5 Stars
Pros: Same cast of characters, so there weren't too many people to remember/The scenes with Ansel were heart wrenching/All the characters have an amusing and entertaining repartee and it's fun to have them all together.
Cons: Mahurin has a tendency to overuse terms, such as "my legs grew roots" as in, the character was rooted to the spot, so that was somewhat irritating/I wish Mahurin had expounded upon what exactly happened to Claud Deveraux but perhaps that's for another book.
Full Review:
Our weary travelers are on their way to Chateau Le Blanc, to face Morgane on her own turf. After the disastrous events of the end of Blood & Honey, Lou is determined to face her mother and defeat her once and for all. Of course, there is that small problem of Lou not actually being in control of her own body. The betrayal of Josephine and the Dame Rouges and Nicholina taking possession of Lou at the end of Blood & Honey was unexpected and makes for an interesting first part of the novel.
Everyone notices that Lou is not acting like herself but no one can quite make out what's going on. In their travels they spend the night in a church in a far off village. The Priest there knows who they are, there are wanted posters with their faces on them everywhere, but he lets them stay regardless. In the morning, someone very unexpected comes to the door and explains what brought her there.
She claims there's a demon inhabiting a lighthouse not far from there and if they go with her they can gather her carriage and travel much easier to the Chateau. Of course, it's not a demon at all but Thierry, one of the twins from Troupe De Fortune who was kidnapped in the Catacombs below Cesarine at the end of Blood & Honey. He manages to explain that it was Morgane who kidnapped them and tortured them. They promise that he'll get the chance at revenge if they travel with him and so he does.
The reason for Lou's mysterious behavior is eventually realized and dealt with but of course, in so doing, the group leaves themselves open and vulnerable to attack. They find help with the Melusines, the Mermaids. And as their list of allies grows, Louise is more determined than ever to face her mother and bring this horrible battle to an end.
She does and though there were rough, gritty parts, overall the book was one of hope and love and the belief in new beginnings. It was a good conclusion to the series, a bit saccharine but I am completely okay with that.
For now it seems that Lou and Reid's story of star crossed lovers has come to a satisfying and sweet end but it would appear that Mahurin is not done with Belterra yet. If I feel so inclined, I'll pick up her next book The Scarlet Veil to see how that expands upon the Belterra universe, but for now I am content.
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