Thank you so much to Edelweiss and the publisher for giving me an ARC to read and review.
All quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change.

Overall: 4/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot and Themes: 3/5
Awesomeness Factor: 3.5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Serpent & Dove was one of my favorite releases of 2019, and while I really enjoyed Blood & Honey, it did get hit by the second-book-slump.

“The brotherhood had never been weaker. The crowd had never been larger. And the stakes– they’d never been higher.”

[ Related: Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove #1) by Shelby Mahurin – My New Obsession (ARC Review) ]

// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Torture, Mature Content, Sexual Harassment, Murder, Kidnapping/Abduction //

Release Date: 9/1/2020
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 528
Premise:

Blood & Honey is the second book in the Serpent & Dove trilogy. This series was extended from a duology to a trilogy, and I kind of wish it stayed as a duology.

“Closing your eyes will not make it so the monsters can’t see you. It will only make you blind.”

Read more for all of my thoughts on Blood & Honey!

“‘You’re impossible.’
‘I’m impractical, improbable, but never impossible.’”

Writing & Setting

Shelby Mahurin’s writing style is really easy to get absorbed in. Despite being a complex fantasy world, it doesn’t feel intimidating at all. And speaking of complex world- this book really fleshes out the world building. Serpent & Dove gave us bits and pieces, focusing on the witches (specifically the Dames Blanches) and the Chasseurs, but Blood & Honey shines a light on the other creatures and politics of this world. It was so fun to learn about the loup garou and the Dames Rouges, and I’m fascinated by the magic of this world.

“When life is a choice between fighting or fleeing– every moment life or death– everything becomes a weapon.”

Plot

The plot is the one major area that this book lacks. And that’s because it barely exists. There was quite a bit of filler, setting the stage for the last act. There were side quests and moments that didn’t need to be there. They’re not entirely boring, but it slowed the pacing. That said, I did like the general direction the plot was moving and it did give room for the character development to take center stage.

“If you are unafraid to look, darling, you are unafraid to find.”

Characters

Lou and Reid’s dynamic was what made Serpent & Dove such a fun read, but most of Blood & Honey was missing that. However, there is a reason for it. Enemies to lovers is a fun concept, but getting over years of hatred while also dealing with some more recent traumatic events? It isn’t easy, and this book shows it.

But Lou and Reid aren’t the only characters here. Coco, Ansel, and Beau all play a big role in the story and I was so happy to see it. They are such interesting characters and I love them all more than life.

”The more we gain, the more we lose.”

[ Related: From Blood & Ash (Blood and Ash #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout – I’m Obsessed (Review)]

Conclusion

Pros- Expanded the world building, great characters
Cons- lots of filler, slow pace
Overall- 4/5 stars.
If you liked Serpent & Dove, I definitely recommend checking out Blood & Honey. While this book wasn’t absolutely perfect, I’m still excited to see where this series is going (how can I not be after that ending).

If you liked Blood & Honey, I’d recommend:

• Bone Crier’s Moon (Bone Crier’s Moon #1) by Kathryn Purdie – [Review]
• Wicked Saints (Something Dark and Holy #1) by Emily A. Duncan – [Review]
• The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn #1) by Renee Ahdieh – [Review]

What’s your favorite book with witches?

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