Blood & Honey
Serpent & Dove #2
By Shelby Mahurin
TheStory
Now on the run after their confrontation with Morgane, Lou, Reid, and friends must seek out allies. To do this, they first have to survive. When the group is forced to split apart on different missions, Lou and Reid’s relationship is put to the test. Throughout their conflict and struggles with their own issues, they come across different magical creatures and groups of people that have yet to prove friend or foe.
Reid has to overcome his hatred for witches and magic due to his own revelations about himself. Lou discovers a different sort of magic dwelling within her that she must accept or face the consequences. But both of them must navigate this while still dealing with the threat facing them.
TheReview
Well… I was thoroughly disappointed in this one. Anyone read my last review of Serpent & Dove? Anyone?! Well, in case you didn’t and you want my riveting opinion… I loved it. So, what was this?!
The beginning is a draaaaag. It’s dull. It just drags on and on and on and on. I’m guessing the point was to establish the group dynamics and bring the side characters in as a more central part of the story. Maybe it was trying to get that “found family” feeling? Eventually, I did feel that, but the beginning was trying way too hard to make me like the side characters.
After being absolutely in love with the first book, this was a disappointment.
The second half is more interesting in terms of action but there is just no heart. It’s better than the beginning but it lacked depth.
Getting through the first two-thirds of this one was a feat in and of itself. But the last one-third was decent. Lou and Reid grow a lot as characters, but they are sort of untethered from the storyline. Did I explain that right? They are just trudging along, trying to do what needs to be done and then *POOF* - they realize everything, they’re grown, and now they’ve completely changed for the better.
This book’s saving grace was the ending. Quite the showdown. Riveting. Overall, between the first 2 parts and the last part, it was a good read - I just took major issue with the first two-thirds. Oh, and it’s a cliffhanger. So, if after reading this book, you want to read the next one, prepare for that. That is if you even want to read this book after this review.
TheRating
Storyline: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
World Building: 3/5
Spice: 2/5
Writing: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Serpent & Dove Series
Serpent & Dove
Serpent & Dove #1
Blood & Honey
Serpent & Dove #2
Gods & Monsters
Serpent & Dove #3