July 1, 2020
After Serpent & Dove (2019), Lou and Reid must gather allies to take on villainous Morgane. In a stumbling first act, witch Lou and her forced-husband-turned-love, Reid, struggle to retain likability, making foolish decisions while hiding out from enemies as the heroes regroup and prepare for their next encounter. In a painful bit of characterization, Lou's sassy empowerment comes at the cost, early on, of the sexual boundaries of the characters around her (unfortunately played as steamy). Further troubling characterization comes in a classist scene in which the heroes mock a dirty, poor person for having missing teeth. To stop Morgane's murderous endgame spell, they must forge an alliance between enemies: blood witches (Coco's people), the witch hunters, and werewolves. A colorful surprise alliance comes when they join traveling performers with secrets. Lou and Reid's romance hits character-driven speed bumps--Lou's pull toward magic's darker side isn't terribly original but is solidly done, and it strengthens Reid's self-hating and self-acceptance storyline, fueling his anti-magic bias. There's plenty of action, and secondary characters have their own romantic storylines. The climax gives only a moment to breathe before sinister implications for the next book set in. Though the leads default to white, racial diversity is present in the world and in secondary characters (like brown-skinned Coco and Beau, who is coded as white and Polynesian); additionally, there's casual inclusion of same-sex relationships and respectful bisexuality representation. The strong magic system and plentiful conflicts don't make up for problematic missteps. (Fantasy. 15-adult)

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July 10, 2020

Gr 9 Up-Lou and Reid are still at it. Lou is a fierce and unapologetic witch. Reid, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with his powers. While both have some inner work to do, they start to wonder if they are truly meant to be together. Lou's maman, Queen of the Witches, is still out to hunt her down and kill her. Only now she is out to kill more than Lou's body. Ever since that fateful night that Reid saved Lou, Morgane is out to kill Lou's spirit as well as her body. Mahurin's complex sequel to Serpent & Dove takes the reader even further into the world of witches and chasseurs. Lou is a strong character who is not afraid to use her charms to get want she wants. Being a woman is hard in the 21st century, but in Lou's world she not only finds her voice, but makes men take notice and change their views of women. VERDICT With so many twists and turns, this book is a must for fans of the first.-Rena Gibson, Ralph Ellison Lib., Oklahoma City

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"In Lou's world she not only finds her voice, but makes men take notice and change their views of women. With so many twists and turns, this book is a must for fans of the first." — School Library Journal

"Seductive, steamy, and satisfying. Mahurin has delivered a fearless and captivating sequel that has me hooked. This is officially one of my favorite series ever." — Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of All the Stars and Teeth

"Decadent and dangerous, Blood & Honey was exactly the book I needed at precisely the right time. The rich cast of characters captivated me, and I can't wait to see what's in store next for this merry band of miscreants." — Reneé Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath & the Dawn series

"Blood & Honey grabbed me by the throat. Shining with irreverent humor and brutal heartache, every magical word is rendered beautifully throughout the many twists and harrowing turns. Mahurin delivers a triumphant return to Belterra." — Isabel Ibañez, author of Woven In Moonlight

"A breathless, breathtaking continuation of the magical world Mahurin has created pits the strength of love against the need to protect those one loves...at any cost. Would you lose your soul to save someone else's? Blood & Honey doesn't just address this question; it slams the reader into the story - and that existential question - in a brilliant, unending roller-coaster ride." — Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things and A Spark of Light

Praise for Serpent & Dove:
“Drips with intrigue and shadow.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“A brilliant debut, full of everything I love: a sparkling and fully-realized heroine, an intricate and deadly system of magic, and a searing romance that kept me reading long into the night. Serpent & Dove is an absolute gem of a book.” — Sarah J Maas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses series

“Will cast a spell on romance fans.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Mahurin has taken the witch and witch hunter trope and made it new again. The world-building will draw in readers and Lou's strong but wistful nature will keep them turning pages.” — School Library Journal