Review: Though “Blood & Honey” is not as strong as its predecessor, this book still manages to pack a punch. 

 

Picking up where “Serpent & Dove” left off, “Blood & Honey” follows Lou, Reid, Coco, Ansel, and Beau as they embark on separate quests to find allies willing to fight alongside them against Morgane le Blanc. 

 

I loved being able to explore the Kingdom of Belterra beyond the city of Cesarine in this book. Mahurin does a great job making environments like the Loup Garou’s swampy territory and the Dames Rouges’ blood camp both distinctive from one another and memorable. I especially liked learning about the abilities, lifestyles, and power structures attributed to the supernatural beings living in these areas and found the book to be very informative as a result. 

 

“Blood & Honey” also helped me learn more about the role memories play in the Dames Blanches’ system of magic in that they can be altered or tampered to manipulate the world as it exists. Sacrificing memories to perform magic can affect the witch’s values, beliefs, and expectations. I loved this twist on how power can be dangerous. 

 

Another aspect of the book that I loved was the establishment of found family. Just as soon as Lou and Reid’s relationship forms, it begins to crumble under the weight of Lou’s descent into darkness and Reid’s resentment. While this left me feeling sad and frustrated on my end, it was consolation enough to know that Lou and Reid had a support system in Coco, Ansel, and Beau, who still managed to see the best in them at their worst. 

 

In my opinion, the purpose of “Blood & Honey” is to set up the following novel’s main conflict. Subsequently, I found the plot lacking at times. Still, I enjoyed reading it for the new characters, the opportunity to further explore Belterra, and Lou and Reid’s relationship. The stakes are high and I know that “Gods & Monsters” will be all the more epic for it.