Scan barcode
t0mmi3's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really good! The first 90+ pages were pretty boring since the just stayed in one place but I mean, you can’t immediately jump into forgetting am I right? The ending is such a
ashction's review against another edition
2.0
This series never should have been made into a trilogy. Spoilers ahead, you were warned!
Blood & Honey, though anticipated, ending up fulfilling my exact worries when I first heard the announcement. The sequel, the middle book of this now trilogy, completely halts the momentum and action of Serpent & Dove. The story stays stalled for so long that by the end of this book, I saw everything that would happen and just felt disgusted by the characterization that had happened - because that's really all that happens.
The story picks up abruptly, without even a shred of a reminder of what transpired at the end of Serpent & Dove. For at least the first 100 pages, everyone is mad, tense, and arguing as they debate their plans on how to find Morgane. A riddled clue leaves them to split up in search of alliances - Lou, Coco, and Ansel go to the Blood Witches, while Reid, Madame Labelle, and Beau (who I straight up did not remember starting this book and never really had a good grasp of character on) go with Claud Devaraux, a mysterious circus-type man who has a traveling show of curiously talented people, as they head towards the wolves. The ultimate plan is to stop Morgane at the Archbishop's funeral, but - spoiler alert! - that's not how things play out.
I would say it takes roughly 300 of the 520-some pages to even get back to the town. The majority of those 300 pages is monotonous, caught between the journeying and the insufferable back and forth of Reid and Lou, as Reid once again reverts back to hating witches, magic, and himself, in that order, and Lou has to put up with that bullshit while also possibly going evil? I say possibly, because not once does the story ever really clarify what's going on with her and you just have to accept that.
Honestly, I wanted to knock Reid out for 70% of the book, so having so many POV chapters from him was EXHAUSTING. I even wanted them to just break up already because this book increasingly pushes on readers that this relationship just can't work. But, of course, there's a very quick and easy reversal of Reid's feelings, despite how deep-seeded they are and how erasing that hatred can't be as simple as it was written. Though we don't know anything about the last book, I just feel like this series is setting up to save Lou with Reid's love, or some other BS, which is lame and a cop-out and I hope that I'm wrong.
Also, this book is THE WORST for Ansel lovers. SPOILER: HE DIES! And it's literally so bad that I couldn't even be SAD, but just disappointed. The entire book, Ansel keeps getting dumped on. He's not good at fighting, so he can't defend them and has to be protected. Coco leads him on and kisses him, only to realize she doesn't love him, thus breaking his heart. Reid and Lou both are incredibly rude to him, and the poor kid feels so helpless by the end of it that it's clear the group's over-mothering of him is what, ultimately, gets him killed. I would have preferred to see the character grow, but instead he's used as collateral to make Lou empty and ruthless, which - based on the abrupt ending of this book - is not going to lead to good things.
Ultimately, Blood & Honey just left me frustrated. I never wanted this to be a trilogy, but for the trilogy to exist solely so this book can do some character work that, honestly, still felt poorly planned despite being 500 pages long, feels like a waste. It ends as abruptly as it begins, and not even in a good, can't wait for the next book kind of way. This book has torn the love I held for these characters from me and ruined them. I may still pick up the final book next year just to see how it all plays out, but I'm not holding my breath that those feelings will ever return.
Blood & Honey, though anticipated, ending up fulfilling my exact worries when I first heard the announcement. The sequel, the middle book of this now trilogy, completely halts the momentum and action of Serpent & Dove. The story stays stalled for so long that by the end of this book, I saw everything that would happen and just felt disgusted by the characterization that had happened - because that's really all that happens.
The story picks up abruptly, without even a shred of a reminder of what transpired at the end of Serpent & Dove. For at least the first 100 pages, everyone is mad, tense, and arguing as they debate their plans on how to find Morgane. A riddled clue leaves them to split up in search of alliances - Lou, Coco, and Ansel go to the Blood Witches, while Reid, Madame Labelle, and Beau (who I straight up did not remember starting this book and never really had a good grasp of character on) go with Claud Devaraux, a mysterious circus-type man who has a traveling show of curiously talented people, as they head towards the wolves. The ultimate plan is to stop Morgane at the Archbishop's funeral, but - spoiler alert! - that's not how things play out.
I would say it takes roughly 300 of the 520-some pages to even get back to the town. The majority of those 300 pages is monotonous, caught between the journeying and the insufferable back and forth of Reid and Lou, as Reid once again reverts back to hating witches, magic, and himself, in that order, and Lou has to put up with that bullshit while also possibly going evil? I say possibly, because not once does the story ever really clarify what's going on with her and you just have to accept that.
Honestly, I wanted to knock Reid out for 70% of the book, so having so many POV chapters from him was EXHAUSTING. I even wanted them to just break up already because this book increasingly pushes on readers that this relationship just can't work. But, of course, there's a very quick and easy reversal of Reid's feelings, despite how deep-seeded they are and how erasing that hatred can't be as simple as it was written. Though we don't know anything about the last book, I just feel like this series is setting up to save Lou with Reid's love, or some other BS, which is lame and a cop-out and I hope that I'm wrong.
Also, this book is THE WORST for Ansel lovers. SPOILER: HE DIES! And it's literally so bad that I couldn't even be SAD, but just disappointed. The entire book, Ansel keeps getting dumped on. He's not good at fighting, so he can't defend them and has to be protected. Coco leads him on and kisses him, only to realize she doesn't love him, thus breaking his heart. Reid and Lou both are incredibly rude to him, and the poor kid feels so helpless by the end of it that it's clear the group's over-mothering of him is what, ultimately, gets him killed. I would have preferred to see the character grow, but instead he's used as collateral to make Lou empty and ruthless, which - based on the abrupt ending of this book - is not going to lead to good things.
Ultimately, Blood & Honey just left me frustrated. I never wanted this to be a trilogy, but for the trilogy to exist solely so this book can do some character work that, honestly, still felt poorly planned despite being 500 pages long, feels like a waste. It ends as abruptly as it begins, and not even in a good, can't wait for the next book kind of way. This book has torn the love I held for these characters from me and ruined them. I may still pick up the final book next year just to see how it all plays out, but I'm not holding my breath that those feelings will ever return.
dwinareads's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
First of all, I was TERRIFIED that this book would be a total sophomore slump, as a lot of readers have said it’s not that great, BUT GUESS WHAT: I loved it! We really get to see each character grow and adapt through wild, scary, unfortunate, and hilarious situations and I absolutely love that process. The writing is excellent and the descriptions transported me right to Belterra.
Of course, the book ends on a total cliffhanger and I’m dying to get my hands on Gods & Monsters. I’m buying it as soon as it’s out in paperback!
First of all, I was TERRIFIED that this book would be a total sophomore slump, as a lot of readers have said it’s not that great, BUT GUESS WHAT: I loved it! We really get to see each character grow and adapt through wild, scary, unfortunate, and hilarious situations and I absolutely love that process. The writing is excellent and the descriptions transported me right to Belterra.
Of course, the book ends on a total cliffhanger and I’m dying to get my hands on Gods & Monsters. I’m buying it as soon as it’s out in paperback!
hsecen's review against another edition
3.5
August 2021 reread
So after never finishing this book last time, I decided to just read it normally instead of listening to the audiobook. That helped me so much in finally finishing Blood and Honey. Between the first two books in the series, I liked the first one much more. There were some struggles between Lou and Reid that I found a little annoying and kind of forced but I did understand that this was the progression their relationship had to take. There were definitely things that needed to be addressed between them, and while I didn't love the way things were handled, it still happened and I can appreciate that.
Like the last book the ending definitely picked up speed in pacing and I was tearing through those last few pages pretty quick. It was a bit of a slow start for me but things to do pick up as you read more. I can't wait to see how things play out in this last book!
So after never finishing this book last time, I decided to just read it normally instead of listening to the audiobook. That helped me so much in finally finishing Blood and Honey. Between the first two books in the series, I liked the first one much more. There were some struggles between Lou and Reid that I found a little annoying and kind of forced but I did understand that this was the progression their relationship had to take. There were definitely things that needed to be addressed between them, and while I didn't love the way things were handled, it still happened and I can appreciate that.
Like the last book the ending definitely picked up speed in pacing and I was tearing through those last few pages pretty quick. It was a bit of a slow start for me but things to do pick up as you read more. I can't wait to see how things play out in this last book!
noemi1010's review against another edition
5.0
Lou, Reid and their friends are being pursued by everyone in their kingdom. The witches want Lou dead, and the church deems Reid a traitor. It's not easy for the two of them, and their relationship starts straining. However, I love how their relationship looks real with its highs and lows, and how the two of them are still getting to know who they are and what they are for each other.
I also don't accept the ending of this book. Why? Why did it happen to him? He didn't deserve it. I can't wait to dive into the next book right away because I need to see Lou winning against Morgane.
I also don't accept the ending of this book. Why? Why did it happen to him? He didn't deserve it. I can't wait to dive into the next book right away because I need to see Lou winning against Morgane.
unicornheart_books's review against another edition
3.5
“What you are now is not what you’ve always been, nor is it what you always will be. You are a snake. Shed your skin if it no longer serves you. Transform into something different. Something better.”
Returning to the world of witches and chasseurs, I was drawn once again by Lou, whose fierce and witty personality is quite magnetic. Her dynamic with Reid, the shy and reserved counterpart to her wild spirit, creates a compelling balance. Reid's cautious nature contrasts beautifully with Lou's boldness, making their interactions captivating.
The friendship between Lou and Coco is my favourite gem of the story. Their bond is heartwarming and genuine, bringing a sense of warmth and authenticity to the narrative. Their moments together are some of the most enjoyable in the book, filled with mutual support and understanding. And speaking of gems, Ansel is a cutie patootie who owns my heart.
However, compared to its predecessor, this book seemed to lack the same level of action and adventure. The pacing felt slower, and the excitement that characterized the previous installment was somewhat diminished.
Reid’s character arc occasionally frustrated me as well. His habit of making hurtful remarks, only to regret them later, became a bit repetitive and detracted from his overall appeal.
Despite these drawbacks, I am invested in the series. The story still holds my interest, and I’m eager to see where it leads. The ending, while stirring, left me with mixed feelings, as it contained moments I found hard to accept.
Overall, this book has its flaws but continues to enchant with its rich characters and their evolving relationships. While not as thrilling as the first book, it remains a story worth following, especially for fans of Lou and her companions.
P.S. I'll never forgive the author for doing what she did in this book 💔
Returning to the world of witches and chasseurs, I was drawn once again by Lou, whose fierce and witty personality is quite magnetic. Her dynamic with Reid, the shy and reserved counterpart to her wild spirit, creates a compelling balance. Reid's cautious nature contrasts beautifully with Lou's boldness, making their interactions captivating.
The friendship between Lou and Coco is my favourite gem of the story. Their bond is heartwarming and genuine, bringing a sense of warmth and authenticity to the narrative. Their moments together are some of the most enjoyable in the book, filled with mutual support and understanding. And speaking of gems, Ansel is a cutie patootie who owns my heart.
However, compared to its predecessor, this book seemed to lack the same level of action and adventure. The pacing felt slower, and the excitement that characterized the previous installment was somewhat diminished.
Reid’s character arc occasionally frustrated me as well. His habit of making hurtful remarks, only to regret them later, became a bit repetitive and detracted from his overall appeal.
Despite these drawbacks, I am invested in the series. The story still holds my interest, and I’m eager to see where it leads. The ending, while stirring, left me with mixed feelings, as it contained moments I found hard to accept.
Overall, this book has its flaws but continues to enchant with its rich characters and their evolving relationships. While not as thrilling as the first book, it remains a story worth following, especially for fans of Lou and her companions.
P.S. I'll never forgive the author for doing what she did in this book 💔
reeye131's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25