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.
The Mirrored Grave: Lou
byMahurin, Shelby
Lou explores the eerie Tremblay family tomb in the catacombs, disturbed by the macabre tradition of displaying skulls of the deceased. Her discomfort grows as she questions the gruesome process of decapitation, whether it occurs before or after decomposition, and who carries out such a task. The unsettling atmosphere weighs on her as she searches for Filippa Allouette Tremlay’s casket, hoping to find Célie. When she finally locates the ornate rosewood coffin, she struggles to open it, resorting to magic when physical effort fails.
Ansel unexpectedly appears, explaining that he followed her after deducing her path through the catacombs. Lou is both surprised and concerned, especially when he reveals that Reid and the others have gone to a cemetery entrance. Her emotions surge as she releases a magical restraint on her heart, overwhelmed by fear and love for Reid. Ansel insists on helping, but Lou hesitates, torn between protecting him and acknowledging his desperation to prove himself.
Their conversation escalates into an argument as Ansel expresses frustration at being treated as incapable. He pleads for a chance to contribute, revealing his deep-seated belief in his own worthlessness. Lou’s heart breaks at his vulnerability, but she knows she must push him away to protect him from a looming danger hinted at by a prophecy—a man close to her heart will die. Reluctantly, she adopts a harsh tone, deliberately wounding him to force his retreat.
Lou coldly lists Ansel’s perceived failures, crushing his spirit with each word. Though it pains her to see him crumble under her verbal assault, she believes this cruelty is necessary to save his life. The chapter ends on a tense note, with Lou’s internal conflict laid bare—she must sacrifice their bond to keep him safe, even if it means breaking his trust and driving him away.
FAQs
1. What cultural difference between witches and the Tremblay family is highlighted in Lou’s observations of the catacombs?
Answer:
Lou notes a stark cultural contrast in death practices between witches and the Tremblay family. While witches do not decapitate their dead, the Tremblay tomb displays skulls lining the shelves as part of their ancestral resting tradition. Lou expresses visceral discomfort, questioning the logistics (whether heads are removed before, during, or after decomposition) and the ethics of family members potentially performing this act. This observation underscores the chapter’s themes of mortality and cultural dissonance, as Lou grapples with her own revulsion toward the practice (pages 489-490).2. Analyze Lou’s emotional conflict regarding Ansel’s presence in the catacombs. What does this reveal about her character and priorities?
Answer:
Lou experiences intense internal conflict when Ansel arrives. While she initially expresses relief at his help, her panic escalates as she recalls the prophecy (“A man close to your heart will die”). Her eventual cruel outburst—belittling Ansel’s abilities—reveals her desperation to protect him, even at the cost of their relationship. This moment showcases Lou’s protective instincts and the burdens of leadership, as she prioritizes his survival over his self-worth. Her internal monologue (“to me, he was precious beyond value”) contrasts sharply with her harsh words, highlighting her tragic dilemma (pages 492-493).3. How does the chapter use physical space (the catacombs) to reflect Lou’s psychological state?
Answer:
The catacombs serve as a metaphor for Lou’s escalating dread and emotional weight. Her steps grow “heavier, leaden” as she moves deeper, mirroring her mounting anxiety about Célie’s fate and the prophecy. The confined space amplifies her claustrophobic panic when Ansel appears unexpectedly, while the macabre skulls reflect her morbid thoughts about mortality and sacrifice. The trapped, labyrinthine quality of the catacombs parallels Lou’s feeling of being cornered by impossible choices, particularly when she fails to open Filippa’s casket—a physical manifestation of her powerlessness (pages 489-491).4. Evaluate Ansel’s argument for staying to help Lou. How does his perspective challenge Lou’s assumptions?
Answer:
Ansel’s plea—”I’m not a child… I’m almost seventeen!“—challenges Lou’s protective tendencies by asserting his agency. He cites her own past heroics (saving the kingdom at 16) to highlight her double standard, while his raw confession (“I still don’t believe you [that I’m not worthless]”) reveals his deep insecurity. His desire to prove himself forces Lou to confront how her overprotectiveness might reinforce his self-doubt. This confrontation exposes the tension between safety and growth, as Ansel prioritizes self-actualization over survival (pages 492-493).5. What thematic significance does Filippa Tremblay’s casket hold in this chapter?
Answer:
Filippa’s rosewood casket symbolizes both hope and futility. Its “pretty” exterior contrasts with the grim skulls, representing Lou’s fragile hope that Célie might be alive inside. However, Lou’s inability to open it (“the damn thing is too heavy”) mirrors her broader struggle against forces beyond her control—the prophecy, Reid’s potential danger, and Ansel’s vulnerability. The epitaph (“Beloved daughter and sister”) also foreshadows Lou’s fear of losing someone she loves, echoing her earlier vision. The casket thus becomes a physical anchor for the chapter’s themes of loss and desperate rescue (pages 490-491).
Quotes
1. “Witches didn’t decapitate their dead. Did one remove the deceased’s head before or after decomposition? Or—or did they do it during the embalming process? And for that matter, who was responsible for doing it in the first place?”
This quote highlights Lou’s visceral discomfort and morbid curiosity about the Tremblay family’s burial customs, emphasizing the cultural dissonance and horror she feels in the catacombs. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of death, tradition, and the macabre.
2. “A man close to your heart will die.”
A chilling prophetic statement that serves as the emotional pivot of the chapter. This quote underscores the looming threat and foreshadows Lou’s agonizing decision to push Ansel away to protect him, driving the narrative tension forward.
3. “You wreck everything you touch. You can’t even walk without stumbling, let alone wield a sword. You can’t talk to a woman without blushing, so how could you save one? Honestly, it’s—it’s tragic how helpless you are.”
Lou’s cruel but calculated words to Ansel reveal her desperation to save him, even at the cost of his self-worth. This moment captures the tragic conflict between protection and cruelty, showcasing the chapter’s theme of sacrificial love.
4. “He thought he was worthless. No, he believed it, deep down in his bones, and I—I could do nothing about it.”
This introspective line reveals Lou’s painful awareness of Ansel’s insecurities and her helplessness in the face of them. It underscores the chapter’s exploration of self-worth, agency, and the limits of love in dire circumstances.
5. “Perhaps he wasn’t worth much to the world, to himself, but to me… to me, he was precious beyond value.”
A poignant counterpoint to Lou’s harsh words, this quote encapsulates the chapter’s central emotional conflict. It highlights the disparity between Ansel’s self-perception and Lou’s unconditional love, emphasizing the tragedy of her protective deception.