The Honeys

The Honeys

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  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-08-17 07:51:34
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Ryan La Sala
  • ISBN:0702316091
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

From Ryan La Sala, the wildly popular author of Reverie, comes a twisted and tantalizing horror novel set amidst the bucolic splendor of a secluded summer retreat。

Mars has always been the lesser twin, the shadow to his sister Caroline's radiance。 But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he can about his once-inseparable sister who'd grown tragically distant。

Mars's genderfluidity means he's often excluded from the traditions -- and expectations -- of his politically-connected family。 This includes attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister poured so much of her time。 But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place。

What Mars finds is a bucolic fairytale not meant for him。 Folksy charm and sun-drenched festivities camouflage old-fashioned gender roles and a toxic preparatory rigor。 Mars seeks out his sister's old friends: a group of girls dubbed the Honeys, named for the beehives they maintain behind their cabin。 They are beautiful and terrifying -- and Mars is certain they're connected to Caroline's death。

But the longer he stays at Aspen, the more the sweet mountain breezes give way to hints of decay。 Mars’s memories begin to falter, bleached beneath the relentless summer sun。 Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with his mind。 If Mars can't find it soon, it will eat him alive。

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Reviews

Lena

This feels like YA Bunny and I‘m here for it。

Jaxen Ara

*I am an emotional reviewer。 These are my honest opinions。*Going into this as someone who is: a) terrified of bees, and b) not usually a horror fan, I didn’t know how I was going to feel about this book。 But I absolutely adored it!This book is romantic, but not a romance。 It is a gorgeous blend of horror and euphoria — where one is never without the other。I was hooked from the first page until the last, drawn into the beauty and gripped tight by the terror。 Mars was an incredible main character。 *I am an emotional reviewer。 These are my honest opinions。*Going into this as someone who is: a) terrified of bees, and b) not usually a horror fan, I didn’t know how I was going to feel about this book。 But I absolutely adored it!This book is romantic, but not a romance。 It is a gorgeous blend of horror and euphoria — where one is never without the other。I was hooked from the first page until the last, drawn into the beauty and gripped tight by the terror。 Mars was an incredible main character。 Gender-fluid, grieving his twin, trying to survive in a strictly binary summer camp that is, broadly, out to get him。 Mars was funny, true to himself, and desperate to find answers to questions he can’t voice。 The chapters are short, and so full of plot it feels impossible to stop reading。The characters are engaging, enthralling, and as the story progresses you begin to feel a part of the camp。 It is so full of beautiful imagery that will stay with you。 Some of that imagery is horrifying, but the statement stands!Possibly my favourite read of the year。 。。。more

Honey

5✨This is a book you just have to process。 Realizing the metaphors, hidden meanings, and the supernatural takes time but when finally digested it reveals a web of wonderful stories and events。 To put it simply this book is weird。 But in a good way。 It reminds me heavily of House of Hollow in the way the world is constructed which is one of my fav books。 It's a ride for sure。 5✨This is a book you just have to process。 Realizing the metaphors, hidden meanings, and the supernatural takes time but when finally digested it reveals a web of wonderful stories and events。 To put it simply this book is weird。 But in a good way。 It reminds me heavily of House of Hollow in the way the world is constructed which is one of my fav books。 It's a ride for sure。 。。。more

Drew Heuser

No but this is gonna fuck me UP。。。。。 if someone were to DM me spoilers so I can mentally prepare m'self, I would not be opposed lgjkshldfg No but this is gonna fuck me UP。。。。。 if someone were to DM me spoilers so I can mentally prepare m'self, I would not be opposed lgjkshldfg 。。。more

LGBT Representation in Books

Trigger Warnings: Death, gore, violence, blood, injury, bullying, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, transphobia, grief, murder, fire, sexual harassment, cancer, child abuse, kidnapping, cannibalism, abandonment, rapeRepresentation: Genderfluid, Achillean, Lesbian, Gay, QuestioningThe Honeys is a queer, young adult thriller set at Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy。 Mars is the genderfluid twin of Caroline who turns up dead。 In order to get to the bottom of it, Mars goes in Caroline’s place to figure o Trigger Warnings: Death, gore, violence, blood, injury, bullying, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, transphobia, grief, murder, fire, sexual harassment, cancer, child abuse, kidnapping, cannibalism, abandonment, rapeRepresentation: Genderfluid, Achillean, Lesbian, Gay, QuestioningThe Honeys is a queer, young adult thriller set at Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy。 Mars is the genderfluid twin of Caroline who turns up dead。 In order to get to the bottom of it, Mars goes in Caroline’s place to figure out the connection between her death and her friend group, the Honeys。 While searching for the answers, Mars starts to feel hazy and has to find them before it’s too late。This ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review。 Wow。 This book is eerie, thrilling, and very queer。 The writing is very intense and very beautiful。 It is also very dark。 The book starts off running at full speed! And I loved the feeling of knowing nothing about the book when I started it! I would definitely recommend everyone doing the same! The story is summer camp meets cult with rich, complex characters。 。。。more

Becca - PrettyLittleMemoirs

Mars and his twin sister, Caroline, used to be close。 But in recent times, they’ve grown apart in a multitude of ways, namely because of Caroline’s affiliation with Aspen, a prestigious Summer Academy that he also used to attend before he left because of push back/exclusion due to him being genderfluid and the other kids there being unkind (and non-inclusivity in general。) But one night, Mars awakens at home to Caroline suddenly by his bedside—but it’s far from the sister he was once close with。 Mars and his twin sister, Caroline, used to be close。 But in recent times, they’ve grown apart in a multitude of ways, namely because of Caroline’s affiliation with Aspen, a prestigious Summer Academy that he also used to attend before he left because of push back/exclusion due to him being genderfluid and the other kids there being unkind (and non-inclusivity in general。) But one night, Mars awakens at home to Caroline suddenly by his bedside—but it’s far from the sister he was once close with。 In fact, she’s out for blood。 And then, she’s gone, dying in the most tragic way right in front of him。 Fearing something is off with the story of her death—and situation as a whole—Mars decides to hold an investigation of his own。 He tells his parents he’s going back to Aspen, meanwhile scheming for answers to Caroline’s demise。 He finds her old friends, a group of girls that everyone calls The Honeys, namely because their cabin is beside the beekeeping hives at Aspen。 Mars knows he has to get close to her old friends and dig until he can’t anymore to find the truth, but the longer he stays in Aspen among the atmospheric, yet unabating treeline, he finds himself—and his memories—melting into the mystery of Aspen。 But when the reality hits him of what’s really going on, and what happened to Caroline, the answer defies logic—and beckons him to succumb to the same danger。Overall, The Honeys held my attention in a way no book ever has。 It was twisty and aesthetically moody—dark academia style—and I felt myself becoming trapped in it’s claws the longer I read。 I absolutely adored the writing style Ryan has, and the worldbuilding was *chef’s kiss* perfect。 I honestly did not see the last ten chapters coming at all, which is really surprising because I always guess the outcome with thrillers—that’s what makes The Honeys so standout: it is purely second-to-none and especial。 (I also LOVED the way Mars’s genderfluidity was written and how much he was willing to risk pushing his comfort zone in the name of Caroline’s sake。) This was truly a golden, out-of-the-ordinary and terrifyingly warped novel that everyone will be buzzing about。 Five stars! (or Bees 😉🐝)** I finished this at almost 2 a。m。 and it was SO UNNERVING。 But I highly recommend still lol。** 。。。more

sofia

This was EXACTLY the kind of book I wanted to read right now。 Everything about it was so perfect and enthralling I can't even put it into words。 Surreal horror my most dearly beloved。。。。。 This was EXACTLY the kind of book I wanted to read right now。 Everything about it was so perfect and enthralling I can't even put it into words。 Surreal horror my most dearly beloved。。。。。 。。。more

Barbara Behring

I found this book to be really boring and I think I'm just not the audience for this book。 I found this book to be really boring and I think I'm just not the audience for this book。 。。。more

Vee_Bookish

"a twisted and tantalizing horror novel set amidst the bucolic splendor of a secluded summer retreat" "a twisted and tantalizing horror novel set amidst the bucolic splendor of a secluded summer retreat" 。。。more

The Page Ladies

Book Review…The Honeys by Ryan La SalaMars has always been the lesser twin。 But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he can about his once-inseparable sister who'd grown tragically distant。 Mars's gender fluidity means he's often excluded from the traditions and expectations of his family。 This includes attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister attended。 But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her Book Review…The Honeys by Ryan La SalaMars has always been the lesser twin。 But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he can about his once-inseparable sister who'd grown tragically distant。 Mars's gender fluidity means he's often excluded from the traditions and expectations of his family。 This includes attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister attended。 But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place。 The longer he stays at Aspen, the more the mountain breezes give way to hints of decay。 Mars’s memories begin to falter。 Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with his mind。 If Mars can't find it soon, it will eat him alive。The Honeys is an intense, thrilling and at times a dark read。 What a fantastic story! This one grabbed me from the first page! I couldn't put it down, I had to know what was going to happen next! There were so many great twists and turns! The pace was great! There were so many great characters! I really enjoyed seeing Mars get close to the honeys! The writing is rich and descriptive and at times lyrical。 Absolutely great read! If you haven't read this yet you definitely need to! Thank you Turn the Pages Tours and Ryan La Sala for sharing this fantastic story with me! 。。。more

ElphaReads

Thank you to PUSH for sending me an ARC of this novel!I will link to my full review when it goes up on thelibraryladies。com。 Thank you to PUSH for sending me an ARC of this novel!I will link to my full review when it goes up on thelibraryladies。com。 。。。more

Ally

Absolutely bonkers in a fun way。 Don’t wanna give too much away, but go in as blind as you can and strap in。 I really enjoyed this one!

Stephanie

I really really enjoyed this one! Thanks to the people at IReadYA and the author for sending this to me!First off, the WRITING! The WRITING!! Absolutely stunning。 I love books written in this beautiful, melodic way。 It’s so rich and descriptive。 (It reminded me of how Caraval and Addie Larue are written)Second, this book pops off RIGHT at the beginning。 The first chapter was like WHAT ON EARTH JUST HAPPENED?! And then throughout the whole book, there was just this uneasy tension。 It was suspense I really really enjoyed this one! Thanks to the people at IReadYA and the author for sending this to me!First off, the WRITING! The WRITING!! Absolutely stunning。 I love books written in this beautiful, melodic way。 It’s so rich and descriptive。 (It reminded me of how Caraval and Addie Larue are written)Second, this book pops off RIGHT at the beginning。 The first chapter was like WHAT ON EARTH JUST HAPPENED?! And then throughout the whole book, there was just this uneasy tension。 It was suspenseful without being over-the-top and corny。 It really felt like the walls were closing in slowly and that SPIKED my anxiety。 ALSO it had the “someone has to believe me/I’m not crazy” trope which I loveTHE ENDING。 THE。 ENDING。 I couldn’t read fast enough for all the twists and turns。 (And my husband had the audacity to ask if I wanted to watch a movie when I had 20 pages left!) It reminded me of Bunny。 Which is a scary and intimidating comparison。 But if you read Bunny and liked it: you’ll like this I think。 And if you read Bunny and DIDNT like it, you’ll probably like this because it wasn’t as confusing and weird haha 。。。more

Elisquared

4。5 StarsA idyllic woods filled with reality-shifting secrets is the setting for Ryan La Sala's queer horror novel The Honeys。 The horror should not be taken lightly, as La Sala crafts a psychological mind-f*** (can't think of a better why to state this), amidst the backdrop of a pristine summer camp。 Just when you think you know what is going on, a new twist appears, and with it, the stakes grow higher and higher。Mars, our main character, has a lot of history with Aspen Conservancy Summer Acade 4。5 StarsA idyllic woods filled with reality-shifting secrets is the setting for Ryan La Sala's queer horror novel The Honeys。 The horror should not be taken lightly, as La Sala crafts a psychological mind-f*** (can't think of a better why to state this), amidst the backdrop of a pristine summer camp。 Just when you think you know what is going on, a new twist appears, and with it, the stakes grow higher and higher。Mars, our main character, has a lot of history with Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy; a camp for the rich and influential, one where if you don't conform to the ideals of camp, then you are ostracized。 Mars, who is queer and genderfluid, breaks the binary that Aspen has in place, making them a prime target when they were younger, and causes them to leave。 But once their twin sister, Caroline, dies under very suspicious circumstances, Mars heads to the last place she was: Aspen。There is a lot of social commentary mixed into this horror tale; the gender binary, sexism, toxic masculinity, the influence of the affluent to just name a few。 La Sala dives into both the internal and external pressure these things create and how empowering and frightening living as one's authentic self can be。 The use of bees and how the rigid gender roles within a hive reflect out into the camp itself, and the groups of teens is so well-crafted。 La Sala really does an excellent job of creating a horror the reflects both the mundane and the supernatural。As with most horror mysteries, I can't go much into the plot, but Mars himself is not always a reliable narrator, but then the others around him are unreliable as well。 His trust gets broken, his beliefs get reshaped, and it all comes to a head at the end of the book。 This was a very satisfying story, one I couldn't put down because as you got another taste, you just wanted more。 Dark academia taking place in a sunlight meadow, The Honeys by Ryan La Sala is one that should grace everyone's reading list, and is the perfect book to finish out the summer months。 。。。more

Jennifer

Just a crazy mess of a read and I love it。

Olivia

THE HONEYS is an atmospheric and twisty YA horror read。 After Mars (non-binary) loses their twin sister Caroline in a particularly terrible way, beginning with her attacking them and falling through the banister in their house to later find out that she had a brain tumor, they are left adrift。 Caroline always cared deeply for the Honeys, a group of girls at the summer camp she has long attended who live in Cabin H and take care of the bees。 When the girls invite them back to the summer camp that THE HONEYS is an atmospheric and twisty YA horror read。 After Mars (non-binary) loses their twin sister Caroline in a particularly terrible way, beginning with her attacking them and falling through the banister in their house to later find out that she had a brain tumor, they are left adrift。 Caroline always cared deeply for the Honeys, a group of girls at the summer camp she has long attended who live in Cabin H and take care of the bees。 When the girls invite them back to the summer camp that treated them horribly in the past, Mars decides to attend to try to understand Caroline and what happened to her。 Once there, Mars notices strange things happening, facing the toxic masculinity of the other campers they must spend time with and the oddities around the Honeys。What I loved: This was an intensely atmospheric and haunting read that pulls the reader into the world of this elite summer camp, its secrets, and the mystical darkness underlying it all。 The book consumes the reader with the mystery and air of the camp as well as the sinister cliques of the Aspen community, covered by the veneer of the wealthy attendants。 Mars is a compelling character, dealing with their grief and trying to be true to themselves amidst the aggressive gender binary。 As they are caught up in the mystery, veneer, and bewitching camp, they are also pulled into the orbit of the girls their sister used to be one of。The Honeys are haunting and enchanting - a mean girl clique that runs the camp with a special kind of magic。 It is easy to see why Caroline and Mars would get pulled into their orbit。 As things begin to happen around them, the reader is slowly realizing that there is even more than it originally seemed going on at this camp and with the Honeys。 The mystery builds all the way to the explosive end。The book deals with some heavy and dark themes around greed, prejudice, the gender binary, toxic masculinity and the massive societal weight of gender expectations, parental expectations for their children, and generational wealth and the grip it has。 The camp has treated Mars poorly, with the way they have set up their activities and competitions along gender lines。 This reflects societal views and constraints, with sentiments of boys will be boys and the alienation of those who don't fit into expected bins。 This discussion was particularly poignant in the ways that Mars stays true to themself and explains to others, particularly Wyatt, who also becomes an endearing character。Final verdict: A twisty and haunting read, THE HONEYS is the atmospheric camp read of the summer! Highly recommend picking this one up if you enjoy YA thriller/horror books。Please note that I received an ARC。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more

Yuki Klotz-Burwell

I’ve always been scared of bees but now I’m petrified 😭 this book was so good and a great intro to the horror genre for me。 It’s rich with meaning & complex characters and a plot unlike any I’ve read before。THE HONEYS is out 8/16, thank you so much to the publishers for the gifted copy 🍯

Leah

The Honeys is exhilarating! Though, I was not prepared for a YA Horror novel to make me feel so many emotions! Mars is genderfluid, strong, unrelenting, witty, sarcastic, a teenager, & a twin。 Mars & twin Caroline grow estranged in the years leading up to her mysterious, violent, & untimely death。 Feeling that an elitist summer camp in Aspen may potentially hold all the answers to why they grew apart and what occurred that night, Mars travels to Aspen but is ultimately faced with much more than The Honeys is exhilarating! Though, I was not prepared for a YA Horror novel to make me feel so many emotions! Mars is genderfluid, strong, unrelenting, witty, sarcastic, a teenager, & a twin。 Mars & twin Caroline grow estranged in the years leading up to her mysterious, violent, & untimely death。 Feeling that an elitist summer camp in Aspen may potentially hold all the answers to why they grew apart and what occurred that night, Mars travels to Aspen but is ultimately faced with much more than expected。 Mars expected archaic traditions and rituals, a nonconformist society, and divides in gender roles。 He was not prepared for the girls of Cabin H also known as The Honeys。 What secrets are they hiding about Caroline?Overall, The Honeys is a thrilling, psychologically manipulating ride! It’s not a predictable YA Horror。 There are plot twists and turns at every moment。 Just when you think you know who is behind everything, Ryan makes The Honeys even more mysterious。 In the first half of this book, I thought I had it figured out。 In the last half of the book, I learned I was so wrong! I sat at the edge of my seat and willed myself to read as fast as I could without missing a word。 That was not easy! I was so anxious to know the ending! I highly recommend this book! The prose in this novel is amazing。 Everything is so meticulously laid out。 It’s brilliant! 。。。more

Aaron Aceves

What I really love about Ryan is that he's such a genre sl*t but he makes sure to meet readers' expectation of the new genre he's creating in。 This book was imaginatively creepy yet had so much to illuminate about the world we live in。 The build-up was a little too long for me, but the last third of the book is a ride。 Just when I thought I'd reached the final plot twist, the plot kept twisting。 We need a sequel! What I really love about Ryan is that he's such a genre sl*t but he makes sure to meet readers' expectation of the new genre he's creating in。 This book was imaginatively creepy yet had so much to illuminate about the world we live in。 The build-up was a little too long for me, but the last third of the book is a ride。 Just when I thought I'd reached the final plot twist, the plot kept twisting。 We need a sequel! 。。。more

Shyla

TRIGGER WARNINGS: SA, Violence, Homophobia, Transphobia, Sus parents (just me?), bullyingI received an e-galley of this from Edelweiss。 Opinions are my own。 I'm too small fry to get bribes。Let me start with saying idk where I would put this in the library。 The characters make it YA but it just has some major adult vibes。 IDK。 Maybe I don't read enough (any) YA mystery or thriller? Anyway! I haven't really read anything remotely like this since Gone Girl (which I also loved so maybe I should read TRIGGER WARNINGS: SA, Violence, Homophobia, Transphobia, Sus parents (just me?), bullyingI received an e-galley of this from Edelweiss。 Opinions are my own。 I'm too small fry to get bribes。Let me start with saying idk where I would put this in the library。 The characters make it YA but it just has some major adult vibes。 IDK。 Maybe I don't read enough (any) YA mystery or thriller? Anyway! I haven't really read anything remotely like this since Gone Girl (which I also loved so maybe I should read more stuff like that。。。), but I was drawn in by the description and I love bees。 Plus, that cover。 GORG!!!I loved it! It really had a dreamy, but eerie vibe that I live for。 Caroline and Mars (Marshall) are twins that once were extremely close but then drifted apart after Caroline fell in with the super popular girls at their elite summer camp。 Then Caroline dies under horrific and scary conditions, but the sus parents sweep it all under the rug。 Since Carolines spot at the summer camp had already been paid for, Mars uses that as an excuse to go and investigate what really happened leading up to their (Mars is genderfluid BTW) sisters death。 I won't say too much about the camp aside from the boys are your typical locker room bros (except for rugged science cutie Wyatt) and the girls appear to be your typical queen bees。 Only some things are what they seem! Anyway, definitely pick it up when it comes out because it is the perfect end of summer read。 。。。more

piper | monarchsandmyths

many things to think about!! full review to come buzz buzz

Sarah

4。5 stars。 Wow, was this book a ride。 Genuinely creepy, yet still overall enjoyable。 Just when I thought I had things figured out, I’d be hit with a massive plot twist。 It’s smart because the ground work is laid out from the beginning, but the twists still surprise you。 Definitely freaked me out, will be thinking about this one for awhile。

Alyssa W

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Thank you to my employer Barnes and Noble and Push for the ARC。 I absolutely loved the imagery and language of this book。 This mystical horror exists in a place we often look and see peace and calm; summer。 I was completely devoted to Mars, the protagonist and wanted everything for them, including all of their own battling wants。 My only complaint being that when we start seeing flashes of the beginning of the hive and through the rest of the book, the imagery gets blurry and vague enough that I Thank you to my employer Barnes and Noble and Push for the ARC。 I absolutely loved the imagery and language of this book。 This mystical horror exists in a place we often look and see peace and calm; summer。 I was completely devoted to Mars, the protagonist and wanted everything for them, including all of their own battling wants。 My only complaint being that when we start seeing flashes of the beginning of the hive and through the rest of the book, the imagery gets blurry and vague enough that I couldn’t quite follow everything。 I feel like I missed something, nothing huge but something。 However, I think this is a great book for people who enjoy psychological horror but want it from someplace new。 It’s a weird crazy ride, for sure。PS Ryan broke my heart with Wyatt… gggaaahhh!!!! 。。。more

Stephanie Ward

'The Honeys' is a fantastic YA horror story full of mystery and lots of twists that you won't see coming。 I've always loved horror novels, and there never seems to be enough of them in the YA genre - especially good ones that I enjoy。 This was a breath of fresh air for both me as a reader and for the YA horror genre itself。 The book was well written with lots of detailed descriptions and vivid imagery that brought the characters, the setting, and the story itself to life。 It was like I could clo 'The Honeys' is a fantastic YA horror story full of mystery and lots of twists that you won't see coming。 I've always loved horror novels, and there never seems to be enough of them in the YA genre - especially good ones that I enjoy。 This was a breath of fresh air for both me as a reader and for the YA horror genre itself。 The book was well written with lots of detailed descriptions and vivid imagery that brought the characters, the setting, and the story itself to life。 It was like I could close my eyes and I was right beside Mars at Aspen。 The author used the first-person point of view for the book and I think it was definitely the right choice。 The first person is my favorite writing style because it allows a deep connection between the reader and the narrator。 I personally love when it feels like I know this other person and I get to peek inside their minds and see everything from their hopes and fears, dreams and nightmares, and their emotions and inner thoughts。 When I really love a book, it's because I can instantly slip inside the world the author has created and lose myself in the story alongside the main character。 That's exactly what happened with this book。 I slipped into Mars' world and didn't crawl back out until I had finished the novel - which I ended up doing in a matter of hours because I couldn't put it down。 I read a lot of thrillers and it takes quite a bit to stump me, but this story kept me guessing。 When I thought I had it figured out, it took a turn and put me right back to square one。 All of these things put together - the realistic main character of Mars, the well-rounded secondary characters, the vivid setting, the twisty, thought-provoking plot, and the excellent writing - created a unique novel that I absolutely loved。 I highly recommend it for fans of YA fiction, horror, contemporary fiction, and readers who are looking for something fresh and different from anything that's out there。Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Javis

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 4

Paige

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and arc from the publisher。 Thanks! All opinions are my own。Book: The HoneysAuthor: Ryan La SalaBook Series: StandaloneRating: 5/5Diversity: Gender Fluid MC, POC characters, lesbian character, gay charactersRecommended For。。。: young adult readers, thriller, mystery, horror, bees, summer camp, LGBTPublication Date: August 16, 2022Genre: YA Horror ThrillerAge Relevance: 16+ (gore, violence, death, illness, cursing, grief, micro aggressions, transphobia, suicide, s Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and arc from the publisher。 Thanks! All opinions are my own。Book: The HoneysAuthor: Ryan La SalaBook Series: StandaloneRating: 5/5Diversity: Gender Fluid MC, POC characters, lesbian character, gay charactersRecommended For。。。: young adult readers, thriller, mystery, horror, bees, summer camp, LGBTPublication Date: August 16, 2022Genre: YA Horror ThrillerAge Relevance: 16+ (gore, violence, death, illness, cursing, grief, micro aggressions, transphobia, suicide, sexism, bullying, harassment, psychological torture, alcohol consumption, sexual harassment, sexual content, romance, kidnapping, animal attack)Explanation of Above: There is a lot of gore and violence in this book, containing blood and graphic depictions of injuries, and there’s death seen in this book along with a theme of grief throughout the text。 Illness is also mentioned briefly。 There is some cursing throughout the novel and there are mentions and showings of bullying, harassment, and psychological torture。 There are a couple of scenes with micro aggressions in them towards the gender fluid MC, a couple of them being a refusal to use their preferred name, but there’s also some transphobia as well。 Suicide is mentioned briefly, as an accidental suicide。 There is a theme of sexism throughout the book。 There is some alcohol consumption mentioned and one scene with a kidnapping。 There is also some sexual harassment shown and mentioned in the book, as well as one scene with a little bit of sexual content。 There is also an allusion to sexual assault in one minor scene, but it’s not confirmed。 There is a slight romance in this book and there are animal attacks done by bees。Publisher: PUSHPages: 340Synopsis: Mars has always been the lesser twin, the shadow to his sister Caroline's radiance。 But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he can about his once-inseparable sister who'd grown tragically distant。Mars's genderfluidity means he's often excluded from the traditions -- and expectations -- of his politically-connected family。 This includes attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister poured so much of her time。 But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place。What Mars finds is a bucolic fairytale not meant for him。 Folksy charm and sun-drenched festivities camouflage old-fashioned gender roles and a toxic preparatory rigor。 Mars seeks out his sister's old friends: a group of girls dubbed the Honeys, named for the beehives they maintain behind their cabin。 They are beautiful and terrifying -- and Mars is certain they're connected to Caroline's death。But the longer he stays at Aspen, the more the sweet mountain breezes give way to hints of decay。 Mars’s memories begin to falter, bleached beneath the relentless summer sun。 Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with his mind。 If Mars can't find it soon, it will eat him alive。Review: Ok this book sent me on one of the wildest rides of my reading journey。 I instantly fell in love with the book from the beginning and I wasn’t expecting what I was given。 The book did amazing to talk about binary “roles” in society and sexism。 The book also frequently challenged gendered norms and showed that they’re completely fabricated by society。 The book is a great summer camp horror/thriller read and it did so well with the cult aspect of it。 The last few chapters of this one will have you going “wtf?” but stay with it! I promise it all comes together in the end, kinda like Cabin in the Woods。 The character development was great, the world building is phenomenal, and it’s another 5 star read from me for a fave author of mine who proves they can write multiple different genres!The only issue I had with the book is that I felt that the pacing was off in some places and it felt like there was a lot of filler, but overall I highly enjoyed this one。Verdict: I love it! Highly recommend! 。。。more

Sarah {The Clever Reader}

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Caitlyn (delightful。reading)

The Honeys is an eeriy tale of nature and grief。 I loved Ryan La Sala’s writing style in this novel, which often bordered prose。Mars is a gender-fluid teen, who is coming to terms with the death of his twin sister, Caroline。 The place that Mars believes has all the answers is the summer camp that separated him from his twin。 While at the summer camp, Mars stumbles upon some things that don’t add up surrounding The Honeys, a group of girls his sister was close friends with。 Is it all coincidence The Honeys is an eeriy tale of nature and grief。 I loved Ryan La Sala’s writing style in this novel, which often bordered prose。Mars is a gender-fluid teen, who is coming to terms with the death of his twin sister, Caroline。 The place that Mars believes has all the answers is the summer camp that separated him from his twin。 While at the summer camp, Mars stumbles upon some things that don’t add up surrounding The Honeys, a group of girls his sister was close friends with。 Is it all coincidence or do The Honeys know something?All in all, this was an unputdownable read。 The Honeys feels like a campfire tale full of prose and that vaguely uncomfortable Twlight Zone feeling。 (Also side note: why do summer camps always give off spooky vibes?) I won’t spoil the mystery surrounding the camp, but I loved how it was slowly revealed and hinted at。 It was a slow build and kept me guessing until the very end。I also loved the character relationships in this! Especially Mars’ relationships with Wyatt and the Honeys。 This novel also has poignant discussions of grief and Mars’ own genderfluidity。Even though I read an eARC, I really hope the section dividers and chapter headers stay the same。 I loved how they changed over the course of the novel and how it added to the story。 I know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover or package, but this one was beautiful from cover to cover。Many thanks to Turn the Page Tours and the publisher for the eARC of this novel! I really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this tour! 。。。more

Mayah

This book…wow。 If you like books that are spooky in any sense of the word please make sure to put this on your TBR! I had the chance to review this in reading vlog format for @coloredpagesblogtours and oh boy was reading this book a wild ride。 It hooked me immediately and it was like getting on a slide that was slick with honey (ha ha get it ok bad joke I know)。 I just had to put my arms up in the air and let myself go down the slide and just see where it was taking me。 I also adored the gender This book…wow。 If you like books that are spooky in any sense of the word please make sure to put this on your TBR! I had the chance to review this in reading vlog format for @coloredpagesblogtours and oh boy was reading this book a wild ride。 It hooked me immediately and it was like getting on a slide that was slick with honey (ha ha get it ok bad joke I know)。 I just had to put my arms up in the air and let myself go down the slide and just see where it was taking me。 I also adored the gender fluid rep in this book! The way that Mars felt about gender roles was explained very concisely and I found it very relatable as a fellow genderfluid person。 Anyway if you wanna hear more of my thoughts and see me read this wondrously spooky book please consider checking out my vlog and thanks again to @scholasticinc @ireadya @theryanlasala and @coloredpagesblogtours for the e-arc。 It meant a lot to me to be able to participate in a tour for an author that I look up to and for a book that repped gender fluidity! 🥰💚🍯🌿 。。。more

Carli

Thanks to Edelweiss and @scholasticinc for the advance Kindle copy of this book。 All opinions are my own。 It’s out 8/2!•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5。 Okay, so I loved the start and the mystery of this book。 After Mars’s twin Caroline dies in a horrifying way (and their parents cover it up), Mars makes the decision to go back to the Aspen Conservatory, the elite summer camp Caroline was attending at the time of her death。 Mars used to attend, until an incident led to them leaving camp and never returning。 At camp, Thanks to Edelweiss and @scholasticinc for the advance Kindle copy of this book。 All opinions are my own。 It’s out 8/2!•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5。 Okay, so I loved the start and the mystery of this book。 After Mars’s twin Caroline dies in a horrifying way (and their parents cover it up), Mars makes the decision to go back to the Aspen Conservatory, the elite summer camp Caroline was attending at the time of her death。 Mars used to attend, until an incident led to them leaving camp and never returning。 At camp, Mars befriends The Honeys, the literal queen bees of camp。 But the farther Mars probes, the more they learn about the sinister inner workings of the camp。 I loved the mystery and intrigue of this story, but was totally lost when it got to the whole inner working part of the camp。 As usual, Ryan LaSala is a genius, and I think that’s why I was like what? Hand to readers in grades 9+ for sexual innuendos and discussions。 。。。more