that this is their final stop before heading to Cesarine’s infamous Skull Masquerade, a secretive and decadent event.
Deveraux, the troupe leader, interrupts Reid’s thoughts with exaggerated praise for his appearance, calling him “Monsieur Red Death.” Zenna warns Reid to perform well, threatening consequences if the audience is dissatisfied. Reid senses an unusual tension in the air, exacerbated by Deveraux and Zenna’s cryptic behavior. When Deveraux reveals that Reid will replace him and Seraphine as the opening act, Reid grows suspicious, especially since his mother is nowhere to be seen. Zenna’s cryptic remark about thanking her later adds to his growing apprehension.
As Reid steps onto the stage, the crowd’s anticipation is palpable. Deveraux delivers a theatrical introduction, playing up the troupe’s wholesome entertainment, which contrasts sharply with Reid’s leather-clad, knife-wielding persona. The audience’s catcalls and whispers unsettle him further. Amid the chaos, Reid spots a familiar couple in the crowd—a woman and a lanky man—who vanish before he can identify them. His heart races as Deveraux’s booming voice announces a “singular experience,” but Reid’s attention is fractured by the eerie sense that something is amiss.
The chapter builds toward an ominous climax, with Reid’s unease mirroring the audience’s heightened excitement. The juxtaposition of the troupe’s performative frivolity and Reid’s internal turmoil creates a sense of foreboding. The sudden change in the performance lineup, the mysterious couple, and the looming Skull Masquerade all hint at darker forces at play. Reid’s instinct that “tonight was different” underscores the chapter’s tension, leaving the reader anticipating the unfolding drama.
FAQs
1. How does the setting of Beauchêne differ from previous performance locations, and what significance does this hold for Reid’s character development?
Answer:
Beauchêne features a constructed stage rather than the improvised town squares and pubs of previous performances, marking a more formalized setting for Troupe de Fortune. This shift reflects Reid’s growing prominence within the troupe, as he transitions from background performer to opening act. The stage symbolizes both opportunity and pressure—while it elevates his status (evidenced by Deveraux’s special announcement), it also heightens expectations (“A bored audience is a tightfisted audience”). The lantern-lit field and attentive crowd (page 228) further underscore the performance’s significance as a turning point in Reid’s arc.2. Analyze the dynamic between Reid and Zenna. How does their interaction reveal underlying tensions in the troupe?
Answer:
Zenna’s aggressive grooming (“swatting my hand away from the death stick”) and threats about audience tips (page 226) contrast with Reid’s irritation, highlighting a power struggle. Her insistence on controlling his appearance (“You’ll thank me later”) suggests the troupe prioritizes spectacle over individual autonomy. Yet their banter (“You’re always upset”) implies familiarity, revealing how forced proximity has created grudging camaraderie. This tension between artistic collaboration and personal friction mirrors the broader pressures of troupe life, where financial survival (“tightfisted audience”) outweighs personal comfort.3. What foreshadowing exists regarding the “Skull Masquerade,” and how does it connect to the chapter’s atmosphere?
Answer:
Deveraux’s mention of the Skull Masquerade (page 226) as a “wanton, masked” underground event creates ominous anticipation. The description of attendees as “privileged” mingling with “dregs” suggests moral ambiguity, while Reid’s unfamiliarity with it (“I’d never heard of such a spectacle”) positions him as an outsider. This foreshadows future conflict, as the troupe plans to disappear into the catacombs. The current performance’s eerie atmosphere—amber wagon, flickering lanterns (page 228), and Zenna’s black-painted lips—mirrors this duality of entertainment and danger.4. How does the chapter use sensory details to immerse readers in Reid’s emotional state during the pre-performance preparations?
Answer:
Tactile and olfactory details dominate: Zenna’s “putrid paste” (page 225) and necklace battering Reid’s face convey physical discomfort, mirroring his irritation. The “laughter and music drifting” into the wagon (page 225) contrasts with his “aching chest,” emphasizing isolation. As he steps outside, the “hard-packed snow” and shivering (page 228) externalize his nervous energy. Most strikingly, the “stomach rolled and fluttered” sensation (page 227) blends visceral and emotional responses, immersing readers in his uneasy anticipation of the night’s unknown significance.5. Interpret the significance of the fleeting glimpse of the “shapely woman and lanky man” (page 229). How might this moment impact the narrative?
Answer:
This momentary recognition—where Reid’s eyes “fly open” before the pair disappears—suggests he saw someone familiar, possibly connecting to his past. The abrupt interruption of this realization by Deveraux’s speech heightens suspense, implying hidden stakes to the performance. Given Reid’s earlier concern about his mother’s whereabouts (“Where is my mother?” page 227), the figures may represent a threat or revelation tied to her mysterious attachment to the throwing board. This teaser likely propels the plot toward a confrontation or revelation during or after the performance.
Quotes
1. “La Mascarade des Crânes, Madame Labelle called it. The Skull Masquerade.”
This quote introduces the mysterious underground event that serves as a key setting in the story. It represents the hidden, decadent world beneath Cesarine that contrasts with the troupe’s public performances, foreshadowing darker themes to come.
2. “A bored audience is a tightfisted audience, and if they don’t tip me because of you, I’m going to be upset. You don’t want me to be upset, do you?”
Zenna’s threatening humor reveals the troupe’s financial pressures and performance dynamics. This quote showcases the tension between artistic expression and commercial reality that runs through the chapter.
3. “Tonight is different. I didn’t know why—I didn’t know how—but I felt it.”
This pivotal moment captures Reid’s growing intuition about the significance of this performance. The quote marks a turning point where routine gives way to something more ominous, building suspense for the chapter’s climax.
4. “Your generosity enables Troupe de Fortune to continue providing Beauchêne with that which we all love—unbridled frivolity and wholesome entertainment. I glanced down at my leather pants. Wholesome.”
Deveraux’s ironic sales pitch contrasted with Reid’s self-awareness highlights the chapter’s theme of performance duality. This moment reveals the gap between public perception and reality of their act.
5. “Honored guests, tonight and tonight only, we shall witness a singular experience on this stage. A wholly and comple…”
The truncated final quote (cut off in the original text) creates dramatic tension as Deveraux announces a special performance. This builds anticipation for whatever transformative event is about to occur.