Vanessa de la Mora and Edgar St. Clair are the most popular students in the school, but their relationships are in ruts. They are both looking for a new start, but in their souls, they feel that this can only happen if another person dies. Cue the fireworks.
With Blood Honey, author/artist Shawn Peacock drops readers into a fully realized world. Students at Manderray Reserve High School are involved in sharpening their blades, mixing deadly potions, and maintaining their grades and social status. The combination of modern dialogue and clever design elements makes this world feel fresh and familiar at once. There’s mostly Shakespeare’s battle here, but the characters still speak like the young adults we’ve been aware of. The jokes are sharp and clever, but the emotional scenes still feel like they’re real. This is an impressive feat to accomplish in the book, which also includes a duel of bloody swords over a burning building.
idw
Peacock loads the book with fun visuals, from chic Elizabethan-Meat-Riberdale costumes to over-the-top action in the climactic fashion. Every page turn brings new and exciting revelation, despite the characters themselves being trapped in a quiet feud to the point of tunnel vision.
The final page provides hints that the story has not yet been told. I certainly hope that Peacock will have the opportunity to revisit this world. As much as I enjoyed reading Blood Honey, I couldn’t help but feel like there were more threads. What makes Vanessa and Edgar’s love sour? Does Vanessa share the feelings of her best friend, or does she not notice as much as she comes across their final scene together? What is the world outside the bloody halls of Mander Ray Prep? These unanswered questions don’t completely hinder this one-shot experience, but I still want more! If you’re a fan of Heathers, Wednesday, or especially YA stories with an average edge, you ow yourself to check out this one story.
“Blood Honey” #1 Review: Love is Burning
Blood Honey #1
“Blood Honey” is one great story you want more, especially if you’re a fan of “Heathers,” Wednesday,” or especially a YA story with an average edge.
The dialogue is sharp and entertaining, but in the end it’s honest
The action sequence is beautifully choreographed, especially when it comes to the ending.
The characters and world they live in feel that they have been completely formed, even if they play with this one shot alone
Some story threads may you want more explanations and breathing chambers
